"Empress Dowager, Peng Gurun and His Majesty has come. They also brought along Tang Junwang and another man." Leaning down towards Bai Suixin, Mei Xi softly whispered into her ear. Then, standing up, she took a glance at the two other maids in the room, straightening her back as she sternly looked at them. "You two, go to the kitchen and get the best leaves of tea and a few snack."

"Yes, Head Maid." At once, the two maids bowed and hurried to complete their tasks.

It didn't take long before footsteps could be heard and Bai Suixin lifted her tired eyes. Mei Xi nodded her head as she walked towards the door and opened it.

With a smile on her face, Mei Xi said, "Long live Your Majesty, the Emperor and Your Highness, Peng Gurun, may you live ten thousand years. Please come in." She opened the door to reveal the chairs that were lined up inside of the large room connected to Bai Suixin's sleeping chambers near this room.

Lu Fengmian looked around, fleeting eyes as he quickly looked down. As a fox demon, he could feel a mysterious aura in this room, almost like the scent of death. Thinking this, his mood suddenly plummeted. Because he also found something else, the traces left behind by another fox demon.

Lu Fengmian could see Bai Suixin sitting on the chair, looking at their entourage.

"Mother." Mo Chou and Mo Li greeted as Bai Suixin nodded towards them and they took a seat, understanding her glance.

As soon as they came in, Lu Fengmian and Tang Qingshan knelt on the ground, greeting, "Long live Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, may you live ten thousand years."

Lu Fengmian could see that while Bai Suixin looked very youthful, there was a sense of tiredness coming from her, a sickly aura.

"You may rise. Take a seat. Tang Junwang, I hope that you have been well." Bai Suixin's eyes were immediately attached to the other man standing next to Tang Qingshan but she didn't say anything else.

"Thank you for your words, Your Majesty. I have been well during this time, needless to say." Tang Qingshan had of course noticed her quick glance.

Mei Xi returned to stand by Bai Suixin as the two maid had now returned and placed the tea and snacks on the table before quickly retreating. As everyone took a quick sip of tea, Mo Chou was the first to bring up the matter.

"Mother, this is Lu Fengmian. He is the one who had helped Tang Junwang during the war. He is also a herbalist and a doctor. As Liwei had told me about your condition while I was with Tang Junwang and Fengmian, I decided to invite him to diagnose you." Mo Chou took a sip of the tea before setting it down on the table.

Lu Fengmian could see that Bai Suixin's mouth rose into a small smile at Mo Chou's words. Bai Suixin looked towards him and smiled. Seeing this, Lu Fengmian also smiled in turn, a very gentle smile like always.

"I see, then I will have to ask of this young man for help." Bai Suixin wasn't too uptight and gave permission right away.

Lu Fengmian glanced secretly towards Tang Qingshan who noticed and nodded back lightly. With that signal, Lu Fengmian stood up from his chair with a small cloth in his hand as he walked towards Bai Suisin. He was nervous, really nervous.

"Please excuse my actions, Your Majesty." Lu Fengmian quickly said as Bai Suixin stuck out her wrist and Lu Fengmian placed the cloth on her wrist to avoid skin contact.

Then, Lu Fengmian bluffed his way through. Placing his fingers on Bai Suixin's wrist, he felt for her pulse. Luckily, the original soul's skills were proving to still be solid.

The room was quiet as everyone waited for Lu Fengmian to finish. In fact, it was tense, even Mo Li was on her edge.

After a few minutes, Lu Fengmian finally got it. Removing his hand, Lu Fengmian looked up to notice that everyone's eyes were placed on him. Without a hint of nervousness, Lu Fengmian looked at Bai Suixin and asked, "Your Majesty, have you been unable to sleep these past few days?"

Bai Suixin nodded, "I have been feeling tired but unable to sleep."

Then Mei Xi also added, "Her Majesty has been finding it harder to find good rest. Her appetite has also decreased and she barely touches her food."

Hearing this, Lu Fengmian was sure now. It was some type of poison, although he didn't know which one, he could think of a few that would have this same effect. It could easily be disguised as just a simple change of weather. Since it seemed like the dosage of the poison was small, the perpetrator was trying to be careful.

"This is poison." Lu Fengmian could see that Bai Suixin's face didn't change much, as if she knew what the outcome was likely this.

"Is it deadly?" Bai Suixin was still very calm. Before all of this, she had gone through much worse in the harem before she became the Empress Dowager.

