Chapter 2: Desire for Chaos

I strolled leisurely towards Concubine Zhen, who was taken by surprise that I would take the initiative to meet her, a subtle tenderness revealing itself in her eyes

I silently nodded, turned, and walked towards the door. Upon reaching the entrance, I looked back and saw Concubine Zhen still standing in the snow, dressed in a red palace gown

The Emperor said: "Unfortunately, over the past three years, natural disasters have been relentless. First there were floods, followed by plagues, which have dealt an unprecedented blow to the livelihood of the people of our Great Kang Kingdom. To the east, west, and south, there are seven nations encircling us, while to the north, the barbarian invaders continue to descend southward, disturbing the populace." He raised his gaze towards us, as if waiting for our response.

We clinked our glasses and downed the fine wine in one go

Qin Wang, with a flushed face, retreated.

She reached out to push open the wooden lattice window, and outside, the large snowflakes continued to drift down.

I am duly instructed

A desolate voice from outside the door called out: "Your Highness, the Thirty-First Prince!"

Upon arriving at the Guangde Hall, most of my royal brothers and nephews had already gathered, discussing the death of King Mu in groups of three or five. Except for Prince An, Yinxiang, who is of a similar age to mine, the others hardly noticed my presence.

The Biography of Emperor Xinde of the Kang Dynasty—Emperor Xinde, a native of the Taiyangzhong Prefecture of the Great Kang Kingdom, bears the surname Long and is named Tianyue. His father is known as Minggong and his mother as Fangwen. He stands eight feet tall, possesses astonishing strength, and has the power to bind tigers and wrestle dragons

I nodded slightly; in front of my royal brothers, my abstinence from alcohol is merely a facade. I have a strong tolerance for alcohol, and since I secretly began drinking at the age of seven, I have never experienced the sensation of being drunk.

Zhenfei stood up: "I am going to take a bath..." Suddenly, she let out a delicate cry, her soft body collapsing towards the ground. I quickly extended my arms and caught her delicate form.

Stepping outside, I saw him standing in the courtyard, looking dejected and timid. He could be considered the most unsightly person in the entire palace, possessing a face that seemed naturally suited for a petty thief.

In the beautiful eyes of Concubine Zhen, tears flowed like pearls, and she was utterly unable to rise from the snow. I took off my great coat and draped it over Concubine Zhen, not expecting that in just one night, my great coat would serve to shield two women from the cold wind

I just noticed that the zitan wood table in the room was filled with food and wine, and there were two sets of bowls and chopsticks, indicating that Concubine Zhen was preparing to enjoy the meal with His Majesty.

I nodded

The loyal king shouted: "Dare you accuse me of being guilty? My bond with the Eighth Brother is as close as that of brothers; how could I possibly harm him?"

Greetings, Empress Zhen! I respectfully bow.

King Xing let out a cold snort: "I doubt that every one of these brothers is genuinely grieving!"

A coarse voice said: "What does the Fifth Brother mean by this? The death of the Eighth Brother has caused us brothers immense sorrow; how can we use the term 'cowardly' to slander the feelings of others!" The speaker was the Sixth Prince, Xing Wang Yintao. He had always been at odds with the Qun Wang, and upon seizing the opportunity to criticize him, he naturally would not let it go easily.

My heart trembled once more; it seems that Zhenfei and Yusuo have reached a point where they share everything without reservation. I wonder if what happened between us that night will be known to Yusuo. An indescribable sense of regret fills my heart, for the cost of impulsiveness is often unbearable.

The Emperor said: "The cause of King Mu's death has been clarified, and you need not speculate privately any further." He paused for a moment and then spoke loudly: "King Mu fell into a well after losing his footing due to intoxication and drowned. The chief steward of the Royal Rescue Manor was mistakenly pulled into the water while attempting to save him"

The eunuch supervisor Duolong whispered, "Your Majesty, he is your thirty-first prince, Yinkong." He paused for a moment and added, "He is the son of Concubine Ping..."

As Xinde Emperor was about to leave, Concubine Zhen, supported by the palace maid Yusuo, stumbled after him, exclaiming: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I truly did not mean to anger you!"

Prince Xing passionately declared: "As a son, one should prioritize filial piety; as a subject, one should prioritize the state. In times of crisis, we must alleviate our father's worries and resolve difficulties for the nation. How can we be overly concerned with personal gains and losses!"

