Chapter 818: Deception Within Deception

The two w0men’s skin was as smooth as satin, their robes slipping effortlessly to the floor, revealing b0dies so fair they nearly dazzled the eyes.  

Song Qingshu’s brows twitched uncontrollably. ‘These palace women really have a habit of stripping at the slightest provocation. Should I close my eyes… or not?’  

“You’ve been well cared for,” Empress Pei Man remarked approvingly before suddenly sneering. “For years, the overseers of the Laundry Courtyard never made you do hard labor. Do you know why?”  

“This humble servant does not know,” the two young princesses answered timidly, exchanging a glance filled with confusion. Over the years, their elder sisters had suffered immensely, yet the two of them had been treated with relative comfort—far from the luxury of true princesses, but comparable to the daughters of wealthy commoners.  

“The reason you weren’t forced into labor was to keep your hands soft and your skin unblemished by wind and frost,” Pei Man said coldly. “But this had nothing to do with your former royal status. It was because you were the youngest in the Laundry Courtyard. When our Great Jin Dynasty’s army stormed Bianliang, you two were still in swaddling clothes—that’s why you remain untouched.”  

She paused, her gaze sharpening. “As you grew older and more beautiful, the palace decided you would serve the Emperor in his inner court. All of this is by His Majesty’s grace. From now on, you will devote yourselves to him. Understood?”  

Song Qingshu shot Pei Man a glance. ‘Her acting is impeccable—playing the dutiful wife arranging concubines for her husband. Even someone as experienced as Zhao Fujin might have been fooled, let alone these naive girls.’  

“This humble servant understands.” The two girls paled slightly, realizing their fate had long been sealed—to become playthings for the Jin Emperor. Though they had been too young to remember the fall of Bianliang, their elder sisters in the Laundry Courtyard had often recounted the past. They knew they were of royal blood, but the cruel reality left them no choice but to submit.  

“Enough kneeling. Come serve His Majesty his wine.” Pei Man subtly signaled Song Qingshu to proceed as planned.  

Song Qingshu’s expression darkened. ‘This situation is absurd. Should I play the gentleman or the beast?’ What troubled him more was that Empress Pei Man showed no intention of leaving. ‘Does she plan to watch the whole thing?’  

“Yes.” The two princesses rose, clearly uncomfortable in their nakedness, their youthful faces flushed with embarrassment. They approached hesitantly, kneeling beside Song Qingshu—one pouring wine while the other offered him the cup.  

“Your Majesty, please drink.”  

Their voices were soft and melting, sending a shiver down Song Qingshu’s spine. ‘If Zhao Yingluo saw this, she’d probably skewer me with her sword. But honestly, I’m not exactly enjoying this either.’  

He accepted the cup, catching the faint, sweet fragrance of v!rgin purity. For a moment, his heart wavered, but he quickly steadied himself. ‘I may be a man who appreciates beauty, but I’m no brute. These girls are strangers to me—taking advantage of them would make me no better than an animal. Besides, they’re Zhao Yingluo’s sisters. Even if she and I don’t get along…’  

He inwardly scoffed at himself. ‘Who am I kidding? I’m just holding back because I want more than their bodies—I want their hearts too. Might as well admit it instead of dressing it up in noble excuses.’  

“Ahem.” He feigned a cough and waved dismissively at Pei Man. “Empress, you may leave. These two will suffice.”  

Pei Man nearly choked on her fury. ‘This d*mned slave dares to order me around in my own palace—the Hall of Supreme Harmony! Where does he expect me to go?’  

But for the sake of her scheme, she suppressed her rage. “As Your Majesty wishes. This consort shall wait in the side chamber. Should you need anything, summon me at once.”  

“Yes, yes.” Song Qingshu waved her off impatiently, fueling Pei Man’s silent wrath. ‘After tonight, you’ll learn what true suffering is, you insolent cur!’  

Noting Pei Man’s reluctant glance as she left, Song Qingshu smirked. ‘At this point, there’s no need to humor her. Once her true scheme is revealed, it’s time to lay our cards on the table.’  

Sensing through his Qi that Pei Man lingered just outside, eavesdropping, he frowned. He nearly ordered her away but reconsidered. ‘This is too important to her. Forcing her to leave might backfire.’  

The real question gnawed at him: ‘What’s her endgame? If she were merely eliminating rivals for the Emperor’s favor, I wouldn’t believe it. But if not that, why go to such lengths to ruin these girls?’  

Unwilling to provoke her prematurely, he played along. With a teasing grin, he lifted one girl’s chin. “Are you Hu’er or Yuanyuan?”  

The girl’s heart fluttered. “I—I am Yuanyuan.”  

“Lovely name. A reward for you.” He tipped a cup of wine into her mouth.  

“Cough—!” She choked, droplets trickling down her neck, glistening under the lamplight. The sight was so radiant that Song Qingshu couldn’t tell whether the room was illuminated by the lamps or by her skin.  

Laughing, he pulled Zhao Hu’er into his arms. “Hu’er is just as sweet. You get a reward too!”  

Watching through the window, Pei Man’s face twisted in disbelief. ‘This reckless, indulgent behavior—since when did that timid eunuch act like a debauched emperor?’ Her only explanation was that he knew death was inevitable and had chosen to indulge while he could.  

‘Fine. If this dog helps me complete my plan, let him enjoy his final hours.’  

Certain he had fooled Pei Man, Song Qingshu swept the two princesses toward the phoenix bed, his laughter bold and unrestrained. “My little beauties, this Emperor will ‘take good care’ of you soon.”