amongst themselves."Isn't he dead"The Six Elders' first reaction upon seeing Yao Shu was one of bewilderment. Yao Shu's status within the Yao Clan wasn't inferior to Yao Zhi's. If this return trip wa..."Mother concubine, besides these two concubines, are there any other women to be sent into the Prince's Manor"

Feng Lingxi's question made Dugu City's face even darker. Seeing his mother nod, he clenched his fists in anger.

"The Empress is clearly trying to keep tabs on me. Wasn't the last lesson enough She dares to try and shove this many women at me!"

"My lord, please don't be angry. Have you forgotten that you will be going on a campaign in a few days These women are only taking up space in your courtyard. While you are away from the palace, I can handle everything for you."

Feng Lingxi frowned slightly, having been left to handle the swarm of women bestowing gifts from the Empress. Was her mother concubine trying to pit her against the Empress

"Mother, how can Xi'er possibly stand against all those women alone"

獨孤城 refused, looking at Xi'er who remained silent. "My son will not let Xi'er suffer any grievances."

"My son, the greater good comes first. Have you forgotten what your mother taught you"

The Noble Consort was furious and rebuked harshly, "I'm only asking Xi’er to endure for a short time, I won't do anything to her."

Feng Lingxi, hearing what Shu Fei meant, suddenly felt uneasy.

She didn't know what her mother meant by enduring it a little.

If she were asked to share a husband with those other women, she feared she couldn't do it.

"Mother, we are all concubines bestowed by the Empress. Even though Xier is the mistress of the Fourth Prince's Manor, she can't do anything to us."

Shu Fei heard her words and spoke, “Xi’er, you don’t need to do anything. Just stop them from being with Cheng'er. As for what method you use, your mother doesn’t care.”

Feng Lingxi frowned, she was just stopping them from being with Dugu Cheng. Wasn't this making her bear the title of a jealous princess

Even if Dugu City were to march, he wouldn't immediately leave after marrying. The Empress would certainly make him favor these women before he left. How could she possibly stop them from entering the palace

"Does Mother-Queen truly believe that her daughter-in-law can do this well"

Shufei smiled and said, "Of course I believe it, Mother Empress's eyesight is never wrong, Mother Empress believes in you."

Believe her, she doesn't even believe herself.

"Mother, if the Empress cannot grant a marriage, then is there no need to take a concubine into the palace"

Feng Lingxi unconsciously clenched her fist. Was she going to bet everything for Duguo Cheng

But how could she explain to Dugu City afterwards

"If we could prevent the Empress from granting a marriage, that would be best of all, and it would save you a lot of trouble later on."

"Xier, can you do something about this"

Dugu Cheng hurriedly asked, looking at her thoughtful expression, his heart unexpectedly stirred.

"No."

Du Gucheng looked at the worry in her eyes and comforted, "If it really doesn't work, this king will directly refuse the marriage."

"No, if that were the case, the Empress would turn her wrath on your father. This would affect his recovery."

"Then how could Mother bear to let Xi'er shoulder these burdens"

After Dugu City's words fell, Shu Fei's face sank. Feng Lingxi tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to stop, but Dugu City didn't mean to stop.

"Mother, you must protect the Emperor. I will also protect my women."

I don't need your protection.

Feng Lingxi opened her mouth, met Empress Shu's cold gaze, and continued, "I can handle this."

"Er, you should understand the seriousness of the matter."

Dugu Cheng clenched his fists, his mother's actions this time made him very angry. She wanted him to sacrifice Xi'er to protect them, he really didn't want to.

"Mother, Your Highness is just worried that his daughter-in-law will not be able to handle this. Don't be angry, Xier will find a way to deal with it."

If she followed along with Dugu City and let him argue with her mother, it would only make their situation more difficult.

She didn't want Dugu Cheng to fight with her and her mother for this, it was just some eyeliner, she could handle it.

"Still, Xi'er is the sensible one."

Shu Fei's words made Dugu Cheng very displeased. He pulled Feng Ling Xi up, "Xi'er, this king will take you for a walk."

"Your father wishes to see you. Please go to him."

Dugu Cheng pulled Feng Lingxi away to the Imperial Study. Shu Fei watched their departing figures and let out a soft sigh.

Out of Shufei's palace, Dugucheng looked at Feng Lingxi without speaking, and apologized apologetically, "Xier, it's all my fault, I wronged you."

"My lord, please don't say those things. Just like what Mother Concubine said, the Emperor had no choice but to do this. It's just a few women, I will handle them well. As long as you don't betray me, I won't betray you either."

Du Gucheng held her hand, his eyes filled with apology.

“This time, Your Highness, I truly apologize to you. You know how stubborn my mother is. She's set her mind on having you handle this matter, and I'm afraid it will trouble you again.”

Perhaps things are not as difficult as you imagine.

Feng Lingxi's eyes flashed a hint of calculation. She wanted to fight her for the man, but she had to see if they had the ability. As long as Dugucheng was heading towards her, her man would never be let go.

Dugu City didn't know what to say, instinctively clenching his fist.

In the Study

Feng Lingxi and Dugu Cheng went inside, and the eunuch outside the imperial study watched, forbidding anyone from approaching the imperial study even a step.

"Your son (daughter-in-law) greets his father (father-in-law)."

"Rise up."

The Emperor looked at the couple, “Your mother concubine must have told you about the Empress’s plan for you to marry a consort.”

"Father, is there truly no possibility of refusal"

Dugu Cheng looked at Feng Lingxi and saw her shaking her head at him, signaling him to stop talking. His fist clenched even tighter under his sleeve.

"Cheng'er, have you forgotten what I told you that day Your father promised you, and he never goes back on his word. But you, can't even do this small thing"

But...

Dugu Cheng glanced at Feng Lingxi, “My son only thinks that you’ve been wronged.”

"Since ancient times, which man wasn't a man with three wives and four concubines Let alone, I merely let them enter the palace. Whether or not to accept them is your say, I didn't promise the Empress to bestow upon you the women she granted you in marriage."

When Dugu City fell silent, the emperor asked Feng Lingxi, "Lingxi, at this Empress's birthday banquet, all the ladies from the civil and military officials have a chance to perform. Have you prepared something"

Feng Lingxi respectfully said, “Your Majesty, your daughter-in-law is not proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. She can only meet force with force and water with earth. If she brings shame to Your Majesty, please forgive her.”

"I know you haven't learned anything before, but I don't blame you. This time I've wronged you, and I will compensate you."

"Thank you, father."

"It's about time, everyone get ready. There will be a banquet in a while, eat plenty."

"The son retires."

Given how tense things are, who has the appetite to eat Dugu Cheng and Feng Lingxi left the Imperial Study. Feng Lingxi then said to Dugu Cheng, "Just pretend that nothing just happened."

Dugou City looked at her, his heart was complicated. Xi'er endured this for him, which made him feel very stifled, and now it was suffocating him. It seemed that the plan had to be accelerated.ng Siqi had a look of amusement on her face, her smile was full of mirth but not to be trifled with.Yu Yuliang's face turned pale. Looking into Feng Lingxi's eyes, he felt like he had seen a ghost. He...