Lang Yuan was descending the stairs when he heard some noise coming from the corner of the lower steps. He searched for the noise and spotted a group of wonderfully colored clothes flocking in one side, like flowers in full bloom. The flowers were the palace's harem, the ladies excitedly chatting with each other.

Though, Lang Yuan wasn't able to distinguish the ladies due to the paper made parasols that was held by the servants. The patterns of the parasols fascinated the youth, remembering those small umbrellas used to decorate a certain drink to ass some effect of beauty and elegance. He wanted to know where these ladies bought the parasol so he intentionally walked nearby the group.

The servants noticed the presence of another person. Using their peripheral vision to look at the person while bowing, they found the beauty of the jade from the other court. The fascinated smile of Lang Yuan made the servants' hearts throb in pain, wanting to approach him hesitantly.

The other servants serving the concubines are aware of the situation inside Lang Yuan's chambers. During resting times, or at night, these fellow servants would share their daily grievances, usually complaining about their master's crude attitude and manners. Yet, those who are serving under Lang Yuan never did once complained and said that the youth is kind enough to always say 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry' most of the times.

Plus, with no doubt, Lang Yuan will be promoted as the empress.

They envied them but they can't do anything about it. They are serving under a master, moving to the other court without permission is a crime. Well, unless they were ordered to move, that's when everything is valid. So these servants when having free times would eventually try to earn sugar from Lang Yuan to take them in.

Lang Yuan proceeded down to the last step leveling the ladies. That's when he noticed more faces that are familiar. Under the parasols are the ladies whom he only met on times of danger. Actually, the ladies were the most reason of his troubles and would happily want to avoid them. Lang Yuan changed his mind and decided to turn around and escape. But the ladies noticed his presence and all turn around to meet his eyes. They all went down to silence.

Well, how can he avoid anyway? Lang Yuan is always looking so vibrant. The person must be blind not to notice him.

With their eyes on level, Lang Yuan quickly recognized the group. The most obvious person must be that lady in bright red robes standing erect in the center of the crowd. Her red robes are somewhat half-decent and half not, with the collars almost open in a huge 'V' exposing the lines in between her breasts. Her hair are tied up in a bun showing her unblemished neck, pretty much saying that she's going to submit if pushed down.

Lang Yuan questioned if this woman is really Lou MuLan or a seductress because there is no difference between the two images.

The other concubines, on the other hand, looks like weeds around Lou MuLan. Despite the wonderful bright colors their robes emit, they only give off an amateur feeling. These so-called concubines felt that the youth is calculating them so the ladies glared at the youth. It wasn't Lang Yuan's intention to do so. He can't help but to get a bit scared.

Ladies are scary ah. He was only standing there but the glares the women gave him stab him repeatedly. He took a step back with a crooked smile, wanted to just run and escape from the scene. If only he is not restricted, he could have done that long ago.

"Oh, greetings Empress Candidate," It was the red robe lady, Lou MuLan, who greeted first.

The other concubines did not do anything but to continuously glare. Lang Yuan wanted to ignore her but that is not respectful so he cupped his hands and bowed his head to return the greeting. The servants sneered at their masters. At least this one shows respect, unlike the ladies who only knows how to tattle-babble.

Lou MuLan signaled her servants to follow her as she walk pass the other concubines. The ladies made way to let the older sister pass. Lang Yuan did not expect that concubine to approach him so he remained stiff on his position. JiDan, who is still holding a grudge against this lady, stepped forward to protect his mother. Lou MuLan halted; the distance is only a meter away from Lang Yuan.

The atmosphere is very awkward. These two figures are the only one who managed to pass the final trial. If possible, these two should not meet to decrease the anxiety and hostility the other will give. Yet, Lang Yuan again met such unfortunate fate and met the lady on his way. Lou MuLan made a chuckle as she flapped her fan gracefully.

Lang Yuan hated the sudden silence so he thought of topics that they could talk. It's not that he wanted to chat with Lou MuLan. It's just that the atmosphere is saying him to start a topic so they can talk and have some sarcastic criticism with each other. Lang Yuan scratched the back of his head.

"Um... Are you looking for you father? Ah... we met earlier," Lang Yuan said. "He said that you will be visiting your home... or something."

"Yes, actually I am waiting for my father," Lou MuLan played with the pearl necklace on her neck.

The pearl necklace seems to emit a glittering color dragging everyone's attention towards it. Lang Yuan nodded, knowing the reason what the ladies are talking about earlier. Lou MuLan seems to be showing her collection to everyone, obviously placing it right just above her cleavage to poison people. This is an effective strategy to pull anyone's eyes to her gaining the praises that she thirstily needed. But this thing is ineffective towards the youth.

