After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

Liu Longyue's arrival was truly ill-timed!

Chen Futu sighed inwardly and squeezed Guanxing's fair and delicate hand. "Originally, I wanted to ask you what your plans were. Since you are not feeling well, please rest first. You can call on the servants in the manor if you have any requests. Just treat this place as your own home and don't be shy."

Guan Xing nodded, slowly withdrew her small hand, and said calmly, "In that case, Your Highness, please leave."

Chen Futu glanced at her beautiful and ethereal face one last time, and finally left with reluctance.

No man is immune to lust, except for those who are already adorned with women on the wall.

Chen Futu admitted that he was attracted to beauty, especially someone as beautiful as Guan Xing, and few men in the world could resist her charm.

He had just stepped out of the courtyard when he bumped into Liu Longyue, whose white fox-like face had a somewhat bizarre look on it. "Young Master, which gentle haven have you come from this time?"

"What's it to you?" Chen Futu rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Liu Longyue smiled and said, "I was just reminding the young master not to keep just any woman in the manor. Aren't you afraid of causing gossip?"

"You should worry about yourself. Bei Wuyin's scandal has ruined his reputation. How can the princess have any face left?"

"Your Highness, I meant well and had no other intentions."

"Oh? I thought you were trying to win his favor."

"I dare not comment on who the young master favors; I am well aware of my own limitations."

"Better so."

After saying this, Chen Futu turned and left.

He had a hard time getting along with Liu Longyue. Although their relationship had improved, the fact that she had conspired with the emperor to frame him was not so easy to forgive.

After watching Chen Futu leave, Liu Longyue pondered for a moment and then went to find Mo Lan.

Mo Lan was reading a book at the moment. She was surprised to see her arrive, so she got up and called out "Princess Consort" in a deep voice, but she seemed reluctant to say it.

Logically and emotionally, she was the first woman Chen Futu took into his bedchamber, but Liu Longyue stole her away. After all, she was a woman of unparalleled beauty and had once been an empress of a country. How could she accept being subservient to a mere young girl?

Unfortunately, she was of low status. Even though Chen Futu promised her temporary management of the royal court's inner palace, it did not change the fact that she was a concubine.

Seeing her cold expression, Liu Longyue said unhappily, "Sister Mo, you don't need to be so cold to me. Your opponent is not me, but Qin Liangyu."

Mo Lan said self-deprecatingly, "General Qin is renowned throughout the world and is a hero of our time. He is also the prince's favorite. What merit do I have to dare to compete with General Qin for his affections?"

“I know what you’re thinking.” Liu Longyue slowly sat down. “You just want to have a son, so that you can rise in status through your son, compete for that position, and then ensure that your Mo family enjoys endless wealth and glory.”

Mo Lan did not refute.

This matter is not a secret in the inner palace. The Crown Prince knows it, and the Old Madam knows it too. Even if the Crown Prince often favors her, he will not give her the opportunity to bear a son. The Crown Prince only has Qin Liangyu in his heart, and only Qin Liangyu is worthy of giving birth to the future young master of the Northern Frontier, the future emperor!

Liu Longyue sneered, "Now, the young master has brought back another girl. It is said that the girl is as beautiful as a fairy. I saw that when the young master left, he was so infatuated with her that I can't help but think that before long, our Northern Frontier will have another young mistress."

"What does the Crown Princess mean by telling me all this? Does she want to use me to get rid of that girl?"

Mo Lan chuckled. She had been an empress and knew all too well the petty affairs of the palace. The princess consort in front of her was suspected of using someone else to do her dirty work.

Liu Longyue shook her head and said, "I'm just reminding you, don't forget, you are the empress of a fallen kingdom, and I am a princess of another country. Neither of us can ever win the prince's heart."

"Princess Consort, please speak frankly. There are no outsiders here."

Mo Lan was getting impatient. She called out "Princess Consort," and this young girl really thought she was the Princess Consort. Once Qin Liangyu returned, everyone should go back to what they were doing.

Liu Longyue pouted and gestured for her to come closer.

Mo Lan hesitated for a moment before leaning closer. Then Liu Longyue whispered something in her ear, and Mo Lan's expression changed drastically upon hearing it. "Is this really okay?"

"Trust me, but after you do this, you mustn't say that I taught you, or I will wipe out your entire Mo family."

Liu Longyue's white fox face darkened, and she spoke threateningly.

Mo Lan smiled and said, "Then I thank the Crown Princess for her kindness. If it really works out, I will owe the Crown Princess a favor in the future, and I will have to repay it eventually."

The two women exchanged glances, each harboring their own secrets.

At this time, Chen Futu was unaware of the trouble happening at home and was busy looking for a famous doctor to cure Guan Xing's illness.

After lunch, Consort Ge suddenly arrived and whispered something to Chen Futu, who immediately frowned. "What does Mo Lan want with the stargazing?"

"It is said that she visited the stargazing girl out of kindness, and the old lady also went to see the stargazing afterwards. She was very satisfied with the stargazing and even bestowed upon her many precious medicinal herbs."

Consort Ge recounted in detail the information she had gathered from monitoring the inner palace.

Chen Futu was puzzled. Guan Xing had just arrived, and Mo Lan had no connection with her whatsoever. Everyone says that those who are eager to get things done are not good business, so there must be something wrong here.

"Keep an eye on them and keep a close watch on Liu Longyue and Mo Lan's every move. If they have any ill intentions, report back immediately."

"Here."

Consort Ge accepted the order and left. Chen Futu still felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

There are only Liu Longyue and Mo Lan in his room right now. Liu Longyue is only the nominal princess consort. He hasn't even touched her yet. There shouldn't be any trouble in the harem.

A day passed in the blink of an eye.

According to Ge Fei's report, Mo Lan was extremely attentive to Ge Fei, even accompanying her on walks, just like two close sisters.

After pondering for a long time, Chen Futu simply summoned Guan Xing.

Surprisingly, Guan Xing's complexion had improved, and Chen Futu asked, "You've been living in the inner palace without any problems, have you?"

Guan Xing replied, "The old lady is unaware that I once harmed the young master. She thinks I am a girl he picked up, so she treats me very well and bestows upon me many nourishing medicinal herbs. Moreover, Consort Mo also comes to keep me company, and I live a very leisurely life."

"Did Consort Mo say something to you?" Chen Futu suddenly asked.

A strange glint flashed in Guan Xing's eyes, then he shook his head and said, "No."

"Are you sure? You should know that I'm keeping you in the inner palace now only so you can recuperate. I will entrust you with important responsibilities in the future. I don't like disloyal subordinates."

Chen Futu, looking displeased, slammed down the document in his hand.

Guan Xing shook her head again, "This humble woman dares not lie, Consort Mo indeed did not say anything to this humble woman."

"If she says anything she shouldn't have, just tell me and I'll handle it."

"I understand."

Guan Xing lowered his eyes and knelt to the side, helping to grind the ink.

Chen Futu inhaled her intoxicating fragrance and said gently, "Have you decided what you want to do? Do you want to continue doing what you used to do and go back to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, or do you want another position? I can satisfy you."

As he spoke, Chen Futu became somewhat restless and tried to grab the small hand that was grinding ink.

Guan Xing was prepared and quickly pulled his hand back into his sleeve before being caught, which made Chen Futu feel a toothache.