. A man who could bring ruin to her family, where did he get the love to give herYes.Li Shang chuckled wryly, "So, you'd rather have your child grow up knowing his father died at the hand of his mothe..."I'm not angry at all."

Then Empress Cen let out a cold snort, her haughty expression making Feng Linglong feel somewhat embarrassed. Yet she still managed a smile.

"Your Majesty, your servant, Qu Wuyou, presents a song to alleviate Your Majesty's worries."

Qu Wuyou, the daughter of the newly appointed Prime Minister, was well-educated and possessed a gentle demeanor. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager nod in approval, she held a pipa and gracefully approached to play it.

Feng Lingxi looked at these accomplished daughters of ministers. They had put all their skills on display in order to enter the palace, hoping to win the favor of the Empress and become a concubine.

"Your Majesty, this piece is quite good. It's very pleasant to listen to."

"Not bad, I'll take it."

After Empress Dowager Cen finished speaking, the official beside her recorded it in the register. Next came the daughters of other ministers, who were proficient in everything from qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, winning over Empress Dowager Cen's favor. Empress Dowager Cen began to ask for opinions, and after much deliberation, she selected a few. After the selection was complete, several daughters of ministers were left out. Empress Dowager Cen looked at Feng Lingxi, "What do you think of these few, Fourth Royal Princess"

"They are all very good, have they all caught the Empress's eye"

Queen Cen took her hand, gently patted the back of her hand, and smiled, "This imperial concubine is planning to send these few into Prince Si's Manor. You and Duke Duolun have been married for several months now, and your belly hasn't reacted yet. Sending them to Prince Si's Manor will prolong the lineage."

Hearing that they were to be sent to Dugu City, Feng Lingxi swept over those remaining noblewomen and smiled faintly, "Empress Dowager, the courtyard of the Fourth Prince's Mansion is too small, it's afraid that it can't accommodate so many noble ladies. Instead, there are vacancies in the harem with three thousand beauties. It is most important to give the Emperor a heir. When the Emperor has an heir, the Fourth Prince's Mansion will dare to give birth to one."

In a nutshell, she doesn't want any of these women.

Empress Dowager Cen raised an eyebrow. She could tell exactly what Feng Lingxi meant by her words.

"You're refusing to give Dugu City a concubine How can you be like this It's common for men to have three wives and four concubines. The emperor has added ten, five of them sent to the Fourth Prince's Mansion, don't refuse!"

Feng Lingxi's smile gradually disappeared from her face as she glanced at the few daughters of officials. "If the Empress Dowager insists on giving them away, then I will handle it myself. If you want to enter the Fourth Prince's Mansion, you should know the rules of the Fourth Prince's Mansion."

Feng Lingxi didn't care whether Cen Taizi was happy or not, looking at the few of them, "endure loneliness."

"What do you mean by that"

Then Empress Cen became displeased. "These are all bestowed upon Dugu City by the Imperial Family, you dare to disobey the imperial decree"

"Your Majesty, the back garden of Dugu City can only belong to me. Since the Emperor has finished selecting his concubines, let's continue admiring the flowers."

Feng Ling's face darkened. Seeing her retort, Empress Cen also became angry.

"The Fourth Princess is quite bold, daring to refuse the Empress Dowager's gift. It seems she doesn't take the Empress Dowager seriously at all!"

In the face of stormy weather, Xi opened her mouth, and her tone was laced with malicious intent. Feng Lingxi got up and walked to her face, slapping her with a hand and coldly staring at her, "Xijie Yuji, are you so fond of stirring up trouble Are you not even interested in keeping your position as Jieyu"

"You…"

Feng Yu Xi looked at Cen Taihou, tears swirling in her eyes. Cen Taihou had intended to speak up for Feng Yu Xi, but seeing her tears made her irritable. On the other hand, Feng Ling Xi was angry, and when she got angry, her temper flared. Cen Taihou frowned.

"Empress Dowager, the Fourth Princess Consort is truly infuriating. How could she speak to you like that She's clearly showing disrespect towards you. How dare she refute your gifts"

There was a hint of blame for Feng Lingxi in the voice of Wind And Rain. Empress Cen already disliked Wind And Rain, and hearing her take advantage of the situation to ask her to deal with Feng Lingxi made her even more disgusted.

