Tangli Fried Snow

"But the good times didn't last long. Rumors started to spread outside that the Imperial Noble Consort's maternal grandfather was a Qi person. Our court paid tribute to the Qi people every year and was at odds with them. Under the pressure of national and personal hatred, the emperor also dared not favor the Noble Consort anymore."

"After Jin Yuyan entered the harem, things really got bloody. To make room for her, Consort Huang was used as a pawn by the emperor. He told her that if she could overthrow the late empress, she would become empress and the second prince would become crown prince. Who knew that after the late empress was deposed, the former emperor would also deal with the late empress's family. He had just taken control of the finances when he turned around and married the daughter of General Jin Yan. When he and Empress Jin were being paid homage by all the officials, Consort Huang was still just a consort. Even a fool could see that something was wrong. But for the sake of her son, Huang Wanqing could still kowtow to the new empress without batting an eye."

"Later we learned that Huang Wanqing's maternal aunt was none other than Consort De, who was the most favored concubine in the palace at the time. The Empress Dowager almost died at her hands. Although Consort De died, she had been cultivating her influence for many years, and her spies in the harem were still there. Later, they were all used by Huang Wanqing. Empress Jin's first child was a princess. At that time, she pushed Huang Wanqing too hard, and the newborn princess could not be saved. Empress Jin used every means to force her into the Cold Palace, but she could no longer do anything to her. Jin Yuyan was afraid that if she pushed her too far, she would not be able to protect her own third prince either."

"You're asking about the Second Prince? He's a boy as beautiful as his mother. I haven't seen him for many years. I heard he's bad at studying and riding and archery. He's always timid and submissive. Neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager likes him. Now he's struggling to make a living in Yuqing Palace. Anyone can bully him. Sigh, he's a pitiful child."

"The Crown Prince? Speaking of the Crown Prince, it's such a pity. If he could marry Princess Yaoguang and have Prince Duan as his father-in-law, he might be able to rise to the top and unify the north and south. Now, he can only hide in the East Palace, not daring to say or do anything. I heard that he has been frequenting prostitutes lately. Bah, what a pity for such a good woman as Yaoguang."

A few days later, at the New Year's banquet in the palace, Shirley met the prince who frequented brothels. He was very young, looked a lot like the emperor, and had a somewhat pale and handsome appearance. He was fair-skinned, elegant, and had a charming personality. He was very charismatic and knew how to treat people appropriately.

Shirley also met the timid and submissive Second Prince that the nanny had mentioned. His hair was very black, almost blindingly so, his features were exquisitely handsome, with a high nose, deep-set eyes, and a smiling mouth. From a distance, he looked almost like a woman, though his timidity didn't quite fit the description. Yet, he possessed a graceful and elegant charm, a beauty that defied masculinity, a beauty that commanded respect. If one had to nitpick, it might be his high alcohol tolerance. Despite his young age, he drank cup after cup of wine all night without getting drunk, enduring the teasing and shoving of those around him. Some lecherous men would even pinch his exquisitely beautiful cheeks for amusement.

The second prince smiled slightly and didn't bother with it. Those people, having made a fool of themselves, all dispersed.

The palace banquet was all about eating and drinking, watching dancers perform, and listening to singers sing. This year, they even added a variety show, which everyone enjoyed. As for Shirley, she seemed just so-so.

After finally finishing their New Year's Eve vigil, the Queen arranged a grand fireworks display.

Fireworks are beautiful, but they are fleeting.

Like a truth, nothing lasts forever.

Sherry was just about to return to the palace to rest after enjoying the lively banquet when a lewd voice sounded beside her, "Little beauty, it's late and the dew is heavy. It's so cold. Come warm up in your brother's arms."

Without even turning around, I knew it was that lecherous devil with no tools.

Sherry took off running. Luckily, she had a good memory and had been wandering around the palace lately, so she didn't get lost. She also managed to shake off that jerk. She slipped into a secluded palace and hid in a place where no one could find her.

As soon as she hid, several panting eunuchs burst into the room.

"Where have you gone?"

"Search for me!"

Yin Tongke had been watching that well-proportioned palace maid all night. She finally saw her alone, but the maid ran faster than a rabbit and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

The eunuchs searched the place thoroughly but couldn't find him, so they left cursing and swearing.

Sherry sat on the ground, feeling a bit cold. She took out a cotton-padded jacket from her spatial storage and put it on, then draped a black cloak over her shoulders. Just as she was about to slip away, she was startled to hear footsteps approaching.

She quickly hid herself. Could it be those wretched eunuchs returning again?

She peeked out through the crack and saw a beautiful woman and a middle-aged man closing the door and starting to get intimate.

Good heavens, why did I have to stumble upon someone in the harem having an affair? Could it be Consort Sun and that audacious scoundrel?

"Wei Lan, I've missed you so much."

"Shi Bai... I miss you so much too."

A series of soft kisses drifted over, and the woman's soft moans made Shirley wish she could disappear into the ground.

I shouldn't be here; I should be under the car.

The man was skillful, using both his hands and mouth to completely subdue the woman.

"This is just a little interest. I'll come to see you tonight. You better wash up and wait for me."

The woman could only whimper and reply, calling out, "Erlang, Erlang."

"You've been getting quite close to Ding Jun's wife lately. Have you gotten any information from her?" the man asked.

The woman came to her senses and replied, "I play dominoes with her every day and have lost a lot of silver and jewelry. Erlang, you must make it up to me."

The man chuckled and said, "Alright, if there's any important news, I'll give you a set of shimmering brocade."

The woman exclaimed softly, "Ah, dear Erlang, I love you the most."

"Good boy, tell me quickly."

"She said in the recent military report from the Ministry of War that your idea worked. Ying Xuanhua transferred his younger brother away from the front lines and sent him to the north to fight those red-haired foreign devils. You were right, we should befriend distant states and attack nearby ones. The Qi people should also make more moves."

The man chuckled softly and kissed her until she was breathless.

Sherry prayed that they would leave quickly and stop.

Then the man continued, "Where's Jin Cheng? How is he?"

Sherry's heart skipped a beat, and she pricked up her ears to listen carefully.

"He is very good. He has made many outstanding achievements and has been promoted to the rank of captain. He will definitely earn a title after he returns. As soon as he returns to the capital, we will arrange his marriage to Pianyue. At that time, Empress Jin will become Pianyue's aunt, which will be more helpful for you to achieve great things."

"I heard that he was to be sent to contact the Qi people and unite with them to fight the Mongols."

Another rustling sound came from behind.