Chapter 23: Shangguan Liqian: Again?

Leaving the exhausted Shangguan Liqian to rest upon the couch, Luo Wushuang summoned Ling Yun to inquire about the aftermath at Shangguan Manor. After whispering a few specific instructions, she headed toward the morning court session, her expression radiating unbridled joy.

Watching their master walk with a gait so light she seemed to be floating, yet still carrying herself with a triumphant, high-spirited air, the personal guards knew exactly what had happened. Their master had certainly “satisfied her appetite” last night.

By the looks of it, she had enjoyed the meal quite thoroughly.

Truthfully, the guards hoped their master and Miss Shangguan would continue to get along well. It made their own lives much easier; at the very least, they didn’t have to face a temperamental, unpredictable ruler all day.

However, as they watched their master rush back the moment court was dismissed, looking like a woman possessed by spring breezes…

They couldn’t help but recall the various “dark and manic” phases the Empress went through whenever she failed to earn a kind word from Miss Shangguan. Their master was truly a fickle creature.

Then again, the Empress always acted abnormally whenever Miss Shangguan was involved. They really should have grown used to it by now.

The guards struggled to keep up, carrying stacks of memorial scrolls that were nearly taller than themselves. By the time they finally reached Phoenix Hall… they could only watch helplessly as the heavy doors were ruthlessly slammed shut in their faces.

The group stood before the closed doors, clutching their armfuls of scrolls, and fell into a collective, brooding silence.

Did the Master forget something?

Luo Wushuang had forgotten nothing, of course. She simply didn’t want anyone else to lay eyes on her sister’s disheveled appearance. Only after confirming that Liqian was still asleep did she finally allow the guards to enter.

After depositing the scrolls, the guards took the hint and made a swift, tactful exit.

Luo Wushuang’s gaze swept across the closed palace doors before she quietly moved the scrolls to a low table. She noted with satisfaction that the place where she worked was separated from her sister by only a single folding screen. She nodded to herself.

This way, she would know the very second her sister woke up.

However, by the time she finished reviewing all those irritating scrolls, Liqian still hadn’t stirred.

Luo Wushuang, who had been busy all night and active all morning, was just about to lie down for a short nap when Shangguan Liqian’s eyes slowly fluttered open.

Meeting the silent accusation in those bright eyes, Luo Wushuang coughed twice and instinctively averted her gaze.

It wasn’t as if she had done it on purpose. It was just that her sister was so enticing every single time—an addiction she could never quit.

Seeing the Empress’s guilty expression, Shangguan Liqian felt a mix of exasperation and amusement. She tried to speak, but the moment she opened her mouth, she couldn’t stop herself from coughing.

Luo Wushuang immediately rushed over with a cup of tea, though her eyes were still darting around nervously. “Sister, are you feeling unwell?”

Shangguan Liqian shook her head, her voice rasping and hoarse. “My throat hurts a bit… it’s itchy. I might have caught a chill last night.”

Hearing this, Luo Wushuang grew even more anxious. She held the teacup out carefully. “Drink some water first. I’ll have someone call for the imperial physician.”

As Luo Wushuang turned to leave, Shangguan Liqian took a small sip of tea. Feeling the itch in her throat subside slightly, she spoke up. “It’s no big deal. It’s only because you fooled around for so long that I grew cold. A bowl of ginger soup later will suffice.”

Luo Wushuang wanted to argue, but when she met Liqian’s brook-no-argument gaze, she ultimately compromised.

She could issue commands to anyone in the world, but in front of her sister, she only wanted to act obedient and well-behaved.

Only then… would her sister dote on her more.

Half-reclining on the couch, Shangguan Liqian was unaware of the Empress’s petty schemes. However, seeing the prominent dark circles under Luo Wushuang’s eyes, she felt both heartache and annoyance.

She beckoned the woman over, luring her close before poking her forehead irritably. “Look at you, showing no restraint. Now you’re exhausted, aren’t you?”

Knowing her sister wasn’t truly angry, Luo Wushuang swallowed hard and instinctively began to act spoiled. “I just like you so much, Sister. I like you far too much.”

That was why she couldn’t stop herself, why she went back for more time and time again.

If the sun hadn’t risen and her sister’s voice hadn’t turned so ragged, she could have kept going…

Meeting Luo Wushuang’s lecherous glimmer, Shangguan Liqian went silent.

This little pervert is truly lawless.

Shangguan Liqian took a deep breath. No, she was still annoyed!

“There will be no ‘next time’!” Liqian pulled on the Empress’s ear, feigning a stern lecture.

However, because her voice was so incredibly hoarse, the scolding sounded more like she was flirting.

Realizing this, Luo Wushuang smiled like a little fox that had successfully raided a hen house. She looked the picture of obedience as she said, “I’ll listen to you, Sister.”

But what she was actually thinking, only she knew.

Looking at the woman who talked a good game but completely ignored the rules once they were in bed, Shangguan Liqian rolled her eyes and scoffed, “I don’t believe a word you say. You’re just a little liar.”

Hearing this, Luo Wushuang immediately began to protest her innocence. “You’re calling me a liar? Sister, you’re the real liar here.”

She had promised to “coax” her and made her look forward to it the whole way back, and what happened?

Faced with the old grievance being brought up again, Shangguan Liqian skillfully changed the subject. “Call for the meal. I’m hungry.”

Luo Wushuang followed her lead without hesitation. She lacked even a shred of imperial dignity, appearing more like a palace maid or a eunuch eager to please their master.

Before Shangguan Liqian could praise her for being attentive, Luo Wushuang ordered the servants outside to bring the food, then turned her focus back to Liqian, asking directly:

“And what about Qingdai? Did you have me bring her into the palace just to ignore her, Sister?”

Shangguan Liqian felt helpless against the Empress’s directness, but she knew this was a test. If she showed even a hint of excessive care for Qingdai, both she and the maid would be in danger.

“I trust that you will settle her appropriately. As long as…”

Shangguan Liqian paused deliberately. She watched with satisfaction as Luo Wushuang’s expression grew visibly tense before she continued:

“As long as she isn’t bullied. When she comes of age, just let her leave the palace along with the other senior maids.”

Luo Wushuang breathed a sigh of relief, yet she asked skeptically, “Can you really part with her?”

After all, since being brought into the palace, this was the first time Liqian had asked her for a favor. It forced her to wonder: was this little maid truly that important to her sister?

Facing Luo Wushuang’s lack of trust, Shangguan Liqian parted her lips and spoke coolly. “Are you looking for an excuse to lock me up?”

Shangguan Liqian expected a denial. Instead, she watched as Luo Wushuang pulled out two pairs of golden shackles from who-knows-where. She was utterly speechless.

It seemed the girl had prepared these long ago, just waiting for her to wake up.

“Sister saw right through me,” Luo Wushuang said, presenting the chains and shackles like a precious offering.

Shangguan Liqian looked down to scrutinize the “upgraded” version of the cuffs and chains.

The chains were still quite fine, but the design of the golden cuffs had changed; they were now intricately engraved with phoenix patterns. Furthermore, the inner lining where the metal met the skin was padded with a thin layer of soft leather. They wouldn’t hurt her skin, and they actually looked quite elegant.

Needless to say, this was clearly Luo Wushuang’s personal touch.

Sigh.

Shangguan Liqian sighed deeply in her heart. Wushuang had truly spared no effort in her quest to keep her confined.

However, when she looked at the Empress again, her expression had turned unusually solemn.

“Then you had best think this through. Once these are locked… we…”