Secret Exposed

As Gao Xuan neared the courtyard, he sensed someone rapidly catching up from behind and wanted to find a place to hide.

"Don't panic, it's me!"

Upon hearing the familiar cold voice, Gao Xuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Ling Shuang landed lightly in front of Gao Xuan on her tiptoes.

"Ling Shuang, how are you? Are you hurt?" Gao Xuan asked with concern.

Ling Shuang shook her head, her face as calm as ever. She said, "I'm fine. She's no match for me. I believe she has already returned by now."

Gao Xuan felt a sense of relief and pretended to be a little frightened. "That's good, that's good."

"Thanks to you coming today, otherwise, our secret would have been exposed," Ling Shuang said calmly. "The Emperor anticipated that you might be in danger, so she had me follow you secretly."

Gao Xuan suddenly realized and exclaimed, "The Emperor truly has extraordinary foresight!"

But immediately, he wore a bitter expression and worriedly said, "However, this means that Ao Xue won't give up easily. Ling Shuang, you protected me this time, but you can't stay by my side all the time."

"If we encounter her again, what should we do?"

At Ling Shuang's words, she took out two differently colored packets from her pocket and handed them to Gao Xuan, saying, "The Emperor also thought of this. These are for you."

"The green packet contains Bone-Softening Powder. In critical moments, you can scatter it, and it will make the opponent instantly weak and feeble, greatly reducing their cultivation. Like what happened just now, you can take the opportunity to escape."

"This substance is effective against people in the Mid-Level of the Sea Condensation Realm, with its effects lasting about fifteen minutes."

"Oh, that's impressive."

Gao Xuan took the packets and curiously picked up the red one. "And what about this red one?"

"This..." Ling Shuang hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "This packet contains Honeysuckle Powder. It works the same way as Bone-Softening Powder, but its effect is to ignite passionate desire in people, completely arousing their animalistic instincts, and they will stop at nothing... You understand."

Gao Xuan was suddenly shocked. Wasn't this an aphrodisiac?!

The Emperor actually gave him something like this!

Could it be that she wanted him to... with the Empress Dowager...!!!

Ling Shuang's expression turned solemn as she said, "The Emperor is worried that you won't gain the Empress Dowager's favor and won't have a chance to obtain the Dragon Seal, so after much consideration, she came up with this unconventional method."

"If there is a suitable opportunity, you can use this to capture evidence against the Empress Dowager and force her to hand over the Dragon Seal."

"But the Emperor also wants me to tell you that you should never use it unless it's absolutely necessary. If it is discovered by others, no one will be able to save you."

Gao Xuan was still in shock, unable to regain his composure.

The Emperor had resorted to such tactics. It seemed that she really had no other choice.

The Empress Dowager held a high position of power and had an incredibly noble status. Her relationship with the Emperor was different from that of the Empress. After all, she was the former Emperor's concubine, and even if the two were at odds now, the Empress Dowager was still her father-in-law's daughter-in-law, separated by a generation.

It was one thing for her to cuckold him, but if she wanted to cuckold her own father, it would require great determination.

Otherwise, with any means at her disposal, she wouldn't resort to this.

However, this situation seemed pleasing. Who wouldn't want to take a bite of a ripe peach?

But the Empress Dowager wasn't so easily seduced. Gao Xuan was afraid that he wouldn't get to taste the peach and would end up losing his teeth instead.

If even the slightest rumor leaked out, for the sake of the royal family's reputation, he would never be able to get by in the future.

Gao Xuan wore a conflicted expression, his face contorted, and he weakly said, "I'm a bit afraid. Is this really feasible?"

Ling Shuang glanced at him askance, her tone somewhat mocking. "When the Emperor asked you to consummate your marriage with the Empress, I didn't see you being so timid. You didn't come out for several hours. Weren't you enjoying yourself?"

Gao Xuan cleared his throat lightly and waved his hand. "That's different."

"What's different?"

Ling Shuang stopped making jokes and said calmly, "No matter what it is, as long as it isn't discovered by others, it means that it didn't happen. Do you understand?"

Gao Xuan hesitated for a moment and finally sighed. "Okay, I'll give it a try."

"Good."

Ling Shuang nodded faintly and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Remember your mission. The Emperor is waiting for good news from you."

"I will do my best."

After speaking, Ling Shuang turned and left without any hesitation.

Gao Xuan stood foolishly in place, looking at the packets in his hand, unable to help but shake his head helplessly.

The Emperor had become addicted to using her weapons! It wasn't enough for her to sleep with the Empress; now she wanted to drag the Empress Dowager into it.

But when you think about it, his weapon seemed to be the most effective in this harem where women schemed against each other. Even the best toy for a woman was still just a toy, capable of alleviating momentary loneliness but unable to resolve inner solitude. Only a true treasure could solve problems effectively!

After contemplating for a moment, he tucked the two packets into his pocket and then entered the courtyard.

...

"Why did you come back just now? I'm starving to death!"

As soon as they entered the room, the hungry Consort Shu had a face full of resentment. Like a starving tiger, she snatched the food box from Gao Xuan's hand and sat at the table, devouring her meal without any grace.

"So delicious! I've never had such delicious food in the palace before!"

Consort Shu held a chicken leg in one hand and grabbed the rice and dishes with the other. Her mouth was stuffed full, and she mumbled while eating, completely devoid of the noble demeanor of a concubine, resembling a playful and lovely girl next door.

Gao Xuan found her way of eating quite amusing and couldn't help but smile.

"Why are you laughing?"

Consort Shu glared at him. After finally swallowing the mouthful of food, she quickly took a sip of soup.

Gao Xuan chuckled lightly, "Nothing, I just think the way you eat reminds me of a friend I had when I was young."

"Oh?"

Consort Shu's curiosity was immediately piqued, and she asked, "Who?"

"Xiao Hei."

"Xiao Hei? Who is that?" Consort Shu's face showed even more confusion.

Gao Xuan replied calmly, "A dog we had at the doorstep of my house."

Realizing what he meant, Consort Shu's face instantly turned red with anger. She grabbed a steamed bun and threw it at Gao Xuan, shouting, "Go die!"

"Hahaha."

Gao Xuan laughed and easily dodged the bun. Then he spoke seriously, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Eat quickly, eat more. Only when you're full will you have the energy to work."

"Pah! You lock me up here and still expect me to work for you? You must be dreaming!" Consort Shu coldly snorted, not realizing Gao Xuan's intention, but that didn't stop her from continuing to devour her food.

Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open.

"How dare you hide the White Lotus Cult assassins who attempted to assassinate the Emperor! You, little eunuch, have quite the audacity."

...