Noble Consort Sister
After bidding farewell to Xing Chushuang, Li Ye returned to the Da Zhou Imperial Palace.
He hadn't even made it back to Zhen Gong Ju before he clutched his token and headed straight for Xingqing Palace.
But just as he reached the grand gates of Xingqing Palace, Li Ye came to a halt.
The palace doors were tightly shut, and the Crown Prince knelt before them, his face etched with sorrow.
Realizing something major had happened, Li Ye had no intention of lingering. At that moment, a narrow crack appeared in the sealed doors, and a little palace maid squeezed through. She addressed the prince: "Your Highness, the Lady is unwell. Please return."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince broke into tears, kowtowing desperately. "Mother Consort, please save your son..."
"Please leave, Your Highness," the maid said before hurrying back inside and slamming the doors shut.
Li Ye didn't dare get involved. He quickly turned toward Zhen Gong Ju, but midway there, a young eunuch found him and led him back to Xingqing Palace. They skirted around the kneeling Crown Prince and slipped in through a side door.
Xue Yunrong spotted Li Ye and lightly waved her hand. "All of you, leave us."
Now truly a man, Li Ye felt differently seeing Noble Consort Xue again. Before, he'd only thought her beautiful, with a touch of allure; now, it was her allure that struck first, laced with beauty. A single flash of those foxy eyes was enough to make his bones go soft.
Li Ye didn't stare too long. Once everyone had withdrawn, he knelt and kowtowed as protocol demanded. "This slave pays respects to Noble Consort Your Ladyship."
"How did it go?"
Li Ye's mood soured at the question. At least let me stand first before asking, he grumbled inwardly, rolling his eyes in his mind. But he answered honestly anyway: "It worked."
"It worked?!" Her calm voice burst with sudden delight.
"Yes."
Xue Yunrong's heart swelled with joy. It had been a mere side bet, yet it had actually paid off... Only now did she notice Li Ye was still kneeling. She realized she'd gotten ahead of herself and was about to tell him to rise when she felt it was too late.
Her brows furrowed ever so slightly. Then, with a seductive smile, Xue Yunrong stepped forward, squatted before him, and hooked a slender finger under his chin. She slowly lifted his face until it met her alluring foxy eyes.
At that gaze, she felt a momentary daze. The little eunuch before her looked the same, yet there was something utterly different—a shift from merely handsome to dashing, with sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a spirited vigor.
Steadying herself, she spoke softly: "You're truly impressive."
Li Ye stared at her exquisite face so close at hand, feeling as if three parts of his soul had been ensnared. He swallowed involuntarily, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly.
Xue Yunrong smiled radiantly, withdrew her hand, and rose. Her skirts swirled as she turned and reclined on the couch, one hand on the armrest. With a playful smile, she said, "Rise."
"Th-thank you..." Li Ye should have said "Thank you, Your Ladyship," but he deliberately shortened it to just "thank you."
Xue Yunrong didn't notice, flicking him a glance. "Fetch a stool and sit."
With the item in hand, she wasn't in a rush. "Thank you, Your Ladyship." Li Ye didn't refuse. He pulled up a stool and sat, his eyes locked unabashedly on her voluptuous figure.
"Tell me, how did you get it?" Xue Yunrong was curious. She'd pulled every string imaginable and failed—how had a little eunuch succeeded?
It wasn't that the Da Zhou Dynasty lagged far behind Shangqing Sword Sect. Immortal path cultivators were different; they sought no external aid. The two holy lands of the immortal path—Yuyao Palace and Shangqing Sword Sect—had little need of the dynasty. (QQ: 63012 haha4919) On the contrary, when it came to yao clans or evil ghosts, the dynasty relied on those sects, making it seem somewhat weaker.
"An elder from Shangqing Sword Sect needed my help. Aside from the silk stockings, I made her some other trinkets. She was very pleased and asked if I wanted to join Shangqing Sword Sect."
Li Ye had his explanation for the Zhen Yan Dan ready. The key was to show value beyond just crafting toys.
As expected, Xue Yunrong's eyes sharpened. With a coquettish laugh, she asked, "Oh? And what did you say?"
