In the blink of an eye.
Within White Jade Pavilion.
The Empress Beauty sat high above, scrutinizing the young man before her.
Her stunningly beautiful face remained expressionless, and her piercing phoenix eyes locked onto her favored subject with an oppressive gaze.
Her long, elegant legs were crossed, and the high heel on her foot irritably tapped against the side of her seat.
It was clear that this usually composed and decisive empress was feeling a bit irritable.
There were likely very few in the entire capital who could evoke such an emotion from her.
"Your Majesty, why are you looking at me like that?"
Facing that scrutinizing gaze, Su Qing looked utterly innocent.
He hadn’t done anything wrong recently, had he?
"It's nothing. I just find the scent of rouge on you growing stronger. You should take care of yourself."
"Don't overwork yourself on my behalf and end up exhausting yourself. That would be quite unfortunate."
The Empress Beauty’s voice carried a palpable dissatisfaction.
"Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I feel very healthy and have no issues whatsoever."
Su Qing seemed completely oblivious to the discontent in her tone, responding earnestly.
"Do you think I’m concerned about you?!"
The Empress Beauty’s slightly displeased expression immediately shifted into one of danger.
Without hesitation, she reached out, grabbed the disobedient subject, and began pinching his face mercilessly.
She was very, very unhappy with his recent actions!
He had accepted her task, yet he was out every day indulging with women? Absolutely outrageous!
"Your Majesty, why are you angry? I've been working tirelessly for your sake these past few days!"
With his face being pulled, Su Qing’s voice sounded slightly distorted.
"Tirelessly? Running around to multiple women in a single day—oh yes, you must be exhausted!"
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The Empress Beauty became even more infuriated upon hearing his words.
This disobedient subject—did he really think she wouldn't find out about such things?!
Never had she seen him gather any serious intelligence, yet he spent all his time tangled up with women!
Not only that, but even the bodyguards she assigned to watch over him had become his accomplices. Simply absurtd!
"Your Majesty, I have been wronged! Everything I’ve done has been for you!"
"I am sacrificing my charms to ensure the safety of your empire!"
Without hesitation, Su Qing launched into a tearful plea.
He clung directly to the Empress's black-silk-clad leg, his voice laden with sorrow.
He was just shy of dramatically proclaiming, "I have fought for the royal family! I have bled for Your Majesty!"
"Oh?"
The Empress responded with only a single cold syllable, clearly skeptical.
Fooling around with women every day, and now claiming it was all for her?
That was just a little too absurd.
"Your Majesty, please see the truth! In just two days, I have uncovered critical intelligence."
"The Heavenly Dao Sect, the rebels, and the royal family are all deeply entangled! And I have successfully infiltrated the enemy's ranks!"
"Women are merely stepping stones, tools to achieve my goal!"
"I have worked tirelessly, expending all my energy—'great merits through hard labor' might as well be a phrase crafted just for me!"
Without missing a beat, Su Qing detailed his findings.
His voice carried a hint of grievance—the perfect amount of aggrieved sincerity at being misunderstood!
Listening to her subject’s explanation, the Empress Beauty’s previously furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
It did seem like he had achieved quite a lot, uncovering much useful information.
Yet, instead of praising him, she had scolded him the moment they met. Was that unfair of her?
For a brief moment, even the Empress felt a bit guilty.
She understood the concept of the "honey trap," but the "male honey trap" was something she was far less familiar with.
But... if it were this favored subject of hers, perhaps it wasn’t entirely impossible.
After all, in all her years, she had never encountered a young man as beautiful as Su Qing.
Meanwhile, Su Qing's wailing continued, growing ever more sorrowful.
When he reached the peak of his grief, he didn't forget to beat his chest in frustration.
However, given his position, "beating his chest" became rubbing himself against the Empress’s black-silk-clad leg instead.
"Enough, enough. Stop acting pitiful. Fine, I falsely accused you, alright?"
With clear annoyance, the Empress Beauty lifted her leg, shaking off the boy who was persistently rubbing against her silk stockings.
Though her tone was reluctant and begrudging, it was unmistakably an apology.
"To receive Your Majesty’s acknowledgment makes all my hardships worthwhile."
Su Qing sounded slightly disappointed but accepted it gracefully.
After all, he was probably the only one who had ever been this physically close to the Empress’s long, beautiful legs.
"Fine. I don't care what methods you use—just complete my task!"
"Stay focused. If you succeed, I will grant you a reward!"
The Empress Beauty spoke in a serious tone as she gazed at her favored subject.
His trial was far from over, and there was still much uncertainty.
Even with the Empress Dowager’s reassurances that divination had determined his safety, she couldn't help but worry.
Of course, she couldn’t express this concern directly, so she could only use indirect incentives.
"A reward? What kind of reward?"
Su Qing's sharp ears immediately picked up on the keyword.
"I'll grant you the privilege of putting silk stockings on me. How about that?"
The Empress Beauty proposed her idea.
"That’s considered a reward?"
Su Qing’s voice was filled with doubt.
"You should be grateful. Have you never heard that both thunder and rain are the emperor's grace?"
The Empress’s tone carried a mix of arrogance and irritation.
"Fine, I’ll reluctantly accept it."
Su Qing sighed in resignation.
It was clear that if he refused to behave, he’d likely receive a much harsher "reward."
As he spoke, his gaze naturally drifted downward.
Due to their prior interaction, the Empress Beauty had lifted her foot slightly.
As a result, more of her perfectly proportioned black-silk-covered leg was revealed from beneath her golden dragon robe.
The contrast between the bright yellow of the dragon robe and the deep black of the stockings was striking.
Further down, her black-silk-clad foot rested elegantly in a high heel, its shape absolutely perfect.
The stockings were so thin that Su Qing could even faintly make out the flesh-toned color of her toes.
To be able to indulge in such beautiful legs—now that was a reward worth having.
Anyone would envy him for such an honor.
Seeing the reluctant expression on Su Qing’s face, the Empress gritted her teeth in frustration.
Did he really think he was some kind of righteous gentleman? After all these years together, did he think she didn’t know him?
He clearly enjoyed it, yet still put on this act. Absolutely infuriating!
Some people had become far too arrogant in their favor, growing more and more impudent before her!
If not for maintaining her imperial dignity, she would have stepped on him mercilessly by now.
"Wait… Your Majesty, when it comes to putting on stockings, does that mean I can choose any kind?"
Suddenly, a bold idea formed in Su Qing’s mind, his eyes lighting up.
"You rebellious subject—what kind of wicked thoughts are you having now?!"
For the first time, the Empress Beauty felt a sense of impending danger, eyeing him warily.
She just knew he was plotting something devious, and he was planning to use it on her!
A Special Thank You!:
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to [catinabox], for supporting me on Patreon!
catinabox], for supporting me on Patreon!