Chief Eunuch Li Ye
Xue Yunrong's toes hooked under Li Ye's chin, a faint scent of sweat drifting into his nose. His heart pounded fiercely—he found the bewitching imperial consort utterly captivating—and he swallowed hard before saying, "I just want to stay by your side like this, forever, Sister."
And take a few cheap thrills while I'm at it... Once you're in a high position, I'll have my chance to steal the Tianmo Jiuxiang.
The manuals in the imperial palace's secret archive only revealed the level above one's current cultivation. Unless Li Ye reached the 8th Realm, he'd never get to see the full text. If he didn't plan to slave away for Da Zhou his whole life, stealing the book was his only option.
Xue Yunrong naturally noticed the little eunuch's racing heartbeat before her. She didn't suspect any other reason, simply assuming he had a special fondness for her feet—a common quirk in the palace. Castrated eunuchs lacked a man's functions, and there were far more perverse ones among them.
She paused, her toes gliding over the bobbing Adam's apple at his throat, drawing another swallow from him. Then she let out a tinkling laugh and continued, "And what about the ministers?"
"With the crown prince about to be punished for colluding with ministers, who among them would dare defy His Majesty's will at a time like this?" Li Ye, kneeling on the floor, gently caressed one of Xue Yunrong's slender, silky jade feet.
"Did you just come up with that?" Xue Yunrong felt a tickle on her foot, somewhat uncomfortable, but the thought of the empress position made her endure it.
"I heard the crown prince was facing punishment soon, so I made some associations."
"I never realized before how capable my little brother is." The foot hooked under his chin lifted, pressing lightly against Li Ye's face. Seeing the handsome youth with his sword brows and starry eyes show no hint of humiliation—instead looking utterly delighted—a strange thrill rose in Xue Yunrong's heart. If only I could trample the entire world beneath my feet like this...
"I've got plenty more talents where that came from, Sister Noble Consort. Just watch." Feeling the light, silken foot on his face, Li Ye's cock was hardening to the point of bursting.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind, but another whiff of that intoxicating sweat scent lingered in his nostrils, fanning the flames of his already raging desire.
"Very well, then. I'll be watching." Xue Yunrong chuckled lazily.
That bone-melting, seductive laugh made Li Ye's heart itch unbearably. Unable to control himself, he suddenly darted out his tongue and gave the sole of Xue Yunrong's stockinged foot a gentle lick.
A tickle shot through Xue Yunrong's sole, followed by a wave of numbness that spread through her entire body. She jerked her foot back in surprise, but when she saw the regret flickering across Li Ye's handsome face, an odd sensation stirred in her heart.
"Ahem~" Clearing her throat lightly, Xue Yunrong suppressed the strangeness and said seriously, "When will the Yan Shou Dan arrive?"
"To make the ministers too afraid to object, we must leverage His Majesty's authority in punishing the crown prince. The sooner, the better. I'll send the message tonight, and I believe we'll have a reply soon."
"Good. I'll go see His Majesty shortly."
"In that case, this slave will take his leave."
"Mm. Return to the Needlework Bureau and await the decree. It should come soon." Xue Yunrong referred to the position of chief eunuch of Xingqing Palace.
"Mm..." Li Ye hesitated, then spoke again. "Sister..."
"Hm?" Xue Yunrong looked puzzled.
"Could you... grant me the stockings you're wearing?" Li Ye's iron-hard cock told him he really wanted them.
Xue Yunrong blinked in surprise. "What do you want these for?"
"I want a keepsake."
Not thinking much of it, Xue Yunrong assumed the little eunuch was deeply smitten with her. She wasn't afraid of his requests—she feared him having none. With a flirtatious smile, she said, "It's not impossible. Just don't let anyone see them."
"Even if they do, this slave merely designed the style for Your Ladyship."
Xue Yunrong agreed it was reasonable, her eyes flowing with charm. "Then wait in the outer chamber."
Li Ye had actually wanted to watch his Noble Consort Sister change right there, but he knew that was unrealistic. He bowed his body as he withdrew—not entirely for show, but because without hunching, his bulging cock would have been obvious. Fortunately, his long robe and wide sleeves hid it well enough when stooped.
After a short wait, Xue Yunrong emerged holding a pair of thin, flesh-colored stockings. She'd already donned a fresh pair of the same shade and handed the light, airy ones to Li Ye. "Keep them safe."
