After failing the imperial examination, he began to wield immense power after entering the palace!

Leng Shuangqiu stood to the side, her pupils slightly contracting.

The Rain of Pear Blossom Needles is one of the top three hidden weapons of the Tang Clan, and there are only a handful in the entire Great Chu.

The Empress went to great lengths to acquire it back then, and kept it as a treasure; she wouldn't even part with it.

Now, it's actually been given to Li Fan.

If Li Fan had concealed this hidden weapon and suddenly attacked...

Even someone like myself, at the peak of the fourth rank, could fall into his hands if I'm not careful.

Looking at Li Fan's smiling face, Leng Shuangqiu suddenly felt a strange sense of vigilance.

This little eunuch is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Li Fan took the box, overjoyed.

Soft armor protects you from death, while hidden weapons kill you.

The Empress gave him one item, and the Imperial Concubine gave him another; both sides were sending him equipment. He just liked being a double agent.

He received gifts from both sides and used resources from both sides, so both sides thought he was one of their own.

Those who betray their principles live such a damn comfortable life.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

"This servant will certainly live up to Your Majesty's high expectations and take down the Eastern Depot as soon as possible to relieve Your Majesty's burdens!"

He kowtowed heavily, his voice booming, his face filled with unwavering loyalty.

Consort Xie hummed in agreement and said nothing more.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the palace door.

"Your Majesty, the hot water has been brought."

"Come in."

Two palace maids carried in a copper basin filled with steaming hot water.

Leng Shuangqiu took the copper basin and placed it at Consort Xie's feet.

Consort Xie looked down at her feet.

She had taken off her embroidered shoes and was only wearing white silk stockings that covered her slender ankles, revealing glimpses of her fair skin underneath.

She suddenly raised her head and glanced at the palace maids in the hall.

"Everyone, stand down."

"Gao Jin, stay."

The palace maids exchanged glances, not daring to ask any further questions, and bowed their heads as they withdrew.

Leng Shuangqiu paused for a moment, glanced at Li Fan, a complex look flashing in her eyes, but still turned and walked out.

The palace gates closed.

Only Consort Xie and Li Fan remained in the bedchamber.

Consort Xie leaned back on the soft couch, one foot sticking out from under her skirt.

White stockings encased her slender feet, highlighting the beautiful arch of her feet and the delicate ankles that could be grasped in one hand.

She looked at Li Fan, a slight, ambiguous smile playing on her lips:

"Gao Jin, wash my feet."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable command.

Li Fan's heart skipped a beat.

He took a deep breath, walked over, and squatted down in front of the soft couch.

He reached out and grasped Consort Xie's ankle.

He could feel the temperature of her skin through the thin silk stockings.

Slightly cool, delicate, like the finest silk.

He gently lifted Consort Xie's foot and placed it on his knee, while using his other hand to remove her silk stockings.

Her stockings were rolled up to her ankles, revealing a section of her fair, smooth skin.

He removed her stockings, revealing her jade-like foot completely in the candlelight...

Her toes were as round as pearls, and her toenails were lightly coated with nail polish.

Her feet were slender with beautiful arches, like a crescent moon.

Her ankles were slender and white, and could be held in one hand.

Her entire foot was flawlessly white, even the skin on the soles was pinkish-white.

Everyone says Consort Xie's skin is as white as snow, but seeing her today, even her feet are this white, and the rest of her body...

Li Fan dared not think any further.

He gently placed Consort Xie's feet into the copper basin, the hot water covering her ankles, creating a misty haze.

Consort Xie leaned back on the soft couch, closed her eyes, and let out a very soft sigh.

"Um……"

The voice was soft and gentle, emanating from deep within the throat, carrying an indescribable languor and contentment.

Li Fan's hand paused slightly.

He didn't look up, but lowered his eyes and focused on washing her feet.

My fingers ran through her toes, gently rubbing them, feeling the delicate touch.

"hiss!"

Consort Xie's toes curled involuntarily for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

In the rising steam of the hot water, her face grew increasingly red.

I don't know if it was because the effects of the alcohol hadn't worn off, or for some other reason.

Li Fan washed it very carefully.

From toes to soles, from soles to ankles, not an inch was overlooked.

His fingers even gently pressed on the soles of her feet.

Consort Xie jerked her foot back as if she had been scalded; her eyelashes trembled, but she did not open her eyes.

"Stop fooling around."

Her voice was no longer as cold as usual; it carried a hint of softness.

It sounded like a reproach, yet also like...

Li Fan didn't stop, he continued pressing.

This time, Consort Xie did not shrink back, but her toes curled slightly and her breathing became a little heavier.

The hall was so quiet that you could hear the ripples in the bronze basin and the faint breathing of the two people.

Consort Xie kept her eyes closed.

She felt the man's fingers tracing paths across her feet.

The rough fingertips rubbed against his delicate skin, creating a strange sensation.

It's not that I feel unwell.

It is a kind of...

She couldn't explain it.

She suddenly remembered that she had never let any man touch her feet in her entire life.

The Chu emperor did not.

The eunuchs who used to serve her were not qualified.

But today, she had this fake eunuch, who had only been in the palace for five days, wash her feet.

Consort Xie opened her eyes and looked down at Li Fan, who was squatting at her feet.

The candlelight fell on his face, making his profile stand out clearly.

He's so handsome!

Consort Xie watched for a while, then suddenly spoke:

That's enough.

Li Fan paused, then looked up.

Their eyes met, so close they were almost touching.

Consort Xie's eyes were as black as ink, reflecting the candlelight and his face.

She looked at him for a moment, then looked away and said calmly:

"go out."

Li Fan loosened her legs, stood up, and took two steps back.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He lowered his head and turned to walk towards the palace gate.

He took two steps, then stopped, took the dry cloth out of his sleeve, and placed it on the low table next to him.

"Your Highness, place the cloth here and dry your feet, otherwise you'll easily catch a cold."

After saying that, he opened the door and went out.

The palace gates closed.

Consort Xie sat on the soft couch, looking down at her feet in the copper basin. The flickering candlelight reflected on the water was unsettling.

She reached out, picked up the dry cloth, and slowly wiped the water droplets off her feet.

His movements were slow, as if he was thinking about something.

When she touched her ankle, her fingers suddenly paused.

The warmth of his palm still lingers in that place.

Consort Xie threw the cloth aside, stood up barefoot, and walked to the window.

Moonlight streamed through the window and fell on her radiant white face.

She looked at the moonlight outside the window, but her heartbeat was not as calm as usual.

"You've got some nerve..."

She murmured to herself, a slight smile curving her lips before quickly closing them again.

A night breeze blew in, ruffling Consort Xie's long hair that fell loosely over her shoulders.

Her nightgown clung to her body in the wind, outlining her slender waist and full breasts.

Her skin was so white it seemed to glow, and under the moonlight it looked like a jade sculpture.

She stood for a while, then turned back to the soft couch, tucking the foot that Li Fan had held into her skirt and hiding it.

It's like hiding a secret that shouldn't be there...