My Manor, at night, behind the rear courtyard.
After many nights of surveillance and observation, finally, on a moonless night, that Manager James and Isabella went to the rear courtyard to carry out their deed.
Xiao Hui and I, dressed in dark night clothes with our faces covered, hid on the rooftop. In the darkness, with my martial master realm, I could see things almost as clearly as in daylight.
I observed every movement of the two. Watching them "perform," my heart was filled with chaotic emotions. It felt strange, yet boring, and my whole body felt somewhat hot.
Moreover, these two weren't just committing adultery but were also colluding to siphon off supplies from the manor to create a secret fund… and no small amount either.
After they finished, I led Xiao Hui down to subdue them.
I demanded they reveal the secret of the act they had just performed.
Manager James's face went blank, showing no intention of answering, so I beat him up.
It seemed he still refused to tell the truth, saying it was just instinct… do it once or twice, and you get used to it???
I didn't expect this guy to be so stubborn. Normally, I'd have interrogated him with twelve methods of torture by now. But I didn't want to do that in front of Xiao Hui.
I turned to ask her.
Xiao Hui whispered to me that it was too dark earlier, and she couldn't see anything. She wanted me to make them do it again in front of us. At this distance, if there was any secret, both of us would surely see it clearly. Besides, I'm a martial master—how could they possibly deceive me?
Right, I'm a peak martial master. These two aren't even warriors; how could they hide anything from me? Could I have missed something? I couldn't admit it, nor could I tell her.
But still, I ordered the two to redo what they had just done.
They looked at each other, then at me, shaking their heads. Only when I drew my dagger did they reluctantly start undressing. After observing for a while, it seemed they still weren't cooperating, so I knocked them out, called for others to take them to the manor's dungeon, and planned to extract the secret slowly.
In my room, Xiao Hui had removed her night clothes. She eagerly asked if I had discovered anything, which is why I knocked them out.
Seeing her curious, eager-to-learn eyes, I didn't want to lie to her. I could only admit that I hadn't paid close attention either.
Seeing her disappointment made me feel sad.
Suddenly, she shyly asked why we didn't seek answers elsewhere.
She suggested going to a brothel to investigate. I could only refuse because the Queen had personally forbidden me from setting foot in a brothel—She wouldn't tolerate a corrupt confidant.
Asking acquaintances who are married? As a high-ranking official, I couldn't lose face. And Xiao Hui didn't have close friends either…
Out of options, I proposed a final plan: go back to the place where those two did it and reenact exactly what they did.
She clapped her hands, praising the idea. We went to that spot, started undressing, but both of us stopped…
This act is only for husband and wife. We're like siblings—doing this would make us no different from Manager James and Isabella.
I was flustered, and she was flustered, blushing. We quietly put our clothes back on, and I escorted her back to her room.
The next day, every time I saw her, she lowered her head and avoided me. Realizing I had made a grave mistake, I resolved to apologize properly.
That afternoon, I bought lots of snacks, candied hawthorn skewers, and some makeup and jewelry. When I went to see her, she didn't avoid me. Xiao Hui smiled and said she was no longer upset.
Suddenly, she asked if I liked the Queen.
Her question left my mind blank. I had never thought about it. What are the Queen and I? Master and confidant? No, more than that—love? No, definitely not. Soulmates? Do we even have anything in common?
I answered that I didn't know. It wasn't affection, not soulmates, but mutual trust. Seeing my confusion, she slowly walked behind me, gently massaged my shoulders, and suggested I ask the Queen if I could become her consort.
…
I asked why I should do that. She only said I needed to be clear about this matter, to define my feelings. She must care about me.
I gently patted her hand and said,
"Don't worry, whoever you want to remarry, I'll fully support you. This big brother keeps his word."
After some casual chatter, I left and went to meet the Queen.
I asked her if we could become husband and wife.
She was silent.
I asked if there was a place for me in her heart.
She was silent.
I said I wasn't sure if I loved her or not.
