YWTGU -Chapter 22 The Empress’s Pressure…

“You want this minister to… to defile the Empress?!!!”

Li An’s eyes widened as he stared at the young emperor in utter disbelief.

Was this emperor out of his mind?

Personally arranging for a minister to sleep with his own empress?

Not only had Li An never seen such a thing in two lifetimes, even if one flipped through all the history books until they fell apart, one probably wouldn’t find a second case like this!

Zhao Ling’er, however, was amused by his horrified expression.

“Li Aiqing, you’ve misunderstood.”

She waved her hand, a faint smile on her lips.

“Misunderstood?”

Li An nearly jumped up. “Your Majesty, you just said you want this minister to go to the Empress’s bedchamber and share the same quilt with Her Majesty! What misunderstanding could there possibly be?”

“Even if I had a hundred heads, it wouldn’t be enough to lose them all!”

“Illicit relations with the Empress—that’s a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans!”

“I am but a common-born official. How would I dare lay a finger on Her Majesty the Empress? Isn’t that like a toad lusting after a swan?”

“If word of this spreads, this minister’s death would be insignificant—but it would damage Your Majesty’s reputation!”

“At that time, the whole realm would say that the Great Qi Empress was… was… well, you know…”

“Where would Your Majesty’s dignity go? Where would the dignity of the imperial house of Great Qi go?”

Li An spoke with such heartfelt sincerity, as if he truly cared about the imperial family’s honor.

But what was he really thinking?

He was thinking: Has this young emperor gone insane?

You want me to sleep with the Empress? Do you have some grudge against her? Or could it be… you simply don’t like women?

At that thought, Li An couldn’t help but scrutinize Zhao Ling’er more closely.

The young emperor was indeed fair and delicate, with overly refined features. Even the voice was soft and gentle…

Could it be…

Could it be that the emperor was effeminate? That he had certain preferences?

Was he truly uninterested in women, and that was why he treated the Empress so indifferently?

Was he even pushing her toward another man on purpose?

The more Li An thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

No wonder!

Ding!

【Li An has developed a serious misunderstanding of the Emperor!】

【Believes the Emperor “doesn’t like women”!】

【Trust between ruler and subject deteriorating!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -500】

【Current National Fortune: 69,379】

Pfft!

Li An almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Even this counts?!

It seems the young emperor truly trusts him now!

Even this can reduce the nation’s fortune?

Just as Li An’s thoughts ran wild, Zhao Ling’er spoke.

“The Empress is absolutely loyal to me, and I trust her completely. She has known about this plan from the beginning and is very willing to cooperate.”

“So Li Aiqing need not worry. You only need to stay in the Empress’s bedchamber for one night and be seen leaving the next morning.”

“As for the rest…”

Zhao Ling’er gave him a meaningful look. “You are only acting. There’s no need to actually do anything.”

“The Empress will cooperate with you.”

“She even said it’s been a long time since something this interesting has happened. She’s looking forward to the performance.”

Only then did Li An let out a breath of relief.

Just acting!

No need to truly “defile” the Empress—that was much easier to handle.

But upon second thought, something still felt off.

The Empress was looking forward to this?

That… that was strange.

What kind of Empress would look forward to sharing a quilt with another man?

Even if it was just an act, they’d still be sleeping on the same bed!

Shouldn’t a normal Empress refuse?

Shouldn’t she feel humiliated?

Why was she “looking forward” to it?

The more Li An thought about it, the more abnormal this imperial couple seemed.

Could it be…

Could it be that the emperor truly didn’t like women, which was why the Empress was so… open-minded?

After all, if the emperor never touched her, she must be lonely!

Now that there was an opportunity to “act” with another man, of course she’d be looking forward to it!

Li An felt as if he had uncovered some astonishing truth.

Even if it was just acting, she’d still be sharing a bed with a man!

At that thought, Li An couldn’t help but feel a trace of sympathy for the Empress.

Poor Empress—married to an emperor who doesn’t like women. How stifled she must have felt all these years!

“Li Aiqing?”

Zhao Ling’er’s voice pulled him back from his wandering thoughts.

“Ah?”

