Can't a girl be a traitor like Cao Cao?

As soon as Chi Junlin picked up the wine glass again, she snatched it away.

Then, with a dazed look in her eyes, she leaned against Chi Junlin's chest and asked, in a drunken state, "Do you like me, or do you like Yang Yuru?"

Chi Junlin didn't answer, but instead pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her to tell her his answer.

"Woo..."

Jiang Qianju struggled for a moment, but quickly hugged Chi Junlin and obediently closed her eyes.

Not long after, when the palace maid brought the meat soup, Jiang Qianju had already fallen into a deep sleep in Chi Junlin's arms.

With her eyes closed, she was still muttering softly, "You can't like the Empress... you can only like me..."

Chi Junlin smiled and carried Jiang Qianju back to the palace, carefully placing her next to Yang Yurou.

Then he picked up the soup and sat back on the windowsill, just as he was about to have a late-night snack.

Suddenly, Zheng Gaoda came running over in a hurry.

"What's wrong?" Chi Junlin asked casually.

With an embarrassed expression, Zheng Gaoda reported to Chi Junlin, "Commander-in-Chief, Consort Yu has been frightened and dares not stay in the palace. Therefore, she begs us to come and share the bed with Her Majesty the Empress."

Chi Junlin thought for a moment and realized that the few people who had just infiltrated the palace seemed to have been shot and killed in Huachun Palace.

Perhaps Consort Yu happened to be awake and saw the horrific sight of the men being riddled with arrows.

After a moment's thought, Chi Junlin nodded to Zheng Gaoda.

He then said, "Then let's invite the Imperial Concubine over."

Chapter 18 The spring night is too short, the sun rises high, and from then on the emperor no longer holds morning court.

Consort Yu's original name was Yu Xiao, and she was not very old. She was a year younger than the Empress, and was only twenty-nine years old at the time.

She was originally the daughter of a prefect in a southern county. After being discovered by a eunuch who was selecting concubines, he was amazed by her beauty and presented her to Jiang Hao, who had just ascended the throne, to be chosen as his concubine.

Chi Junlin had only heard of the Imperial Concubine's beauty before, but had never seen her and knew just how beautiful she was. This led to Jiang Hao's exclusive affection for her, showering her with unparalleled favor.

But when Chi Junlin was sitting in the Jiaofang Palace, he saw Yu Xiao appear in front of him.

She finally understood what it meant to be a femme fatale, someone who could bring ruin to a nation.

Before me stood a bright young woman, dressed in a cloud-like red dress, looking like a fairy descended from heaven, standing alone at the palace gate.

If she stood there motionless, one might suspect that she had stepped out of a painting, not belonging to this filthy place.

She was beautiful and intelligent, with cherry-like lips and a stunning appearance, surpassing all others in beauty.

Among the beauties Chi Junlin had ever seen, Princess Jiang Qianju and Empress Yang Yurou were the most revered, both being unparalleled beauties in the world.

However, in terms of beauty, she still falls short of the imperial concubine's charm.

She stood there, looking at Chi Junlin with a timid yet radiant gaze.

With just one glance, Chi Junlin felt a pang of pity for him.

Yu Xiao seemed to feel a sense of fear towards Chi Junlin.

When she arrived, she saw a spirited young woman in a brocade robe, with striking eyebrows and bright eyes, sitting before the table. Yang Yuru and Jiang Qianju were already fast asleep on the phoenix bed; there was no one else in the palace.

She then realized that the young girl was none other than Chi Junlin, the mighty commander-in-chief of the 100,000-strong Northern Garrison.

So, with a fearful expression, he timidly bowed to the Crimson Lord.

She said softly, "This humble servant greets the Commander-in-Chief."

Chi Junlin gazed into her pitiful, tender, and restrained eyes, never looking away for a moment.

He then tapped the table with his fingers, gesturing for Yu Xiao to sit down in front of him.

Let her observe carefully.

Yu Xiao took two steps forward and sat down opposite the table with a slightly reserved air.

As Chi Junlin savored the taste, he shook his head and sighed softly, unable to help but say, "To think that such a peerless beauty as you exists in this world... truly, seeing you is enough to make this life worthwhile..."

Hearing Chi Junlin's words, Yu Xiao felt somewhat relieved.

What she feared most was that Chi Junlin, being a woman, would become jealous of her appearance and, out of disgust, harm her.

But judging from Chi Junlin's tone of voice, one could tell that Chi Junlin harbored no ill will towards him and even quite liked him.

Consort Yu's life is not in danger.

He breathed a sigh of relief and immediately relaxed.

After relaxing, Yu Xiao immediately noticed a bowl of meat soup on the table in front of her.

As the night passed, Yu Xiao, still anxious and unable to sleep soundly due to the commotion in the palace the previous night, remained uneasy.

In her panic, she could only beg Zheng Gaoda and the others to let her rest in Yang Yuru's palace.

Yu Xiao is simple-minded. Although she is loved by many, only the virtuous Empress Yang Yurou in the palace makes her feel truly trustworthy.

The jealousy or disgust of others always made Yu Xiao feel uneasy.

Sitting in Yang Yurou's Jiaofang Palace, feeling exhausted and weary, even a simple bowl of meat soup smelled delicious.

Her stomach couldn't help but rumble, which made her blush with embarrassment.

Chi Junlin didn't speak, but simply pushed the hot soup in front of Yu Xiao.

Yu Xiao smiled and thanked Chi Junlin.

She picked up the soup bowl, parted her red lips slightly, and sipped the warm soup slowly.

