You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 28 Charm
Inside the small building.

Chen Shao and Li Shishi, each lost in their own thoughts, fell silent.

Chen Shao lowered his head and examined the box that Li Shishi had given him. The workmanship was exquisite, and the decorations on it were particularly gorgeous.

The box is inlaid with kui patterns in real gold on several sides; there is also a floral pattern in the center of the top, which looks colorful, with a blend of bright and warm luster, and should be made of some pearls and gemstones.

This box alone is worth a fortune.

Although Li Shishi had no power or influence, she was certainly well-off.

They're even a bit too rich.

Unfortunately, this wealth was like a castle in the air; once she lost the emperor's favor, she would become a fat sheep.

Seeing him staring at the box, Li Shishi assumed he had taken a liking to it and said with a smile, "Brother Shao, you must accept it. Consider it a thank you for helping us kill the murderer and for taking in your little sister."

"Ms. Li, please don't misunderstand. I've just never seen such an exquisite box before."

Li Shishi glared at him, "You won't let me call you General, but you won't change how you address me. You keep calling me 'Master,' are you trying to remind me that I come from a brothel?"

Li Shishi was born with a beautiful face and almond-shaped eyebrows, eyes as clear as water, skin as smooth as snow, a slender waist, and a tall, graceful figure. She was truly beautiful to the extreme, and every smile and frown exuded an alluring charm and gentleness.

Moreover, having recently suffered a great calamity, there was an unyielding sadness in her eyes, and wearing plain white mourning clothes added to her charm.

Although Chuntao looks very similar to her, she is far less charming than her.

Chen Shao quickly waved his hand, poured a cup of tea and handed it over, "It was my fault, Miss Shishi, please forgive me."

Li Shishi took the tea, took a small sip, and then pushed the box over.

"I don't need these things, so please accept them. My sister needs money for food, clothing, and other necessities while she's staying with you."

At this point, Chen Shao suddenly remembered that the girl's younger sister was a virgin, so he quickly said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. Please rest assured, Miss Shishi, although Chen Shao dares not call himself a gentleman, he is certainly not a philanderer. Your sister..."

Li Shishi covered her mouth and smiled, "I had forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it. Little Peach has grown up. I only remember her as a tall, blond girl."

After she finished speaking, she stretched out her delicate hand and gestured, indicating that only the table was different in height.

Chen Shao was secretly alarmed. This Li Shishi was quite cautious; she hardly contacted her family at all.

Chun Tao was tall, almost as tall as her older sister, but Li Shishi didn't know that.

It seems they were just sending money, trying their best to keep the relationship a secret from others.

What is she afraid of?
Perhaps she had long anticipated that someone would target her family, but despite all her precautions, she ultimately couldn't prevent it.

Thinking about this, Chen Shao became even more curious: who exactly was this person who could make Li Shishi so afraid?

Doesn't she have the emperor as her backer?

Chen Shao has now been unwittingly drawn into this turn of events, and he must figure it out.

Otherwise, you'll be completely clueless and won't even know who you've offended, and that's the scariest thing.

He asked softly, "Miss Shishi, I heard that Your Majesty, why are you afraid of that person? Why don't you just say it directly and let the Emperor help you make the decision?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shishi frowned slightly. Everyone thought that the emperor frequented brothels because he was particularly fond of her, and thus they felt that the emperor doted on her.

Actually, that person just liked to have fun. If he really had any feelings for me, he wouldn't have let me stay in the brothel.

Even if the palace only bestows upon them the titles of "Talented Lady" or "Consort," their family members would instantly become imperial relatives. Who would dare to so blatantly exterminate their entire family?

This was something that couldn't be easily shared with others, so after Chen Shao asked, she fell silent.

Chen Shao was getting anxious. He wanted to know who was trying to control Li Shishi and who could make her so afraid.

Because you may have unknowingly offended that person.

Just then, a gust of wind blew by; the early winter wind already carried a chilly feel.

Chen Shao rubbed his hands together and laughed, "I come from the Northwest and am used to the cold winds. I didn't expect the wind in Tokyo to be so bone-chilling."

"I'll have someone bring you a hand warmer."

Chen Shao laughed and said, "No need. We Northwesterners like to drink to keep warm."

Li Shishi got up, took a bottle of wine from the cabinet, and said, "Then you're in luck."

"Let me offer you a toast first."

If we can get her drunk, maybe we can get her to tell us something.

Li Shishi waved her hand and said, "I can't hold my liquor, so don't try to persuade me." "It seems that Chen Shao is a nobody, a rough country bumpkin from the Northwest, a convict, and that's why you're unwilling to offer yourself to me."

Li Shishi laughed and said, "Don't say such things to wrong me. I know you. You're not a rough man."

