CCWAD – Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Are My Eyebrows Drawn too Dark or Light to Be Fashionable?

Quote:

“She shielded me from all the overt and covert attacks in the court, yet in the imperial bedchamber, she’d pick up her eyebrow pencil and softly complain, ‘Does Your Majesty know, every time I see you frowning over state affairs, I wish I could just lock you away in the deep palace.’”

—

Spring of the sixth year of the new dynasty. The storm stirred by the reform of the imperial examinations had finally subsided. That day, at the morning court, the conservative faction, led by Wang Wenzheng, launched their final offensive, questioning the established precedent of women serving in official capacities.

“Your Majesty,” Wang Wenzheng knelt before the hall, his voice filled with sorrow, “women have been in office for over three years, yet their achievements are mediocre. This old minister believes we should restore the old system to avoid mismanaging state affairs.”

Silence fell upon the hall. Everyone understood this was the conservative faction’s last desperate struggle.

Before Yan Qing could speak, Li Shishi slowly stepped forward. Today, she wore a dark purple court robe, her hair bound with a golden crown, lending her an even greater air of authority than usual.

“Minister Wang, your words are mistaken,” her voice was as clear and cold as jade. “Last year, during the floods in Jiangnan, it was the female official Lin Wanqing who first organized the disaster relief. During the border trade dispute, it was the female official Yang Bamei who led the troops to pacify the situation. Have you forgotten these, Minister?”

With each sentence, she took a step forward, directly confronting Wang Wenzheng. “Or perhaps, in your eyes, only the achievements of men count as merit, and everything women do is not worth mentioning?”

Wang Wenzheng was forced to retreat step by step, his face pale.

Li Shishi turned to face the assembled officials, her gaze sharp as lightning. “From this day forward, anyone who dares to speak ill of women holding office will be considered as deceiving the Emperor!”

The bells signaling the end of the court session rang out, and the officials retreated from the hall, trembling. Yan Qing watched Li Shishi’s straight back, a warmth surging in her heart.

Back in the imperial bedchamber, Li Shishi seemed like a different person. She dismissed the attendants and personally removed Yan Qing’s court crown, her movements as gentle as if handling a rare treasure.

“Are you tired?” she asked softly, her fingertips caressing Yan Qing’s temples.

Yan Qing leaned into her embrace, closing her eyes to rest. “Today, I am truly indebted to you.”

Li Shishi fetched an eyebrow pencil, lifted Yan Qing’s face, and carefully began to shape her brows. “Does Your Majesty know, every time I see you frowning over these trivial matters in court, I wish I could just lock you away in the deep palace and never let those bothersome things disturb you.”

Yan Qing opened her eyes and met Li Shishi’s earnest gaze, unable to suppress a smile. “Then who will govern this empire?”

“I will,” Li Shishi said as a matter of course. “I will shield you from all the overt and covert attacks in the court. Your Majesty only needs to do what you wish to do.”

After finishing her eyebrows, she picked up rouge. Dipping her fingertip into the crimson paste, she gently dabbed it onto Yan Qing’s lips. “Like now, Your Majesty only needs to think of me.”

Yan Qing caught her restless hand. “You were so majestic in court today, and now you are…”

“Now?” Li Shishi raised an eyebrow. “Does Your Majesty dislike it?”

She suddenly lifted Yan Qing into her arms and walked towards the hot spring pool deeper within the bedchamber. “Then let me make amends.”

In the mist of the hot spring, court robes slipped off one by one. Li Shishi pressed Yan Qing against the edge of the pool and whispered into her ear, “In court, you are the ruler and I am the subject. But here…”

Her lips landed on Yan Qing’s shoulder. “I want you to be only my Qingqing.”

This long-forgotten endearment made Yan Qing tremble. Since her ascension to the throne, no one had called her that.

“Shishi…” she murmured, her voice carrying a dependence she herself hadn’t noticed.

The water rippled, reflecting their intertwined forms. Li Shishi left delicate kiss marks on her body, as if declaring ownership.

