“Is the opponent really that formidable, or were you simply no match for them?”
Upon hearing this, Yu Jiao dared not utter another word. The person seated above was the Imperial Consort, and everyone in the Danfeng Kingdom knew that the Imperial Consort was well-versed in various Gu arts and was deeply favored by the Empress. Therefore, most people would not dare to offend him.
When Ji Xue heard Hua Wenbo’s words, she was already enraged and stood up, glaring at him.
“What does the Imperial Consort mean? Are you saying this Crown Princess is incompetent?”
“Isn’t she?” Hua Wenbo smiled slowly, as if a flower had bloomed on his face. He was dazzling, and despite being forty years old, he remained youthful, captivating, and alluring. Yu Jiao below and the two formidable generals behind him were stunned, sighing in their hearts that the Imperial Consort was indeed as beautiful as a celestial being, which explained why his favor had not waned for over twenty years.
Stirred by Hua Wenbo’s words, Ji Xue felt her hair standing on end. She shot Hua Wenbo a hateful glare, while the man above wore a smile of unfathomable depth. Truly, she was still too young.
In this state, she would be even easier to control. If he controlled her, he would essentially control the entire Danfeng Kingdom, and this world would then be his.
This kind of control held a different meaning altogether. Hua Wenbo smiled ambiguously.
Ji Xue shivered, her unease growing. Why did she feel as if she had been stripped bare?
However, the man above continued to smile charmingly, showing no other expression. Had she become paranoid? Ji Xue vigorously shook her head and spoke seriously.
“Very well, since the Imperial Consort speaks so, then let this Crown Princess witness the Imperial Consort’s formidable abilities?”
Ji Xue suddenly calmed down. It was not worth getting angry with such a sinister person. If she angered herself, he might be pleased watching from the side.
“Hmm, I am tired. Come to my quarters tonight, and we will plan how to fight this battle.”
As Hua Wenbo’s words fell, Ji Xue raised an eyebrow and quickly replied, “Why must we go to your room? We can discuss our next move together in this main hall, along with General Yu and the other generals, to come up with the most feasible plan?”
Hua Wenbo seemed not to have heard Ji Xue’s questioning. He had already descended from his elevated position, his voice resonating faintly, “General Yu, where should this consort rest?”
Upon hearing this, Yu Jiao replied fearfully, “Please follow this subordinate to the rear quarters, Imperial Consort.”
“Good,” Hua Wenbo said coldly. As he passed by Ji Xue, he leaned close to her and whispered, “It’s up to you whether you come or not, because this battle is your concern, not mine.”
With that, he quietly departed, leaving the rich scent of osmanthus filling Ji Xue’s nostrils.
That night, in Ji Xue’s room, she tossed and turned, unsure whether to go to Hua Wenbo’s room. She was well aware of his ulterior motives, but if she didn’t go, she feared he would not help them. His words were clear, and more importantly, she was not truly of royal blood. Although she had eliminated that woman, she believed that man must have other evidence.
Finally, Ji Xue gritted her teeth and turned to leave. Two subordinates stood outside the door, bowing respectfully and saying, “Greetings, Crown Princess.”
“Mm, accompany this Crown Princess to pay our respects to the Imperial Consort,” Ji Xue calculated inwardly. With her two subordinates, he wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardize his status, would he?
The three of them proceeded to the rear of the military camp. The Imperial Consort’s courtyard was not far from where Ji Xue was staying. Due to their noble statuses, they were given the best accommodations in Chen Tang Pass.
Beneath the long corridor stood two men with expressionless faces – Hua Wenbo’s subordinates. Upon seeing Ji Xue approach, they respectfully called out, “Crown Princess, my master is waiting for you.”
Ji Xue nodded slightly and walked inside, her two guards following her. To her surprise, one of Hua Wenbo’s subordinates extended his hand, blocking the guards’ path, and said coldly, “My master has ordered that no one other than the Crown Princess is allowed into the chambers.”
Ji Xue was taken aback. She hadn’t expected her guards to be unable to enter the room. What should she do now? Was she really going to offer herself up? By all accounts, Hua Wenbo was as beautiful as a celestial being, an object of desire for all women. As the Crown Princess of Danfeng, her household had many male attendants. Even if Hua Wenbo had such intentions, it would be no more than indulging in the favor of a male consort. However, Ji Xue feared the man inside. She knew what kind of person he was; she feared he wanted to control her, not the other way around.
But now, she was in a predicament, unable to advance or retreat. Ji Xue was in a dilemma. A gentle voice sounded from the room, “Come in.”
There was no room for her to retreat now. She could only hope that the man did not have lustful intentions and that she was simply overthinking it, or that he merely wanted to tease her and not actually possess her, as he might not dare to betray the Empress.
The Empress was also a ruthless figure. If she discovered his betrayal, he would not have a good outcome.
Ji Xue reassured herself and slowly turned to enter the room.
After passing a carved glazed screen, she saw a hollowed-out large bed against the wall. The room was lit, creating a hazy, dimly lit space. A man in a white gauze robe lay on his side on the bed, ethereally beautiful and bewitching. His soul-capturing eyes were as deep as a pool of water, drawing people irresistibly into them. Ji Xue took a step back, nervously swallowing. The man’s gaze was as fiery as a burning ember, as if he intended to consume her.
“Imperial Consort asked this Crown Princess to come, yet you are dressed like this?”
The man on the bed smiled enchantingly and extended a fair, slender hand. He made a shushing gesture and whispered softly, “Xue’er, come closer, let this consort thoroughly dote on you.”
His voice was exceptionally alluring, possessing a magical quality that made Ji Xue’s heart pound like a frightened deer. She slowly walked over. Although she knew in her heart this was wrong, her body seemed to move uncontrollably towards the bed.
Ji Xue, using her last shred of rationality, controlled herself and murmured, “Imperial Consort, it shouldn’t be like this. You shouldn’t betray Her Majesty the Empress.”
Alas, the person on the bed moved, and her body was violently thrown onto the large bed. Following that, his body pressed down on her. Ji Xue’s body trembled slightly, and her heart quivered a few times. She could no longer distinguish the nature of this tremor. It seemed no man had ever treated her this way before; they had all been gentle and compliant. This man’s contrasting demeanor evoked a different feeling within her.
Her mind grew hazy and adrift. Her entire body felt like a sleeping beast, allowing the man to do as he pleased. His cool lips met hers, bringing her an experience she had never known. His fingers lightly peeled away her clothes, worshiping every inch of her skin. His gaze was bold and fiery, like a snake’s, traversing the vastness, stirring the wildest desires.
She trembled incessantly. In this moment, she seemed to forget the battle in Chen Tang Pass, forget the Empress in the palace, and forget this man’s venomous ambition. She merely wished to dissolve into a pool of water, immersed in this sea of desire.
Although she had experienced countless romantic encounters, never before had one made her break through all her inhibitions, wanting to shout and scream. When the man’s strong body pressed against her boneless form, penetrating her entire being, they both let out a soft hum almost simultaneously.
She had never experienced such a heavenly sensation.
The latter, on the other hand, felt a tight stimulation. He couldn’t help but sigh, remarking that a youthful body was indeed superior. It was entirely different from the sensation with that old woman, stirring deeper emotions and sensory pleasure within him.
The hollowed-out large bed began to shake, the lights flickered, creating a hazy, ambiguous atmosphere.