Chapter 60 - 58: Gu Xiangzhu: Sometimes I’m Truly Helpless

Chapter 60: Chapter 58: Gu Xiangzhu: Sometimes I’m Truly Helpless

Wangshu Palace.

Practice Room.

The two of them just stared at each other quietly for a while.

Gu Xiangzhu felt that she never should have come to the Imperial Palace seventeen years ago. If she hadn’t come, she wouldn’t have been saddled with this "son" of hers.

She had thought that by becoming the Demon Sect Saintess, she could stay away from stinking men for the rest of her life.

After entering the palace, even Zhao Huan had been bluffed by her into keeping his distance.

But she never expected that all sorts of physical contact, both proper and improper, would be taken advantage of by this young brat.

’A foot bath?’

Just thinking about such a scene made Gu Xiangzhu’s head buzz.

’I just want to devote myself to the grand enterprise of Alchemy as soon as possible.’

’What did I do wrong?’

’I have my limits!’

’This kid is an absolute scoundrel!’

"Alright!"

Gu Xiangzhu nodded. "I’ll have to trouble you then, Ci."

’Fine!’

’It’s only for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.’

’The main thing to guard against now is Zhao Huan sticking his nose in.’

’Unless the situation is extreme, I have to keep this "Kind Mother" emotional card firmly in my hand.’

Zhao Ci nodded happily. "You’re the one who’s worked hard, Mother-Concubine! Please return to your room and rest for a bit. I will go prepare the warm water and medicinal herbs."

With that, he quickly left the Practice Room.

Gu Xiangzhu stood frozen in place for a long moment before gritting her teeth and returning to her room.

’For the Demon Sect!’

’I’ve worried myself sick over this!’

’But for the Alcohol Refining Technique...’

The moment she thought of the Alcohol Refining Technique, she felt incredibly irritated.

From the moment she heard the news from Li Shu, she had wanted to get her hands on this technique, but she had dragged her feet again and again until now.

Although her reasons for delaying each time were perfectly logical and reasonable.

But she still felt something was off.

’I’ll just wait this one more time.’

’If something unexpected happens again, then it’s truly unreasonable.’

"Sigh!"

Gu Xiangzhu sat on a soft chair and sighed lightly. She felt like she didn’t know where to put her feet.

Being a lone undercover agent in the Zhao Imperial Family was sometimes truly helpless.

「About a quarter of an hour passed.」

A tall, straight figure entered carrying a wooden basin.

Gu Xiangzhu subconsciously pulled her feet back a little, but the smile on her face was quite calm. "Ci, you’re here."

"Mhm!"

Zhao Ci smiled, placed the basin in front of her feet, and raised an arm to wipe the sweat from his temple. He grinned. "These medicinal herbs were a bit troublesome to prepare, so it took a little longer."

Gu Xiangzhu was slightly on guard, but when she smelled the herbal aroma carried by the steam, her wariness quietly dissipated.

’These few herbs are indeed for soothing muscles and activating meridians.’

’The proportions and age of the herbs are all proper.’

’It seems this kid really put some thought into it, rather than having other disrespectful ideas.’

"Mother-Concubine?"

"Ah?"

"If you would lift your foot, I will remove your boots for you!"

"Ah?"

Gu Xiangzhu’s heart tightened, and she subconsciously pulled her feet back again.

Zhao Ci snorted coldly in his mind. ’This little minx is scared now? Weren’t you scared when you were plotting against me just now?’

[Gu Xiangzhu’s Current Wish]: I don’t want to wash...

’The hell you don’t!’

Zhao Ci chose to ignore this wish directly, sighing with a hint of guilt. "Mother-Concubine must be too tired. You don’t need to lift your foot, I’ll do it myself..."

As he spoke, his hands reached for Gu Xiangzhu’s ankles.

"No need, I’ll do it!"

Gu Xiangzhu jumped in fright. Not daring to shrink back again, she quickly kicked off her shoes. She didn’t want any more entanglement with Zhao Ci and just wanted to get this over with, so she also moved to take off her white socks herself.

But before she could even react, she felt them enveloped by a warm grasp.

’These hands...’

"Just rest, Mother-Concubine!"

"..."

Gu Xiangzhu’s body stiffened slightly. She wanted nothing more than to knock Zhao Ci unconscious with a single palm strike, but unfortunately, she couldn’t.

But this scene before her was something she truly couldn’t bear to watch directly.

Yet if she closed her eyes and turned her head away, it would make her seem unnatural.

She could only force a calm expression, watching with eyes as still as an old well as Zhao Ci helped her remove her socks.

In the process, he inevitably touched her fair ankles.

The warm touch made her sense of shame nearly explode.

She never imagined that she, the Demon Sect Saintess, would one day be forced into such an embarrassing situation.

Zhao Ci said with a serious face, "Mother-Concubine, your feet and calves are a bit stiff. You must be exhausted."

Gu Xiangzhu: "..."

’Am I stiff because I’m tired?’

’I’m asking you, is it because I’m tired?!’