I secretly laughed to myself, not expecting that the usually taciturn Prince Xing could be so eloquent, each sentence striking at the vital points of the loyalist. His intention to attack the loyalist was quite clear; by eliminating the loyalist, he would naturally become the crown prince's candidate.

A slight anger and gentle reproach stirred my heart, reminding me of the summons from Father Emperor. I hurriedly took my leave, saying: "Father Emperor has summoned us to discuss matters in the Hall of Great Virtue, I must take my leave now"

King Xing felt an immense sense of relief in front of King Qin, and he deliberately took a couple of steps toward King Qin before saying: "The Southern Han and the Great Qi have longstanding familial ties with our country. This matter should be approached from the perspective of kinship. We could allow the princesses of both countries to take the opportunity of a family visit to express goodwill to their respective monarchs. Resolving the crisis should not be too difficult."

I shook my head; ever since Cao Rui gave this painting to Cai Xue, we have yet to unfold it, and I do not know what is depicted on it.

The loyal prince angrily said: "I am only thinking of my father, the emperor. The eighth prince has met with misfortune, and I am as saddened as you all are. However, what use is there in merely weeping? We must find the true culprit as soon as possible to comfort his spirit in the afterlife"

I offered a silent smile and softly said: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, please be informed that Yinkong has been suffering from a cold these days and has been bedridden due to illness."

Xinde's expression suddenly turned cold, and he heavily brushed his sleeves: "Drag her back to me!" After saying this, he walked forward without looking back

The Prince of Prosperity: "The Eighth Brother died in the back garden of the Royal Palace, yet it took so many days for the body to be discovered. If the Fifth Brother wishes to uncover the true culprit, he should first clarify the matters within his own residence"

The Concubine Zhen bent down to pick up the ancient painting, and I softly said: "If you like it, you may keep it"

Zhen Fei turned around and smiled at me sweetly: "Yin Kong! Will you forget me?"

We all suddenly understood the true intentions of Prince Xing. Among the princes, the one most qualified to become the Crown Prince was Prince Yinli, who supported the throne. If his strategy of sending hostages were to succeed, then with Prince Yinli sent to the Great Qin as a hostage, Prince Xing would naturally become the best candidate for the Crown Prince remaining in the country. This strategy was indeed cunning, achieving the effect of killing two birds with one stone

When His Majesty the Emperor passed by me, I exclaimed loudly: "Your humble son, Yinkong, wishes His Majesty a long life and boundless fortune"

The beloved concubine gently poured me a full glass of fine wine, and filled her own cup as well, softly saying: "In life, one should enjoy to the fullest, lest the golden goblet be left empty facing the moon"

Concubine Zhen called out to me, saying: "Yin Kong, I have heard that King Mu died in the Qunwang Palace, and the Emperor likely summoned you all for this matter."

Zhenfei carefully wiped the water off my body with a bath towel, her delicate hands gently caressing my strong chest: "You are not as weak as you appear."

The warm lips of Concubine Zhen gently kissed my neck, her soft, fragrant tongue slowly gliding along the muscles of my neck

I stand at the very end of the princes, while half of the royal nephews opposite me have already been conferred titles of nobility. In their eyes, I, as their royal uncle, am still just a child

I do not know whether my father possesses such strength, but there is no doubt that his physique is robust. He should be seventy-three years old this year, yet he appears to look as if he is in his fifties, even seeming younger than many of my royal brothers.

After a long time, we finally parted ways. Zhenfei softly said, "It is late at night; you should return and rest now"

Concubine Zhen said softly: "Do not be in a hurry to burn it; I see that the little person is painted quite exquisitely. Perhaps this ancient painting is a treasure, who can say for sure..."

While I was relaxing, I felt somewhat strange; the steward's outer garments and shoes had already been stripped off by me. Could it be that they were turning a blind eye? Later, I learned that King Mu not only had a fondness for women but also for male performers. This matter was known only to a few royal brothers, and it was hastily concluded, likely because the family disgrace was not meant to be made public

Prince, I dare to propose a solution, and I humbly request your majesty's guidance.

The delicate face of Concubine Zhen flushed slightly, her beautiful eyes revealing a hint of alluring charm, and she softly said: "If I had a son like you, I would surely be driven to my grave by you sooner or later"

The Emperor has arrived! With a loud shout from Chief Steward Duolong, the entire chaotic scene instantly fell silent. King Qin and King Xing exchanged resentful glances at each other before returning to their respective ranks

Xing Wang sneered, "What a fine phrase, 'brothers as close as hands and feet.' To think that a brother born of the same father would be met with such words from you. My eighth brother and I are born of the same mother; it seems that in the heart of the loyal king, only my eighth brother and I are the true brothers!" The situation immediately fell into chaos.

