Phoenix: Rules Of The Harem
Chapter 21: The Winter Banquet

When winter came, the imperial court always held a large banquet attended by all members of the imperial family along with their official spouses. This banquet was the idea of the former imperial consort so that the harmony of the members of the imperial family remained well established and continued to be held until the leadership of the Imperial Chief Companion Hong Yu Wen. Unfortunately, some time passed this banquet turned into a place for the members of the imperial family to take each other down due to the hostility that occurred internally between them.

Unlike expected, winter banquets held to bring a warm atmosphere in the cold of falling snow actually more often bring a storm of cold hostility among members of the imperial family. Just like before, this year Ling Mei was again present at the winter banquet. If he would normally go along with his younger brother Shao Qiao Feng and Shao Xu Cheng, then this time he came together with his main husband, Prince Consort Wei Yun Rui. To show the harmonious image of a couple, even Yu Shen advised Ling Mei and Yun Rui to wear clothes of the same color.

With a golden phoenix hair pin, the blackish-red tassel decoration that Ling Mei had once given and the same blackish-blue hanfu as Ling Mei's, Yun Rui really looks like a beloved main husband. Entering the Banquet Hall, it could be seen that almost all the members of the imperial family had been seated in their respective places. If it was noticed only her and Second Princess Shao Mu Rong who had not been in their respective places, it could be seen with the place that belonged to her second brother Shao Mu Rong who was still empty. Walking with dignity, Ling Mei and Yun Rui bowed respectfully as they had reached in front of Grand Empress Shao Fang Hua's oversized seat and Imperial Chief Companion Hong Yu Wen.

"Greet the Imperial Sun and Moon, may His Majesty live a thousand years."

Ling Mei was slightly surprised when the other two voices came together as she and Yun Rui said a salute to Grand Empress Shao. While on the other side Shao Fang Hua laughed with a pleased face, he saw the fourth princess and the second daughter both coming at the same time unintentionally, this really is a good coincidence!

With a warm look in his eyes, Shao Fang Hua smiled and said, "Good! Goody! Sit down the four of you! I have accepted the sincerity of all of you."

Shao Mu Rong smiled faintly, he silently looked at his fourth sister with a meaningful gaze. Unlike the other brothers, Mu Rong had never done things that were considered annoying to Ling Mei. He tended to be silent without any movement and was always cold with everyone, which made Ling Mei even more cautious of Mu Rong. Sometimes the silent ones were not necessarily calm, Shao Mu Rong with his cold demeanor was much more terrifying than facing the ruthless Shao Mu Lan. As everyone had been seated in their respective places, Grand Empress Shao Fang Hua gestured to start the banquet today. This time the upper level imperial concubines were also allowed to come to the banquet, because after all they also belonged to members of the imperial family.

The atmosphere in the Banquet Hall seemed crowded with male dancers performing in front of the banquet guests. Ling Mei inwardly snorted, although everyone knew that she was no longer the mentally handicapped daughter who was a fool as rumors about her improved health spread throughout the entire corner of the empire, Ling Mei still had to pretend to be a naive and innocent girl. Ling Mei smiled widely and thanked him as Yun Rui fed her a piece of snack that was indeed reserved for them. All of those scenes of affection were of course seen by all the other members of the imperial family who were also there, just like Ling Mei's initial intention, too, they really looked like a harmonious couple in front of all of them.

Even some imperial concubines praised the interaction of the two who looked adorable and loving, in contrast to that, Crown Princess Shao Mu Lan looked at her fourth sister with a flat gaze. His sense of regret rose upon the crown when he saw the Great Empress looking affectionately at Ling Mei, because of whatever effort Mu Lan had to get the same look as her sister, she never got it even if it was just once. Mu Lan laughed inwardly, her gaze turning to her father who was secretly his gaze always fixed on the Imperial Great Phoenix. Even for years, his father had always expected love from his mother who even loved others.

Mu Lan grabbed the wine cup that was in front of her, gulped down the warm liquid gracefully, then Mu Lan gave a small smile. "Fourth brother, I heard you took the son of the Great General of the Shi Empire as a concubine. Is that true?"

Luckily the dance performance had finished, there was only a small crowd of members of the imperial family talking to each other. Ling Mei silently raised her one eyebrow, inwardly she smiled disdainfully. What this time? It seemed like her first brother wanted to trap her into trouble with the topic of taking on a new concubine.

Ling Mei calmly spoke, "That's right, I married her a few days ago."

"Didn't you look like a harmonious couple with Second Prince Wei? It took me quite by surprise when I heard the news of your marriage to Young Master Shi." staring at Ling Mei at a glance, Mu Lan smiled faintly with faint glittering eyes.

When Mu Lan finished saying so, everyone fell silent. Feeling perplexed by what had happened, even Grand Empress Shao looked at Mu Lan with a shriveled face displeased. Yun Rui who was beside Ling Mei was only speechless with her head lowered, her blood-red eyes staring blankly at the wine cup that was in front of her. A little bit of it is the right thing, but everyone does not know that the harmonious couple they show is just an act to hide the truth. Even if Ling Mei treated him well and respectfully like a husband and wife, it would still not be enough for him if all of these things were done without the same love.

