Mo Chou looked at Lu Fengmian, blue eyes scanning the man next to Tang Qingshan as they walked within a near exit, walking on a path in the garden.

"He is, I wouldn't have brought him if he wasn't." Tang Qingshan replied to his friend's question at once.

Looking at Lu Fengmian, Mo Chou's eyes suddenly clouded over before he glanced at Tang Qingshan. "Hmm, interesting. What is your name?"

Lu Fengmian smiled as he slightly bent his back and said in a calm voice, "This subject's name is Lu Fengmian, Your Majesty." In all the characters he had taken over so far, this was the first time he had ever bowed towards someone.

"Lu Fengmian... a beautiful name. Qingshan told me that you have an older sister, is she not accompanying you?" Mo Chou merely dismissed, waving his hand for Lu Fengmian to rise. He continued walking ahead, forgoing his role as the Emperor.

Tang Qingshan watched them act carefully, not stepping in and merely looking over to make sure everything would be fine. Instead, he was making sure that no one was near them. After all, they were now in the palace.

Lu Fengmian replied, "Your Majesty, my sister is currently resting at Young Master Jiang's home and was unable to come."

Hearing this, Mo Chou scrunched his face. "No need to add in Your Majesty. Since no one is around at the moment, you can drop that title. Qingshan told me that you and your sister had helped him during this war."

Lu Fengmian shook his head, his gentle eyes radiating ever so softly. "Some parts are true, but the General is overpraising the work of my sister and I. While we have helped him, the General lives to his name." Saying this, Lu Fengmian couldn't help but glance at Tang Qingshan, not even noticing how his eyes had softened to a degree while looking at him.

Mo Chou, who had caught this suddenly showed some surprise in his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself, knowing that it wasn't his place. Instead, he asked, "You have done greatly for Mo Nation. Is there a reward that you particularly want? I will give you anything you wish for as long as it's in my capability."

Lu Fengmian looked at Tang Qingshan. Truth be said, he didn't know what he should ask for.

Tang Qingshan caught his eyes and merely said, "Haven't you been looking for a sword? The Imperial Treasury has some good quality weapons in it that has been unused." His lips lifted into a smirk as he glanced at Mo Chou who shook his head while rolling his eyes.

Hearing this, Lu Fengmian thought about it. But, before he was able to say another word, Mo Chou beat him to the chase.

"Then, I shall send 15 chests of gold along with the Ruyao sword as a gift for your actions. For your sister, I will give her 15 chests of gold along with the Guilin hairpin. Qingshan had said that you will be staying at his pavilion so I shall order people to send you the rewards tomorrow." Mo Chou could see that while Lu Fengmian paused, his eyes also lighted up. It seemed that the two were closer than he thought.

"You're going to give the Guilin hairpin away?" Asking this, Tang Qingshan's eyes widened a bit even as he didn't stop walking.

They had made their way onto a different trail, walking near a pond filled with lilies and koi fishes.

Mo Chou raised a brow, "There's no point in keeping it. The hairpin is catching dust anyway, might as well give it away when I have the chance to."

Lu Fengmian tilted his head confused. Was there some kind of story behind the hairpin? He turned his eyes towards Tang Qingshan.

Tang Qingshan, seeing Lu Fengmian's lost eyes, covered his mouth with his hand to hide his smile as he then explained, "The Guilin hairpin is usually given to the current empress of the emperor's. Although, it seems the past Emperor had forgo that step and chose to return the hairpin back into the treasury. It has been a few decades since anyone has seen the Guilin hairpin, but it seems like Mo Chou is going to give the hairpin to Yingyue."

Hearing this, Lu Fengmian's eyes widened. "To give away something like this, isn't it worth too much?"

Mo Chou sent a glare towards Tang Qingshan who merely looked calmly forward. Then, he replied, "No, that hairpin has been staying in the treasury for too long now. For the royal harem, it brings about some particular memories. If I bestow it to anyone, there will be unrest. It is best to give it away to someone who I know won't make use of its backstory. As you have helped Qingshan and I, I trust that your sister is the same as you."

Hearing this, while Lu Fengmian was still surprised, he was able to relax.