Li An snapped back to attention and hurriedly cupped his hands. “This minister is here.”

“Do you understand my plan?” Zhao Ling’er asked.

Li An nodded, then shook his head.

“I understand, but I still have one question.”

“Speak.”

“Your Majesty, is the Empress truly willing to cooperate?” Li An asked carefully. “After all… if this spreads, it would harm Her Majesty’s reputation as well.”

Zhao Ling’er smiled.

“You need not worry about that. The Empress told me herself she finds the plan quite interesting. In fact, when we were discussing your infiltration plan, this particular detail—the compromising handle—was proposed by the Empress herself.”

“Besides, only the Prime Minister’s people will know of this matter. Since the Prime Minister intends to use it to control you, he certainly won’t spread it around.”

“So the Empress’s reputation will not be harmed.”

After hearing this, Li An became even more convinced of his theory.

Poor Empress…

“In that case, this minister can only… obey the decree.”

Li An sighed and resigned himself to it.

After all, it was just acting. No need to truly do anything.

He would simply consider it helping the Empress relieve a bit of boredom.

…

Imperial Garden.

Night fell, and lanterns were lit.

Emperor Zhao Ling’er hosted a small banquet in a pavilion within the Imperial Garden to entertain Li An.

Only the two of them were present at the table, attended by a few trusted eunuchs and palace maids.

“Li Aiqing, come, finish this cup!”

Zhao Ling’er raised a wine cup, smiling at him.

Li An lifted his cup and drained it in one gulp.

The moment the wine entered his throat, he almost spat it out.

What kind of wine was this?

Why did it taste like water?

There was barely any alcohol flavor!

He glanced at Zhao Ling’er, who winked at him.

Li An immediately understood.

The wine had been diluted!

The emperor was helping him cheat.

After all, he would soon have to pretend to be drunk. If he were actually drunk, the performance would fall apart.

Moreover, although the palace seemed heavily guarded, many palace maids and eunuchs were informants for various factions. They had to be cautious.

Li An understood in his heart but put on the appearance of a greedy drinker.

“Good wine! Excellent wine!”

He exclaimed loudly. “Your Majesty’s wine is truly the finest under heaven! This minister has never tasted such exquisite brew!”

Zhao Ling’er was somewhat speechless.

Li An’s acting was truly… exaggerated.

But perhaps that was for the best. When he “got drunk” later, the exaggeration would make it more convincing.

“As long as Li Aiqing enjoys it. Come, another cup!”

“Gladly! This minister toasts Your Majesty!”

Cup after cup, Li An drank with heroic enthusiasm.

After seven or eight cups, it was time for his performance.

His gaze grew unfocused, and his speech slurred.

“Your… Your Majesty… this minister… feels a bit dizzy…”

He swayed to his feet, then plopped back down.

“This wine… this wine is strong…”

Zhao Ling’er shook her head with a smile.

The acting…

How to put it…

A bit too over-the-top.

But no matter. Drunkenness allowed for exaggeration.

“Li Aiqing is drunk.”

Zhao Ling’er cooperated smoothly. “Attendants, escort him to the side hall to rest.”

A eunuch immediately stepped forward to support the staggering Li An.

Zhao Ling’er shot the eunuch a meaningful glance.

Understanding at once, the eunuch helped Li An toward the direction of the Empress’s bedchamber.

Li An kept his eyes half-closed, though his mind was perfectly clear.

With my acting skills, I’d win Best Actor in modern times!

No—an Oscar!

As he internally congratulated himself, he carefully observed his surroundings.

The imperial palace at night was brightly illuminated.

Tall walls, red ramparts, and golden tiles gleamed solemnly under the lantern light.

Following the eunuch through gate after gate, Li An inwardly grumbled.

I, a top-tier secret agent of Northern Yan, am now going to stage a “private affair with the Empress”?

If the Blackwater Terrace found out, what would they think?

Would they consider this part of my mission to undermine the nation?

After all, putting a green hat on the emperor counts as harming the state, doesn’t it?

Even if it’s fake…

But the Prime Minister doesn’t know that it’s fake!

He’ll think I really have something going on with the Empress!

And if that happens, won’t His Majesty’s reputation be ruined?

