The four gates are like the sea

Xi Ri Changjing took his seat at the main position and briefly introduced me, concluding with the words: "From now on, Shu Li will be the sword bearer of this king"

Lady Liu sat in her position, gazing at me for a while before saying: "Shu Li, since you have become a maid, you should content yourself with being a maid. I will speak frankly; every concubine in the Wang residence has her own background, and each one is a noble lady. Although I am currently managing the Wang residence, when it comes to important matters, I must also consult with the various madams. Do you understand?"

Liu Fei is a meticulous person. After observing my steps for a while, she furrowed her brows but did not say anything. She is well aware of her grandfather's character.

Prince Xiri Chang does not have a primary consort, yet he has seven secondary consorts, each with her own charm, whether plump or slender. The seemingly cheerful Consort Qian immediately teased me upon seeing me, saying: "Look, the prince has brought us a little eighth one."

The long-faced Liu Fei said solemnly, "It is better for the prince to introduce it himself!"

After Xi Ri Chang left, apart from the named Liu Fei, the other side consorts also followed suit, among whom two even cast me a significant disdainful glance

After Dong Shuhai left, Xi Richang let out a light sigh and asked me, "Shu Shu, what do you think of General Dong's cultivation?"

I frowned; there is nothing I can do if one insists on finding fault in the egg.

Touching my burning face, I thought to myself: Qian Fei, Zhi Yun, I have noted it down for now, what you owe me must be repaid!

"From now on, behave yourself; do not think that it is so easy to gain favor just because you are close to the source. " Seeing my weakness, Lady Qian left with great satisfaction.

The position of the weapon manager, known as the sword attendant, is undoubtedly a newly added role in the royal residence. I could tell from the expressions of the women that this position did not exist in the royal residence before.

The setting sun did not change its color as it spoke: "You are right, a conspiracy relies on deception. Turn a disadvantage into an advantage, and you can kill me, kill anyone you wish. But until then, you can only let me trample upon you."

I understand, madam

I calmed down, stood up, and took off my clothes one by one

How could I not understand her when she speaks so profoundly? Once you become a maid, do not expect to be promoted; the various concubines are all individuals I cannot afford to offend

"Madam, do not be angry; it is not worth damaging your health over this little matter. Allow me to take care of it for you!" Zhi Yun rolled up her sleeves.

Have been waiting at the border for many days

I remained silent throughout my time at Xirichang, not uttering a single sound, even when I fainted, I held it in. When I entered the royal palace of Shengjing Xirichang, my legs were not together.

I was taken aback, my mouth full of sweetness yet bitterness lingered in my heart. Xi Ri Chang plotted against me once again. It is important to note that at that time I was not poisoned; even if I could not castrate the lecher, at least I could escape. It would not be a problem for Scarred Liu to hold him off for a while.

As soon as he entered the room, there was not a trace of drunkenness left in him. After pouring a cup of tea, he smiled and said, "I thought I was waiting for someone else!"

"This time it is truly poison," he said leisurely. "On the road, I only kill people; there is no need for poison."

I swallowed the pill whole and bit it into pieces. In front of me, there was another cup of tea, which I drank.

I shall go to see His Majesty first, Xianya, please make the arrangements in the meantime

Finally, Dong Shuhai mentioned me: "Is this little girl the new concubine bought by the prince? What is her worth?"

The setting sun cursed, clearly indicating that a man cannot stop at such a moment. He ceased to speak, and the intensity of the impact increased.

That night, I was violated once again. With the taboos stripped away from my body, all I could think about was how to kill the man on top of me. But what would happen after I killed him? I couldn't even defeat Xi Richang, how could I avenge my deep-seated grievances? My nails dug deeply into his back; it was the hardness of these nails and fingers that pierced through the chest of Scar Liu, extracting his heart, and now Xi Richang lay beneath my hands

I began to move rhythmically, sweat gradually seeping from my skin, dripping onto the chest of the incredibly alluring man beneath me

Xiang Lan once said that only when a woman truly loves a man can she experience the sweetness of love between men and women. I think I will not experience it; I will not fall in love with any man

On the first night in Daga, Dong Shuhai did not hold a welcome banquet as I had imagined, nor did he arrange a luxurious inn. Instead, I stayed in the military camp with Xirichang. Indeed, there is no place safer than a military camp.

I said with a wry smile: "I rushed here immediately after finishing lunch"

Hmm. This is exactly what Consort Qian has been waiting for. If an opportunity cannot be found, one must create it.