Lu Fengmian shook his head, "No, it seems that whoever did this wanted to be careful so that no one would find out. It seems like because of recent stress, the poison acted up by accident hence why you have been feeling unwell."

"I see. Is there any cure for it?" Bai Suixin merely nodded her head. It seems like this man really had better skills than most of the physicians who were unable to find anything.

"No, it will naturally wear off since the dosage is still just a small amount. But from here on, you must be careful with whatever is around you, may it be food, things, or even people." Lu Fengmian then quickly added, "To help you sleep and take some rest, just begin drinking valerian root tea before you sleep at night."

"Is there a way of finding out who did this?" From the side, Mo Chou finally spoke up after hearing Lu Fengmian's words. His hand was clenched, unnoticeable as he asked this.

Lu Fengmian could only shake his head. While he would want to help, this was out of his ability. His main task was to focus on Lu Yingyue and protect her before he could do anything else.

"This young man has done his best already, Chouyi. We shall leave this matter as is and not go any further." Bai Suixin removed the cloth on her wrist as she sat back into her chair, Mei Xi handed her a cup of tea. Then, she said, "Tang Junwang, where did this young man come from?"

Lu Fengmian took this as a sign to return back to his seat.

Tang Qingshan looked at Bai Suixin with clear eyes as he replied at once, "He is a new subordinate of mine. He was also the one who helped me devise the plan on defeating the Li Nation." Saying this, Tang Qingshan glanced quickly towards Lu Fengmian but looked away.

Mo Chou lifted up his cup of tea while raising his brow. Mo Li also smiled lightly.

Bai Suixin nodded her head before glancing at Lu Fengmian. "You are a good young man. If I had not known, I would've believed you to be a son of a minister."

"You praise me too much, Your Majesty." Lu Fengmian merely said as he shook his head, a light smile on his face with his beautiful eyes shining.

"I have an offer for you."

As Bai Suixin said this, everyone paid close attention to her words.

Lu Fengmian's eyes couldn't help but narrow a bit. Now, what was going on? But even so, while his smile did get lighter, it still remained.

Tang Qingshan looked closely at Bai Suixin, wondering what her motive was.

"I want you to become my personal physician. I can trust you more than anyone else knowing that you are loyal to Tang Junwang. Not to mention, the other physicians are not to your level." Bai Suixin's eyes glinted. She had no ill-intent, but she also did have some speculations. Qi Longhai had returned. Maybe Lu Fengmian would also be able to cure him...

Lu Fengmian narrowed his brow, turning as his glance met Tang Qingshan's. But quickly, he looked at Bai Suixin and replied, "Your Majesty, I am not as skilled as the physicians within this palace. While I know a few herbs, that is merely it. This role is too heavy for me." Lu Fengmian found that lately, he liked to talk trash about himself.

Bai Suixin shook her head, "No, you are even better. I can feel at peace if you become my personal physician. Of course, your true master will be Tang Junwang and you will still stay with him. It is just that I will call you to the palace every now and then." Bai Suixin was very understanding.

"Mother, are you sure?" Staying quiet for so long, Mo Li finally spoke up with a question.

"I am sure, I see it that my son has no objection." Bai Suixin answered Mo Li and immediately turned to Mo Chou.

Mo Chou merely took a sip of tea and replied with, "Mother, you can do as you wish." He knew that he shouldn't step into his mother's business too often.

"Than what about you, Young Master Lu, what do you say?" Bai Suixin looked at Lu Fengmian.

Lu Fengmian looked at Tang Qingshan, not knowing what to do.

Tang Qingshan looked at Lu Fengmian, whose eyes were clouded with confusion and uncertainty. For some reason, he looked lost and confused, quite different from how he normally looked. Tang Qingshan wanted to laugh but suppressed himself. He knew that Lu Fengmian was seeking an answer from him.

"You can do as you want, I believed that Her Majesty means no harm." Tang Qingshan knew well of Bai Suixin's tendency. Hence, he knew that while she may make some abrupt decisions at time, she was true to her instinct and also made the right decisions.

With that, Lu Fengmian began thinking. He needed to help Tang Qingshan. He also needed to protect Lu Yingyue. If he had Bai Suixin's backing, his position was nearly guaranteed for the future. And, there was something weird going on the palace. The smell of a familiar being, one that Lu Fengmian knew well of. Something was making trouble in the palace, if this being was discovered, Lu Fengmian would also be at risk.

Coming to a final decision, Lu Fengmian's smile was wiped away, but he still retained his gentle composure. Opening his mouth, he replied to Bai Suixin's offer. "Your Majesty, please allow me this chance then."