Li Ye took the stockings, feeling the lingering warmth of the noble consort's body. His cock, which had softened slightly, stiffened again. He hunched over as he tucked them away and retreated.
Watching him bow out, Xue Yunrong shook her head with a soft laugh. "He's fairly deferential... but quite bold too. Someone, fetch the roster for Clerk Li."
Once the roster arrived, she learned his name: "Li Ye..." She scrutinized his record carefully, found nothing amiss, and finally relaxed.
Back at the Needlework Bureau, Li Ye didn't bother checking out of leave. He went straight to his room, eagerly pulling out Xue Yunrong's stockings. He pressed them lightly to his lips for a kiss, then slipped the toe section over his throbbing cock.
His cock was already rock-hard, on the verge of exploding. One hand held the other stocking's toe to his mouth, nibbling it, while the other gripped his slick shaft and began clumsily stroking.
It had been five years since his last handjob. Clutching the stockings freshly removed from Xue Noble Consort's feet, Li Ye was thrilled to the brink. His mind replayed the sensation of that perfectly curved, stockinged foot pressing against his face, and he quickly figured out how to jerk off with stockings...
His fantasy shifted from his mother to Xue Yunrong—no moral qualms now. His imagination ran wild...
I want to suck her toes... I want her to step on my cock...
Li Ye stroked furiously. The stockings, moments ago on Xue Yunrong's feet, were now bunched up, damp spots visible at the toes.
I want her to give me a footjob... I want her to suck my cock...
Suddenly, the Xue Yunrong in his fantasy, bobbing on his cock, morphed into his mother Shen Luhua. Her icy beauty worked diligently beneath him... Li Ye's heart jolted, and thick ropes of white semen erupted, splattering across the flesh-colored stockings.
A wave of intense guilt crashed over him. He hadn't expected his mother's image to intrude like that. Staring at the mess, a flicker of irritation crossed his mind, followed by self-loathing. He cleaned up the scene, washed the stockings, hung them to dry in a hidden spot, and only then did he feel clear-headed enough to reflect on the day's events.
The long-suppressed tension released, Li Ye felt refreshed. The guilt faded. Gazing at the drying stockings, a satisfied smile curved his lips. This is living...
As for the Yan Shou Dan, it would only yield maximum effect through Xue Yunrong. Offering it to anyone else wouldn't secure an empress position.
Li Ye had once planned to steal the Tianmo Jiuxiang and bolt. But now, recalling Xue Yunrong's allure, he felt a twinge of reluctance.
The next day, Li Ye was summoned by the emperor.
This was his first time so close to Emperor Ji Xuan. Anxious that the emperor might detect his restored manhood, Li Ye's trembling wasn't entirely feigned.
Ji Xuan spoke calmly. "Are you certain you can obtain the Yan Shou Dan?"
"In reply to Your Majesty, this slave inquired last night. Thanks to Your Majesty's boundless fortune, that elder of the Shangqing Sword Sect has agreed."
Ji Xuan paused, his voice even calmer. "How did you know my lifespan is waning?"
This is common knowledge everywhere but the palace... Of course, Li Ye had overheard it from his mother and Aunt Jiang's casual chat.
"In reply to Your Majesty, this slave was unaware. Her Ladyship instructed this slave to try exchanging for the Yan Shou Dan, so this slave gave it his all."
"Do you know that elder's name?"
"In reply to Your Majesty, this slave only heard others call her Elder Shen. This slave knows no specific name."
Only now did Ji Xuan's voice carry a hint of amusement. "I hear you even refused to become a disciple of the Shangqing Sword Sect?"
"Your Majesty and Her Ladyship have shown this slave immense grace. This slave only wishes to serve Your Majesty and Her Ladyship."
Ji Xuan smiled faintly. "Loyal indeed. Li Ye, was it? Gao Banban, issue the decree."
Li Ye bowed to receive it. The content was straightforward: promotion to chief eunuch of Xingqing Palace, plus another chance to enter the imperial palace's secret archive. He reacted with tears of gratitude.
"This slave thanks Your Majesty for Your boundless grace."
"Enough. Withdraw."
Ji Xuan didn't ask when the pill would arrive—he was confident a mere eunuch wouldn't dare deceive him.
As soon as Li Ye left, Gao Gonggong spoke. "This slave congratulates Your Majesty, offers joyous felicitations. Another Yan Shou Dan secured."
Ji Xuan's face showed delight. "This Li Ye is quite the lucky charm. It gives us better odds."
