Chapter Five, the Chief of the Four Concubines

The disputes among various factions have rendered the Dragon Guard as scattered as sand. If this continues, it will inevitably be uprooted by the Northern Emperor. In order to win people's hearts, the Northern Emperor is currently placing great trust in the Jun family. However, when the Dragon Guard loses its power to contend with the Northern Emperor, how can the Jun family avoid destruction?

I can give you a maximum of three days to consider. I have reached a point of exhaustion, and my body has only been sustained until now by the medicine of a divine doctor

Holding the golden dragon scepter, I gazed at my mother who was prostrated before my father, meeting various gazes. I felt as if I were in a dream, yet this dream was both bitter and painful

The Guardian of the Dragon, as the name suggests, is to assist the Northern Emperor and safeguard the eternal foundation of the Northern Kingdom. It must not be affected by brotherly conflicts, as this would undermine the stability of the Northern Kingdom. This is a rule that has been in place for hundreds of years, and it cannot be overturned by my father

This is the letter you sent back to Liangzhou, which I have intercepted. If you decide to enter the palace as a consort and take on this heavy burden, then you must sever all ties with Liangzhou. Otherwise, it will harm both others and yourself, and concern will lead to chaos. They are your Achilles' heel.

After several hundred years of development, the Hulong Division, although currently powerful and influential, is also plagued by numerous issues. Some of its younger members are indulgent and extravagant, lacking in knowledge and skills. Within the Hulong Division, there are factions, with one faction supporting the Jun family, which backs Li Ao, and another faction rooted in the deeply entrenched Luo family. Currently, the Jun family's influence is growing stronger, and they have been seeking to eliminate the Luo family in order to dominate entirely.

The maid supported Mother as she approached. Upon seeing such a father, Mother's face turned pale. Not knowing where she found the strength, she pushed the maid away and rushed to Father's side, holding him tightly. However, Father did not spare her a glance.

Father lies on the bed, his hands, feet, and face all dark and swollen, no longer displaying the handsome features of the past. His eyes are vacant and lifeless, devoid of any glimmer of light, and my hands and feet feel icy cold

The number of people in the room is increasing. I saw my other two younger brothers, one of whom is a sixteen-year-old boy named Li Qian, who has a pale complexion and a slender build. He possesses a pair of pure and flawless eyes. The other is Li Ao, tall and upright, with an air of arrogance about him. In addition to them, many others have arrived in the room

How could this happen? How could this happen? The eighteen ladies in the residence were taken aback, and some even cried out in alarm, their sobs filled with panic and confusion

Especially in today's context, the Northern Emperor is fierce and brutal, cunning and deceitful, employing various means to weaken the power of the Dragon Guard. It is unknown how many underhanded tactics have been used in secret. However, for the honor and survival of our clan, we cannot take a step back; retreating would mean falling off a precipice, resulting in utter destruction.

I pass the throne to Xuan'er, but the military power is entrusted to you. From now on, you shall take my place in protecting Xuan'er until he comes of age, and ensure the safety of the Li clan. Ao'er and Qian'er are both my sons, and I do not wish for any harm to come to them. Although I know this may be somewhat demanding, it is the only course of action I can take.

For several hundred years, we, the Hulong Division, have faithfully adhered to our clan's teachings, safeguarding the splendid rivers and mountains of the North. We have followed the mandate of heaven to uphold the state and have made significant contributions. Although the Hulong Division and the Northern Emperor each possess their own armies, and some dynasties have wielded the power to dominate all, we have never harbored any thoughts of rebellion. However, two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain; the formidable Hulong Division has caused successive generations of the Northern Emperor's court to be restless, leading them to forget how much blood the Li family has shed for this land over the past few centuries. Even though some dynasties have wielded the power to dominate all, we have never harbored any thoughts of rebellion. However, two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain; the formidable Hulong Division has caused successive generations of the Northern Emperor's court to be restless, leading them to forget how much blood the Li family has shed for this land over the past few centuries.

In fact, even earlier, your father had already discovered your presence in Liangzhou. He had not sought to bring you back, as he did not want you to be embroiled in this conflict, allowing you to live freely in the vastness of the world. However, now that my life is drawing to a close, after much contemplation and struggle, I have ultimately decided to place this burden upon you

But before I had the chance to think clearly, the dreadful news had already arrived. Early in the morning, the sharp cries of the maid pierced the silence of the sky, causing my heart to sink. Without even properly putting on my clothes, I rushed out.

I am merely a maid, what ability do I have to protect them? If I enter the palace as a consort, will they be safe?

I am afflicted by a chronic poison, and now the toxic gas has spread to my internal organs. I have endured until now solely for the sake of my family. The position of the Guardian of the Dragon is hereditary, passed down from father to son, typically from the legitimate son rather than the illegitimate. If it were to be passed to the illegitimate, the legitimate son must either die or be rendered powerless, ensuring that he does not hold any real authority in the future, thus preventing conflicts among brothers and the ensuing calamities that may arise from within the family.

