The Colossal Lie of Self-Deception

As the relationship between the Embroidery Maid and Ye Xuan grew better and their feelings rapidly heated up, the Empress, Zhou Xubai, who had been secretly spying on them, finally broke down completely.

He could not endure it any longer.

On this day, taking advantage of the Female Emperor holding court, the Empress's grand procession marched imposingly to the Sweet Dew Palace.

The Empress has arrived!

The sharp announcement shattered the tranquility of the Sweet Dew Palace.

Ye Xuan was practicing his swordsmanship in the courtyard, still wearing that ugly duck belt around his waist.

Hearing the announcement, he merely sheathed his sword indifferently. He did not kneel and bow in greeting like the others. He just stood where he was, coldly watching the elegantly dressed, luxurious man in phoenix robes walk in.

Audacious Ye Xuan! How dare you not kneel before His Highness the Empress! an old nanny beside him scolded harshly.

It is fine.

Zhou Xubai raised his hand, stopping the nanny.

He wore a dignified, fake smile on his face, but his eyes were like knives, staring fixedly at the belt around Ye Xuan's waist.

That was embroidered by Her Majesty herself.

This was a special honor that even he, her lawful wedded husband, had never received.

I came today to see how Concubine Xuan is doing.

Zhou Xubai walked up to Ye Xuan. His gaze moved from his face to the duck, and the jealousy in his heart almost burned him to ashes.

But he forcefully suppressed it, trying to maintain his image of virtue and generosity:

I heard Her Majesty is very fond of you?

So what? Ye Xuan said indifferently.

Her Majesty is the ruler of a nation and manages myriad affairs daily. Since you have received her favor, you must be more sensible. Zhou Xubai put on a lecturing tone. You should take the initiative to serve Her Majesty more, and not always wear such a cold expression. As a man, you must regard gentleness and obedience as virtues.

Hearing these cliches, Ye Xuan only felt extremely annoyed.

He sneered and directly interrupted the Empress:

If His Highness the Empress enjoys serving so much, then go serve to your heart's content. Do not force your slavish nature onto me.

You! Zhou Xubai's expression changed.

What about me? Ye Xuan took a step forward, his aura imposing. I never begged her to come. It is she who insists on keeping me locked up.

Furthermore.

Ye Xuan looked Zhou Xubai up and down, a deep sense of pity suddenly appearing in his eyes.

This pity was even more unacceptable to Zhou Xubai than humiliation.

What is that look in your eyes? Zhou Xubai's voice grew sharp.

I heard that you are the Female Emperor's childhood sweetheart?

Ye Xuan said slowly:

I heard you are her first lawfully wedded wife... oh wait, husband?

Zhou Xubai straightened his back and said proudly, That is correct. Her Majesty and I have been married since our youth. Our love is stronger than gold.

Stronger than gold?

Ye Xuan could not help but laugh, a laugh full of mockery:

Then you are truly pathetic.

These words struck Zhou Xubai's heart like a heavy hammer.

What did you say?

I said you are pathetic. Ye Xuan looked serious, pausing after every word:

If I were you, if the person I loved deeply, after marrying me, still went to sleep with other men, still forcibly seized civilian men, and still divided her love among countless people.

I would definitely leave her at the first opportunity.

I wouldn't even want this kind of dirty love if it were given to me.

You...

Zhou Xubai trembled with anger, pointing at Ye Xuan. This is called sacrifice! This is called magnanimity! Her Majesty is the monarch; it is her responsibility to produce heirs for the sake of the state! A selfish and narrow-minded villain like you would never understand!

Sacrifice?

Ye Xuan looked completely indifferent, even carrying a bit of disdain:

Don't move yourself to tears. This isn't called sacrifice; this is called weakness.

What I insist on is one couple for an entire lifetime.

If I encountered your situation, no matter if she is the Female Emperor or the Lord of Heaven, I would immediately divorce her, and then find someone who would treat me with her whole heart.

I would never be like you, enduring the torment of jealousy while having to pretend to be virtuous and graceful for others to see.

You live... truly like a dog wagging its tail begging for pity.

Boom!

Zhou Xubai's rationality completely snapped.

This last sentence accurately pierced through all his disguises and self-esteem.

Shut up!

