Chapter 826: The Son of Heaven Indulges in Lust, the Empress in a Rage

The Jasper Splendor Hall was merely the most ordinary hall in the Han palace—remote, secluded, and rarely visited. On ordinary days, only a single young eunuch tended to it, making it little different from a cold palace. Yet today, the Son of Heaven of Han had quietly come to grace it with his presence.

Two young women, Lady Xu and Lady Li, walked slowly under the guidance of a palace eunuch. Their delicate faces bore mournful expressions, and their steps no longer carried their former lightness. The Jasper Splendor Hall that came into view was shrouded in chill, adding to its desolate coldness. The wide-open hall doors resembled a beast's gaping maw, waiting for its prey to arrive.

Within the palace, the warm chamber felt like spring, with wisps of fragrant smoke curling upward. The ambiguous atmosphere had already been perfectly arranged. Liu Chengyou, clad in a single layer of clothing, sat cross-legged behind the mat-covered table, pouring wine for himself and sipping the warm liquor slowly.

When the two women of graceful bearing and enchanting charm entered, Liu Chengyou was momentarily stunned—not captivated by their beauty, but rather surprised. Why had two people come?

"Your concubines, Xu (Li), pay respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty's sacred longevity know no bounds!" The two beautiful women knelt in graceful obeisance, their soft, gentle voices tinged with a hint of sorrow that stirred pity.

After only a moment's distraction, Liu Chengyou realized—the eunuch had likely taken it upon himself, not only inviting Pure Consort Xu but also bringing Meng Chang's Lady Li along as a package deal...

"Rise!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand, his tone gentle.

The two women rose, their faces bearing an air of fragility. At Liu Chengyou's gesture, they both took their seats. They kept their heads lowered, appearing ill at ease under the Han Emperor's gaze, yet they could only suppress their inner discomfort, not daring any act of resistance or impropriety.

"Raise your heads!" Liu Chengyou's voice and expression lacked their usual severity, carrying a hint of wantonness instead.

Like fish and meat on a chopping board, at the mercy of others, they successively lifted their heads, revealing their beautiful faces before Liu Chengyou.

With the two beauties so close at hand, a refreshing fragrance permeated the air, its scent assailing his nostrils and stirring Liu Chengyou's heartstrings. He studied the two beautiful women carefully. Lady Xu naturally possessed bright eyes and white teeth, fragrant skin and jade-like bones, her jade face radiant, with a hint of weakness and grievance flickering in her luminous eyes. Lady Li was no less impressive, wearing a sky-rising bun rarely seen in the Central Plains, her figure lithe and graceful, her eyes brimming with autumn waves as if veiled in glistening tears.

Both were beauties who had served Meng Chang for over a decade, past thirty years of age—considerably older than Liu Chengyou. Inhaling the fragrance in the air, Liu Chengyou made no effort to conceal his wandering thoughts.

"Truly beauties of a generation. It seems the beauty of Shu women lies entirely in their appearance—worthy indeed of the name 'Flower Calyx'!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh.

The Han Emperor's voice made them nervous. Lady Xu replied in a low voice: "Your Majesty flatters us. How could we two dare to deserve such praise?"

"I have heard that you two, in the Shu palace, accompanied Meng Chang with slingshots and horseback riding, roaming in feasts and seeking poetry, letting the years pass in great delight. I wonder if today I might have the fortune to have beauties pour wine and attend to my cup?" Liu Chengyou's gaze seemed to carry a scorching power as he stared at Lady Xu. Through her light-colored brocade skirt, one could faintly discern the embroidered bodice beneath, her rising peaks gently heaving, as if resisting the Han Emperor's unabashed stare.

A faint smile at the corner of her lips, Lady Xu silently picked up the wine pot, filled a cup, held it with both hands, and gracefully presented it before Liu Chengyou's chest. Tilting her jade-like head slightly, she asked softly: "My husband, because he indulged in wine and lust, gave himself over to sensual pleasures, and neglected military and state affairs, lost his kingdom. We two are even more—calamitous women, bearers of ill fortune. This cup of wine—can Your Majesty drink it?"

