Phoenix: Rules Of The Harem
Chapter 15: Love In Winter, I Will Always Wait for You

"Young Master! You have to wear your coat, the weather is very cold and you can get sick after this. Uh! More than that, do you know the hottest gossip in the imperial territory?" Tang Mo Xi, the main servant of the young master of the Shi residence, Shi Yu Han ran over to his master while carrying a white-purple cloak coat derived from fox fur and dressed it at Yu Han deftly.

Yu Han who heard it could only shake his head, the servant was indeed very fond of gossiping. "Mo Xi, stop gossiping! You always like to talk about other people's problems."

Hearing that subtle reprimand, Mo Xi only showed her sweet snort. How could he miss the hot news that was in the empire? Especially if it had to do with the members of the imperial family who were the legitimate leaders of this Shao Dynasty?

"But, Young Master, this is about a member of the imperial family! Isn't that something everyone cares about? Reportedly the miracle had come to Fourth Princess Shao Ling Mei, many said that slowly the mental retardation that Fourth Princess had gradually recovered and experienced good development. First Young Master, this rumor has spread widely throughout the entire empire."

Yu Han furrowed his brows, then he muttered softly. "Fourth Princess Shao Ling Mei?"

"Despite all that, rumors say that Her Fourth Princess Royal Highness has a very pretty face! Young Master, don't you want to know what his face looks like? Aiya! If it was me, I would probably be curious about this!"

"That's .. I don't know. We had never met him before, and again I had no idea what he was or what his face looked like. But, I heard that she has been officially married to the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Wei due to the decree of the Grand Empress."

"Young Master, seeing the good development of the Fourth Princess' condition, I wonder if she will return to the fight for the throne together with the other princesses? The Fourth Princess is the only legitimate princess of the empire, so if she does, I think that's a natural thing."

Yu Han let out a small snort looking at his so excited servant, "Are you going to continue to be curious about such things? I became wondering, why did you become my servant? Wouldn't it be nice if you signed up as a government official?"

"Young Master, are you kidding me? I am a man, after all I don't have that much ability to be a government official." Mo Xi said with a sullen face, that master of hers was indeed always teasing her.

Seeing that, Yu Han chuckled softly. "If you know better, stop thinking about it. I don't pay you to think about the matters of the empire, so quickly finish your work so that you can rest early today, Mo Xi!"

"I guessed it, Young Master is indeed the best! Thank you for letting me rest early today, Young Master!"

Seeing that Yu Han could only sigh slowly while smiling, his servant was indeed quite unique and always cheerful.

.

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As snow began to fall all over the royal palace, winter had come in the Eastern Wei Kingdom. The servants, eunuchs, to the royal guard were seen busy walking to and fro while carrying some items. In contrast to those who looked busy, inside the pavilion that was inhabited by the Fourth Prince of Wei Kingdom actually looked lonely. Inside his room, Wei Tian Zhi sat while staring at the several sheets of paper containing his paintings. The paintings contained images of Ling Mei painted by Tian Zhi without the woman's knowledge. His lentic fingers moved slowly down the line of Shao Ling Mei's face which he painstakingly painted. No one knew that Tian Zhi secretly loved the Fourth Princess of Shao Empire who had now officially married his second brother.

Tian Zhi closed his two eyes with sad furrowed brows, before then he let out a heavy sigh. It had been a few months after his second marriage, but Tian Zhi was unable to forget the Fourth Princess Shao Ling Mei whom he had loved since Tian Zhi first saw her. It's insane! He should not want a married woman, especially if the woman is his sister's wife. Even if the recruitment of concubines was allowed by the women, Tian Zhi did not necessarily want his older brother's partner. Since Tian Zhi had decided to love Ling Mei, the young prince would not be willing to marry another woman other than the fourth star of the empire.

The news of Ling Mei's recovering condition had spread all the way to the Wei Kingdom, it was impossible for Tian Zhi to not know about it. Whether Shao Ling Mei had a mental disability or not, Wei Tian Zhi would still love her with all his heart. "Your Majesty, forgive me for loving you. Even if the empress' mother asks me to marry someone other than you, I will never want to."

"His Majesty the Empress has arrived!" the loud cry made Tian Zhi gasp, quickly and hastily Tian Zhi tidied up all of his paintings depicting Ling Mei's portrait and hid them inside his personal wooden box.

