"Sister, have you been here for long?"

Sitting in the room, Lu Fengmian sat by Lu Yingyue while Tang Qingshan was seated in the middle, Shan Mingxia on his right and Jiang Nianzhen on his left.

Lu Yingyue looked at her precious brother, a light flickering last her eyes as she stated, "No, Madam Tang was truly welcoming." She did not go into more details even as her heart ran turbulent.

"I see. Madam Tang is a great person. I was able to talk with her quite a bit during my time here and she is very welcoming. It's great that you were at peace," Lu Fengmian merely replied, a light of happiness and joy in his eyes. Even his smile seemed more delighted than usual, his handsome face lighting up.

Lu Yingyue, who witnessed this, clenched her hands from everyone's sight. Even as her face smiled lightly, her eyes couldn't help turning back to Shan Mingxia.

Just as Lu Fengmian was about to say something else, Tang Qingshan called out his name.

Lu Fengmian raised his head at this, and from the side, Lu Yingyue's eyes turned to Tang Qingshan.

They weren't sitting far from each other, gathered around the table, they were across from one another.

Tang Qingshan saw that Lu Fengmian was now listening to him and informed, "The Empress Dowager wanted to call you in and check up on her again. I have morning court tomorrow so you can just follow me and I'll guide you." As he said this, the maids began bringing in the dishes that were just freshly cooked.

Lu Fengmian could only nod his head. This was becoming a routine so he wasn't all too surprised.

Shan Mingxia sat watching everyone, eyes landing a bit longer on Lu Yingyue. This woman... there was something about her that felt odd. It seems like she would have to call in the people who had been watching Lu Fengmian. But even so, she calmly watched and as soon as all the dishes were set, she said, "Everyone, begin eating."

After the meal, Lu Fengmian followed Lu Yingyue into his room.

"Sister, is there something you need to tell me?" Lu Fengmian asked. He had felt something odd about Lu Yingyue but he wasn't able to pinpoint what to exactly it was.

Lu Yingyue could only shake her head. After all, this matter was better left unsaid. "No, I just suddenly miss our home. After all, that place does have a few memories for us." This part was true. Lu Yingyue had some lingering feelings back to their home in the mountain, a place quiet and peaceful, where they didn't have to worry about being found out for their identities. After all, she had already tainted her hands far too many times since being here.

Lu Fengmian couldn't help but walk forward and carefully grab Lu Yingyue's hand and gently say, "Sister, you look tired."

Hearing this, Lu Yingyue smiled lightly, pushing away all her worries. "I haven't been sleeping well lately, that's all." There was more, but she wouldn't say it.

"Alright, then, let us catch up a bit before you leave." Lu Fengmian smiled while saying. Unfortunately, Lu Yingyue had to return to Jiang Nianzhen's place.

Lu Yingyue nodded her head, eyes even more muddled. It was alright. If anything came to block her way, she could only destroy it. While saying this, her eyes gleamed softly. This time around, she had someone to protect now.

-

"Your Majesty, the poison is now gone. All I can advise is for you to carefully watch for the person who had done this to you." Lu Fengmian took back his arm, watching as Bai Suixin took back her wrist and merely nodded her head.

"Thank you for everything, Physician. You have carefully nursed me for all these weeks, if not for you, who knows just when I would have found out about my poisoning?" Bai Suixin smiled lightly.

"Your Majesty, this is merely my duty. I am glad that I was able to help you, else my heart wouldn't be at peace." While saying this, Lu Fengmian's smiled gently, his soft and graceful demeanor clearly showing.

Bai Suixin glanced at Mei Xi who nodded her head and said, "Young Master Lu, Tang Junwang is currently still in court. If possible, then let me guide you and Her Majesty around the palace for a bit."

Lu Fengmian, who heard this, turned his head to watch Bai Suixin's expression. Seeing that the woman also nodded her head to show her agreement, Lu Fengmian couldn't decline. Finally, he gently nodded his head in agreement. "Then, this subject will have to bother Your Majesty."

Bai Suixin shook her head, "To walk with such a fine young man as you, it should be I who is bothering you. Let me accompany you. There are some people who don't know of you yet, I should fully show just who you are to me."

