Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Lord Xuan Wang! The Young Imperial Uncle?

Leng Jiu remained silent, and so did Dragon Yi, who sat furiously aside, "Bring them in!"

Footsteps approached the door, and soon two armored guards escorted a green-dressed palace maid in. Leng Jiu's eyes narrowed, sensing she must be somehow connected to herself, though she didn't know what had happened yet.

The maid looked at her, her face a mix of fear and pleading, "Empress Dowager! Save me! I don't want to die!"

Dragon Yi's aura grew colder, his anger directed at Leng Jiu, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Leng Jiu glanced at the maid, her tone calm and unhurried, "It seems the Emperor wishes to accuse me. But shouldn't I be informed of the crime before being condemned?"

Dragon Yi slammed his palm on the table, his eyes flaming, "You knew Consort Li was pregnant and yet deliberately sent a sachet with musk. If not for the imperial physician's vigilance, my child might have perished at your hands. This maid has confessed. What else can you say?"

Sipping her tea, Leng Jiu chuckled lightly, "If I say it wasn't me, would you believe me?"

"You think I would still trust you?"

"Then that settles it," Leng Jiu put down her cup, smiling at the visibly guilty maid on the floor, "Since the Emperor believes it's my doing, let's assume it is. I accept the blame."

"Leng Jinghua! You are truly heartless!"

Leng Jiu remained composed, her smile deepening, "I am indeed heartless. But when I decide to kill, I never stoop to such dirty methods."

Suddenly, Leng Jiu's aura shifted, and her luxurious dress swirled through the air in a beautiful and fierce arc. Before anyone could react, a golden hairpin was firmly embedded in the palace maid's forehead, almost entirely sunken in. The maid's eyes widened in shock, life already fled from her body.

"Ah!"

"Leng Jinghua! How dare you kill someone in front of me?" Dragon Yi shuddered at the memory of that instant, feeling a chill down his spine, unable to comprehend how she had moved so swiftly.

Leng Jiu dusted off her hands, dart throwing being her forte. Adapting to a new body had been a bit awkward, "Framing a prince, she deserved to die, didn't she? I was merely executing justice on your behalf, Your Majesty. Any objections?"

"You... you..." Dragon Yi struggled to find words, eventually storming off in anger. However, he ordered guards to surround Weiyang Palace, effectively placing her under house arrest.

Leng Jiu shook her head. That was all he was capable of.

As the guards dragged the body away, Eunuch Lu regained his composure but couldn't stop his hands from trembling, "Your Highness... What you just did..."

Leng Jiu glanced over his pale face and then at the group of maids below, who were terrified into kneeling by her gaze. She sneered, her tone brooking no argument, "My not killing does not mean I won't kill. It simply means no one has crossed my line. You all serve in my palace. While I have not restricted you, it doesn't mean you can do as you please. If such incidents recur, I assure you the consequences won't be as swift as today. I have plenty of ways to make life worse than death. Anyone wishing to try is welcome to do so."

"We dare not!"

Leng Jiu withdrew her gaze and picked up her flower tea, "Eunuch Lu, apart from Consort Li, who else is in the harem?"

Eunuch Lu, composing himself, replied, "Your Highness, besides Consort Li, there are Consort Shu, Consort Hui, three concubines, and two noblewomen."

"So few?"

"The Emperor ascended the throne less than three years ago. These were all chosen during the coronation ceremony. The first selection since his ascension is nearing completion, so the harem will soon expand."

"I see. Tell me about Consort Shu and Consort Hui."

"Consort Shu is the daughter of the Grand Tutor. She's gentle and timid, has been hiding in her palace since she arrived, rarely coming out. Consort Hui, daughter of the Minister of War Zhao's family, is quite impulsive. Unfortunately, her fiery temperament has angered the Emperor numerous times. She has been under house arrest for three months and is still serving her sentence."

Leng Jiu lowered her gaze, contemplating. It seemed time to have some fun with Consort Li.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"

A woman in bright red clothes kneeled to pay respects, but her demeanor lacked any willingness.

"Zhao Yan!"

"Yes!"

"Take off your clothes!"

Consort Hui, Zhao Yan, instantly covered her chest, her large almond eyes filled with anger, "Empress Dowager! Even if you are the Empress Dowager, you can't insult someone like this!"

Leng Jiu, leaning on her hand, chuckled lightly, "I just wanted you to change your clothes. How is that an insult?"

"Change clothes?"

"So, will you change or not?"

Zhao Yan lowered her hands, "As you command, Your Highness."

Immediately, maids went to help her change out of her bright red attire into a pink gauze dress. Seeing that they were indeed just changing her clothes, Zhao Yan was puzzled and glanced covertly at Leng Jiu, who appeared to be dozing, her heart drumming with uncertainty.

"Empress Dowager! I have changed."

Leng Jiu opened her eyes. Zhao Yan, around seventeen, was in the prime of her youth. Though straightforward and fiery in temperament, she lacked the voluptuousness or seductiveness to pull off a bright red dress. The pink dress, cute with a touch of playfulness, suited her perfectly.

Leng Jiu motioned for her to come to the dressing table and picked up a makeup brush, preparing to apply makeup herself. Zhao Yan was flattered and apprehensive, "Your Highness! This is too much!"

"Sit down!"

Zhao Yan sat down stiffly, her typically explosive temperament subdued, sitting up straight in her seat.

Dismissing the palace maids, Leng Jiu personally applied makeup for Zhao Yan. She was as skilled with makeup tools as with darts. Despite the limited tools available, it was no challenge for her.

After outlining the lips, she finished the look, directing the maids to style Zhao Yan's hair simply, adorned with two colorful hairpins. The transformation was complete.

"Open your eyes and take a look!"

Zhao Yan opened her eyes to find a charming young girl reflected in the mirror. Her makeup featured a pink palette, emphasizing her large eyes and rosy lips, creating a playful and adorable appearance. Her hair, slightly disheveled, unexpectedly complemented her attire. She wondered, was this really her?

After dismissing the attendants, Leng Jiu whispered some instructions to Zhao Yan, then stealthily had her escorted out through a hidden exit.

The play begins!

Leng Jiu missed her chance to hear Lan Ze play due to Zhao Yan's affair. Noticing it was getting late, she decided against visiting him and instead headed for the nearby bathhouse for a relaxing bath.

Wei Yang Palace boasted a Phoenix Spring, reserved for the Empress's baths. Now, it was hers. The pool, built from white marble and measuring seventy square meters, was flanked by white columns draped in expensive Donghai gauze and adorned with golden hooks and jade orchids. A large bronze cauldron in front emitted wisps of steam, heating the natural spring water that filled the pool. Now, the surface was covered with red petals, an irresistible allure for most women.