Chapter 21 (1/2)

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Feiyue Kills The Immortal Shadow

Before Zhao Bairen could speak, the beautiful concubine beside him snickered, “Perhaps the princess just had a bad dream? There's no need to be this tense, Your Majesty. Those traitorous immortals had already been killed that very year, no?”

The person that spoke up was Zhao Bairen's favorite concubine, known as Concubine Ming. Born into a beautiful vessel, her skin as soft as silk and white as snow. Concubine Ming's aura was the epitome of seduction, she was considered a beautiful offering to those who could bed her. Ever since she became Zhao Bairen's concubine ten years ago, he treated her as his treasure, spoiling her as much as he could. Zhao Bairen had also neglected his morning meetings with the officials since he took her in as a concubine.

And it was because of the emperor's doting behavior towards her that a mere concubine like Concubine Ming would dare speak to the emperor's favorite daughter in such a way.

“Surely some might have slipped away.” Zhao Yuefei replied, her tone unfazed.

Concubine Ming giggled, “Daqi had murdered five thousand one hundred and thirty-three households that day, how could any of them possibly have slipped away?”

“Does Concubine Ming not trust me?” Zhao Yuefei questioned.

“I wouldn't dare question you,” Concubine Ming responded as she sat upright. “But, if we were to dispatch our armies to raid our subjects based on only the princess's a.s.sumption, and the people were to show their disdain, wouldn't His Majesty take all the blame?”

Zhao Bairen chuckled softly. “My dear, those are some heavy words.” His Majesty said as he gently patted the back of her hand.

“But Your Majesty! Have I said anything wrong? 19 years ago, those immortal beings came down with a single message and tens of thousands of people lost their lives as a result of that! And who did the people blame? Whose reputation was tarnished because of the incident? Was it not yours, Your Majesty? Was it not Your Majesty who had to bear it all unjustly?”  Concubine Ming responded angrily.

“Thank you for your concern, my dear.” Zhao Bairen smiled as he held his beloved concubine's hand. The emperor turned to Zhao Feiyue, “If it is something that Feiyue feels concerned about, then we should definitely take notice of the matter. However, what Concubine Ming has said carries merit as well.”

Zhao Feiyue did not feel any anger towards her father's statement, it seemed like she did not even know what anger was, not even as she was growing up.  “Father, if you do not trust me, we can summon the Major Star Officer and question him about it, he will definitely have an answer.” Zhao Feiyue replied, cold and aloof as she always had been.

Zhao Bairen nodded in agreement with his daughter. “The Major Star Officer is a fair and honest being. As his role is detached from any form of politics, whatever he says must be true! Servants! Notify the Star Major Officer to see me at once!”

Concubine Ming pouted her lips disapprovingly. But since His Majesty had already notified the servants, there was nothing she could do. She proceeded to lean on His Majesty's shoulder, looking at him with puppy-dog eyes and quietly muttered, “But Your Majesty, I want to get some sleep.”

Having heard this, Zhao Bairen immediately called out for his servants. “Servants! Escort Concubine Ming back to her quarters to rest!”

Concubine Ming was bewildered at the emperor's words. She glared at Zhao Bairen for a split second. However, the emperor was so deep in his thought that he didn't even notice her!  'Hmph! You're treating my good heart as donkey liver and lungs!' Concubine Ming muttered to herself angrily as she got up to leave.

[T/L note: Treating a good heart as donkey liver and lungs is a Chinese idiom which means treating one's genuine concern as trash]

As there were no men present in the emperor's quarters. Concubine Ming left the bed nude and walked to the clothing rack where her robes are. Her delicate and smooth silk satin robe laid against her slender figure, emphasizing her seductive curves, alluring anyone who laid their eyes on her.

Bai Zhaoren, as if blind towards the scene, kept his eyes closed. Patiently waiting for the officer to arrive.

As the palace handmaidens finished dressing Concubine Ming, she looked at Zhao Bairen only to realize he still had a blank expression on his face. As she became increasingly irritated by the lack of attention, Concubine Ming immediately turned her head and left the emperor's quarters.

After some time, Zhao Bairen opened his eyes. He quickly looked over the entire room and confusingly asked, “Where did my beloved go?”

There were a total of 28 concubines in the palace, but Zhao Bairen had only doted on one concubine in particular. Even though he did not specify as to who it was, all the handmaidens in the palace knew who he was referring to.

The head handmaiden softly spoke, “Your Majesty, Concubine Ming has already left for her quarters.”

“Why did she leave?!” questioned Zhao Bairen, astonished.

“Your Majesty was the one who ordered her return.”, the handmaiden replied, dumbfounded.

“When did that happen?”, Zhao Bairen was flabbergasted!