Chapter 211: Marriage Proposal
The first time Empress Lihua ever touched Han Shuying was when she was ten years old. She’d seen her in one of the stables after General Han Zheng had locked her in there for failing her training session.
Tears were running down her face when the door to the stable was pushed open and Empress Lihua walked in.
Little Han Shuying had mistaken the predatory smile on her face for motherly affection, and the gentle caress of her thumb as she wiped away the tears for genuine concern.
"Don’t cry little girl, I’m here to save you." Those were Empress Lihua’s first words to her, before the older woman plunged her into a world filled with more darkness than the one she’d promised to save her from.
Even now as she looked at Empress Lihua...she wondered how she ever loved someone like her. But a child who had never known love will always be ready to lick it off knives.
"Let me have a bath first," Han Shuying finally said when she found her voice. "I haven’t had one in three days. I really stink."
Empress Lihua shrugged. "Then I’ll join you." Slowly the Empress touched the neck of her royal robe. "Help me, will you?"
Han Shuying reached for her robe without another word, pushing it down the slender shoulder.
Usually, she’d try to savour rare moments like this where it felt like Empress Lihua genuinely felt something for her. But all she felt as the robe gave way to Shen Lihua’s pale skin was slight disgust.
Han Shuying wasn’t particularly dumb. She’d always known from the beginning that Empress Lihua was using her. But she didn’t mind, because a half baked love was still love all the same.
Except...Ru Yi had shown her that there was better out there for her. That someone could truly care for someone as vile as her.
The two women watched the Empress’s clothes pool at her feet.
"You seem a little distracted today." Empress Lihua broke the growing silence between them. "Have you changed your mind?"
Han Shuying raised her head again to meet the Empress’s intense gaze. All the softness was already gone from her face.
"What do you take me for?" Han Shuying asked, her lips set in a frown. "I swore my loyalty to you years ago, and I have no intention of going back on my word."
That made Empress Lihua smile. "Good girl...I knew I could always count on you."
Han Shuying swallowed hard and took the woman’s hand, leading her to the tub already filled with water. She helped Empress Lihua go in first before settling in behind her.
She stiffened when Empress Lihua leaned into her, making herself comfortable on her chest. "Thank you for letting Ashen Fortress trade with Yunhai and Baihe. I didn’t think you’d agree to it."
Empress Lihua shrugged, a moan slipping out when Han Shuying started washing her hair. "There’s no need for me to worry as long as they never return to the capital." She twisted her neck to look at Han Shuying. "You of all people should know I’m not as cruel as they make me out to be."
Han Shuying gave her a tight smile. "I know. How is the Emperor holding up?"
Empress Lihua snickered. "That old man is a tough nut to crack. But he should be completely gone by the next full moon. Your father has been handling matters of the court in his absence, but it’s time for me to take over."
Long slim fingers continued to wash the Empress’s hair. "What of the crown prince?"
"Zhao Chen has completely lost his mind," Empress Lihua replied. "He hasn’t uttered a single word since Ru Yi was declared dead."
"The ministers will deem him unfit to rule," Han Shuying said. "Looks like your plan worked out perfectly."
Empress Lihua nodded slowly. "What if we get married?"
Han Shuying froze completely, her question coming out as a stutter. "What do you mean by that?"
"When I become the sole ruler of the entire kingdom, I’ll want you to stay by my side." Empress Lihua turned so she was completely facing Han Shuying. "I couldn’t have gotten this far without you."
"But...getting married is a bit of a stretch. No Empress has ever married another woman."
Empress Lihua placed her fingers on either side of her face. "When have I ever cared about tradition and what other people think? None of that matters to me more than you do."
Han Shuying would’ve been flattered if this was months ago. But now...it felt like she was being invited into a nightmare that she had absolutely no control over.
"I don’t care what people think either," Han Shuying continued, putting her palms over Empress Lihua’s. "But...this is simply outrageous. I don’t need to be married to you for me to stay by your side."
Empress Lihua quickly pulled away like she’d been slapped across the face. "I think the problem is that you don’t want to get married to me."
Han Shuying sighed when she saw the hurt so plainly written on her face. "It’s not that..." she sighed again. "Anyone would be so lucky to marry you," she lied through her teeth, "but I think our relationship is just as perfect as it is."
Empress Lihua. "Your feelings for me have changed, haven’t they?" her gaze was accusing, but Han Shuying knew not to anger the monster that dwelled within.
"Why would you even say that?" Han Shuying put their foreheads together. "I’m just worried about you, that’s all. Many people won’t be happy when you ascend the throne, and it makes me afraid that they might use me against you."
Empress Lihua’s intense glare softened. "There’s no need to worry your little head about that. I’ll keep you safe as always. And I think General Han would be quite impressed."
It felt like a bucket of cold water was thrown on Han Shuying’s head at the mention of her father. "It’s quite the opposite, my love. My father would rather throw himself off a cliff than watch me become his superior."