This will do! Liu Fei pointed to the second wing of Changhua Courtyard.

Madam, please do not be angry! I did not resist and received a total of eight slaps from Zhiyun, and the last one even left a mark on my face

What do you do every day at Changhua Courtyard? Does it really take that long to have lunch?

Medicine

Having spoken, he abandoned me and left with a swift stride

The setting sun retreated before me. All the great soldiers of the Tangzhou City guarded Xi Richang during his last night in the Western Qin, a night without incident

Teach me, conspiracy

I inhaled sharply, and he quickly let go, "I forgot, your injury"

I did not know whether to feign a look of reluctance or to express my stance, so I remained silent

Is it prudent

Upon hearing her unfriendly tone, I cautiously chose my words: "In response to the lady's words, the master said to come once every afternoon, and Shu Li does not dare to disobey."

The expressions of the women became even more vivid. Consort Qian could not help but exclaim, "Isn't this the courtyard where the master resides?" Consort Liu shot her a sidelong glance, and she immediately fell silent.

This is sufficient

I have met the lady. I bowed respectfully.

Xi Ri Chang put down his teacup and gently said: "Calm down, you have been tired lately, tonight I will sleep at Qianfei's place"

The reason I endure is that I think of Xiri Chang, not because I want him to stand up for me, but because I sense the smell of a conspiracy.

Hmph, Shuli, what time is it? Why have you only just arrived at the armory? Is this how you handle the tasks I entrusted to you?

I do not understand

Upon leaving Linchuan, one arrives at the border stronghold of Tangzhou City, where the officials responsible for receiving Xi Richang had already made all the necessary arrangements. Upon hearing of the prince's assassination, the officials were astonished and their faces filled with anger, vowing to take drastic action. Xi Richang gently dismissed their concerns and then asked, "Has General Dong arrived?"

Xi Ri Chang smiled and said: "It came from Qingcheng Garden, sent by Li Yong"

Before returning to the capital Shengjing of the Great Gao Kingdom, Xi Richang never let me go. The mask of the Western Qin Kingdom was torn off, and he no longer concealed his desires, frantically extracting from me. Later, Xi Richang told me that he did this to awaken my desires. However, he was disappointed; even if my actions were in sync, my heart remained numb.

Lady Liu Feilan pinched the tea lid with her elegant fingers and glanced over, saying: "I wonder what the master is thinking; you are General Li's adopted daughter, and this status should be sufficient."

Thank you, madam, Shuli has noted it down

One day in the armory, I ran into Consort Qian, who seemed to be waiting for me with four maidservants.

The western sun returned very late, reeking of alcohol. He saw me standing in front of his dormitory door and, touching his forehead, said: "Why are you still not asleep?"

Seeing that I pushed it to Xirichang, Qianfei's expression became even more unpleasant

Xi Richaodao: "His cultivation is very high, and I am unclear where his bottom line lies. A general with high cultivation acts with meticulous precision, never alone, always entering and exiting with his army. What does this signify?"

I only walk in Changhua Courtyard and the Armory. When Xi Ri Chang is in the residence, I attend to him; when he is not, I practice on my own, playing the pipa once a day. Like my practice, the pipa requires daily dedication to avoid neglect. Among the concubines, only Concubine Qiu also loves music; her courtyard often resonates with the sound of the xiao. We never speak; we occasionally meet, and I bow to her while she nods in acknowledgment. Most of the time, we are in our own courtyards. We never play together. From her xiao, I sense that she is a person of high nature, while I consider my pipa to be a work of mediocrity. Those skilled in silk and bamboo are often as elegant as lotuses, while I am but a morning glory.

Xi Ri Chang waved away the servant with one hand and said, "Come in with me."

I fell into the chair. He continued to say: "I have never claimed that the Nine Flower Six Insect Pill is poison, but since you think it is, I can't be bothered to explain."

Have you made up your mind?" Xi Richang suddenly came to a stop

My low profile has only earned me more disdain; the favored concubines and their attendants regard me with nothing but arrogance, their words surpassing even those of the long-necked one from that day. I remember the words of Consort Liu: keep my eyes on my nose, my nose on my heart, and let the winds of the east and west blow past my ears.

"Why aren't you answering the lady's question!" a maid scolded me, "Did you not hear the lady asking you why you are taking so long to eat!"