Sounds of panic, gasps, and the chaotic clamor of footsteps arose

Father left this world on that day, departing in an exceptionally sudden manner, and his death was extremely painful, as that dark cloud spread throughout his entire body. Before he passed away, Mother, undeterred by his entire body turning black, held him tightly and asked him if he had any love for her in this lifetime.

Father merely looked coldly at Mother, his gaze icy and indifferent. Until his death, Father never uttered a single soft word to Mother, nor did a gentle glance ever fall upon her. Father once told me that it was not that he did not care, but rather that he cared too much; it was not that he did not want to speak, but he feared that if he did, Mother would become concerned and follow him.

You may not be able to ensure their safety upon entering the palace, but if you withdraw now, they will undoubtedly perish. You are my legitimate daughter, and if you also become the emperor's consort, you will be a member of the royal family. It will be only natural for you to command the troops of the Dragon Court and fulfill the duties of the Dragon Guard to protect the current sovereign; otherwise, the Dragon Guard will not heed your commands.

In order to ensure her survival, he is willing for her to hate him, even if it lasts a lifetime

The passing of Hulongsi has brought the entire nation into mourning. In gratitude for the remarkable contributions Hulongsi made throughout his life, the Emperor has conferred upon me the title of Virtuous Consort, making me the foremost among the four consorts, with the wedding to take place in ten days.

My lady has many companions, and the relationships among them are intricate and complicated. Although we are not of royal lineage, there is still fierce competition for favor and power among them. Many are with child, yet most suffer from miscarriages. The reasons for this are not unknown to me; it is simply that while one can easily defend against a direct attack, it is much harder to guard against a hidden strike. The struggles of women can sometimes be more brutal than the bloodshed on the battlefield.

Due to Li Xuan's youth, the Dragon Talisman is temporarily managed by his legitimate daughter, Li Ye, who is also the current emperor's consort. All personnel of the Dragon Guard must obey Li Ye's orders; otherwise, they will be executed without exception. From this day forth, Li Ao and Li Qian will leave the Dragon Guard residence and move into a newly established mansion. My father said he would give me three days to consider, but he did not follow through.

Your mother resents me, Xuan'er fears me. For all these years, I have not even held Xuan'er once. It is not that I do not care, but rather that I care too much. It is not that I do not love, but that I do not dare to love. Your mother has a gentle disposition and cannot intimidate the other ladies in the residence. She has survived until now not only because of the support of the Luo family behind her but also because I have secretly shielded her from many open and hidden attacks. Now that I am nearing death and the Luo family is gradually declining, your mother has no one to rely on.

Father has thus departed, leaving me alone to face the wolves, leopards, and tigers of the world

If you were merely a frail woman, I would have given up. However, you are exceptionally intelligent and navigate among numerous merchants with ease. Now, the only person who can save your mother and your brother is you, and the only one who can ensure the survival of the Hulong Clan is also you

It is a choice between sacrificing oneself to stay or withdrawing. I leave it to you to decide; no matter what, I will not blame you. I have legitimized you overnight, and the world knows you are my daughter. I also have the ability to make you disappear overnight, quietly returning to Liangzhou.

I have sat in silence for an entire night, what should I do? I have never felt so lost.

I left my father's study in a daze and went to the bedroom of my mother and Li Xuan. They were sleeping so peacefully and serenely, and Li Xuan even called out for her sister in her dreams, her voice filled with dependence. How could I bear to watch them die before my eyes? Yet, the thought of entering the palace to become a concubine and marrying a sixty-year-old man fills me with such reluctance.

Ao Er is exceptionally intelligent and meticulous in thought, but unfortunately, he is excessively cruel and ruthless, devoid of compassion. If he were to inherit the position of the Dragon Guardian, Xuan Er and your mother would undoubtedly have no chance of survival. However, if I were to pass the position to Xuan Er, given his current age and mental capacity, he would either be killed by Ao Er in a power struggle or perish due to the Northern Emperor's reduction of his authority.

Today, everyone is gathered here, and I have an important announcement to make: I am about to pass away, and today I will be passing the throne to my legitimate son, Li Xuan. This statement has stirred up a great uproar, and there is a strong wave of opposition.

Human emotions and love are complex and elusive, and I always find them difficult to understand

Father slowly brought his palms together, his lips moved slightly, revealing a trace of an unusual and bitter smile. I stared at him in a daze, unable to regain my senses for a long time. How could this be possible? How could my father, as sturdy and upright as a towering mountain, fall so easily? I did not believe it, yet the dark cloud in my mind lingered, pressing down on me like a rolling storm.