A Taste of Her Jade Feet
From a penniless little eunuch to the Needlework Bureau's trusted overseer favored by the Noble Consort, Li Ye had skyrocketed overnight. There had been some palace scheming, sure, but nothing as twisted and treacherous as outright conspiracies.
Watching the handsome young eunuch lose himself in her teasing, Xue Yunrong found it endlessly amusing. She tensed her toes again, pressing them lightly against his lips, all while continuing, "In the end, it all boils down to interests."
His lips sealed by the Noble Consort's toes, Li Ye spoke without hindrance: "My feelings for you, sister—the heavens and earth can bear witness."
With that, Li Ye cradled Xue Yunrong's tender white ankle in both hands, planting a gentle kiss on the toes hovering so tantalizingly close to his mouth.
"Enough, I know your loyalty runs deep." Seeing Li Ye lap at her feet like a devoted puppy, Xue Yunrong couldn't help but smile faintly. A strange mix of novelty and tingling itch stirred in her heart, so she didn't pull away.
Li Ye had no words left now. His lips teased her toes, his tongue darting out now and then for a soft lick. Soon, he had her entire slender, pale toes in his mouth, swirling them around. Down below, his cock throbbed, hard as iron and threatening to burst.
Xue Yunrong felt an odd flutter in her chest—a bizarre sense of the absurd. Yet that wet, hot tongue gliding over her skin sent shivers of numbness through her. She gazed at him with an enigmatic look and murmured, "Doesn't it disgust you?"
"In my eyes, sister, you're like a fairy from the heavens. How could you ever be unclean?"
Li Ye followed up by sliding his tongue into the gap between her sole and toes.
Xue Yunrong shivered involuntarily. Along with the itch came a long-forgotten craving. She bit her lip and instinctively pushed her foot forward, overriding the reflex to pull back.
Li Ye seized the moment, savoring her delicate, elongated jade foot with devotion—from the slightly upturned toes, along the alluring arch, to the soft sole.
The tingling built in waves, the desire surging higher. Xue Yunrong pressed her sole against his face, her voluptuous body quivering faintly as she fought to stifle any moan.
Li Ye burned with heat too. How could an untouched youth resist such temptation? While suckling her jade foot, he couldn't help guiding her other one toward his aching, swollen cock...
Screw it... If she notices, she notices... It's too good... Pleasure first... Worst case, I bolt...
Wild thoughts raced through his mind. Li Ye lost control completely. Just as that slender, lotus-like foot neared his cock, Xue Yunrong's soft cough halted him.
"Ahem~"
Xue Yunrong drew both feet back onto the bed, fidgeting with a lock of hair by her temple. A peculiar expression crossed her alluring, seductive face. "Um, is there anything else? Zihua's still waiting outside. We shouldn't linger too long."
She hadn't spotted anything amiss—just felt the absurdity of it all and instinctively wanted to stop.
"Ah? Oh~~" Li Ye snapped out of his daze.
"Mm, if that's all, you may withdraw." Xue Yunrong kept her feet tucked away, modestly covered by her robes.
As the skirts veiled that final glimpse of snow-white skin, Li Ye felt a pang of loss. He paused, on the verge of leaving, but realized his erection made concealment impossible. Another beat, and he recalled their earlier topic.
"Right, almost forgot to ask, sister—what exactly is His Majesty's situation?"
Xue Yunrong inwardly bristled. She was already aching with unfulfilled desire, and now he brought up the emperor who hadn't visited her in two years. She took a deep breath, her tone flat. "These past two or three years, he mostly cultivates when he comes here. Says it's best to avoid women."
"But... I remember you saying... he tore your bustier?"
Xue Yunrong shot him a glance. "You don't get it? It was a deliberate rumor. Few in the palace even know about His Majesty's cultivation. Don't breathe a word."
Li Ye composed himself. "His Majesty seeks to break through to the 7th Realm?"
"From mortal to transcendent, reborn anew—who wouldn't crave that?"
"If he succeeds, all's well. A century more life for him, the Zhen Yan Dan for you—a lifetime of favor. But aside from Great Zhou's founding ancestor, no emperor has ever broken through the 7th Realm, right?"
"A lifetime of favor... perhaps." Xue Yunrong chuckled lightly. "But the 7th Realm... stepping beyond the mortal coil isn't so simple. So, I prepare for both outcomes."
Li Ye's eyes gleamed. "Does Crown Prince know?"
Xue Yunrong sneered. "Doubt it. If he did, could he sit easy on that throne?"
That was exactly Li Ye's point. The Crown Prince was forty now—more brother than son to Ji Xuan. A 7th Realm breakthrough would mean the throne went to the grave with him.
Li Ye recalled yesterday's door-knocking incident. "Since His Majesty aims for the 7th Realm, he must look poorly on the Crown Prince."
A disdainful curve touched Xue Yunrong's lips. "Poorly? You think that's why officials dare impeach him? They're just reading the winds, gauging the emperor's mind."
"So what does the Crown Prince do?"
"What can he do? Shrink back and beg forgiveness, like yesterday." She paused. "A forty-year-old Crown Prince calling a woman not yet thirty 'your subject,' kneeling at my palace gates all day—think he'll hate me?"
"Probably..." Li Ye nodded.