For a person who faced hardship on his past life, Lang Yuan is never greedy nor envious. Even though he's the only one in the class who has old books and notebooks, old uniform passed by big brothers, or old shoes bought in a thrift shop, Lang Yuan is not scarce with the things that he needed. These are just material things. These can be earned by hardwork and perseverance.

Also, Lang Yuan is male. He's not the type to be fascinated by jewels and accessories. And the showcase of the huge breasts? Lang Yuan was only reminded with a bad memory about that annoying lady on the inn where he and JiDan stayed for the night. Since then, whenever he sees someone showing their 'fatty' chest to people, he would immediately seethe in utter disgust.

"Um... well... have a safe trip..." He said coldly. Lang Yuan is never a conversation starter and loves to unintentionally end conversations without knowing it. So instead of stalling time he just excused himself and turned around.

But ah, Lou MuLan will never let the youth go. Now that the youth is in front of her, she could use some tactics to make him fall. After all, her chances of winning the final trial are not one hundred percent. Lang Yuan is being favored by his unique skills and talent. She wondered if she could step up to the pedestal without doing something dirty. And that black masked man who told her that he can help her reach the top is currently missing.

"What is the Empress Candidate doing here? Were you summoned by the emperor?" She asked.

"Um... I am," Lang Yuan, answered.

Lou MuLan gave him an apprehensive look. Never did the emperor call the concubines once, and this human was summoned?

"I see... "

Lang Yuan did not know what Lou MuLan saw so he decided to turn away but stopped again when one concubine appeared before his steps. He started to feel annoyed. These ladies obviously hated him. Why do they keep on stalling him? But Lang Yuan still faced the concubines with a calm face.

"Will the lady let me excuse myself?" Lang Yuan faced the leader. "I actually have some business to do."

Lang Yuan needed to practice the reading materials and the zither. Unlike the ladies that mastered these skill for the thousand years, Lang Yuan is still a greenhorn. Lou MuLan pursed her lips and giggled.

"We could help you if you want. Sister Ai is a master in playing any zither instruments. As for the poem reading, Sister Yan can be of great help," Lou MuLan suggested.

There's no need to answer the question. Lang Yuan simply refused the offer. These concubines helping him? He is not stupid. He knows what consequences that will happen if he allowed them to teach him. Also, it's another way of belittling Lang Yuan. It is as if saying that if Lang Yuan wins under the supervision from any of the harem members shows how little his pride is.

"I'm sorry, but I'm good," and Lang Yuan exited the place.

The concubine who tried to stop him walked to the side after seeing the cold expression of the youth. JiDan held his head high with a nod agreeing to his mother. But Lou MuLan is a persistent leech. Not only she stopped Lang Yuan twice, she even has the nerve to touch Lang Yuan. When she saw the youth going away, without holding back her dragon powers, she pulled Lang Yuan back.

Lang Yuan who only felt the coming presence turned around to stop the lady but Lou MuLan is uncontrollable and mad. She knows the strength of a dragon when dragging a human. A single flick from her can kill Lang Yuan on the spot. And when her scalding hand is about to touch the human flesh, another hand stopped her on the wrist.

The dragons who are present know what is happening. JiDan, who has been on alert since earlier, started to show his horns and fangs. He is ready to jump at the concubine if only the one who stopped Lou MuLan is not there to stop him. Lang Yuan only saw the part when JIDan is about to pounce the lady. He didn't sense the danger he's about to face.

"Ji-ji?" He asked the five year old. He saw both of its horns protruding, so he pulled the child closer and spun JiDan to face him. He knows that the kid has horns but when did it grow this big?

"Mother..." The rage from the little dragon is very evident. Lang Yuan kneeled and pulled the little bun to a hug. Somehow, he can tell that his son is distressed. What made him feel like this?

Lou MuLan watched the scene then she shifted her sights to the hand holding her wrist. According to the law, nobody is allowed to touch the emperor's concubines, or else the one touching the lady will be punished. She glared at the person who stopped her, just to realize that the person is someone who has a higher rank that her.

Her face quickly paled. She tried pulling her hand back but the grip of her wrist is strong it almost hurt. She winced in pain while the other person is smiling. But those eyes are not shining ah. The intent and bloodlust is very clear.

"Aiyah, what is this lady possibly wanted to do by approaching the human? Are you trying to cheat?" Chang MingYu asked.

Lang Yuan who is busy coaxing the child heard the voice and looked up. He found Chang MingYu holding Luo MuLan's wrist. What's more, he can see the vein popping from the concubine's head. What the hell is happening? He just turned around to walk away then this happened?

