Chapter 175: Private Words

With Liu Yu’s gentle caresses, like a soft breeze, Chen Tingqin felt an indescribable sensation surging within her. Born into a noble family, she had always been well-mannered, gentle, and refined. But for some reason, after her first encounter with Liu Yu, she remained filled with a sense of being conquered. She felt her body trembling uncontrollably, yet she lowered her head and snapped, “Hurry up and hold the map properly…”
Liu Yu’s hands continued to move upward, his touch growing stronger as he explored the inner thighs of the former empress, gradually stirring her desire. “No…” Her voice was as melodious as that of a celestial maiden. The map was thrown aside, and she clutched the ladder tightly. “Stop… Ayu, it’s daytime… daytime…” Her voice sounded like she might cry. She didn’t know why she had become so sensitive—just a few touches, and she was on the verge of completely surrendering to Liu Yu.
She had once been a well-mannered empress. Though Emperor Sidede had been ill in his later years and was no different from eunuchs in this regard, she had always controlled her impulses, remaining impeccable in every way. But after being pinned down by this boy younger than herself, she could no longer control her affection.
“Let’s do it. No one objects!”
Liu Yu’s hands reached higher, nearing the most sensitive skin just outside her private realm. Chen Tingqin no longer knew where she was. Moaning, she said, “Ayu… Ayu… I can’t take it anymore. Hold me…”
Inside her private realm, passion was raging. She had surrendered to Liu Yu, allowing him to hold her in his arms and place her on the chair where she usually worked on documents. In a daze, her outer clothes were untied. She had a slender figure, and beneath her gentle demeanor lay beautiful breasts. Liu Yu kissed her fiercely, leaving her breathless, while simultaneously grasping her breasts to arouse all her desire.
She was so sensitive that she felt everything belonged to Liu Yu. Without resistance, she threw herself wholeheartedly into this passionate encounter. She unfastened the hem of her white dress herself, her delicate hands sliding over Liu Yu’s body to help him undress. The moment their skin touched, she hugged him tightly. “Ayu! Faster!”
Liu Yu roughly took her breasts in his mouth, biting those pink “grapes,” inch by inch claiming her territory. She couldn’t wait any longer. “Hurry! I want it now!”
Without wanting any more foreplay, she actively cooperated as he entered her. As an electric sensation spread through her body, she shook her hips vigorously, seeking more pleasure. Uncontrollable pleasure flowed everywhere. She felt so happy she could hardly breathe. Every movement of Liu Yu seemed to cleanse her soul. “Ayu… Ayu… You’re amazing…”

Liu Yu threw himself wholeheartedly into this encounter; with every penetration, he received Chen Tingqin’s complete physical and emotional response. This usually gentle and refined girl turned out to be so eager for pleasure, her legs kicking wildly. Other than this act of love, she had forgotten everything else. Soon, Liu Yu changed positions again—pulling Chen Tingqin’s legs onto his shoulders and launching a series of assaults. Chen Tingqin was completely overwhelmed…

…This encounter took place in a soundproofed archive room, but soon the former empresses outside began to grow restless. There were no urgent documents for them to handle. Although some files had been sent from Beining and Hanoi, the headquarters’ various departments could handle all of them efficiently. They were restless simply because their desires had stirred again. They were not virgins; after arriving in Shanxi City, all seven of them had transformed from virgins into young women, feeling as beautiful as flowers in full bloom. Indeed, Liu Yu was a very busy man and couldn’t spend time with them as a normal couple would. At best, he could show them equal favor, but compared to their days in Thanh Hóa, this was already rare happiness. In Thanh Hóa, aside from facing a group of eunuchs, they endured cold winds and gloomy skies. As for their hopes for Emperor Tự Đức, they had long given up. They thought they would either be sacrificed or spend the rest of their lives in exile. They harbored endless grievances—they were daughters of noble families, born with beauty that would have made them the most favored in any place. Yet in the palace of Thanh Hóa, they were destined to be mere drops in the ocean, leaving no trace at all. Only in Shanxi City could they be so happy. Now, all important administrative matters of the Black Flag Army passed through their hands. Though it was nominally Liu Yu’s personal office, only they knew it was the place where decisions were made. As for equal favor, it was something ordinary women couldn’t tolerate. But since they came from imperial families, comparing Liu Yu to Tự Đức, they understood how hard-won their happiness was. After all, even in an imperial family, how often could a favored empress see the emperor in a year? Hearing that alluring voice faintly, their desires stirred again. Restless, they picked up pens but didn’t know what to write. “Get to work, get to work!” Ruan Menglian was also overwhelmed—“Finish this quickly.” These women understood her mood well. One of the former empresses, usually very composed, said, “Just hearing that voice, thinking that Ah Yu is going to oversee battles for over a month again, my mind becomes chaotic.” Her heart was indeed troubled. Liu Yu naturally couldn’t take them to the battlefield. They could endure loneliness, but the thought that their beloved was only twenty or thirty kilometers away yet separated by a month filled them with resentment.

