Where are you sneaking off to today, My Lady!

That would certainly be the best approach, but if we take advantage of the upcoming birthday banquet performances to bestow a talented and beautiful favorite concubine upon the Prince of Rui, even if she cannot compare to his late princess consort in talent, perhaps once he receives such a peerless beauty, he will awaken from a dream and his mind will suddenly become enlightened!

Fu Yan came up with this sly scheme: If you refuse to take a wife, Your Highness, we shall simply bestow a lovely companion upon you. If you refuse to accept her, we will force her into your arms. Surrounded by such beauty and facing such intense temptation, could the Prince of Rui truly remain as steadfast as a boulder, completely untouched by romantic desires?

Seeing that Emperor Li Zhen seemed to be weighing her words, Fu Yan pressed her advantage and continued to lobby him:

Besides, the Prince of Rui has kept himself aloof from women for years. Once this kindling meets the blazing fire, it will ignite his passions and open the gateway to desire. Perhaps he will immediately start thinking about taking a princess consort, and that might just turn out wonderfully.

Deep down, Fu Yan cherished one paramount desire: to make that despicable wretch lose her foothold in Li Rui's heart entirely. She figured that Zhang Xiaolan was merely using her physical allure to bewitch Li Rui.

We shall find a favored beauty a thousand times more enchanting than you, and let us see how much longer you can afford to be smug. Before long, you might well fall from grace, plunging from an honored guest into nothing more than a discarded foot rag that everyone despises! Just the thought of it brought a surge of malicious delight to Fu Yan's heart.

Although Lady Fu's words are somewhat crude and colloquial, they do carry a certain logic. Very well, let us give it a try. Whether it succeeds or fails, we must put it into practice before passing judgment, must we not?

The more he spoke, the more tempted Emperor Li Zhen became. Although her phrasing was rather shallow, who could deny the truth in her words?

Even sages are human, and the pursuit of ultimate perfection is merely empty talk. Take himself, the sovereign of a nation—he was hardly immune to such inclinations. No matter how much of a 'sage' Li Rui fancied himself, he could hardly defy the innate passions and desires shared by all mortal men.

Your Majesty is truly wise. This humble concubine was merely considering the imperial bloodline and spoke too hastily without careful thought.

Hearing Emperor Li Zhen point this out so plainly, Fu Yan realized her previous words had been a bit too brazen, nearly compromising her image in the emperor's eyes. She secretly blamed herself for lacking subtlety and refinement in her speech.

Yet your words were wonderfully apt. Just as I am drawn to you—a ruler who cherishes both his realm and his beauties—to indulge in the pleasures of the senses is merely human nature.

Li Zhen pulled Fu Yan into his embrace, cupping her chin and teasing her playfully, which elicited a coy and seductive giggle as she pressed herself against his chest.

Oh, Your Majesty! Their eyes met, igniting a passionate fervor that needed no words. Right then and there, the two of them became the very kindling and blazing fire in desperate need of quenching.

Yet this time, Emperor Li Zhen thoroughly approved of Fu Yan's suggestion. He thought that perhaps this probe might genuinely stir the mortal desires of Li Rui. If so, it would blossom into a multi-faceted stroke of good fortune.

Milady, where are you planning to go again today? On this day, Zhang Xiaolan pulled Xiao Lian along as they headed out, though she had not told her destination.

In truth, Zhang Xiaolan intended to visit Master Fu's apothecary to look around. It had been quite some while since she last went to check on Old Fu.

How she wished that one day when she arrived, Old Fu would tell her that his new medicine had been successfully concocted and that the lingering poison in Ling Xiao's body could be completely eradicated. Of course, this was merely her own heartfelt prayer.

We are just going to check on Old Fu and see how things are! And to inquire about the progress of the new medicine. Today, Zhang Xiaolan had decided against taking a carriage and intended to walk. Link arms with Xiao Lian as they strolled, they appeared intimately close.

Passersby, witnessing such a harmonious and affectionate bond between a mistress and her maid, cast looks of warm approval.

Then should we perhaps stop by the bustling market first along the way?

Xiao Lian offered the suggestion with an expectant gaze fixed on Zhang Xiaolan. In truth, there was something she had yet to mention to Zhang Xiaolan, and now that they were out, she had suddenly remembered it.