Chapter 255: Stop Thinking About Seducing Her All Damn Day
Why did Lou Yan go looking for Song Junzhan?
To show off, of course.
That day, Song Junzhan had kissed Her Majesty right in front of him and tried all sorts of seductions. He couldn’t just let that ’grudge’ go unavenged.
Of course, he wouldn’t stoop so low as to recount his intimate affairs with the Empress for him. But Song Junzhan was clever enough—far too clever. For someone like that, the slightest clue would be enough to uncover the truth.
Just guessing the truth would be enough to make him experience the same pain Lou Yan had felt that day.
There were many men connected to the Empress, but the only one Lou Yan currently considered a true threat was Song Junzhan.
He was the Prime Minister, held power in the court, was deeply trusted by the Empress, and was a man she had actively kissed.
Lou Yan knew very well that the Empress’s feelings for him were faint. She would never marry him, much less be devoted to him and him alone.
Although he had never positioned himself as the Empress’s husband, he was by no means generous enough to willingly share her.
He would do everything in his power to monopolize the Empress and spare no effort in crushing all his rivals.
He was a servant, a scoundrel; Song Junzhan, however, was a gentleman.
A gentleman doesn’t fight or snatch, prizing his reputation above all. If he could discreetly repel this formidable rival, that would be for the best.
But he also knew that Song Junzhan wasn’t so easy to deal with. Prime Minister Song might value his reputation, but he could be rather shameless when it came to Her Majesty.
But that was fine too. The Empress was too heartless; without a rival, he would be quite lonely.
Besides, this arrow through the heart would be enough to make this paragon of a gentleman reel for a good while.
The smug Mr. Lou returned to the palace, thinking he could finally sneak into the imperial bed tonight, but Rong Qing blocked his path with a blade.
This familiar greatsword, this familiar scene, this familiar feeling of suffocation...
Lou Yan nearly ground his teeth to dust. "Is this Her Majesty’s order?"
Rong Qing nodded bluntly. "Her Majesty has decreed that from now on, you are not to appear in her bedchambers after 9:45 PM."
This completely cut off any chance for him to sneak into her bed.
Lou Yan was so angry he wanted to laugh, but he could only concede. "Fine, I won’t go in."
Lou Yan didn’t go in, but he didn’t go to rest either. He simply stood guard at the door all night. The next morning, he went inside carrying a basin of water to help her wash up.
His attitude was deferential, with none of his usual little tricks, just like any ordinary servant.
Such abnormal behavior had to mean he was up to something, but his little schemes were practically transparent to Xiao Li.
When breakfast was served, Lou Yan once again took it upon himself to serve her, but Xiao Li raised a hand to stop him.
"Hong Yue, you do it."
Hong Yue immediately stepped forward. "At your service."
The chopsticks were snatched from Lou Yan’s hand. He couldn’t maintain his calm expression as darkness swirled in his eyes. "Your Majesty, is this servant not even allowed to serve you anymore?"
Xiao Li pointed to the spot beside her. "Are you blind? Can’t you see this set of bowl and chopsticks?"
Lou Yan genuinely hadn’t seen it. Snapping back to his senses, he asked, "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?"
Xiao Li tapped the table. "I grant you leave to sit."
Lou Yan’s fingers tightened slightly on his sleeves. "This... This servant thanks Your Majesty."
He walked over stiffly and sat down. He had been in the palace for many years and had served three Emperors, but this was the first time he had ever sat at an Emperor’s table to dine.
He was seated, but he didn’t know how to begin eating. He knew how to serve an Emperor, but dining with one was outside the realm of his experience.
Xiao Li leisurely enjoyed his dazed look. When she had her fill, she used her chopsticks to place a crystal dumpling on his plate.
"From today onward, your title is my personal attendant. I am canceling your title of Chief Eunuch. We can’t have people thinking you’re a eunuch."
’I’m the great Empress, what kind of man can’t I have? Why would I have to fool around with a eunuch? Those who don’t know any better might think I have some strange, heavy tastes.’
Lou Yan lowered his gaze. "I will obey Your Majesty’s command."
He was silent for a moment, his heart unreconciled. "Why won’t Your Majesty allow this servant to attend to you at night? Is it because my service was lacking in some way?"
Xiao Li sneered. "If I let you in, would you behave yourself?"
Lou Yan’s heart tightened. "To answer Your Majesty... indeed, I cannot."
’He actually dares to answer?’
Xiao Li shot him a look. "Behave yourself for me."
’He’d better stop thinking about seducing me all day long.’
Suddenly, Lou Yan smiled. He had thought Her Majesty was being heartless and wanted to cast him aside like a worn-out shoe. It turned out she was afraid her own resolve was too weak to resist his charms.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. This servant... will be very obedient."
’Behave? Not a chance.’
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song requests an audience."
"Admit him."
It wasn’t strange for Song Junzhan to come see Xiao Li. What was strange was his haggard expression, which turned dark and livid when he saw Lou Yan sitting at the table.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Xiao Li raised a hand. "No need for ceremony. Sit and eat."
Song Junzhan replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Lou Yan narrowed his eyes, a dark glint passing through them. He had more than one reason to be hostile toward Song Junzhan.
The man was handsome and upright, a stark contrast of black and white against him.
He was the eunuch who coveted the Empress—a creature of the shadows, fated to be a servant. But Song Junzhan was the Prime Minister, open and honorable. If he and the Empress were to fall in love and marry, it would be a match made in heaven.
Even sitting at the table to eat with the Empress was, for him, a sign of her favor and a great honor. But for Song Junzhan, these things were his by right, something he accepted with ease and natural grace.
One who has fallen into darkness cannot help but loathe the bright purity of the moonlight.
Suddenly, he felt a kick against his foot under the table. The gloom surrounding him was instantly kicked away as he looked up to see the Empress warning him with her eyes.
She was clearly being fierce, but in his eyes, it was a coquettish glance, alluring in every way.
He lowered his head, picked up the crystal dumpling, and began to eat slowly. Suddenly, the dumpling seemed incomparably delicious.
Song Junzhan cherished the opportunity to dine with the Empress, but at this moment, he couldn’t swallow his food. It was like chewing wax.
He was inexperienced in matters of love. Although he knew a little, it was all just crude talk and rumors he’d overheard on the streets.
Guessing what he had last night was a complete accident, but when he saw Lou Yan sitting here now, he understood. His guess had been true.
’This is a fake eunuch, and Her Majesty has already been intimate with him. And it happened just yesterday...’
"Your Majesty, your subject still has a great deal of official business to attend to. I will report back to you later. I shall take my leave first."
Song Junzhan rose and left, visibly crestfallen and distracted.
Xiao Li took the handkerchief Hong Yue offered, wiped her hands, and turned to glare at Lou Yan. "What did you say to Song Junzhan?"
’Her Majesty is truly perceptive.’
Lou Yan replied, "This servant merely went to ask for a cup of tea. I absolutely did not say a single word I shouldn’t have."
’When someone you have no friendly relations with—someone you’re even vaguely hostile towards—suddenly shows up at your door for tea, is there really a need to say anything more?’
Xiao Li stood up, reached out, and grabbed Lou Yan’s chin, turning his face toward her. Staring into his eyes, she said, "There will be no next time."
As Xiao Li tried to pull away, Lou Yan suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her in place. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with a cold, wicked charm. "Is Your Majesty’s heart aching for Prime Minister Song?"
"SMACK!" Xiao Li slapped away his misbehaving paw. "My heart aches for myself."
’I knew this guy was a restless scourge.’