The Imperial Palace
Fallen Phoenix palace
Empress Dowager Wang

After the dragon palace, the second largest palace in the imperial palace and largest in the inner harem was the fallen Phoenix palace, the abode of the Empress Dowager.

Deep within the palace, at the koi fish pond in the garden, Empress Dowager Wang rested on her chaise as she casually threw in fish food into the pond, watching with satisfaction as the koi fishes followed the direction of her feeding.

She loved to feel in control of everything even the little fishes in the pond. The knowledge that if she didn't feed them they would starve, if she fed them they would have to follow in the direction and pace of her feeding and if she overfed them they would die from over eating pleased her immensely.

Wang Ruofu married into the imperial family at the tender age of 16. She became the Empress at the age of twenty and had weathered many of the inner harem struggles with her own will power. After losing her first and second child in this hell pit, she had long lost any innocence she once had before coming into this golden cage.

After giving birth to her third and only surviving child at the age of 22, she became a cunning and ruthless woman, getting rid of those who stood in her way. In her perspectives only the strong had the right to live and the weak should perish. Now at her current age of 50, she was the Empress Dowager of Shang, she had relinquished all power of the court to Yuwen Hong and had plan to lead a peaceful life in the inner harem.

But after living a few years without any struggles or any competition, life here has slowly become boring. She seeks the thrill of watching other women fight for things that they can't get. Power over the harem, the Emperor's love, all this and more unattainable desires was what loved watching. Like mice in a trap forever struggling to get loose but never escaping until they're killed by their captors.

The only thing she wanted now was for her Hong'er to be able to stably hold he's court and rule with ease and that meant having an heir and a powerful woman with means by he's side, which is why now that her son had finally decided to expand he's harem she was going to take back the reins of the inner harem and help him filter out the problematic ones that would hinder he's part and find him a befitting Empress to match he's status.

Luckily her Hong'er had finally agreed to accept women into he's harem. More games to play, more fun to watch. Life was really going to become interesting.

She smiled slightly at the thought of finally being a spectator in this matter of the inner harem rather than a participant. This was really going to be interesting!

This was the scene Yuwen Hong walked into, seeing he's mother smiling happily with her eyes laced with mischief.

He's old mother was once one of the most beautiful woman in her prime was now a old but powerful and regal woman. He skin had began to wrinkle and grey hair had laced her once beautiful black Raven hair. But still she still had traces of her former youthful beauty. Truth to be said she was an exceptional beauty in her time second to none.... Well except that woman as people said but he couldn't really remember the woman's face now, it's been too long. It's a pity he's mother had no daughter to inherit her beauty and that he looked nothing like her. The only feature the shared was the red beauty mole at the corner of their left eye.

Sensing someone watching her, Wang Ruofu turned around to see her son staring at her she couldn't help but smile brightly.

"My son! You're here! Why are you standing over there? Come, come let mother have a look at you" she invited brightly sitting up properly.

Looking at he's mother smiling genuinely at him with so much care and tenderness, Yuwen Hong's bad mood could help but improve a bit. This was he's Muqin no matter how cruel and ruthless she is, or how many lives she'd taken to sit stably on her throne, she was still he's Muqin. Besides she did must of those things for him and he was the only one she still treated with real love and affection.

"This unfilial son greets Muqin, sorry for disturbing Muqin rest" Yuwen Hong said, bowing lowly.

"What rest come and sit here, I rarely get to see you this days, the work in the court is busy. With you coming who cares about rest, my heart will naturally feel at ease" Wang Ruofu said smiling brightly.

"It's this son's fault for causing mother to miss me and feel ill at ease, please forgive this unfilial child" Yuwen Hong apologized sincerely as he felt he had truly been neglecting he's mother recently.

"Ah no harm done, what's the use talking about it. Here come over here and sit down" she said brushing the matter aside as she patted the space next to her for her son to sit. She handed the fish food to her personal court Lady, court Lady Shu and signalled her to send the servants away.