Lady Xu's posture was humble and weak, yet her words carried hidden barbs beneath their softness. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's interest only grew. He took the cup, drained it in one go, a flush of red spreading across his cheeks, and said: "Since ancient times, those who call beauties 'calamitous women' are all mediocrities! I am not Meng Chang, nor will I neglect the rivers and mountains of the realm over a single cup of thin wine. This cup of wine, I can drink—drink with confidence! What I savor is not the brew, but the taste of victory!"

As he spoke, Liu Chengyou's lecherous demeanor grew more apparent, and hearing this, Lady Xu lightly bit her red lips and let out a silent sigh.

"I have heard that you excel at song and dance, having entered the Shu palace by offering a dance. On this fine occasion, might you try displaying your dancing for me?" Liu Chengyou then turned his gaze to the silent Lady Li.

Lady Li appeared even more delicate than Lady Xu. Naturally, facing the Han Emperor's command, she dared not hesitate. She rose, removed her outer garment, and began to dance gracefully within the hall. Her lithe figure and elegant bearing all fell into Liu Chengyou's view, capturing his gaze.

One woman danced, one woman served wine. Though lacking music and seeming somewhat monotonous, it was enough to intoxicate Liu Chengyou. Amidst the fragrance, the dancing, and the drinking, a thought suddenly arose in his mind—perhaps he could indeed have Pure Consort Zhou play music alongside...

When Lady Li finished her dance, she returned to the table, panting softly. She moved to put on her clothes but was stopped by Liu Chengyou. Liu Chengyou turned to look at Lady Xu, whose cheeks were flushed from the wine she had drunk, and said: "This wine truly doesn't hold up well!"

"Your Majesty, since the wine is finished, we two should also take our leave!" Between Lady Xu's vermilion lips, there was a hint of redness and glistening. Her eyes slightly hazy, she pleaded with a supplicating gaze.

Liu Chengyou shook his head slightly, raised his index finger, and said very directly: "I wonder if the two ladies would be willing to share a bed with me?"

Hearing this, some of the color drained from Lady Xu's flushed face. There was no surprise in her dazed eyes, and she still spoke in that soft, delicate tone: "We two have long been wives of others, past thirty years of age. Our looks have aged, our bodies have withered—how could our willow-like forms serve the dignity of the Son of Heaven? We only fear defiling His Majesty's sacred person..."

From Lady Xu's tone, she was clearly making her final effort and struggle.

Liu Chengyou wagged his finger leisurely and asked: "Madam, do you know what brings the greatest joy in life?"

Suddenly hearing this, Lady Xu, whose emotions were already complicated, had no mind to ponder such things. She shook her head.

Liu Chengyou smiled faintly and spoke a string of words: "The greatest joy in life lies in defeating one's enemy, pursuing him, seizing all he possesses, seeing his dearest ones bathed in tears, riding his horse, and taking his wives and daughters."

At these words, their flower-like faces changed color. What Liu Chengyou's words revealed was an overwhelming desire for conquest. Gazing at Liu Chengyou's increasingly animated demeanor under the influence of wine, they had no more words to say. The Han Son of Heaven, renowned for his strict self-discipline, harbored within his breast such a voracious appetite...

Outside the palace, Meng Chang's aged mother had waited before the imperial city for a long time. Only when evening fell and the sky darkened did the old lady finally instruct the coachman to drive back to the residence. As an old woman who had seen much of the world, she saw this matter all too clearly. There might be humiliation, but given their circumstances, what could be done about it?

The only question was how to explain it to Meng Chang. Meng Chang had no shortage of women—when he came to Kaifeng, excluding those with children, he still had over a dozen beauties accompanying him. But among those bearing noble titles and most beloved by Meng Chang, only Lady Xu and Lady Li held that distinction.

One trip into the palace, and two beloved concubines were lost...

How would Meng Chang react? On Lady Li's dignified face was nothing but bitterness and desolation. In her view, Meng Chang had no backbone—he could not die for his kingdom, had chosen to live on in disgrace, surviving in this world. What humiliation could he not endure, let alone the loss of two concubines?

That night, Liu Chengyou lodged in the Jasper Splendor Hall, indulging in wine and pleasure, not resting until midnight.

