Phoenix: Rules Of The Harem
Chapter 20: Under the Same Sky

Shortly after the news of Ling Mei's marriage to Yu Han spread, new rumors began to surface. Many had not expected the fourth princess who had always been silent for so many years with her childish manner of taking on a concubine who was a legitimate young master of one of the honorable upper-class noble families in the Shao Empire. This was quite surprising to the imperial populace considering that Shao Ling Mei was a trash princess who could not even dress herself properly. Even the imperial officials were talking about this in a few days, some supporters of Shao Mu Lan began to feel worried about the bloody storm that might threaten the position that the first princess of the empire currently held.

This was not a good thing considering the background of Shao Mu Lan who was merely a daughter of a concubine. Even if her father was the imperial grand concubine, she, it still could not compare to the position of Ling Mei who was the only legitimate princess of the empire and the daughter of the imperial main escort who had high power to date. The influence of the Hong Empire's Imperial Chief Companion as well as the extremely powerful Great General family of Hong Empire also made Shao Ling Mei's background as an imperial princess recognized by Grand Empress Shao unusual. Plus the involvement of the feeling of romance between Grand Empress Shao's relationship and Imperial Chief Companion Hong made Shao Ling Mei able to reclaim her position easily from Mu Lan's hands.

Some imperial ministers looked uneasy for this, even though Mu Lan was a crown princess, she had limited power that could not be broken just like that. So far some of Mu Lan's plans had Ling Mei fail with some tricks, even the Imperial Crown Princess had to go back to being patient to obtain the Huangjin token that was suddenly kept so tight. It made Mu Lan become wary, feeling quite afraid if the Grand Empress suspected him of being a rebel and attempted to make a coup. Looking at all those things, Ling Mei simply laughed full of satisfaction in her head, letting Mu Lan growl was full of anger when all the things she had been maintaining for a long time had been messed up and gone off the path she should have been.

Back, Ling Mei was still unable to feel relieved, still long enough to grab the great Phoenix seat, also there was still a grudge to be avenged. Shao Ling Mei will look at Shao Mu Lan's destruction casually!

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TRANGS!

The sound of swords colliding with each other was clearly heard from Ling Mei's military training area, as the Fourth Princess of Shao Empire was fighting a sword with her grandmother, the Great General of Hong Empire. The match was watched by Yun Rui and Yu Han who were worried about their wives, just like Great Lord Hong, Su Jin Mian who had excessive worries towards his granddaughter. Luckily Jin Mian did not visit the grandchild's residence because the Great General, Hong Chang Yi, deliberately did not notify the manor of the fourth princess to her official husband.

Chang Yi grinned with sharp glittering eyes, inwardly he praised Ling Mei's martial skills, yet still wanted to know how great her abilities were. "I've been training you for years, is this all your ability, Your Majesty?"

"Supreme General Hong, are you underestimating me?" Ling Mei snorted, no one should doubt her.

Chang Yi laughed loudly, "If you can show it, this old lady will have no more complaints."

Without saying anything, Ling Mei swung her sword towards the Imperial Great General. Chang Yi dodged quickly, even with her already young body she moved nimbly. Seeing the opportunity, Chang Yi attacked Ling Mei repeatedly making the Fourth Star of the Shao Empire it should rewind its body with qinggong. This was quite difficult considering the person Ling Mei was fighting was Hong Chang Yi who had been famous for his prowess as the strongest general in the Shao Empire capable of killing thousands of troops alone on the battlefield.

Unknowingly Yun Rui and Yu Han who saw their fight held their breaths, felt quite tense with the scene seen before their eyes. Even a Liao Wu Jin who often saw the two of them practicing swords together was choked to see the swordplay between the Imperial Great General and the Empire's Fourth Princess. Their battles were of course using real swords, not the wooden swords commonly used by low-level bodyguards or beginners while they were practicing sword techniques. Therefore, they may be able to have injuries during the game. Yun Rui bit her fingernails in dismay as soon as she saw the state of Ling Mei who was starting to get cornered due to Chang Yi's attack.

Yu Han quickly got up from his seat when he saw Ling Mei being pushed back up to several meters after being kicked by Hong Chang Yi. His face looked panicked, he wanted to run towards Ling Mei, but was aware that it was impossible for him to do so given that the match was not yet over.

"Shameful! You can't even beat an old lady! Take out all your strength, Your Majesty! Is this all I've taught you?" Chang Yi stared intently at Ling Mei, deliberately provoking the granddaughter, making the young lady look coldly at Chang Yi.

Ling Mei's face looked calm, yet so cold that it could freeze the person who saw it. The three young men who were spectators were suddenly uncomfortable, Ling Mei looked even more terrifying with her cold aura. Ling Mei returned forward, this time she did not attack brutally, but slowly and focused on certain points. The fight continued quite seriously, seen between the two who did not want to lose at all. This looked like killing each other rather than practicing in general, but practicing directly with the Imperial Grand General was much better than practicing with an ordinary teacher. Not to mention seeing the Crown Princess doing things that far to kill Ling Mei, she might already be impatient. The longer, the more people who wanted Ling Mei's death were judged to be blocking them to success.

