The Woman in Blue Doesn't Look Smart?_1

"Your Majesty, this... I'm afraid it's not possible," Gao Xuan hesitantly whispered.

He knew that whenever the dog Emperor opened his mouth, it was never for anything good. Go to the Empress Dowager? And steal the Imperial Seal? How was that any different from walking straight into death's embrace?

Don't forget that Wei Xian, that old dog, was still by the Empress Dowager's side.

Serving the Empress Dowager meant working under the watchful eyes of a formidable figure, someone three realms above him. The danger level would skyrocket.

Not to mention the numerous secrets he carried. If any of them were exposed, he would be left with no place to bury himself.

And he had no idea about the Empress Dowager's personality, whether she was difficult to deal with, or if she would readily decapitate a lowly eunuch for amusement...

These were all factors to consider!

"Why not? I remember who was the one boasting about being willing to face any danger, even if it meant going through fire and water, as long as I commanded it," the Empress said, her beautiful eyes narrowing as she stared at Gao Xuan.

"Could it be that you intend to deceive your ruler?"

Gao Xuan quickly lowered his head, apologizing and explaining, "Your Majesty, forgive me. This servant only feels that my cultivation is too low, and I fear that I might botch the task."

"And... if the Empress Dowager were to discover my secrets, it might implicate you, Your Majesty!"

"Hmph," the Empress snorted, sitting on the dragon throne. She said, "I have already taken all these factors into consideration."

"Actually, having a lower cultivation level can sometimes be an advantage. It can make the Empress Dowager lower her guard and reduce her vigilance towards you."

"Moreover, I have already tried the conventional methods, but with Wei Xian around, it is impossible to retrieve the Imperial Seal without alarming anyone. But you are different..."

The Empress paused, leaning slightly forward, her lips curling up, "Your face is unfamiliar to the Empress Dowager, and your appearance is rather pleasing. The Empress Dowager has always favored young and handsome eunuchs like you."

"???" Gao Xuan's mouth hung open, stunned in place.

Was the dog Emperor suggesting that he use his looks to seduce her? 

He, a dignified man, how could he stoop to the level of a gigolo? That would be eating a free meal!

Moreover, with so many young and attractive ladies in the harem, was the Empress not appealing enough? Was the Imperial Consort not beautiful? Risking his life to pursue an older auntie seemed like a terrible deal, no matter how one looked at it.

Gao Xuan weakly said, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should reconsider?"

"No need to reconsider. I have made up my mind. I am sending you!" the Empress declared.

"With your appearance and demeanor, the Empress Dowager will be pleased to see you. Perhaps she will lavish her attention on you alone."

"At that time, you will be a thorn deeply embedded within the Empress Dowager!"

The Empress decisively cut off Gao Xuan's last glimmer of hope, giving him no chance to struggle.

Gao Xuan touched his nose, resigning himself to his fate. He felt like a good boy from a respectable family forced to sell himself to a brothel.

But why did the dog Emperor use the metaphor of a thorn? It didn't match his true image at all. Couldn't it be an iron rod instead?

Seeing his reluctant expression, the Empress felt a twinge of guilt and consoled him, "The Imperial Seal belongs to me. It's just that the Empress Dowager has been unwilling to hand it over. Rest assured, as long as you can retrieve it, I will bestow upon you a high-ranking position and provide you with an antidote to the Annihilating Pill."

The Imperial Seal was a symbol passed down through generations of the Great Qian Dynasty, embodying the fortune of the nation!

If she could obtain it, with her current status as the reigning monarch, she could wield the nation's fortune as a shield. Within the imperial capital, she would stand undefeated!

Gao Xuan couldn't help but scoff inwardly. The dog Emperor was once again painting grand illusions.

And why did she talk as if he needed the antidote?

But on the surface, Gao Xuan expressed gratitude, saying, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. Even if it costs me my life, I will strive to bring the Imperial Seal back to you!"

"I believe in you!" the Empress gave him an encouraging look, patting his shoulder. "Time is of the essence. I will have Ling Shuang accompany you and expedite your meeting with the Empress Dowager, so that you may win her favor soon."

Gao Xuan: "..."

Did she have to be so desperate?

The more she spoke, the more he felt like a piece of fresh meat being played with by wealthy women in a brothel. He had no dignity left, being ravaged day and night...

He couldn't help but shudder, regretting his agreement with the dog Emperor.

"Don't just stand there. Go," Ling Shuang said with a half-smile, her eyes filled with a hint of schadenfreude.

Gao Xuan stood up and moved sluggishly, pitifully turning back three times as he said, "Your Majesty, I'm leaving."

"Go," the Emperor smiled and waved her hand.

"When I'm not by your side anymore, please take care of yourself!"

The Emperor's smile stiffened. "Rest assured."

"I'm really leaving!"

"Mmm."

"Your Majesty, are you really willing to let me go?"

"Get lost!"

"Alright."

...

"Enough, the Empress Dowager is not a man-eating tiger. Look at how timid you are," Ling Shuang couldn't help but speak up as they walked towards the Cining Palace.

Gao Xuan sighed and shook his head. "You don't understand. It concerns a man's dignity."

Ling Shuang's expression turned strange as she glanced at him askance. "Did you misunderstand something?"

"And how many people wish to serve the Empress Dowager but never get the chance? Yet you're unwilling. You can secretly rejoice once you meet the Empress Dowager."

Gao Xuan thought she was trying to comfort him and didn't pay much attention to her words.

Little did he know, even in his wisest years, he would still be forced to compromise his dignity. It was a matter of timing and fate.

It was said that a woman was like a wolf at thirty and a cougar at forty. Well, the Empress Dowager was a wolf and a cougar, fierce and ravenous. 

The late Emperor had departed early, leaving her in the prime of her desires.

So be it. He had endured countless days of peril. Was he afraid of an old woman?

Even if she was thirsty, she would obediently kneel down and sing the song of conquest!

After about the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the two arrived at the Cining Palace.

A small eunuch at the entrance hurried inside to inform, and soon, a woman dressed in blue emerged, sword in hand.

Gao Xuan squinted his eyes. He had a feeling that this woman's temperament resembled Ling Shuang's. They were both tall, with swords at their waists, expressionless, and icy in demeanor. They seemed like disciples trained by the same master.

The woman in blue stepped forward and, upon seeing Ling Shuang, immediately spoke in a cold tone, "What are you doing here?"

Ling Shuang responded with the same nonchalance, "The Emperor is concerned about the Empress Dowager's well-being. So here we are, bringing a young and handsome eunuch with a pleasing appearance to serve the Empress Dowager."

The woman in blue stared at Gao Xuan sharply.

Gao Xuan quickly squeezed out what he believed to be a cute and charming smile.

The woman in blue frowned, her gaze ice-cold, and said, "Why does he seem a little slow-witted?"

"???" Gao Xuan exclaimed.

Damn it!

Can you explain what you mean by "slow-witted"?

This young lady appeared as if she possessed an air of elegance and coldness, like an orchid in a secluded valley. But the moment she opened her mouth, she started hurling insults!

...