Phoenix: Rules Of The Harem
Chapter 1: Hiding in the Shadow

On the street of the Xiaoyang capital of the Shao Empire, people stood neatly on both sides of the street in an orderly manner. They all stared at the crowded entourage of the Eastern Wei Kingdom with questions, it had been a long time that neither the envoys nor the Wei Royal family had come to visit Shao. It was a bit strange, rumors said that there was a slight gap in the relationship of Grand Empress Shao and Empress Wei, said earlier if the two empresses were involved in a quite severe disagreement on political matters. But, as soon as he looked at the Wei Kingdom entourage, it might just be meaningless nonsense.

Empress Wei, Wei Su Yin was an ambitious, hot-tempered woman, but had a warm heart. Hitting him a little bit will be difficult. She had ruled Wei since she was 20 years old when the previous Empress Wei chose to die sooner and made Wei Su Yin who was then the crown princess as the new empress. The Eastern Wei Kingdom was a kingdom known to be loyal under the rule of the Shao Imperial Dynasty, for most of the descendants of the Shao Dynasty, having the support of the Wei Kingdom was a great help to have the throne.

Another case with the streets of the capital, the Imperial Banquet Hall was being enlivened with many welcoming preparations. Sure was! When friends visit, will certainly do a lot of preparation and welcome. The Banquet Hall was where the Grand Empress conducted important and special banquets such as the empress's birthday, banquets with officials, and special banquets for important imperial guests.

Empress Shao, Shao Fang Hua, looked at all the preparations with happy eyes, she felt good. His firm face seemed to warm up from time to time, as if he had waited a long time for this day.

"Mother! Mama! Why is it so crowded here? Who's coming?" the girl, the fourth princess of Shao Empire, Shao Ling Mei asked with her childish face, she carried a white rabbit doll on her arm.

The empress looked at her daughter warmly, she rubbed the black hair lovingly. "Didn't you know? Empress Wei will come to visit with some of her daughters and sons."

"Empress Wei? Do I know him, mother?" the face of asking like a fool made a lot of people who were there want to throw it.

The empress knocked playfully on Ling Mei's head. "Basic stupid! Didn't you ask her to play with you and call her aunt every time she comes?"

This is bad enough! She was feeling unkind, the girl looked at her mother the empress with an unhappy look. In his heart he felt something bad was going to happen, whether it was for him or not, he did not know. The best thing is to step aside first or he will get entangled in something deep.

"I remember it, mother! I'll play in my pavilion and see dad in a moment. I'll come back later!"

Ling Mei left hurriedly, afraid that something might turn into reality and harm her, she chose to stay away. It seemed like the empress mother had something in her heart, as that firm face looked delighted, Ling Mei knew that there would be things going on whether big or small.

To Ling Mei, her Moon Pavilion was more attractive than the Banquet Hall. Since he is not married, he cannot have a residence of his own. Ling Mei stayed inside the pavilion which was not too big, but it was enough for a few people to live in. The blazing sun was still dazzling, white clouds moving through the sky looking soothing. It's like the calm before the fall. In a moment, the troupe will be coming soon. When that time comes he must appear with an innocent face full of typical stupidity of children. Yep! That's the mask!

All members of the imperial family had their own ways of moving to protect themselves and their positions. When that day came, the day that the bloody chair belonged to him, Ling Mei would not spare them all, this foolish girl would behead them like those who wanted to behead them. Ling Mei smiled, a sly smile full of hidden secrets. The gaze of the ice-cold blue eyes, this was his real face! A hidden expression that not many people knew, full of cold and dangerous.

"Wu Jin!"

As the name said, a man with a beautiful face, dark brown hair and green eyes wearing brown hanfu with a black inside and golden lotus embroidery came before him.

"I, Your Majesty."

That man, Liao Wu Jin, the loyal dog belonged to Ling Mei. She was the personal bodyguard and the fourth daughter's obedient right hand. Ever since Ling Mei saved him, Wu Jin had sworn to Ling Mei to keep following him and protecting him. Wu Jin held it, asked her to take it, no matter blood or tears, danger or pleasure, she was willing.

"What secrets do you think the Queen Mother has?" Ling Mei asked playfully, her night black hair she was playing in the middle of the finger.

"I don't know, Your Majesty. No one understands the heart of Her Highness the Great Empress."

"Is that so?" Ling Mei smirked, a flash then her eyes flashed mischievously. Staring at his knight, he wanted to play him once more.

"Eiy, you! Don't be so formal with me, Wu Jin!"

Wu Jin stared flatly, "That's impossible, Your Majesty."

"If I want to, I can marry you so that you're not formal to me anymore."

Wu Jin blushed, that joking sentence felt like it was boiling his head. Marry what?! This is not the time for that!

"Your Majesty, please stop with that joke."

"Why? Am I so ugly that you don't want to marry me?"

"It's not so! Your Majesty, I...."

