She was a woman of extraordinary allure to begin with. Back in the Central Capital, she had earned the title of the Bewitching Queen, and now that her cultivation had risen so much, that enchantment had become nothing short of devastating. Her face alone was enough to leave any man's soul utterly captivated.
Red was a gaudy color by most standards, yet on her it complemented her perfectly, only serving to accentuate her beauty until it became something beyond compare.
Right now, she held a wine jug in one hand, her lovely eyes narrowed to a slight squint as she gazed up at the stars, as though studying the constellations and the moon. But if one looked closely, there was no focus in her gaze—every last thing under heaven might as well not have existed.
She tilted her head back slightly and tipped the jug to her lips. The clear wine slid down the corner of her mouth, traced a line along her slender, pale throat, and dripped into the valley of her heaving chest, soaking the fabric. Had any man been present, his blood would have boiled on the spot, and he would have been utterly beyond himself.
She raised one hand toward the starry sky, reaching as if to seize a star, clenching her fist, refusing to let go.
When she opened her hand, there was nothing there.
She hurled the wine jug to the ground, both hands raking through her hair in disarray, and ground out through clenched teeth, "Stinking man!"
The crash of the jug startled someone outside. The door swung open, and a lithe, graceful figure stepped in. The newcomer glanced at her, then at the shattered porcelain scattered on the floor, crouched down, and silently began picking up the pieces.
"Biluo, come here!" Shan Qingluo beckoned to her with a wave, her voice dripping with a sweetness that penetrated to the bone. Even Biluo, being a woman herself, felt her heart tremble at the sound—something stirred deep within her body, leaving her restless and agitated.
Biluo pressed a hand to her forehead. "My Lady, what are you up to now?"
"Come here!" Shan Qingluo slurred, drunk and petulant.
Biluo had no choice but to walk over. Before she had even come to a stand, Shan Qingluo seized her and pulled her into her lap, draping half of her body across her legs.
Biluo looked up. That face capable of bringing the entire world to its knees was right there, inches away. Her red lips glistened like jewels, inviting and lustrous. A heady fragrance wafted from her, filling Biluo's senses with a daze. Shan Qingluo gazed down at her with a playful smile, the silky strands of hair falling across her forehead brushing against Biluo's cheek—tantalizingly itchy.
*Gulp.* Biluo swallowed with difficulty, her cheeks flushing crimson. "M-My Lady..."
Shan Qingluo simply smiled without a word, which only made Biluo more nervous. Was the wish she had harbored for years about to come true? She wasn't prepared at all! What should she do—should she heartlessly refuse? But opportunities like this, a gift from the heavens, were not to be squandered. Once Shan Qingluo sobered up, there might never be another chance.
As the maid who had followed Shan Qingluo all the way from the Central Capital, Biluo had long since given both her heart and her body over to her mistress. Her own cultivation was no longer negligible—she had reached the first stage of the Void King realm. For someone whose natural aptitude was not particularly high, such an achievement owed everything to Shan Qingluo's years of generous support and meticulous guidance.
She would do anything for Shan Qingluo. She wouldn't so much as furrow her brow at the thought of death.
Her breathing quickened, her blood surged, and the whole of Biluo's body went rigid, as though struck by lightning.
"Like me, do you?" Shan Qingluo suddenly asked with a giggle, her eyes hazy and unfocused. As she spoke, she extended one slender jade-like finger and traced it along Biluo's red lips.
Biluo nearly gave in and licked it, but managed to hold onto her reason just barely. Half amused and half mortified, she said, "My Lady, you're drunk."
"Nonsense." Shan Qingluo's delicate fingertip came to rest on Biluo's lips, her voice languid. "A few jugs of wine—how could I possibly be drunk? Mm, you haven't answered my question yet."
Biluo pressed her lips together and gave a small nod. "Biluo belongs to my Lady."
Shan Qingluo giggled. "My little Biluo is the sweetest." She leaned down toward her, her red lips close, exhaling a fragrant, intoxicating breath.
Biluo's eyes went wide. Just as she expected something to happen, she felt Shan Qingluo press a gentle kiss to her forehead. The sudden wave of disappointment was almost crushing.
Then she heard Shan Qingluo say, "But we're both women! If I were a man, I'd devour you right now!" She reached out and playfully flicked Biluo on the nose.
Biluo looked away, her voice soft and wistful. "I could manage it either way..."
"Manage what, manage!" Shan Qingluo sighed. "Men are better, aren't they? They up and leave without a care in the world, no attachments whatsoever—yet they take your heart with them and never know it. Who knows what kind of romantic escapades he's off having out there? He's probably got a whole harem by now, kids even, and has long since forgotten all about me."
Biluo's expression darkened with anger. "My Lady, a man like that isn't worth your thoughts. Don't even bother with him."
Shan Qingluo took her hand and placed it over her own heart, smiling sweetly. "But *this* won't agree to that."
Biluo's heart ached fiercely, tears nearly spilling from her eyes. "My Lady, no matter how the seas turn to mulberry fields and the heavens and earth transform, Biluo will always be by your side. As long as my Lady doesn't drive me away, I will never leave."
"As if I would ever drive you away." Shan Qingluo pressed her lips together in a delicate smile.
Biluo smiled happily, then suddenly grew bashful and began to fidget. "If my Lady truly cannot bear it any longer... your servant might be able to think of something. Perhaps I could... ease your troubles. It might relieve some of your yearning."
Shan Qingluo raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What kind of method could you possibly have?"
Biluo said, "I've learned some illusion techniques over the past few years."
"Oh?" Shan Qingluo's interest was piqued.
"I can take on his appearance."
Shan Qingluo fell silent for a moment, seemingly tempted.
Seeing this, Biluo pressed her advantage. "I may not be able to capture his exact bearing, but reproducing seventy or eighty percent of it wouldn't be a problem."
"Reproducing *whose*, exactly?"
A voice suddenly drifted in from beyond the window, startling both women.