Suddenly, a female's voice was heard from behind them.

"Long live His Majesty, the Emperor, may you live ten thousand years."

Bowing, a female dressed in pink was shown, a line of maids and eunuchs lined behind her and also bowed towards Mo Chou.

(Mo Li, or Mo Liwei (Profit and Greatness), Princess Peng/Peng Gurun*, 17 years old, Mo Chou's full-blood younger sister.)

"Rise." Mo Chou stated.

Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian got ready to bow down when Mo Li's voice rung out. "No need to bow down, you are my brother's guests."

They halted in their actions at once and calmly returned to Mo Chou's side.

"Liwei, why are you here?" Mo Chou asked as Mo Li came up to his side and they began to walk together. The trail of eunuchs and maid followed behind them.

Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian also put some distance between them, not wanting to be too close to Mo Li. As they looked at one another, both of them glanced once and began to make sure that everything was safe. If anything were to happen, they couldn't risk it. Especially when Mian Shu and Mo Shen were already up to something.

Mo Li glanced at Tang Qingshan and the unknown man next to him. Seeing that Mo Chou didn't dismiss them, she understood at once that Mo Chou trusted these people. And so, she didn't hide anything as she said, "Mother has been feeling unwell. I had took over the matter to conduct and to find out what has happened, but the Imperial Physician merely said that it was from lack of rest. I suspected that there were some moles who had slipped past my control and wanted to first ask for your guidance."

Tang Qingshan's eyes sharped, even Lu Fengmian was able to tell that something was wrong from Mo Li's words.

But, Mo Chou merely listened and nodded his head, "I see. It seems that we weren't careful enough." His eyes glanced at Lu Fengmian, "Qingshan, if I remember, your friend is also a physician."

Lu Fengmian knew he was going to get pulled in when he heard Mo Chou's calm voice. But, this was one way to get closer to the Imperial family and also help Tang Qingshan. At once, he replied, "Your Majesty, I merely know a few herbs. My skills cannot be compared to the Imperial Physicians in the palace." Li Fengmian felt that in this world, he was really going to be talking down about himself.

Even so, Lu Fengmian's eyes were gentle, glazed with a beautiful light.

Mo Li smiled, a very light smile that rivaled Lu Yingyue's beauty. For some reason, this man felt familiar to her father, their auras were similar. It may just be why her brother was quite considerate towards him.

"Young Master, if you can, then I will have to ask for your help in checking my mother. There has been some unrest in the Imperial harem these days, hence, many have begun sticking their people into my royal family. I will have to trouble you, Young Master." Mo Li knew that Mo Chou was giving her this chance to speak to the man. Mo Li's steps were soft and gentle, her face cold as she said this.

Lu Fengmian looked at Tang Qingshan, who softly nodded his head. Well, Lu Fengmian knew that he wouldn't have any trouble diagnosing the Empress Dowager. Taking a deep breath, his pink lips curved up lightly, his eyes softening as he whispered, "It will be my honor to do so, Peng Gurun."

-

"Qi Longhai, you have returned." Within an extravagant room in a beautiful pavilion located further up north in the palace, Bai Suixin sat on her chair. Mei Xi stood by her side, a fan in her hand as she lightly fanned Bai Suixin.

"Your Majesty, I have left for six years. The Imperial family is currently in a state of internal unrest, if I do not come back, there is no telling what will happen in the near future." Qi Longhai's voice was very even, maybe even cold as he said this. While there was a sneer on his face and his face flashed with slight misgiving, Bai Suixin took no offense.

"You have always been like this. Your heart is made of steel, bestowed with an intelligent mind and sword skills unmatched. While you harbor anger within you, I merely hope that you understand that this is his duty. He cannot escape this role now that he has sat upon that treacherous throne." Bai Suixin's voice was very calm, not minding Qi Longhai's attitude. While she could, even she wouldn't want to slight Qi Longhai. After all, with his return, she could only hope that the unrest unsettled.

