Chapter Twelve: A Joyous Occasion

Since that day, Feng Yewu was never alone—there was always someone by her side, whether it was day or night.

During court sessions, Jingran stood silently outside the hall. After court, he kept watch before the palace chambers.

Lu Jue seemed to have become Feng Yewu’s shadow, standing unobtrusively in the background, quietly observing her as she wielded her brush over memorials or drifted into contemplation while dining.

This place had become the closest he could be to her—and yet, paradoxically, it was also the furthest distance between them.

For several days in a row, Feng Yewu appeared to have forgotten his existence. She did not summon him to learn swordplay, but was instead consumed by affairs of state well into the night.

Lu Jue even wondered if Feng Yewu had forgotten that he was a woman.

Although there was always a certain distance between them, to those unaware, it seemed as though they walked side by side every day, inseparable as a pair of shadows.

Before long, rumors began to circulate both inside and outside the palace. Whispered speculation grew rampant.

“Hmph! What sort of propriety is this!”

Within the Longwu Manor, a middle-aged man furiously flung the briefing report against the door. The subordinate who had delivered the message, startled by his anger, dropped to his knees, trembling.

“Outrageous, simply outrageous!”

“Why is Lord Longwu so upset?”

The man was none other than Lord Longwu, Chen Sinian. The person beside him, smiling quietly, was the Minister of the Court.

“Hmph! What’s the matter? The Emperor is constantly attended by a male companion, day and night. Now rumors are rife throughout the realm. How is this proper conduct?”

Chen Sinian, a man who favored the martial arts and whose build was burly and imposing, now breathed so heavily in anger that it sounded like thunder.

“You can hardly blame Her Majesty. It’s an age thing. Besides, though the Emperor is a woman, at such a blossoming age, even a man would find it hard to resist temptation.”

The Minister smiled faintly, gently placating the indignant Chen Sinian while plotting his own schemes.

“Oh? From your words, Minister, it seems there’s more to this matter?” Though Chen Sinian appeared a rough, brawny man, he was not without cunning. Sensing deeper meaning in the Minister’s words, he suspected there was something to be gained.

Exchanging a glance, the two dismissed their servants and began to confer in hushed tones.

The next day, in court, Chen Sinian joined forces with the Minister of Finance. Both knelt before the throne, clearly bearing a pressing matter.

“What is it?”

Feng Yewu’s brows knitted as she looked at them, her voice cold.

“Your Majesty, this humble servant, Minister of Finance, has an urgent petition.”

The Minister of Finance was the first to bow, his voice hoarse, bearing the demeanor of a seasoned court official.

“What matter?”

Feng Yewu’s gaze sharpened. She sensed trouble. These senior ministers always appeared respectful, but who among them truly pledged allegiance? Ultimately, it was always the issue of a woman’s right to rule.

In her previous life, she had been naive, viewing these ministers as trustworthy. In the end, her fate had been a bitter one.

Remembering this, her tone grew icier, her expression even more aloof.

“Your Majesty, I bring tidings of joy.”

“Joyful news?”

Feng Yewu paused, surprised. It was rare that these ministers didn’t impeach her; now they claimed to bring good news.

Behind her, Lu Jue, standing guard, felt a sense of foreboding.

After all, Chen Sinian, who had been silent, kept glancing at him. Could it be that this matter concerned him?

“Very well, speak, and let me hear it.”

Unable to resist her curiosity, Feng Yewu permitted them to present their case.

“As all know, Your Majesty is at the prime of youth, admired by all. In previous dynasties, male emperors had three thousand beauties in their harem by this age.”

Chen Sinian spoke loudly and cheerfully, though his eyes were filled with mockery. The ministers on either side of the court immediately caught the drift, and covered their mouths, snickering.

At first, Feng Yewu failed to see the implication, but after a few sentences, her expression darkened.

These men clearly harbored no good intentions. To discuss her marriage so brazenly in the grand hall! In her previous life, her ignorance would have left her flustered and at a loss. But now, having returned anew, Feng Yewu would not be so easily defeated.

“Oh? From Lord Longwu’s words, it seems you wish to select a harem for me?”

What a phrase, “harem.” Though she was a woman emperor, the term had always referred to women. If a woman could rule, why should men not serve in the harem?

Unfortunately, those who served in the court were all men of ambition. Their words gave no direct offense, but their intentions were unchanged.

“That is precisely my intention.”

The Minister of Finance responded loudly, bowing once more.

It turned out that the two had already plotted in Longwu Manor, planning to urge Feng Yewu to establish a harem—thus providing an opportunity to insert their own men.