Chapter 127: The Empress's Legs Are to Be Played With for Years—Take Off Those Black Stockings! (4)
Su Qing remained oblivious to his loyal protector's internal betrayal.
He continued enjoying his… ahem… special massage.
The weight pressing on his chest was perfectly balanced—not too heavy, not too light.
Between the sensation and the sheer satisfaction, this was a rare and unique experience.
Countless people across the Southern Dynasty would kill for this chance to be stepped on by the Empress.
Outside, the quiet night was accompanied by the distant hum of insects.
If not for their current situation, it could have been considered a perfectly peaceful evening.
"Tell Me everything that happened today, in detail."
The Empress finally spoke again, shifting the mood slightly.
She already knew everything—Shenyue had reported it all in detail.
But that didn't mean she didn't want to hear it from Su Qing himself.
Su Qing, of course, had no objections.
As Su Qing recounted the day's events, he made sure to emphasize his own courage and bravery.
There was no other way—he was far too comfortable right now and wanted to prolong the feeling.
"You've worked hard. I will take care of this. By tomorrow, I will begin acting to take revenge for you."
The Empress's feet moved more purposefully as she spoke softly.
Unlike the blush on her face, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
The long-hidden rebels had begun to emerge like mushrooms after a rain during this recent turmoil.
For someone looking to eradicate them, this was a golden opportunity.
An opportunity that came at the cost of his safety—she would not let it go to waste!
Tomorrow, the capital would be bathed in blood.
Su Qing remained oblivious to the Empress's thoughts.
At this moment, he had completely resigned himself to relaxation, lying comfortably like a salted fish, unwilling to stir.
The Empress was unquestionably a reliable person. There was nothing he needed to concern himself with.
---
The next day.
The assassination attempt had sent shockwaves through the city, and its aftermath continued to intensify.
If anything, the unrest was escalating at an alarming rate.
The entire capital was abuzz with tension.
From court officials to commoners, everyone had heard about what happened the day before.
Not only had the Empress been attacked, but her most favored minister had also been injured!
No one had actually seen his injuries, but rumors claimed he was at death's door, critically wounded and unconscious.
Many powerful nobles, upon hearing the news, were secretly overjoyed, barely restraining their glee.
Both the Empress and her trusted minister had repeatedly suppressed their influence.
Yet, alongside their joy came a gnawing sense of unease.
The Empress was unharmed, meaning their authority remained unchallenged.
And an even greater concern loomed before them…
Who would bear the brunt of the Empress's wrath?
The capital was now under total lockdown, with Imperial Guards mobilized en masse.
The Empress was furious, determined to investigate the city thoroughly and uproot every last rebel infiltrator.
On the surface, it appeared to be an unhinged act of retribution.
In reality, every move was precise and methodical.
Surveillance and searches were not random—they were highly targeted.
Now, the nobles could no longer laugh.
They had hoped the Empress's reckless revenge would plunge the capital into chaos, allowing them to seize the moment.
Instead, they found themselves in her crosshairs!
Any noble who had secretly colluded with the rebels, whether in the past or present, was being targeted.
One after another, high-ranking officials were arrested, their faces drained of all color.
Under normal circumstances, such drastic action would have met fierce opposition from the court.
But now, with a legitimate justification and the element of surprise, few had time to react.
An outburst of rage for a favored minister? Perhaps.
But only a few keen minds understood the deeper motive.
By midday, entire factions of nobility had been swept away.
"My goodness, isn't that Minister Song? How could he have been taken away?!"
"That's nothing—I heard General Wang was dragged straight from his bed!"
"Seriously? A high-ranking minister and a general with ancestral honors, both arrested just like that?"
The streets were filled with whispers, eyes brimming with shock.
No matter how powerful someone was, crossing the line meant only one outcome.
Collaborating with rebels was that line.
Now that the culprits had been identified, gathering evidence was merely a formality.
One after another, nobles were imprisoned.
The entire city was gripped with fear, uncertain of what would come next.
---
And the supposedly gravely injured, unconscious Su Qing?
He was currently enjoying the tender care of his adoptive mother.
The usually youthful and carefree Empress Dowager was absolutely delighted to have him around.
Because… it meant she finally had company for an extended period of time.
Su Qing, on the other hand, was feeling quite helpless.
Especially when he saw the glimmer of excitement in her eyes—he knew the days ahead would be difficult.
And why, exactly, would they be difficult?
That answer lay in his current predicament.
At the moment, Su Qing was lying in a pristine white-sheeted bed.
He had attempted to get up multiple times, only to be gently but firmly pressed back down.
"Xiao Qing, you're injured. You need to rest properly, or your wounds might worsen."
Her voice, usually carrying a youthful charm, now held a soothing, elder-sister-like warmth.
"…I understand."
Su Qing sighed, looking at the figure before him.
Lying in bed, he was being meticulously cared for by the Empress Dowager.
Ever since she had changed into this attire, she had not left his side.
Su Mengxi was dressed in a crisp white uniform, consisting of a blouse and a short skirt.
However, this was no ordinary outfit—it was entirely white, from top to bottom.
Beneath the short skirt, a pair of long, curvaceous legs were wrapped in white stockings.
Further down, she wore a pair of white leather boots, exuding an air of pristine sanctity.
Her devastatingly beautiful face bore a solemn expression, devoid of its usual flirtatious charm, resembling a devoted physician.
Her long, wavy red hair cascaded down her back, creating a striking contrast against the pure white ensemble.
Her voluptuous figure stretched the uniform taut, making it almost impossible to look away.
Su Qing played the role of a patient, while the Empress Dowager—who was highly skilled in roleplay—had taken on the role of a physician.
"Good patients heal faster. Now, let me take your measurements."