"This slave only wanted one Zhen Yan Dan."
Her eyes flickered—trusting or not, she chuckled lightly. "A disciple spot in Shangqing Sword Sect, traded for a single Zhen Yan Dan?"
"This slave promised Your Ladyship."
Xue Yunrong's laugh turned lazy, scratching at his heart: "A Shangqing Sword Sect disciple... In that case, this palace hardly knows how to reward you."
Li Ye gazed at her like an infatuated youth, eyes burning. "This slave needs no reward. Serving Your Ladyship is my duty. Besides, it wasn't a loss—that elder gave me a sword talisman and a messaging talisman on top of the Zhen Yan Dan. The sword talisman holds the power of a 6th realm expert's strike, and the messaging talisman means I can call on her once."
With that, Li Ye produced the sword talisman and messaging talisman from his mother, fully displaying his worth.
A 6th realm strike plus a promise—not too much, not too little. Perfect.
"How could there be no reward? But you've helped me so much; I truly don't know what to do." Xue Yunrong's foxy eyes blinked playfully. Suddenly, she smiled: "Why don't you be my little brother? I had one as a child, but he died young. I've always wanted a brother..."
This vixen sure is pragmatic, Li Ye thought. Earlier, she thought I was showboating and hit me with 'this palace' to put me in my place. Now, with a 6th realm connection in sight, she wants to claim me as kin—and seamlessly, without a hint of awkwardness.
But on the surface, Li Ye looked thrilled beyond words: "This slave... dares not... this slave..."
He was pleased with his acting. With his mother as backup, it came naturally. In this palace, he could count himself a bit of a thespian...
Sure enough, satisfaction flashed across Xue Yunrong's seductive face. She smiled: "No more 'slave' talk. When it's just us, call me sister."
"Sister?" Li Ye's face lit with excitement, his tone hesitant.
"Mm." Xue Yunrong nodded with a smile.
"Sister..." Tears suddenly welled in Li Ye's eyes, his voice choking: "I... I... I have family now... Sister..."
Is this a bit over the top? Li Ye wondered. He covered his face with a hand and buried his head in sobs.
Xue Yunrong was momentarily at a loss. After a pause, she rose from the couch, walked over, and gently patted his shoulder. "There, there... it's alright..."
But Li Ye was deep in the role. He pulled her into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably: "I... I..."
Five years of palace acting chops—think you can handle this hug?
Xue Yunrong couldn't. Like a rookie actor schooled by a veteran, her expression froze, body rigid, stunned for a long moment.
Calling me sister doesn't make me your real kin, does it? I don't even know your name...
Li Ye's tears tapered off because Noble Consort Xue's body in his arms was too tempting—her curvaceous, plush form drawing his full attention. Worse, his cock stirred below, threatening to rise.
Helpless, Li Ye released her voluptuous figure, wiping his eyes. "Sorry... I... I couldn't help it..."
Xue Yunrong's voice was a bit hoarse: "It's fine."
Worried she'd break character, Li Ye quickly produced the Zhen Yan Dan. "Your Ladyship, here's the Zhen Yan Dan. Take it for now..."
She took the small vial, her expression softening noticeably. With a soft exhale, her seductive smile returned: "Didn't I say to call me sister?"
"Mm." Li Ye nodded vigorously.
"Right, I mentioned before—once you're back, I'd transfer you to Xingqing Palace as head eunuch. What do you think?" No matter what, Xue Yunrong felt she'd fully won over this little eunuch.
"Everything as sister arranges."
"Perfect. In a few days, His Majesty and I will hunt at Shanglin Garden. You'll come too."
"Mm."
"But this brother-sister thing? Can't let His Majesty know." Xue Yunrong teased again: "Otherwise, with how handsome my little brother is, sister might make His Majesty jealous."
Li Ye chuckled awkwardly and changed the subject: "Speaking of His Majesty, I saw the Crown Prince kneeling at the gates earlier. What's that about?"
Xue Yunrong scoffed dismissively: "Ignore him. It's all theater. He knelt at His Majesty's place all yesterday, now here today. His Majesty won't see him—why would I?"