With a slightly nervous look Tian Zhi stood up and lowered his head greeting his mother, Empress Wei Su Yin. "Greet Her Majesty the Empress, may Her Majesty live a thousand years."

"Sit, Zhi'er!"

As soon as they sat down in their respective places, the atmosphere became silent instantly. Not a single conversation had come out of their mouths after the salute was spoken. The Wei Royal Empress was even seen enjoying the tea that Tian Zhi poured for her in silence.

Empress Wei sighed softly, then she called Tian Zhi in a warm tone. "Zhi'er!"

"I, Your Majesty."

"Do you not want to get married?"

Tian Zhi was wide-eyed in shock at the question given by Empress Wei. "I-it .. forgive me Your Majesty, I have someone in my heart right now."

Wei Su Yin smirked, the answer from her son made both her eyes faintly glitter. "Someone in your heart? Say it! Which young lady managed to get your heart?"

Tian Zhi gulped his saliva nervously, he had not expected that his mother would ask this. As Tian Zhi fell silent without saying anything, he could not possibly say that it was the Fourth Princess of Shao Empire who had his heart.

"Are you going to keep quiet like that?"

Wei Su Yin stared fixedly at her son before then she turned her gaze around Tian Zhi's room.

"Your Majesty, I..." Tian Zhi bit his lower lip uneasily, feeling worried about his mother's response after he told her the truth.

Su Yin smiled obliquely, "What is the Fourth Princess of Shao Empire?"

Tian Zhi flinched, Empress Wei guessed it without the slightest mistake. Does that mean Empress Wei has known everything for a long time?

"Zhi'er, the look in your eyes has said everything since we were in the Shao Empire. So tell me! Is that true?"

"It's true that I love Fourth Princess Shao Ling Mei. Therefore, I cannot marry another woman, Your Majesty. I'll make sure the feelings I have won't interfere with my second brother's marriage, I'll keep them to myself in my heart. You also do not need to worry about this, please for the empress mother to forgive Tian Zhi's mistake."

Tian Zhi squeezed the hanfu he was wearing firmly, his head lowered with a face that tried to remain calm even though in his heart he felt fear.

Su Yin gave a small smile, she looked at the cup she had in her hand fixedly. "You don't have to be afraid. Tian Zhi, are you willing if I ask you to marry the Fourth Princess?"

"Your Majesty, that's impossible!" Tian Zhi shook his head quickly, he really did not understand the thought of his mother.

Su Yin sighed softly, her sons did indeed have the good nature of money. "That's possible, I'll make it possible for you. After all, there was no imperial law nor royal law that forbade a sister to marry the same woman."

"Sorry Your Majesty, I still cannot do it. Fourth Princess Shao has officially married second brother and me, I don't want to ruin second brother's happiness." Tian Zhi stared firmly at Empress Wei, he did not want to ruin the happiness of the elder brother just for the sake of his selfishness and make his second brother, Wei Yun Rui hate him.

"Listen, Zhi'er! I just want to keep you safe, Ming Hao is still very young for marriage, whereas you have entered the age of marriage. Didn't you already know that the actual seizure of the imperial throne has begun? In the near future it is certain that Crown Princess Shao Mu Lan will send an envoy to go to the Kingdom of Wei and bring a cover letter for you, I would not be willing if my son became a ruthless female concubine like her!"

"But Your Majesty, do I really have to marry the Fourth Princess?" Tian Zhi said softly, on one hand she really did not want to be married by anyone other than the woman she loved and also did not want to be the concubine of the crown princess of the Shao Empire.

"He is an opponent comparable to Shao Mu Lan, of course I already know his amazing talent and ability. Yun Rui's matter let me take care of her, even though sometimes she gets naughty, Rui'er is a good boy, I'm sure she'll understand."

Tian Zhi was silent afterwards, concern clearly visible on the look on his face. It's hard, so unexpected and dizzying. He is in a situation where he cannot make decisions freely.

Seeing Tian Zhi's inertness, Wei Su Yin raised one eyebrow impatiently. "So, what's your decision my son?"

'I'm sorry second brother, I had to do it because I had no other choice.' Tian Zhi let out a long sigh before then nodded and said, "Yes. I'll do it, Your Majesty."

"Good choice, my son! I'll leave after this, there's some pretty hard work for me to leave."

