Chapter 20: Squandering Heaven’s Gifts

A peal of laughter—light, flirtatious—bubbled from Lady Yang’s lips, her beauty blooming with every sound. Her smile was enchanting, bewitching enough to outshine the moon and shame the flowers. As she laughed, her graceful figure swayed, swelling and ebbing like waves upon a shimmering lake.

A heat flared within Zhao Su. He silently vowed that, once he returned, he would have Liu Rushi thoroughly indulge him.

Her eyes flashed with scorn as she spoke. “The most exalted woman under Heaven—does that not already describe me?”

The old emperor’s singular favor ensured that not a single beauty in the six palaces could compare. In court, her father was the Grand Tutor, her brother commanded three hundred thousand troops. When she spoke, no one in the three palaces and six courts dared to defy her. Even the emperor himself would think twice before crossing her. Never mind the absence of an empress; even if there were one, she would have to bow before Lady Yang.

If she was not the most honored woman in the world, then who was? And now, the crown prince Zhao Su had come to ask if she wished to become the most powerful woman alive—it was utterly ridiculous.

Yet Zhao Su only shook his head. “Though Your Ladyship’s status is unrivaled, you are not yet the most powerful woman in the world.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Lady Yang laughed dismissively, leaning forward to regard Zhao Su, who stood a short distance away. “If not I, then who?”

Her gauzy robe slipped lower, revealing flawless skin. A delicate fragrance wafted from her, intoxicating the senses. From above, he could see everything, as if there were no barrier at all.

Is she seducing me? Zhao Su wondered. Otherwise, why would she behave with such abandon before me? If not for the presence of the palace maids, he might have pounced like a beast to teach her what it meant to be a real man.

He took a deep breath to quell the wildness inside, striving to keep his thoughts clear. “Can Your Ladyship’s will reach beyond the palace walls? Can you intervene in the affairs of state? Of the tens of millions in Great Qin, do they obey your command?”

Three questions in rapid succession left Lady Yang, so imperious a moment before, at a loss.

“The inner palace must not meddle in government. I—” She tried to protest.

Zhao Su cut her off. “A woman can carry half the sky. Why should office be reserved for men, and not women? In my eyes, with Your Ladyship’s wisdom, you could manage state affairs and guide the court for the good of all.”

His words were like a spell, and Lady Yang was visibly stunned. Outwardly calm, within her heart, a tempest raged.

Yes—why should she, with all her cleverness and means, submit to men? She had grand ambitions of her own; why should she pave the way for others? Who said women were inferior? She too wished to achieve something great, to earn the respect of all.

The more she thought, the more her blood stirred. She yearned to command, to write her own destiny, to shape the realm with her words.

Seeing her eyes alight, Zhao Su knew her heart had been moved. He pressed on, fanning the flames of her ambition. “Your Ladyship, women too can rule the land and command the masses.”

At these words, not only Lady Yang, but even the palace maids nearby turned pale with fright. Such seditious talk—unthinkable even for one as favored as she.

“Silence!” she snapped.

Zhao Su said nothing, simply meeting her gaze with perfect calm.

Her stare was sharp as a blade, fixed upon Zhao Su, searching for his purpose in bringing such rebellious words to Huaqing Palace today.

She pondered for a while, still unable to discern his aim.

With a wave, she dismissed the palace maids. Only then did she part her crimson lips to ask, “Your Highness, are you not afraid I’ll report these words to His Majesty?”

With only the two of them now, Zhao Su spoke more freely. “You married the aging emperor and adopted the eighth prince. Isn’t it all to depose me and raise the eighth prince to the throne?”

Lady Yang remained silent, eyes still fixed on him, waiting to see what he would do next.

“I am crown prince today, and I shall remain so. When my father ascends to Heaven, I will naturally become emperor. Has Your Ladyship considered what your fate will be then?” Zhao Su sat down, crossed his legs, and grinned.

“Of all the crown princes in history, few have reached the throne. Why are you so sure you’ll succeed?” Lady Yang sneered.

“Because anyone who tries to stop me will die!” Zhao Su replied. The final word—death—fell like ice, chilling the palace to its core.

Lady Yang’s heart trembled. Her phoenix eyes widened, as if seeing him for the first time.

That murderous intent—she’d only ever sensed it from her elder brother, honed through rivers of blood and mountains of corpses. How could a prince, who had never left the palace or set foot on a battlefield, possess such a thing?

As he spoke, Zhao Su rose from the chair and moved to stand before the stunned Lady Yang, taking in her intoxicating scent.

He marveled, “Your Ladyship is truly a rare beauty. I’ve heard some women are naturally fragrant. Now that I’ve witnessed it myself, I understand why my father favors you above all others.”

“Insolent! How dare you behave so in my presence?” Lady Yang was furious at Zhao Su’s nearness.

She tried to retreat, but seated on the chaise, she had nowhere to go. She could only lean back, attempting to put distance between them.

Zhao Su leaned in, smiling. “Judging by your brow, Your Ladyship is still untouched, is that not so?”

Lady Yang, flustered, tried to edge away, desperate to escape. She accidentally brushed against Zhao Su’s broad arm, which sent a shiver through her.

“It’s only natural,” Zhao Su continued. “The emperor is old and frail. It’s no wonder Your Ladyship has suffered all these years.”

Such a beauty, wasted on the old emperor—what a pity.

Lady Yang had once dreamed of marrying a handsome and talented man, but political alliances had forced her into the arms of a decrepit old ruler.

If only Zhao Su were emperor instead.

“If you dare insult me, are you not afraid His Majesty will strip you of your title as crown prince?” Lady Yang’s face was flushed.

Even her breath was fragrant, sweeter than perfume. Already stunning, she was now so ravishing as to cause fish to sink and birds to fall from the sky.

Zhao Su stroked her delicate cheek, a smile spreading across his face. “What my father cannot give, I can. One day, I will make you the most honored woman in the world. Do you believe me?”

“You... You shameless...” Lady Yang was taken aback by Zhao Su’s audacity.

She struggled fiercely, yet dared not cry out, fearing the eunuchs and maids outside would hear. If the emperor learned of this, she would be hard-pressed to defend herself. Not only would the prince be in trouble, but she herself would face peril.

As she hesitated, unsure how to stop him, a voice called from outside: “Your Ladyship, this servant has a request and seeks an audience.”