Qin Wang then noticed my presence. He frowned and said, "Why are you two crying? The Emperor will be here shortly. If he sees your pitiful state, won't he feel even more distressed?"

Yusuo timidly said: "Your Highness, I will go prepare hot water for you"

The path of loyalty: "Although this plan of restoring the king is clever, if one of our brothers is sent to the Qin state, once war breaks out between the two countries, wouldn't it be certain death!"

I sighed and said to the two young eunuchs, "You two may return first; I will escort Her Highness, Concubine Zhen, back."

I frowned, harboring a deep-seated dislike for this awkward title

Father Emperor let out a long sigh: "You all already know that King Mu, Yin Shang, has passed away at a young age..." He pressed his hand firmly against the armrest of the dragon throne: "I, with white hair, send off one with black hair, and cannot help but feel sorrow..." However, there was not much sadness in his voice. I understood his strength; after all, he is the ruler of a nation. As he said, every subject within the borders is like his child. If that were truly the case, would he not be in a state of sorrow at every moment.

Duolong quickly agreed.

Zhenfei slowly shook her head, returning the ancient painting to my hands: "For me, preserving memories is more real than anything else"

Although the matter has passed, I have never been able to forget it. In the following days, I spent almost all my time in a state of anxiety. Fortunately, Zhenfei did not take the initiative to seek me out, and the palace walls remained as tranquil as ever. My heart gradually began to settle. Zhenfei is well-versed in the rules of the palace; she should understand the balance of advantages and disadvantages better than I do.

I said to the lonely one: "Please wait a moment, I will speak with Empress Zhen and come right over." The lonely one nodded and obediently stood in place.

Concubine Zhen rose and said: "Starting from noon today, I will prepare the Emperor's dinner in the kitchen. Chief Steward Dolong specifically instructed me to prepare the dish 'Farewell My Concubine' for the Emperor..." Her voice began to tremble: "How could I have ever thought... that this would be the Emperor's lifelong taboo..."

Xing Wang was instantly at a loss for words; he had meticulously devised plans solely to send the loyalists to the Great Qin, yet he did not anticipate that he would be caught off guard and suffer a backlash himself

Prince: "Father, have you heard of the concept of hostages in the previous dynasty?"

I laughed and said, "Why does Concubine Zhen speak this way? In the eyes of Yinkong, your status is no different from that of his biological mother. How could there be a son who looks down upon his mother in this world?" In fact, I am only three years younger than Concubine Zhen; by age, I could at most call her 'sister.' However, due to the difference in our ranks, regardless of whether it is three years or even three hours, I must treat her with respect.

The precious concubine unexpectedly embraced me from behind, her supple body snugly nestled against my chest, causing the ancient painting to slip from my hand and fall to the ground. I tensed my body somewhat mechanically.

Concubine Zhen waved her hand at me and said, "There is no need for such formalities. I have not seen you for these past few days. What have you been hiding in the Qingyue Palace?" She cleverly used the word 'hiding,' indirectly pointing out that I had been avoiding her.

I suddenly embraced Zhenfei with all my strength, carrying her delicate body towards the bed...

Yinxiang came to my side and said, "Yinkong, you have arrived. I was just about to ask you about Eighth Brother!"

Zhenfei and I took our seats at the table

I have understood the ins and outs of this matter; it turns out that the Grand Steward Duolong has been meddling behind the scenes. Upon reflection, this is not surprising. Duolong is a trusted confidant of Empress Xiaocheng, who has always viewed Concubine Zhen as a thorn in her side. For the sake of his master, how could he allow Concubine Zhen to seize this opportunity to regain favor

Zhenfei nodded: "Su'er, you should go and rest now."

"Your Highness, the Thirty-First Prince, His Majesty has summoned you to the Guangde Hall for a meeting"

Emperor Xinde nodded in appreciation and said, "Yintao's words resonate deeply with me!"

At this moment, Yusuo had prepared the hot water and came to the hall: "Your Highness, the hot water is ready."

A pot of fine wine had quickly been consumed, and Zhenfei was already feeling somewhat tipsy, her emotions having calmed considerably. She noticed the scroll in my arms and couldn't help but curiously ask, "What is depicted on it?"

Xinde Emperor inquired: "Why have you returned so late?"