Soon all the servants were gone except for Court Lady Shu who simply went to the other side of the pond to give them privacy
Empress dowager wamg turned to look at her son. From the expression on he's face he wasn't in a good mood, not that she really needed to guess why, everyone in the palace already knew he wasn't happy about he's decree the day before today about bringing in new consorts.

The servants had been extremely cautious in serving him these past two days but that still didn't save a few of them from severe scolded and a few floggings on their bottoms.

"I'm happy that you've finally decided to let go of your grief and bring in new consorts, it will be good for the nation and yourself, but it's obvious you're not even half as happy as I am" Empress Dowager Wang started going straight to the point.

"These fives years I've let you grief without putting any pressure on you to take in any women, after all it's hard for you to loss someone you've loved and cherished for most of your life. You grew up with her so naturally she's a part of you, if you were an ordinary man I would have let you grieve for the rest of your life if you wanted to, but you're not an ordinary man. You're Han Yuwen Hong, the sixth Emperor of Shang. You have the blood of the founder of this country flowing through your veins, from the day you were born into this lineage your future and choices about your life were no longer only yours but the choices that benefit the people. As royalty we don't have the luxury of love or friendship, even loyalty is hard to attain. People outside of these walls only thing of the glory and splendor of the imperial palace but only you, I and every other person who resides in this palace knows the danger and treachery behind these walls" Empress dowager Wang said solemnly, before smiling and caressing the side of he's face with her fingertips.

"You're a smart child, you've been a wise Emperor all these years, a good father to your daughter and a good and filial son to your mother. Heaven has allowed you have a taste of true love even if it was just for a few years but you should treasure it, commit it to memory but don't lose yourself for it. I wouldn't want it neither would Baozhai had wanted it, this is an obligation you have to fulfill to your people, your daughter and myself"

"Just for instance, imagine what would happen to Huiling if you were to die now without an heir and this kingdom is overthrown by the bordering countries. She's lose the luxury and title she grew up with, she's become a slave and object of abuse, just imagine a Royal princess of our great Shang turning into a lowly soldiers red tent bed warmer, I'm sure you wouldn't want that now would you" Empress Dowager Wang asked the dark faced Yuwen Hong who was clearly struggling to control he's anger at the thought of he's only child being reduced to such a state.

"No!" He said through gritted teeth.

She smiled more brightly and continued "don't get me wrong I'm not hoping for such a thing to happen, the thought is already disgusting enough to kill me but you can't let your emotions rule over you. A great Emperor doesn't let he's emotions rule over him he's decisions. Please do this for this country, for me your mother, for your beloved Baozhai and your child Huiling".

"Yes mother, I understand now. I've been too clouded by my emotions to think of all these things all these years now I realize how foolish I've been. This son thanks mother for her teachings" Yuwen Hong said standing up and giving her a deep bow.

Wang Ruofu smiled sweetly, and waved her hand in a carefree manner "Ah it's nothing much, after all it's my duty as a mother to guide you were you go wrong, nothing to thank me for. Aiya look at the hour, it's almost past lunch, yet the fishes have eaten and this One hasn't eaten yet. Hurry tell the kitchen to serve the food" she said as court Lady Shu who had been standing at the corner quickly obliged.

Eunuch Li also came in at that moment and saluted "May your Majesty live a thousand years, may, her Majesty live a thousand years"

"Rise Li gonggong" Empress Dowager Wang instructed.

"Thanking her Majesty for her benevolence, Your Majesty this servant has something to report" Eunuch Li said.

"What is it" Yuwen Hong asked.

"General Gu has arrived" Eunuch Li reported diligently.

Yuwen Hong's expression frosted a few degrees colder before returning to returning to normal after remembering the matter in yesterday's court session. He still couldn't believe that not only did Uncle Gu not support him but he supported others to force him into agreeing to take in concubines, although he wasn't angry anymore he was still annoyed. He felt like he had been betrayed.