She forced a gentle smile. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Ci."

At first listen, there seemed to be nothing wrong.

But Zhao Ci had been tempering his Primordial Spirit with the Divinity Refining Furnace for half a month—using the Yu Xin Flame, no less. His five senses were more than twice as sharp as before, and he could clearly hear a tremor in her voice.

’Heh!’

’Looks like this Insult Talisman really works!’

’But just how old is this Demon Sect woman?’

’Why is her skin so smooth?’

’And these...’

Although she was tall, her feet were still no match for a man’s. At least, this pair looked visually delicate in his hands.

Skin of ice and bones of jade, the sensation was exquisite.

He smiled, then guided them into the water.

"Mother-Concubine, this is Yongquan..."

"I understand, you don’t need to explain."

"Oh! It’s not really for your sake. It’s mainly because this is my first time giving someone a foot bath, and I’m afraid I’ll forget. So I’m saying this to make sure I don’t make any mistakes. You can just pretend I’m talking to myself!"

"..."

"This is the Yongquan point. Stimulating it with True Qi can eliminate fatigue, warm the meridians and dispel cold, lower blood pressure, and aid sleep. You’ve been exhausted lately, so I’ll give it a good press for you."

"Ngh~~"

"This series here is Taichong, Taibai, Taixi..."

"Ngh~~"

"And this here is Zusanli, its effect is..."

"Ah? You’re massaging my calves too?"

Gu Xiangzhu couldn’t help but ask.

Zhao Ci had a serious expression. "Of course! The meridians of the whole body are connected. How could it make sense to only massage one spot? Mother-Concubine, you just need to relax. My Imperial Extreme True Qi is quite pure, perfect for eliminating hidden ailments and strengthening the constitution."

As he spoke, his hands moved up from her ankles, staying close to her skin.

Gu Xiangzhu: "..."

A long, long time passed.

It was finally over.

Gu Xiangzhu gripped the arms of the chair with both hands, barely able to keep herself steady.

Zhao Ci looked bewildered. "Mother-Concubine! Why do I feel like you’re even more tired after the massage?"

Gu Xiangzhu: "???"

’Why am I more tired?’

’You tell me why I’m more tired!’

Her expression was calm. "I’m not! The effect was very good. Thank you for your hard work, Ci."

Zhao Ci: "Mother-Concubine, let me help you dry..."

"No need!"

Gu Xiangzhu immediately circulated her True Qi, instantly evaporating the medicinal liquid. Then she quickly put on her socks and shoes and stood up. "Let’s go! To the Tenth Prince’s Mansion!"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’She’s fast!’

Although Gu Xiangzhu acted very normally, he was certain that this woman was having a mental breakdown inside.

’Of course, I’ll probably pay dearly for this.’

’But this woman has been undercover in the palace for seventeen years. She has to be a significant figure; it’s almost impossible she would let personal emotions interfere with important matters.’

’Anyway, the day I’m exposed, I’m definitely going to suffer her wrath.’

’Might as well push her buttons as much as I can while I still can.’

’It’ll make me feel better.’

’To be honest.’

’It’s actually pretty fun.’

’Let the storm rage as fiercely as it wants.’

’I’ve already satisfied my base desires anyway.’

Gu Xiangzhu stood at the door. "Ci?"

"Coming!"

Zhao Ci knew that if he delayed any longer, he would surely suffer the consequences ahead of schedule, so he quickly followed her.

Seeing the strange expression on his face, a flicker of suspicion crossed Gu Xiangzhu’s eyes, but she still asked softly, "Is there something else?"

"Of course, I have no other intentions."

A troubled look appeared on Zhao Ci’s face. "Actually, Father-Emperor sent me a Transmission today. He said there’s still a major hidden danger with the Alcohol Refining Technique, and that I shouldn’t give it to you, Mother-Concubine, until I’ve resolved it."

Seeing Gu Xiangzhu’s face darken,

He naturally added, "But with your sharp eye, Mother-Concubine, you’ll surely spot the problem at a glance. I can just explain it to Father-Emperor afterward."

"Excellent!"

Only then did Gu Xiangzhu’s expression soften. She smiled with satisfaction and led Zhao Ci onto the carriage leaving the palace.

The carriage rumbled forward.

It moved out of the palace at a steady, unhurried pace.

With every foot the carriage advanced, a bit of the vicious aura in Gu Xiangzhu’s heart dissipated.

Zhao Ci was also cursing up a storm in his mind.

’Old Deng, you sure know how to bide your time!’

’If you don’t show up soon...’

’...the Alcohol Refining Technique is going to fall into the hands of this old Demon Sect hag!’

Just then!

"WHOA!"

The carriage stopped.

Gu Xiangzhu’s expression changed instantly. She asked in a low voice, "Why have we stopped?"

The driving eunuch said in a low voice, "Your Highness! Your Majesty has arrived!"

Gu Xiangzhu: "???"

~~~~

The original Chapter was blocked. This is a revised and reposted version.