Chapter 165 Using sex to seduce men is quite a skill.
With the princess gone, Yue Yining lost her reason to continue living in the princess's residence.
Yue Yining moved into the house that Xie Qingyu had given her, and was finally able to live a carefree life without rules or constraints.
The news that Wei Yihua had been selected as a candidate for crown prince caused a great uproar both inside and outside the court.
Three days later, the princess's carriage departed the capital. Before the sound of her hooves had faded, the undercurrents that had been surging in the capital could no longer be contained and surged forth.
Yue Yining had only been in her new residence for a few days when spring had already left its mark on Yanjing City, with all things bursting forth and winter branches and leaves adorning the landscape. This spring breeze, which had turned the city green for miles around, had also quietly stirred up rumors and gossip.
At first, it was just a few vague whispers in taverns, saying that it was an ominous sign for a woman to command troops, which might incur the wrath of the heavens. Then, teahouse storytellers, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, began to narrate old stories of hens crowing at dawn and causing chaos in the court in the previous dynasty, which made the listeners sigh.
As soon as the wind picked up, it spread like wild grass in early spring, quickly growing throughout the streets and alleys. Rumors were embellished and subtly guided by those with ulterior motives; every word and phrase, while not explicitly referring to the eldest princess, alluded to the imperial daughter who had gone to the border.
Rumors spread, sparking much discussion among the people.
The masterminds behind this were none other than the powerful families who were dependent on the Fourth and Seventh Princes. The commoners had just been ruthlessly purged, and their anger had subsided, leaving them severely weakened and unable to cause trouble. But the powerful families were different. Having enjoyed a comfortable life for so long, their minds had become more active. Although His Majesty had not explicitly stated it, the fact that he appointed a princess as a military supervisor, in accordance with the rites for princes, clearly revealed the deeper meaning behind it.
They dared not confront the emperor directly, so they tried to stir up public opinion and test the waters. If they could arouse public opinion, perhaps His Majesty would hesitate and withdraw his order.
After several days of fluctuating public opinion, the imperial court also witnessed a day of echoing sentiments.
At a certain court assembly, several elderly noblemen with white hair and beards stepped forward shakily, holding jade tablets, and presented their views on the matter, citing classical texts.
They all put on a pained and indignant expression, spitting as they spoke, saying that the princess's expedition had caused a great uproar among the people of the capital, and this move might cause unrest among the populace; the position of military supervisor was of great importance and no small matter, and Her Highness the Princess was not qualified enough; throughout history, the patriarchal system had been clearly established, and it was no longer appropriate to set a precedent for special treatment now, lest the collapse of etiquette and law shake the foundation of the nation...
Every sentence adheres to the established methods of our ancestors, and every word closely follows the order of Yin and Yang.
Yue Yining, standing among the court officials, couldn't help but sneer. Look at these old fogies, they're incredibly sensitive. The way they're saying things makes it seem as if the very slightest possibility of the Princess becoming the Crown Prince means the entire Eastern Xi empire will collapse overnight. Is an empire really that easily overthrown?
After the senior officials from the powerful families finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became turbulent and unpredictable.
Before Wei Tianxuan, seated high on the dragon throne, could express his opinion, someone from the Qingliu faction had already made a move. A female official dressed in a dark blue court robe stepped out slowly. Her eyes were cold and aloof, showing neither fear nor timidity, yet also revealing her sharp edge.
Zhou Congyi stepped forward first and loudly refuted, "My lords, this is a mistake. The essence of patriarchal clan system lies in virtue, not in gender. Her Highness the Princess is intelligent and resolute, skilled in both literature and martial arts. She volunteered to relieve the country's crisis. Her virtue and martial prowess are a great blessing to the nation!"
"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures should be taken. If we revive the old ways and stick to outdated rules, wouldn't that be like playing a zither with rigid pegs, delaying the affairs of the country?"
Some people in the court were exchanging glances.
Zhang, the Imperial Observatory official, understood the implication and stepped forward, saying with certainty, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present. I observed the celestial phenomena last night and saw that the light of Mars was encroaching on the Purple Palace, and the constellation Antares was swaying restlessly. Furthermore, thin clouds lingered around the side of the Imperial Star for a long time without dissipating. This is a very ominous sign, indicating that Yin is overpowering Yang and that Yin and Yang are out of order."
