Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 924: Cousins

The others quickly expressed their agreement, but not long after, everyone realized there was a key issue: Da Xingguo was hailed as the greatest martial artist of the Jin Dynasty. How could he possibly be eliminated quietly and without a trace?

Cloud Envoy, speaking in his clumsy Chinese, scoffed, “Even if Da Xingguo’s martial arts are formidable, could they be greater than those of Zhang Wuji, the former leader of the Ming Cult in the Central Plains? The three of us joined hands back then, and even Zhang Wuji could not withstand us. So what is one mere Da Xingguo in comparison?”

“That may be so, but caution is still wise. This time, we cannot afford even the slightest mistake. The strike must succeed in one blow,” Daiqisi reminded them.

As the mother of the current saintess of the Persian Ming Sect, and because her words carried reason, the three Persian envoys did not argue. Instead, they crowded around the table and began discussing their plan in earnest.

*****

Meanwhile, Emperor Xizong had succeeded in eliminating Prince Changsheng. The thought that no one would threaten his throne anymore filled him with joy. In particular, the idea that from now on he could claim Lady Taohua for himself made his blood surge with feverish excitement.

He had already dispatched men to fetch Lady Taohua from Prince Changsheng’ residence into the palace. By his estimation, she should be arriving shortly.

“Your servant pays respects to the Emperor. May my Emperor live ten thousand years!” As Emperor Xizong drifted in his thoughts, Lady Taohua had already entered, kneeling gracefully before the throne.

“Lady, quickly rise,” Emperor Xizong exclaimed, rushing down from the dragon throne to help her up with his own hands.

“Many thanks, Your Majesty.” Daiqisi lowered her gaze, her expression unreadable.

Emperor Xizong studied the peerless beauty before him and sighed. “Lady, you seem to have grown thinner these past days.”

Her voice was flat. “I have been running about ceaselessly for Prince Changsheng. Naturally, I would grow thin.” Though theirs had only been a marriage in name, the years together had still sown unspoken grievances in her heart.

Emperor Xizong forced a smile. “Do you resent me for killing Prince Changsheng?”

“I would not dare,” Daiqisi replied with a slight bow. “Prince Changsheng brought about his own demise. No one else can be blamed.”

Emperor Xizong peered at her skeptically. “Are those your true feelings, or only words?”

“Whether sincere or feigned, what does it matter now?” Daiqisi lifted her gaze. “Besides, I understand that much of what His Majesty did was for my sake.”

Emperor Xizong’s eyes burned with passion. “Taoyao, I have desired you for more than ten years. I dreamed of you night after night, only to be tormented by the thought that you were another man’s wife. At last I could bear it no longer. Even if you resent me, even if you hate me, I must have you!”

“Your Majesty already has me,” Daiqisi answered, her words alluding to the time she had offered her body in exchange for the Prince’s safety.

“Not enough,” Emperor Xizong said hoarsely, his eyes reddening. “I will never share you with anyone—not even with Prince Changsheng, though he was your husband. I will possess you entirely, forever.”

A long sigh slipped from her lips. “So in the end, it was I who caused his death.”

Emperor Xizong’s brow furrowed. “Taoyao, you still don’t understand? Years ago, you chose the wrong man. That is why fate has led you here today. Will you make the same mistake again?”

She shook her head gently. “I am no longer the naive girl I once was. Only now do I realize—love is useless. To marry, one must wed the most powerful man in the world. Only then can a woman pass her days in peace and security.”

Emperor Xizong’s joy erupted like a flood. “Taoyao, you have finally understood! In the entire Jin Dynasty, who is stronger than I? From now on, remain by my side, and I promise you a life a thousand times happier than the one you had with Prince Changsheng.”

“Your Majesty’s favor is deeply appreciated.” Daiqisi bowed gracefully, though within, she sneered in silence.