Ruan Menglian softly said, “Since ancient times, which daughter married into an imperial family has never had times to gaze at the cold moon? We are already very happy.”
“But I want more. I wonder if, after this trip, the French will be defeated, and then Ayu will be free.”
At these words, Ruan Menglian’s face lit up with extreme happiness: “That’s right. Once the French leave, we can regain our noble titles in Thanh Hóa—no, even higher!”
In Thanh Hóa, they held the title of concubines in name and were admired by many, though their status wasn’t particularly high. There, they hoped to make up for past regrets in endless happiness.
“If the French are repelled, Ayu can become the emperor of Vietnam!” the dignified former palace concubine said softly. “Then we…”
At this, the other female officials became excited and began discussing it among themselves.
They knew that even if the French didn’t fail, they couldn’t defeat the Black Flag Army and the Xiliu Camp in the short term, and Liu Yu’s strength was already sufficient to make him an emperor.
Besides, replacing the Nguyen dynasty with the Liu dynasty was a justifiable move—the Nguyens had lost their virtue, so the Liu family should take their place. The only issue was whether the Qing dynasty would allow it.
During the Qianlong era, the Tây Sơn dynasty overthrew the Nguyens, destroyed the Zhengs, and replaced them with the Le dynasty, which led to the Qing sending troops to intervene. The Qing army, unprepared, was utterly defeated by the Tây Sơn forces, with seven thousand soldiers killed—a glorious example of how even the most experienced warriors could lose.
A few years ago, Li Yangcai’s entry into Vietnam also triggered Qing intervention. All these events worried them.
Moreover, in Vietnam, one could only rule behind closed doors. The great Emperor Tự Đức, the ruler of a nation, was only given the title of a second-rank prince by the Qing dynasty and couldn’t openly declare himself emperor. He had to consider himself a vassal, even addressing the governor of Guangxi as his superior.
Yet some palace concubines believed that since the Qing dynasty was weak now, if Liu Yu had enough strength, it didn’t matter if he became emperor openly: “Ayu only needs fifty thousand elite soldiers, thirty thousand fast shooters, and dozens of steel cannons—then even the emperor of China could be challenged…”
Just then, someone shouted loudly, “My ambitions are not of that kind!”
As he spoke, the door inside opened, and Liu Yu, in high spirits, stepped out: “You all talking nonsense—you deserve a spanking!”
Ruan Menglian affectionately said, “Have you taken off your pants? The sisters are all waiting for you tonight.”
Following behind Liu Yu was Chen Tingqin. Her face was flushed, but she radiated joy, looking incredibly refreshed. Seeing all the sisters staring at her, she blushed and lowered her head.
However, the very dignified former empress glanced straight at Liu Yu before softly saying, “Ayu is absolutely right. Some matters are best discussed privately behind closed doors, as one can never be sure there aren’t ears listening.”
There were things that could only be done, not spoken—this was a principle Liu Yu had repeatedly emphasized.
Liu Yu wasn’t eager for the throne, especially since in this era, it was better not to force things, otherwise it would lead to a tragedy like Yuan Shikai’s. He valued power more.

However, these former imperial concubines had different thoughts. Having lived inside the palace for a long time with limited information, they always believed that this was the only way out, so they were particularly enthusiastic about Liu Yu becoming emperor.
Liu Yu, on the other hand, focused on power itself and had no strict requirements for how it could be achieved. After a brief consideration, he said, “Alright… Clean yourselves thoroughly tonight, and I will bestow special favor upon you. I’ll also share some heartfelt thoughts with you openly.”
“We’ll wait!”
Just as they were chatting, hurried footsteps were heard, followed by voices arguing. A newly promoted female official entered after ringing the doorbell with light steps: “Sisters, the staff office has sent urgent news.”
“What is it?”
“The British want to act as intermediaries in our negotiations with the French.”