"The celestial signs are a warning, not to be taken lightly. I dare to speak frankly, for the unusual signs correspond precisely to the recent public criticisms. If we defy the will of Heaven, we fear it will bring disaster to the nation. We must be cautious and investigate thoroughly!"
Although not stated explicitly, the implication was clear.
The court was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The senior officials of the powerful families lowered their eyes and remained silent, but some of them subtly raised the corners of their mouths. The word "divine will" is most deadly in its invisible way.
Among the other unrelated officials, some stole glances at the emperor on the throne, their eyes probing. The emperor's face was calm, neither happy nor angry, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of the dragon throne, making his emotions impossible to discern.
Just then, a clear, melodious female voice rang out, breaking the silence: "Your subject Yue Yining has a memorial to present."
As everyone looked, they saw a figure in green robes flash by. Yue Yining's black hair was tied up, and she wore no extra ornaments, yet she stood alone like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley amidst the magnificent palace.
She first bowed to the throne, then turned to the Deputy Director of the Imperial Observatory and said clearly, “Last night I also climbed to a high place to observe the stars, but what I saw was quite different from what you saw, Lord Zhang. The Ziwei star was bright and dazzling, and the imperial star was stable. Why were there any dark clouds disturbing it? On the contrary, I saw some broken stars falling in the southwest. Perhaps the person in charge of observation has lost his integrity.”
"I heard that Lord Zhang took leave from his office yesterday evening, claiming there was an emergency at home, but in reality he was drinking with others at a restaurant in the West Market until late at night. I wonder where and when Lord Zhang noticed this ominous sign?" She slowly uttered the last few words, "Could it be from the wine cup?"
"You!" The Imperial Observatory official, Zhang, turned ashen-faced, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word of explanation.
Yue Yining then turned to the throne and calmly said, “Your Majesty, the course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie. Men and women are all Your Majesty’s subjects, serving the country according to their own abilities. If we are talking about auspicious omens, the Princess’s inspection tour on behalf of Heaven, which boosts the morale of the army, is the greatest auspicious sign. Have you not heard that when a country is about to prosper, there will be auspicious omens? Her Highness’s expedition is the beginning of auspicious omens.”
The hall was silent. Wei Tianxuan lifted his eyelids and stared at Yue Yining, who stood in the center, for a while.
He spoke, but addressed another person by name: "Cui Yan, what do you think?"
Cui Yan, a respected and virtuous representative of the upright officials, finally stepped forward slowly.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, his tone was calm yet carried immense weight: "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that what Imperial Censor Zhou said is reasonable. Selecting the virtuous and capable is the foundation of a stable nation. Her Highness the Princess is exceptionally talented and virtuous, as the whole world has witnessed. Now that the nation is facing a crisis, we must set aside prejudices and gather the best talents in the country to put them to use. Your Majesty's wise decision shows that you value the well-being of the nation."
The emperor listened quietly for a long time, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the people, and finally his brows relaxed as he uttered a single word: "Good."
This turbulent period has now come to a temporary close.
At the same time, public opinion in the city began to subtly shift.
Many tales of the Princess's past have circulated from who-knows-where: how she loved and benevolent the people, how her fiefdom consistently reduced taxes and undertook irrigation projects; how she was quick-witted and intelligent, having just helped His Majesty uncover a case of corruption on the border before going on a campaign; how she was good at recognizing and utilizing talent, how her female officials went to the south to provide disaster relief, doing everything with utmost care and earning great renown in the time and place, yet the Princess remained low-key and humble, never seeking fame, and only now has she become known to the public…
These stories spread through storytellers, opera troupes, and casual conversations in teahouses, gradually washing away the previous malicious and gloomy rumors. Instead, more people came to know the princess beyond her reputation as a talented woman, and the people's minds were cleared.
Just as public opinion was locked in a stalemate and neither side could reach an agreement, Xie Qingyu, the head of the Xie family who had sided with the seventh prince in the struggle for the throne, casually mentioned the matter at an elegant gathering of nobles.
He did not directly praise or criticize the eldest princess, but only commented: "What Lord Cui and Imperial Censor Zhou said resonates with me. It is the right way for the virtuous to occupy the position. To be bound by ancient rituals and lose talented people is not the way of a wise person."
These words shocked everyone present.
Xie Qingyu's change in attitude was so drastic that it was like a thunderbolt from the blue. Everyone knew that the Xie family was powerful and the head of all aristocratic families. After the decline of the Wang family, they were like a pillar among the aristocratic families.
