Chapter 81: Liu Xie Ah, Liu Xie! How Could You Fall So Low?!
In one of the side halls within the imperial palace.
Liu Xie woke up on a spacious dragon bed.
Rubbing his eyes, he gently moved aside the arm draped over his chest before sitting upright and stretching lazily with a yawn.
His movements disturbed several beauties sleeping beside him. Clad only in sheer silks, large areas of their skin were exposed.
“Your Majesty~ Why wake up so early? Please sleep a bit more~” one beauty pleaded pitifully as she turned and rested her head on Liu Xie’s legs.
The other two also rose, each taking hold of one of Liu Xie’s arms. One cooed flirtatiously, “Yes, Your Majesty, stay just a little longer.”
However, Liu Xie remained unmoved and calmly said, “Help us get dressed.”
“As you wish… Your Majesty.”
Realizing they should not be too audacious, the three beauties quickly composed themselves. They began assisting Liu Xie with washing, dressing, and grooming him meticulously.
Then, together, they respectfully escorted Liu Xie out of the hall.
Upon leaving, Liu Xie glanced at the bright sunlight and clear sky outside, took a deep breath, and felt invigorated.
Then he glanced back at the side hall behind him, rubbed his waist, and couldn’t help but mutter quietly, “I should visit less often; my body can’t keep up with this pace.”
These three beauties were gifted to him by Yuan Shao as a reward after he exposed Liu Bei’s treachery last time. They resided in the side hall, and Liu Xie occasionally stayed overnight there.
However, it must be said that lust truly acts like a bone-cutting blade.
Each beauty possessed exceptional charm, eloquence, and unparalleled talents, not to mention their obedience and gracefulness.
Continuing like this would undoubtedly deteriorate his health further.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Liu Xie felt increasingly remorseful, deeply reproaching himself, “Liu Xie, oh Liu Xie, how have you fallen so low!”
“Beauty only erodes your resolve. Beware of falling into Yuan Shao’s trap of sensual delights; don’t let yourself be deceived again!”
Resolute, Liu Xie decided not to return for at least a week. As for what happens after that… well, by then Zhen Mi’s menstrual cycle would have ended.
Initially, she was supposed to attend to Liu Xie on her second day at the imperial palace, but coincidentally, her period began, necessitating a postponement.
“These beauties may be lovely, but compared to Zhen Mi, they’re mere amateurs,” Liu Xie thought, recognizing the stark difference in their allure.
Recalling Zhen Mi’s breathtaking beauty, Liu Xie couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
Once having witnessed vast oceans, lesser waters pale in comparison; after experiencing the mystical Mount Wu, other clouds seem insignificant.
As the saying goes, comparisons only breed disappointment. After seeing Zhen Mi’s allure, these three beauties simply fell short in his eyes.
However, it felt somewhat heartless to dismiss them so casually…
Liu Xie shook his head, clearing those disorganized thoughts from his mind. He decided to first grab something to eat and fill his stomach.
“I wonder how Guo Jia is faring with persuading Jia Xu.”
Jia Xu did not appear easily swayed, and based on historical accounts, he was known for being self-serving. Moreover, Yuan Shao highly valued Jia Xu, even nominating him as Grand Master of Ceremonies, placing him among the Nine Ministers. Under such circumstances, Guo Jia’s chances of successfully winning over Jia Xu seemed quite slim.
Lost in thought, Liu Xie inadvertently found himself strolling towards the rear garden.
A graceful figure caught his attention amidst the blossoms.
“Zhen Mi?”
Despite approaching June, the flowers in the rear garden still bloomed exuberantly, vying for attention with their vibrant colors, creating a stunningly beautiful scene.
Today, Zhen Mi wore a light azure blouse with an outer skirt of white jade silk, adorned by a delicate turquoise sash around her slender waist, accentuating her graceful figure and imbuing her with an ethereal allure.
She stood before a flower bed, holding a brush and intently sketching something on paper laid upon a table, fully absorbed in her work.
“What is she doing here?” Curious, Liu Xie approached.
Noticing his arrival, Zhen Mi set down her brush, turned, and bowed to Liu Xie, saying, “Your humble servant greets Your Majesty.”
“Rise.” Liu Xie slightly raised his hand, then shifted his gaze towards the table and smiled, asking, “Did you know how to paint as well?”
On the table lay a sheet of drawing paper, partially covered with unfinished flowers meticulously drawn by Zhen Mi’s hand.
Embarrassed, Zhen Mi replied, “Since childhood, your humble servant has been fond of calligraphy and painting. With such splendid weather today, seeing the beautiful blossoms in the garden, I couldn’t resist but pick up my brush.”
“My skills are rudimentary; please forgive the crude display, Your Majesty.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Xie picked up Zhen Mi’s painting for a closer look.
To be fair, Zhen Mi’s artwork was reasonably skillful. However, the quality of paper during this era was quite mediocre, resulting in less than satisfactory visual outcomes.
“The ink application is too heavy with your brushstrokes,” Liu Xie observed after examining it briefly.
After examining it for a moment, Liu Xie began his critique.
Zhen Mi was slightly taken aback, her beautiful eyes flickering with confusion. Before she could react, Liu Xie continued his assessment.
“Additionally, the brush releases too much ink. When painting flowers, one should use delicate strokes at the tip of the brush to capture their essence; there’s no need for heavy shading. Excessive detail can make it appear overly ornate and common.”
“As you can see here, the ink has spread excessively, making the entire flower look bloated and lacking elegance.”
Liu Xie eloquently pointed out the shortcomings in Zhen Mi’s artwork.
This wasn’t mere boasting; he had a penchant for the arts, having enrolled in various interest classes, with a particular talent for drawing. However, traditional Chinese painting required more time and practice, so he excelled more in sketching.
“Your Majesty is knowledgeable in painting as well?” Zhen Mi seemed genuinely surprised, not expecting this revelation.
Liu Xie smiled, “Just a bit, just a bit.”
In reality, he had won first place in city-level art competitions.
Hearing this, Zhen Mi’s eyes brightened. After a brief hesitation, she gently bit her cherry-red lip and cautiously asked, “Then…could Your Majesty teach me?”
She had always taught herself painting, but after hearing Liu Xie’s insightful comments, she realized he must be quite skilled. This prompted her irresistible question.
“Hmm…wait a moment, we’ll have someone prepare things.” Liu Xie thought briefly before summoning an attendant and whispering instructions. The attendant promptly left with utmost respect.
Soon, they returned carrying a small bowl.
“This is…” Zhen Mi glanced at the contents of the bowl, feeling even more puzzled. What did His Majesty intend to do?
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