Chapter 126: Volume 1, Chapter 126: A Beauty Makes Her Move

"Matters of romance between men and women don't always require affection—sometimes other things can be used to enhance the mood," Rong Luoge said in a low voice.

Liu Yingying jolted, looking at Rong Luoge in disbelief. Consort Ming... Consort Ming actually dared to use that kind of thing on His Majesty?

Rong Luoge observed Liu Yingying's shocked expression and knew she had probably guessed something. She hadn't expected a young lady like Liu Yingying to know about such things.

"Consort Ming... isn't Consort Ming afraid?" Liu Yingying's voice trembled. If this were discovered, it would be a grave crime.

Rong Luoge did not answer this question. Consort Ming was now speaking slander before His Majesty, disparaging Han Xinglan at every turn—she was likely well aware that His Majesty's body could not withstand such prolonged depletion, and wanted to gain his most concentrated favor in the shortest time to pave the way for Prince Qi.

This line of thinking was not wrong, and what she did was not wrong either.

If Han Xinglan had been a more foolish Crown Prince, Consort Ming and her son's plan would certainly have succeeded.

Unfortunately, Han Xinglan was no fool.

The Emperor's blatant favoritism toward Prince Qi and his desire to depose the heir apparent showed, in Rong Luoge's eyes, no remaining fatherly affection.

The transfer of imperial power represented the clash of blood and power—if not them dying, then themselves perishing. At a juncture of life and death, what use was there in observing fatherly kindness and filial piety?

Han Xinglan had not yet made this decision, but Rong Luoge would not be soft-hearted.

She wanted to live, to live well, and that meant not letting the Emperor's blade fall upon their heads.

Looking across the Hou Gong, the Empress now dared not easily risk danger, holding Liu Yingying as a trump card yet not daring to play it forcefully. By comparison, Consort Ming had more boldness than the Empress.

Since that was the case, Rong Luoge certainly could not keep waiting for the Empress to make her move—by then it would be far too late, and they would all mount the scaffold together.

Rong Luoge placed a palm-sized small porcelain vial on the table, then looked at Liu Yingying. "Tomorrow His Majesty will hold morning court. Noble Consort Liu, this is your one and only chance—make sure you seize it well."

Liu Yingying looked at the porcelain vial on the table, her chest heaving violently, her face deathly pale. She gritted her teeth and looked at Rong Luoge, asking, "Is there no problem with this thing?"

"One pill at a time, no problem. Do not be greedy with the dosage," Rong Luoge said.

Liu Yingying stared at the porcelain vial for a long while, finally reached out and clasped the item tightly in her palm, then looked at Rong Luoge. "You're helping me like this—what do you want me to do for you?"

Rong Luoge smiled lightly and looked at her, saying, "As long as Noble Consort Liu can keep His Majesty here, that is the greatest help to me. As for the rest, the time is not yet right. Noble Consort Liu need not worry—you and I are in the same boat. I would never harm you, and furthermore, I can guarantee you wealth and honor for the rest of your life."

Since Liu Yingying had made up her mind, she would not retreat. She looked at Rong Luoge and said, "If that day truly comes, I hope the Good Lady will grant me a place of honorable retirement."

"Agreed," Rong Luoge promised without hesitation.

Liu Yingying's expression relaxed, then she suddenly revealed a bitter smile and said softly, "Living this life is truly too difficult."

Rong Luoge rose and looked at her, saying, "It is always darkest before dawn. Endure a little longer and it will pass."

Liu Yingying gazed at Rong Luoge's retreating back, thinking to herself that she, too, had lived under a stepmother's hand, and that her days had been even harder than her own. If Rong Luoge could turn her fate around, why couldn't she?

Gripping the porcelain vial tightly, her heart still pounded wildly. She had never done such a thing before, but to survive, to live better, she could only grit her teeth and press forward.

Early the next morning, Liu Yingying changed into a tender yellow palace dress, the brocade sash at her waist pulled tight, revealing her slender waist.

She knew His Majesty most loved her waist—that day, His Majesty's hands had lingered constantly at her waist.

Sitting before the bronze mirror, she dotted a floral ornament on her brow, and when she reckoned the time was about right, rose and left Linglong Pavilion.

She waited quietly along the path His Majesty would take returning to the Daoist temple after court. When His Majesty appeared, she pretended to accidentally trip and fell right into His Majesty's arms. Looking up, her brimming eyes carried a few glistening tears of alarm and timidity. This image of a delicate beauty instantly reminded His Majesty of her again.

Liu Yingying successfully followed His Majesty back to the Daoist temple. Her features were enchanting, and her young maiden's body was smooth and firm. Consort Ming, though well-maintained, had after all borne two children.

Moreover, Consort Ming was uninhibited before the Emperor, perpetually lacking the shy charm that only a young maiden could possess. At this moment, Liu Yingying perfectly filled that void.

Previously, the Emperor could only unleash his full passion when facing Consort Ming, enduring in prolonged battle as though returned to his youth, and so His Majesty doted on Consort Ming—she could satisfy his fantasies.

But this time, he found himself particularly drawn to Liu Yingying as well. The way the young woman's expression mingled bashfulness with a hint of anticipation, her coy murmurs of wanting to speak yet holding back in shyness, left the Emperor drowning in it, unable to extricate himself.

Liu Yingying dared not be greedy, using only one pill. Even so, that single pill nearly cost her half her life.

After so long apart, she hadn't expected His Majesty to be even more... unrestrained on the bed, but she had to grit her teeth and accommodate him.

Only after His Majesty had spent himself and fallen into deep sleep beside her did Liu Yingying stare blankly at the canopy above.

Once she recovered her senses, she still had to carefully plan what she would do to solicit favor before His Majesty when he woke—she could not let His Majesty think of Consort Ming again. Having entered this Daoist temple, she had no intention of walking out easily.

Otherwise, if she returned to Linglong Pavilion, she feared she would not live to see His Majesty again.

Consort Ming was not a kind-hearted person.

Having taken this step and blocked Consort Ming's path, she could only keep going forward.

She had no road back.

Liu Yingying's return to favor greatly astonished everyone in the Hou Gong. Consort Ming in particular was furious, immediately washing, dressing, and going to request an audience with His Majesty.

By this time, Liu Yingying was leaning against His Majesty's chest wearing only her undergarments. Hearing that Consort Ming sought an audience, she trembled in fear, her face pale, clinging to His Majesty's waist without uttering a word.

The Emperor had again skipped morning court today. Opening his eyes to find such a beauty in his arms, His Majesty—having grown accustomed to indulgence in recent days—naturally cast the morning court aside and held the beauty for another round of full satisfaction.

Right at the height of his passion, Consort Ming arrived. Hearing it was Consort Ming, the Emperor's expression hesitated slightly—after all, his affection for Consort Ming was genuine.

Just then, Liu Yingying made her move, putting on an appearance of fear, which indeed drew His Majesty's attention.

Liu Yingying clutched His Majesty's waist tightly, pressing her body close against him. Feeling His Majesty's response, she breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, but on her lips spoke with a choked voice: "This concubine dare not displease Consort Ming. Though this concubine is reluctant to part with Your Majesty... when Consort Ming is not present, this concubine will come again to serve Your Majesty."

These words were vague and unclear. The Emperor found them strange, and seeing his beloved beauty so frightened that her face was pale and her body trembling, he said, "What exactly is going on? Tell me clearly."