Seeing this, Chi Junlin grew even more fond of her.

In her view, Yu Xiaozhi's beauty lies not only in her appearance but also in her inner qualities.

What is even more commendable is that, despite being deep within the palace, she still retains the innocence and naivety of a young girl.

No wonder Jiang Hao was so infatuated with her, neglecting all the beauties in his harem to dote on her alone.

After Yu Xiao put down her soup bowl, Chi Junlin asked her, "Can you drink alcohol?"

Yu Xiao nodded timidly.

"Then have a drink with me."

As Chi Junlin spoke, he turned over the golden cup on the table.

Pour in the imperial wine that Jiang Qianju and I hadn't finished drinking earlier.

The golden cup was filled, and Yu Xiao raised her glass to Chi Junlin with a slightly nervous expression.

After three rounds of drinks, the originally timid and shy beautiful girl gradually became familiar with Chi Junlin.

Amidst her laughter and cheerful conversation, she appeared even more delighted.

As Chi Junlin looked down, the concubine, drunk, with her bright eyes and white teeth, appeared even more radiant and captivating with every smile and frown.

Her cheeks flushed, her lips glossy, and she playfully insisted on drinking a toast with Chi Junlin.

Chi Junlin was captivated by the charm of her smile, as if he were simply admiring her pure beauty.

He then shook his head and said, "I've had enough to drink, I'm already drunk."

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiao revealed a charming expression and pleaded with Chi Junlin, "No, this servant will personally pour the wine for the Commander-in-Chief, the Commander-in-Chief must drink it..."

Chi Junlin then chuckled, resting his forehead on his hand, "Then come and feed me."

So Yu Xiao lifted her clothes and stood up, leaning against Chi Junlin's side, and held the cup to Chi Junlin's lips.

Unexpectedly, Chi Junlin gently pulled Yu Xiao's waist, causing her to fall into his arms.

The wine glass spilled, and her red lips parted slightly.

"Commander..."

Chi Junlin met her gaze, took the wine pot, and leaned down with wine in his mouth.

I shared a truly traditional toast with her.

The imperial concubine's brows and eyes held a hint of timidity, as if she wanted to leave but hesitated. Her demeanor was elegant and serene, her sweetness indescribable.

Their lips and tongues seemed to want to part but were reluctant to.

A "pop" sound.

The imperial concubine's eyes were filled with alluring charm, and her breath was as sweet as orchids.

He only called out once, "Commander-in-Chief..."

Once the Red Emperor arrived, there was no further discussion.

This made Yu Xiao understand.

All the men in the world combined could not match the overwhelming, fiery love that Chi Junlin brought her.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Meanwhile, outside the palace...

Having finally escaped the Forbidden City after countless hardships, Ding Xia is now leading the critically injured Chen Tailai, evading the relentless pursuers behind them.

Given Zheng Gao's unerring archery skills, Chen Tailai had no chance of dodging.

So the arrow pierced his chest with perfect accuracy.

Although he is currently clinging to life with his internal energy, Chen Tailai's death is only a matter of time.

Arrow wounds of this severity are so severe that even a god could not save the patient.

Ding Xia helped Chen Tailai walk through the alley, leaving a trail of blood behind them.

His expression was uncertain, and he had considered abandoning Chen Tailai and running away on his own several times.

Unfortunately, only Chen Tailai knew the escape route, as Ding Xia was not familiar with the roads of the imperial city.

So he could only patiently keep this near-death good-for-nothing by his side and pray that he wouldn't be discovered by the pursuers.

But as the Zhenbei Army behind them drew closer, the sounds of horses' hooves and shouts could be faintly heard.

Ding Xia panicked, feeling that he was now in a desperate situation.

Just as he was thinking that it was better for one person to die than for two to die, and was preparing to abandon Chen Tailai and escape alone.

Suddenly, they heard the clatter of horses' hooves from ahead.

Suddenly, a horse-drawn carriage appeared at the entrance of the alley.

A girl with an anxious expression quickly waved to the two of them and whispered, "Come on up! I'll get you out of here!"

Ding Xia hesitated for a moment, then Chen Tailai behind him said in a hoarse voice, "They're one of us..."

Ding Xia was relieved.

And just as the pursuers were a hair's breadth away from arriving, he narrowly led the dying Chen Tailai onto the carriage.

They then fled the area.

Chapter 19 The sun is high in the sky, and we sleep together during the day.

Although Ding Xia and Chen Tailai both boarded the carriage, the crisis was not yet over.

The guards who came out of the palace were still searching the streets and alleys.

Clearly, they had received orders to find the assassins who had infiltrated the palace tonight.

Besides the woman who had just greeted the two, there was also a coachman and a maid in the carriage.

Judging from their clothing and the decorations on their carriage, they must be wealthy people from the imperial city.

Ding Xia was not quite sure how Chen Tailai had come to know such a wealthy family.

However, Chen Tailai was barely breathing and was on the verge of death.

Ding Xia couldn't help but become anxious.

"Brother Chen, don't be in such a hurry to die..." he hurriedly whispered in Chen Tailai's ear, "Didn't we agree to fight against the imperial court together?"

Chen Tailai opened his mouth, looking at Ding Xia with barely a breath.

Ding Xia quickly leaned in and whispered, "If you know of any secret manuals or treasures hidden somewhere, or if you have a wife and daughters to take care of, you'd better tell me right away. Otherwise, you'll miss your chance."

Chen Tailai immediately let out a violent coughing fit, almost dying of anger on the spot.