Shan Mingxia's face suddenly turned a bit wary, even Tang Qingshan became tense.

Of course, Lu Fengmian hid his confusion as he heard Shan Mingxia's wary voice. This was definitely not in his memories, at least not that he knew of. So what exactly was going on? Right away, his eyes turned to Tang Qingshan hesitantly.

Tang Qingshan hurried to resolve whatever was happening. His brows knitted softly, "Mother, this is Lu Fengmian. He is the new subordinate by my side and is also the one who helped me win the war against the Li Nation."

Shan Mingxia's eyes were still clouded with worry before it suddenly disappeared. As if nothing happened, she suddenly smiled and shook her head. "Forgive me, I became muddled for a bit there. You must be the one that Nianzhen was talking about?"

Lu Fengmian felt nervous but still stepped forward and bent his back a bit as he said, "I am, Madam."

"Forgive me for my words earlier. I... had a sudden thought and became a bit worried." Shan Mingxia pushed past her son and hurried to lead Lu Fengmian up. "No need for such courtesy. You have saved my son's life. As a mother, I owe a debt to you."

"I only did what I should have, Madam. The General is a good man, he would have been able to win even if I had not been there." Lu Fengmian could only refute gently, shaking his head as his eyes glittered.

Tang Qingshan smiled from the side but didn't say anything.

Shan Mingxia had caught the way Lu Fengmian glanced at Tang Qingshan. Even so, her eyes were calm and clear as she added, "I shall prepare a place for you right away. I was given the news that my son was bringing someone back but I was a bit caught up and was unable to prepare. For the moment, let Qingshan guide you around the manor first and I shall call you when I have everything prepared for you." Saying this, she turned to her son and beckoned him over.

Tang Qingshan quickly walked over to Lu Fengmian.

"Understood, Mother. I will do as you say." Tang Qingshan's cold features softened a bit as his mother turned to him.

"Leave first, I have some matters to finish." Shan Mingxia could only say as her pale lips lifted gently. "I'm glad that you are safe."

"Then, I will take my leave first, Mother." Tang Qingshan replied as he guided Lu Fengmian out from the palace hall.

As soon as Shan Mingxia saw that they were gone, her brows suddenly furrowed. "Hua'er."

"Yes, Madam?" Hua'er asked as she walked over to Shan Mingxia, awaiting her orders.

Shan Mingxia looked out the door, still thinking about the man. Finally, after a moment of silence, she commanded, "Send a few guards to secretly monitor his movements. Make sure that Qingshan doesn't know about this matter."

"I understand, I shall do as you say right away, Madam." Hua'er was not fazed by how Shan Mingxia acted.

Shan Mingxia closed her eyes for a moment. Her thoughts ran wild as she calmed herself. "Leave, I want a moment alone in here."

"Yes, Madam, "Hua'er immediately left the hall, closing the doors gently, the sound echoing in the quiet room.

Shan Mingxia looked around before she began moving to a small room connected to the palace hall. Fixing her dress, she stood in front of a memorial table. There was the picture of a handsome and gallant man on top of the table. Shan Mingxia kneeled down and her hands came together as she looked at the picture and smiled sorrowfully.

"Shouxin, your son has returned safely. Only, I don't understand why today I had such an oppressive feeling in my heart when I saw the man he brought back with him. You had been killed years ago, leaving me when we were married only for a few years. I blame myself, for not stopping you from your mission. The fox demon that took you, I wish to know just who it was." Shan Mingxia's eyes suddenly watered as she grabbed a few incenses and lighted them up.

"I found out that Qingshan was trying to find out who killed you. Even I don't know why, but I hurried to erase the traces. If possible, I would like to keep Qingshan away from meeting that fox demon. I am close to finding out that fox demon's identity, yet, I am still so far. Shouxin, how are you? Time has passed me slowly. It would have flowed faster had you been by my side." Shan Mingxia smiled softly as she stuck the incense into a small jar, it's scent spreading through the room.

"The rivers are clear, a painting of my heart. Where the blossoms bloom, I look back to the start. So deep was our love, yet ending was our time. I look back and sigh, only lamenting this lifetime."

-

"Long live Her Majesty, the Empress, may you live ten thousand years."

Qi Meizhen bowed onto the ground in front of the woman dressed in a beautiful golden dress.