Seeing her delicate submission, Emperor Xizong’s heart burned hotter. He opened his arms, eager to embrace her. Yet with Daiqisi’s martial skill, how could she be seized so easily?

A mere press of her toes, the swirl of her skirts, and she had spun gracefully aside, her movements as enchanting as they were untouchable. Emperor Xizong’s face darkened. “What is this? Do you still resist me?”

Daiqisi bowed once more, offering an explanation. “Your Majesty, this humble concubine was once wed, and so cannot compare to the Empresses of your harem in purity. Fearing I might be bullied in the palace for this, I thought long and hard, and decided to recommend my cousin to serve alongside me. With the two of us sisters attending His Majesty, I only pray you will show us greater favor in the days ahead.”

“You have a cousin?” Emperor Xizong’s interest stirred at once. “And what of her looks?”

“A natural beauty, radiant and unrivaled. She will not disappoint Your Majesty. In fact, she awaits just outside the palace gates. If Your Majesty wishes, she may be summoned for your inspection.”

“Summon her at once!” Emperor Xizong exclaimed. Taoyao was already a peerless beauty of the mortal realm; her cousin’s appearance could hardly be inferior. Even if she possessed only half of Taoyao’s charms, she would still be counted among the great beauties of the age. And to think—they were cousins! Truly, fate had blessed him with unparalleled fortune.

Not long after, the Envoy of Radiant Moon was ushered into the palace. Palace maids had thoroughly searched her beforehand, ensuring no hidden weapons remained, before presenting her to Emperor Xizong.

“Your servant Yuenu greets His Majesty. May my Emperor live ten thousand years!” Unlike the other envoys, the Moon Envoy’s appearance most resembled that of the Central Plains. Indeed, she looked even more like a woman of the heartland than Daiqisi herself. Only those intimately familiar with the Western Regions could discern the faint trace of foreign blood in the subtle color of her eyes; otherwise, she appeared no different from a native of the Central Plains.

“Yuenu? What an intriguing name.” Emperor Xizong commanded her to raise her head. She appeared to be around thirty, with flowing black hair, an oval face, and strikingly refined features.

“Taoyao praised you as a beauty of peerless grace. I thought her words exaggerated, but upon seeing you myself, I find she spoke the truth. Truly, a remarkable beauty!” Emperor Xizong’s dragon countenance lit with delight.

“Your Majesty honors me with such praise.” Though Yuenu harbored ulterior motives, even she could not help but feel a spark of excitement at being so admired by the Emperor, who had long been surrounded by a harem of countless women.

Suddenly, Emperor Xizong thought of something. “Yuenu, have you ever been married?”

Her cheeks flushed faintly. “I have not. I remain… untouched.” The Persian Ming Sect’s rules were strict. Though she was an envoy, she was also a candidate for the title of Saintess. Purity was a requirement she had never dared violate.

But Emperor Xizong frowned. “At your age, and still unmarried? Could it be you suffer from some hidden ailment?” In recent years, the Jin Dynasty had grown deeply influenced by Han customs. To him, it seemed inconceivable that a woman might reach thirty without marriage. Even among the steppe tribes, women who had not wed by such an age were almost unheard of.

Yuenu cursed inwardly. This Emperor of Jin must be mad! To hear that she was still a v!rgin and react with suspicion, as though it were a flaw. Would he rather she already belonged to another man?

Daiqisi quickly interjected. “Your Majesty, when my cousin was young, a wandering Daoist visited her household. Upon seeing her, he turned pale with shock and declared her fate to be one of immense nobility. Only a true dragon’s bloodline could approach her. Any other man who touched her would be doomed. Word of this spread, and from then on, no one dared propose marriage. Thus the years slipped away. Only recently did I discover her whereabouts, and so I invited her here to serve Your Majesty.”

“So that is the reason.” Emperor Xizong’s face broke into a grin. “Then it seems destiny itself has preserved you for me, to take your red pill as my own!” (G: red pill = v!rginity.)