The Slender Waist-Chapter 59 - 46: The Grudge of the Shattered Jade_3

Chapter 59: Chapter 46: The Grudge of the Shattered Jade_3

Eunuch Fang knew he could not escape the punishment of the wooden plank, so he uttered a few more words to demonstrate his loyalty.

Li Sangruo’s thoughts were adrift, growing impatient.

"The punishment can wait, you stand guard outside for now. Without my command, no one is permitted near Jiafu Hall..."

Eunuch Fang breathed a slight sigh of relief, "This servant understands."

He exchanged a glance with Song Shou’an and silently withdrew.

The doors of the hall closed, emitting a dull thud.

Li Sangruo sat on the soft couch, watching the young man dressed in the Great General’s uniform but with a face full of apprehension, and with half-closed eyelids, she slowly beckoned him over, "Come here."

Song Shou’an hesitated for a moment, then moved silently toward the Empress Dowager, "Your Highness..."

He was very afraid; the Empress Dowager’s single sentence could lead to Eunuch Fang receiving twenty hard strikes, while another could annihilate his entire family.

However, the Empress Dowager did not get angry. She simply gently placed her hand on his shoulder and then slowly slid it down, caressing bit by bit, as if she were looking through him at another person—the true Great General.

Song Shou’an’s pupils contracted slightly, his ears reddening.

The Empress Dowager had never touched him before, never.

The Empress Dowager despised his lowly origins, merely a potter of no significance.

But the Empress Dowager fancied his face, often staring at it dazedly, her gaze revealing a tangle of longing and affection.

Sometimes, the Empress Dowager’s stare would last a long while, so intense that it made him feel as if he was on the execution ground.

Such intimacy was a first.

Song Shou’an’s heartbeat was like thunder, nearly unbearable.

Li Sangruo very much liked the sound of his heartbeat; she pressed her ear against it for a while, then asked him, "Before entering the palace, did your room ever host a woman?"

Song Shou’an shook his head, ashamed.

Li Sangruo sneered, "Do you know what to do?"

Song Shou’an, staring at the Empress Dowager’s eyes that became strangely bright and deep, almost instantly understood what she was implying, and stammered out, "I’ve heard...heard people talk about it..."

Li Sangruo laughed mockingly again.

"What’s the use of what others say? You need to have the skill yourself."

Song Shou’an looked down, "This, this servant..."

Ha! Li Sangruo’s eyes dropped, "Come, let me teach you."

After speaking, she gently pushed on his solid armor, rose, and walked behind the curtain toward the inner chamber, "Come, serve me as I bathe."

Yurong Hall was empty.

Song Shou’an swallowed hard and hurriedly followed.

The curtain concealed the deep spring, the fragrance of the quilt was silent, and the green smoke curled from the golden censer...

It was not long before there came a gentle calling from a beauty. Over and over she called, General, General, oh, caress me tenderly, caress Aruo tenderly...

"I see you, I see the General..." she said joyfully, seeing the General she fancied bursting in like a wild horse, shaking and unbalancing her with the force of an army.

"General, you’ve hit right where Aruo’s heart is.

"Oh General..."

Eunuch Fang stood guard outside the hall, ceaselessly wiping sweat from his brow.

The Empress Dowager had been a widow for two years.

A young woman, who presided over the court during the day, discussing state affairs with the civil and military officials, found herself by night in the cold and lonely Jiafu Hall, living a life even more austere than a nun in a temple.

Eunuch Fang didn’t know whether to worry for the Empress Dowager or to feel happy for her...

The day was too hot!

After some time passed, Eunuch Fang received the command to enter the hall again. The Empress Dowager had finished her ablutions and changed into light clothing, her face flushed, her expression somber as she walked out.

There stood Song Shou’an, his face a mess, not daring to lift his eyes to meet others’.

Li Sangruo’s mood had smoothed, and sitting back on the soft couch, her voice carried a touch of huskiness.

"Summon the Prime Minister to the palace; I have important matters to discuss with him."

Prime Minister Li Zongxun was the Empress Dowager’s own father, already renowned as a man of talent from a distinguished family and highly regarded by the late Emperor. He was the late Emperor’s most trusted strategist. After his grandson, the Young Emperor, took the throne, his power became even more absolute, dominating the court and government.

The so-called regency of the Empress Dowager required the schemes and wisdom of this birth father.

Eunuch Fang understood and led Song Shou’an away in response.

Li Sangruo sat alone for a while, then took out the three pieces of broken jade to look at, her expression filled with poignant sorrow, "You treat me so mercilessly, so confident and unafraid. Are you not afraid that I will become ruthless and turn against you?"