Su Yin smiled widely, her palm patting Tian Zhi's head a few times gently. Immediately after, he got up from his seat and gracefully Su Yin stepped out of Tian Zhi's room. Tian Zhi who also stood up quickly lowered his head in respect before looking at Empress Wei's departure with a sad look of eyes.

...........................

Inside her study, Ling Mei held her writing brush and wrote on a piece of paper carefully. The fourth princess of the empire seemed to be writing a letter to give to someone, this time Wu Jin was also seen accompanying Ling Mei and standing beside her work desk. After the rumors made by her were spread widely, Ling Mei quite understood that her mother, Grand Empress Shao must have known about it as well. It is not unusual for Ling Mei to be summoned by the Grand Empress to the Imperial Palace on the pretext of simply visiting her and accompanying her. When the letter had been completed, Ling Mei quickly rolled it up and gave it to Wu Jin.

"Wu Jin, give this letter to Great General Shi and make sure that he receives this letter directly. Since our plan is already underway, it is likely that in the near future the Grand Empress will call me to the Imperial Palace. Before that happens I want you to keep an eye on third brother, it seems like this time third brother will move and do something to me."

"Good, as you command. Then excuse me, Your Majesty." As soon as the scroll he received, Wu Jin lowered his head in respect and walked out of Ling Mei's study with a flat face.

The atmosphere of the workspace was back in silence, there was only Ling Mei who was still busy struggling with some important documents. The woman looked so serious while examining all the documents, her beautiful face was seen many times more beautiful when exposed to the sunlight that penetrated from the sidelines of the window. Some time passed in silence, but shortly after that the noise from outside made Ling Mei's focus become distracted.

"Your Majesty, forgive me. But, there is an urgent matter that I want to convey to you." suddenly the voice of Shu Lian, the servant from Yun Rui sounded from outside her door.

'The urgent thing?' Ling Mei was speechless with confused furrowed brows, but shortly after she opened her mouth and said, "Come in!"

Shu Lian bowed respectfully with a face that looked slightly worried. "I'm sorry for interrupting your precious time, Your Majesty. However, at this time Main Companion Wei suddenly fell ill and seeing the situation that the residence was unable to accept outsiders carelessly for some time, I asked your permission to summon a healer, I asked, Your Majesty."

"Hmm .. okay. After this I will ask Yu Shen to call Physician Xia here and treat Yun Rui. Go first, I'll visit the Xuanshi Pavilion to see how things are as soon as my work is done."

Shu Lian smiled happily, although Ling Mei said all of that in a cold tone, but she quite understood that there was a slight sense of concern that the fourth princess had for her master, but she understood quite well enough that there was a slight sense of concern that the fourth princess had for her master, Wei Yun Rui Main Companion. And that was enough to make Shu Lian feel relieved of her master's feelings. "Shu Lian is grateful for the kindness given by His Majesty."

An hour passed and Ling Mei completely kept her promise, when Physician Xia had finished checking on Yun Rui's condition, the fourth princess of the Shao Empire came and entered Yun Rui's room while carrying a tray containing a bowl of dark brown liquid that could be confirmed as Yun Rui's medicine. He calmly placed the tray on a small table not far from the bed where Yun Rui was lying. Thinking about medicine, Ling Mei got it when she passed Shu Lian who was also walking towards Yun Rui's room while carrying the tray. Yun Rui woke up and opened her eyes slowly when a voice sounded from beside her bed.

"Ling May?"

"It's time to take your medicine, Yun Rui. I'll help you, so sit down slowly." Ling Mei grabbed Yun Rui's limp body and sat him down, then she took the bowl containing the medicine carefully.

In her pain, Yun Rui could even still feel a flowery feeling in her heart. The second prince of Wei Kingdom was really fond of when Ling Mei treated him so gently and attentively. Even the bitter taste of the medicine he was taking was no longer Yun Rui's feeling, this was very strange! Can the power of love make a sick person better?

Yun Rui smiled sweetly, one hand grabbed Ling Mei's one hand and grasped it tightly. "thank you. Can I ask you one thing? Stay by my side, at least until I fall asleep."

Ling Mei was silent for a while, her gaze seemed to soften from time to time, then she smiled faintly. "As you wish, I will be by your side. Therefore, sleep comfortably."