The jade lock has already taken the hint and is walking towards solitude. This girl is exceptionally clever; not only does she know when to step aside, but she also knows how to divert others' attention

I feigned surprise and exclaimed, "Have you determined the cause of his death?" as I set down the wolf hair brush

Emperor Xinde strode towards the dragon throne, accompanied by several ministers, exuding an indescribable majesty that oppressed us, the princes and grandsons, making it difficult for us to speak.

Zhenfei said: "If you don't mind the dishes being cold and the wine being chilled, how about having a couple of drinks with me?"

I shook my head; this is the first time in my life, how could I forget it? Yet, I would rather forget it...

A sense of heaviness inevitably filled my heart; for these past few days, I have been preoccupied with thoughts of Concubine Zhen, inadvertently neglecting the existence of this matter. Perhaps I have been deliberately avoiding it.

A stir arose in my heart as I unexpectedly encountered the water-like gaze of Zhenfei, and I hurriedly lowered my head

I hurriedly rolled up the ancient painting, just about to apologize

I obeyed and raised my head, my clear eyes filled with respect as I gazed at my father the king. Although this was merely my facade, my father, who looks down on everything, would never see through it.

I could naturally discern the meaning behind Yi An's words, and I shot him a sharp glance, saying, "Say one less word, and others won't consider you a mute!" Yi An hurriedly lowered his head. I have no concerns about Yi An; he and Yan Ping are the two trusted aides my mother left me. Without them, I would not have been able to navigate the treacherous environment of the palace and grow up smoothly.

The chapter title is not a typo; it has been modified because the original was too straightforward

I put on a look of utter sorrow: "My royal brother was perfectly fine when he went out with me that night, how could it suddenly..." My eyes reddened, and I began to cry loudly

The beautiful face of Concubine Zhen flushed red, and she softly pouted, saying: "How could you, Yinkong, at such a young age, be looking at these things"

After the departure of Emperor Xinde, Concubine Zhen and Yusuo embraced each other, still weeping bitterly in the snow. I signaled to Yi'an to take the carriage back first, and slowly approached Concubine Zhen: "Your Highness, the snow is heavy and the wind is cold; you should return to the palace and rest."

He strode confidently to the center of the palace and declared: "Although the northern barbarians are valiant, they are ultimately from a savage land. We can adopt a policy of conciliation, exchanging gold, silver, and silk with them for a temporary peace. The powers of Yan, Han, and Jin in the west are far inferior to ours; they would never dare to initiate an attack against our great Kang. We only need to send envoys to explain the benefits and harms, and the crisis can naturally be easily resolved"

Father gently uttered a sound and took a few steps towards me: "Yun Kong, lift your head!"

"As long as national affairs are prioritized, I have already annulled that marriage contract for you." With these words from Father Emperor, the last glimmer of hope for Yinxiang was completely extinguished. He returned to my side with great difficulty, murmuring, "I have actually become a prisoner in a foreign land..."

Yian Dao: "I have not yet received any specific news!"

My blood rushed to my head, and the remnants of my reason were still making a final stand: "Your Highness, I..." Before I could finish my sentence, Zhenfei had already taken my hand and guided it into her warm and ample bosom.

Let me see! The snow-white, jade-like slender hand of Princess Zhen reached out to me, and naturally, I could not refuse, so I handed the ancient painting to her.

Seeing the pitiful appearance of Concubine Zhen, it is no wonder that the ancients said: "Since ancient times, there have been many resentful women in the deep palace." In order to gain the emperor's favor, who among them is not engaged in scheming and exhausting their efforts? Yet, how many truly receive favor, and once favored, how long can it last?

I am reminded of the phrase, 'Drowning my sorrows in wine only deepens my sorrow'

I hurriedly pulled him towards Qingyue Palace, and only after we had distanced ourselves from the walls of Shude Palace did Yi An cautiously say to me: "Young master, rest assured, there will be no one passing by tonight"

My heart immediately began to race. The Guangde Hall is where my father discusses state affairs. In my memory, he has never allowed me to go there. Could it be that the matter of my killing King Mu has been exposed? I quickly dismissed this thought; if the incident of my killing King Mu had indeed been revealed, the one sent to summon me would certainly not be this lonely little eunuch.

It seems that Father Emperor has truly become enraged with Concubine Zhen, as he has not even arranged for a small eunuch to attend to her

Emperor Xinde turned to King Xing and said: "Yintao, since you have such a viewpoint, it seems you already have an idea in mind. Why not share it with everyone?"