"But what choice do I have? He knows I can't help, yet comes to posture for his father—and resents me anyway. What should I do?" Irritation flickered across Xue Yunrong's face.
Li Ye fell silent, then soothed her. "It's fine. Once you're Empress, no more worries, whatever happens."
Xue Yunrong laughed, radiant and captivating. "Exactly, my little Ye. When will you help make me Empress?"
"The Yan Shou Dan needs a few more days to refine. I'll fetch it soon." Li Ye wanted her as Empress soon but couldn't produce it instantly—that'd be too suspicious.
Xue Yunrong's fox eyes twinkled, brimming with allure. "Then I'll await your good news, sister."
"Mm, rest easy, sister." Pausing as his arousal finally subsided, Li Ye added, "It's getting late. Zihua might suspect if I stay longer. I'll take my leave."
Xue Yunrong glanced at the rising Li Ye, about to nod—then her gaze sharpened, drawn to the tent in his robes. Shock and doubt swirled in her mind.
That spot... could it be his yang root...? But he's a eunuch... Or a misunderstanding...?
She nearly questioned him, but thought of the Yan Shou Dan. After a whirlwind of calculations, she averted her eyes casually. "Mm, go on."
Li Ye turned to leave when her cool voice rang out: "Straighten your robes."
Li Ye froze, glancing down. His semi-erect cock still tented obviously—the earlier shift in position lingered visibly.
Cold sweat broke out, but bolstered by his escape ready, he stayed calm. He smoothed his robes front and back leisurely. "Thanks for your care, sister. I'll withdraw."
Xue Yunrong watched him go, eyes flickering uncertainly. Her final probe yielded nothing. Was it just the robes... or a man's root...?
The image of him licking her feet flashed in her mind. As a eunuch, it was fine. But if he was a man... Panic stirred, mingled with inexplicable shame and thrill...
When Zihua entered, she saw Xue Yunrong's stormy expression. "Your Ladyship, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Xue Yunrong shook her head lightly, suppressing the odd feeling. But she couldn't stop pondering if Li Ye was truly a eunuch.
This trip outside yielded not just the Zhen Yan Dan, but the Yan Shou Dan too. Body restoration wasn't impossible—he'd accessed the Huang Gong Mi Cang, surely seen Tianmo Jiuxiang. To get the Zhen Yan Dan, perhaps... an extraterrestrial demon? [Penguin group: 630124919]
It wasn't out of the question. Plus, the transmission talisman and sword talisman were his own. Who knew what else he had?
Xue Yunrong had never considered it before, but now the clues unraveled easily.
Yet if true, what obligation prompted the Yan Shou Dan—and an extraterrestrial demon...?
So, what to do?
Seize him? Poor strategy. Without the Yan Shou Dan, no throne—and offending Shangqing Sword Sect would be dire. Even His Majesty curried their favor.
Pretend ignorance? Viable. His affection was genuine, the pill real. But discovery by His Majesty would tarnish her name...
Help conceal? Exposure meant grave sin...
Best: Get the pill, make him vanish forever...
But... what ties did he have to Shangqing Sword Sect?
Xue Yunrong wavered. Zihua's voice pulled her back: "Your Ladyship, truly alright?"
"Fine. I'm weary—help me change."
Forget it. Nothing confirmed. Decide after the Yan Shou Dan...
Her fox eyes, swirling with charm, grew calm and profound.
Li Ye didn't yet know the Yan Shou Dan would prelude his exposure. Even if he did, no regrets. Cower like before? No thanks—he could flee anytime.
Back home, he jerked off twice with the dried silk stockings. Only once did Mother's face appear. Feeling refreshed, he recalled Xue Yunrong's words: straighten your robes?
Did she notice?
Startled but unworried, Li Ye thought: Worst case, wait for Mother's 8th Realm, reclaim Tianmo Jiuxiang from the palace. Though it'd embarrass him before her.
Missing her, he pulled out her transmission talisman. Nothing urgent—just longing.
The talisman conveyed simple messages. Li Ye pondered, then thought: "Mother, all's well here. Just missing you."
The talisman ignited without wind, crumbling to ash midair.
In the capital's Zhuque Ward, a serene courtyard: Shen Luhua, mid-cultivation, jolted awake by the message. A smile tugged her lips. She replied silently: "Mm, stay safe. Be cautious. Everything...?"
The mystic link faded before she finished. Shen Luhua sighed softly.
Her talismans only she could receive—no initiating contact. Disappointment lingered, then another message: "Everything what? Mother, you doing okay? I'll bring you to the capital someday."
"Nothing. Come visit when free."
Another: "Great! What're you up to, Mother?"
Shen Luhua smiled, chiding lightly: "Don't waste it. Talismans are for emergencies."
"Oh, got it. Bye, Mother."
"Mm, cultivating. Don't bother me."
No more messages. After a pause, Shen Luhua murmured, "Need to refine more talismans."
In the palace, four talismans burned to ash. Li Ye eyed his three remaining, scratching his head sheepishly. He hadn't meant to splurge—like using a phone...
Stowing them, Li Ye settled into cultivation. As the heart method flowed, his body phased into ethereal haze, heart pounding ceaselessly. Each beat thinned him further until fully vanished—then he solidified anew, cycling endlessly...