Jiang Chenbi leaned in again, her arm wrapping around Cui Wangshu’s neck as her soft curves pressed tightly against her, causing Cui Wangshu’s breathing to quicken.
Cui Wangshu twisted Jiang Chenbi’s arm behind her back, her eyes darkening as she rasped, “Don’t fool around.”
Jiang Chenbi blinked and said, “Boring,” before breaking free of Cui Wangshu’s hold and walking toward the chair on her own.
“We didn’t say much—just chatted about your condition. Wang Lao is very concerned about you.”
Cui Wangshu clenched her fist briefly, feeling the warmth fade from her palm, then lowered her gaze. “After my coming-of-age ceremony, he’s been looking after my health.”
Jiang Chenbi glanced back, narrowing her eyes. “Is that so?”
Cui Wangshu hummed in affirmation and walked over to sit down.
Jiang Chenbi bit her lip and asked, “I once asked if you were willing to sit on that supreme throne of the Ninth Five, and you said yes. What about now?”
Cui Wangshu pondered for a moment. “Why do you ask?”
Jiang Chenbi lowered her eyes. “I thought Minister Cui would prefer a plain and simple life.”
A flicker of displeasure flashed in Cui Wangshu’s eyes, and she said softly, “Cui Wangshu refuses to be a pawn—for the Emperor, for the Cui Family, or for you.”
Jiang Chenbi raised her gaze to meet Cui Wangshu’s intense stare and curled her lips. “What about being the one holding the pieces?”
Cui Wangshu frowned. “What do you mean?”
Jiang Chenbi toyed with her teacup and drawled lazily, “The Poison Gu Sect, Yellow Path Palace, Northern Frontier troops—they’re all your pawns. And Prince Cheng’s Huguo Army will soon be yours too.”
Jiang Chenbi continued to tempt her. “You decide when the game begins and when it ends. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
Cui Wangshu was stunned. Jiang Chenbi was so capable? She had thought that when Jiang Chenbi offered to help her ascend the throne, it would take careful planning over time. Had things already progressed this far?
Cui Wangshu asked, “Why don’t you claim the throne yourself?”
Jiang Chenbi stared intently at Cui Wangshu, her slender, boneless fingers climbing onto Cui Wangshu’s wrist and tracing circles.
She chuckled lightly. “Because I don’t love the rivers and mountains—I love a beauty. I wonder if offering the empire as a gift can win your favor?”
Cui Wangshu’s breath hitched, her heartbeat falling into disarray. “You!”
Cui Wangshu took a deep breath, a hidden suspicion forming in her mind as she asked, “Why me?”
In that instant, countless answers flashed through Jiang Chenbi’s mind, but she held back and said, “Minister Xiao Cui, you’re so beautiful. I like your face, your body. You’ll help me resolve the Love Gu, and in exchange, I save your life. Not a bad deal, right?”
Hearing this answer, Cui Wangshu didn’t know if she felt relief or disappointment. She let out a breath but felt a sour ache rise within her.
Cui Wangshu kept her expression neutral, merely frowning in confusion. “For the Love Gu, is it worth trading the empire? You could have planted it on someone else and avoided giving up the throne.”
Jiang Chenbi sighed. “Minister Xiao Cui, this empire should have been yours anyway. We’re both from the Jiang Clan—you as royal blood. The shame of usurping the kingdom means that even without the Love Gu, I would help you.”
Jiang Chenbi paused, then added, “But that glance four years ago in Lingnan sparked my selfish desires. Beyond the empire, I also covet your body.”
Cui Wangshu seemed to recall something and pretended not to hear the suggestive words. “You saw me in Lingnan four years ago?”
Jiang Chenbi smiled, as if remembering their first encounter.
Back then, she was still a disciple of the Poison Gu Sect, but she already knew her origins and planned to use Li Cong’s power to enter the Imperial Palace. Once she controlled him, she could extend her influence to the court.
She had received intelligence and intended to “bump into” Li Cong, but it coincided with the Lantern Festival. From afar, she spotted Cui Wangshu in the crowd.
With just one look, she recognized who Cui Wangshu was. Later, learning she was the Cui Family’s legitimate daughter, another chess game unfolded in her mind.
Unfortunately, after arriving in the Capital City, they never met again. Jiang Chenbi had been busy developing Yellow Path Palace and maneuvering among the court officials.