Zhou Xubai screamed, completely losing the demeanor of an Empress.

His face was twisted, his eyes bloodshot, wishing he could swallow Ye Xuan alive:

What do you know! Do you think you are so noble?

Who do you think the person treating you so well is?

You idiot! Who do you think the Embroidery Maid flirting with you is?

Jealousy made him lose his mind. He wanted to destroy everything; he wanted to see Ye Xuan's broken face:

I'll tell you!

His Highness the Empress!

A violent shout exploded at the palace entrance like a sudden clap of thunder.

Zhou Xubai stiffened all over, the name that was about to blurt out forcefully stuck in his throat.

He turned his head in horror.

He saw a woman standing at the doorway wearing coarse linen clothes—the Embroidery Maid.

But at this moment, the Embroidery Maid's eyes were colder than ten-thousand-year ice. It was the undisguised killing intent belonging to the Female Emperor, Wu Lingxiao.

Get lost!

The Embroidery Maid glared fixedly at the Empress. Her lips moved slightly, sending a secret voice transmission that sounded like an Asura from hell:

If you dare to say one more word, I will exterminate your entire Zhou family!

Zhou Xubai's face instantly turned as pale as paper.

He looked at the lover who did not hesitate to bare her fangs at him in order to protect Ye Xuan, and his heart completely broke.

Good... good...

Zhou Xubai let out a miserable laugh and staggered backward.

He took another look at Ye Xuan.

At this time, the Embroidery Maid had already rushed over, firmly supporting Ye Xuan, her face full of nervousness and tenderness. Little Ye, are you alright? Did this lunatic hurt you?

And Ye Xuan was gently helping the Embroidery Maid smooth out her somewhat messy hair, softly comforting her, It's fine, Sister. I'm not afraid of him. He's just a pathetic worm.

Looking at this perfect couple before him.

Zhou Xubai clutched his chest, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and then wretchedly fled the scene on this afternoon filled with jealousy.

That night.

The Empress's bedchamber.

Slap!

The crisp sound of a slap resounded through the great hall.

Zhou Xubai was knocked to the ground by the slap, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, his hair bun scattered.

Damn it! What were you trying to do?

Wu Lingxiao stood before him, her chest heaving violently, clearly furious:

Did I not warn you! You are not allowed to touch him! You are not allowed to speak nonsense! Were you looking for death today?

Zhou Xubai covered his face and slowly raised his head.

He looked at the woman he had loved his entire life, his eyes full of despair and desolation.

For your new favorite... you hit me?

For Ye Xuan... you want to kill me?

Hehe...

Zhou Xubai began to laugh miserably, his laughter shrill and mournful:

Wu Lingxiao, you have changed. You have truly fallen in love with him, haven't you?

Hearing these words, Wu Lingxiao's eyes showed a slight panic.

But very quickly, she forcefully suppressed her guilty conscience.

She looked at the wretched Zhou Xubai on the ground, and a trace of sympathy flashed in her heart. After all, he was her lawful wedded husband who had accompanied her for so many years.

Thus, she squatted down and reached out, wanting to wipe the corner of Zhou Xubai's mouth. Her voice softened a bit:

Xubai, you misunderstood.

I... do not dote on Ye Xuan.

Zhou Xubai froze, dodging her hand. What do you mean?

Wu Lingxiao took a deep breath. To pacify the Empress and conceal her own out-of-control emotions, she began to weave a massive, self-deceiving lie.

She stood up, turning her back to Zhou Xubai, her voice turning cold and sinister:

"Everything I have done is part of a scheme."

"A scheme?" Zhou Xubai was bewildered.

"Exactly."

Wu Lingxiao sneered, her tone filled with the vindictive thrill of revenge:

"Have you forgotten how Ye Xuan treated me back then? He would rather jump into a cesspit than serve me in bed. He called me dirty and repeatedly humiliated my dignity."

"I am the Female Emperor. How could I possibly swallow such an insult?"

"But his temperament is too unyielding. If I forced him, I would only get a corpse. That would be too boring."

Wu Lingxiao turned around, a vicious light flashing in her eyes:

"Therefore, I disguised myself as an Embroidery Maid to approach him, treat him well, and play along with his act."

"With only one goal—to make him fall in love with me."

