here's also Princess Zhaoran entering the palace. There are many rules in the palace, plus the imperial concubines... your daughter-in-law is afraid she doesn't understand the rules and will cause tro..."This palace also knows that this is Yin Rou's fault. Shui, apologize to the Fourth Prince and take Yin Rou back. That's it for this matter." She had even apologized to him, but he wouldn't accept it.

The Empress was in a foul mood. She wanted to see what he, Dugu Cheng, could do if she pressed him further.

Water Minister bowed towards Duke Gucheng, “I apologize to the Fourth Prince for any misunderstanding regarding Yin Rou. It brought shame upon your royal household. I am truly sorry.”

"Fourth Prince, this Palace will choose a few suitable women for you later as compensation..."

Dugu City gave the Empress a cold look, "Your Majesty's kindness, this king understands. This king's inner courtyard doesn't need the Empress to worry about it. If such things happen again, this king's face will be lost. This king takes his leave."

Without a word, Dugu City left, ignoring the Empress.

The Empress watched Dugu City's departing figure, angrily slammed the table, scaring Shui Da Ren to kneel on the ground, trembling.

"You, Dugu City, dare to challenge this Palace in person It seems like this Palace has truly let you live too carelessly."

獨孤城離開鳳儀殿便去了淑妃那邊，進宮的時候風淩兮也跟著來了，此刻正是在淑妃的宮中和淑妃聊天，得知了側妃的事，淑妃倒是有幾分意外。

After leaving Fengyi Palace, Dugu Cheng went to Shufei's side. Feng Lingxi had also come with him when they entered the palace. At this moment, she was chatting with Shufei in her palace and learned about Shui Side Consort's affair. Shufei seemed a little surprised.

"Xier, even if the Empress admits defeat this time, she'll still send gifts to Cheng'er. This time we dodged Suicifei, but next time it won't be so easy. The same trick can't be used again."

Shufen patted her hand, "Xi'er, do you understand what your mother means"

"Mother, do you want to allow your daughter-in-law to bring those women into the manor"

Although she was reluctant, if the empress insisted on coming in, how could she refuse

"The back garden of the palace is your domain, you call the shots there. Your mother concubine can't leave the palace for now, or else your father emperor would be in danger."

Feng Ling Xi responded, "Before Mother Empress accompanied the Emperor, this Empress dowager was in control of the entire palace. With Mother Empress here, she naturally restrains herself. Even if she wants to do something, it will be noticed, giving the Emperor some time."

"The daughter-in-law understands."

"Anything the Empress sends in, you don't need to give them face. Just remember, you are the mistress of the manor, they all belong to you, including when to arrange for them to sleep with you, that's your call."

Feng Lingxi responded with a nod. Shu Fei looked into her eyes, seeing the conflict within, and smiled, "Are you reluctant to let them serve Cheng'er"

Feng Lingxi looked up, meeting her mother's smiling eyes. She didn't know what to say. She was sure her mother wouldn't want her husband to sleep with another woman, but if she said anything, she was afraid her mother would scold her.

"It's okay to not want to, there's nothing wrong with saying so. Your mother doesn't want you to be with your father emperor and the other concubines either, but sometimes, putting on a show is necessary. For example, even though your father emperor has many concubines in his harem and he does visit their courtyards, whether or not he favors them is up to your father emperor to decide."

"What my mother taught me, I have understood."

"The prince is my son, and I know him best. Once he sets his heart on someone, no other woman would catch his eye, even if she were presented to him. If you treat him sincerely, he will treat you with the same sincerity in return."

Shufu's words made Feng Lingxi feel increasingly ashamed. Her mother seemed to see through everything, and she had also seen the good qualities of Dugu City these past few days. However, she was afraid that some things were easier said than done, and it would be difficult to do well.

Seeing her silence, Shu Fei recalled the news she had heard yesterday. She took her hand and asked, "Xi'er, is this palace about to hear good news from you"

Feng Lingxi was at a loss, looking at her mother's smile with confusion in her eyes.

"This palace has heard that on the night Shui Side Consort entered the palace, Cheng'er stayed in your room all night. This matter even reached the Empress Dowager's ears. Is there any truth to this"

"Mother, actually this matter…"

"Alright, Mother knows. It's normal for young people to be full of energy. Mother just fears you will take those pills again. Mother reminds you, don't take the medicine! This palace wants grandchildren."

When it came to the topic of birth control, Feng Lingxi's face stiffened slightly. She had indeed taken the medicine that day. She didn't want children right now, but this was a secret she kept to herself.

"Mother Empress, the daughter-in-law understands."

The Imperial Noble Consort patted her hand, "Imperial Mother awaits your good news."

Du Gu Cheng came in and saw his mother and Xi'er talking. He noticed that Feng Ling Xi's face was rather pale. After paying respects, he kept his gaze fixed on Feng Ling Xi.

"Mother, the matter is settled. The son will return to the manor with Xi'er first."

"Your father will be here shortly, have your supper and then go back."

Dugu Cheng glanced at Feng Lingxi, “Mother concubine, if we go back after dinner, it might arouse suspicion. It’s better to go back first.”

Shufei thought of Feng Lingxi's medicine, "Alright, you may go back first."

Feng Lingxi and Dugu Cheng bid farewell to Shu Fei, leaving the palace and sitting in a carriage. Dugu Cheng couldn't hold back any longer.

"Xier, did Mother concubine say something that made you uncomfortable Your face is very pale."

windling shook her head, "No."

"Why do you seem unhappy"

Dugu Cheng watched her like this, quite worried. She obviously had something on her mind, yet she was unwilling to tell him. Could it be that she had started to guard against him again, or had his mother told her something that made her want to keep him at arm's length

"Xier, if your mother concubine makes things difficult for you, tell this king, and I will take care of it for you."

Wind Ling Xi heard him say this, and after a moment of thought, said, "Has the Empress caused you any difficulty"

"This matter was her fault to begin with, how dare she make things difficult for this king"

"Then let me ask you, about the matter of Shui Yin Rou, was it you who did it, or was the guard Shui Yin Rou truly feeling something"

Feng Lingxi's question made Dugu City frown, "Xi'er, if this king told you that this matter was not done by this king, would you believe this king"

Seeing her confusion, Dugu City sighed softly, "When I left the palace, I met that guard. He begged me not to marry Shuiyinrou to that deputy general. I had already dismissed the idea, so I told him that I would favor Shuiyinrou last night. The guard's expression changed, and I guessed it. I sent Yexi to watch them, but I didn't expect Shuiyinrou and the guard to really have feelings for each other. Today, I didn't intend to execute them, just..." Dugu City trailed off, a deep sadness clouding his eyes.

"Do you want to let them have their way"

Feng Lingxi was a little surprised. Seeing him nod, her mood became somewhat complicated. This Shui side concubine marrying Dugu Cheng must have been forced as well. She was also a pitiful person.

“The Empress is still thinking about bestowing a batch of women upon me today, and this incident happened just in time. I can push them all away now. But that way, the Empress and I will completely fall out. Now, the Empress’s gaze is on us, so life won't be easy for us from now on.”i nodded and followed him out.In the bustling marketplace, Feng Lingxi skipped happily from side to side, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Suddenly, a barrage of shouting and cursing reached her ea...