It wasn’t until half a year ago, when Li Cong fell gravely ill, that Jiang Chenbi felt her layout was mature enough to draw Cui Wangshu into the game.
She hadn’t expected Cui Wangshu to come to the Cold Palace herself. At that time, she hadn’t planned to use the Love Gu.
But the moment Cui Wangshu pretended to be drugged and lay unconscious on the ground, Jiang Chenbi’s gaze couldn’t leave her. So, she vilely used the Love Gu.
She also advanced her own planned trip to the Imperial Mausoleum, bringing Cui Wangshu along.
All to exploit their isolation there, aided by the Love Gu, to make Cui Wangshu fall for her.
But Jiang Chenbi didn’t tell Cui Wangshu any of this. She merely said she’d fallen for her face and body at first sight during the Lantern Festival four years ago.
From that initial meeting, Jiang Chenbi knew she’d harbored improper thoughts—not the affection a sister should have for her sibling.
But she was shameless and disregarded ethics and propriety.
So she indulged her heart repeatedly, losing herself to Cui Wangshu’s portrait in the dead of night.
In her original plan, she hadn’t intended to meet Cui Wangshu as the deposed Empress. She would offer the throne and then “encounter” Cui Wangshu, just like with Li Cong.
Cui Wangshu would never learn her identity—as the former Great Zhao Empress or her twin sister.
But fate had other plans. Their meeting came early, and Jiang Chenbi couldn’t control her heart, impatiently using the Love Gu to bind her.
She hadn’t anticipated running into Liu Xuan in the Imperial Mausoleum, exposing her identity.
Cui Wangshu racked her brain but had no memory of the Lingnan Lantern Festival. Back then, Cui Daoyuan had accompanied the late Emperor on a covert visit, and she had joined as she was a potential Crown Princess.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince returned from Lingnan and requested to marry a commoner girl, ending their betrothal.
For Cui Wangshu, it didn’t matter who it was. She was merely the Cui Family’s smokescreen, and she had her own plans, so she paid little attention to Li Cong.
She hadn’t realized Jiang Chenbi had known her even then.
Cui Wangshu couldn’t quite name the feeling in her heart. They were entangled because of the Love Gu—one seeking the empire, the other beauty. It made sense.
Yet something felt off.
There were so many beautiful women in the world. Why had Jiang Chenbi fixated on her?
Jiang Chenbi knew what she was thinking and chuckled. “Minister Xiao Cui, I just like your face and body. And don’t you need release too? It’s a fair exchange of interests—why burden yourself with more?”
Cui Wangshu couldn’t help but wonder: What if we had met at that Lantern Festival?
She knew that in the Cold Palace, when Jiang Chenbi’s stunning face had loomed close, a faint ripple had stirred in her heart.
If they had met earlier, would everything be different?
Jiang Chenbi fell silent. Even if Cui Wangshu had fallen for her at first sight back then, she still would have married into the imperial family and used Li Cong.
Too many constraints bound them. Only by becoming the most powerful person in the realm could she truly be with Cui Wangshu.
She didn’t want a fleeting moment—she wanted a lifetime, eternity.
Facing Jiang Chenbi’s silence, Cui Wangshu understood the answer.
Jiang Chenbi broke the silence, sidestepping the issue. “No matter when we met, I would help you reach the top.”
Cui Wangshu lowered her eyes, her lips curving up.
A willing exchange of terms—why overthink it?
She wasn’t losing out. The Love Gu was for life; they were destined to be entangled.
What was the point of dwelling on true feelings or not?
It must be the Love Gu’s influence making her care. From now on, she’d attribute it all to the Gu and stop fretting.
Cui Wangshu quickly sorted her thoughts and stopped agonizing. “Tell me your plan.”
Jiang Chenbi’s lips curved, a genuine smile lighting her face. “You’ve agreed?”
Cui Wangshu feigned ignorance. “I don’t know. You tell me the plan first.”
Jiang Chenbi knew it wasn’t time yet. Cui Wangshu’s feelings for her were merely the Love Gu’s doing.
Once resolved, that faint palpitation would vanish without a trace.
She didn’t dare risk what might happen if Cui Wangshu learned her identity one day.
So for now, Jiang Chenbi would bind her with the Love Gu while stacking the odds in her favor.
She wanted Cui Wangshu to stay willingly, no matter what.
Jiang Chenbi said, “After the Mid-Autumn sacrificial rites, Chen Quan will be demoted to county lieutenant in Luhe County, Luozhou. You know what to do with the Luo River diversion—I don’t need to say it.”
