The Emperor's position?
The Empress fell into a long daze.
"Young Master Shangguan, is this true?" the Empress asked.
"If you refuse to believe me, then there is nothing I can do," Shangguan Hong said, not in a hurry. "I shall take my leave. The Crown Prince will naturally awaken in half an incense stick's time, and he will not remember my presence here. As for you..."
Shangguan Hong paused for a moment, then grabbed the Empress's hands, forcing her closer into his embrace.
He looked at her with smiling eyes, "You served me well today. Remember to await me at any time from now on. If you serve me happily, who knows, the current Crown Prince might become the future Emperor."
The Empress trembled, not daring to speak.
After saying all that, Shangguan Hong released the Empress, turned around, and vanished into thin air.
The Empress stood in astonishment, watching the spot where Shangguan Hong had stood. She waved her hand in disbelief, confirming that no one was there.
She began to suspect that what she had just experienced was merely a waking dream. However, looking down at her disheveled clothes and the kiss marks all over her body, she quickly realized this was no dream.
This was reality.
She, the dignified Empress of a nation, had slept with the Crown Prince's strategist.
And that strategist, it seemed, was some kind of extraordinary individual who spoke of helping the Crown Prince ascend the throne.
Thinking this, the Empress no longer felt she had suffered any loss.
On the contrary, she felt a little happy. She picked up her clothes and dressed herself, then tidied her hair, ensuring she did not appear as if she had just undergone such an experience.
As soon as the Empress walked out of the inner chamber, she saw the Crown Prince standing up, holding his forehead.
"My son, you are awake?" she hurried forward and helped him up.
"Mother? What are you doing here?" the Crown Prince asked, surprised to see the Empress.
"Mother came to see you! You have been confined here by the Emperor these past few days, and Mother has been very worried," the Empress said, finding it strange that the Crown Prince seemed to remember nothing of what happened before he fainted, including her presence.
The Crown Prince nodded. "How did I get here? My head still hurts so much..."
Faced with the Crown Prince's confusion, the Empress lied readily, "You must have fainted from hunger. When you stood up just now, you were unsteady and hit your head against a pillar. Mother's strength is limited, and I couldn't help you up, so I could only watch from the side."
The Crown Prince believed her words and sighed, "All this is to appease Father..."
But the Empress's mind was no longer on chatting with the Crown Prince.
She was thinking about Shangguan Hong.
It was only the next day, and as night fell, darkness enveloped everything.
When the Empress sent word that the Emperor would not be sleeping in her palace, and after she had dismissed her servants, she felt someone embrace her waist from behind.
Needless to say, only Shangguan Hong, who appeared and disappeared so mysteriously and dared so much, could it be.
Shangguan Hong buried his head in her neck and inhaled deeply, then turned his face and kissed her earlobe, "Your Majesty, have you missed me?"
"Of course, I have missed you dearly," the Empress replied, deliberately using a seductive tone as she moved closer to Shangguan Hong.
"Young Master Shangguan, will you truly help the Crown Prince ascend the throne?"
"I have already said that it all depends on Your Majesty's performance. What, are you already impatient?" Shangguan Hong smiled.
"I just need confirmation. Since you are a modern person, Young Master Shangguan, this should be no trouble for you... Mm..." The Empress was forced to stop speaking due to Shangguan Hong's actions.
Shangguan Hong's finger traced her lips, and he shook his head.
The Empress looked at him, confused.
"Your Majesty, I recall telling you that I will help you only if you serve me well. Have you forgotten?"
The Empress blinked her eyes, indicating that she remembered.
Shangguan Hong withdrew his hand and smiled, "However, it is indeed not difficult for me. It's merely a matter of moving my fingers."
"Young Master Shangguan is naturally exceptionally skilled in martial arts..." the Empress praised with a smile.
"You have the sweetest tongue," Shangguan Hong said. "From now on, you will also be protected by me. If you suffer any grievances, you need not hold them in."
She was aging, and in this harem, she was not considered a standout. On the surface, she was still the glorious Empress, but she was well aware of how other concubines spoke of her behind her back.
In the past, the Empress would have certainly cursed them back. Back then, she enjoyed the Emperor's favor and was not afraid of any trouble.
But times had changed. The Empress could only endure the humiliation.
However, with Shangguan Hong's promise, she was finally at ease.
The Empress beamed with joy, naturally oblivious to the hidden emotions in Shangguan Hong's eyes.
She believed her charm had conquered Shangguan Hong, and she could not have foreseen the events that would eventually lead to her downfall.
Shangguan Hong only visited the palace occasionally, spending most of his time accompanying Ye Qingcheng.
She was still sleepy, but every day she obediently drank the medicine he brewed and delivered.
Shangguan Hong sat with her in the courtyard. The evening breeze was no longer scorching, dispelling the clouds overhead, and the flowers and plants in the courtyard swayed gently.
After chatting for a short while, Ye Qingcheng fell asleep, resting her head on the bluestone table.
She slept soundly, her eyes closed, her breathing even and calm.
Shangguan Hong reached out and gently stroked her cheek, making no further move.
Just looking at her sleeping face seemed to satisfy him completely.
As the sky darkened, a young servant hurried into the courtyard, his expression quite flustered. "Young Master..." He could not control his volume.
Ye Qingcheng frowned, seemingly disturbed.
Shangguan Hong turned towards the servant with displeasure, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.
The servant quickly knelt trembling and whispered, "Something has happened in the palace. This lowly one rushed to inform you, Young Master, and unintentionally disturbed the Princess Consort... Please forgive me, Young Master."
Ye Qingcheng sniffled but did not wake up.
Shangguan Hong stopped looking at the servant and his gaze fell upon Ye Qingcheng. He sighed softly.
This woman.
"Whatever it is, please wait a moment," Shangguan Hong said as he stood up and scooped Ye Qingcheng into his arms.
The servant remained kneeling obediently, waiting in the courtyard.
Shangguan Hong held Ye Qingcheng, his steps incredibly light, as if afraid of disturbing her.
He walked into the room and carefully placed Ye Qingcheng on the bed, covering her with a thin blanket. Ye Qingcheng shifted, and some of her bangs fell down, landing right on her nose.
Perhaps tickled by the strands of hair, Ye Qingcheng reached out and scratched her nose.
"You, oh you, you're still like a child."
Shangguan Hong chuckled, a warmth spreading through his heart.
He patiently leaned down and tidied Ye Qingcheng's hair, gathering the stray strands from her forehead to the back, so they would not bother her.
Then, he tucked Ye Qingcheng's outstretched arm back under the covers.