Ling Mei smiled coldly in her heart, she knew that Mu Lan was trying to insinuate her subtly. However, from outside Ling Mei looked at Mu Lan with a clear guilty face. "That's because earlier this sister had no idea if first brother liked First Young Master Shi who had become my concubine. Forgive sister for not thinking long and making first brother feel uncomfortable."

The small smile on Mu Lan's face faded away, she furrowed her brows with an obvious displeased expression. "What?"

"Recently, after my marriage to Young Master Shi, I heard rumors saying if first brother liked First Young Master Shi and intended to propose to him, don't know if it was true or not?" Ling Mei asked in an innocent tone, really looking like she had just heard it from a rumor circulating.

It made Mu Lan harbor anger in her heart. Whatisthis? Why did the foolish Shao Ling Mei turn into a cunning nine-tailed fox demon a thousand years old? Is this possible? Shao Mu Lan doubted that in her heart, but could not deny that her mentally handicapped fourth sister looked different than usual.

"Since the Great Imperial General Shi sent a marriage proposal for his son and the main husband had allowed, I chose to marry First Young Master Shi." Ling Mei replied in a delicate tone, her face looking reflective of pure benevolence.

Damnit damnit! That greeting! This meant that Great General Shi simply did not want to give Mu Lan the chance to gain strength support from him. Because by marrying the only legitimate son she had with Fourth Princess Shao made Mu Lan unable to touch Shi Yu Han easily and pressured Great General Shi to become his follower. After all, Shao Ling Mei's background was not small, it made Mu Lan unable to move freely touching Ling Mei in front of her mother, Grand Empress Shao Fang Hua or it would be a great disaster for her.

Mu Lan was silent for a while, then hesitantly reopened her mouth. "Fourth sister, kamu—"

Not finished speaking, the Grand Empress raised one hand and spoke in a cold tone as usual.

"All right, that's enough. Crown Princess, I don't think you're going to fight with your fourth sister just because of a man. After all, I saw you quite close to one of the young masters of the ministerial residence. As long as the main husband allows, there is no harm if you marry him."

"I understand, Your Majesty. Please Your Majesty forgive my impoliteness for speaking unimportant things at the banquet."

Shao Fang Hua nodded, "Good, it makes me feel happy. Enjoy today's banquet casually, Crown Princess."

The imperial concubines simply observed and fell silent without a word, not even Imperial Chief Companion Hong also said anything and preferred to just look at it. Things like this have happened too often, he already knows, not many people who love his daughter sincerely. Of course it was because of Ling Mei's background that made many people envious of her, not only that, her unkind health condition also made people even more dislike her because it was considered a disability. In addition, Hong Yu Wen also wanted to see how far her daughter's condition was said to be improving and only needed to wait for time to be able to return to how it was.

Then, after passing the unpleasant talk, the banquet resumed with a crowd. Seen as the imperial princesses were busy with their respective spouses, even for a Shao Ming Fei who loved the battlefield more than the men, she treated her official husband very well. The thing that made Ling Mei feel strange when Ming Fei who had more often given her a lot of hurtful words today did not utter a word to disturb her at all. Then, for some reason, his second brother, Shao Mu Rong had always been watching him in silence. The Empire's Second Princess did not hesitate to look at him deeply with a meaningful look of eyes that Ling Mei could not understand easily.

Choosing to be more busy, Ling Mei's gaze turned to Yun Rui. With a sweet smile embedded on her radiant face, Ling Mei directed a sweet snack at Yun Rui's mouth, feeding it gently and carefully made both Yun Rui's cheeks and ears flushed involuntarily.

"Ling Mei, you embarrassed me! Is this really okay? Don't be forced if you object!" Yun Rui whispered near Ling Mei, even so Ling Mei touched her head and stroked her hair gently.

"That's good. Then, do you think that I always object to treating you sweetly?" his tone sounded flat, yet Yun Rui knew that Ling Mei really did not hate him.

Yun Rui turned her face shyly, she revealed in a small tone. "That's .. that's because you didn't like our marriage in the first place. I thought that you might continue to hate me for forcing you to marry me by imperial decree."

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean I treat my people badly." Ling Mei sighed, then looked at the silent Yun Rui afterwards.

On the other hand, on the seat of the greatness of the Phoenix and the Imperial Dragon, Grand Empress Shao Fang Hua and Imperial Grand Companion Hong Yu Wen looked at the Fourth Princess with pleased eyes. It had been all these years that Ling Mei had become a person who had no reason to live, even if she looked like a foolish princess, but that gaze of the eyes could not lie. Both Yu Wen and Fang Hua were able to recognize well Ling Mei's eyes that were like missing something precious within her. It made Yu Wen feel excessive worry, even though Ling Mei could not remember it, still, the Imperial Chief Apprentice was afraid of the return of Ling Mei's memories and made Ling Mei again feel the deep sadness she used to be.

"Your Majesty, did you see it? It's a good thing to put Second Prince Wei by our daughter's side." Yu Wen commented with a radiantly happy face.

Fang Hua smiled faintly, the look on his face warming up from time to time. Among all his daughters, only Ling Mei was truly the most similar to him, it made Fang Hua very fond of him apart from because Ling Mei was the daughter of the Imperial Grand Companion whom he had loved for a long time. "You're right, Second Prince Wei may be able to make our daughter come alive."