“What is this? Are you going to use this? Heavens! No!” Poor Emperor, tormented by another tactic. No wonder the Empress takes three days off after each visit; surviving this ordeal would be a miracle.
“Stop moving! Don’t you know how difficult you’re making it for me to aim?” The Empress is formidable.
Another round of crying and struggling ensued.
“Phew, that’s enough for today. I’ll come every morning from now on.” The eunuchs and palace maids were shocked; the Empress is truly ruthless! Coming every day?
Soon, the eunuchs and maids tidying up saw the Emperor and Empress lying disheveled on the dragon bed, panting heavily, exchanging excited glances and rushing to spread the gossip.
I propped myself up, turned Jin Mo’s face, and nodded: “Not bad, now no one can see the rash on your face.”
Jin Mo’s voice was hoarse: “I won’t go! Who applies makeup to cover a rash! How embarrassing!”
“It’s fine. Who dares look directly at you? Anyone pointing it out means they’ve been staring, which is disrespectful to the Emperor. They’ll be beheaded immediately.”
“This is self-deception!” Jin Mo confronted me.
What’s there to be afraid of? I’m a woman; who am I scared of!
I glared back at him defiantly.
We stared eye-to-eye, sparks flying between us.
Suddenly, I leaned forward, extending my tongue to lick his lips: “So sweet, like ice cream.”
Jin Mo screamed and burrowed into the blanket. In his panic, he only grabbed a corner, leaving his bottom high in the air.
I laughed mischievously, patting his bottom: “I’ll give you a choice.”
Jin Mo felt relieved, thinking I still had a conscience. He cautiously peeked out from the blanket.
“Go to the morning court tomorrow,” I said leisurely, giving him time to consider.
He shook his head: “No! Never! No emperor goes to court with makeup!”
“Or, I’ll stay and keep you company tonight,” I winked, causing Jin Mo to shudder.
“Can I change my mind?” he asked weakly.
Meanwhile, Jin Mo was lying flat on the ground in casual clothes, glaring at us with two red marks sliding down from his nose and an apple core behind him. It seemed our apple core had slipped under his foot…
I laughed awkwardly, considering whether to say: Hi~~ Your Majesty~~ Good morning~~
