ood later."Feng Lingxi responded and closed the door before going to sleep.For her, no matter what, she wouldn't look for her as a mother. She might as well focus all her energy on her career.The next...From when did Empress Cen start to treat her with such indulgence

“Well then, this Empress won't force you. Live wherever you like. Just come back to the palace often. You may follow the ancestral customs as before, there is no need to be overly formal outside.”

Shu Taifei raised her eyes, her eyes filled with too much shock.

"This servant/ concubine bows to the Empress Dowager."

Then Empress Cen nodded and instructed Zhang Maama, "Zhang Maama, you take Shutai to take a walk. This old woman wants to have a private chat with the Fourth Princess."

Only then did Feng Lingxi understand why Empress Cen had said those words. It seemed the real crux of the matter was yet to come.

Shu Taifei glanced at Feng Ling, then followed Zhang Mama out. Though she knew Xier was with Cen Taihou and had long since gotten used to dealing with it, she still felt uneasy.

Feng Lingxi smiled and reassured Shutai, watching her leave before turning to Cen Taihou and asking, "Taihou, how is your health recently"

Empress Cen beckoned, "Come here to me."

Feng Lingxi walked to Cen Taizi's side and sat down, watching as Cen Taizi reached out and grabbed her hand. The loving look in Cen Taizi's eyes made Feng Lingxi feel like she had almost forgotten the Cen Taizi who had once hunted her down.

"Though my body is well these days, my heart aches."

Feng Lingxi leaned forward, attentively listening as Empress Cen sighed deeply. “Ever since Lan Fei became pregnant, this humble empress has done everything to please her. I never expected that things would escalate so dramatically. Now, both the civil and military officials, and even the imperial court ladies, have become her people.”

"The Harem"

Feng Lingxi was puzzled and asked, "Where is the Empress"

After Lan Fei became pregnant, the Empress intentionally had the Emperor visit her many times, but he was unable to conceive. Every time, Lan Fei would find various excuses to keep the Emperor there.

By this point, Empress Cen had made her meaning clear. Feng Lingxi already understood what she meant. Feng Yuxi's belly was uncooperative; without a dragon heir, how could she possibly rival Lan Fei Now that Lan Fei was carrying an imperial heir, she had become increasingly arrogant and domineering.

No wonder Empress Dowager Cen was just about to mention her. By saying it this way, she directed all the blame at her. I'm afraid Mo Huilan would think that Empress Dowager Cen was reprimanded because of what Mo Huilan said about her.

"Empress, Concubine Hui is virtuous and kind. Is there any way for me to have her choose between them"

Feng Lingxi hearing the empress dowager's words, her expression stiffened. This was clearly shifting the blame onto her. Whether she supported anyone, it would bring her unnecessary trouble.

Even trying to live a solitary life is difficult.

"Your Majesty, Lan Fei's pregnancy makes her a bit more delicate. It's normal. The Empress will treat her well, and besides, Your Majesty is watching, she won't push it too far."

"But there's still the King of Pingbei." Empress Cen stared into Feng Lingxi's eyes, her expression serious.

Feng Lingxi thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking bluntly. As long as the Empress's power balances against Lan Fei's, things will resolve themselves."

Empress Cen pondered for a moment, then nodded. "How could I have forgotten this Your brother has made meritorious deeds alongside Dugu City this time, so Empress will bestow upon him..."

Feng Lingxi, hearing this, hurriedly stood up and pleaded, "Your Majesty, Yu Mo is still a child. I beg you not to bestow an official position upon him. Let him continue following Dugu Cheng. Besides, bestowing an official position on Yu Mo would be of no use in this matter. Instead, it would only distract the Empress."

"What does the Fourth Princess mean..."

Feng Lingxi thought for a moment, "Of course it's the person who can make Feng Yu Xi stand tall."