His casual agreement carried a meaning that sent chills down the spines of everyone present—what did the Xie family mean by this? Were they going to switch their support to the Eldest Princess? What were the Seventh Prince's plans? And how should the other aristocratic families position themselves?
The most enthusiastic aristocratic families, who had been making the most noise, suddenly stopped, as if their throats had been choked. They couldn't figure out Xie Qingyu's true intentions, and they dared not challenge the Xie family before the situation became clear.
The undercurrents in the capital have temporarily subsided, and the surface has returned to calm. However, beneath this calm lies a deeper sense of unease and uncertainty.
Yue Yining raised an eyebrow when she heard about this from one of her female officials.
“Prepare a carriage for me,” she said. “I have some free time today, so I’ll go and visit Lord Xie.”
When Yue Yining arrived at the Xie residence, she entered the gate without being informed and was not stopped by anyone. The maids and guards who passed by acted as if they were used to it, lowering their heads and not daring to look directly at her or say anything.
Upon arriving at the Frost-Spraying Courtyard, Yue Yining noticed the main gate of the house was tightly closed from afar, which aroused her suspicion. She walked over, and only when she got closer could she clearly hear the sound of running water coming from inside.
Yue Yining had some guesses, and asked the guards standing under the corridor, "I came to see Lord Xie, is he here?"
"The eldest young master went out to visit the Seventh Prince today, and his sleeves were stained with dust from his horse's hooves when he returned. He is currently taking a bath," Yin Yi said respectfully. "Your Majesty, please rest for a while. I will go and report this immediately."
Yin Yi is gone. The sound of water stopped for a long time, separated by a thin wooden door and window.
The silver-clad guard who returned said, "The eldest young master is not dressed yet. He asked his subordinates to invite Lord Yue into the inner room to sit down, where tea and refreshments will be served."
Yue Yining said thoughtfully, "I see."
A mischievous thought crossed her mind. Now that the water had stopped, she knew Xie Qingyu could definitely hear their conversation, so she deliberately teased him: "Will it take a long time? He's such a meticulous person; I imagine I'll have to wait half an hour?"
Yin Yi immediately felt a sharp threat looming over him and hurriedly said, "How could this be...?"
"It's alright, I didn't come here specifically. I just happened to be passing by the Xie residence and wanted to say hello to your eldest son." Yue Yining sighed, "Unexpectedly, I came at the wrong time."
"Since it is inconvenient for him to see me, I will not bother him any longer and will take my leave now."
Yin Yi was dumbfounded. His brain shut down, and he was speechless, not knowing what to say to persuade Yue Yining to stay. After saying these words, the female official in green turned around decisively, seemingly intending to leave.
A loud thud came from inside the room as something was knocked over.
It was this sudden noise that stopped Yue Yining from leaving. Yin Yi turned around at the sound, and the wooden door in front of him was opened from the inside. Xie Qingyu, with her black hair loose and wearing only a thin inner garment, rushed out and hugged Yue Yining from behind as she was about to leave.
Yue Yining's body had only half stepped out of the corridor when he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back.
A delicate, pleasant scent of orchids mingled with the lingering aroma of soapberry and a rich, moist atmosphere enveloped her.
She was slightly taken aback, feeling the rise and fall of a chest pressed against her back, the damp touch seeping through her spring clothes and sticking to her.
Yue Yining was genuinely surprised this time. She subconsciously raised her hand and grasped Xie Qingyu's hand, which was tightly wrapped around her waist. When she touched it, she found it was covered in warm water stains.
Hearing her say she was leaving, he hurriedly came out without bothering to dry himself off, putting on a thin undergarment and letting his long, still-dripping hair fall loose.
He could hear Xie Qingyu's rapid breathing, as if she was worried that Xie Qingyu might really leave her heartlessly.
"Don't go." Xie Qingyu whispered in her ear, having calmed down, "...I'll be fine soon, please wait for me a little longer, Miss."
Her heart skipped a beat. Yue Yining paused, then replied, "I'm not leaving."
She seemed to be coaxing him, knowing he couldn't resist, so she deliberately softened her voice, "Let go first, otherwise how can I get in?"
Yin Yi stood behind, not daring to utter a sound, keeping his eyes down. But no matter how he hid, he could still see the sunlight falling on the wooden floor of the corridor. The two figures separated, Xie Qingyu clung to Yue Yining's side, and the two followed each other into the house. A fragrant breeze wafted by, and the door closed.
