The envoy lowered her eyes humbly and deferentially, not daring to look directly at Shen Tang.
Unable to read the other woman's feelings from her expression, the envoy grew even more uneasy, her heart pounding an erratic rhythm.
Before deciding to seek Kang Country's help, her country had learned about Shen Tang mostly through rumors circulating among the common people and reports from its allies. The accounts were a mixture of praise and condemnation, and they had shaped the envoy's first impression of Shen Tang. Later, though, she had happened upon a storybook modeled after Shen Tang among a merchant's wares. Through its many words, she had glimpsed a figure utterly unlike the one she'd first imagined.
Gu Chi, who was accompanying the envoy, suddenly looked up.
When he saw that no one had noticed him, he silently lowered his gaze again.
The envoy's inner monologue kept rolling along like cartwheels. It had not only sound, but visuals, and the dialogue even rose and fell with dramatic emphasis.
[Power and status are the finest tonics for preserving youth and prolonging life! That's true for men, and even more so for women. The Lady Sovereign is a peerless beauty. By giving herself to Wu Zhaode, she secured years of comfort and luxury. But if the Lady Sovereign is willing to come with me today, I can give you everything he can—and everything he can't! Surely the nourishment you gained by Wu Zhaode's side is no different from the tonic I can offer you?]
The beautiful Lady Sovereign grew angry at her brazen disrespect.
She said, "That's a crooked argument."
The Sovereign, who appeared lecherous and debauched, pinched the Lady Sovereign's chin. With a little force, he made her look directly into his eyes. "How is that a crooked argument? The women