The Tian Sheng Emperor paused, his face darkening as he recalled the matter. The ministers all turned their eyes away the matter of the previous Qiu Mansion young madams elopement had been sensational news in Dijing, and everyone had heard about it, but the whispered rumor was that the young madam had only eloped because she had heard she had been chosen as an Imperial Concubine.

Everyone knew that this matter was a thorn in His Majestys heart, so they all attentively averted their gaze.

Your Majesty, this minister has asked about this girl. Helian Zheng said excitedly. She is fifteen years old and unmatched, and the people say she is a warm and gentle woman full of virtue. This minister wants this kind of woman, so when I marry a lawful wife in the future, my family will not be chaotic.

As Helian Zheng spoke, Feng Zhiwei was secretly cursing him to the nine hells. When did this bastard become so familiar with me? He even knows Im unbetrothed? And he wants a peaceful family after more marriages? He can really dream!

Ning Yi furrowed his brows, working hard to stamp down on his urge to react.

If thats the case. The Tian Sheng Emperor spoke, his face returning to normal as he reached for his tea cup. Come, here my Imperial Decree...

But then the Emperor suddenly began coughing, his face reddening as he choked. Servants hurriedly rushed forward as his command was interrupted.

Beside the Imperial Desk, Feng Zhiwei had quietly palmed some of the dessert arranged on the table, and while adjusting her hair, she had flicked some crushed peanuts into the Emperors tea cup. The Tian Sheng Emperors trachea was not particularly healthy and he easily chokes, and so Feng Zhiwei successfully prevented the Imperial Decree.

As the servants helped the coughing Tian Sheng Emperor, Feng Zhiwei stepped beside Helian Zheng, smiling at him: Prince, you have a good eye!

Of course... oh, you know the Feng girl? Helian Zheng glanced sidelong at her. How do you know her? Where did you meet her? She never leaves home and rarely contacts anyone, how do you know her?

Helian Zheng had not even married her and he was already like a jealous husband, rooting after a secret affair, more focused on possessing her than actually getting to know this noble daughter.

My father is an old friend of the Qiu Mansion. Feng Zhiwei replied. Ive visited the Qiu Mansion with him, but I have indeed never met this noble daughter, but...

She let her words hang in the air, and Helian Zheng could not resist: But what?

Feng Zhiwei frowned, face falling into deep thought before shaking her head: I should not speak of others behind their back... its nothing.

After these words, Feng Zhiwei shut her mouth tightly, sealed like a clamshell, her expression clearly saying that even knives could not make her explain.

Helian Zheng stared at Feng Zhiwei with his shining eyes, his expression quickly changing.

Come ask me come ask me come ask me... Feng Zhiwei smiled with quiet confidence.

If its nothing then its nothing, Helian Zheng replied, quiet for a long moment. He turned away, a strange smile on his face: Im not really going to take her as my concubine.

Feng Zhiwei choked on her saliva, almost dying... this barbarian did not play by the rules!

Ive never met a woman who dared hit me... Helian Zheng turned to the study window, the bright rays of light dancing over his purple diamond eyes. How could I let her off so easily?

Haha, dont the Central Plains women treat their husbands like heaven? From now on I will be her heaven, and if I tell her to wash my feet she will wash my feet. If I tell her to massage my legs, she will massage my legs. And after I marry ten women, I will have her serve every one of them... her violence? Her ferocity? No matter how violent or ferocious she is, shes still a cave mouse in an eagles claws!

Your mother is a cave mouse!

Feng Zhiweis mouth twitched as she summoned all her strength to control her face. After a moment, she chuckled, turning to Helian Zheng and saying in praise: Good, good, the Hu Zhuo Prince really has great ambition and triumphant bravery...

Although she was praising him, her eyes were filled with sympathy, and when Helian Zheng noticed this sympathy he began to grow suspicious. Finally, he grabbed her sleeve and asked: Look at you muttering and mumbling, this Feng Zhiwei, is there something wrong with her?

Theres no problem, no problem at all. Feng Zhiwei said, pulling back her sleeve. Better to destroy ten temples than spoil a single marriage. I congratulate Prince Hu Zhuo in marrying such a fine beauty, and if you want someone to wash your feet someone will wash your feet, and if you want your legs massaged, someone will massage your legs.

She will serve your ten wives and concubines, and you will even save money on the servant girls. Congratulations, congratulations, happiness to you.

She spoke all these words solemnly, no longer meeting Helian Zhengs eyes. AS the Emperor recovered, she swiftly returned to his side, leaving the frowning and contemplative Helian Zheng alone.

Across the room, the impassive and aloof Ning Yi suddenly cast a glance at the two.

The Tian Sheng Emperor continued coughing for a bit, and when he regained his breath he tapped the table, calling Feng Zhiwei: Wei Zhi, write for me.

Feng Zhiwei immediately smoothed out the prepared paper and dipped the brush into the ink.

Today, Fifth Army General Qiu Shangqis niece...

Your Majesty!

Helian Zheng suddenly stepped forward, interrupting.

All eyes turned to examine the prince as Helian Zheng kneeled and kowtowed. He called forth loudly: Your Majesty, after serious consideration, this minister believes that a mere concubine is not worthy of Your Majestys personal decree, could this Imperial Grace wait until I decide to marry a lawful wife?

Ning Yi immediately called out praise: The Hu Zhuo Prince is truly filled with propriety, modest and courteous!

Helian Zheng nodded shamelessly: Of course!

The Emperor hesitated a moment before agreeing. The truth was, granting a concubine was not in accord with the ancestral rites, but he had thought to make an exception to placate the restless lad before him. Now that he had given up on the matter himself, then the situation could be resolved perfectly.

Helian Zheng did not really care about this matter; his original plan was simply to appease the Emperor. He did not want a true wife yet, so he immediately reacted by asking for a concubine, but the truth was he really did not care about an imperially decreed marriage.

But this Feng young miss, what exactly was her problem? He needed to take some time to thoroughly investigate, and somethings he might not be able to discover from others, so perhaps he needed to add a little personal touch...

Helian Zheng frowned, lost in his thoughts.

Feng Zhiwei smiled and put down the brush.

Ning Yi leaned back in his chair, slowly sipping his tea.

The rising sun shone down through the window, the summers brilliant light beaming in.

After Helian Zheng left, the Imperial Study held another meeting. Qiu Shangqi and his troops had arrived at the border and were stationed by the Jie Luo Mountain, fifty Li away from Da Yue.

The Jie Luo mountain was located in the central area of the Hu Lun mountain Range, a range which cut through the center of the Hu Lun steppes, separating norther and south. To the east of the mountain range ran the River Ling, a major river that passed through all four of the Wei, Jing, Yong, and Su[1] states. The area was easily resupplied and sat by the natural barrier of the Jie Luo mountain, with a commanding view of the open terrain.

Qiu Shangqi had ordered the fifty thousand border guards to guard the western line of the Jie Luo mountain, facing the land of the United Hu Zhuo tribes. Vice-General Chunyu Hong and his hundred thousand troops guarded the eastern line, watching the southern border of Da Yue, with Qiu Shangqi and his hundred thousand stationed in the middle.

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