As they all stood up, Lu Fengmian kept a careful distance even as he walked by Bai Suixin. He took one step behind but was stopped by Bai Suixin.

"No need for that, walk by my side." Bai Suixin exited her palace with a sterner expression, contrasting Lu Fengmian's elegant and gentle face.

Behind them, Mei Xi stood with a long line of maids and eunuchs standing guard. Everywhere Bai Suixin and Lu Fengmian went, the servants followed.

"The season is getting colder. During this time, I will have to trouble Young Master Lu." Bai Suixin didn't stop talking as they carefully surveyed the small pond and walked by it.

To this, Lu Fengmian, of course, refuted, "Your Majesty, that is my duty."

Bai Suixin's eyes suddenly showed a sense of remembrance. There was a twinge of sorrowful light in her eyes and she couldn't help but say, "Young Master Lu, you are similar to someone that I know. Unfortunately, that person has already changed."

Hearing this, Lu Fengmian had some slight confusion but he didn't ask. He knew that somehow, the matter at hand was much trickier than what he would know. For some reason, Lu Fengmian felt that he knew who this person was and if he was correct, then there were a few more people intertwined.

"Long live Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, may you live ten thousand years." Walking towards them, Hui Yin stepped forward and bowed while the rest of her servants did so. Today, she wore a red and golden robes, a bigger crown on her head. She smiled lightly, without a hint of her normal sneaky demeanor.

"You may rise."

Lu Fengmian was able to see who this woman was and just as he got ready to greet her, Bai Suixin stopped him by raising her hand lightly in front of him. He was a bit confused but soon understood what Bai Suixin was trying to do. On the other side, Mei Xi also merely stood while the other lower ranking maids and eunuchs lowered down to greet Hui Yin.

"Long live Her Majesty, the Empress, may you live ten thousand years."

Hui Yin nodded her head gently and said, "You may rise." She couldn't help but take a second look at the man who Bai Suixin had obviously showed her protection towards.

"Empress, what a coincidence it is to meet you. I have been hearing some news around the palace recently. Let us take a seat at Huayan pavilion." Bai Suixin glanced at Hui Yin, eyes stern and sharp.

In front of Bai Suixin, Hui Yin could only bow her head. She merely agreed, "Of course, Imperial Mother. Please guide the way." She wasn't too confident to where she would go against this fearful woman.

Hui Yin stood by Bai Suixin's left side, her clothes contrasting against Bai Suixin's duller clothes. Lu Fengmian stood by Bai Suixin's side, suddenly feeling a huge headache but he still had to wait for Tang Qingshan. Not to mention, he felt that Bai Suixin was purposely letting him know some things by doing this.

The walk was mostly quiet, with Bai Suixin talking to Lu Fengmian and Lu Fengmian replying, Hui Yin couldn't find a moment to cut in, hence she could only continue smiling while listening.

As they arrived at the open Huayan pavilion, filled with flourishing flowers and a huge pond near them, Hui Yin took a seat opposite of Bai Suixin. Lu Fengmian did not take a seat, knowing that from here on, he was going to listen carefully to see just why he was here.

"Empress, I have heard that Guifei has disrespected you?" Bai Suixin stated, eyes as stern as ever.

Hui Yin kept a benevolent smile as she said, "Guifei was merely rash in her action. She has just given birth to the Third Princess and is still unwell. It was my fault for having said something that I shouldn't have." In front of Bai Suixin, Hui Yin kept the image of a true befitting personality of an Empress'.

Bai Suixin's darkened but she didn't continue, "I see." Having said this, she turned back to Lu Fengmian. "This is Lu Fengmian, my personal physician. I will have to trouble the Empress to tell the other consorts who this man is as he will be frequenting the palace quite a bit near the future."

Hui Yin's eyes glued onto Lu Fengmian, the man who was now silently standing behind Bai Suixin. Though a smile did not linger on his face, he still looked as gentle as ever. "Imperial Mother, how shall I address him?"