"Doesn't he want a lifetime with only one person? Doesn't he pride himself on being aloof and valuing true feelings?"

"I will satisfy him. I want him to sink in little by little, to become deeply rooted in his love for the Embroidery Maid, and to carve out his entire heart and offer it to me."

At this point, Wu Lingxiao leaned down, looking into Zhou Xubai's eyes, a cruel smile curling at the corner of her lips:

"Wait until he loves me so much that he is half-dead from it, even willing to give up his life for the Embroidery Maid."

"Then, I will publicly reveal the truth."

"I will tell him that the older sister he deeply loves is the Female Emperor he hates the most. I will tell him that all of this was nothing more than my game."

"Think about it. When that time comes, how spectacular... will the expression on his face be?"

"This is the greatest revenge against him, and his ultimate destruction!"

Zhou Xubai was dumbfounded.

He stared blankly at Wu Lingxiao, as if trying to discern the truth of her words.

After a long time, the despair on his face slowly faded, replaced by a twisted sense of excitement and relief.

So... that was how it was.

So Her Majesty had not had a change of heart.

So Her Majesty was merely toying with that slut!

"Hahaha..."

Zhou Xubai smiled through his tears. He hugged Wu Lingxiao's thigh, pressing his face against her knee, a vicious light shining in his eyes:

"Your Majesty... you are truly wicked."

"This move is too ruthless. To destroy a person's mind and heart!"

"This concubine was wrong. I should not have doubted Your Majesty. Now I can rest assured..."

Wu Lingxiao allowed him to hold her, a cold smile hanging on her face.

However.

From an angle Zhou Xubai could not see.

Wu Lingxiao's eyes were filled with bottomless panic and bewilderment.

Was this a scheme?

Perhaps it was at the very beginning.

She touched the handkerchief tucked closely in her sleeve, the one embroidered with crooked mandarin ducks.

Her fingertips felt slightly hot.

This lie had deceived the Empress and deceived the people of the world.

But Wu Lingxiao, could you deceive yourself?

Time flew by like a white horse galloping past a crack.

In the purple bamboo forest of the Sweet Dew Hall, the leaves turned yellow then green, green then yellow.

In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

These three years were the most bizarre and yet the most peaceful three years in the Great Xia Immortal Dynasty.

The ministers in the royal court were terrified to discover that the Female Emperor—who used to execute nine generations of families at the slightest provocation and was tyrannical and capricious—had changed.

The former Wu Lingxiao had eyes like knives; looking at anyone was like looking at a dead person.

But now, she would occasionally zone out while reviewing memorials, watching the birds outside the window, and a gentle curve would even form at the corners of her mouth.

In the past, if the imperial kitchen made a dish too salty or too bland, it was a capital offense that would cost heads. But now, not only did the Female Emperor not punish them, she would sometimes even reward the imperial chefs in a rather good mood.

"Has Her Majesty... changed her nature?"

"Could it be that she is cultivating her mind and character, following the natural way of the Dao?"

The ministers discussed privately among themselves, but no one knew the truth.

Only Uncle Fu, the old eunuch responsible for sweeping the floors in the Sweet Dew Hall, saw it all and felt bitter in his heart.

He watched the Embroidery Maid who would appear punctually every two or three days, wearing coarse linen clothes and carrying a food box.

He watched her skillfully pass through layers of restrictions, walking into the side hall that was considered a forbidden area as if returning to her own backyard.

He watched her shed all her majesty in front of Master Ye, smiling like a young girl yearning for love.

"It's a sin..."

Uncle Fu hid in the corner, watching Ye Xuan pushing the swing for the Embroidery Maid in the courtyard, watching the two of them look deeply in love with no doubts between them, and sighed deeply.

In this heavily guarded inner palace, aside from the Female Emperor with heaven-shaking abilities, how could a lowly Embroidery Maid from the laundry room treat the Body Integration realm imperial guards as if they were nothing? How could she come and go as she pleased?

This was a flaw that anyone could figure out with their toes, yet Ye Xuan simply could not see it.

Or rather, in this cold cage, Ye Xuan subconsciously refused to doubt this sole source of warmth.

He needed this beam of light too much, so even if the light blinded his eyes, he was unwilling to investigate the shadows behind the light source.