"Lady, when asked, you must answer," Chang MingYu dislikes this kind of woman. She probably knows her position but she always holds her head high. Emperor Yu XueQin is not properly disciplining his ladies ah.

"No, sire," Lou MuLan gritted her teeth, her breathing started to shallow from pain.

"Is that so? Then why did I feel like you are trying to touch him?" Chang MingYu inquired.

"I... I am just i-inviting him... please, sire... release my hand." Large beads of sweat formed on her forehead. The other concubines are also getting worried.

"Oh, was it painful?" Chang MingYu smirked, and then his expression darkened. "Remember this pain. You could have inflicted the same pressure to the human. Oh, wrong. By just our touch could kill him. Are you aware of that?"

Lou MuLan insides are writhing in pain. Chang MingYu did not receive another reply so he added some force to the grip. He has not used his strength. Actually, this one is like breaking wallnuts to him. If he did use force, the lady's hand had probably broken.

"I..." Lou MuLan can no longer take the force and kneeled while still holding on her paling hand. "I... understand..."

Chang MingYu let go of the hand, satisfied. Lang Yuan is only watching on the sidelines. When he saw the wrist of Lou MuLan going red and violet, he tightened his hug to JiDan. Chang MingYu paced closer to the human and smiled. This time, the smile is not dreadful but warm. Anyone can see the change of warmth from that simple smile.

"A concubine will always be a concubine. She should be respectful to the Empress," Chang MingYu announced. He sneered at the other concubines giving them the same warning. "Your emperor is soft for not giving you punishments. To think that you have the power to stop the emperor's wedding... what a false and foolish strength."

Lang Yuan is not the Empress yet. They are still to have the final trial for it. But from the way Chang MingYu said it, there's no doubt that Lang Yuan's position was already finalized. The trial will only serve as a formality celebration for the promotion of his position as the Empress. This is like throwing garbage to Lou MuLan.

Chang MingYu walked closer to Lang Yuan. Aside from Zhong Song and Yu XueQin, JiDan never allowed any men to come close to his mother so he simply blocked the other emperor. He pulled out from the embrace and halted with arms spread before Chang MingYu. Chang MingYu watched the small dragon and chuckled.

"Brave..." he muttered. "But not strong enough."

Emperor Chang MingYu made a combination of small hand gestures to JiDan. The little dragon did not know what kind of attack it was but he was quick enough to understand its meaning. He raised both of his arms and crossed it to block the attack, not forgetting to protect his mother behind. The force is only strong enough to blow objects, pushing JiDan lightly from his position. Chang MingYu chuckled again.

"Not bad," he praised.

Chang MingYu knows that he has no position in Lang Yuan's life now. So he can just simply shrug his shoulders and watch the youth from the corner. After all, from the start, he knows that this person will never belong to him. No matter how much he opposes the fate, he can't just simply get what is not meant for him.

The object that you let go in the past will forever remain in the past. He let his treasure go, and now that it got lost, he has no right to restore it. And once that treasure found a new owner, all he can do is to watch and guard him properly.

"Little Dragon," he called the small child. "Steel your heart. A little filth might become your weakness. Remember, you can't protect someone if you don't know fear."

Then he looks at Lang Yuan.

"You are always brave and courageous... I... please keep yourself safe," he nodded, turning around to not see the expression of the youth after saying those words.

The concubines huddled to the side letting the emperor pass. Chang MingYu's warm expression turn ice cold to the ladies, giving them a warning. Lang Yuan was then pulled by JiDan to escape the scene. The servants beside him also hurried away.

When the males exited the scene, the concubines helped Lou MuLan. They searched for her hand and found it bruised. The ladies gasped, thinking of complaining this matter to the emperor. But Lou MuLan hissed to them.

"No, don't say anything," she said. "You are only making things worst."

The ladies closed their mouths. Lou MuLan is the most favored among the twenty, her position is higher than they are. Lou MuLan left the ladies with her servants. Her heart has completely blackened.

Lang Yuan is the dirt in her life. Just by seeing the youth makes her whole body tremble in rage. She wanted to kill him, to erase his presence. That human should not be here.

It was said that a little filth in the heart would cause a rift in the soul. The Lou MuLan who is known for her dignity was dead. This person is only a shell with another soul, someone that planted when the lady is feeling fear. Nobody noticed it but a black shadow is following her trail, whispering all the sins that a dragon could make.

[Kill him... Kill him... Kill him... kill... kill... kill...]

Kill.

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Yay! I updated!

Sorry for inconveniences. I posted this yesterday and somehow found some mistakes while rereading it again. So I unpublished the Chapter. I'm sorry to the readers whom I wasn't able to answer. My internet subscription just ended yesterday so yeah... 😅😅😅

As an apology, I'll add another chapter today.