The sky above Yunxiu Palace was heavy with clouds, pressing down like a silent weight on Li Jun's chest.
For days, she had lived in constant unease. Dishes prepared with the finest ingredients suddenly tasted strange on her tongue. Tea carried an odd fragrance that made her wary. Even tonic medicine prescribed by trusted physicians now seemed laced with hidden danger.
Yes, her body carried immunity from poison. What if that immunity disappeared one day? Would she die meaningless here?
As ruler, she could easily order a eunuch or maid to taste the food first. That was what emperors had always done. Deep inside, she was still a modern woman who believed in justice and morality. To sacrifice innocent lives for her own safety… it was something her heart could never allow.
She walked slowly to the window, the silk hem of her robe brushing against the polished floor. The gardens outside were quiet, the silence only deepening the suffocation in her chest.
Turning back, her sharp gaze landed on Commander Shen, who stood faithfully nearby.
"Qing'er, I want to leave the palace," Li Jun said suddenly.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Shen Yuqing asked again to ensure she hadn't misheard.
"I want to leave the palace incognito," Li Jun repeated, her tone light but firm. "I wish to mingle with the common folk and witness their struggles with my own eyes."
A bright spark lit in Li Jun's eyes. "To a city full of life, entertainment, business… like gambling houses, brothels…"
Shen Yuqing rolled her eyes. "Your Majesty, what kind of struggle do you think you will see in such places?" she asked, clearly unhappy.
Li Jun's lips curved into a smile, a low laugh slipping out. "Ah, Qing'er, you don't understand. Those places are not only dens of pleasure. They are gathering spots for corrupt officials and merchants, where crime thrives."
Her eyes glimmered with a strange excitement, the kind that both thrilled and worried Shen Yuqing.
"Besides," Li Jun added, tilting her head playfully, "don't you think it will be fun to see the world outside these suffocating walls?"
Shen Yuqing pressed her lips into a thin line. "Your Majesty, the world outside is more dangerous than inside the palace. A long journey will take time and pose many risks."
"Perhaps," Li Jun said softly, "but inside the palace is dangerous too."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare everything you need." Shen Yuqing no longer protested; she knew that once Li Jun decided, no one could stop her.
---
On the day of departure, Li Jun woke to find Hong Yi already waiting with a neat stack of men's clothing in her arms.
"Your Majesty, before wearing this, please use the chest wrap first," Hong Yi reminded carefully.
Li Jun raised a brow, looking down at herself. "Oh, Hong Yi… look at my breasts. Do you really think I need to wrap it again? If I do, won't it disappear entirely?"
Hong Yi froze, her lips twitching as if she wanted to laugh but dared not.
Suddenly, Li Jun's eyes shifted toward Hong Yi's breasts. She leaned closer, whispering with a mischievous grin, "Ahem… Hong Yi, what do you eat to make that grow so big? Tell me your secret recipe."
Hong Yi's eyes widened like a startled rabbit. Her face turned bright red instantly. "Y-Your Majesty…" She instinctively covered her face with both hands.
Right at that moment, Shen Yuqing pushed open the door. Hong Yi practically bolted out of the room, her face as red as a ripe tomato.
Shen Yuqing shot Li Jun a suspicious glance. She had seen Hong Yi's expression too many times. With a sigh, she muttered, "…What strange thing did Your Majesty say this time?"
Li Jun only smiled innocently, straightening her robe as if nothing had happened. "Me? I just asked Hong Yi what she eats to make her breasts grow so big."
The room fell silent for a heartbeat. Li Jun's eyes had flicked toward Shen Yuqing's breasts, and reflexively, Shen Yuqing crossed her arms over it, cheeks burning pink.
"Li Jun! Can you be serious? How could you say this kind of thing so casually…?" Her voice dropped almost to a whisper, embarrassment overtaking her.
Li Jun still couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips, remembering Hong Yi's flushed face and Shen Yuqing's reaction. To her, it wasn't a strange topic at all, just women talking among themselves.
"Your Majesty, we can depart once my master arrives," Shen Yuqing said solemnly.
"Eh… Your master? Why would you bring an old woman to a place of entertainment? What if her heart can't survive the shock?"
Shen Yuqing nearly choked on her own breath. "That's not it… After learning that Your Majesty intends to leave the palace incognito, the Empress Dowager personally invited my master to accompany and protect you."
Li Jun pictured an old granny sitting cross-legged inside a noisy brothel, while courtesans in bright silk fluttered around her, pouring wine into her cup. The scene was so absurd that she burst out laughing, fanning herself wildly with her sleeve.
"Hahaha! Qing'er, your master! If she truly follows us incognito, won't she scare the gamblers away and make the courtesans hide under their tables?"
Shen Yuqing's jaw tightened, her face darkening in embarrassment. "Your Majesty, please have some respect… don't talk bad about my master!"
Li Jun only laughed harder, wiping a tear from her eye, thoroughly entertained by her own imagination. "Oh, nothing, nothing at all. I look forward to meeting this legendary master of yours."
Because Hong Yi had run off, Shen Yuqing helped her majesty dress. She adjusted the lapels of Li Jun's robe, smoothing out every wrinkle, then moved behind her to tie her hair. Her fingers brushed lightly against the strands, gathering them neatly into a gentleman's knot.
When she finally stepped back, Shen Yuqing froze.
Before her stood not the beautiful young Empress she served every day, but Li Jun now looked like a handsome young dandy, her sharp brows and confident smirk radiating a roguish charm that could make any woman lose her mind. Her striking figure made Shen Yuqing's heart skip a beat.
Hong Yi, who had just returned, stared blankly, her mouth slightly open.
"Your Majesty…" she whispered dreamily, nearly drooling.
Li Jun raised a brow, snapped open her folding fan and gently lifted Hong Yi's chin with it.
"What's wrong, Hong Yi? Have I stolen your heart already?" she teased.
The maids and eunuchs tried to stifle their laughter. Hong Yi's face instantly turned crimson, and she tried to escape again.
Li Jun chuckled, fanning herself with exaggerated elegance like a dashing young lord. "If you run off again," she drawled, "I'll marry you to a eunuch."
"Your Majesty—!" Hong Yi shrieked, half-hysterical.
---
After paying respect to the Grand Emperor and Empress Dowager, Li Jun strode confidently into the courtyard, her folding fan tapping lightly against her palm. But the moment her eyes landed on the carriage, her steps froze.
"Qing'er… Hong Yi… explain to me. Are we going to the Luo city, or are we relocating the entire palace?"
Hong Yi immediately rushed forward, flustered. "Your Majesty, what if you suddenly cannot sleep? We prepared your favorite pillows. And if the city air feels too dry, we brought lotus-scented oil to keep your skin soft…"
Li Jun stared at her in disbelief, then snapped open her fan with a resigned flick. "Incognito… like this, before we even arrive in the city, everyone will assume the Empress is moving her residence."
Her tone turned firm. "No need to bring anything. We are only going to Luo City. Keep it simple. If we need anything, we'll just buy it. Let only Shen Yuqing and her master accompany me; no one else needs to come."
Shen Yuqing tried to suppress her laughter. She had forgotten that Li Jun had changed.
She was no longer the pampered Empress who couldn't sleep without seven layers of silk pillows, or who demanded tea served only in jade cups. All these ridiculous preparations… had actually been arranged according to the preferences of the old Li Jun.
Shen Yuqing glanced at the "new" empress, standing tall in men's attire, looking handsome and carefree. The same Li Jun… yet somehow entirely different.