A spark flashed in Xi Ri Chang's eyes, yet he filled a cup of tea and poured it over my head. The icy tea flowed over my bare body, trickling down to the ground

Lady Liu took a sip of tea and said: "Do not overthink it; just focus on doing your work well in the future. I will support you, but you must also be sensible yourself."

I followed Lady Liu to the armory to familiarize myself with the territory of the future, and then went to the wardrobe to receive twelve sets of maidservant garments for all four seasons, as well as two bedding sets. Lady Liu's head maid, Qing'er, helped me carry some items, and the steward of the wardrobe also called a young servant for assistance

Well

I glanced at my wrist, where the injury that had already healed had worsened again due to the incident with Scar Liu. The one whose true limits are not recognized by others should be Xiri Chang! He has never revealed his true skills while using others to do his dirty work.

I bowed my head. His palm came before me, yet in the center of it lay a black pill.

I ultimately restrained myself from taking action, the poison within me remains unresolved, I have learned too little from Xi Richang, and most importantly, I may not be able to kill him

We gazed at each other, and I saw myself in his pupils, a melancholic girl with disheveled hair

In the second month of my arrival at the Wangfu, I saw Xiri Chang even less frequently. He seemed to have become very busy, always leaving early and returning late, and he rarely slept in the side consort's quarters at night. This change, however, brought me misfortune.

"Shuli, you are the first person to live in this courtyard, so do not blame your fate," said Liu Fei as she paced a few steps. "I wonder what the master intends; having a courtyard in the middle of the three courtyards is certainly not a bad idea."

Fraud! I finally managed to utter two words through my clenched teeth

It is getting late, let's take a rest

Bitter medicine is hard to swallow, but how does this poison taste? It must be very sweet! I specifically asked Brother Wang for it. Falling Sunset Pill, to be taken once every half month

The prince has found a bargain! said Dong Shuhai

In the main account, Xi Ri Chang omitted a section of mine, briefly mentioning the assassination incident in the Western Qin. Dong Shu Hai was also unable to provide any details. All the corpses were unmarked, and Dao Scar Liu was yet another killer who called money his father.

Indeed, the Concubine Qian sneered, "Well, I haven't even had lunch yet, and you have already eaten! The master is still hungry, yet this servant has overindulged and dawdled until this hour to come and work. Is there still any family law?"

Then I shall no longer disturb His Highness's rest

"You can't kill me, just call it out!" Xiri Chang teased in my ear, "Like killing a pig, Shushu."

Changhua Academy

Xi Ri Chang shook his head and said: "It is an attitude"

I respectfully say: "My eyesight is not as good as that of the prince"

I donned my attire and began my life in the royal residence. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed, and Xi Richang had not laid a finger on me even once. I gradually faded from the sight of the various concubines. It was as if I were merely an ordinary maid, and as if Xi Richang had simply taken a fancy to a girl in the courtyard; whatever there was, it was merely that of a secondary wife.

My hand moved from his back to his chest, and with a push, I knocked him aside. Then I flipped over and leaped onto him, tossing my hair back and coldly saying: "Your Highness, please call me Shu Li"

In fact, I have never forgotten your medicine. He emphasized the word "medicine" heavily.

Lady Liu asked again: "Which courtyard does Sister Shuli live in?"

"Zhiyun, this dead girl is driving me crazy!" Qian Fei said, placing her hand on her chest. I cast her a sidelong glance; on that day, she affectionately referred to her as Little Eight, and now she has become a dead girl, a thorn in her side.

Xiri Chang turned and smiled, "I am feeling quite conflicted right now, whether it is better for you to understand or not to understand." Suddenly, he grasped my hands tightly, "I almost tricked you; you have already understood."

It turns out I had been waiting all morning, no wonder I was so irritable. I bowed my head and said, "I hope you will forgive my anger, madam"

The attendant by the weapons depot seized the opportunity to flee, as his absence rendered him uninvolved in the matter

The next morning, outside Tangzhou City, the area was filled with the troops of the renowned general Dong Shuhai of the Da Gao. Accompanied by numerous soldiers, Xi Richang safely set foot on the territory of Da Gao, while the garrison of the Western Qin only sent a symbolic force of one hundred soldiers to the border. I took a final glance at my homeland from the carriage and silently vowed: I will return.

Indeed, it is a great bargain

It was only then that I found Liu Fei somewhat interesting. Before she left, she lightly tapped my forehead with her orchid-like fingers and said, "It's fine to stay inside, but be careful when you go outside, Xiao Shu Li!"

"Yes, Your Highness," said Lady Liu