Sitting on the highest seat, a beautiful woman was dressed in gold. A beautiful crown was on top of her head, a gold and jade necklace on her neck. Gold earrings dangled from her ears, her beautiful eyes shone with a glimmer. Her lips were painted red, beautiful eyebrows and almond eyes. Sitting on the chair, her back was straight and powerful, fully depicting her authority.



(Hui Yin (Excellent Fame), Empress, 20 years old, fifth princess of Hui Nation)

"Qi Guifei, I am glad that you were able to make it. Mian Fei* and Shu Fei* have been waiting for your arrival. It is a shame that Ling Pin* was unable to make it as she is currently ill." From her throne, Hui Yin spoke with an even tone, a slight smile on her lips.

With her back still bent, Qi Meizhen answered without lifting her head, "I was caught up by some of my own matters. Your Majesty, forgive me for my tardiness." She clenched her fist without anyone noticing.

"Rise, you have just given birth recently. I wouldn't want His Majesty's favorite Consort to be injured." Hui Yin had a slight smirk on her face as she said this.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty," Qi Meizhen's face didn't change but her eyes got darker. Standing up, she took her seat, a step below Hui Yin's, Liang stood behind her.

From the side, two other women were seated.

One was dressed in red, bright lipstick on her lips. She had long golden earrings on, a crown upon her head. Her eyes were big and wicked, enchanting and evil. There was a small bump on her stomach, and she smiled widely as she looked at Qi Meizhen.



(Mian Huaran (Flower of Rights), Mian Fei*, 19 years old, daughter of Duke Mian of third rank)

The other woman was dressed in purple, her features delicate. She had big and clear eyes, a sense of pure beauty. She had jade earrings on, a small silver crown with jade beads hanging from the edge. The pink lipstick outlined her beautiful lips, her eyes softly twinkling.



(Shu Lirong (Beautiful Lotus), Shu Fei*, 19 years old, daughter of General Shu of the first rank)

"Qi Guifei, I am glad to see that you were able to make it here. I heard that you have been ill as of recent. I was going to send some ginseng to you since you have given birth to the Third Princess." From the side, Mian Huaran rose her brows, a light smirk on her face. She flicked her hand, her golden nail guard shining brightly in the room, twinkling.

Qi Meizhen only smiled lightly at Mian Huaran's words. "Mian Fei, thank you for your worry, but I am better now."

From the side, Shu Lirong glanced at Mian Huaran before looking at Qi Meizhen and merely said, "Qi Guifei, congratulations on giving birth to the Third Princess. I heard that she was granted the title of Jin Heshou." She smiled very lightly as she said this, showing a gentle beauty.

"Yes, His Majesty granted her a title, Shu Fei. We shall see and await the child that Mian Fei will give birth to. If it is another prince, than I am sure that His Majesty will be delighted." Qi Meizhen smiled very lightly, even as her eyes darkened at the sudden egotistical smile that appeared on Mian Huaran's face.

Mian Huaran slightly rubbed her protruding stomach, smiling as she gloated, "A prince will definitely be good for His Majesty. But His Majesty has already told me that prince or princess, he won't care for so long as I am safe." Saying this, she purposely sent a look towards Qi Meizhen.

Hui Yin watched on with mirth. She wasn't going to step in yet, after all, this was quite interesting. Mo Chou had ordered her to take control of the harem and be the mother to his nation, but that didn't mean that she couldn't watch these mere concubines tear each other's faces off.

Shu Lirong did not get involved. Kind as she was, Mian Huaran was currently the Emperor's favorite Consort and she knew that. That was why Mian Huaran was able to target Qi Meizhen like this. Not to mention, Mian Huaran was currently pregnant too. Shu Lirong needed to protect her own son so she couldn't offend anyone. She glanced up at Hui Yin, who was watching on with raised brows. She needed to get on the Empress' good side.

Qi Meizhen's face darkened, obviously attacked by Mian Huaran's words. "Is that so? His Majesty seems to really treasure you, Mian Fei..." Saying this, Qi Meizhen reached for a cup of tea and drunk it.

