Resisting the Wind and Splendor

After a moment of surprise, Chu Yueli quickly composed herself and smiled at Tuoba Yi.

Tuoba Yi returned the smile, but it was a deep and enigmatic one.

But Chu Yueli didn't want to think about it. After a smile, she immediately looked away.

Not long after, the Emperor and Empress arrived, followed by Consort Rui, Consort Ning, and Consort Zhuang.

These concubines were all secondary consorts in the Prince's residence before the Emperor ascended the throne.

Everyone did well and had sons, which was especially important in the royal family.

Therefore, their positions in the harem are currently quite secure.

Consort Zhuang was the birth mother of the Second Prince Lu Zhengrong, Consort Ning was the mother of the Third Prince Lu Shangfeng, and as for Prince Mo, his mother was Consort Yu, but this Consort Yu was different from the other consorts.

Consort Yu was naturally indifferent to crowds and disliked competing for favor in the harem.

Over the years, Consort Yu spent half her time at Chang Le Palace praying for the Emperor and her son, and the other half at Wugong Mountain, chanting sutras and reciting Buddhist scriptures daily, rarely attending palace banquets.

Consort Yu has been staying at Wugong Mountain these days. She heard that her son has returned to the capital and should be back soon, but she is not in the palace yet.

The concubines in the harem generally avoided provoking or getting close to Consort Yu.

Consort Yu had a very low profile in the harem.

Apart from Consort Yu, the other consorts all had quite a grand entrance.

In contrast, the Empress appeared rather low-key, and her attire today was not as grand as that of the other princesses.

The Empress originally held absolute power in the palace. In her early years, she was even arrogant and domineering, rejecting all the princesses.

Her arrogance was extinguished several years ago after the eldest prince fell ill.

Her eldest son, the former crown prince, before he was even granted the title of king, fell ill with a strange disease and was bedridden. He died in bed a year later.

Her youngest son, the fourteenth prince, is still too young, only six years old.

The emperor had six sons who were granted the title of king. Apart from the Prince Mo and Prince Jin, who were famous throughout the country for their outstanding achievements on the battlefield, the other princes also had their own military exploits.

It can be said that the princesses all have sons they can rely on, but the empress's fourteenth prince is still too young and has not yet made any achievements. Whether he can become a force to be reckoned with in the future is still unknown.

The princes are now gaining more and more power, but the empress's son is still too weak and doesn't even have the ability to protect himself.

Since the death of the eldest prince, the empress's status in the harem has plummeted. Although she still seems to hold all the power, the concubines can often bypass her and approach the empress dowager.

Therefore, the Empress's power in the harem was not secure. The concubines outwardly respected her, but in reality, none of them were convinced of her authority.

However, no matter how dissatisfied they were, the Empress still held absolute power outside the palace.

Just as officials would only say "Greetings to the Emperor" or "Greetings to the Empress" when they bowed at this time, no one would specifically bow to the concubines on such an occasion.

This is the difference between a principal wife and a concubine.

After everyone paid their respects, An Delu and his family took their seats, and the martial arts competition officially began.

In the first match, the warriors under Rong Wang's command faced off against one of the warriors of the Third Prince, Qi Jin.

This Chekin warrior wielded a pair of large hammers, which together weighed over a hundred pounds, yet he lifted them with ease.

You can tell at a glance that he has immense strength.

Zisu couldn't help but whisper, "The two gentlemen beside King Mo are both incredibly skilled fighters, so why aren't they fighting?"

Not only are Liu Yun and Jing Lei refusing to fight, but it is also said that even King Mo has no intention of accepting the challenge.

The one who challenged the Third Prince of Dongzhou was Prince Jin.

Chu Yueli couldn't help but glance at Consort Rui.

Consort Rui was drinking tea, her smile relaxed and pleasant, exuding a confident air of certainty.

Presumably, the participants in this competition were chosen by Consort Rui.

So, was it also Consort Rui's idea for the eldest brother to fight Wudan?