Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 793: Role-Playing Game

Empress Pei Man’s heart skipped a beat. She had only intended to test him, thinking that since he was a eunuch, letting him touch her wouldn’t matter. But when his hand actually covered her mounds, an inexplicable warmth spread through her, stirring a strange tremor in her soul.

To mask the awkwardness of being aroused by a eunuch’s t0uch, Empress Pei Man deliberately let out a cold snort. “Xiao Xing, confess—have you ever touched any palace maids like this before?”

“Your Majesty, those maids are all nominally the Emperor’s women. Even if this lowly servant had ten thousand times the courage, I wouldn’t dare offend them,” Song Qingshu hurriedly defended himself. This wasn’t a lie—he had interacted with many women, but he truly hadn’t touched any palace maids.

“Those lowly s1uts don’t count as the Emperor’s women!” Empress Pei Man’s mood darkened momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure and giggled. “The one you’re t0uching now is the real Emperor’s woman.”

Song Qingshu chuckled. “But it was Your Majesty who ordered me to do so. While I wouldn’t dare offend the Emperor, I also wouldn’t dare disobey Your Majesty’s decree.”

Outside the window, the yellow-robed woman could no longer bear to watch. She glared at Song Qingshu’s back before turning away, her face flushed. Her emotions were in turmoil, and she nearly exposed herself to the guards. Fortunately, her lifelong training in the ”Nine Yin Scripture” and mastery of ”Qinggong” allowed her to slip away unnoticed from Taihe Hall at the last moment.

Sensing her departure, Song Qingshu finally relaxed. ‘That third wheel is finally gone!’

Empress Pei Man, meanwhile, was mulling over his earlier words: ‘Wouldn’t dare offend the Emperor, but wouldn’t dare disobey my decree either… Is this little eunuch hinting at something? Xiao Xing has always been clever—perhaps he’s already guessed something. In that case, I might as well drop a few hints…’  

“Xiao Xing, do you remember the etiquette I taught you before?”

Song Qingshu’s heart tensed—’the real game begins now.’
“Of course! I’ve been practicing it every day in my room.”

Empress Pei Man nodded in satisfaction. “Then do you know what kind of etiquette it was?”

Song Qingshu knew full well, but he feigned ignorance. “What kind?”

“It’s the etiquette reserved for the Emperor.” She watched him closely, expecting a reaction—only to suddenly gasp as a sharp pain shot through her chest. “Ah! You’re hurting me!”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty! It’s just that I was so shocked, I couldn’t control my grip…” Song Qingshu hastily apologized, though inwardly he smirked. ‘In ancient times, Liu Xuande pretended to drop his chopsticks in fear of thunder during the ‘Green Plum Wine’ ploy. Today, I, Song Qingshu pretended to panic and squeezes the Empress’s b000bs on her phoenix bed—truly a stroke of genius!’

“Never mind.” Though in pain, Empress Pei Man had anticipated such a reaction and couldn’t blame him. “The reason I trained you like this is… I want you to impersonate the Emperor for a day.”

When he didn’t react this time, she frowned. “Did you hear what I just said?”

“This lowly one heard.” Song Qingshu put on a look of grim determination. “Everything I have was bestowed by Your Majesty. Whatever you command, I shall obey.”

“Aren’t you afraid of death?” Empress Pei Man turned onto her back, her phoenix eyes locking onto his.

“Of course I am.” He sighed. “But at this point, do I have a choice? Whether I agree or not, I’ll die either way. I might as well repay Your Majesty’s kindness before my end. Besides, getting to play Emperor before death? Worth it!”

Empress Pei Man stared at him in surprise. At this moment, he didn’t seem like a lowly eunuch at all—he carried himself like a heroic man. An odd feeling stirred in her heart.

‘Good, he’s already convinced himself. Saves me the trouble of persuasion.’ Still, she had to maintain appearances.

“Xiao Xing, you don’t need to be afraid. If everything goes smoothly, you won’t die.”