Mian Huaran's smile only got wider. "Of course. Lately, His Majesty has been visiting me almost every night, even giving me rewards for meager things. He even gave me this crimson jade bracelet, saying that I should rest more. He also bestowed the Rouyan hairpin to me." Mian Huaran purposely raised her hand, showing the bracelet she was wearing. Then, taking out a white hairpin from her hair, her eyes glowered at Qi Meizhen, "The Rouyan hairpin can only be given to someone of Guifei status or higher but His Majesty said that only someone like I can deserve such a beauty."

Hearing this, Hui Yin suddenly had an inkling idea. "Qi Guifei, Mian Fei, I have only been in the harem for a short amount of time, yet I can clearly see how close this harem is. His Majesty's worries were for naught. I have called upon this meeting to give out some rewards. His Majesty has gifted some fox furs to me, and as the cold season is approaching, I wanted to give some to you all as a gift." Saying this, Hui Yin glanced at the maid who had been standing next to her, awaiting her order.

The maid, Xin Lu, immediately nodded her head as she gathered her hands and clapped loudly. At that exact moment, from the doors came a line of maids carrying a small tray with a cover on top of it. Each of them approached the consorts, bowing as they awaited Hui Yin's order.

Hui Yin looked at them, smiling while studying their expressions before she directed, "Qi Guifei, as you have been the concubine by His Majesty's side the longest, even giving birth to two imperial children, I will give you the white fox fur." Saying this, she motioned for the maid to take off the cover.

As the maid lifted off the cover, a pure white fur was revealed. It was of the highest value, pure white like the snow, beautiful and shining softly.

Qi Meizhen's lips lifted up into a light smile as she looked at the tray. "Thank you for this gift, Your Majesty." Saying so, she also looked at Mian Huaran who merely looked away with a grunt.

"If it is to Qi Guifei's thanks, then I will simply accept it." Hui Yin's eyes shone a bit, calculation gleaming behind as she motioned for the maid in front of Mian Huaran to reveal the tray. "For Mian Fei, who has been in the harem for a long time and is currently pregnant, I will give you the black fox fur, a rarity equally rivaling the white fox fur."

Mian Huaran looked at the fur, lips rising as she reached her right hand to touch the fur. "Your Majesty, His Majesty has gifted you some rare fox furs. This fur is truly beautiful and soft, befitting for the cold season." Mian Huaran touched the fur a few times, smiling contently to herself, putting away her slight jealousy.

Hui Yin nodded her head and then looked at Shu Lirong as the maid took off the cover for the tray. "Shu Fei, you have been by His Majesty's side the same amount of time as Qi Guifei has and has also given birth to the Second Prince. I will give to you the grey fox fur. Though it is not as rare as the white or black fox fur, its beauty is still rare."

Shu Lirong accepted the gift with a smile as she replied, "Your Majesty, thank you for this gift. It may not be rare, but it is truly still beautiful for the eyes." Shu Lirong had no harsh feelings. She was truly thankful.

Hui Yin nodded as she grabbed a cup of tea, using the lid to clear away the leaves as she then announced, "I have also spoken with the Empress Dowager. It has come to my knowledge as the Empress that I should further enhance this palace and its people. The Empress Dowager and I have decided that it will be time to select a few more concubines to enter the harem." As Hui Yin said this, she took a sip of tea, her eyes lifting up, cold and scheming. With this one move, she was showing the power she held as the Empress, the figure that no one in the harem would be able to reach.

Mian Huaran noticeably froze, her smile turning cold. Qi Meizhen's was worse. Her mood depleted right away, eyes darkening and it was hard for her to hold her smile. Shu Lirong though, did not change in her demeanor.

"Of course, I first wanted to tell you all as you are now my sisters in this depleted palace."

Hui Yin smiled. These people were truly scheming foxes, but no one could rival her. After all, this was why Mo Chou had given her all the power to do as she wished.

"I will make a deal with you. I will be your Empress. I will take complete control of your harem and be the Mother to your nation. In return, I will ask for complete power and control over who I wish to punish and reward. I will handle the harem. All you have to do is worry about your nation."

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Guifei*- Noble Consort, it is the third highest ranking after the Empress in the harem. This is a high status, usually given to someone who has already given birth to a prince or a princess.

Fei*- Consort, it is the fourth rank after the Empress in the harem. This title is either given to someone who has given birth to a prince or princess, or is the daughter of a high-ranking official/minister.