The Empress Dowager, meanwhile, chose white stockings.
Of the two, the one with the cold temperament wore simple black stockings, while the utterly seductive one wore white instead.
Standing together, they made an intensely striking sight. A single glance left one shaken, as though all one's attention had sunk into them.
A long while later...
Rustle!
Something swayed within Xingqing Palace, and a lantern flickered uncertainly. Beneath its dim light, a slip of paper suddenly appeared in the Empress Dowager's palm.
She took just one look, and her expression instantly chilled. Frost radiated from her eyes as she snorted coldly.
"The Female Emperor really hasn't given up. Even after This Palace suppressed her last time, her thieving ambitions refuse to die. She wants to fight me for the Demon Venerable? Does she truly think she can compare to This Palace? What a fool's dream!"
"What is it? Did something happen?"
Dressed in black stockings, Xiao Rongxue had been silent in her shame and indignation. Hearing her younger sister speak, she hurriedly asked.
"Nothing. It's just that the Female Emperor intends to tour the Maple Forest with the Demon Venerable today, before all of Chang'an!"
"What?!"
Xiao Rongxue's expression changed drastically. She could no longer concern herself with anything else, and her face grew much graver.
"Could the Female Emperor have realized the Demon Venerable's importance too? Does she intend to win him over with a beauty trap and cooperate with him to weather the coming Great Calamity?"
"Or... has she herself fallen deeply in love with him?"
"None of that matters!"
The corners of the Empress Dowager's lips lifted into a disdainful sneer.
"Don't worry, Sister. The Female Emperor does have some charm, but since I could suppress her once, I can suppress her countless times. Besides, we sisters are