Last time, the Empress sought out Chu Chen due to the effects of medication.
This time, however, was different; the Empress came to Chu Chen of her own volition.
The two spent a full hour together before it concluded.
Fortunately, no one disturbed them during this time, preventing Chu Chen from being left unsatisfied halfway through.
Chu Chen was nearly worn out by the Empress. For the entire hour, she seemed intent on taking revenge, which was why she acted as she did.
Although Chu Chen understood the Empress's intentions, he dared not utter a single complaint.
After all, she was his boss. If the boss asked him to do something, would he dare refuse?
Moreover, this was an affair that ordinary people wouldn't even dare to dream of, a delightful indulgence. It was only through a fortunate coincidence that he had gained this advantage. To refuse now would be ungrateful.
Besides the physical and mental pleasure, Chu Chen also reaped tangible benefits; his strength had advanced by half a step compared to before!
After a brief rest, Chu Chen planned to get up and sleep on the floor mat.
Although the Empress had invited him up this time, Chu Chen was self-aware enough to know that she hadn't said he was to stay with her indefinitely.
Just as he was about to get up, the Empress pulled on his clothes.
"Enough, stop pretending. I'm not some rigid old fool. We've come this far, so don't bother sleeping on the floor. It's bad for your health."
After these two encounters, the Empress developed a complex, inexplicable emotion towards Chu Chen, a mixture of love and hate.
Chu Chen could sense this, and therefore maintained a very low profile.
"Your Majesty, how dare I share a bed with Your Majesty? This is… presumptuous. I should not, and cannot."
As he spoke, Chu Chen tried to get out of bed again. This time, the Empress was truly angered.
"I told you to stay in bed, why are you still being so difficult?"
"Lie down, or I'll charge you with deceiving the sovereign."
Upon hearing this, Chu Chen immediately lost his will to argue and obediently lay back down.
The Empress wiped the sweat from her forehead, patted Chu Chen's shoulder, and said, "Don't overthink it, boy. Your marriage with Xin Yue can proceed anytime."
"I am old now and won't hold you back for years."
Chu Chen felt a bit ashamed but also relieved. "If Your Majesty wishes, I can serve you indefinitely."
The Empress let out a sigh, "Get lost. What do you take me for?"
"After being hurt by the state of Wei this time, I no longer have the desire for eternal life. I might as well enjoy some earthly comforts."
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I am willing to expand your territory and govern the country. Your Majesty can simply enjoy yourself."
The Empress said with a hint of languor, "I trust you with governing and fighting wars, boy. It's just that Xin Yue, this girl, is kind-hearted and may not be suited to the throne. You must assist her well."
Chu Chen nodded and said respectfully, "Your Majesty's admonishment is noted. Chu Chen understands."
"Alright, you've had a long night, boy. Go to sleep. Aren't you facing the scholars tomorrow morning? You need to be well-rested to have the energy to fight them."
Chu Chen nodded and smiled, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Both of them fell asleep. Chu Chen quickly drifted off, but in his dreams, he was always haunted by dreams of the Empress.
Sometimes he dreamt of the Empress making love to him, and other times he dreamt of her suddenly transforming into an unrecognizable, terrifying form, even trying to devour him.
When he was startled awake from his sleep and saw the Empress sleeping soundly beside him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Initially, Chu Chen thought he had dreamt for a very long time and that it was all a fabrication, that he hadn't ended up in the Empress's bed.
However, reality had proven him wrong, and he couldn't help but feel a chill of fear.
He had shared a bed with the Empress again. Who would believe this if it got out?
The Empress's temperament was capricious. Who knew if one day she might decide to kill Chu Chen to prevent any rumors from leaking out.
Chu Chen quickly and stealthily put on his clothes, got out of bed, and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door behind him. After a brief wash, he hurried to the palace.
However, Chu Chen didn't go to the morning court. Instead, he went to Li Xin Yue's warm pavilion, intending to have a chat with her.
"Chu Chen, why are you here again? Didn't you just come last night?"
Li Xin Yue asked, somewhat confused.
Chu Chen smiled and said, "Yes, but aren't we facing those people in court today? I thought I'd come and see you."
"And let those fellows wait a bit longer. That way, I can vent some of the anger in my heart."
Li Xin Yue couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Chu Chen, why are you getting worked up with these people? You need to be more mature. That way, Mother Emperor can confidently hand over the empire to us."
Chu Chen, however, shook his head with a wry smile. "Your Highness, please rest assured. If it were Her Majesty, she would surely do the same."
Li Xin Yue frowned. "Why? Mother Emperor would do the same?"
Chu Chen nodded, quite seriously. "Because these fellows have gone too far. At a time like this, we should be united and govern together. Instead, these people are always thinking about power struggles."
"Do you think Her Majesty would tolerate them acting so recklessly?"
Li Xin Yue nodded, beginning to understand Chu Chen's intentions.
"What I'm doing is merely making them wait longer. When they can't bear it any longer, everything will be easier to handle."
Li Xin Yue nodded. "Since you say so, then let it be. I'll listen to you."
Chu Chen smiled. "Later, play chess with me. Let's play a few rounds. When they're all impatient, we'll go."
Chu Chen's words made Li Xin Yue both amused and exasperated.
"Why do you have to provoke those fellows so much? They were already targeting you."
"If they find out you're deliberately late, won't they use it as an excuse to cause trouble?"
Chu Chen nodded. "Your Highness is right. They will indeed use it as an excuse. I'm precisely hoping they will cause trouble, so I'm creating opportunities for them."
"Everything is ready, only the east wind is missing. If they don't cause trouble, then all my preparations will be in vain, won't they?"
Li Xin Yue could only reluctantly be persuaded by Chu Chen.
"Alright, since you say so, I'll listen to you. The imperial kitchen will make an extra portion for you later."
Chu Chen's eyes lit up. "Great! Oh, and make one for Her Majesty too, I'll take it back. I guess Her Majesty misses the imperial kitchen's delicacies."
When speaking of the Empress, Chu Chen couldn't help but glance at Li Xin Yue with a guilty conscience. Seeing that she didn't say anything, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Li Xin Yue, however, was listening intently.
"That's right, Chu Chen. I'd forgotten that Mother Emperor might have trouble eating at your place."
"I'll pick out a few more dishes for you to take back to Mother Emperor later."
"By the way, is Mother Emperor still in the same room as you?"
Li Xin Yue asked casually.