Bai Suixin smiled at ease with this. Nodding her head, she glanced at Mei Xi. Mei Xi nodded back and walked to grab something. Returning, Mei Xi held a golden seal in her hand, a pendant. Handing it to Lu Fengmian, Mei Xi explained, "Young Master Lu, this is Her Majesty's golden seal. With this on you, everyone shall treat you as if the Empress Dowager is standing before them. With this seal, everyone shall treat you as above them. No one, not even the Empress can slight you."

Lu Fengmian looked at the golden Phoenix etched on the seal, his brows furrowing. Without a pause, he got up at once and knelt down on the ground. "Your Majesty, I cannot accept this."

Mei Xi immediately helped Lu Fengmian up. "Young Master Lu, accept this. You will become Her Majesty's trusted subordinate. While you are still loyal to Tang Junwang, you will also be in charge of Her Majesty's health. You are only one that Her Majesty can trust."

Lu Fengmian suddenly felt like his workload increased. Maybe he should've escaped when he had the chance to. But, biting his lips, he stood in silence. He needed the power. Both to complete his task and to protect Tang Qingshan.

"Your Majesty, then, from now, please take care of this subject."

-

"Longhai, are you alright?" Wu Fan asked as he saw how Qi Longhai's face had become pale.

To this, Qi Longhai merely shook his hand as he said, "No, I'm alright. Some memories came up and made me contemplate about life."

They continued walking, dismissing all the stares from the maids and eunuchs passing by.

"Brother?"

Walking towards them, a woman was followed by maids and eunuchs. She held the hand of a young boy, a maid held the body of a girl.

Qi Longhai froze, his being tensed. Biting his lips though, he knew he couldn't avoid this for long.

(Qi Meizhen (Beautiful Pearl), Qi Guifei* (Noble Consort), 21 years old, the only daughter of the Qi Family, Qi Longhai's younger sister, mother of the First Prince and Third Princess.)

It was too soon, Qi Longhai was not prepared. But still, he forced himself to glance at the boy standing by Qi Meizhen, his own eyes suddenly flickering in pain. The boy looked very similar to Mo Chou, even carrying his bright blue eyes.

These were the children of the man he loved most, the children of his only sister.

Qi Longhai clenched his hand tightly, he could feel his nails piercing through his skin. Wu Fan tensed.

But even so, Qi Longhai couldn't do anything. These were his niece and nephew, even if they carried half the blood of the man he loved most. Yet even as he thought this, his heart felt like it was being pulled out.

Of course... he already had children, he had a harem of many.

It was only Qi Longhai who still remained in the past.

It was only him who brought up their past and lamented, it was only him who still was in pain while Mo Chou already had his life and his duties.

But still, to see his sister living well with the man he loved, who wouldn't be hurt?

He forced a smile on his face, "Sister, how have you been?"

Right, the past was the past. He should be happy that his sister had met a good man like Mo Chou, even though he was a man who had a harem.

But still, that didn't mean that it didn't hurt... his sister was with the man he loved most, even having children with him.

Qi Longhai would've given up everything if he could've have that chance...

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"The difference between Baicheng and I is that Baicheng has a clear goal. He is enacting revenge. While he pulls in innocent people, his heart is still kind enough to not harm them to the extent of death. I am different though. I will kill anyone simply because I want to. And I will kill anyone he wishes to let go, such as killing Fei Qianchi."

"Humans are too complicated to understand, their emotions run too deep. Young man, you want to forsake your life all to find someone who had never loved you. Why is that so? From what I've seen, you have given up your life for him, protecting him even when he became evil. If anything, why do you still hold onto him when your heart bleeds so?"

"Qianchi, can you smile for me? Just once... please, I beg you."

"Of course, who wouldn't go mad like I have? I've lived my whole life being mistreated. My father killed my mother and wanted to kill me. I killed them all. Even in the sect, there are still people who mistreat me. I sought for love and was still betrayed. Since I'm already evil, I shall fully embrace it! If being evil signifies who I am, then I will give myself up."

"Qianchi, please. Don't let it control you, you can't! I beg you, no matter what I will stand by you. I beg you, Qianchi, please, don't lose against this..."

"My love for him runs deeper than the sea, longer than even time. I will never regret all of the things I had given up, even when I face my demise. Love is too different. Maybe for him the pain was too much to bear. But for me, I am willing to bear this pain. Even now, I don't regret that I died in the end. For him, this life of mine is something I would forsake."

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