Chapter 59: Blatant Favor

It wasn’t until nearly dinner that Luo Wushuang reappeared before Shangguan Liqian, having bathed and changed into a fresh set of imperial robes.

At the sight of the medicinal soup being brought in alongside the evening meal, Liqian’s playful mood from earlier vanished instantly, replaced by a deep sense of grievance.

This was all Luo Wushuang’s fault. If it weren’t for her, why would Liqian need to drink such bitter things?

Liqian, who had just felt she might have been a bit too harsh earlier, now found herself regretting that she hadn’t teased the woman into an even more undignified state.

Meeting the accusation in Liqian’s eyes, Luo Wushuang gave a sheepish smile. She then stepped forward with exaggerated diligence, taking the medicine bowl from the palace maid’s hands.

Liqian glanced at the pitch-black liquid and quietly looked away. She didn’t want to drink that wretched stuff at all.

“Sister, let’s finish the medicine first, then we can eat,” Luo Wushuang coaxed. She felt a twinge of pity seeing Liqian turn away, but she also found the sight rather amusing.

Liqian remained silent, her mind busy denouncing the culprit who was forcing her to take the medicine.

Seeing that Liqian wouldn’t cooperate, Luo Wushuang was at a loss. She couldn’t hit her, she couldn’t scold her, and she certainly couldn’t win an argument against her…

Knowing that the medicine would only taste more bitter once it cooled, Luo Wushuang gritted her teeth. Steeling her resolve, she raised the bowl to her lips, intending to drain it herself.

Liqian, who had only been trying to make things difficult, felt her heart skip a beat. She reached out quickly to stop her.

Glaring at the Empress, who looked as if she were facing a heroic death, Liqian snapped, “You’re perfectly fine. Why are you drinking medicine for no reason?”

Luo Wushuang peeked at Liqian’s expression and muttered sheepishly, “It’s my fault Sister has to drink this. From now on, for every bowl Sister drinks, I will drink one to keep you company.”

Seeing Luo Wushuang’s dead-serious expression, Liqian’s fist tightened.

Even without medicine, that woman had the strength of an ox—Liqian could barely handle her as it was. If she started drinking these restorative tonics, how was Liqian supposed to survive?

She shot a fierce glare at the Empress, who was busy playing the part of the innocent and pitiful victim. Fuming, Liqian snatched the bowl from her hands and gulped the liquid down in one go.

Pah, pah, pah! It tastes horrible!

Seeing Liqian’s brow furrowed in a bitter grimace, Luo Wushuang hurried to hand her some water. “Quick, Sister, rinse your mouth!”

It wasn’t until the bitter, sour, and salty aftertaste finally faded that Liqian took the chopsticks from Luo Wushuang to begin dinner.

The light side dishes that usually tasted refreshing seemed bitter today, and the Imperial meal, normally perfect in color, aroma, and taste, felt flavorless. However, not wanting to worry Luo Wushuang, Liqian forced herself to eat as usual, picking at the dishes…

Until Luo Wushuang habitually tried to share one of her favorite rich foods with her.

Liqian’s brow twitched. she quickly stopped her. “Don’t give me those. I have no appetite.”

Luo Wushuang paused, turning to her with concern. “Is it because of the medicine, Sister? Do you feel unwell?”

Liqian nodded slightly and continued to slowly nibble on the green vegetable leaves in front of her.

Watching Liqian eat a meal even more meager than a rabbit’s, Luo Wushuang’s brow knitted tightly together.

Liqian saw her concern but chose to ignore it. Now you know how to feel bad for me? Where was this concern before?

Did this woman think everyone else was like her? Strong as a young bull with inexhaustible energy every single day! How annoying!

Unaware that she was being secretly resented, Luo Wushuang finished her dinner distractedly. She began calculating in her head whether she should have someone buy some local delicacies from outside the palace tomorrow…

On second thought, she figured it would be better to simply take her sister out of the palace to relax. The Imperial Physician had said that overthinking and worrying were bad for the health. Perhaps a change of scenery would lift Liqian’s spirits.

Having made up her mind, Luo Wushuang turned and asked while biting her chopstick, “Sister, how about I take you out of the palace to play tomorrow?”

Liqian glanced at the expectant Empress and said calmly, “With the floods in Jiangnan, the bandit problems in the north, and the foreign envoys arriving at court, shouldn’t you be very busy?”

Luo Wushuang shook her head. “No matter how busy I am, I can always find time for you.”

Liqian was moved, but she still maintained a look of disapproval. “Let’s wait until this busy period passes before going out.”

Luo Wushuang gave a vague hum in response. Then, while Liqian was busy washing up, she hurried to order her subordinates to prepare everything for a trip the next day.

***

The following morning, Luo Wushuang rushed back as soon as the morning court session ended.

When she pushed open the doors to the Phoenix Hall, Liqian had just finished her makeup.

Today, Liqian wore the ‘Flying Rosy Cloud’ style currently popular in the capital. A light layer of rouge was blended across her cheeks, as radiant as the first glow of clouds at dawn. A few pearls were scattered artfully near her temples, adding a touch of delicate elegance.

Her slender brows were like distant mountains, and her eyes were like pools of autumn water—vivid, spirited, and soul-stirring with every glance.

The beauty turned her head, catching sight of the dazed monarch standing at the doorway. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she cleared her throat. “What? Have you turned into a statue?”

Luo Wushuang finally snapped out of it and gave a foolish grin. “Sister is so beautiful today. You are ten times more stunning than a celestial maiden descended to earth.”

As she spoke, she stepped forward, intending to take Liqian’s hand.

The beauty dodged slightly, her movements a mix of refusal and invitation, every gesture dripping with grace. Ultimately, she was still pulled into a firm embrace by the thick-skinned monarch. Luo Wushuang leaned down to press a light kiss against those lips, which were painted a vivid pomegranate red.

“Sister is mine!” Luo Wushuang declared possessively.

Liqian’s eyes tilted up at the corners. She pushed back against Luo Wushuang’s attempt to kiss her again, whispering chidingly, “You’re going to ruin my lip rouge.”

Scanning those lips, which looked even more alluringly red than usual, Luo Wushuang murmured, “It’s going to get ruined anyway. You might as well let me kiss you a few more times!”

Seeing that she was about to lean in again, Liqian pushed her away with a rare look of disdain.

Being pushed away, Luo Wushuang clung to her and whimpered, “Does Sister not love me again today?”

Knowing how mercurial this lustful monarch could be, Liqian didn’t follow that line of conversation. She glanced at the figures scurrying about outside the hall and changed the subject. “Why did court end so early today?”

Lowering her head to catch the scent of the beauty’s neck, Luo Wushuang looked up with a dazed, enchanted expression. “Didn’t I say yesterday that I was taking you out to play?”

That was why she had rushed back the moment court was dismissed! Well, to be fair, she did the same thing even when they weren’t going out.

Seeing her lack of decorum, Liqian reached out and tapped the center of her forehead. “Didn’t I say there was no rush to go out?”

Luo Wushuang narrowed her phoenix eyes and caught the hand that was messing with her face, pressing a kiss to the palm. She replied leisurely, “But I am in a rush to win Sister’s favor!”

Seeing Luo Wushuang’s justified and self-assured manner, Liqian felt a wave of warmth, though she also found it hilarious.

This reckless girl really… certainly knew how to please someone!