Fairy, please don't do this!

You dog lackey!

The image of herself, her eyes glazed over, sprawled on the phoenix couch, flashed through her mind, and Xiao Qingyi gradually intensified the power of thunder in her palm.

The electric current grew more intense, crackling and leaping across Gu Jinzhao's body.

"Mother...Mother...This humble servant knows his mistake!"

Gu Jinzhao was so dizzy from the electric shock that every strand of his hair stood on end, turning his hair into a messy broom-like head.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Qingyi seemed to feel a little tired from standing, so she gently raised her hand, pulled the phoenix throne not far away behind her, and slowly sat down.

Beneath the hem of her skirt, two fair and delicate legs were elegantly crossed, and her sky-high heels embroidered with golden phoenixes swayed gently, occasionally revealing her round and rosy ankles.

Gu Jinzhao said helplessly, "I was too hasty just now, trying to help Your Highness relieve her fatigue as soon as possible, which is why I didn't control the heat properly..."

Xiao Qingyi raised an eyebrow: "In that case, Gu Qing has good intentions, and I have misunderstood you."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved it, and the four curtains binding Gu Jinzhao were simultaneously released.

"hiss--"

Gu Jinzhao crashed to the ground, landing sprawled out on his back.

The power of thunder and fire still raged within his body, leaving his limbs weak and sore. He could only support himself with his hands behind his back and barely manage to sit up.

"As long as Your Majesty doesn't blame me, that's fine."

Xiao Qingyi looked down at him expressionlessly: "If I really wanted to punish him, I would have torn Gu Qing apart by five horses long ago."

'Isn't that because I can help you suppress your mad desires?'

"If it weren't for that, I'd probably be dead countless times over."

Gu Jinzhao inwardly grumbled, but dared not show it on his face.

He took a deep breath and prepared to get up.

Just then, a pair of sky-high heels pressed against his chest.

A chilling sense of oppression washed over her, causing Gu Jinzhao's heart to skip a beat: "Your Majesty, what is this...?"

"The spirit of martial prowess is not enough; we need to add fuel to the fire."

A wisp of golden flame ignited at the tip of Xiao Qingyi's sky-high heel before she stepped down.

"Your Majesty, this humble servant—"

Gu Jinzhao's breath hitched, and he instinctively wanted to say that he couldn't bear it, but when he met those cold phoenix eyes, his voice suddenly stopped.

Xiao Qingyi raised her other high heel and hooked the tip of her shoe under his chin, forcing him to look up: "Don't refuse this kindness, or I will be angry."

You just wait... Gu Jinzhao gritted his teeth, silently enduring the burning and numbness.

Golden flames and fine arcs of electricity intertwined, raging and crashing within his body, as if trying to burn away every inch of his meridians and squeeze out every last bit of his potential.

Seeing his disheveled appearance, where he was enduring pain and the veins on his forehead were bulging, Xiao Qingyi's earlier shame, anger, and resentment gradually turned into pleasure and satisfaction...

Chapter 232, The Traitor's Desperate Counterattack, the Empress's Second Defeat (3K)

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, the candlelight flickered inside the Jinglan Hall, casting a crimson glow on the curtains that filled the room.

Xiao Qingyi sat upright on the phoenix couch, her jade-like legs slightly raised beneath her phoenix robe, a magnificent and aloof high heel hovering in mid-air, maintaining a poised stance.

"Gu Qing's comprehension in martial arts is really lacking."

"It's been half an hour, and you still haven't fully grasped the true meaning of my martial arts and formed a complete martial spirit."

Gu Jinzhao sat on the ground, his hands supporting him behind his back, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid and disordered: "This humble servant... is naturally no match for... Your Majesty..."

At this moment, his face was flushed with an unnatural golden-red hue, and the veins on his forehead were bulging as he struggled to endure the burning pain surging up from below.

His gaze involuntarily fell on the Empress Dowager's calves.

Her skin was as white as snow, shimmering with an alluring luster under the golden firelight, like the finest mutton fat jade illuminated by the flames.

The high heels on her feet seemed to play the zither, sometimes lightly touching, sometimes slightly lifting, revealing glimpses of her beautiful arched feet and her soft, rounded, rosy heels, which were very alluring.

"You certainly know how to talk."

Xiao Qingyi's red lips curled slightly, and the high heel that had been hooking his chin slowly moved down, grinding heavily on his chest with the big red sole.

However, this time the power of thunder was not activated.

Gu Jinzhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and tentatively said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid I won't be able to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts tonight."

"How about... we just let it go?"

This is the Tranquil Palace, not the Realm of the Mind.

No matter how Xiao Qingyi wanted to take revenge on him, he couldn't resist.

Even when his dignity was trampled underfoot, he could only grit his teeth and endure it.

But it's okay, fortunes change.

If this woman's madness resurfaces in the future, or if she enters his mind's realm, he will naturally seek revenge.

Xiao Qingyi leaned against the phoenix couch, looking down at him condescendingly, and said with her red lips slightly parted, "Is Minister Gu going to disappoint my expectations?"

This lackey just now used the pretense of "scented oil back massage" to completely fool her.