Therefore, something like this was indispensable for the safety of the Fourth Star of Shao Empire. Unfortunately, when victory is almost in sight, the, Ling Mei was defeated by Chang Yi with the woman on top of her body lying on the ground with the sword belonging to the Imperial Great General pointing right at her neck. Ling Mei decided to give up because moving more would only make her neck scratched with her grandmother's sharp sword. Looking at the few injuries he had gotten, it was not a good thing if he had other injuries in the striking parts.

"All right! You won, Great General Hong!"

Chang Yi extended her hand towards Ling Mei, she smiled proudly. "You're pretty good my granddaughter, but that's not enough to beat me."

"Yes! As expected of an Imperial Great General." receiving the helping hand happily, Ling Mei smirked, an equal glint visible in both of her eyes.

"My wife!" simultaneously Yun Rui and Yu Han gave a loud shriek and ran towards Ling Mei who looked messy.

"No need to worry, this is not something that hurts."

Yu Han spoke with furrowed brows unhappily. "But you're hurt..."

"Look! It's nothing..." Ling Mei sighed when she saw Yun Rui and Yu Han who were still looking at her worriedly. "Look, after this you two go to the Yin Pavilion, wait for me there. Go up to the gazebo of the third floor, we will have lunch together there, you can ask Yu Shen to help prepare everything."

"Uh, fine! But, I'll still treat your wounds." Yun Rui stared intently at Ling Mei, she again exclaimed as she looked at Ling Mei who was about to open her mouth again. "And there's no protest!"

"Hangao, hangar. Do as you like." afterwards Ling Mei walked over leaving Chang Yi staring at her grandson with warm eyes and an amused smile embedded in her face. The woman who was no longer young shook her head while hoping for the marriage of the grandson who will always be happy.

.......…...................

Unlike the Fourth Princess Manor of Shao Empire, in Wei Kingdom, precisely inside the Fourth Prince pavilion of Wei Kingdom looked quite calm with such a peaceful atmosphere. Tian Zhi plucked his Guqin strings with a smooth rhythm while smiling gently, the song reminded him of Ling Mei and the feeling of spring growing in his heart, Tian Zhi had always hoped that good things would come to him. Back, Tian Zhi recalled the song he had played with Ling Mei while in the Moon Pavilion of the Fourth Princess of the Empire. His heart warmed and his blood rippled violently, Tian Zhi felt unable to endure the pounding of his heart that felt faster than usual when he remembered the first love.

As soon as the song finished playing, Tian Zhi fell silent with his blue eyes staring blankly at the Guqin that was in front of him. Inwardly he kept thinking, is it right to agree to the deal offered by his mother, Empress Wei? Actually, it is quite a big headache for him, he feels hesitant for some things, but feels confident for something. It was not a good thing to explain, because after all he and Yun Rui were brothers despite having different fathers. Tian Zhi sighed deeply, he and Ling Mei were in a complicated position.

Under the same sky, but in a different place. Tian Zhi looked up, looking towards the clear sky despite the snowy weather. He and Ling Mei were separated by different regions, even so the sky was still the same. Tian Zhi and Ling Mei would always look towards the same sky, just like her love for the Fourth Star of the Empire would always be the same and never change.

Tian Zhi smiled until his eyes narrowed warmly, his snow-white hair fluttering softly from the sweep of the wind that hit him. "Your Majesty, I will always hope that someday we will be reunited in a beautiful painting of destiny. You and me..."

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On the other hand, the mainland of the Shao Empire, the border between the capital Xiaoyang and the great city of Taiyang, a young man descended from on a ship docked at the largest port on the outskirts of the capital Xiaoyang. He had black hair with gray eyes that glittered like silver, smooth and glowing milky white skin. A beautiful young man, his natural beauty made the young ladies around him glance at him with a look of admiration. The young man walked gracefully, a male servant walking behind him while carrying the young master's belongings from the boat. The young master smiled sweetly, it has been quite a while since his departure from Xiaoyang city and he missed his mother who might be currently busy with imperial affairs.

"Mi Gu, has the carriage come? I think I miss mom so much and want to get back to the residence soon."

The male servant named Mi Gu politely replied. "Yes, Young Master. The Grand Madam said that she had sent out the carriage as soon as you arrived at the Mo family residence."

The young master smiled with a warm face. "Did you see? The sky looks bright even though it's winter, it makes me feel happy, like something good will come to me."

"That's right! Our Young Master Mo must always be overwhelmed with abundant happiness." Mi Gu said excitedly, His Young Master is an honorable noble.

Mo Rong Yun, son of Imperial Master Mo Xin Qian. 18 Years old and unmarried, a man of natural beauty who makes young ladies easily captivated to her and wants to marry her. For almost two years, he chose to live in Taiyang city in his father's family residence. Repeatedly having rejected many applications from the young noble ladies did not make them all stop to try to propose. Therefore, Rong Yun decided to temporarily move from Xiaoyang towards Taiyang to avoid them. Aside from her beauty, her background of being the only son of the Imperial Master had the nobles vying to make her a son-in-law.

Rong Yun smiled widely as he looked towards Mi Gu with bright eyes. "Well! Nah! Looks like the horse carriage is already in sight, come Mi Gu! I want to quickly meet mom and dad!"

Mi Gu chuckled, then walked up to Rong Yun who was running around small towards their horse carriage while shouting. "Good! Alrighty! Please keep Young Master careful!"