Li Ye feigned surprise: "What... what happened?"
Xue Yunrong pondered briefly. "Since you're coming to Xingqing Palace, you'll learn these things soon enough. Officials impeached the Crown Prince for colluding with civil and military ministers, plotting something nefarious."
Topics like this would've terrified Li Ye before, but now, with backing, he was intrigued. "Rumors say the Crown Prince's ascension is just years away. He's anxious..."
Xue Yunrong startled, clapping a hand over his mouth. She glanced around and hissed: "Are you mad? How dare you say such things?"
With her long, pale fingers on his lips, Li Ye's heart raced; he nearly stuck out his tongue to lick them.
Unaware, Xue Yunrong scolded on: "If you want to die, go elsewhere. I thought you knew caution. Loose lips will bring disaster on me!"
Li Ye gently grasped her snowy wrist and moved it aside, speaking softly: "Anywhere else, I'd never speak. But... sister, you don't seem prepared. I'm worried..."
Li Ye had never disliked Xue Yunrong. Sure, the vixen loved her games and had sent him on a suicide mission. But thanks to her, life in the palace had been bearable. The Zhen Yan Dan errand was mutual consent—a transaction, at worst using her beauty to motivate his risk.
Xue Yunrong's expression eased. Hesitant, she asked: "Even you know?"
"His Majesty has drawn on dragon qi to fight twice—common knowledge. His lifespan ends in a few years..."
Xue Yunrong sighed softly: "What can I do? Birth, age, illness, death—no one escapes."
"But what then for sister? Your ties with the Crown Prince aren't warm."
As he spoke, Li Ye didn't release her wrist. Instead, he guided her to the couch and sat her down.
Xue Yunrong said nothing, just glanced at him.
"If sister becomes Empress, no matter who ascends, you'll be the legitimate Empress Dowager. Even the Crown Prince wouldn't defy you publicly."
Smoothly, Li Ye sat below her and reached out, massaging her calves through the thin silk stockings, fingers kneading the smooth skin of her legs.
For some reason, Li Ye had a special fondness for legs and stockings—loving to touch them since youth. Bolder now, he started unconsciously mid-chat.
Xue Yunrong's foxy eyes narrowed, emotion unreadable: "Quite bold, aren't you?"
No telling if she meant his words or his hands.
"For sister, I'd do anything."
Li Ye's words carried double meaning too.
Xue Yunrong closed her eyes, letting him knead her legs—perhaps pondering, perhaps savoring.
It was impossible for her not to be tempted. Empress—rightful, mother to the world.
She mulled over this little eunuch. Five years in the palace, no standout talents, but she'd promoted him herself; he'd been hers. Now loyal to her alone. Heart seemed solid. But capability... possible?
After a long pause, Xue Yunrong opened her eyes, face impassive: "Empress... not so simple."
"To become Empress, it hinges on His Majesty and the court ministers." Li Ye's fingers worked her calves, the silky feel stirring his cock again. Luckily, the angle hid it.
"Go on." Xue Yunrong grew serious.
"First, His Majesty. The Empress seat's been vacant for years. You've managed the rear palace as Noble Consort—has he ever mentioned it?"
Xue Yunrong shook her head lightly. She'd entered at nineteen, eleven years ago now? Wait, eight. Despite the Emperor's favor, no word on the throne.
Li Ye casually slipped off her high-heeled shoes and massaged her stockinged feet. "What if you had a Yan Shou Dan?"
The Yan Shou Dan extended life by a year; Zhen Yan Dan was mere byproduct.
Rare even in sects—none refused longer life. And Li Ye had one.
"Yan Shou Dan?!" Xue Yunrong jolted in surprise, then delight. She sat up straight, pulling back the foot in his grasp.
Li Ye naturally caught her retreating stockinged foot. "Sister forgot? I still have that Shangqing elder's promise."
Xue Yunrong watched him massage intently, heart stirring. Her other stockinged foot extended, toes tipping his chin. Eyes swirling with charm, she smiled lightly: "My little brother helps me so much—what do you want?"