Chen Shao was completely confused.

Li Shishi smiled and said, "It can withstand many storms."

"What, have you forgotten? Wasn't it supposed to be written for me?" Li Shishi said softly. "Finish this poem, and if it's really good, I'll have a drink with you."

Chen Shao never expected that when he tried to attract the emperor's attention that day, the emperor didn't see him, but Li Shishi did.

He thought to himself, "Then you've come to the right person."

"How much more can spring endure, through countless storms? Spring has hurriedly departed once more. I always fear the flowers will bloom too early, let alone the countless fallen petals. Spring, please stay. It is said that the fragrant grasses at the ends of the earth obscure the way home."

Spring remains silent, lamenting its passing. Only the diligent spiderwebs on the painted eaves, constantly attracting flying catkins.

The long-awaited reunion at Changmen Palace has been missed once more. Even the most beautiful woman has been envied. Though a thousand pieces of gold could buy a poem by Sima Xiangru, to whom can this deep affection be confided? Do not dance, my lord! Have you not seen how even Yang Guifei and Zhao Feiyan have turned to dust? Idle sorrow is the most bitter. Do not lean against the perilous railing; the setting sun shines on the willows and misty smoke, a scene of heartbreaking desolation.

Li Shishi silently recited, "Do not dance, my lord. Have you not seen how even Yang Guifei and Zhao Feiyan have turned to dust?"

The most ruthless are those in the imperial family. If she could choose again, she would rather she had never met Zhao Ji.

"Am I worthy of a drink from you, young lady?"

Li Shishi gave a soft "hmm," picked up her wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Shao quickly poured himself a glass, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "Come on, let's have another glass."

"You only wrote one poem, why do you expect people to drink several cups of wine?"

"How many drinks do you think it's worth, young lady?"

Li Shishi remained silent, drank two cups in a row, then refilled her cup, saying, "These are truly fine words. I'll drink three cups. Are you satisfied?"

Chen Shao laughed and said, "Even the best poems are derived from you, Miss. How many cups we drink depends entirely on your mood."

"You have a sweet tongue, but I'm used to being coaxed by others, and few people coax me."

Chen Shao sensed some resentment in her words. Most people would have been terrified, but he didn't take it to heart.

What kind of bullshit emperor or Son of Heaven is this?
Go talk to the sheepskin in the Five Kingdoms City.

"I am honored that you wrote such a beautiful poem for me. I am but a person of shallow learning and have nothing to give in return. Let me dance for you instead."

Chen Shao quickly sat up straight and said, "Then I'll have to wash my eyes before I look."

Li Shishi only wanted to tease him, but she didn't expect him to actually dare to watch. The emperor's woman dancing for you?

"You're young, yet you've grown so audacious! Fine, fine, you dare to watch, do you think I wouldn't dare to jump?"

After speaking, she stood up, twisted her waist and stretched her arms, and began to dance gracefully. Her sleeves fluttered, her movements were light and agile, and the scene was breathtakingly beautiful.

Chen Shao finally understood why the emperor no longer held morning court sessions; the happiness of his ancestors was simply unimaginable.

Many dances exist in later generations, which can be viewed with a simple tap on a mobile phone, but those of this caliber are probably beyond the comprehension of mortals living below the heavens.

She secretly peeked at Chen Shao from her sleeve and found that he was not afraid at all, but was tapping his feet to the beat with a look of rapture.

After exercising, the amount of phenolphthalein in her body increased, and when combined with alcohol, Li Shishi suddenly felt an irresistible urge.

He harbored resentment towards Emperor Huizong and anger over the murder of his parents, which he had suppressed cautiously for many years.

Emotions are like springs; the more suppressed they are, the more frightening they become when they finally loosen up.

A sudden gust of wind ripples across the spring pond.

She wanted to take revenge on Zhao Ji, the man who held the reins of power and authority over the world. Chen Shao, standing before her, seemed like a good target, because most people wouldn't dare to do so.

Everyone else spoke to him cautiously, but he alone had a hint of aggression in his eyes.

Suddenly, Li Shishi turned around, flipped her body to the side and pressed down, getting close to Chen Shao.

"Excellent! The dance is graceful and swirling, like light snowflakes, and the movements are so graceful and agile that it startles the dragon. It is truly a wonderful dance, a wonderful person, and a wonderful charm! This dance alone is worth three more cups. I'll drink mine first, and you can drink as you please, young lady."

Li Shishi turned around, leaned on the table, put her hand to her lips but didn't bite her fingers, the gesture was very alluring, and looked at Chen Shao, asking, "Why are you urging me to drink so diligently, what bad thing are you planning to do?"

(End of this chapter)