She, too, had benefited from her son's status and was unwilling to remain in such a state of decline.
"The position of Crown Prince is of little concern; it will undoubtedly be yours, Your Highness."
Shangguan Hong finally spoke. As he spoke, he revealed his true appearance and walked towards the Crown Prince and Empress.
Upon seeing Shangguan Hong suddenly appear, both the Crown Prince and the Empress were startled.
"You, you, you... When did you enter?" The Crown Prince's eyes widened, staring at Shangguan Hong with utter astonishment.
"I only arrived just now. Knowing Your Highness suffers here, I felt genuine heartache," Shangguan Hong said, his scholarly demeanor appearing most humble.
"How did you get in? The guards are all outside, and the Emperor has decreed that no outsiders are allowed to enter."
Though the Empress was inwardly fearful, she was, after all, the Empress of a nation. To mask her terror, she adopted a stern posture and questioned him sharply.
Shangguan Hong, having already seen through the Empress's trick, smiled and said, "Your Highness the Empress, your words truly humble me."
The Empress frowned, "Speak quickly, what is your identity? If you are an evil spirit intending to harm our royal family, then I shall not spare you!"
Shangguan Hong stopped before the Empress and leaned down slightly, meeting her gaze.
Though a smile played on his lips, his eyes possessed an inexplicable power, seizing the Empress's mind and dragging it inward.
The Empress trembled, instinctively wanting to look away but finding herself unable to break his gaze.
"Shangguan Hong, what are you doing?" The Crown Prince, sensing something was amiss, slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
Shangguan Hong did not even spare him a glance. He raised a hand, flicked his sleeve, and sent the Crown Prince flying.
The Crown Prince's head struck a nearby pillar, and he fell into unconsciousness.
The guards outside the door, hearing the commotion, knocked on the door and asked, "Your Highness the Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince, is everything alright?"
The Empress's heart yearned to call for help, yet Shangguan Hong reached out, his palm pressing against her cheek. The corners of his mouth curved into a slow smile, and he whispered, "Your Highness, you wouldn't want me to leave, would you?"
His voice was low and husky, and the Empress felt as if she were under a spell.
"I am fine, do not come in!"
After uttering these words, the Empress's body trembled uncontrollably, and her face turned ashen.
Shangguan Hong smiled and gently patted her cheek, "So good."
"What do you want?" The Empress finally found the strength to speak, asking the question with trepidation, only to realize her voice was also trembling slightly.
"What do I want? Your Highness the Empress, what do you think I want?"
Shangguan Hong merely smiled faintly, resting one hand on the edge of the Empress's chair and letting the other trace a suggestive path across her cheek.
One had to admit, this Empress truly knew how to maintain herself.
Though past her prime, she had lost none of her allure. Having been a beauty chosen with great care, supplemented by years of pearl powder, shark fin, and bird's nest, the Empress's skin remained smooth and lustrous.
Compared to Ye Qingcheng, the Empress exuded a more captivating mature and intellectual beauty.
Truly, a sight to behold.
And the Empress, having been by the Emperor's side for many years, naturally understood men very well.
Given Shangguan Hong's words and his actions towards her, she could already guess his intentions. Although she felt a degree of discomfort, she understood clearly that Shangguan Hong's identity was by no means ordinary, and it was unwise to defy him casually.
Therefore, the Empress merely lowered her eyes slightly. When she raised them again a moment later, they were filled with a tender gaze.
"Young Master Shangguan, why don't you tell me your identity?"
As she spoke, the Empress's cool, jade-like arms slowly wound around Shangguan Hong's neck.
Shangguan Hong was quite pleased with her response, smiling and retorting, "What do you suppose my identity is, Your Highness the Empress?"
The Empress looked at him, "I surmise that Young Master Shangguan is no ordinary man."
"You've guessed correctly, tell me more." Shangguan Hong tilted his head and kissed her arm.
"Could it be... Young Master Shangguan, you are an immortal?" the Empress dared to ask.
Shangguan Hong laughed, then scooped the Empress into his arms and walked towards the inner chambers.
The Empress clung to his neck, giggling, and did not object to his actions.
After their intimacy, Shangguan Hong lay in the Empress's arms, feeling languid, while the Empress's face was flushed.
"You don't like this?"
Shangguan Hong suddenly looked up at the Empress.
The Empress quickly shook her head, "No, no, I... I like it very much."
Shangguan Hong smiled, "It seems Your Highness the Empress has indeed been neglected by the Emperor for a long time."
"The Emperor is busy with state affairs, and I am not the only woman in the palace. Moreover, I am old and my beauty has faded, so I truly do not receive the Emperor's favor..."
"Oh? So, if you say so, then my taste is poor for taking a woman the Emperor no longer wants?" Shangguan Hong interrupted her.
Although his tone was casual and his expression showed no anger, these words were a clear precursor to his rage.
The Empress flustered for a moment, biting her lip, "It is not like that."
After a pause, the Empress suddenly leaned close to Shangguan Hong's ear and whispered something.
After speaking, the Empress looked at him again with a bashful expression.
Shangguan Hong raised his eyebrows as he listened, then smiled, "You certainly know how to please a man."
"It is good that Young Master Shangguan is no longer angry." After a brief pause, the Empress continued, "It is just that the Crown Prince was knocked unconscious just now. If he wakes up and sees Young Master Shangguan like this..."
"You fear he will find it difficult to believe that his own advisor is involved with his mother?" Shangguan Hong glanced at her.
"This is not for my own sake, but for Young Master Shangguan's safety and future, which I fear might be affected," the Empress said.
Shangguan Hong smiled, "Your Highness need not worry. Did you not already guess my identity earlier?"
The Empress was taken aback, "Your Grace, could it be that you are truly an immortal?"
Shangguan Hong pinched her chin, "What, you don't believe me?"
"I dare not, I dare not! I naturally believe you, Your Grace, I am merely surprised," the Empress said, trembling.
Shangguan Hong released her chin, rolled out of bed, and said, "Get up and help me dress."
"Yes." The Empress dared not refuse. She casually donned a light gauze robe and went to help Shangguan Hong put on the clothes he had carelessly discarded on the floor.
Originally, such treatment was reserved for the Emperor.
Sharing a bed with the Empress of a nation, and having the Empress personally dress him.
Shangguan Hong's eyes were deep, and his heart was filled with joy. Indeed, with his modern identity, many things came so easily.
"Since you are already considered mine, you can rely on me from now on," Shangguan Hong suddenly said.
"Young Master Shangguan?" The Empress, who was tying his sash, paused slightly and looked up at him.
Shangguan Hong looked at her with a mischievous expression, "What, do you doubt my ability, or the Crown Prince's ability? Is it impossible for him to ascend to the throne of Emperor?"