"Indeed. We thought a single Zhen Yan Dan was heaven's fortune enough, yet now an extra Yan Shou Dan appears." Gao Gonggong echoed.
Ji Xuan chuckled, shaking his head at his luck. "Elder Shen... the Ice Soul Sword Immortal Shen Luhua? Only she and Sect Leader Jiang of the Shangqing Sword Sect could disregard a Yan Shou Dan."
"This proves it's fated, Your Majesty. Heaven's will."
Ji Xuan felt some unseen force at work and chuckled lightly. "Do you think that Li Ye, who secured the Yan Shou Dan, might also snag an extraterrestrial demon?"
6th Realm experts had keen senses, but not x-ray vision. Otherwise, Li Ye wouldn't have had even a sliver of chance returning to the palace.
Gao Gonggong paused in surprise. "This... this slave will investigate..."
Ji Xuan pondered briefly and shook his head. "No need for side matters. Wait until the pill arrives."
Cold sweat beaded on Gao Gonggong's brow. He forced a laugh. "The Ice Soul Sword Immortal is only tenth on the Earth List and still young—a Yan Shou Dan is trivial. But risking her life against extraterrestrial demons for no relation? Impossible. Besides, didn't Noble Consort say it was just a small promise?"
Ji Xuan smiled lightly. "Just joking. You're overthinking."
Gao Gonggong's sweat evaporated. "The former chief eunuch of Xingqing Palace, Zhao Gonggong, has returned. Shall Your Majesty see him?"
Ji Xuan waved dismissively. "If Yunrong dislikes him, send him away."
"Yes."
Ji Xuan chuckled again. "Yunrong wants to be empress. What do you think?"
Gao Gonggong's face fell. "Aiya, Your Majesty, spare this old slave. How dare I comment on such matters?"
Ji Xuan laughed, not pressing him. His fingers drummed the desk as he murmured, "Empress... empress... After this matter... we do need an empress to steady the people's hearts..."
Gao Gonggong stood silently, not daring to breathe.
Ji Xuan's fingers kept drumming. "The Shanglin Garden incident... Never mind. Fetch Chen Feng for me."
"Yes." Gao Gonggong exhaled in relief and hurried off.
...
Leaving the Hall of Diligence, Li Ye handed off his duties and headed straight for Xingqing Palace.
On the way, he ran into Qian Dayu, the chief eunuch of the Direct Hall Monitor—the man who'd overseen him as a lowly sweeper eunuch at the Needlework Bureau. Li Ye had suffered whippings for lacking bribes.
Qian Dayu beamed obsequiously. "Chief Li, Chief Li, hold up for your brother a moment."
"Who might this be? Chief Qian of the Direct Hall Monitor. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Li Ye smiled just as broadly.
Qian Dayu fawningly offered a stack of silver notes. "A small token. Past matters were my fault, brother. You're magnanimous—don't hold it against me."
As chief eunuch of one of the Twelve Monitors' Direct Hall, Qian Dayu should rank equal to Si Li Jian's Gao Gonggong, even a step above Xingqing Palace's chief. But palace hierarchy wasn't so simple.
Xingqing Palace's chief was the noble consort's favored—true power. Si Li Jian's chief wielded influence across Da Zhou. Direct Hall? Mere sweeping and cleaning. No perks, endless toil, heavy blame for any slip. Worse than a sinecure.
Li Ye was grateful to Qian for those whips—they'd taught him palace survival. Pocketing the notes, he pondered revenge while smiling. "What are you saying, Chief Qian? Ever heard the phrase, 'a smile erases all grudges'?"
"Erases grudges—perfect! You've got learning, little brother. I always knew you were no ordinary sort." Qian Dayu groveled.
"Noble Consort awaits. Rain check for dinner?" Li Ye's smile was warm.
"Of course, Chief Li. Go ahead." Qian Dayu nodded vigorously.
Only after Li Ye was gone did Qian Dayu spit in disgust. "What a punk..."
Li Ye checked the notes: a thousand taels. Not bad.
Fine, for the silver, a beating and exile to guard the ancestral tombs will do. Lucky he met me—I'm too kind to let men die.
At Xingqing Palace, Li Ye found Xue Yunrong beaming radiantly. He smiled inwardly, knelt deferentially. "This slave Li Ye pays respects to Noble Consort."
"Chief Li, rise." Xue Yunrong was in high spirits.