Brother Qin Wang hosted a banquet in the residence, inviting us brothers to gather, which is why I returned a bit late

A wave of inexplicable sadness surged within me, as I found myself in the imperial city day after day with my own father, yet we remained strangers to one another. There is no greater tragedy in the world than this

Xinde Di nodded and exclaimed, "You've grown up; I can hardly recognize you!"

His gaze swept over our faces one by one: "The matter of the Hu people has already been decided, Yinxiang!" His gaze finally rested on Prince An.

Zhenfei said with a trembling voice: "You surely do not look down on me... You do not even wish to say a word to me, do you?"

Xinde nodded and turned to Duolong, saying: "In a couple of days, summon all of those brothers to the palace. I have been busy with state affairs all day and haven't seen them for some time."

Young master! Yi An raised the umbrella to shield me from the falling snow in the sky

Empress Zhen's care for her son fills him with deep gratitude and emotion

At this thought, I suddenly felt relieved; even if I did not kill Zhongfu at that time, no one would suspect me. Just as Zhenfei said, everyone would take advantage of King Mu's death as an opportunity to eliminate their rivals, and I was not yet significant enough for them to take notice of me

I could no longer bear to watch and stood up to bid her farewell

Zhenfei said: "You must remember that within this imperial palace, there are intrigues everywhere. The more such times arise, the more it becomes the best opportunity for mutual harm. Regardless of how others act, you must remember to protect yourself wisely. In all matters, do not appear overly shrewd; the more you seem weak in front of others, the more it will cause them to lower their guard against you." Her concern for me was evident.

The lonely figure respectfully said: "Prince Thirty-One, please follow me at once."

Ean immediately understood something from my gaze and cautiously said: "Young master! King Mu has died, and the body was found in the well of the Queen's garden!"

Yinxiang felt a pang in his heart upon seeing my appearance, and tears streamed down his face

The precious concubine slowly unfolded it, and I moved closer, only to find that the ancient painting depicted more than ten pairs of small figures in various postures. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a spring palace picture.

On the twenty-first day of the first month, eight days after I killed King Mu, his corpse was finally discovered by someone

I nodded, changed my clothes, and followed him towards the Guangde Hall

I picked up the ancient painting and bowed to Princess Zhen, saying: "Your Highness, please do not take offense. I truly did not know that these things were depicted in the ancient painting. I will take it away and burn it immediately"

Leaving Shude Palace, Yi An suddenly emerged from the darkness, startling me.

I stared at her blankly, suddenly leaning down, cupping her delicate face with both hands, and kissing her lips forcefully. Our lips and tongues intertwined tightly, as if we were both merging into this passionate kiss.

The Emperor Xinde proclaimed: "Since the establishment of our Great Kang Kingdom by Emperor Tuo, we have diligently governed and strived for strength, transforming a small nation with a territory of less than 1,000 miles and a population of fewer than 1 million into a grand nation with a territory of over 5,000 miles and a population of over 30 million!" We have long been accustomed to this opening statement; every time Father Emperor begins his admonitions, he always recounts the achievements of the past emperors.

Like me, Qín Wáng also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Mù Wáng died in his residence. Since the Emperor has reached a conclusion, all suspicions against him have been cleared, and he no longer needs to worry about the likes of Xīng Wáng using this incident to make a fuss.

I smiled faintly as I put on my coat under her guidance, and we walked hand in hand to the outer hall

Gazing at the distant figure of the petite Yu Suo, Zhen Fei gave a sorrowful smile and said, "Your Highness... Hehe... Who would still remember me, this noble consort..." Her unparalleled beauty appeared particularly haggard under the dim light of the lamp, and two pools of beautiful eyes shimmered with a poignant clarity.

Loyal to the throne, I declare: "Father, our Great Kang Kingdom has a multitude of soldiers and generals. How could we possibly fear these petty individuals? With just one command from you, I and my brothers are willing to lead the troops into battle and crush these wolfish nations."

Emperor Xinde nodded slightly

Yusuo and I supported Zhenfei back to Shude Palace, which was much more desolate compared to the Qingyue Palace where I resided. In this vast palace, only Zhenfei and Yusuo lived here.

As I passed by the Nine-Bend Long Bridge in front of Shude Palace, I happened to see Concubine Zhen sitting on the bridge railing, lost in thought, accompanied by Yusuo. Upon noticing me, Yusuo quietly whispered something to Concubine Zhen, who then lifted her head along with Tushu to look at me.

