Chapter 19: Picturesque Scenery

Yang Guifei, adored above all others, resided in the Huaqing Palace. This magnificent palace was built at the old emperor’s command, sparing no expense for her sake. The construction cost a staggering eight million taels of silver and spanned two years before its completion.

The palace glittered with gold and jade, the epitome of opulence. It was rumored that even the walls and floor tiles were paved with gold. Within, a hot spring was ingeniously channeled through copper pipes, warming the entire palace so that it felt as temperate as spring all year round.

Though Zhao Su was the Crown Prince, this was his first visit as well. Seated cross-legged in the ornate palanquin, he gazed at the resplendent, brilliantly lit palace, unable to suppress a sigh of awe.

Such a grand structure, even in the world of the twenty-first century, would have been unmatched.

“The wisdom and skill of the ancient people are beyond question—they achieved the pinnacle of their era,” Zhao Su mused inwardly.

The palanquin stopped before the palace gates, where attendants and maids on duty had already come out to greet them.

“Let me help you down, little brother.” After stepping out, Zhao Su reached in and lifted the Eighth Prince, Zhao Cheng, down from the palanquin.

Several eunuchs from Huaqing Palace hurried over to tidy Zhao Cheng’s clothing.

“Thank you for bringing me back, brother. I’ll take my leave now,” Zhao Cheng said, clasping his hands together in gratitude, a smile lighting his face.

He had enjoyed himself greatly following Zhao Su today, finding his elder brother far more amiable than he’d expected. Unlike his grandfather Yang Rucheng and the other ministers, who insisted on forcing him to study and review memorials, his brother was a delight to be with.

Zhao Su pinched his chubby cheek and said, “Let me accompany you to pay respects to the Imperial Consort. For years I’ve been lost in illness and have neglected my duties—now that I’m well, I must not disregard proper etiquette.”

Nonsense! Zhao Su almost gagged on his own words. Etiquette, decorum—did he really care?

Of course not. He was here today to sound out Yang Guifei, to see if he could win her—and perhaps the powerful Yang family behind her—over to his side.

With Yang Guifei in the palace, Grand Tutor Yang Rucheng at court, and Yang the Invincible in the military, the Yang family held sway over the entire Qin Empire. If he could bring them onto his chariot, then in the days to come, nothing would stand in his way.

“Great! Let’s go together,” Zhao Cheng replied with a child’s innocence, unaware of his brother’s real motives.

Zhao Su took only the young eunuch Xiao Deng with him as he and Zhao Cheng entered the palace; the rest of the guards and maids waited outside.

Though it was early spring, the mornings and nights remained bitterly cold. Yet the moment they stepped inside Huaqing Palace, a wave of warmth enveloped them, heating them through.

Underfloor heating!

Feeling the warmth radiating from beneath his feet, Zhao Su was silently astonished. Who would have thought such advanced technology existed in ancient times? To live here during autumn and winter was truly to enjoy paradise.

Deeper within the palace, there was an indoor hot spring.

Yang Guifei was swimming languidly in the water. Her fair skin and enchanting figure resembled a mermaid gliding freely in the pool. Not only men—even women would be captivated by the sight, longing to hold this beauty, to gaze and caress her.

At that moment, a palace maid hurried in and respectfully reported, “Your Grace, the Eighth Prince Zhao Cheng has arrived.”

Yang Guifei twisted her body slightly, her gleaming skin enough to make anyone’s mouth water. Without turning her head, she replied, “Let Eunuch Gao guide him. Have him write a reflection on today’s reading of the memorials—I will personally review it later.”

“Yes, but…” The maid hesitated.

“What else is it?” Yang Guifei arched her brow.

The maid quickly answered, “To report, Your Grace, not only the Eighth Prince, but the Crown Prince himself has also arrived.”

Yang Guifei was visibly taken aback, surprise flashing in her eyes. “What is he doing here?” she wondered inwardly.

After a moment’s thought, unable to guess his purpose, she ordered her attendants to help her dress. She was curious to see what business the Crown Prince—recently recovered from years of idiocy and newly entrusted with the power to oversee the state—had with her.

Eunuch Gao Li came over, paid his respects to the Crown Prince, and then tried to lead Zhao Cheng away. The boy, naturally, did not want to leave, eager to spend more time with his brother.

Gao Li had no choice but to invoke the Imperial Consort’s authority, and only then did Zhao Cheng reluctantly depart, promising to come back and play with his brother the next day.

Zhao Su agreed with a smile, knowing that the most beloved consort in the palace, the woman who had the old emperor utterly besotted, was about to appear.

Sure enough, just as Gao Li led Zhao Cheng away, a group of palace maids surrounded a stunning woman in a white gauzy gown as she emerged.

“The Imperial Consort arrives,” a maid announced.

Zhao Su bowed deeply. “Your Grace, I greet you. May you enjoy golden peace and everlasting youth.”

Since he was hoping to win her over, he made a point of lowering himself.

Yang Guifei took her seat and fixed her phoenix-like eyes on the Crown Prince, studying him closely. Her father, Yang Rucheng, had already told her in detail everything that had transpired in the Hall of Heavenly Purity.

She was amazed. Who would have thought that the once idiotic, dull, and weak Crown Prince had become so eloquent and sharp?

After the formal greeting, Zhao Su lifted his gaze.

The moment he did, he was stunned as if struck by lightning.

What a beauty she was!

Her damp hair cascaded like a waterfall to her waist, her features exquisitely sculpted, lips slightly parted to reveal pearly white teeth. Her skin was as fair and delicate as snow, her figure graceful and alluring, every curve inviting, her very presence exuding warmth and softness.

She wore a nearly transparent white gauze robe that did nothing to hide her exquisite form. The faint light accentuated her delicate beauty and charm. Gold thread was embroidered on her dress, sparkling with pearls and jewels, highlighting her nobility and splendor.

For a moment, Zhao Su was transfixed, unable to tear his eyes from her proud figure, his mind swirling with a thousand half-formed thoughts.

That full, rosy mouth of hers was an invitation to dreams.

“Has Your Highness looked his fill?” came a voice as smooth as silk.

“Ah…” Zhao Su snapped back to his senses, blushing in embarrassment at his recent lapse. Suppressing his urge to do something reckless, he coughed and said, “Your Grace, might I ask you to dismiss the attendants? I have urgent business to discuss with you alone.”

Yang Guifei inwardly sneered, calling him a lecher. Whoever you are, before me, you’re no better than a dog.

“They are all people I trust implicitly. Speak your mind,” she replied languidly, reclining on her chaise, playing with her damp hair, her alluring figure on full display.

Her long, slender legs seemed to writhe like serpents, leaving Zhao Su parched with desire.

Damn, this woman—she’s not wearing anything beneath! Is she trying to seduce me?

If this weren’t the imperial palace, if she weren’t the emperor’s most beloved consort, with her fox-like beauty reminiscent of Daji, he would have shown her what a real man was.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he said, “I wish to ask Your Grace—would you be willing to become the most honored woman in all the world?”