“Here,” her lips brushed over Yan Qing’s heart, “only I can reside.”

As their passion intensified, Yan Qing couldn’t help but leave several red marks on Li Shishi’s back. Li Shishi winced in pain but let out a low laugh. “Does Your Majesty wish to leave a mark?”

She breathed into Yan Qing’s ear like a fragrant orchid. “Then I must leave some marks too.”

The next morning at court, Yan Qing had to wear a high-necked court robe to cover the red marks on her neck. Li Shishi stood at the head of the officials, her expression solemn, as if she were not the one who had wantonly acted upon Yan Qing the previous night.

Midway through the court discussion, an urgent report arrived from the border: the northern tribes were stirring.

“I volunteer to lead the troops,” Yang Bamei was the first to request.

Li Shishi, however, said, “No. The Flying Phoenix Camp must remain to guard the capital, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.”

She turned to Yan Qing. “Your Majesty, I recommend the veteran general Zhong Shidao to take command.”

This decision was unexpected. Zhong Shidao was an old official; logically, his military power should have been curtailed.

After the court session, Yan Qing asked in confusion, “Why have you appointed Zhong Shidao to lead the troops?”

Li Shishi poured her tea, her movements elegant. “First, in the art of war, Zhong Shidao is indeed skilled. Second, we want to show the old officials Your Majesty’s magnanimity. Third…”

She suddenly pulled Yan Qing into her embrace. “I want to stay in the capital to accompany you.”

Only then did Yan Qing understand. Li Shishi couldn’t bear to be separated from her.

“But the border…”

“I have already made arrangements for the border,” Li Shishi whispered, kissing the top of Yan Qing’s head. “You only need to trust me.”

Three days later, Zhong Shidao led the troops to war. Before their departure, Li Shishi personally escorted them outside the city.

“Old General,” she handed him a tiger tally, “this is the command token for the Flying Phoenix Camp. You may deploy them at any time if needed.”

Zhong Shidao looked at her in shock. Handing over command of the Flying Phoenix Camp meant complete trust from the Grand Tutor.

“This old minister… will certainly not fail your trust!”

Watching the dust rise from the departing army, Li Shishi said to Yan Qing beside her, “Now, we can have a few days of peaceful life.”

In the following days, they indeed lived like an ordinary couple. Li Shishi accompanied Yan Qing in reviewing memorials, occasionally feeding her a candied fruit when she was tired. They slept embraced at night, no longer awakened by urgent dispatches.

One afternoon, Yan Qing was resting in the Imperial Garden. When she woke, she found Li Shishi painting. In the painting, she was depicted sleeping with flowers as a pillow, her expression serene, a stark contrast to the majestic empress on the court.

“Why have you painted me like this?” Yan Qing chided playfully.

Li Shishi put down her brush and embraced her from behind. “Because this is the real you.”

She whispered in Yan Qing’s ear, “In front of me, you never need to pretend.”

Yes, only in front of Li Shishi could she shed all her burdens and be her truest self.

A month later, a triumphant report came from the border. Zhong Shidao returned victorious and simultaneously submitted a memorial pledging his eternal loyalty to the new dynasty.

On the night the good news arrived, Li Shishi prepared wine and dishes in the bedchamber.

“Shall we celebrate?” she raised her cup.

Yan Qing looked at her flushed cheeks, flushed from the wine, and suddenly asked, “If I hadn’t agreed to be with you back then, what would you have done?”

Li Shishi put down her cup and looked at Yan Qing seriously. “Then I would have waited, until the day you were willing.”

She touched Yan Qing’s face. “Because I know better than anyone that in this world, only I understand you the most, and only I can protect you the best.”

At this moment, Yan Qing suddenly understood that their relationship had long surpassed love. They were confidantes, comrades-in-arms, and each other’s most solid support in this world.

“Shishi,” she leaned forward and kissed the lips that always spoke for her, “in this life, I am fortunate to have you.”

Outside the window, the bright moon hung high, bearing witness to the deep affection of this special couple.

—

(End of Chapter 43)