The Concubine raised her eyebrows slightly: "So, are you saying that I have wronged you?"

The noble consort was pushed down onto the snow by two young eunuchs, one of whom held her arm tightly while dragging her backward with all his might

Xinde Huangdao: "The reason I have called you here today is to discuss another important matter." From his serious expression, we could already surmise that this matter was of great significance

Xinde Emperor paused; if it were not for my loud blessings, he would not have noticed me kneeling in the snow.

The loyal king angrily said, "What do you mean by that, Old Six?"

The King said: "Father has already stated that the most pressing matter for our Great Kang Kingdom is to recuperate and thrive. Initiating warfare at this time would bring no benefit to our nation." He was adept at understanding the Emperor's thoughts, and in an imperceptible manner, he had already begun to gain the upper hand.

"I command you to go to the Hu region and marry the eldest princess of the Hu kingdom!" This was no different from a bolt from the blue for Yinxiang, whose face turned pale as he took a long time to respond: "Father, please see clearly; I have just made a marriage pact with the daughter of the Grand Minister of Justice, Liu Dongchen..."

Yusuo glanced at me and, understanding the situation, walked towards the side hall

Xinde Huangdao: "I have already reached an agreement with the Great Qin regarding the matter of hostages. Who among you is willing to go!"

Be careful not to catch a cold! I reminded softly

After he finished speaking, the issue returned to the main point: "Our true enemies are actually the Great Qin and Zhongshan in the East. The State of Zhongshan has long become a vassal of the Qin State, and everything is dictated by the Qin State. We only need to resolve the crisis of the Great Qin, and naturally, there is no need to consider the affairs of the State of Zhongshan."

Qin Wang coldly smiled and said: "Your words have enlightened me, Xing Wang. If I am not mistaken, you intend to take the initiative to bear the responsibility of going to the Qin Kingdom!" He finally seized the opportunity for a counterattack, striking the enemy at a critical moment

Young master! Yi An rushed in from outside the palace in a fluster, just as I was meticulously copying Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Orchid Pavilion. His sudden appearance caused all my efforts on the piece to go to waste

The scene suddenly fell into a stalemate, and Emperor Xinde smiled, saying: "In fact, before coming here, I had already discussed the decision with my ministers. The reason I did not bring it up at the beginning was to see your opinions."

I lay entwined with Concubine Zhen in the hot spring, and after the fervor of the moment, what remained was a profound sense of fear. I am acutely aware of the palace's strict regulations; if our actions tonight were to be revealed, the consequences awaiting us would be far more severe than mere execution.

I suddenly recalled the character for "prison" that Cao Rui gave me on the night of the fifteenth, and my heart involuntarily trembled. When one enters a foreign land, one becomes a prisoner beneath the steps, but for me, within the confines of the Great Kang, am I not also a prisoner beneath the steps? As long as I can step outside the imposing walls of the Great Kang, perhaps there exists a glimmer of opportunity for my future

The son of the minister, Yinxiang, stepped out from the crowd, his voice trembling slightly.

Xinde Huang nodded and said: "I have heard of this matter. The party seeking peace sends its own prince as a pledge to the enemy country to demonstrate sincerity. There have indeed been precedents for this in previous dynasties"

He reached out to pull me up from the snow, and after examining my face for a long time, he said: "You are indeed more like your mother." His words reminded me, and I suddenly realized that there are indeed very few similarities between my father and me.

Concubine Zhen said leisurely: "If I remember correctly, tonight should be the Lantern Festival. At this time last year, I was still admiring the lanterns at the Wanhualou with His Majesty, but now..."

Emperor Xinde inquired with great interest: "Do you have any good strategies to temporarily establish friendly relations between the Great Qin and my state?"

The Concubine Zhen rose from the water like a lotus emerging from the depths, her slender and graceful legs stepping elegantly out of the pool. Water droplets cascaded from her long black hair, falling one by one onto her flawless and beautiful bare back, creating an indescribably exquisite scene.

He couldn't recall which of his sons I was at that moment

I also did not expect that such an unsightly pattern would be drawn above, yet I do not understand how Cao Rui managed to give the spring palace picture to Cai Xue. I immediately thought, would Zhen Fei think that I intentionally showed her the spring palace picture

The deadline for Yanping's visit to her family had arrived, and she returned to the palace on time, while Caixue continued to reside in her home. She spoke highly of Caixue, the intelligent girl who took the initiative to assume the responsibility of caring for her mother