Noticing the cold expression Yuwen Hong had on he's face at the mention of General Gu's name before concealing made Empress Dowager Wang internally happy that her eyes betrayed her for a second revealing some emotions before checking it.

Yuwen Hong noticed this but wasn't surprised.

"Tell him to wait for Zhen in the imperial study, Zhen meet him after Zhen's meal with the Empress Dowager" he instructed.

"Yes your Majesty" Eunuch Li replied and bowed, taking three steps back before turning around and walking away.

After the meal, Yuwen Hong departed fallen Phoenix palace with Eunuch Li and he's Entourage.

"How many daughters does Mo Yanxian have" Yuwen Hong asked suddenly.

"Six my lord, two legitimate daughters and four illegitimate ones. Among he's daughters three are married, the fourth one is engaged while the fifth and sixth daughters Mo Shulan and Mo Pinlan have long come of age and aren't engaged yet" Eunuch Li reported dutifully.

"Mo Shulan? Mo Pinlan?" Yuwen Hong thought "Mo Shulan is one of the famous beauties isn't she, and Mo Pinlan is said to always be by her side. They are allegedly the most talented ladies in Shang if zhen is correct, oh yes and they sometimes come to greet Muqin, but how are they and Zhen related again?"

"Your Majesty, they are your distant cousins from you great Grandaunt's side, their great grandmother is from the Wang family" Eunuch Li reminded.

"Oh zhen remembers now" Yuwen Hong said nodding thoughtfully when they heard a light artificially sweetened voice.

"Greetings your Majesty" the lady and her handmaid courtsied and greeted.

"Mingzhu Meimei, you're here again, please rise" Yuwen Hong said immediately upon recognizing her.

"Thank you your Majesty" the girl in a yellow dress said before standing straight and glancing up bashfully before hiding her blushing face.

Whether Yuwen Hong was blind or wasn't paying attention or had somehow contacted a brain defect at that moment he didn't seem to notice these gestures.

"Why are you here, did you come to see Muqin" he inquired.

"Your Majesty!" Mingzhu said bashfully with a playful pout "Mingzhu will naturally have to see Empress Dowager if Mingzhu comes to the palace but Mingzhu didn't come for her, Mingzhu came to see princess Royal. Mingzhu brought some playthings for her to try out".

"Ah that's good then Zhen won't keep you waiting then, goodbye" Yuwen Hong said smiling at her before turning to leave.

"Sending off your Majesty" Fang Mingzhu courtsied before raising up her head to watch the departing figure with lovelorn eyes.

"Xiaolan, did you see that? Did you see how he smiled at me, he definitely loves me!" She said dreamily.

"Yes Miss, he's Majesty looked very happy to see you, he most definitely love you. How couldn't he, Miss is one of the most beautiful and talented ladies in the land, and not to mention a caring aunt to Princess Royal" Xiaolan praised making Mingzhu smiling proudly until a thought crossed her mind and her expression fell.

"Just now he's Majesty mentioned the Mo sisters, is he planning to take in one of them as he's concubines" she asked.

"Well the fifth and sixth daughters of the Mo clan are renowned for being the most talented ladies in Shang and Mo Shulan is a top beauty, it will be almost impossible for them not to be picked if they participate" Xiaolan replied truthfully in a low voice making Mingzhu's face grow darker and darker.

"Those bitches actually want to compete with me! Dream on!" Mingzhu said angrily before breathing heavily and calming down, once again regaining her quiet facade.

"Either way it doesn't matter if they come or not, as long as Hong'er gege has me in he's heart then they certainly mean nothing to him. Come let's go to Huiling, in the end I still need her to be close to Hong'er gege" Mingzhu said before strolling away into the inner palace.

Vocabulary

Muqin: meaning mother

Zhen: how Emperor's usually refer to themselves in ancient China.