"The Empress actually thinks that the Fourth Princess' words are well-said. It has been a long time since anyone dared to defy the Empress like this. Very well, Your Highness, I will accede to your request and incorporate them all into the palace."

Feng Lingxi's complexion improved slightly, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your kindness."

Feng Yu's face turned pale with worry. She never expected that the Empress Dowager would be so indulgent towards Feng Lingxi. Even though Feng Lingxi was defying the Empress Dowager, she wasn't reprimanded as she usually would be.

Feng Yu Xi looked at Feng Ling Xi's eyes, which had become complicated. What kind of concoction did Feng Ling Xi give to the Empress Dowager, making her so obedient

"Xijie, come before this imperial consort."

When Empress Cen spoke, Feng Yu Xi walked warily to Empress Cen's presence. She caught the pungent odor emanating from her and Feng Yu Xi wished she could hold her breath. Her gaze fell upon the dark substance on the empress's face but she dared not speak.

"The Empress actually finds your temperament quite agreeable. You are a genuine person."

"This servant thanks the Empress Dowager for her praise."

Wind and rain, Yu Xin was a little panicked. Hearing the Empress Dowager say these things to her, she didn't think it was true praise. She feared she might lose her status again.

"The Fourth Princess Consort has been staying in Shou'an Palace these days to look after me, she must be quite tired. You should go serve her and let the Fourth Princess Consort teach you properly."

"The Empress Dowager"

Feng Yu Xi was stunned, she was asked to serve Feng Ling Xi But she was the emperor's woman! To ask her to serve Feng Ling Xi would be degrading her to a maidservant!

Cen Taizi looked at her, her face darkened, displeased. "Why, are you unwilling"

"I am the Emperor's Jieyu, if I go to serve the Fourth Princess, I'm afraid the Emperor will be angry if he finds out."

"Could it be that the Emperor would blame me, a Consort, because of you, a lowly Palace Attendant I sent you to look after the Fourth Princess, are you feeling wronged, or do you think I have treated you unfairly"

Feng Yu Xi knelt before Empress Dowager Cen, weeping and begging for forgiveness, "Empress Dowager, I dare not. I only did not want the Emperor to lose face."

"Would it be alright if I demoted you to a palace maid and had you serve the Fourth Princess"

Feng Yu Xi was dumbfounded, demoted to a palace maid

What did she do wrong

Why is Empress Cen helping Feng Lingxi against her like this Initially, it was the Empress who wanted her to kill Feng Lingxi. Now, she's protecting Feng Lingxi and attacking her instead. And the one who gets hurt is me, Feng Yu Xi.

"It wouldn't be proper for Xi Jieyu to serve me directly. Perhaps she could instruct the newly selected daughters of officials, teaching them propriety and setting a good example. I believe this would help create harmony in the palace."

Feng Lingxi's words made Feng Yu Xi's face even uglier. Was Feng Lingxi trying to get her killed Was she asking those new palace maids to treat her like what

How low can you stoop to take care of those newly arrived women in the palace, teaching them how to seduce the Emperor and steal her man, climbing up to her position

As the evening wind blew, Feng Yu Xi gazed at Feng Ling Xi, a layer of hatred clouding her eyes.

"Just as the Fourth Princess's suggestion, Lady Xi, if you do a good job teaching her, I will return your position as Noble Consort. If you fail to teach her well, I will demote you to a palace maid. Do you understand clearly"

Upon hearing that she could return to her position as a noble consort, Feng Yu Xi hurriedly kowtowed and thanked the Empress Dowager's grace.

Feng Lingxi looked at Feng Yu Xi like this, a smile curled up the corners of her lips.

"Your Majesty, Consort Xi will surely teach them well. Please rest assured."

Empress Cen stood up. "After sitting for the entire morning, I should return to the palace for a rest. The rest is up to you."physician to check on the Emperor. Let him rest properly for a while, and he will surely be fine."Cen Taizu looked at Feng Lingxi with a comforting gaze and nodded, "Well then, now we can only do thi...