Ling Mei laughed, she approached Wu Jin and held onto his chin. "You! You're really funny! I'm just kidding, but if you really want to marry me, I can make a ceremony and a wedding party for us."

Wu Jin looked away, his one hand moving over half of his face that was as red as a ripe cherry.

"Your Majesty, you...."

Ling Mei's eyes suddenly cooled, a flash of her face darkened, another instant her face turned into a foolish innocent little child.

"Wu Jin's! Wu Jin's! Let's go get some flowers! I ... I want to give my father flowers to make him more beautiful!" Ling Mei held onto Wu Jin's arm, she whined loudly.

Behind Ling Mei, Wu Jin saw her. He understood, "But Your Majesty, you should prepare for the banquet in the Hall of Supper."

Ling Mei shrieked like a frightened rabbit child, her eyes moving uneasily. Again he feels bad, this is not good.

"Bohoo! Not want! I just want to dress my dad with flowers! Wu Jin's! Let's go to daddy! I don't want to go there." the girl whined again, looking at Wu Jin full of fear and uneasiness like a ghost chased.

"Can't, Your Majesty. This is an order from Her Highness the Grand Empress, I came to convey this." a woman, in the typical attire of a bodyguard stood behind Ling Mei.

"Uh, orders?"

"Yes. The orders of the Grand Empress, the imperial princesses are required to participate in the banquet as hosts."

It's a little difficult, Ling Mei inwardly said, 'Damn! I can't even avoid. Alrighty! Let's see what happens! Mother and her plan, I hope it doesn't hurt me.'

Ling Mei stared down with round, glazed eyes, her two index fingers she played on in front of her chest, "Well, tell Mother Empress I'll come."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." the bodyguard bowed and lowered his head and left after that.

"Hmph! It's already unbearable! Ah, Wu Jin, what if you help me get ready?" the ignorant lumber was again seen in Ling Mei's blue eyes.

"Your Majesty, stop. I'll call the waiter to help you."

Wu Jin quickly went away from Ling Mei with reddened ears, back Ling Mei felt it was cute. Wu Jin's charming face became blushing like a freshly picked peach, very sweet.

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

The sun had returned to the quarrel, it was time for the banquet to begin. Each of the daughters of both dynasties came. The first princess and Crown Princess of Shao Empire, Shao Mu Lan had been at her desk wrapped in white hanfu with plain lotus embroidery. It was in stark contrast to the third princess of Wei Kingdom, Wei Yang Xin who wore dark blue hanfu with peacock embroidery which gave a strong impression. Ling Mei came last among the princesses who were already present, the girl was wearing a sky blue hanfu wrapped in white in a beautiful heron embroidery. There felt awkward with the princesses who just stayed at their respective tables.

"Oh! Fourth sister, have you come?" she, the third princess Shao Ming Fei asked in a mocking tone. Yellow hanfu with red peony flower embroidery makes it even more striking.

"Uhm, third brother...." Ling Mei lowered her head, not daring to look at her older sister, she looked agitated.

"What'sthis? You're even more cowardly than a rat."

"A stupid girl like you! You just can't answer that well."

Ming Fei looked sharply, the corner of her lips lifted one, she smiled disdainfully. In her view, Ling Mei was a mentally handicapped girl who was not even worthy to compete with her who was a rank Gifted General in the empire, that girl was trash that had to be cleared up so as not to disturb the eyes.

"Princess Ming Fei, your rudeness has already reached the roof! It was disrespectful." a rebuke came out from the fifth princess of Wei Kingdom, Wei Zhi Yi. Green hanfu with bamboo leaf embroidery makes it look wise.

Ling Mei smiled faintly without anyone seeing, she was very curious as to why the princess reprimanded Ming Fei. It's funny, so many people think of themselves as useless disfigured trash and underestimate it, then what now? How fascinating! This princess wants to see for longer.

"Princess Zhi Yi, this princess is just telling the truth."

Ming Fei's rebuttal made the foreheads of Wei's two daughters furrow deeply. They are not happy, something like this is not a joke that can be enjoyed just like that.

Princess Zhi Yi smiled faintly, she glanced at Ling Mei. "Isn't what looks stupid not necessarily really stupid, isn't it Princess Ling Mei?"

Ling Mei played the glass in front of her with a full-blown eye-scatter. In his heart he had to be vigilant, it was impossible for Wei Zhi Yi to know! He had a lot of caution all along, it was impossible if anyone got him.

"En, that's right! That'sthat's true! The Queen Mother and father always said Ling Mei was smart, very, very smart, hehehe...."

Wei Zhi Yi and Wei Yang Xin saw him, they smiled looking at Ling Mei who showed a stupid smile and spoke enthusiastically with the tone of the children. So cute!

"Dignifying someone who doesn't deserve to be insulted is an act that is not commendable, this is the etiquette of the imperial family, I think you already understand the princess." sharp criticism came out of Princess Yang Xin's mouth.