The next morning, Liu Chengyou rose from amidst the entanglement of two delicate bodies and two pairs of jade-like arms. He felt some reluctance to leave, but for him, physical pleasure was far less satisfying than psychological fulfillment.

However, before he could even finish dressing, a eunuch hurried in to report: "His Majesty, the Empress has come looking for you!"

"Hm?" Liu Chengyou nodded, then noticing the eunuch's somewhat odd expression, immediately asked: "How is her mood?"

Before the eunuch could answer, the elder Lady Fu stormed straight in, her phoenix brows knit high, her manner fierce and imposing—the palace attendants dared not block her. She walked up to Liu Chengyou, looked at his disheveled state, then turned to the two delicate forms wrapped in brocade quilts on the bed, and stared coldly at Liu Chengyou: "Our His Majesty has truly accomplished a great deed!"

Anyone could sense the anger in the Empress's tone. Liu Chengyou felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly said: "I got carried away in the moment—a lapse of composure!"

For some reason, Liu Chengyou felt like he had been caught in the act of adultery.

Hurriedly finishing dressing, Liu Chengyou quickly pulled the elder Lady Fu aside to talk outside: "How did you find out?"

Hearing the question, the elder Lady Fu sneered twice, then scolded: "I came to see for myself how the Emperor of the Great Han indulges in absurdity, how lust clouds his judgment!"

The Empress's words were somewhat rude, even bold, leaving Liu Chengyou dumbfounded. This was the first time he had seen the elder Lady Fu so furious. A hint of displeasure rose in his heart, and he immediately said: "Why are you acting like this? Is this the attitude to use when speaking to me? They are merely two women. I am the Emperor—if I summon them to serve me, what problem is there that warrants such anger from you?"

Noticing Liu Chengyou's attitude and tone, the elder Lady Fu grew even angrier, glaring at him: "Does His Majesty think I am jealous? That I am envious?"

"Is that not the case?" Seeing the elder Lady Fu still like an enraged lioness, Liu Chengyou muttered.

Taking a deep breath, the elder Lady Fu appeared even more indignant, speaking coldly: "You are the Emperor, possessing all under heaven—ten thousand li of territory, hundreds of millions of subjects, all your property. Of course you can summon anyone at will for your enjoyment! But let me ask you—since ancient times, has there ever been a sage and enlightened ruler who debauched the wives and daughters of his own subjects?"

"Elder Lady Fu!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression truly turned ugly, his voice rising several notches: "Don't you think you've gone too far saying such things?"

Seeing Liu Chengyou's reaction, the elder Lady Fu sneered: "Have I struck a nerve? It seems you still have a shred of shame!"

Before Liu Chengyou could respond, the elder Lady Fu's words came like a string of pearls, striking at him: "Does the palace lack female company for your hunting? The consorts and concubines of every hall are yours to visit—have I ever said a word?

In broad daylight, under the bright sun, as the Emperor of the Great Han, you openly debauch the concubines of others, not even caring about the Son of Heaven's dignity? You have already issued a clear decree to treat the Meng family well, yet your words and deeds contradict each other—for the sake of your own prurient curiosity and selfish desires, you heap humiliation upon them.

The chaos in Shu has not yet subsided, yet you engage in such wanton behavior. If word spreads, how will the people of the realm view you? What will the soldiers fighting on the front lines to suppress the rebellion think?"

The more she spoke, the more agitated the elder Lady Fu became: "The Empress Dowager has been comforting the families of surrendered officials to build your reputation, yet you use Her Grace's virtue as cover for your lecherous deeds. Have you considered the Empress Dowager's reputation and feelings?"

This thunderous barrage of accusations snapped Liu Chengyou back to his senses. The anger rising on his face subsided somewhat, replaced by deepening embarrassment.

Catching her breath, the elder Lady Fu continued, her tone full of mockery: "And you even used Pure Consort Zhou's name, acting like a thief in the night, sneaking around in a manner most contemptible! Do you think word won't get out just because you did it that way?"

Having endured the scolding, seeing the Empress's beautiful face flushed red with anger and her breathing unsteady, Liu Chengyou quickly stepped forward, gently stroking her back to soothe her, saying: "Don't get so agitated—hurting yourself over this isn't worth it! I've endured your cold mockery and sarcasm, so calm down..."