Ao Xue Lying, Empress Dowager's Guess._1

Seeing Gao Xuan and Consort Shu sleeping on the bed, the memories from last night surged into Ao Xue's mind. She quickly sat up and grabbed the sword beside her.

Swish!

The cold blade unsheathed and aimed directly at Gao Xuan's neck.

Her eyes were filled with intense hatred, but as the sword was about to pierce Gao Xuan, her arm trembled, unable to strike.

Although the Honeysuckle Powder had clouded her mind, she retained all her memories.

Ao Xue vividly remembered that last night, Gao Xuan not only did not take advantage of her vulnerability, but he also constantly avoided and rejected her advances.

It was she who had acted aggressively and forcefully pushed Gao Xuan down.

When she thought of her seductive behavior from last night, a sense of embarrassment washed over Ao Xue.

Moreover, in the long dream she had, she and Gao Xuan had lived an entire lifetime together, even raising a pair of lovely twin children.

As a married couple, they had experienced the joys and sorrows of life, even though it was just a dream, it felt so real.

Ao Xue's mind was in turmoil, overwhelmed by complex emotions. She didn't know how to handle herself now or how to face this man.

After a long silence, Ao Xue finally noticed the soreness between her legs. Being so passionate for the first time, even with her high cultivation, she couldn't adjust in that instant.

She used the long sword to slash the bedsheet, then quickly dressed herself. Finally, she cast a deep, conflicted look at Gao Xuan and turned around, limping away.

Once Ao Xue left, Gao Xuan softly opened his eyes.

The sword had been mere millimeters away from his throat.

But after a quarter of an incense stick's time, the owner of the sword would fall completely in love with him, as he had decided to tell a lie.

However, before Gao Xuan could express his deep affection, Ao Xue had already left.

Gao Xuan rose and shook his head slightly. Women, after all, were emotional creatures.

By sparing his life this time, it meant that she was already on the verge of being won over.

Although she ultimately left, deep down, she had already taken his side. Therefore, all the secrets from last night would not be revealed.

It was only a matter of time until he could completely make use of her.

When the time came to take the Imperial Seal from the Empress Dowager, it would be much simpler...

Gao Xuan adjusted the strands of hair hanging over his forehead. Well, being handsome gave him confidence.

Of course, he didn't solely rely on Ao Xue for his hopes.

The Demonic Devouring Art was constantly operating silently. If the other party truly intended to harm him, with his current cultivation, he could easily evade and control the situation.

Within the Demonic Devouring Art was a technique for subduing others. If Ao Xue insisted on killing him, he wouldn't mind turning her into his complete puppet.

By stopping herself, she had actually saved herself.

Gao Xuan believed that for women, especially beautiful women, willingly becoming his was the best outcome. He didn't want to resort to using the technique of subduing others unless absolutely necessary.

What difference was there between a beauty who had lost her spirit and a doll?

There wouldn't be that sense of conquest when sleeping with her again.

"Tsk tsk, it's a pity she didn't kill you," Consort Shu, pretending to be asleep, also opened her eyes and shook her head with some regret.

Gao Xuan chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "What about you? Would you kill me?"

"I would!" Consort Shu said fiercely. "This princess wouldn't even blink her eyes and would chop you into eight pieces, just like a hairtail fish!"

Although she spoke these words on the surface, curiosity arose in her heart. If it really were her... could she bring herself to do it?

If it were the first time being forcibly taken, she definitely would. But after getting along for so many days, she was now uncertain.

Most likely, she would make the same choice as Ao Xue in the end.

With a smile on his face, Gao Xuan playfully shook his head. "It seems I haven't completely won you over yet."

Consort Shu, who had been tempered for so long, instantly understood Gao Xuan's intention. Without saying a word, she frantically tried to escape.

However, the bed was too small, and her struggles were futile.

"Beast! Mmm~"

..

After leaving the courtyard, Ao Xue returned to Cining Palace to report.

Seeing Ao Xue limping and seeming to have trouble with her legs, Empress Xiao's eyebrows furrowed slightly in surprise.

Empress Xiao knew about Ao Xue's cultivation. Could she have suffered a setback at the hands of that seemingly harmless little eunuch?

That couldn't be possible!

Empress Xiao immediately frowned and asked, "How did you get injured?"

Ao Xue respectfully replied, "Reporting to the Empress, it was because I encountered my senior sister Ling Shuang. She was secretly protecting that little eunuch, Gao Xuan. I suffered some minor injuries after fighting with her."

Before coming, Ao Xue had considered whether or not to truthfully report to the Empress, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do it and chose to lie.

Empress Xiao nodded in realization upon hearing this.

She was well aware of the identities of these two sisters. Ling Shuang was the personal guard by the Emperor's side, and Gao Xuan had been sent by the Emperor. It was not surprising that he had her protection.

"So, is that little eunuch a fake eunuch or not? Have you found out?" Empress Xiao asked.

Ao Xue lowered her head and cupped her hands, "It is a failure on my part for not investigating thoroughly. I have disappointed the Empress."

The Empress gently shook her head and said, "Forget it, with Ling Shuang around, it's understandable that you couldn't find out."

"You were also injured in the process. You have worked hard. Go back and rest for a few days. I will have someone send you some healing pills."

"Thank you, Empress."

Ao Xue, naturally cold in temperament, didn't say much and withdrew.

She did indeed need a few days to calm herself and soothe her inner turmoil.

After Ao Xue left, Empress Xiao leaned back on the phoenix chair alone, tapping her fingertips lightly, with a pensive expression.

Although Ao Xue didn't succeed, she had deduced some valuable information.

It was already unusual for the Emperor's personal guard to secretly protect a little eunuch.

Furthermore, in recent days, she had received secret reports stating that whenever the Emperor engaged in intimate activities, he would have Gao Xuan, the little eunuch, alone to help him change clothes.

The Emperor, who usually disliked eunuchs and didn't even want assistance during bathing, behaving so strangely only indicated that something was amiss.

Empress Xiao's phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, and a profound smile appeared on her face, exuding an alluring charm.

Regarding whether or not Gao Xuan was a fake eunuch, she had her own suspicions.

...