Dialogue in the Door

As the sky was stained with ink, Lao Ai's carriage quietly arrived at the Summer Palace. A small eunuch, smart and quick on his feet, knelt down to be used as a footstool. Lao Ai lifted the corner of the carriage curtain, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk, making sure no one was spying. Only then did he get out of the carriage with the support of a guard.

"Keep it under wraps as usual. If any word of my visit to the Summer Palace reaches my ears..." he paused, a cold glint in his eye, "you and your families will all be dead!" The guards and eunuchs around were terrified, prostrating themselves on the ground, afraid to even breathe heavily.

Lao Ai, satisfied with their reaction, ordered, "Take the carriage away. Wait deep in the woods outside the Summer Palace. Come back at the fifth watch of the night." "Yes, yes, we understand, we understand!" the small eunuchs knelt and bowed, their voices trembling.

No longer paying attention to them, Lao Ai straightened his robes and walked towards the depths of the Summer Palace. The night was as dark as ink, gradually swallowing up his figure.

In his heart, he mused that Empress Dowager Zhao had been getting more and more attached to him over the past six months or so. This feeling... was truly intoxicating. As long as he could keep her happy, glory, wealth, power, and status would all be within his reach. At the thought, a smirk of self - satisfaction crept onto Lao Ai's face.

But coming to the Summer Palace was like walking on thin ice every time. Although exciting, it wasn't a long - term solution. Wait until the right time. He would then take control of the old woman... Hehe, the whole world would be his!

As he walked down the long corridor, Lao Ai's heartbeat quickened with both excitement at seeing the Empress Dowager and a touch of nervousness.

"Knock... knock... knock..." Lao Ai deliberately slowed his pace, his long fingers lightly tapping on the lacquered gate of the palace. The cold touch of the gilt door - knocker made the fire in his heart burn even brighter.

He held his breath, as if he could hear the drum - like beating of his heart, getting faster and faster with each passing moment. It was the excitement of imminent success and the thrill of living on the edge.

Inside the palace, there was a moment of silence.

Then, a clear voice, like a pearl falling onto a plate, asked with a touch of teasing and laziness, the tail end of the sentence rising slightly, as if a feather was lightly scratching the heart: "It's deep into the night. I wonder which noble guest has come to visit?"

At the sound, Lao Ai knew without guessing that it was Yan'er, the Empress Dowager's attendant, who appeared to be mischievous and sharp - tongued but was actually the Empress Dowager's most trusted confidante.

Lao Ai sighed with relief, a playful smile playing on his lips as the tension in his nerves eased.

He knew that the secrets between him and the Empress Dowager could be hidden from the world, but not from the attendants who served her day and night.

Lao Ai's eyes flickered with cunning. In a deliberately lowered, slightly hoarse and magnetic voice, he responded in a light - hearted manner: "Sister Yan'er, how could you not recognize the voice of your 'Black Whirlwind' brother?"

He paused, his tone growing even more intimate and suggestive, as if trying to hook the soul of the person: "Could it be... that after a few days apart, sister has already forgotten the taste of your 'dish'?"

There was both self - mockery and provocation in his words, as well as an indescribable sense of intimacy, like an invisible net that trapped Yan'er.

"Puh! Who are you to call yourself that?" Yan'er spat out, but there was a hint of mock anger and amusement in her voice: "It's truly ridiculous! I think you're nothing but a shameless 'black boar'!"

Before the sound of her words had faded, peals of silver - bell laughter echoed from inside the palace, indicating that she was not alone.

Lao Ai, far from being offended, laughed heartily. His laughter was deep and magnetic, adding an extra layer of charm to the quiet night: "Very well, very well, if sisters say I'm a black boar, then a black boar I'll be!"

Then, his tone turned urgent and pleading: "Dear Yan'er, open the door quickly, your brother is... thinking of you so much!"

The moment the vermilion - lacquered palace door opened a narrow crack,

a wave of fragrance and warmth rushed out to meet him.

Unable to contain the restlessness and agitation in his heart any longer,

Lao Ai's right arm shot out like a leopard's, swiftly seizing the slender waist of the person behind the door,

and without any explanation, he pulled Yan'er into his embrace.

Yan'er let out a cry of surprise. Before she could even realize what was happening,

she found herself enveloped in a familiar and heart - racing male aura.

It was only then that she realized it was that bold "black boar" who had come again.

Before she could utter a scolding word,

Lao Ai's bearded face was already impatiently close, his hot breath spraying on her fair cheeks,

as if about to stamp a passionate kiss on her without any restraint.

Yan'er quickly turned her head, barely avoiding Lao Ai's lips,

her delicate face blushing slightly,

scolding, "You're so annoying with all that beard prickling my face. Your beard will give you away as a fake eunuch sooner or later."

She opened her almond - shaped eyes wide, feigning anger at Lao Ai,

yet there was a trace of coquettishness and teasing in her tone: "I don't want you, you smooth - talking 'black boar', to rub your face against mine. It's so clingy!"

Although she spoke thus, Yan'er did not struggle hard.

Instead, she leaned back, her slender waist almost losing all support,

and seemed to be about to fall backward.

Lao Ai's lips curled into a sly smile.

His arm muscles tightened instantly, like an iron hoop firmly locking Yan'er's slender waist,

keeping her motionless in his embrace.

Yan'er giggled coquettishly, patting Lao Ai's chest,

"Alright, big brother Black Boar, stop fooling around."

She lowered her voice, with a touch of charm and urgency,

"if we keep Empress Dowager waiting, watch out!"