“Really?” Song Qingshu feigned delight while inwardly sneering. ‘That lie might work on the real Xingzi, but not me.’

“Of course!” Empress Pei Man replied smoothly. “To be precise, you won’t be impersonating the Emperor for a full day—just one night. No one will ever know, so there’s no danger.”

“What exactly does Your Majesty need me to do?” Song Qingshu was genuinely curious. What could she possibly achieve by having him pretend to be the Emperor for a night?

“You don’t need to know yet. I’ll tell you when the time comes.” She remained tight-lipped.

Just as Song Qingshu was about to press further, Empress Pei Man suddenly leaned in, her slender arm draping over his shoulder as she whispered coyly, “Xiao Xing… would you like a taste of being Emperor right now?”

For some reason, seeing this eunuch willing to die for her stirred guilt in her heart. As someone accustomed to sacrificing pawns for her schemes, she usually felt nothing. But this little eunuch was different—perhaps it was his fearless demeanor or the inexplicable aura of heroism he exuded. She couldn’t bring herself to treat him as just another disposable piece.

“How?” Song Qingshu thought the night’s events were over, but now she was initiating another round.

Empress Pei Man guided him to sit properly on the phoenix bed, then gracefully stepped down and knelt before him with a sudden, reverent bow.

“This concubine, Pei Man, pays homage to Your Majesty! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!”

‘“What kind of act is this now?”’ Song Qingshu’s mind blanked for a moment. Having played the role of Xingzi for so long, he instinctively moved to help her up.

“Sit properly!” Empress Pei Man’s eyes flashed with sternness. “Have you forgotten everything I taught you?”

Realization dawned on him—‘she’s rehearsing! Well, if she wants to play a role-playing game, I’ll play along.’  

“How dare you disrespect Us? Slap yourself!”

His sudden imperial tone startled her. For a split second, she almost believed the real Emperor sat before her. Delighted, she praised, “Good! You did well just now, Xiao Xing.” She began to rise.

Song Qingshu’s gaze sharpened. “Did We permit you to rise?”

Under his stare, Empress Pei Man inexplicably felt weak. She instinctively knelt back down. “This concubine was foolish. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness… Huh?”

‘Wait, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go!’

It finally struck her—’he’s just a eunuch! Why am I acting so submissive?’ But when she looked up, the authority radiating from him stifled her protest before it left her lips.

‘What’s wrong with me? His presence feels even more imposing than the real Emperor’s!’ Unbeknownst to her, the man before her wasn’t the eunuch she thought he was—he was a true ruler who had commanded armies and presided over courts. The killing intent he usually suppressed now surged forth, overwhelming her sheltered senses.

‘“Fine, the more convincing he is, the better. I’ll just play along a little longer.”’ She rationalized her submission. “This concubine was impudent. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy.”

“Slap yourself.” Song Qingshu picked up a teacup and sipped casually.

‘“This slave has gone too far!”’ Fury flared in her, but under his gaze, it dissipated instantly. Instead, an odd thrill coursed through her.

As Empress, she had always been revered. No one dared speak to her so imperiously—not even the weak-willed Emperor Xizong. Yet now, being ordered around like a servant inexplicably excited her.

“As Your Majesty commands.” To her own surprise, she complied.

‘“It’s all to make his act more convincing!”’ She mentally justified her actions before raising her hand and striking her own flawless cheek.

Slap! 

The crisp sound echoed through the chamber.

“Too light.” Song Qingshu set down his cup, expressionless.

Empress Pei Man’s anger surged, yet against all reason, she struck herself again—harder this time. A red mark bloomed on her fair skin.

“Your Majesty… are you satisfied now?” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she gazed up at him.

Song Qingshu nearly choked on his tea. He had only been retaliating for the humiliation of playing Xingzi, expecting her to endure it for her schemes. But the look in her eyes now was unmistakable—‘she’s enjoying this?!’

‘So beneath that dignified facade lies a secret mas0chist!’