My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

The side hall was dimly lit.

Empress Xiao turned around and walked towards the warm pavilion on the side of the hall. Her steps were unhurried, and the hem of her robe trailed on the ground. She walked silently.

After walking a few steps, she stopped, turned her head and glanced at Li Ju: "Come on."

Li Ju stood there, his palms sweaty.

His heart pounded in his chest, and a thousand thoughts raced through his mind—was it a trap? A test? Or did she really want to…? He didn’t have time to think it through and followed her.

The warm room was small and simply furnished, with a low couch, a small table, and a censer of sandalwood incense.

The curtains were half-drawn, blocking most of the light from outside, leaving only a few rays of dim yellow light that fell on the couch like shattered gold.

With her back to him, Empress Xiao raised her hand and untied the silk sash around her waist.

The deep purple outer robe slipped silently off and piled up at his feet, revealing the moon-white inner garment underneath.

The inner garment was as thin as a cicada's wing, faintly revealing the voluptuous silhouette beneath.

Her shoulders were rounded, but her waist was extremely slender, with a full, bulging curve that rose sharply downwards.

"Only fifteen minutes." Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable calmness. Then she began to undress.

Li Ju stared at her retreating figure, his breathing becoming heavier.

He had imagined countless ways to die, but never this one.

Once you're at the gambling table, there's no reason to give up halfway.

If you're going to do something, then go all the way.

He approached step by step, his breathing gradually becoming heavier.

"Has Your Majesty made up your mind?" he asked in a low voice.

Empress Xiao tilted her head slightly, her eyes showing no shyness, only a worldly-wise composure and a hint of unfathomable provocation:

"I said I want your incriminating evidence. Leave your mark on me—"

Before she could finish speaking, Li Ju had already reached out and put his arm around her waist.

His hands were large, pressing against her waist, almost covering half of it.

Her waist was more supple than he had imagined, and he could feel the warmth of her skin through the thin silk.

Empress Xiao's body stiffened slightly, then went limp.

She raised her hand and gently pushed his chest, seemingly both rejecting and welcoming him: "What's the rush?"

Li Ju did not answer, but lowered his head and kissed her neck.

Her neck was fair and long, her skin smooth as satin, and it carried a faint sandalwood scent.

His lips slid from the side of his neck to the hollow of his collarbone, his tongue flicking out a light touch.

Empress Xiao's body trembled violently, she let out a muffled groan, and her fingers gripped his collar.

"You..." She bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly, "You've got some nerve."

Li Ju raised his head and looked into her eyes.

Her eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, and at this moment they were covered with a thin layer of mist, like a lotus pond after the rain, hazy and alluring.

"It was the Empress who gave me the courage," he whispered.

Empress Xiao chuckled softly and reached out to untie his belt.

His outer robe fell to the ground, revealing his muscular upper body.

Her gaze fell on his chest—muscular, well-defined, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, the kind of physique one would expect from someone who had practiced martial arts for years.

She reached out, her fingertips gently tracing his collarbone, down to his lower abdomen, and even further down.

She suddenly stopped.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by something indescribable—

She had assumed all men were like that, but she never expected... A faint blush rose to her cheeks, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Li Ju grabbed it.

"Isn't Your Majesty going to use this as leverage?" he said in a low voice, his voice as hoarse as sandpaper.

Empress Xiao's heart skipped a beat at his words. Just as she was about to speak, Li Ju had already wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"You—" She only managed to utter one word.

Empress Xiao bit her lip, trying not to make a sound.

The candlelight flickered red in the warm pavilion, and the sandalwood incense wafted gently, filling the room with a fragrant aroma.

Her inner garment was half-undone, revealing shoulders and back as white as mutton fat. Beads of sweat slowly slid down her spine, disappearing into the folds of her clothing.

"Li Ju..." she whispered his name, her voice hoarse and tender, like wine, so gentle it made one's heart tremble.

The two moved from the table to the floor, where the cool floor tiles made their skin feel even warmer.

He leaned down to kiss her, the kiss falling from her lips, tracing a path down her chin, neck, and down to her shoulder and collarbone, each touch like snow melting in spring.

Her body trembled slightly, and she unconsciously arched her back, gently wrapping her arms around his shoulders and neck. A few soft breaths escaped her throat, low and lingering, mingling with the scent of sandalwood and candlelight in the warm room, weaving a tender atmosphere.

Li Ju raised his head and looked at her.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were full of tears, her lips were slightly parted, and she was panting heavily, like a drowning person grabbing onto the last piece of driftwood.

"Does Your Majesty still find me too timid?" he asked.

Empress Xiao raised her hand and gently punched his chest, scolding, "You rascal... I... I'm not talking to you anymore..."

Li Ju smiled, picked her up from the ground, and placed her on the low couch in the warm pavilion.

The brocade quilt was soft, and her body sank into it like a blooming flower.

The personal maidservant lowered her head, her ears turning bright red, and dared not utter a sound.

Finally, the door to the warm room opened.

Empress Xiao walked out, supporting herself on the door frame.

Her hair was loose, with a few strands of black hair hanging down her cheeks. Her eyes were glistening with tears, and the blush on her cheeks had not yet faded.

She walked with a trembling gait, her legs felt weak, and she needed to hold onto the wall to stand steady. Her steps on the bluestone slabs were unsteady, as if she were walking on cotton.

The female official quickly stepped forward to help her up, keeping her head down and not daring to look at her.

Empress Xiao took a deep breath, steadied herself, and glanced back at the warm pavilion.

Li Ju stood at the door, his clothes neatly arranged, his expression normal, with only a lingering smile at the corner of his eye.

She took a few steps, stopped, and glanced back at Li Ju.

The resentment and tenderness in his eyes were intertwined, like a blazing fire.

"Keep plenty of leverage...." Her voice was a little hoarse, with a languid quality afterward, yet still unhurried. "Await my notification at any time."

As soon as she said it, she realized how absurd it sounded.

The Empress of the Great Sui Dynasty actually said something like "keep as much leverage as possible" to a man outside the marriage; she was simply insane.

But she just couldn't resist; the taste was just too intoxicating, like poison. Even though she knew it would be addictive, she still couldn't help but want to taste it again.

Li Ju watched as Empress Xiao, supporting herself against the wall, slowly moved away, and finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

A night breeze swept over him, carrying the fresh scent of the mountain grasses and trees. Li Ju rode his horse along the official road, feeling completely refreshed, every pore of his body screaming with pleasure.

The Empress's taste was indeed potent.

That mature and voluptuous body, once the desires that had been suppressed for many years were ignited, were like dry tinder and a raging fire.

"You're getting addicted to it?" Li Ju muttered to himself, then laughed again.

Li Ju reined in his horse and glanced back in the direction of the imperial palace.

The lights in the warm room were still on, and a figure was reflected on the window paper, seemingly walking slowly while supporting himself against the wall.

He chuckled softly, cracked his whip, and spurred his horse away.