I am favored by the tyrant, so what if I am vicious?

"As an emperor, you can favor a concubine, but you must never fall in love with her. You won't make the same mistake as our ancestor, Emperor Chongming, and Concubine Chen, will you?"

Our ancestor, Emperor Chongming, favored Concubine Chen so much that he promoted her mother's family to the rank of marquis despite opposition from court officials.

He allowed his mother's family to control the government and harm the people... This caused panic among the people and widespread complaints from the whole world.

As a result, the country was in turmoil, and some people among the people rose up in rebellion, almost overthrowing the Qin family's dynasty.

Ever since Qin Feiling became conscious, both his teachers and the late emperor often warned him that as an emperor he must not be easily moved by emotions and that all interests should be put first.

No matter who you are or what you do, you must put the country's responsibility first.

Qin Feiling's face darkened slightly, and he immediately lowered his head: "Your Highness understands your mother's painstaking efforts."

"I will definitely remember your instructions and teachings today."

The Queen Mother looked at his submissive appearance and nodded with great satisfaction.

Then she curled her lips into a smile. She patted his shoulder, her eyes reddening as she said with emotion, "Ling'er, you are my most satisfied child, my proudest creation. You must understand... your responsibilities as an emperor. Most importantly, you must fill your harem with concubines and produce offspring for the royal family. You must give birth to a future crown prince of exceptional ability for the royal family."

Qin Feiling responded without hesitation and agreed in a low voice.

"Your Majesty is right, I will try my best..."

The Queen Mother's eyes flickered, and she immediately called Ye Wanxi in.

She took Ye Wanxi's hand and looked at Qin Feiling: "This is the virtuous person that the Queen Mother specially selected for you... I have decided to make her the Consort Wan and grant her the residence in Yihua Palace."

"At tonight's palace banquet, I will issue an imperial decree that you stay overnight at Yihua Palace."

Qin Feiling lowered his brows and responded without any expression.

The Queen Mother became more and more satisfied with Qin Feiling's performance.

She invited him to have a cup of tea, but Qin Feiling had some official business to attend to, so he left first.

The Queen Mother asked Ye Wanxi to send Qin Feiling off.

Ye Wanxi responded softly, her eyes rippling with innocence, her fair and smooth cheeks flushed. She lagged behind Qin Feiling by half a step, following his footsteps closely as they walked out of the Cining Palace.

After stepping out of the palace gate, Qin Feiling, who was originally looking forward, suddenly turned his head to look at Ye Wanxi who was half a step behind.

"Miss Ye was once a free bird soaring through the skies... I cannot understand why you agreed to follow the Empress Dowager into the palace, willingly being trapped within these high walls to become my Consort Wan."

Ye Wanxi was stunned. She didn't expect Qin Feiling to ask this.

He called her Miss Ye, not Concubine Wan.

A dark light flashed in her eyes. "I have been an orphan since childhood, without a father or a mother. Later, I was adopted by my master and followed him around, improving my medical skills. Over the years, I have been wandering without a fixed place to stay, and I don't know where my roots are... Actually, I am very tired and don't want to wander around anymore. I want to find a place to settle down, and someone who shares my feelings..."

Qin Feiling continued in a steady voice, "With Miss Ye's looks and medical skills, you could find a very good husband and spend your life with him. But why did you choose to enter the palace?"

Ye Wanxi looked at Qin Feiling with open eyes, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "Your Majesty has been writing poetry since the age of ten, and is quite talented. Someone compiled a collection of your poems over the years. I stumbled upon it and treasured it like a treasure. I've carried it with me wherever I go these past few years. I deeply admire your talent, and even more so your way of governing... Five years ago, the world was in turmoil, the people were homeless... and people's hearts were uneasy."

"Yet in just five short years... looking across the entire Great Jin, the country is stable, the people live and work in peace and contentment... beggars and refugees are few and far between. I have witnessed every change in these five years, and I know better than anyone that this is all due to Your Majesty's efforts. Without Your Majesty, the people would not be able to enjoy such a beautiful and peaceful life as they do now!"

"I have long been deeply in love with Your Majesty. Who could have imagined that by chance, I would actually save the Queen Mother? We immediately hit it off. When she suggested that I take her back to the palace, no one could imagine my excitement. It was like a dream come true. Finally... I walked step by step to Your Majesty's side."

She looked into his eyes, her brows full of affection.

Like a pool of clear water, his eyes were filled with Qin Feiling.

Her love is so open, passionate and sincere.

Qin Feiling was stunned and frowned slightly.

I originally thought that he wanted to persuade Ye Wanxi to give up and not be used by the Queen Mother and involved in the disputes in the harem.

Unexpectedly, Ye Wanxi took this opportunity to express her deep love to him!

He didn't believe how deep Ye Wanxi's feelings for him were, as he had never even met her.

He speaks so eloquently, but isn't it because he is nostalgic for his status as an emperor and the most vulgar wealth, fame, and power?

Qin Feiling just felt bored.

He had no feelings for Ye Wanxi... He had seen many women like her.

Which of the women in this harem does not have deep affection and passionate love for him?

He has no shortage of love from others.

In the evening, the palace banquet began and was held in the Cining Palace.

Zhou Lingge dressed very low-key. She knew that tonight would be Ye Wanxi's home court, so she didn't want to steal the show...she just wanted to avoid the spotlight.

She wore a simple palace dress and light makeup.

She also asked Qiao'er to apply some white powder on her, making her look more haggard and pale.

Qiao'er didn't know Zhou Lingge's intention.

Zhou Lingge didn't explain much.

According to the banquet time notified by the palace servants, she went to the Cining Palace on time for the banquet.

Unexpectedly, when she arrived, everyone was already there.

Even the Queen Mother and Qin Feiling had already sat in the main seats.

All the concubines in the palace looked at Zhou Lingge who had arrived late.

Concubine Shu couldn't help but teased: "Concubine Jia, you are late again."

"How dare you be so impertinent and disrespectful in front of the Queen Mother? It's simply because His Majesty dotes on you too much that you've forgotten your duties as a concubine."

Concubine Rou frowned and sighed, "Sister Jiafei was already late once when she came to greet the Empress Dowager at noon. Why is she late again this time? This...this..."

Concubine Shu snorted coldly and continued, "It's clear that you don't take the Empress Dowager seriously."

The Queen Mother's face darkened and she looked at Zhou Lingge with great displeasure.

"Empress Jia...if you didn't want to come, you could have sent someone to let me know...I'm not unreasonable, but you've been so disrespectful to me time and time again. If I don't punish you, wouldn't that only encourage your arrogance?"

Qin Feiling frowned. Just as he was about to speak in defense of Zhou Lingge, the Queen Mother gave him a warning look: "Don't forget what I warned you about before. You can pamper her, but you can't indulge her without limits..."

"No matter what, I must punish Concubine Jia today to intimidate the harem and demonstrate my authority. Otherwise, no one will take me seriously, and I will become a laughing stock in the world."

"Come here, drag Concubine Jia away and order her to kneel in the small Buddhist temple in the Cining Palace for two hours as a warning to others."