"Pour me some more wine..." Zhao Douan hugged the heavy, black lacquered wine jar, his hand knocking off the seal, and instantly, the fragrance of wine permeated the air.
When the Empress's sleeves had brushed past, an invisible force field had diffused, keeping the cold wind at bay.
And so, atop this "foremost viewing tower," tranquillity prevailed.
The starry sky above shone brilliantly, while thousands of household lights twinkled below.
Atop the barren and majestic "Emperor Tower," amidst the precious delicacies and fine wines, a lone man and a solitary woman... Zhao Douan suddenly realized:
Today's grandiose setting—with hundreds of palace attendants present, and even though those in the know mostly kept their mouths tightly shut—could hardly conceal whispers and rumors.
The late-night private meeting between Zhao Douan and the Empress... was undoubtedly going to significantly increase the verisimilitude of their scandalous rumors.
Is this your purpose as well, Zhenguan?
Zhao Douan's thoughts fluttered chaotically as he arrived opposite the Empress, beginning to pour the wine.
His gaze also involuntarily wandered.
The Empress was powerful in her cultivation, and though she had a tall figure, she was ultimately shorter than him by half a head, as those with experience would know.
A difference in height doesn't need to be much—just a bit is enough. The one standing higher can have an unobstructed view of everything below.
And this was even more so when sitting across from each other.
Although the Empress, aiming to manifest her dignity, had her neckline quite high, and her chest was cinched tightly, intentionally compressing its scale to prevent any glimpse of the valley's view,
The alluring curve traced down from her slender swan-like neck kindled imaginative thoughts.
The crisp liquid gushed forth, almost filling the porcelain bowl in front of the Empress.
Zhao Douan then moved the wine jar aside and sat down cross-legged.
When he timidly looked up, he saw the Empress's clear, bright eyes calmly scrutinizing him.
An inexplicable dryness in his mouth... Zhao Douan was somewhat dazed.
This was the first time he had so carefully examined her face head-on.
When grinding ink, or during their last stroll in the garden, it had always been her profile.
As for the last time they dined together at noon, Zhao Douan had been too nervous and apprehensive to have any heart for aesthetic appreciation, eating as if it were a last meal, and thus didn't observe carefully.
It was not until this moment, on the grand terrace, amidst a circle of fiery red lanterns hung high, and between tables of exquisite dishes and fine food, also adorned with delicate Coiling Dragon candlesticks,
That Xu Zhenguan's purely natural, flawlessly beautiful face was this clearly visible.
Her eyebrows like distant mountains, her bone structure as if crafted by heaven, her powdered cheeks similar to piled snow, her nose delicate and pert.
The innate regal dignity of the Royal Family merged with the cold detachment of a female cultivator, forming Xu Zhenguan's unique and noble temper - unsurpassed amongst all the women in the world.
"Drink," the Empress said with a cool voice.
"Oh..." Zhao Douan also filled his own bowl to the brim and was about to raise his glass, thinking to make some sort of toast—a skill honed from banquets in his past life—
But Xu Zhenguan had already lifted her bowl, tilting back her neck, and drank it all in one go!
The crisp liquid overflowed from the corner of her mouth, trickling down her white, firm neck.
Zhao Douan hurriedly followed with a bowl of his own.
Xu Zhenguan downed three bowls in one breath, and Zhao Douan kept pace with three bowls as well. He noticed that not a hint of alcohol breath escaped the Empress; she was deliberately sealing all her pores and consciously experiencing the intoxication.
After a while, he heard the Empress speak softly:
"Do you know why I am here tonight to drink?"
Zhao Douan blinked and said, "The moon is full tonight... it's just perfect."
He spoke slowly, as if organizing his words, but in reality, he was observing and gauging her reactions.
This was a subtle skill he had picked up in his past life, starting with half a sentence and then adjusting the rest according to the superior's expression—
Very much akin to how novelists adjust subsequent chapters based on feedback from the readers.
As he read the signs, he said:
"But, though the moonlight is pleasant, it is after all a common sight; yet true enjoyable moments are rare."
In the "Tui Zhai Record" written by Song People, it was recorded that Emperor Song Shenzong, when thwarted by his ministers from executing someone, spitefully lamented:
"There is not one single thing I can do to please myself!"
When Zhao Douan read this story in his past life, he was moved, speculating that since ancient times, how many emperors felt similar frustrations.
Even the most despotic tyrants at the height of absolutism, when they first ascended to the throne in their youth, must have also suffered constraints.
When he first crossed over, he had believed that the Empress, with her strong cultivation, would be different, but his observations over this period proved otherwise.
Pei Kaizhi's concern was for his descendants; Xu Zhenguan's worry was for the continued stability of the Great Yu dynasty, and perhaps also to prove that she was not inferior to any former ruler.
If her heart was solely set on pursuing the Tao, she could live a carefree life, but what she desired was to create a golden age.
Mere military might was not enough; historical evidence shows that while force can maintain rule, it is often confined to a small expanse.
