101: The Empress is indeed sensible.

Cao Bu was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.

What was Tang Shuying doing here looking for him so late at night?

But he soon guessed the general reason. A faint smile curled at the corners of his mouth as he spoke, "Empress Dowager, visiting in the dead of night—I wonder what important matter brings you here?"

Outside the door, Tang Shuying tightened her grip on the brocade box in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she said softly, "Steward Cao has come from afar and must be exhausted from the journey. I have specially prepared a small gift. It isn't much, but I hope Steward Cao will open the door and accept it."

Cao Bu walked to the palace door but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he spoke through the door, "Your Ladyship is most thoughtful."

"However, it is so late. For Your Ladyship to come to my sleeping quarters alone... I fear it might damage Your Ladyship's reputation if word got out."

Tang Shuying recalled Emperor Xuan's instructions: "Shuying, remember, you must secure a relationship with Cao Bu. Our Great Chu is vast and wealthy; we will not hesitate to pay any price."

And then there was Chu Hao's expectant gaze: "Imperial Mother, my happiness is in your hands."

She pursed her lips and said in a low voice, "Rest assured, Steward Cao. I came in secret; no one will know."

"Besides, I am merely delivering a gift. I have no other intentions. I won't cause Steward Cao any trouble, nor will I let others find any grounds for gossip."

Cao Bu gave a soft laugh. Coming to find me in the middle of the night...

You might not have other intentions, but I certainly do.

Without further hesitation, he reached out and opened the palace door.

Outside the door, Tang Shuying was dressed in light purple palace attire. Her collar was slightly open, revealing a glimpse of snowy white skin.

Her overall temperament had lost a bit of its nobility and gained a touch of soft allure.

She held an exquisite brocade box in her hands. Seeing Cao Bu open the door, a trace of a smile appeared on her face. "Steward Cao."

Cao Bu stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation. "Please come in, Your Ladyship."

Tang Shuying entered the sleeping quarters, her gaze quickly scanning the room.

The quarters were simply furnished. Further inside was a wooden bed, a table, and a few chairs. A faint scent of wine still lingered in the air.

She steadied herself and handed the brocade box to Cao Bu. "Steward Cao, this is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it."

Cao Bu took the box and placed it casually on the table, showing no intention of opening it.

"For Your Ladyship to make a trip at this hour, it surely isn't just to deliver a gift, is it?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Tang Shuying's figure without any attempt at concealment.

It slid from her shoulders to her waist, then down to the hem of her skirt. A dark, unreadable light flashed in his eyes.

He had seen many women, but it was his first time seeing someone like Tang Shuying—someone who possessed both the dignity of an Empress and the hidden charm of a mature woman.

Feeling his gaze, Tang Shuying lowered her head, her face flushing. "Indeed, I have one more matter to ask of Steward Cao."

"Oh?" Cao Bu raised an eyebrow. He walked to the table and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea. "If Your Ladyship has something to say, feel free to speak plainly. As long as it's within my power, I might not refuse."

Tang Shuying looked up, her eyes filled with a touch of pleading. "Hao'er and Lady Gu Yin are truly in love. This marriage is very important to Great Chu."

"I implore Steward Cao to be more lenient during the trials so that Hao'er may pass smoothly."

Cao Bu looked at her, his tone flat. "Your Ladyship is being too formal."

"If Crown Prince Chu Hao is truly good to Little Sister Yin, can protect her, and won't let her suffer even a bit of grievance, then he will naturally pass the trials without Your Ladyship having to say a word."

"But if he isn't sincere toward Little Sister Yin and only wants to use the Gu Clan's name for personal gain, then even if I were to show leniency, Little Sister Yin herself wouldn't agree. The matter would still fail."

Tang Shuying said hurriedly, "Rest assured, Steward Cao! Hao'er's feelings for Lady Gu Yin are absolutely genuine!"

"It's just that I've heard Steward Cao has very strict standards. I fear Hao'er might do something poorly and provoke Steward Cao's dissatisfaction."

Cao Bu smiled, his fingertips tapping on the tabletop. "Your Ladyship needn't be so nervous. I am merely acting as a gatekeeper for Little Sister Yin to see if Crown Prince Chu Hao is truly reliable. I won't deliberately make things difficult for him."