At this, she stepped forward, placed a dagger in my hand, and held it to her heart. With a voice full of authority, she said I was her irreplaceable confidant, that our relationship was that of a guard and master. She trusted me and was willing to entrust her life to me.
I understood what she meant. Strangely, my heart didn't feel much pain. I didn't feel anything unusual. Perhaps it wasn't love, just trust.
I returned the dagger to her, saying I understood and apologized for my improper behavior. I vowed not to disappoint her.
Back at the manor, at night, in the study, Xiao Hui was still awake, waiting for me.
I told her that my relationship with the Queen was one of trust alone.
She was stunned at first, then let out a sigh and asked if I liked any other young lady. I thought for a moment and shook my head.
Hearing this, she hesitated, conflicted, and finally knelt before me. She asked me to take her as a personal maid-concubine.
I asked why, but she didn't say anything, her face growing redder. It seemed she wouldn't stand until I answered.
I agreed. When she calmed down, I asked again why. Xiao Hui, blushing, quietly asked if I thought she was beautiful.
Without hesitation, I said yes. Seeing my attitude, she gained some confidence and said,
"I know my status is low, and I'm no longer pure. The world out there is so chaotic. If you don't mind, please let me take care of you."
I didn't understand and asked, "Don't you already take care of me normally?"
Seeing my cluelessness, Xiao Hui chuckled, hesitated, then said,
"A personal maid-concubine, besides serving her master, also has the duty of sharing his bed. In status, it's below a concubine. So…"
I understood what she meant and continued,
"So I can do that act with you, right?"
Xiao Hui shyly nodded. A strange, intense feeling surged within me—my muscles tensed, my vision sharpened, and I felt extremely alert.
Without hesitation, I carried her to the spot where Manager James and Isabella had committed their act.
I reenacted everything Manager James had done. The moment I entered her,
it was as if an airplane crashed into a tunnel, everything exploding—what's an airplane? It didn't matter because
a vast sky of knowledge opened within me. A flood of knowledge about love between a man and a woman rushed in, overwhelming me with pleasure. I understood everything now—Manager James hadn't lied.
After that, we went from the courtyard to the bathhouse and finally to the study.
The warm, soft, tight sensation enveloped me. It felt as if her body was made for me, fitting perfectly without a single gap. Though it was my first time, somehow it felt like I had done this many, many times before. Tomorrow, I must interrogate Manager James again.
But despite that familiar feeling lingering in my mind, right now, I only cared about Xiao Hui.
We spent the entire night lost in ecstasy.
In the early morning, I woke up. Beside me, Xiao Hui was still sound asleep, exhausted but occasionally smiling, perhaps dreaming of something pleasant.
I didn't disturb her. I left quietly, not forgetting to cover her with a blanket and leaving a note telling her to eat well. I wrote that I wouldn't be back tonight. I don't know why I did that…
I went to interrogate Manager James to see if I missed anything. As soon as he saw me, he shouted,
"My lord, Isabella and I are truly in love, completely devoted to each other. My lord, I'm innocent…"
After dealing with those two for their theft, I went to handle matters at the military camp.
In the evening, I prepared to enter the palace because tonight was the full moon.
On every full moon, Her Majesty would summon me to guard her. It's called guarding, but really, I just sit there. She says that on full moon nights, she always has nightmares, but when I'm by her side, she sleeps soundly. So, almost every full moon, I have to go.
In the dark night, the moonlight spread, illuminating every corner of the meditation hall. The window was slightly ajar, the atmosphere calm and serene. In the room, the candlelight flickered faintly. On the bed, the Queen Elara wore thin clothing, almost as if she were wearing nothing. Her graceful figure, with its alluring curves and a face as beautiful as a flower. It was late, but she hadn't slept, as if waiting for something.
In the dead of night, the main door suddenly opened, and a man calmly walked in. Seeing who it was, Elara blushed like a flower, pulled up her skirt, knelt, and raised her hips.
She pleaded,
"My lord, you've arrived. Your servant is ready to serve."