The dignified Emperor of Great Qi being cuckolded by his own minister!

If word gets out, where would the royal family’s dignity go?

While Li An was spiraling in wild thoughts, the eunuch suddenly stopped.

“Lord Li, there’s someone ahead.”

The eunuch lowered his voice.

Following his gaze, Li An saw a burly military general in armor patrolling with several guards not far ahead. The man looked powerful and formidable—clearly not someone to be trifled with.

Li An’s heart stirred.

This must be the Prime Minister’s trusted confidant—the Commander of the Imperial Guards the Emperor had mentioned.

The eunuch supported Li An and deliberately walked past the general.

“Stop!”

As expected, the general blocked their path.

“It’s late. Where are you going?”

His eyes fell on Li An, a flicker of surprise and suspicion flashing through them.

The Prime Minister knew he was on palace duty today and had specifically sent word for him to closely monitor Li An’s movements inside the palace.

The eunuch hurriedly explained, “Reporting to Commander, Lord Li was drinking with His Majesty in the Imperial Garden and became drunk. I’ve been ordered to escort him to a side hall to rest.”

“Drunk?”

The general sized Li An up and down, clearly forming his own conclusions.

Meanwhile, Li An leaned against the eunuch with “bleary drunken eyes,” mumbling incoherently.

“Your Majesty… this minister… can still drink…”

His words slurred, looking completely wasted.

The general stared at him for quite a while before finally waving them off.

“Go.”

The eunuch quickly thanked him and continued forward with Li An.

Through half-lidded eyes, Li An caught the general’s gaze still following their backs.

That look wasn’t right.

He must already be suspicious.

But that was exactly the young Emperor’s intention.

Only if this commander grew suspicious would he follow—and only then would he “happen” to witness Li An leaving the Empress’s quarters.

As Li An pondered, he continued pretending to stagger.

After walking some distance, the eunuch finally stopped.

“Lord Li, we’ve arrived.”

He lowered his voice. “This servant takes his leave.”

With that, he turned and quickly disappeared into the night.

Li An stood where he was, staring at the tightly shut palace doors before him.

Cining Palace—the Empress’s residence.

He took a deep breath. Sneaking into the Empress’s chambers for the first time—fake or not—still made him nervous.

Just then, the palace doors suddenly opened from within.

A figure appeared at the entrance.

Li An focused his eyes—and froze.

A young woman stood there in plain white nightclothes, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders.

Her beauty was extraordinary—skin like snow, delicate features like a painting, with a touch of charming innocence.

It was the Empress, Sun Ruoxi.

Ding!

【The Empress personally welcomes Li An into her chambers!】

【The gates of the inner palace thrown wide! Moral order in chaos!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -500】

【Current National Fortune: 68,879】

When she saw Li An, her eyes lit up and she broke into a bright smile.

“Lord Li, you’ve finally come. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”

Hearing that, Li An felt an ominous premonition rising again.

Waiting… waiting for me for a long time?

Is the Empress even more enthusiastic than the Emperor?!

Isn’t this just supposed to be a staged ‘affair’?

Why does she look so… so expectant?

Before Li An could recover, Sun Ruoxi suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“Lord Li, come inside quickly!”

Her voice was urgent. “There are people outside! Now isn’t the time for you to be seen…”

Before he knew it, Li An had been dragged into the palace.

Bang!

The doors shut behind him.

Li An stood inside the Empress’s chambers, utterly stunned.

It’s over! It’s over! It’s over!

I’ve really barged into the Empress’s residence!

Instinctively, he tried to step back, only to realize his wrist was still in her grasp.

And in preparation for tonight, the Empress had dismissed all the palace maids. The entire Cining Palace now contained only the two of them.

Sun Ruoxi released his wrist, turned around, and began looking him over from head to toe.

“So you’re the top scholar, Li An?”

Tilting her head, she looked at him with curiosity. “His Majesty has told me many things about you! Tonight, you’ll be staying in my Cining Palace.”

“Your… Your Majesty the Empress.”

Li An hurriedly bowed. “This minister… this minister was forced!”

“Forced?”

Sun Ruoxi blinked, then burst into laughter.

