Volume One, Chapter Two: The Enchanting Empress, Fragrant as Jade

A quarter of an hour later.

Cao Mo, dressed in a yellow dragon robe embroidered with golden dragons, stepped out of the Huaqing Palace. Following behind him were the enchantingly beautiful woman with a face like a white fox, clutching a sword in her arms, and Empress Xiao Rulong, who had disguised herself in one of Cao Mo’s small eunuch uniforms.

Beyond the change of attire, both Cao Mo and the Empress wore masks that mimicked each other's facial features. At this moment, Cao Mo was not only wearing Empress Xiao Rulong's dragon robe but also sporting the heroic, masculine face she usually wore when cross-dressing. This disguise was not particularly sophisticated, yet within the confines of the imperial palace, it was more than enough to deceive the timid, head-bowed eunuchs and palace maids.

"Raise the palanquin, proceed to the Qianqing Palace," the enchanting woman with the white fox face commanded in a cold, clear voice.

As Cao Mo sat upon the imperial palanquin, the group of junior eunuchs who had arrived with him hoisted it up and followed behind her, heading toward the Qianqing Palace—the Emperor's sleeping quarters. As for the Empress, dressed in Cao Mo’s eunuch robes, she blended into the ranks of the junior eunuchs, drawing no attention from the others. She was quite tall, not much shorter than Cao Mo. This was not because Cao Mo was short, but because the Empress was exceptionally tall. Thus, wearing his clothes, she did not reveal the slightest flaw.

On the palanquin, Cao Mo stole a glance at the beautiful Empress disguised as a eunuch. His mind involuntarily drifted back to the scene by the bath, where they had exchanged clothes. He had to admit, the Empress had a truly stunning figure. Those long, breathtaking legs were enough to drive a man to his grave.

"Your Majesty, we have arrived," the woman in white announced after a short while, as the palanquin reached the entrance of the Qianqing Palace.

Cao Mo stepped down.

"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
"...!"

The maids and eunuchs standing guard outside the palace bowed in unison. Cao Mo maintained a stoic expression, embodying the dignity of an emperor, and walked straight into the sleeping quarters. The junior eunuchs who had carried the palanquin, including the Empress, waited outside, while only the woman in white followed him in.

"Your Majesty!"

Inside the bedchamber, over a dozen beautiful palace maids were waiting. Seeing Cao Mo arrive in the dragon robe, they all lowered their heads and bowed.

"The Empress has been waiting for you for a long time, Your Majesty."

The head maid bowed low and spoke softly, offering a jade ruyi with both hands. It was to be used to lift the Empress's red veil later. Cao Mo took it without glancing at her and walked directly toward the dragon bed.

"All of you, wait outside," the woman in white ordered coldly to the maids.

The Emperor's sleeping quarters were vast, divided into an inner and outer chamber. Typically, the inner chamber housed the dragon bed, reserved for the Emperor's rest, while the outer chamber was where the rotating maids and eunuchs waited to be summoned.

"Yes!" The maids in the inner chamber exchanged glances and retreated to the outer room.

The woman in white gave Cao Mo a look and then retreated as well. The rest was up to him. If he could deceive the Empress and obtain the token of her virginity, his mission for the night would be complete.

*Hoo—*

Taking a deep breath, Cao Mo focused his gaze ahead. On the edge of the dragon bed sat the Empress, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, draped in a ceremonial cape, her head covered by a fiery red veil. She sat perfectly still, waiting for him to lift the veil and fulfill their marital duties.

Truth be told, having lived two lives, Cao Mo had never been married. Encountering such a scene, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. Suddenly acquiring a wife—and an Empress of a nation at that—the happiness had come too abruptly. However, the thought that this wife did not belong to him, that he was merely fulfilling the wedding night on behalf of the Empress, and that the real Empress was disguised as a eunuch outside, listening to him bed her own bride, made Cao Mo feel a strange mix of disappointment and excitement. Was he destined to be a Cao?

"Your Majesty, the hour is late," a gentle, jade-like voice drifted from the dragon bed.

Cao Mo’s heart softened; the voice was truly charming and intoxicating. Just hearing it made him feel a surge of desire. For a moment, his blood began to race. But remembering the Empress's instructions, he forced himself to remain calm.

"I know," he replied indifferently.

He then used the jade ruyi to lift the Empress's red veil. Instantly, a face wearing a phoenix crown, breathtakingly beautiful and peerless, appeared before him without reservation!

Beautiful! She was impossibly beautiful!

A flicker of awe flashed in Cao Mo’s eyes; the Empress hadn't lied to him! The Empress was indeed a peerless beauty, worthy of the title of the capital's finest. Her exquisite face was as delicate as a painting, her contours elegant, her skin as white as snow and seemingly ready to break at a touch. Her temperament was noble and graceful, a rarity in this world.

*Clouds call to mind her robes, and flowers her face,*
*Spring breeze brushes the balustrade, the dew glows deep.*

Cao Mo felt as if the beauty praised by the Immortal Poet had suddenly stepped into reality, manifesting right before his eyes. And this stunning beauty was about to be his for the night? In that moment, Cao Mo felt as if he were dreaming.

Seeing the look of astonishment in the 'Emperor's' eyes—as if he couldn't wait to devour her—the Empress nervously clutched the corner of her gown. She knew what was to follow. Even though marrying the Emperor was not her intent, the imperial authority was absolute, and she could not resist.

"Your Majesty, let us drink the nuptial wine," the Empress said softly. She rose and walked to a table nearby, pouring a cup of wine for herself and one for Cao Mo.

"Very well."

Cao Mo took the cup from her. The nuptial wine was a ritual before the wedding night, and not even the Emperor’s marriage was an exception. They each drank half of their respective cups, then crossed arms to exchange them, drinking the remaining halves in one go.

"Your Majesty~"

As the strong wine hit her throat, the Empress, clearly not accustomed to spirits, grew weak. Her body softened, and she leaned into Cao Mo’s arms. A flush of crimson bloomed on her delicate, painting-like face, and she appeared slightly tipsy. Her bright, expressive eyes grew hazy, and her painted lips looked luscious and inviting.

In this scene, the intoxication was mesmerizing. Cao Mo, finding it hard to resist, blew out the nearby candles and carried the beautiful Empress to the dragon bed.

"I hope Your Majesty will be gentle~" the Empress whispered, closing her eyes, surrendering herself to him.

Cao Mo said nothing, merely leaning down to press his lips against hers. Before long, despite the snowy winter outside, the vast Qianqing Palace was filled with the warmth of spring.

A flower that understands speech; a jade that breathes fragrance!