“The officials in Luozhou are all handled; no one will report it. Leave the patrol inspector to Minister Cui. Once the river diversion is complete, it’s time to close the net.”
Cui Wangshu blinked. “Hold on—why is Chen Quan being demoted?”
Jiang Chenbi mimicked her blink, her tone cheerful. “Because Minister Cui’s subordinates weren’t careful. The Yuan Kingdom envoy at the night banquet was actually an assassin who infiltrated the palace. Empress Jiang burned to death in the Cold Palace. The court ministers vouched for him, so instead of execution, Chen Quan was demoted to county lieutenant in Luhe.”
Chen Quan was the Vice Minister of Personnel, the Cui Family’s right-hand man. Promotions in court depended on him. His demotion would cripple the Cui Family.
But now, it seemed Chen Quan might no longer be loyal to Cui Daoyuan.
Life mattered more than glory.
Cui Wangshu laughed in exasperation. “This is what you mean by me not being a pawn?”
Jiang Chenbi smiled. “Of course not. Chen Quan’s demotion is the Emperor’s will. I just turned Southern Frontier into Luozhou.”
What Jiang Chenbi didn’t say was that she could have blocked it but chose to go along, lest Cui Daoyuan that old fox get his way and Prince Cheng return to the capital soon.
She still remembered Wang Lao saying the Cui Family intended to match them… She would never allow it.
Cui Wangshu frowned. “The Cui Family’s tree draws the wind. Father was too flashy with the Corpse-Eating Rats incident, taking down many of the Emperor’s fifth-rank and above officials. I didn’t expect the Emperor to act so directly.”
Cui Wangshu asked puzzledly, “But how did you know?”
Jiang Chenbi feigned a sigh. “Minister Cui has a terrible memory. Forgot what I do? In this world, there are far more bugs than people.”
Cui Wangshu shook her head solemnly. “Liu Xuan isn’t as wicked as you.”
Jiang Chenbi burst out laughing. “Hahaha, I never realized Minister Xiao Cui was so humorous.”
Seeing Jiang Chenbi’s eyes narrow into slits with laughter, Cui Wangshu couldn’t help but curve her brows, a fragmented smile coloring her eyes.
She reached out, lifted Jiang Chenbi’s chin, and leaned in for a kiss. Jiang Chenbi froze for a moment, about to deepen it when Cui Wangshu pulled back.
“Don’t lie to me, Jiang Chenbi. I don’t care about the rest.”
Whoever sent the assassin—she could overlook it.
Deliberately sabotaging Cui Daoyuan’s plans—she could pretend ignorance and go with the flow.
Jiang Chenbi met Cui Wangshu’s gaze and smiled. “Just know this: I’ll never harm you. Never.”
Cui Wangshu smiled back. “Want a kiss?”
Jiang Chenbi met those red lips, a cool fragrance assaulting her senses.
The tip of her nose filled with that heart-stirring cool scent—Cui Wangshu didn’t use perfume, yet it intoxicated Jiang Chenbi. Her earlobe was rubbed, making her soul tremble.
This kiss differed from their previous frenzied releases under the Love Gu’s influence. It was gentle and lingering, so soft that Jiang Chenbi’s fingers quivered.
Cui Wangshu tugged lightly, and the person in the chair stood, smoothly straddling her lap.
Those enchanting peach-blossom eyes brimmed with deep affection, gazing at her. Cui Wangshu looked up, deepening the kiss.
The fingers gripping Jiang Chenbi’s chin tightened unconsciously, capturing that segment of tongue—soft enough to devour. She sucked relentlessly, numbing Jiang Chenbi’s tongue root.
Jiang Chenbi pushed lightly at Cui Wangshu’s shoulders for air but was held firmly by the back of her head.
Their soft chests pressed tight; Jiang Chenbi even felt Cui Wangshu’s breathing rise and fall.
The room’s temperature soared, ear tips burned, breaths grew heavy. Panting echoed as Cui Wangshu finally released her, letting Jiang Chenbi lean into her embrace and gently patting her back.
Once her breathing steadied, Jiang Chenbi said, “Minister Xiao Cui, the world says you’re passionless and desireless, like clear skies after rain.”
Cui Wangshu arched a brow and chuckled lightly. “Is that so? But the Cui Family clearly says I’m insatiable.”