“Lord Li, why are you so nervous?”

Her eyes curved like crescent moons as she smiled. “His Majesty said it’s just an act for the Prime Minister to see. I won’t eat you.”

Hearing that, Li An felt his face turn green on the young Emperor’s behalf.

Your Majesty the Empress… the way you phrase that sounds… rather ambiguous.

Seeing his alarmed expression, Sun Ruoxi laughed even harder.

“His Majesty was right—you are quite interesting.”

She turned and walked further inside. “Come. I’ve prepared tea and refreshments. Let’s chat. You can leave at dawn.”

Li An stood there for a moment, unsure whether to follow.

Your Majesty the Empress… are we really going to chat all night?

We’ve just met for the first time. I don’t even know you that well…

What are we supposed to talk about?

After a few steps, Sun Ruoxi noticed he hadn’t followed and looked back.

“Lord Li, why are you still standing there?”

There was a playful tone in her voice. “Do you plan to stand by the door all night?”

Li An forced a bitter smile and followed.

Your Majesty the Empress, this minister was truly forced by His Majesty!

And now, even you are pressuring this minister!

The Empress’s chambers were elegantly arranged.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air, soothing and refreshing.

Sun Ruoxi sat on a cushioned couch and gestured to the chair opposite.

“Lord Li, please sit.”

Li An sat cautiously, barely perching on the edge.

He dared not let his eyes wander, fixing his gaze on the teacup before him.

Seeing how restrained he was, Sun Ruoxi couldn’t help laughing again.

“Lord Li, you don’t need to be so tense.”

She poured him tea. “I know you’re here to put on a show. I won’t do anything to you.”

Li An took the cup and gave a dry laugh.

“Your Majesty jests. This minister… is simply not used to this.”

“Not used to what?”

“Not used to being alone with Your Majesty the Empress.”

Sun Ruoxi giggled again.

“Lord Li, weren’t you quite eloquent in court? Scolding His Majesty, scolding the officials! Why so obedient here? Why don’t you scold me too? Come—let me see. Would you call me a wicked empress? Or accuse me of corrupting the inner palace?”

“Pfft!”

At the words “corrupting the inner palace,” Li An sprayed out the mouthful of tea he had just taken.

This Empress is even more unrestrained than I am! She dares to say anything?

Good thing there’s no third person here—otherwise what would people think?

“Lord Li? What’s wrong? Can’t handle it already? I haven’t even said the more outrageous things yet.”

Sun Ruoxi laughed even more, even taking out her silk handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

So fragrant…

Catching the faint feminine scent from the silk, Li An felt his throat grow dry.

Under the dim, ambiguous lamplight, with the Empress dressed so lightly and casually, sitting less than half a meter away, even a normal grown man like Li An found himself swallowing repeatedly.

Ding!

【The Empress teasing Li An late at night!】

【The inner palace on the brink of dishonor! Sovereign-minister relations twisted!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -1000】

【Current National Fortune: 67,879】

“Your Majesty, please spare this minister!”

Taking a deep breath, afraid he might lose control and commit a grave mistake, Li An quickly stood, lowered his head, and retreated toward the door.

“This minister would rather stand guard at the door all night!”

“Who would’ve thought the newly crowned top scholar would be so timid?”

Seeing how cautious he remained, Sun Ruoxi deliberately provoked him.

“Is this the same top scholar who wrote the ‘Petition Urging His Majesty to Surrender’, boldly declaring that Great Qi was rotten to the core?”

“Your Majesty… what exactly do you want from this minister?”

Looking at her seductive peach-blossom eyes and alluring charm, Li An swallowed hard.

At that, Sun Ruoxi rose as well, stepping toward him slowly.

Her tone shifted, no longer teasing but firm and resolute:

“Lord Li! His Majesty said you were to perform a play, correct? But… I have no desire to act. The true purpose of my suggestion to His Majesty was to ask you… to lend me your seed.”

Ding!

【The Empress wants to borrow Li An’s seed!】

【The inner palace on the verge of chaos! Royal bloodline at risk!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -2000】

【Current National Fortune: 65,879】

Li An was completely petrified.

Borrow… borrow seed?!

From… me?