Chapter Sixty-Five: Fragrant Sweat on Light Garments, Cool Garments Carrying the Scent of Sweat

"Heh..."
Xu Boqing smiled, his words tinged with implication. "Though what happened before is already written off, isn't it a bit late for Your Majesty to make such a gesture?"
He paused, then continued, "Besides, Chief Huang's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, and it seems the Crown Prince has some connection to the culprit. Do you think I would help with this favor?"
Empress Zhang hurriedly replied, "As long as you are willing to help, name any sum you wish."
"Sorry..."
Xu Boqing tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, shaking his head. "Money doesn't interest me."
Empress Zhang trembled, saying, "I have nowhere left to turn. If you would help me, I will do my utmost to fulfill any request."
Xu Boqing's eyes brightened with interest. "Any request?"
"Yes!!"
Tears slid down Empress Zhang's cheeks. "As long as it is not too excessive."
"Heh..."
Xu Boqing seemed to recall something, his gaze flickering as he looked at her. He rose from his seat and leaned close to her ear.
"I rather liked Your Majesty's icy demeanor just now. Would you be so kind as to restore it for me..."
"You..."
Though Empress Zhang felt prepared, she still retreated a few steps, startled like a frightened doe.
"Just a joke..."
Seeing her reaction, Xu Boqing laughed. "Actually, I do have something in mind. If you agree, I'll help you as well."
Empress Zhang's expression shifted, as if she had guessed something. She lifted her chin and forced herself to calm down. "What is it? Please speak plainly."
"Just a dance~"
Empress Zhang blinked in surprise, doubtful she heard correctly. "A... dance?"
"Yes~"
Xu Boqing nodded and sighed. "They say palace ladies are skilled in song and dance. I've been here over a year, yet never seen it myself. Now that I am about to leave the capital, I can't help but feel regret..."
He paused dramatically. "Would Your Majesty grant me this wish?"
Empress Zhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking this rogue, though irksome, was not as wicked as she feared.
She hesitated. "Just a dance?"
"Yes~"
Xu Boqing smiled. "But there's one thing: I'll decide what you wear for the dance, though the style is up to you."
"Clothing..."
Empress Zhang frowned instinctively, sensing the condition might hold more than it seemed.
Yet, dance attire was usually just lighter and more form-fitting—a far lesser price than she had imagined...
Xu Boqing saw her pondering and said, "If Your Majesty is unwilling, then forget it."
"I am willing!"
Empress Zhang steeled herself, taking a deep breath. "I accept your condition."
"That will do."

Xu Boqing smiled enigmatically. "Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. I'll fetch your dance attire~~"
He went to the headboard of the Empress Dowager's phoenix bed, opened the wardrobe, and carefully selected his own 'masterpiece,' brought from another world to 'demonstrate his unique skills.'
Empress Zhang, curious about the 'dance attire,' followed him. But when she saw the garments inside, she was dumbfounded—
Silk as thin as a cicada's wing, form-fitting to the point of embarrassment, ribbons adorned with little bells, and all sorts of unfamiliar, novel apparel...
This... This...
Are these clothes!!??
Just then, Xu Boqing's eyes gleamed as he chose his 'masterpiece,' taking out a few matching, airy garments and accessories, along with some sheer veils.
"Let's use this set."
Empress Zhang stared in disbelief at the cool fabrics laid atop the phoenix bed.
That embroidered piece looked like... a corset!?
That was... a forehead ornament? That was... a veil?
But... what was that?
How does one even wear such a thing... Could it be...?
Who am I!?
Where am I!?
These garments—what difference is there between wearing and not wearing them?
She blinked in confusion, her cheeks flushing deep red like blood. She quickly turned away, unable to look further at what could barely be called 'clothes.'
Xu Boqing laughed. "Is Your Majesty regretting it?"
"Yes!"
Empress Zhang nodded, a trace of indignation on her face. "Director Xu, how can you call these clothes? They're just scraps of fabric!"
"Not for people to wear?"
Xu Boqing clicked his tongue, hinting, "Are you saying the Empress Dowager isn't human?"
Empress Zhang realized her slip, but refused to correct it, feeling both shamed and secretly wondering what strange power Xu Boqing possessed, to make the Empress Dowager wear such things...
Bah... shameless pair... utterly indecent!
Whatever crossed her mind, her cheeks grew even hotter...
Xu Boqing, seeing her uncertain expression, said casually, "If Your Majesty won't, then forget it—please, leave."
Empress Zhang's face changed. Turning, she saw Xu Boqing tidying the clothes and hurried forward. "Director Xu, please calm yourself."
"Calm myself?"
Xu Boqing frowned. "This is a fair exchange. If you're unwilling, I won't force you, but I must put the clothes away—what's there to be agitated about?"
Now, Empress Zhang could no longer care about shame. Biting her lip, she pleaded, "Director, I am not skilled in dancing. Might I find someone to substitute?"
"A substitute?"

Xu Boqing asked in surprise, hinting, "Would your substitute also be the current Empress?"
Empress Zhang fell silent...
She knew well that this rogue was seeking revenge for her earlier offense...
To think it was only wearing such attire—shameful, but far less than she anticipated. She nodded, "I will wear it myself..."
Xu Boqing smiled. "Then put it on."
Empress Zhang hesitated, "Here?"
"Where else?"
Xu Boqing saw her uncertainty and reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't peek. It's just a dance, and afterward, we will be strangers."
With this guarantee, Empress Zhang, though still conflicted, could only nod.
"I hope you keep your word."
She took the garments and slipped behind the curtain.
She saw Xu Boqing, as promised, turn away and not peek, which allowed her to breathe easier.
Behind the curtain, the sound of changing clothes rustled softly...
Xu Boqing simply smiled mysteriously and leisurely poured himself a cup of tea to savor...
In psychology, there is a common phenomenon called the 'Expectation Gap Principle'...
Simply put...
When someone expects a good outcome but reality falls short, they feel disappointment and resentment.
The reverse is also true.
When someone expects a bad outcome but reality is not as bad as anticipated, they feel relief and comfort themselves...
From the beginning, Empress Zhang presumed Xu Boqing to be a lascivious villain corrupting the palace, and 'predicted' the worst outcome. Thus, in this 'expectation gap,' she continually consoled herself...
After a while...
Empress Zhang emerged from behind the curtain, dressed lightly, draped in a sheer veil, holding a palace fan. Her beauty was enchanting, her slender waist as delicate as a willow, moving with a grace that seemed to bend in the wind—utterly captivating...
"Director, I am not skilled in dancing. If my performance is lacking, I beg your indulgence."
Xu Boqing turned, his eyes lighting up at her dance, applauding in praise: "A light gauze fan of white orchid, a slender waist and jade belt fluttering silk. Surely a fairy descended to earth, a smile outshining the stars~"
It was July.
Though the palace was cool in summer and warm in winter, the Empress, dancing, had beads of fragrant sweat glistening on her brow and collarbone...
Xu Boqing, his heart stirred, dropped all pretense of propriety. In a swift movement, he caught the dancing beauty in his arms, burying his face in her shoulder and inhaling deeply...
"Fragrant sweat on cool silk, cool silk scented by sweat—marvelous~"
"Director... you..."
"Your Majesty, surely you don't wish for the Crown Prince to be confined in the Eastern Palace?"
Empress Zhang fell silent...