Chapter 94: It’s All the Fault of Lust!

The first thing Luo Wushuang did upon returning to the palace was order the servants to clear the mountain of memorials from her desk.

Now that she knew those documents were nothing but trash, she saw no reason to waste another second on them. As for the destination of those suitors sent for a political marriage alliance, she already had a preliminary plan in mind.

But for now, she had much more important matters to attend to…

Thinking of the promise her Sister had made outside the city earlier that day, a dark glint flickered in Luo Wushuang’s eyes. She was looking forward to the night with unprecedented anticipation.

Perhaps her gaze was a bit too scorching, for Shangguan Liqian hurriedly finished a few bites of dinner and immediately tried to flee. However, just as she stood up, a pair of gentle yet firm arms wrapped around her slender waist and pulled her back.

Meeting the evasion in Shangguan Liqian’s eyes, Luo Wushuang chuckled softly.

“There’s no need to be in such a hurry, Sister. You should fill your stomach first, otherwise…” Luo Wushuang leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper against Liqian’s ear, “Otherwise, you won’t be able to withstand my strength later.”

As the meaning of the words sank in, Shangguan Liqian’s face turned a deep, vivid crimson in an instant.

What is this woman… what is she babbling about?

She desperately wanted to pretend she hadn’t heard a word. Yet, not only had she heard it, she had heard it with agonizing clarity.

She tried to give Luo Wushuang a fierce glare, but in the Empress’s eyes, it looked more like a bashful invitation, a classic case of playing hard to get.

After a bout of mischievous “feeding,” Luo Wushuang hastily shoveled down a few bites of rice herself and tried to drag Shangguan Liqian toward the baths for a shared soak. Unfortunately, Liqian, having long since seen through her intentions, refused without a moment’s hesitation.

Knowing her Sister was thin-skinned, Luo Wushuang didn’t push too hard. Instead, she settled for a compromise.

“Then will Sister at least help me sprinkle the flower petals?”

Seeing the expectation in Luo Wushuang’s eyes, Shangguan Liqian hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. However, well aware of how wicked this woman could be, Liqian didn’t let her guard down. The moment they entered the bath chamber, she headed straight for the basket the maids had left aside.

Her mind was filled with a single thought: Sprinkle them fast, sprinkle them fast, and get out of here the moment I’m done…

She absolutely could not let that woman have her way.

Following behind her, Luo Wushuang watched as Liqian delicately rolled up her sleeves, her movements graceful yet hurried as she scattered the petals. A shimmering light danced in the Empress’s Phoenix eyes, and a playful, teasing smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Ordinarily, if her Sister was unwilling, Wushuang wouldn’t have the heart to force her. But tonight, the more Liqian resisted, the more bashful she became, the more Wushuang’s excitement grew.

Her gaze swept over that exquisite profile, those snowy-white wrists, and that graceful silhouette…

She imagined how those features would look drenched in water, and how she might look if she were driven to tears…

The more she thought, the more the fire in Luo Wushuang’s heart blazed.

Luo Wushuang stared at Shangguan Liqian’s back for a long time. When she realized her Sister was being so stingy she wouldn’t even spare her a side-glance, the playfulness in her smile vanished, replaced by a look that was progressively more dangerous.

Sister clearly said I was the most important person to her, that she only loves me. And yet, now she won’t even look at me.

Sister is being naughty. She needs to be punished…

Tossing aside her outer robe, Luo Wushuang began to unbutton her inner garments with deliberate slowness.

Hearing the slight rustle of fabric behind her, Shangguan Liqian couldn’t help but steal a glance.

Through the mist-shrouded bath chamber, Luo Wushuang stood wearing nothing but a “Phoenix and Luan in Harmony” silk bodice. Her perfect figure was on full display—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, all paired with a face that combined seductive charm with noble regality. It was enough to make anyone lose their breath.

Shangguan Liqian’s throat moved slightly. She told herself: Just one more look, then I’m done! She definitely won’t notice.

And so… one look led to another, and another.

It wasn’t until she met Luo Wushuang’s half-smiling gaze that Shangguan Liqian turned away, her face burning.

When did I become so…

While internally scolding herself for her ungentlemanly behavior, Liqian’s mind was flooded with the fleeting images she had just glimpsed. She didn’t even notice that the Empress Regnant—a woman who could truly be called a masterpiece of the mortal realm—was already approaching her on long, slender legs.

Scanning Liqian’s elegant neck and her supple, willow-like waist, Luo Wushuang’s Phoenix eyes darkened.

The moment she stepped into the water, she pulled the defenseless Shangguan Liqian in with her.

Feeling her Sister’s struggle, Luo Wushuang shifted her long legs, effortlessly pinning her in place. The air was thick with the fragrance of flower petals and an undeniable, lingering tension.

Luo Wushuang bowed her head slightly, resting it on Shangguan Liqian’s shoulder. Her slender fingers slipped beneath the hem of Liqian’s clothes, gently teasing the most sensitive areas.

Before Liqian could react, she was overwhelmed by a barrage of dense kisses. Amidst her hazy consciousness, a familiar voice whispered against her ear.

“Didn’t Sister promise me that tonight, I could…”

As the intensity of her touch increased, Shangguan Liqian’s body trembled. She clung weakly to Luo Wushuang as she heard the Empress finish with a smile in her voice:

“…do exactly as I please!”

Only then did Shangguan Liqian belatedly realize that she felt a bit… cold. When had her clothes disappeared? They had been perfectly fine just a moment ago.

This woman is getting far too skilled at this!

Feeling the soft, warm body pressing against her back, Shangguan Liqian gritted her teeth to keep from making a sound. But in the end, she was no match for the onslaught and surrendered completely.

Inside the bath chamber, the scene was one of vibrant, sensual beauty.

Outside, a palace servant quietly pushed open the doors to the bedchamber, placed an exquisite little chest beneath the Phoenix Bed, and then retreated without a sound.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.

Sure enough, the heavy atmosphere drifted from the bath chamber to the Phoenix Bed, then to the daybed by the window, and even the low table behind the screen…

The items in Luo Wushuang’s hands changed again and again, and Shangguan Liqian wept in her arms repeatedly. Even when her eyes were swollen and her voice had gone hoarse, she was not let go.

The next day, even after Luo Wushuang returned from the Morning Court, Shangguan Liqian still hadn’t managed to get out of bed, let alone go to the Hall of Diligent Government to meet her.

Luo Wushuang, however, felt no resentment today. On the contrary, she had spent the entire Morning Court reminiscing about the unforgettable night. As for the debates among the ministers, the words went in one ear and out the other; she didn’t process a single thing.

The moment court was dismissed, she rushed back to the bedchamber so quickly her personal guards could barely keep up.

By the end of the morning, Shangguan Liqian finally managed to struggle her eyes open, only to be met by Luo Wushuang’s fawning gaze and a carefully held bowl of medicine. Her face darkened instantly.

Just the day before yesterday, the Imperial Physician had performed a routine check-up and said her body had recovered enough that she could stop taking tonics for a while.

And yet, because this person was so reckless last night…

Thinking of the previous night, Shangguan Liqian couldn’t help but glare at Luo Wushuang.

It was all this woman’s fault!

She was simply too wicked!