"If the jade has not been stolen, the eyes will not open. I think you don't understand yet, this foolish child is a disgrace to the imperial family. Princess Yang Xin, you...."

"Third sister .. This is a banquet place, it is not good for you to make a fuss here. The Queen Mother will be here any minute, make sure you don't mess anything up or Your Majesty will be angry."

Shao Mu Lan interrupted Ming Fei's remark, she warned him. His face was calm, yet no one knew what it was like inside. Mu Lan paused for a moment, then continued her words.

"The two Wei princesses, forgive my sister's rudeness, it's because of the lack of wisdom I have to educate my sister. After this I'll give her a harder manners lesson."

"His Majesty the Grand Empress and Empress Wei have arrived!"

All stood up, bowed, greeting the two honored ones. "Greetings to Grand Empress Shao and Empress Wei, may Your Majesty live a thousand years."

Empress Shao and Empress Wei nodded, both of whom had been in their respective seats. Empress Shao wore a red hanfu with golden dragon embroidery and a phoenix crown that gave a strong impression, empress Wei is seen dominating with golden yellow hanfu and phoenix embroidery is also a dragon hair pin on her head.

"Good! Sit down all of you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

A male servant walked over towards Empress Shao, she bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, the time has come."

Empress Wei held Empress Shao's arm, "Hua'er let me pour you the first wine."

"Thank you, Shijie."

(Shijie: older sister).

Empress Shao felt good, she said lightly, "Alright, since an old friend has already come! It's a joyous day, don't hesitate, consider it your own home. Start party!"

All raised their respective wine, "This lowly one is grateful for His Majesty's kindness."

In the middle of the event, Empress Wei looked at Ling Mei who was busy playing with the rabbit doll she was carrying. Ling Mei realized it, she felt cold. Empress Wei smiled, a dangerous smile, her sharp blue eyes gleaming mysteriously.

"Ah, I heard Ling Mei's daughter is good at playing Guqin*. Can this queen hear it?"

(Guqin: Guqin or Qin, is a traditional seven-stringed Chinese musical instrument. These musical instruments include relatives of the lute family).

"Yes? l-but...."

Empress Shao looked at him, nodding small allowing. "It's okay, let Empress Wei hear it a little."

Ling Mei lowered her head, in imagination could be seen the withered ears of a rabbit above her head. While Shao Ming Fei smiled with satisfaction, the princess was delighted. Her fourth sister will soon be put to great shame, the girl should know where she is.

Shao Mu Rong, the second princess of the Shao Empire listened silently, but inwardly she said: 'It has been a long time that the fourth sister has not played Guqin, it was impossible if he could still play Guqin which took a long time to master. It was impossible if the fourth sister remembered him, it would only embarrass her in front of everyone.'

Not long after, Ling Mei sat cross-legged in front of the guests with Guqin on her lap. The music slowly rang out in their ears, Ling Mei had started it. Smooth and soft, so light and fresh as a beautiful spring, everyone loves it. Ming Fei was surprised, as well as Mu Lan and Mu Rong, the three furrowed their brows. That's impossible! How could?

Nah!

The sound of the thread breaking, the music had stopped. "Aiyo, the strings are broken...." Ling Mei hugged her Guqin in front of her chest, her face pouting, her eyes glowing miserably. Third elder sister Ling Mei sighed, it turned out that their fourth sister was not really able to do so.

Empress Wei's eyes sparkled, she was impressed. Ling Mei was really something else, this felt like fun. Empress Wei felt good, she looked at Ling Mei, she wanted it.

Empress Shao sighed, looking at her fourth daughter who already wanted to cry. "It's okay, what you're doing is good."

"You have a talented daughter Your Majesty, it would be good if I introduce her to some of my sons to accompany her to play." Empress Wei Su Yin smiled, a meaningfully hidden smile.

Empress Fang Hua nodded approvingly, her pitch-black eyes gleaming warmly. "What you say is true, Shijie. And please don't be so formal with me, it makes me uncomfortable."

Empress Wei chuckled, "Alright, alright. Anything for my good Shimei."

(Shimei: younger sister).

Secretly Ling Mei sighed, Empress Wei has made her have a severe headache in the future.

"Uhm, mother, can Ling Mei come back first? I'm so tired."

Empress Shao closed her eyes for a moment, then she nodded. "In that case, fine."

Ling Mei felt good, as soon as she stood up, then bowed respectfully to the two respected empresses. "This lowly one is grateful for His Majesty's humility."

Ling Mei had left the Main Hall, she felt like she could breathe again. Empress Wei's gaze was extremely unkind to her, attractive and mysterious. Ling Mei knew it, that woman was not an easy, ambitious and hidden thing. He really cannot be underestimated, his arrival to Shao might bring something interesting. Whatever it was Ling Mei hoped it was not related to her or it would be difficult.