Chapter 258: Tsk, Someone Snapped

Men with wealth, power, and looks—women flock to them.

Women with wealth, power, and looks—men flock to them.

It’s simply human nature.

Xiao Li was the Empress. It was perfectly normal for men to try and seduce her.

The amusing part was that when the two men finished their dance and bowed, they announced their origins. Only then did it dawn on Xiao Li. ’Ah, so I have a harem?’

"Xia Shao Yan of Beicang and Hua Jinchuan of Yundan pay our respects to the Empress."

Xiao Li didn’t remember their names, nor did she recall their faces. But hearing the names of two nations, Beicang and Yundan, together jogged her memory.

Before she fell into her coma, several nations had sent male consorts. If she wasn’t mistaken, these had to be them. Otherwise, given any other status, her subordinates wouldn’t have dared arrange for them to perform a dance.

"Rise."

The two rose to their feet and walked toward Xiao Li in unison. Flanking her, they spoke as one, "We have come to serve Your Majesty."

Lou Yan blocked their path before the Dragon Case.

Allowing these two to dance before Her Majesty was already his limit. If they dared to get any closer, he would have chopped them into mincemeat.

Not everyone was like Song Junzhan, whom he could tolerate.

Lou Yan’s face was demonic and cold, radiating a sinister aura. He looked as dangerous and treacherous as a venomous snake.

Terrified, the two men froze in place and pleaded with Xiao Li, "Your Majesty."

The men sent by the two nations weren’t princes, so their backgrounds were likely nothing special, but their looks were certainly decent.

But Xiao Li appreciated more than just a pretty face.

She raised a hand. "Withdraw."

Though reluctant, the two men obediently departed.

While the others were still trying to gauge Her Majesty’s mood, Song Junzhan had already raised his cup. "Your Majesty, may this subject have the honor of sharing a drink with you tonight?"

Xiao Li smiled and raised her own cup. "How could I refuse a drink from the Prime Minister?"

"Your Majesty, please."

Song Junzhan raised his cup and drank first as a sign of respect.

Setting down his cup, Song Junzhan spoke again. "This subject has studied the Seven Strings, though I am by no means a master. I find myself in the mood today and would be honored to play a piece for Your Majesty."

Xiao Li did not object, and someone immediately brought a zither from the musicians.

Song Junzhan placed the zither on the table, wiped his hands with deliberate care, and said, "Please forgive my humble performance."

Generally, anyone who dares to perform in public while claiming not to be an expert is, in fact, a master of their craft.

Song Junzhan was clearly such a person.

It was clear from the first two notes.

Xiao Li had never heard the piece he played, but from its melodious and vast tune, she could tell it had nothing to do with romance.

It sounded like something a hermit might have composed—of mountain streams, babbling brooks, soaring birds, and the endless sky.

Even if one didn’t understand it, such a beautiful thing compelled one to quiet their heart and simply appreciate it.

When the piece ended, the lingering notes seemed to curl around the rafters, long refusing to fade.

CLAP! CLAP!

Xiao Li applauded. The others, as if waking from a dream, immediately joined in, their applause swelling into a single roar.

She smiled at Song Junzhan. "Prime Minister, you truly are multi-talented. But being too modest is a fault. Come, you are penalized one cup of wine."

Song Junzhan chuckled. "If Your Majesty wishes to penalize me, how could this humble subject refuse?"

With that, he raised his cup and drained it in one go.

With Song Junzhan’s zither performance, the incident with the two dancers faded into the background, and the banquet concluded on a perfect note.

After the banquet dispersed and the others had left, Song Junzhan walked with Xiao Li toward her bedchambers.

The Imperial Palace was vast, and palanquins were available, but the two were in high spirits and insisted on walking. In the end, Lou Yan could only lead a group of attendants to follow behind them.

Song Junzhan had drunk a fair amount of wine. His eyes were slightly hazy from the alcohol, yet they shimmered brightly.

"Your Majesty, this subject is very happy today. Exceptionally happy."

Xiao Li asked, "Are you drunk?"

Song Junzhan shook his head. "I’m not."

’Drunkards always insist they’re not drunk.’