Then Empress Cen pondered for a moment, “When we previously discussed the matter of the Grand Marshal of the Nation, the Emperor's imperial decree was already drafted. General Feng, following the late Emperor on expeditions, fought valiantly in all directions, conquering half the land of the Great Yuan Dynasty. This position of Grand Marshal is rightfully his.”

Feng Lingxi hurriedly stepped forward and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your grace. I thank the Empress Dowager on behalf of my grandfather for the gift."

Empress Cen stood up, Feng Lingxi hurriedly supported her. Looking at Empress Cen turn to look at her, those eyes contained too much information. Feng Lingxi's heart was also struggling. She wanted to ask about Du Gu Su, but she didn't know how to bring it up.

After struggling internally several times, Feng Lingxi still gave up.

"Go for a walk, my heart feels much better now."

"Your Majesty, there is something I would like your help with."

Wind Ling-xi opened her mouth and, seeing the Empress Dowager nod, said, "I hope the Empress Dowager will not tell Grandfather, nor let the Empress know. I don't want to cause a dispute."

"I understand, rest assured."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Feng Lingxi helped the Empress Dowager to the Imperial Garden. All officials, civil and military, were there, flattering King Pingbei. When they saw Empress Cen and Feng Lingxi appear together, they became more restrained and hurriedly bowed in respect.

Feng Lingxi's eyes swept over the Imperial Garden, but she didn't see Dugu City's figure. Instead, she saw her mother concubine, who was surrounded by officials' wives flattering her.

"The Fourth Princess is perhaps looking for Duke Dugu. He and the Emperor are still in the Imperial Study, they will come over after finishing their discussion."

Then Empress Cen smiled and, looking at Prince Pingbei walking towards her, said to Feng Lingxi, "You go."

Feng Lingxi responded with a nod and walked towards Shu Taifei.

"Imperial Noble Consort Shu, I hear that the Fourth Princess refuses to let the Fourth Prince take a concubine. This matter has been widely circulated. Everyone in and out of the capital is talking about how the Fourth Prince is afraid of his wife. You wouldn't be unaware of this, would you"

"I heard, the Fourth Princess can't give birth herself and doesn't allow the Fourth Prince Consort to take concubines. She had a few concubines who were trying to enter but she got rid of them all, some even died."

"What kind of woman is she, who doesn't focus on being a good wife and mother She's so heartless. It's no wonder she hasn't had any children."

"She's the Saintess of the Yao Clan, a highly respected figure. Even before this Empress ascended to power, she yearned to kill her. Now with this treatment, who can compare How could she not be arrogant"

"That's right, this Fourth Princess is skilled in medicine and also knows how to poison. Whoever dares disobey her might not even know how they'll die."

Before Feng Lingxi even got close, she heard the noble ladies whispering amongst themselves. Their ugly faces made her sick. Feng Lingxi was instantly irritated by their words upon arrival.

"What are you talking about!"

Xiaoli heard them speaking so disrespectfully of the Princess, and angrily rebuked them. Seeing Feng Lingxi appear, each one of them cast disdainful glances her way, muttering under their breath and rolling their eyes.

"Xiao Li, be polite."

Feng Lingxi walked past, her entire body radiating an invisible aura. Although her beautiful face didn't show anger, it made them involuntarily shut their mouths.

"Your Majesty, they said this about you..."

"What we're saying is the truth."

A pretty girl shouted loudly, defiantly provoking Feng Lingxi. Xiao Li was so angry that she wanted to rush forward and fight her.

"Forget what I told you, if a dog bites you, how can you bite back"

When Feng Lingxi spoke, the crowd who had just quieted down erupted again. They pointed at Feng Lingxi angrily and shouted, "Fourth Royal Princess, what do you mean by that Who are you calling a dog"

Feng Lingxi's beautiful eyes swept over the crowd surrounding her, her gaze turning cold. "Madam, did I say it was you"l."I'll head back first."Being left in this palace, he felt uncomfortable all over. In just half a day, such an incident happened. He didn't want Xier and Wan'er to encounter such things. After speaki...