An Guifei clenched her fist and then released it, a faint smile on her face. "Serving His Majesty is my duty, of course it's important. Empress, please rest assured, I will certainly do my duty. Speaking of which, I have always admired you, Empress. I feel that no woman in this world is more tolerant and magnanimous than you. His Majesty has been visiting my palace more often."
An Guifei's words were like small flying daggers, accurately and ruthlessly piercing Empress Lu's heart.
Empress Lu forced a smile. "I hope An Guifei can continue to smile in the future."
An Guifei serving the fake emperor would only lead to death.
She had already made arrangements. Even if An Guifei knew it was a fake emperor, could she escape? An Guifei would then be an impure woman.
"Empress, please rest assured, I will always smile," An Guifei said calmly.
In Empress Lu's eyes, even if An Guifei smiled, it was a forced smile. Her people had confirmed that Emperor Chongwen had not entered the palace.
"I hope so. That's enough, I'm a bit tired. You may withdraw," Empress Lu said impatiently.
An Guifei curtsied and left the Empress's palace.
The attendant serving the fake emperor was waiting outside the Empress's palace, saying that the fake emperor was waiting for her and that she should go directly to him.
"Thank you, Eunuch," An Guifei said.
The fake emperor's heart was surging with emotion. He knew that whether Empress Lu succeeded or His Majesty returned, he would only have a dead end. Originally, according to His Majesty's arrangements, he would have been fine. After His Majesty succeeded, he would have received rewards and continued to live a life in obscurity. Before, he didn't think such a life was bad. Until this time, when the Empress arranged for someone to serve him.
He was not allowed to touch His Majesty's women.
But the Empress had made arrangements.
He tasted a flavor he had never tasted before.
Once you've tasted the sweetness, you crave more. He felt that love between men and women was truly beautiful.
Therefore, he compromised with the Empress.
To die under the peony, even as a ghost, one would be romantic.
This time, Empress Lu had instructed him to make sure he slept with An Guifei.
He knew that An Guifei was someone His Majesty held dear, so he was both apprehensive and excited.
"Your Majesty?"
The fake emperor snapped back to attention and smiled at An Guifei. "My concubine has returned? Did the Empress trouble you?"
"The Empress has always been benevolent, how could she trouble me?" An Guifei's tone was gentle. "The Empress instructed me to serve Your Majesty well."
"You don't need to cover for her. Don't I know what kind of person she is?" The fake emperor's imitation of Emperor Chongwen's tone was incredibly lifelike. Usually, when An Guifei went to pay her respects to Empress Lu, Emperor Chongwen would say this.
"There's no need to cover up. I have Your Majesty's favor, why should I bother with the Empress?" An Guifei said. "The Empress can only play with her words in front of me. A few taunting words, and I don't take them to heart. After all, it's the Empress who feels uncomfortable after provoking me every time."
"A'Le, you're still as clever and lively as before," the fake emperor said with a doting expression.
An Guifei suppressed the disgust in her heart and smiled in agreement. "This is all thanks to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty hadn't protected me, I would have long become like the other women in the palace, scheming and unrecognizable."
"A'Le, rest assured, I will always favor you," the fake emperor said emotionally.
"Then Your Majesty must keep your word."