The bedroom was filled with a hazy, steaming warmth. Fragrant flowers perfumed the air, and a corner of the window was opened, allowing the indoor heat to dissipate. A gentle night breeze softly brushed past, lifting a corner of the thin, white gauze adorned with sky-blue sea patterns.
Inside a circular bathing tub, a person sat sideways, revealing only delicate, white, and alluring shoulders. Washed black hair, still damp, was parted into two sections and draped over the shoulders.
The tips of the hair floated on the water's surface, black and enchanting, while the skin was white and fragrant, causing a dizzying effect.
The palace maid, Xiu Xiu, held her breath, serving with utmost care. Her pupils were fixed on the empress, who was bathing peacefully, unable to comprehend what had gone wrong.
Why was the empress no longer foolish? It was October, and after falling into the Koi pond and soaking for so long, she should have been at death's door, if not already dead. Yet, the woman before her was not only unharmed but had also regained her senses.
Not only was she no longer foolish, but she was also formidable. The thought of the empress's previous ferocity sent a slight shiver down Xiu Xiu's spine.
At this moment, a gentle and sweet voice sounded.
"Xiu Xiu, tell me some things about the palace?"
Xiu Xiu was startled. What did the empress mean by that question? She stared intently at the empress, but could only see her back and her head full of ink-black hair, not her facial expression.
Judging solely by her sweet words, one would never guess the violent side of this woman. Xiu Xiu quickly and cautiously replied.
"What would Your Highness like to know? Xiu Xiu will tell you everything without reservation."
Her tone was utterly subservient; she dared not be careless now.
The thought of Xiao He's bloody hands made her scalp tingle. It seemed they would all have to tread carefully from now on. If there was a next time, she feared they would meet a gruesome end.
Yun Xiao heard Xiu Xiu's words and smiled with satisfaction. She gently cupped her hands, scooped up water, and elegantly poured it over her collarbone. The palace lanterns flickered, and droplets of water glistened, rolling down her tender, white skin.
"What is my name?"
"Yun Xiao, daughter of the Regent King," Xiu Xiu, though somewhat surprised, did not dare to be careless and quickly answered.
Yun Xiao's slender jade hands paused, and the corners of her lips curved into an even softer smile, her pupils flashing.
As expected. Otherwise, how could she have become the empress? Coincidentally, this foolish empress shared the same name as her past life's self, making it much more convenient to be called.
"How many women are there in this palace?"
Yun Xiao wasn't particularly interested in this, but she figured these people would hardly be content to let a fool occupy the empress's position. Many of them would likely be her adversaries in the future. Knowing yourself and your enemy meant you would be victorious in a hundred battles.
This imperial harem was truly a man-eating den. As a legendary woman from modern times, she wouldn't let herself die at the hands of these women again, would she?
"Reporting to Your Highness, there are over twenty concubines in the palace. Besides Your Highness the Empress, there are already two concubines holding the positions of Four Consorts: Consort De and Consort Xian. There are also two titled 'Zhaoyi' and 'Zhaoyuan.' The rest are ranked below the fifth rank, such as Lianghuan and Guiren."
Xiu Xiu reported respectfully, but secretly sighed in her heart. Even those of the sixth rank, like Guiren, often bullied the empress with the backing of Consort De and Consort Xian.
It was all because the empress was foolish. But the one before her was not. A flicker of hope ignited in Xiu Xiu's heart, as she believed the current empress would no longer tolerate being bullied.
Over twenty concubines. Yun Xiao felt a pang of shame. This man was simply a stud. Sooner or later, he would die from exhaustion!
But what did that stud have to do with her? She figured that man wouldn't even cast a glance her way in her current role. She was happy to have peace and quiet, and preferably find an opportunity to leave the palace.
"The water is getting cold."
"Your Highness, please rise." Xiu Xiu quickly retrieved the white bath towel from the screen and respectfully approached, serving Yun Xiao as she stepped out of the tub. She dried her body and helped her change into white undergarments.
When Xiu Xiu looked up, she was stunned. The empress, having just bathed, was like a freshly emerged lotus flower, exceptionally fresh and lovely. Her fair and tender skin had a faint blush, and her eyes blinked, her dark pupils sparkling with vivacity.
"What is it?"
Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow curiously, looking at this palace maid named Xiu Xiu. Xiu Xiu was slender, with clear and delicate features.
"It's nothing, Your Highness is truly beautiful."
"Beautiful?" Yun Xiao touched her own face. She hadn't truly seen this ancient face before and became somewhat interested.
Women are naturally fond of beauty. While it's said that a woman adorns herself for those who admire her, it's not entirely true; women themselves enjoy being beautiful.
"Your Highness, please sit. Your hair is still damp, and you might catch a chill in this weather." Xiu Xiu reached out and guided Yun Xiao to sit before the dressing table, beginning to style her hair.
On the dressing table sat a gilded, carved bronze mirror. Exquisitely crafted, it clearly reflected her face.
Her eyebrows were curved, her long eyelashes curled upwards, and her eyes were large and round. When her pupils moved, they were exceptionally lively, shining like dark grapes. Beneath her proud, small nose were small lips, currently a tempting pink.
This face was beautiful, but not stunningly so. Instead, it was cute and pretty, like an exquisite doll displayed in a modern boutique, instantly likable, evoking a desire to hold and cherish her.
Yun Xiao was satisfied with such a countenance. The corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile, revealing two charming dimples on her cheeks, making her even more endearing.
As Xiu Xiu styled her hair, she glanced at the empress in the mirror and couldn't help but sigh.
"I never realized before how beautiful Your Highness truly is."
"Beautiful?"
Yun Xiao touched her cheeks. This so-called beauty was merely because a different soul had inhabited the body, lending a vivacity to the previously wooden expression, causing charm to radiate involuntarily.
If she were still the same foolish person, she probably still wouldn't possess that captivating aura.
"Yes, truly beautiful."
Xiu Xiu nodded vigorously. This time, she wasn't flattering; the empress was genuinely beautiful.
Yun Xiao didn't want to dwell on the topic. The night was already very deep. She stretched out her hand and elegantly yawned. After a fragrant hot bath, her body felt soft and languid. She wanted to have a good sleep. Turning her head, she scanned the bedroom and called out towards the outside, "Someone!"
Two young eunuchs immediately rushed in and respectfully, cautiously replied, "Your Highness?"
"Clear away the things in here."
She gestured towards the bathing tub in the bedroom. The two eunuchs, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao, immediately took their orders and moved to efficiently clear the tub. Xiu Xiu also went over to help. The three of them soon tidied everything up and stood carefully in the bedroom, awaiting orders.
"You may all withdraw. I wish to rest."
"Yes, Your Highness." All three breathed a sigh of relief and slowly retreated outwards. Yun Xiao rose and walked towards the large bed. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she called out, "Wait a moment?"