Of course he wouldn't *deliberately* make things difficult—he would *purposely* make things difficult.

Tang Shuying breathed a sigh of relief. Recalling Emperor Xuan's instructions again, she hesitated before saying, "Steward Cao, I know you won't believe me based on just these few words."

"However, I can guarantee that if Steward Cao ever needs help from Great Chu, His Majesty and I will certainly not decline."

Cao Bu looked at her, his eyes deepening. "Speaking of which, there is indeed something I need Your Ladyship's help with right now. I wonder if Your Ladyship is willing?"

"I am!" Tang Shuying replied hastily without a second thought. "I don't know what Steward Cao requires, but as long as it is within my power, I will certainly do my best."

Cao Bu's gaze swept over her curvaceous figure. He said seriously, "Is Your Ladyship truly willing to do anything?"

Faced with this burning and direct gaze, Tang Shuying's heart skipped a beat. She felt somewhat at a loss, her hands unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.

She was a married woman; she understood the meaning of that look all too well.

The desire hidden within it made her entire body tense up.

"Your Ladyship, why don't you sit down and we can talk?" Cao Bu reached out and pulled out a chair.

Tang Shuying hesitated for a moment before nodding quickly. "Alright, thank you, Steward Cao."

Cao Bu looked at her, his fingers lightly stroking the edge of the table. "Does Emperor Xuan know that Your Ladyship came to see me tonight?"

Tang Shuying was stunned for a moment, then shook her head. "I didn't tell His Majesty. I was afraid he would worry."

The smile on Cao Bu's lips deepened. "Your Ladyship is quite considerate. However, are you not afraid that I might do something to you, seeing as you've come to meet me alone in the middle of the night?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Tang Shuying's face turned red instantly, and her heart began to race.

She knew there was another meaning behind Cao Bu's words. Her heart was flustered and chaotic. Her fingers tightly gripped her skirt, unsure of how to respond.

Seeing her panicked state, Cao Bu continued, "Your Ladyship also knows that whether Crown Prince Chu Hao can pass the trials depends largely on my attitude."

"If Your Ladyship can satisfy me, I will naturally look after Crown Prince Chu Hao more."

Tang Shuying feigned confusion, her voice carrying a hint of testing, "Steward Cao, what do you want me to do? As long as it helps Hao'er, I... I will consider it."

Cao Bu didn't answer directly. He simply stood up, walked over to her, and leaned in close. His voice dropped lower. "Your Ladyship, if some things are said too clearly, they lose their charm."

His breath brushed against Tang Shuying's face, carrying a faint scent of wine, making her cheeks flush even deeper.

Tang Shuying understood Cao Bu's intention clearly. For a moment, she fell into a struggle.

If she agreed to Cao Bu, she would be betraying Emperor Xuan and her own status.

But if she didn't agree, Hao'er's marriage might fall through, and Great Chu would lose the opportunity to attach itself to the Gu Clan.

Seeing her conflicted state, Cao Bu didn't pressure her. He simply straightened up and said, "Your Ladyship doesn't need to rush to answer. You can think about it slowly."

"If you come to a decision, you can find me at any time. Whether it's tonight or tomorrow, I'll be in the palace."

"If you are unwilling, you may leave now. I won't make things difficult for Your Ladyship, nor will I take out my frustration on Crown Prince Chu Hao because of this."

Tang Shuying bit her lip and remained silent for a long time.

She remembered Chu Hao's expectant eyes when she left and Emperor Xuan's instructions. Finally, she made up her mind.

She looked up at Cao Bu, her voice trembling slightly. "Steward Cao, as long as you can ensure Hao'er passes the trials smoothly, I am willing to do anything."

Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Cao Bu's face. "Your Ladyship indeed knows the bigger picture."

"Rest assured, as long as Your Ladyship satisfies me, I will help Crown Prince Chu Hao to the end."

Tang Shuying lowered her head, not daring to look into Cao Bu's eyes. She felt as if her entire body was burning.

Cao Bu walked to the bedside. After sitting down, he patted the spot next to him. "Your Ladyship, the night is late."