After closing the door, Yue Yining finally had a chance to take a good look at Xie Qingyu. His undergarment was half-soaked by the water and clung to his body. The flesh color beneath the moon-white cotton robe was faintly visible, almost translucent. The water streaks meandered down, revealing a deeper shade of water that outlined his slender yet muscular physique.
Water droplets rolled off her hair and fell into the slightly open collar of her clothes, disappearing into the intriguing depths.
A virtuous and upright gentleman, disheveled and entangled with her in broad daylight, appeared to possess a pure and beautiful charm despite his disheveled state. This act defied all rules and regulations, and was truly breathtaking.
Yue Yining subconsciously swallowed, watching as the jade-like beauty raised her hand to her chest and slightly opened her clothes.
She heard Xie Qingyu say in a low voice, "...The clothes are wet, it seems we can't wear them anymore."
Yue Yining was deeply shaken, and also deeply aware of her own debauchery. She felt that she had encountered a bad temptation and was trying to shirk responsibility, so she asked accusingly, "What do you mean by that?" What did she mean by "can't wear it anymore"? Was she implying that she should do something to him?
"I didn't mean anything by it." Xie Qingyu laughed when accused. "I just wanted to say that I'm afraid Miss will have to wait for me a little longer."
“Or…” He moved closer, his tall figure blocking the sunlight streaming into the room, forcing Yue Yining to retreat and blocking him in front of the door.
He leaned towards her, and the jade mountain collapsed on its own, not because anyone pushed it.
Xie Qingyu looked down at her, her eyelashes were wet, like a fairy who had just emerged from the water. Her slight smile was captivating, not to mention that he was deliberately trying to seduce her. "Miss, please wait in the inner room. I will change my clothes in front of you, how about that?"
Yue Yining did not refuse.
He led her by the hand into the inner room, where he found her a chair and made sure she was comfortable so she could look at him.
The scene of the beauty undressing was truly erotic. Even though Yue Yining had long seen through his intentions and knew that he was deliberately trying to seduce her so that they could indulge in debauchery in broad daylight, she was somewhat prepared and could not bear to let the banner flutter.
Xie Qingyu finally changed her clothes, and she was so amazed by what she saw.
The tall, elegant young man, impeccably dressed in brocade and all in white—a flawless white—except for his long, damp hair, approached her. "Miss..."
Yue Yining remained silent until he approached before standing up and wrapping her arms around his neck. With just a little force, she pressed him down and kissed him fiercely.
Xie Qingyu let out a soft sigh, grabbed her waist, and took the initiative.
The kiss had just ended, and the steam in the bathroom had long since dissipated, but a warm and indescribable atmosphere remained.
Yue Yining deliberately bit him several times, but before she knew it, he grabbed her lips and tongue and they entangled for a long time. It got so intense that she pounded his back and begged him to let go, almost unable to breathe.
Yue Yining, her mouth slightly agape, hadn't quite recovered, but she defiantly reached out and tugged at his collar. She didn't pull back, and a patch of jade-white skin and delicate collarbone were suddenly exposed before her eyes.
Xie Qingyu chuckled softly, a hint of pleasure in his little trick working. He gently covered her hand with his, but without any force, feigning resistance while actually playing hard to get, his words alluring: "...I just finished dressing, if you tear it open like this, it'll be all messed up again."
Yue Yining had recovered and rolled her eyes upon hearing this.
Xie Qingyu was still calling her, her voice gentle and soothing, yet it was hard to tell whether it was a scolding or a seduction: "Miss..."
Yue Yining looked at him with a half-smile: "Have you had enough fun? Isn't this what you wanted?"
"Now you've got what you wanted, you're very pleased with yourself, aren't you?"
As Yue Yining spoke, she slowly leaned close to his ear.
Caught off guard, Xie Qingyu had already nestled on his shoulder, licking his earlobe with her mouth. Satisfied, she felt the body beneath her palm stiffen completely. She drew out the words, saying, "You're quite adept at using your looks to please people, Master Xie."
Before Yue Yining could react, Xie Qingyu had already lifted her up by the knees and placed her on the soft bedding.
Before she could even sit up, Xie Qingyu pressed her down onto the bed and took her lips and tongue.
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Author's Note: I've come so many times that even the guards at the gate are used to it. [Facepalm and peeking]
Yu Yu's stunning beauty seduced Ning Ning, who willingly fell into her trap. [Thumbs up]
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