The simultaneous ignition of the two flames, in particular, instantly shattered all her defenses, leaving her in a sorry and shameful state.

Therefore, how could we let them go so easily?

Gu Jinzhao took a deep breath, suppressing the agitation and humiliation in his heart. "But it's already the end of the hour of Chou (1-3 AM). If this continues, I'm afraid we'll really have to spend the night in Jinglan Palace."

"If word gets out, it might damage Her Majesty's reputation..."

Xiao Qingyi raised her high heel and scraped him with the cold, seven-inch heel: "Anyone who dares to gossip will have their tongue cut out by me."

The heel was cold and hard, leaving a faint red mark where it scraped.

"hiss--"

Gu Jinzhao's body trembled, and he gasped in pain.

Seeing his disheveled appearance, Xiao Qingyi's beautiful lips curved into a charming smile: "If Gu Qing stays overnight in Jinglan Palace, only you, me, and Jing Shu will know."

“Jing Shu is loyal to me and would never speak carelessly.”

"As for Gu Qing, I believe you will keep your mouth shut."

'You're a crazy woman...'

Gu Jinzhao inwardly scoffed, but outwardly maintained the proper respect: "This humble servant would naturally not speak carelessly."

“If that’s the case, then Gu Qing has no more concerns.”

"I can continue to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts..."

Xiao Qingyi lightly lifted her jade-like foot, and suddenly fine arcs of electricity crackled around the tip of her other high heel, as if she were about to reach down.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Gu Jinzhao was startled and quickly reached out to grab the jade foot that was about to fall.

If you combine fire and electricity, won't it turn into a lightning sword, with one side charred and the other side paralyzed?

Xiao Qingyi moved her jade feet slightly, breaking free from his grasp: "If I don't make things more difficult, how can Gu Qing comprehend the true meaning of martial arts so quickly?"

Gu Jinzhao's lips twitched slightly.

He figured it out.

This woman was determined to torment him to death.

If that's the case, then don't blame him for retaliating in kind.

Thinking of this, Gu Jinzhao took a deep breath: "Anything more difficult is fine, but I have a small request."

Xiao Qingyi gently raised her hand, lazily propped her chin up, and looked at him with interest: "Tell me about it."

She wanted to see what other tricks this lackey could pull.

Gu Jinzhao stated his thoughts: "Could I do it myself?"

Xiao Qingyi raised an eyebrow: "Give me a reason."

Gu Jinzhao casually made up an excuse: "If I do it myself, I can focus on what I want without any distractions!"

"In this way, we may be able to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts more quickly."

If he takes the lead, he can sound the horn of counterattack.

Xiao Qingyi looked at him expressionlessly, her phoenix eyes deep and unfathomable, revealing neither joy nor anger: "There is some truth to that, but why should I agree to your request?"

Gu Jinzhao raised an eyebrow: "Your Majesty dares not?"

Xiao Qingyi glanced at him coldly: "A clumsy attempt at provocation."

Gu Jinzhao chuckled, his tone laced with provocation: "If you don't dare, then forget it."

Based on his understanding of Xiao Qingyi, even if he knew it was a provocation, she would still agree.

Why?

Because she is the Empress Dowager of the current dynasty and a Valkyrie standing at the pinnacle of martial arts, she cannot tolerate being provoked by others.

Xiao Qingyi narrowed her phoenix eyes: "Since Gu Qing is so stubborn, why shouldn't I agree to your request?"

How could she not see through Gu Jinzhao's little scheme?

There are two reasons why I agreed.

First, convince him wholeheartedly.

Secondly, continue the desensitization practice.

After all, the desire for madness cannot be eradicated.

This means that she often has to rely on the mysterious power within Gu Jinchao's body to suppress it.

But we can't always be manipulated like this, can we?

Therefore, she still needs to persist in desensitization training, and when she achieves success in the future, she will be able to take the initiative.

"I have offended you."

Gu Jinzhao raised his hand to grasp the Empress Dowager's ankle, but she gently dodged it.

He was slightly taken aback, then looked up at her: "Your Majesty?"

"Put on some ice silk stockings for me."

Xiao Qingyi took out a brocade box from her storage ring and casually tossed it over.

Is this some kind of armor stacking...?

Gu Jinzhao thought to himself, but still reached out and took the brocade box, slowly opening it.

What comes into view are pairs of ice silk stockings in various colors and styles.

Long ones, short ones, thin ones, thick ones, solid colors, patterned ones—almost everything imaginable is available.

Goodness, they bought all the series of ice silk stockings!

As expected of the Empress Dowager, she wanted them all.

"What style would Your Highness like?"

"random."

"These very pale gold knee-high socks will do."

Gu Jinzhao's gaze swept over the brocade box.

He actually wanted to choose a two-piece style that barely covered the upper thighs.

But if we were to dress Xiao Qingyi in it, we would inevitably have to lift the phoenix robe, which might anger this woman.

After much thought, I decided to choose a pair of more conservative knee-high socks.

The length reaches the knee, perfectly covering the calf and the back of the leg without touching the upper thigh area.