lightly. Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, but the news had taken away her joy for the holiday. While common people were happily celebrating the new year, the soldiers were worried about their supplies."I'...Although Dugu Yan obtained the throne, she wasn't the only son of the Empress Dowager. Dugu Xiu showed no interest in the throne, but the Empress Dowager didn't think so. To her, even her sons couldn't disobey her wishes. Once Dugu Yan became disobedient, the throne wouldn't belong to him anymore.

Feng Lingxi's analysis surprised Shu Taifei. She hadn't considered this point; she only knew that Empress Cen held absolute power. Although the government seemed to be in the hands of Du Guluyan, it was actually under the control of the Empress Dowager.

"Xier actually sees things very clearly."

Feng Lingxi smiled, "As long as you look at these problems calmly, you can see that impulsiveness easily leads to misjudgments."

She simply views these people with more composure than they do. After all, isn't that what it means to be an outsider looking in

Shu Taifei and Feng Lingxi got on the carriage and returned to the Fourth Prince's Mansion safely all the way. The moment they entered the mansion, Xiao Li rushed over and hugged her.

"Your Highness, you're finally back. Your servant was so worried about your safety."

Feng Ling xi patted her on the back, soothingly saying, “It’s okay, I came back safely, didn't I”

"Mother."

Dugu Cheng strode forward, his face beaming with delight as he saw his mother returning with Xi'er.

Shutai concubine looked at Dugu City's worried expression, her eyes filled with a touch of pity, "Mother concubine is fine, let Cheng'er worry."

獨孤城 looked at Feng Lingxi, holding her hand, "Xi'er, are you alright"

"Not bad, the Empress is in trouble. I made her so angry she almost coughed up blood. She's probably having paranoid delusions now. Let her stew in it for a while."

Feng Lingxi's smile widened at the corner of her lips. The higher one's power, the more they desire, and the more fearful they become of life and death. This is even truer for someone like Empress Cen. She had done so many terrible things, she would certainly be wary of everyone around her wanting to harm her, including her own son.

This is the greed and fear of mankind.

Dugu Cheng looked at the coldness in her eyes and couldn't help but smile.

It seems that Shou'an Palace is quite lively.

Feng Lingxi shrugged, "There's no way around it. Who asked Empress Cen to be so greedy and want the treasures of the Yao clan And to get those treasures, she has to be under my control."

"So this is why you had Huangfu Qingyun design the 'Yao Hua' princess's fake death"

"Yao Hua had never been as important in Cen Tai Hou's eyes as the Yao Clan treasures she desired. Princess Yao Hua died as soon as she left Shou An Palace, and she insisted it was Cen Tai Hou's doing. Of course, Huang Fu Qing Yun would take Princess Yao Hua away without hesitation, regardless of whether Cen Tai Hou had poisoned her. It couldn't change her fate of being blamed. I merely used her own methods against her, letting Cen Tai Hou taste the bitterness of being falsely accused."

"This move is indeed ruthless."

Shutai looked at Feng Lingxi with changed eyes. She had never noticed such cunning and strategy in her before. Now, she clearly understood that if Feng Lingxi truly played mind games, no other woman in the palace would be her match.

"Mother, did I frighten you like this"

Feng Ling's tone softened, "If one could live a good life, who would want to go through such turmoil."

"No, I just didn't expect Xier to be so wise. Your mother was worried that you would be bullied by Empress Cen. She didn't sleep well all night yesterday."

"Mother, you should go to sleep now. There are still many things to be dealt with later."

Shutai gave a nod, allowing the maidservant to help her away.

Dugu Cheng saw his mother leave, and then said to Feng Lingxi, "Xier, tell me about what happened in the palace today."

Feng Lingxi and Dugu Cheng sat down in the pavilion in the garden, telling him about what happened at the palace today. Looking at him staring at her, Feng Lingxi's beautiful eyes narrowed, "What are you looking at me for"

Du Gu Cheng handed her the pastry, and looking at Feng Ling Xi's eyes had changed.

"Xier, you said if you entered this palace, would there be a concubine who could rival you"

Wind Ling, pretending to be angry, glared at him. "What do you mean by that Are you planning to send me to the palace"

"Would you be willing to join my harem, Xi'er"

Dugu Cheng took her hand, gazing deeply into Feng Ling Xi's eyes, but was met with a white stare and had his hand pulled away.

"My harem, I am in it, she is not."

She couldn't possibly live with other women, sharing one husband. To spend her life vying with those women for him, living a life of deceit and intrigue every day – that was unthinkable.

"This king wouldn't dare to marry another woman, you alone are enough for me."

Dugu Cheng looked at Feng Ling Xi's smile, his eyes were gentle.

"Xi'er, thank you for bringing Mother out, allowing me to work with peace of mind."

"My mother is very kind to me, and it's only natural for me to be good to her."

Feng Lingxi thought for a moment, then hurriedly said to Dugu City, "I need to go out of the city for a bit. You wait here and I'll be back later."

Seeing Xiaoli standing beside her, Feng Lingxi hurriedly called her over. Dugucheng saw that she was leaving and quickly said, "Xier, I'll go with you."

"Stay here, there are many things happening in the capital, don't wander around."

Seeing Xi'er leave, Dugu City hurriedly instructed Ye Xi, "Quickly follow the Princess and don't let her be in danger."

Ye Xi chased after, just about to catch up when Feng Ling Xi blocked her way, "No need for you to follow, with Xiao Li protecting me, I'm fine."

Night Xi still wanted to say something, but Feng Ling Xi had already left with Xiao Li. He could only follow behind them, chasing their speed. The king's orders, he dared not disobey.

Shou'an Palace

Then Empress Cen let the imperial physician examine her carefully, making sure she hadn't been poisoned. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"Mother, how are you feeling Is there anything else that's uncomfortable"

The Empress served beside the Dowager Empress, her gaze flickering to Duke Gu Xiu. Anxiety clouded her eyes. The Emperor hadn't arrived yet, but the Sixth Prince was waiting here. She wondered what her mother would think of this.

"Where is the Emperor Why doesn't he come to see me"

"The emperor has matters to attend to, he'll be here later."

"Mother, my elder brother is busy with matters of state and can't come over, which is understandable. With your son here, it's the same thing, isn't it"

獨孤修開口，皇後臉色明顯一變，“六王爺……” **Translated:**Dugu Xiu opened his mouth, and the Empress's face visibly changed, "Sixth Prince..."

Before the Empress could finish speaking, Dugu Xiu met her gaze, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Your Majesty," he said, "you were just the same by your mother's side."

"Xiu'er, how do you speak to your imperial aunt We are all family, and we shouldn't be disrespectful."

Queen Cen wouldn't fail to hear the meaning behind Dugu Xiu's words. It's just that Feng Lingxi had just played her, so she wouldn't be easily swayed by Dugu Xiu's words.

"I hear that you brought back a rebel from the Yao tribe during your trip to Linxi County and even made her a concubine. Is this true"

Dugu Xiu responded, "Mother, this is all for you. Although Yao Feifei is a traitor of the Yao clan, she has her uses. However, it's just a mere title of concubine. If she wants it, give it to her."

When Empress Cen heard this, the smile on her lips widened slightly.hen I will change. And this steward, as the steward of the house, takes money and does nothing. The master has no food and he doesn't even know. He neglects his duties and is not even qualified to sta...