"Simply address him as Physician Lu." Bai Suixin knew that Hui Yin's character was truly two-faced. She acted kind and gentle when around her but was like a dagger in front of the other consorts. Nevertheless, Hui Yin was still able to clearly take control for the harem and that was all that Bai Suixin cared for.

"Physician Lu, I am glad to be acquainted with you." Hui Yin now knew how high Bai Suixin treasured this man. And since she did so, it meant that if anyone slighted this man, they would suffer in turn. This wasn't in her plans, hence she would have to be careful.

"Likewise, it is for me too, Your Majesty." Lu Fengmian replied in turn. His eyes couldn't help but glint softly, knowing that right now, the two women's battle was quite intense. Lu Fengmian could feel that they were holding daggers with their every word, secrecy in those words that seemed like nothing. Hui Yin seemed tricky to deal with, sly in her actions while Bai Suixin was stern and sharp, always spot on.

Lu Fengmian chose this time to blend into the background until Tang Qingshan came to retrieve him.

"Guifei has been in the palace for long now, she should know her role well. Seeing as how she had even managed to slight you, it seems like she has begun forgetting her place. Giving birth to two children will not protect her status." While saying this, Bai Suixin couldn't hide the strong resentment and dislike in her tone. It was only normal. Qi Meizhen had took everything from Qi Longhai while pretending to be innocent. Bai Suixin could only hate her.

This was the reaction she wanted. Hui Yin sighed, shaking her head softly, "Guifei is deeply troubled. While she has disrespected me and Hui Nation, it is only because I have not been in the palace for long."

How could Bai Suixin not see what Hei Yin was trying to do? But since Bai Suixin had no strong feelings for Qi Meizhen, she wasn't going to protect her. And so, she helped Hui Yin, "Have you spoke of this matter to His Majesty?"

Hui Yin's eyes lighted up. "I have not yet spoken to His Majesty. I had intended to hide this matter and bury it but the servants have already let this news run rampant." As if she felt worried, Hui Yin kept sighing.

Lu Fengmian watched this, strongly feeling as if he was currently getting the first-row seats to a Chinese drama, especially those harem stories. Well, it wasn't wrong to say that he was currently in one.

"Mother, how come We didn't know that Empress was coming to visit you?"

From a trail further up ahead, Mo Chou walked forward with Tang Qingshan by his side.

Tang Qingshan sent a smile to Lu Fengmian who returned the smile, feeling relieved now. Lu Fengmian's eyes softened to a scary degree, and a demon who caught it merely rose her lips in the shadow.

-

In a beautiful palace, the sound of a glass hitting the ground was heard.

"Disrespect!? What disrespect?! I merely spoke a few words wrong and now the palace speaks of me as if I have fallen from my grace." Qi Meizhen's chest heaved up and down, an angry sneer on her face, eyes twisted.

From the side, a beautiful maid softly consoled, "Qi Guifei, calm your anger. No matter what Her Majesty tries to do, you are still the mother of the First Prince and the Third Princess. Though Her Majesty is the Empress, she has no children. While she is the Princess of Hui Nation, she has no children backing her. Right now, we must worry about Mian Fei and Ling Pin who are currently pregnant." Bingqing's voice was soft, calming down Qi Meizhen.

Qi Meizhen calmed her anger, yet the twisted expression on her face still stayed. "I don't understand how they were able to become pregnant. I was sure that I had the cooks slip some medicine into their daily tonics." Qi Meizhen sat down on her chair in anger.

Bingqing continued to softly advise Qi Meizhen, "Qi Guifei, you must also think about your brother who has return. Who knows just what His Majesty will do now that the Royal Strategist has return?" From an angle that Qi Meizhen could not see, a smirk came onto Bingqing's face.

Hearing this, Qi Meizhen also couldn't help but nod. "I know. Now that he has return, His Majesty will of course still favor him greatly. I don't understand why he ever returned. I thought they I had done everything I could to push him away yet he still returned." Qi Meizhen twisted the handkerchief in her hand.

With this, Bingqing bended down and whispered, "Qi Guifei, what about this?" Her eyes grew dark as she whispered into Qi Meizhen's awaiting ears, the words of alluring attraction.

"Alright, I will do as you say."

.

.

.