Chapter 32: The Empress Praises My Skill

After the morning court, Long Chen returned to the Ministry of Works and instructed Xu Ming, “Have people construct the workshop according to the plans I’ve drawn. It won’t be within the city, but near Hell Mountain. As for the silver needed, I’ll report to His Majesty.”

“For the process of refining coal, especially the key steps of oil and sulfur removal, use only eunuchs.”

Xu Ming was a bit puzzled. “My lord… why use eunuchs?”

Was it because Long Chen himself was a eunuch and preferred to employ his own kind?

Long Chen replied, “Ordinary workers have families, and even if they don’t, they’ll always want to go out and find women. Eunuchs, however, can live in the workshop permanently, which ensures secrecy.”

Xu Ming nodded. “Indeed, Lord Long is most thorough in his considerations. I am not your equal.”

He set off at once to carry out the orders. Long Chen then wrote a memorial to the Empress, who promptly approved the funds. The Ministry began mining and building the factory near Hell Mountain without delay.

…

In the Western Palace, in the bathing chamber.

Empress Luo Xi reclined in the bath, with both Long Chen and Zhang Qian present.

Together, they bathed the Empress.

Resting against the edge, Long Chen’s hands traced slow, circular motions on her back—one circle, two, three… again and again.

With eyes closed, the Empress let out a low, contented hum, clearly enjoying his technique.

“Little Dragon, have you devised a solution for the second challenge?”

“We’ll still use cement to build the city. The northern border is a wasteland, not lacking for stone. As long as we have cement, we can rebuild the frontier strongholds.”

“But Daughter City is too far from the border. Transporting cement there would be too costly.”

“I’ve heard there’s a volcano near the border. Its ash can be used. Once the coal workshop is ready, I’ll send Xu Ming to handle it.”

With a splash, a jade-like leg lifted from the water and rested on Long Chen’s shoulder. Empress Luo Xi laughed playfully, “Not bad, Little Dragon, you’ve thought of everything. Third Sister will surely be grateful to you.”

She referred to Princess Ling Yi, who guarded the northern frontier against the northern barbarians.

Zhang Qian was astonished at the Empress’s boldness. The water was clear, and with Luo Xi’s leg draped over Long Chen’s shoulder, the secluded beauty of the scene could no longer be contained.

“I am not concerned with what the Third Princess thinks; only with Your Highness’s opinion.”

Long Chen assumed a posture of dignified chastity, speaking with utmost sincerity.

He already knew how fiercely possessive Luo Xi was—should he show the slightest hint of “disloyalty,” she would surely gouge out his eyes and cut off his nose.

The Empress laughed, “That’s right. Remember, you are this princess’s eunuch.”

After bathing, the three of them dressed. Long Chen made straight for the Ministry of Works, with Zhang Qian following closely behind.

Upon arrival, Long Chen wrote out the formula for preparing cement.

Xu Ming was a straightforward man. At first, he’d been dissatisfied and uncooperative with Long Chen’s leadership. Now, he respected Long Chen and carried out his duties efficiently and honestly—a most reliable subordinate.

“Prepare the raw materials according to this formula, in the special workshop, and have only eunuchs do the work.”

Xu Ming examined the recipe Long Chen handed him and asked, somewhat puzzled, “My lord, why so many materials? Aren’t five enough?”

Long Chen had already explained the main ingredients for cement, yet here he’d listed a great many.

“It’s to confuse others. I wrote more on purpose, so no one can tell what materials I’m actually using.”

“My lord is brilliant.”

Xu Ming hurried off to make the preparations.

Once Xu Ming had left, Long Chen sat down to write a memorial regarding the construction of fortresses in the northern frontier.

There were three great nations under heaven: Southern Liang, Eastern Zhou, and Western Xia.

Of these, Eastern Zhou faced the greatest military pressure—barbarians to the north, Western Xia to the west, Southern Liang to the south, and the sea (with its pirates) to the east.

Finishing the memorial, Long Chen rose and headed to Phoenix Song Palace.

His current rank as acting Minister of Works gave him the right to submit memorials and request audiences with the Empress.

Zhang Qian trailed him, never leaving his side.

At the palace entrance, the female guards blocked his path. Long Chen announced, “I request an audience with Her Majesty.”

The attendant hurried inside to report to Shadow Phoenix. From a distance, Shadow Phoenix glanced at Long Chen, then turned and disappeared into the palace.

Moments later, she returned, smiling. “Lord Long, His Majesty will see you now.”

Long Chen stepped inside, but Zhang Qian was barred from following.

This was the Empress’s private chamber; she could not enter and so waited outside.

Following Shadow Phoenix within, Long Chen found the furnishings simple yet elegant, dominated by black, creating an air of solemn dignity.

He had expected to be received in the study, but instead was summoned to the bedchamber.

The Empress sat before a bronze mirror, a maid dressing her hair.

Though over fifty, the Empress’s figure was that of a mature woman in her prime—like a perfectly ripe purple grape, one glance hinting at the sweet fullness within.

Her snow-white back was clad only in a thin black gauze nightgown, long hair cascading down, the faint outlines beneath the fabric adding to her allure.

Long Chen bowed. “Your humble servant, Long Cheng’en, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

The Empress glanced at him in the mirror and nodded slightly. “You may rise.”

He straightened.

“I hear you are skilled in hairdressing. Style my hair.”

The Empress spoke softly. The maid placed an ivory comb nearby and quietly withdrew.

Long Chen, having crossed from the modern world, possessed a hairdresser’s skills—talents he’d often used to fashion new styles for Luo Xi, word of which had reached the Empress.

He hesitated, then bowed and stepped behind her, picking up the comb and beginning to arrange her hair.

A mature fragrance unique to her filled his senses. Standing behind her, he saw that beneath the sheer black gown there was nothing else; her luscious figure pressed against the fabric, almost entirely visible.

His throat went dry, his heart pounding, but he forced himself to remain calm.

The Empress’s expression was serene, but Shadow Phoenix beside them wore a look of utmost surprise.

Others might not know, but Shadow Phoenix was well aware—the Empress never permitted men to touch her, not even eunuchs. In Phoenix Song Palace, only palace maids served; no eunuchs were allowed.

Today, to allow Long Chen to style her hair was unprecedented.

“Luo Xi hasn’t made things difficult for you, has she?” the Empress asked quietly.

Long Chen replied promptly, “The Fourth Princess treats me kindly and has caused me no trouble.”

The Empress smiled. “That girl has a fiery temper—you must indulge her.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Suppressing all inner turmoil, Long Chen crafted a beautiful hairstyle for her.

Admiring herself in the mirror, the Empress smiled. “Truly, you have a gifted hand.”

Then she rose and moved behind a screen, calling out, “Come, help me dress.”

Long Chen froze—he had to help her change as well?

He went behind the screen. The black nightgown lay on the floor, her hair already coiled atop her swan-like neck. From the shoulders downward, her form…

He picked up the embroidered corset, which bore the pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, and carefully helped her into it, tying the strings with great care.

Next, he helped her into her trousers, kneeling as she lifted her legs… finally, the outer robe.

Once dressed, she was once more the majestic sovereign.

Emerging from behind the screen, she left the bedchamber and entered the study, seating herself as Long Chen stood before her.

“What is it you wish to discuss?”