"He wanted that seat and I did everything in my power to help him. The past is the past, Your Majesty. I have decided to move on already. Someone like I can not compare to what he now has. Power, fame, children, I would have only been able to give him two out of these three things. Now that he is the Emperor, it is no doubt that he must have offsprings." Qi Longhai turned to Wu Fan who stood by his side. Getting this signal, Wu Fan handed a scroll to Mei Xi's open hand, and Mei Xi slowly opened it for Bai Suixin.

Bai Suixin's eyes slowly looked over the scroll, her eyes reading the carefully written characters. It didn't take long before her eyes widened a bit, her royal demeanor gone. "Fox demons?"

Mei Xi's hand shook as she held the scroll upon hearing what Bai Suixin had said.

"Fox demons have infiltrated into the palace, Your Majesty. This person who you know well of has extended his hand towards the demons and asked for their help. I am still unsure of just how many demons have entered the palace already, this is as much as I can help." Qi Longhai accepted the cup of tea that Wu Fan handed to him, his gray eyes shining.

Bai Suixin's eyes glazed with tiredness, worry etched upon her brows. If even Qi Longhai was at a dead-end, it meant that the fox demons were going to be too much of a hurdle. The fox demons were creatures that held evil within them. They lived off of human's life forces, seeking a life of eternal youth and power. With the ability to change their forms between their fox, human, and demon form, they held too many advantages.

"You were unable to find anything else?" Bai Suixin looked away from the scroll and Mei Xi tactfully put the scroll away. Bai Suixin's eyes suddenly seemed to be filled with tiredness.

Qi Ponghai had noticed this now, that Bai Suixin was acting differently. His brows furrowed, "Your Majesty, it seems that even you have been pulled into the harem's schemes."

Hearing this, Bai Suixin's mouth lifted into a pitiful smile, as if mocking herself. "The harem is currently in unrest. Some concubines have overstepped their lines. I am merely biding my time, wanting to see just what they wish to do. Ever since Chouyi took over the throne after the previous emperor's death, the concubines have become more courageous."

Hearing this, Qi Longhai took a sip of tea. His eyes were twinged with hidden emotions, so that no one was able to tell just what it was he was thinking of. Suddenly, Wu Fan leaned down towards his ears and Qi Longhai perked up.

"Your Majesty, I will have to take my leave first." Saying this, Qi Longhai set the cup back onto the table and stood up, fixing his robes as he headed towards a second exit.

Bai Suixin watched Qi Longhai stand up hurriedly. She didn't say a word, even as her eyes spoke thousands of words, stuck within her throat.

Finally, as Qi Longhai reached the door and was about to step out, Bai Suixin finally said, "Longhai, if everything had been different, I would've loved to be your mother."

Qi Longhai froze with her words. His gray eyes became filled with pain and Wu Fan tensed. But, he merely said in a ridiculing tone, "Your Majesty, such times have already changed. The past is the past, let the memories be bygones..."

The door closed. Bai Suixin looked up, a hand reaching for her forehead as she massaged her temples with pain.

"Your Majesty!" Mei Xi hurried to Bai Suixin's side.

"I'm alright, just a bit tired." Bai Suisin stopped Mei Xi from doing anything else. There was a heavy weight within her heart.

Leaning back into her chair, Bai Suixib couldn't help but whisper, "Mei Xi, if I had dissuaded Chouyi from becoming Emperor, he and Longhai would've been able to be together in peace."

Mei Xi shook her head, "Your Majesty, His Majesty was adamant about becoming Emperor, even the Royal Strategist couldn't dissuade him. You merely helped supported His Majesty. His Majesty's heart had to be steeled along with his new position, the Royal Strategist was hurt. To repent, you had let the Royal Strategist leave. You can only do so much, Your Majesty."

But Bai Suixin still sighed, "I have grown older. Looking back, I realized that I had also destroyed my son by letting him take upon such a cruel seat. I feel most regret for Qi Longhai, who had loved with all his heart only to be betrayed."

"Your Majesty, His Majesty was trying to stabilize his power. By doing so, he had to fill the harem to gain support after the destruction that was left when the previous emperor had passed." Once more, Mei Xi tried to calm Bai Suixin.

Bai Suixin looked far out.

"This throne is so heavy for one's heart, who would want such a throne filled with daggers and swords at every turn?"

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