Once the realm of rule expands too broad, force starts to fail systematically, and the reasoning is simple:
The larger the population a despot controls, the more people there will be who resent him, oppose him, and seek to overthrow him.
The Empress's "Fake Heavenly Realm" cultivation level was not yet powerful enough to contend with an entire Heavenly Human Realm.
Even though she had ascended to the rank of "Martial Goddess" and reached the legendary realm of Human Immortal, undefeated in the entire world, a tyrant's rule would never be a golden age.
So Zhao Douan felt that behind the glory of the Empress of Great Yu were shackles encasing her entire being, locking away her cultivation.
She, too, was never content.
"Contentment is rare... contentment is..." Xu Zhenguan paused, stunned.
At that moment, the radiant Empress seemed to have her heart pierced.
She gazed at Zhao Douan, not expecting him to voice her thoughts so bluntly.
Once this thought emerged, it couldn't be stopped.
The Empress's gaze softened, and she suddenly smiled, stood up, and walked to the balustrade under the full moon. She looked down at half of the Capital and declared,
"Well said! Today, cutting off an arm of the Li Party is indeed a pleasure worth toasting to with a generous drink."
She turned back, still smiling, and asked,
"Then, guess why I specifically wanted you to accompany me?"
She likes me... Zhao Douan quickly dismissed this incorrect answer and, after a brief consideration, said,
"Drinking alone would be simply too lonely and dull, perhaps my appearance is still somewhat pleasing to the eye?"
Translation: Going out for drinks on your own is boring, isn't it better to have a handsome man for company?
You're so shameless... Xu Zhenguan couldn't help but chuckle and shook her head, laughing,
"You got it wrong this time."
Zhao Douan feigned ignorance, "Then why?"
Xu Zhenguan huffed, and in that instant, a fleeting coquettishness of a woman appeared:
"Drinking with you, at least, won't give rise to any wild rumors."
Though Zhao Douan found the remark puzzling, he understood its meaning.
Those in high positions are subject to much analysis and interpretation by countless others.
Dining with any minister, if word got out, would trigger a series of uncontrollable risks.
But Zhao Douan was the exception.
The pair were already subjects of "scandalous rumors". As a male favorite, accompanying her in drinking, feasting, and even sleeping... would all be taken for granted.
It wouldn't incite wild speculation among the court officials.
Oddly enough, Zhao Douan suddenly felt that the woman before him was somewhat "pitiful".
"Your Majesty..." he opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the Empress raising her hand, "Be quiet, listen to me."
Zhao Douan fell silent.
The Empress furrowed her brows, "Do you hear me?"
Zhao Douan pointed to his closed mouth and waved his hand to indicate,
You told me to be quiet.
"..." Xu Zhenguan was inexplicably irritated but, in a good mood, didn't bother to argue with him.
She summoned a jar of wine that rotated and flew up, its lid popping open. She caught it with her slender, delicate fingers, took a large gulp, and after a moment, exhaled a breath of alcohol, sighing softly and saying,
"You were mistaken about one other thing earlier. When I have come here in the past, it hasn't been pleasurable, but rather to drown my sorrows."
Drowning sorrows with alcohol, huh... Zhao Douan covered his mouth, remaining silent.
Xu Zhenguan seemed to fall into a reminiscence, "The very first time, it was already over a decade ago."
Over a decade ago? Was that when she was the Third Imperial Princess? Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow.
Xu Zhenguan continued,
"At that time, I was still young, but I had already entered the Imperial Family's school to study. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince were there as well. The Crown Prince was kind-hearted and benevolent but somewhat slow-witted. Grandmaster Dong, who was teaching in the school at the time, commented that the Crown Prince would be a benevolent ruler if he succeeded the throne.
The Second Prince, on the other hand, was quite clever. Whether it was martial training or studying, he was not lacking, only too enthusiastic about making friends and going out. He mingled with the renowned figures and military generals of the Capital... and wasn't focused on his studies.
Now, it seems like even back then the Second Prince was already plotting to cultivate his own factions, doesn't it? Clearly, he was still just a young man."
For the first time, Zhao Douan heard such a vivid description of the other two key figures in the "Xuan Sect Coup" and was captivated by the story.
Xu Zhenguan didn't continue speaking but waited instead.
Feeling it would be foolish to keep talking to herself without any response, she waved her hand reluctantly,
"I'll allow you to speak now."
Zhao Douan smiled and, looking at the Empress's back, said,
"I dare not comment on such secret affairs of the Royal Family."
"Just speak when I tell you to!" Xu Zhenguan, slightly inebriated, acted quite differently from her usual dignified composure.
This is on your request... Zhao Douan muttered to himself and cooperated by asking,
"Your Majesty must have been very good at your studies."
The corners of the Empress's mouth lifted slightly,
"Of course, back then, I was the best in the whole school."
She paused and suddenly turned wistful, sighing,
"But when it came to academic achievements, I was the last in the Imperial Family's school."
Zhao Douan was taken aback, "Why?"