Deception and Intrigue

The two girls' skin was as smooth as satin. Their robes slipped straight to the floor without the slightest obstruction, revealing dazzlingly white bodies.

Song Qingshu's eyebrows twitched wildly. The women in this palace really strip at the slightest disagreement. Should I close my eyes, or should I close my eyes?

"Your bodies have been well cared for," Empress Peiman said with a satisfied nod. "Over the years, the overseers of Huan Yi Yuan have never made you do heavy labor. Do you know why?"

"This servant does not know," the two young princesses answered timidly. They secretly exchanged glances, each seeing the other's confusion. Over the years, their elder sisters had suffered untold hardships, yet the two of them had been fed and treated well. Though it could not compare to the treatment of true princesses, it was not much worse than the lives of young ladies from ordinary wealthy families.

"The reason you were not made to do heavy work was because we feared your hands would grow calluses and your skin would be weathered rough by wind and frost." Peiman suddenly sneered. "And none of this was because of your former status as princesses. It was because you were the youngest girls in Huan Yi Yuan. When the armies of the Great Jin Dynasty breached Bianliang, the two of you were still infants, and thus preserved your virginity. As you grew older and became increasingly lovely, the palace decided to have you fill His Majesty's harem. Therefore, all this is His Majesty's grace. From now on, you must serve His Majesty well. Do you understand?"

Song Qingshu glanced at Peiman. *This woman's acting is pretty good. She really looks like a wife arranging concubines for her husband. Not to mention these two innocent little girls—even someone as