Chapter 8: Truly, My Heart Is at Ease

“Alright~ How could I not understand Your Majesty’s favor toward me? I will certainly do as you command.” Consort Li’s eyes glimmered with a smile, though it was impossible to tell what she was truly thinking.

“Your Majesty, shall I return at once and sell all my gold and silver jewelry, my silks and brocades, to raise enough gold bars?” Her voice was soft and delicate. Her legs wrapped around Qin Xiao’s waist, and as she moved, her red dress, split at the sides, slipped down to reveal smooth, alabaster skin.

Qin Xiao’s breathing grew rapid, but that was all.

Consort Li’s expression did not change, but inwardly she was in turmoil. What had happened to His Majesty, that he could resist even her beautiful legs?

She could not accept it—she refused to believe that the emperor no longer desired her proud, alluring figure.

Suddenly, she tightened her grip, her upper body sinuous as she crawled into Qin Xiao’s arms.

“Your Majesty, I suddenly feel so cold.”

Qin Xiao sneered inwardly. In the heat of midsummer, she claimed to be cold—what a temptress.

Almost without thinking, his hand landed on her upturned, suspended hips, the gauzy skirt barely separating them.

Her mind was sharp and quick, but she could not fathom why the emperor had grown so inscrutable of late.

Consort Li’s heart pounded like a frightened fawn; being with this changed emperor, she felt exhilarated.

Just as Qin Xiao prepared to take further action, Consort Li deftly slipped away.

She spun and landed on the other side of the table, locking gazes with him across its polished surface.

“Giggle, Your Majesty, if you wait any longer, the mood will be ruined,” she teased, throwing him a coquettish glance and beckoning him with a provocative finger.

With a sudden leap, he vaulted over the table, reaching for the alluring consort. Yet she was like a water-slicked serpent—always within reach, never caught, and each time he only managed to grasp a fluttering wisp of her sheer skirt.

So close—each time, just a little closer.

Qin Xiao grew frustrated. He was exhausted, chasing her back and forth, feeling like a whipped dog. Enough was enough.

He still preferred Consort Hua, who was always so forward.

“You may go now. Tonight, I’ll be visiting Consort Hua,” he said coolly, returning to his seat at the table.

Consort Hua?

Consort Li’s eyes narrowed slightly, a subtle chill emanating from her.

But in an instant, she spun around, plastering on a bewitching smile. Swaying her hips seductively, she approached and embraced Qin Xiao from behind, panting softly, “Oh, Your Majesty, I know I was wrong~”

Warm breath caressed his ear, and Qin Xiao inwardly cursed her as a temptress.

Yet, as he regained his composure, thoughts of her father cooled his ardor.

“Withdraw,” he said in the same indifferent tone.

In response, Consort Li’s moist red lips brushed against his earlobe as she whispered breathily, “Your Majesty, I’ll wait for you in my chambers, bathed and perfumed and ready~”

She left, glancing back every few steps, her long legs and supple waist on full display.

Qin Xiao watched her go, sighing inwardly, “What a rare beauty, what a beguiling enchantress. If only your father weren’t Tang Sicheng, I would gladly share in pleasures with you. What a pity~”

Several hours later, the Grand Chamberlain, Hai Dabao, came to report, “Your Majesty, Old Yan and Old Ye have returned.”

“Old Ye?” Qin Xiao hesitated for a few seconds, then recalled a white-haired elder with a youthful face.

Ye Changmian! The chief of the Shadow Guards!

The Shadow Guards, also called Assassins, had existed since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty. Their loyalty was pledged to the reigning emperor alone—not even a retired emperor could command them.

Such was the calling of the Assassins: to dwell in darkness, eliminating all who threatened the emperor.

Qin Xiao remembered: there were only fifty Assassins, the number never changed. If one died, another was selected to fill the ranks—never more, never less.

Just three months prior, his predecessor had dispatched this invaluable force to seek out secret bedroom arts, even sending Ye Changmian himself.

Qin Xiao silently cursed such folly.

“Bring him in, quickly!”

Qin Xiao’s spirits soared as he waited at the table. With the return of the Assassins, his sense of security was restored.

Before long, Ye Changmian entered, guided by Hai Dabao.

His attire was plain; were it not for his youthful face and white hair, he would have seemed the most ordinary of old men.

“Your Majesty, your humble servant has returned,” Ye Changmian said, bowing deeply.

Assassins regarded themselves as the emperor’s personal servants, thus the self-effacing address.

Qin Xiao paused for a heartbeat. Was this unremarkable old man truly a master?

But remembering the long legacy of the Assassins, Qin Xiao dismissed his doubts and rose to greet him with a smile.

“Old Ye, please, rise, you’ve worked hard,” Qin Xiao said warmly. This man was the very guarantee of his life and loyalty.

He knew that even if the whole world betrayed him, the Assassins never would—for their loyalty was passed down like a sacred flame.

Ye Changmian stood and gave Hai Dabao a single glance. The Grand Chamberlain understood and withdrew immediately.

“Your Majesty, I have led forty-nine Assassins across the realm, and at last we have secured the ancient arts of the Dragon-Serpent Embrace, as well as the Everlasting Youth Pill.”

“Once Your Majesty takes the Everlasting Youth Pill, your vigor will rival that of a dragon or tiger!”

“Should you master the Dragon-Serpent Embrace, you will harmonize yin and yang, find health and longevity, and mutual nourishment.”

Qin Xiao’s eyes shone. Treasures such as these existed in the world?

“Old Ye, I never knew you had such a silver tongue,” Qin Xiao jested.

“No, Your Majesty, I speak only the truth. There is no exaggeration,” Ye Changmian replied, utterly serious.

At this, Qin Xiao was elated.

The Everlasting Youth Pill was pitch black, its surface glossy, yet it gave off a foul stench.

Qin Xiao couldn’t help but pinch his nose. Was this truly edible?

Perhaps sensing his doubts, Ye Changmian volunteered, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. The pill has been tested for a full month—no poison, and it works.”

Only then did Qin Xiao notice a dent about the size of a fingernail on the surface of the pill.

His heart settled. The Assassins truly inspired confidence.

He also realized how precious the pill must be—likely the only one in existence. Otherwise, they would never have presented him with a damaged one.

“Your Majesty, the effects are even greater if you practice the Dragon-Serpent Embrace along with taking the pill. But the art is a slow and steady cultivation—it requires perseverance,” Ye Changmian cautioned.

Qin Xiao’s eyes flashed with determination. Compared to imperial power and a harem of three thousand beauties, what was a little perseverance?