Xiao Li continued walking forward when a hand suddenly reached out and took hers.

The grip wasn’t firm, just a light, tentative hold.

Xiao Li turned her head slightly and saw the tips of his ears were flushed a red that even the night couldn’t hide. She couldn’t tell if it was from the wine or from shyness.

Xiao Li’s gaze shifted to his face, and the name echoed in her mind: Song Xianxian.

’This face... no matter how many times I see it, I get the same feeling. Truly ethereal.’

A perfectly handsome face, with fair skin and beautiful, almond-shaped Feng eyes.

She couldn’t pinpoint what exactly made him so handsome, but he was breathtaking from every angle.

A fraction more or a fraction less would have ruined this perfection.

Moreover, his aura wasn’t the cold, celestial air manufactured by deliberately wearing white robes or maintaining a stony expression. It was innate, a part of his very bones—a detached ease, a cool elegance, the leisurely grace of a banished Immortal.

Even as the Prime Minister, a man who wielded great power and authority, this quality in him was not the least bit diminished.

He was like snow on a branch, untouched by the mortal world, a sight that made one forget all worldly cares.

The reason Xiao Li had talked to him so much back then, and eventually taken him into her service, was at least seventy percent due to this face.

’Tsk, this lecherous side of me... I’m a lost cause.’

With that thought, her palm closed gently, returning his grasp.

Song Junzhan’s hand trembled slightly. Greedily, he opened his own, interlacing their fingers until their hands were tightly clasped.

Lou Yan’s hand clenched around his long saber, his teeth gritted as he stared daggers at their joined hands.

Hong Yue glanced back at him. ’Tsk, someone’s breaking apart!’

For the rest of the walk, neither of them spoke. They simply walked all the way back, the words they wanted to say already answered by the touch of their palms.

Seeing Xiao Li to the door of her bedchambers, Song Junzhan stopped. Reluctantly, he released her hand. He lowered his gaze to look at her, his throat bobbing. "Your Majesty..."

Under Xiao Li’s gaze, he slowly leaned down, drew near, and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Sweet dreams."

’If Lou Yan had been even slightly less intimidating,’ Xiao Li thought, ’Prime Minister Song would not be leaving my bedchambers tonight.’

’Honestly, what woman could resist such a temptation!’

Xiao Li went inside her chambers. Outside the door, the confrontation between Song Junzhan and Lou Yan was just beginning.

Lou Yan’s expression was dark, making no effort to hide his hostility. "Prime Minister, your zither skills are outstanding, and your martial arts are said to be impressive as well. Might I request a few pointers?"

Song Junzhan smiled calmly. "I was just thinking the same thing."

Watching their departing backs, Hong Yue’s scalp tingled. "Are they going to fight?"

Yang Jun was speechless. "From your expression, I can’t tell if you’re scared or excited."

With her eyes sparkling like that, she didn’t look worried in the slightest.

Hong Yue giggled. "A fight between Mr. Lou and Prime Minister Song is inevitable. I’m more interested in who will win."

She glanced inside as she spoke. "Who do you think Her Majesty favors more?"

Yang Jun shot her a look. "Gossip about Her Majesty, and you’ll be asking for a beating."

Hong Yue huffed indignantly. "Her Majesty would never hit me. If you won’t say, I’ll go ask her myself."

After washing up, Xiao Li was leaning against her couch, reading memorials. Hong Yue and Lan Yue were on either side of her, one massaging her shoulders, the other her legs.

Xiao Li glanced at them and tapped Hong Yue on the head with a memorial. "You little imp. If you have something to say, just say it."

’Those restless eyes of hers are distracting me from my work.’

Hong Yue giggled. "Your Majesty, Mr. Lou and the Prime Minister are fighting. Aren’t you going to watch?"

Xiao Li said, "If you’re so curious, go watch yourself."

Hong Yue was surprised. "Your Majesty, you knew they were going to fight?"

Xiao Li remained silent. Cupping her face in her hands, Hong Yue leaned in curiously. "Who do you think will win, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Li pinched her nose. "What do you think?"

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Lan Yue, and she smiled. "It doesn’t matter who wins or loses, because Your Majesty will be the ultimate winner regardless."