meeting his scrutinizing gaze. Being stared at like this made her heart race even faster. She had forgotten that Yexi also knew about her relationship with Dugu City—that is to say, although Dugu Cit...Dugu Cheng looked at her, his eyes serious, "Xier, rest assured, with this king here, I will definitely protect you."

Wind Lingxi responded and glanced at the time. "It's time for dinner. I have to go back to the General's Mansion tomorrow, so let's get some rest."

獨孤城看著她起身離開，看著她滿懷心事的臉，快步上前攔住她。 獨孤 Cheng watched her get up and leave, watching her thoughtful face, quickly stepped forward to stop her.

"Xier, do you have something on your mind"

"No, why do you ask that"

Feng Lingxi retorted, looking into Dugu City's worried eyes, she signaled him to relax and patted his back, "I really don't."

Dugu Cheng held her hand and whispered, "Xier, this king feels that you are not as happy as when we first got married. Is it because life is boring now"

"There are so many things to deal with and handle, so it's not as carefree as it used to be."

Feng Lingxi replied, thinking back to when they had just gotten married. Back then, how could she have known about her identity as the Saintess of the Yao Clan She hadn't even imagined that the Yao Clan would involve itself in so many things. Nor had she ever thought that their relationship with the Empress would turn into a cooperative one because of the Yao Clan.

There are also Feng Yu Xi and Feng Ling Long, they all harbor ill intentions towards her. She has it so hard.

Dugu Cheng clenched her hand, his eyes secretly firm.

Feng Lingxi glanced at Dugu City, letting him lead her to the dining hall. No matter how many things lay ahead, as long as they faced them together, one by one, eventually, all would be resolved. The life she desired would come.

In the dining hall, when Empress Dowager Shu saw them enter hand-in-hand, she beckoned Feng Lingxi to sit beside her. She then took a closer look at Feng Lingxi, and seeing how thin she had become, her face filled with concern.

Luoli and Li Wuyan hurried after, Feng Lingxi hurriedly introduced to Shutai, "Mother concubine, this is Luoli, the head of the Yao clan. He has been helping me all this time. This is Li Wuyan, the head's friend, and also a good friend of my daughter-in-law."

Shutai greeted Luo Li and Li Wu Yan politely. Luo Li smiled at Shutai and bowed, "Shutai, we meet again."

Wind Ling Xi and Dugu Cheng looked at Luo Li in astonishment, and asked in unison, "Clan Leader, have you ever seen my mother"

The Noble Consort Shu smiled and said, "We have met before."

Luo Li smiled and nodded, without explanation. Shu Taifei didn't say much either. Feng Ling Xi looked at them in confusion and asked, "Mother concubine, when did you meet the clan leader"

"You knew him before you married into the Fourth Prince's Mansion."

Luo Li vaguely said, "Let's not dwell on the past. We can talk about it slowly when we have time."

Shu Taifei smiled and nodded, gesturing for them to eat. Feng Lingxi looked at Dugu Cheng, seeing that he was also bewildered. She didn't know how her mother and Luo Li recognized each other. This Luo Li really knew everyone.

However, since the Empress Dowager didn't say anything, they couldn't ask further and just dropped it.

"Xier, I heard that you are going back to the General's Mansion tomorrow, and the Empress is also returning. Is there any truth to this"

Shutai asked with concern, Feng Lingxi raised her eyes and glanced at Dugu Cheng. Seeing that he was also bewildered, it shouldn't have been him who told his mother.

"Mother, the Empress wants her daughter-in-law to go back to the Phoenix Hall with her today. My daughter-in-law refused, and she said that she would go back to the General's Mansion tomorrow, so..."

The Imperial Noble Consort nodded in understanding, "Be careful about everything tomorrow when you return. Your mother is just worried about you. Over the past few months, the General's Manor has become quite different from before. The mistress of the General's Manor is Zhao Shi, which is to say, the Empress Dowager's own birth mother."

"Xier guessed it."

How could this wind and rain woman be willing to let her biological mother become a concubine It's feared that Zhao, now, is not only the mistress of the General's Mansion, but her value has also increased tremendously.

"Be careful with your words when you go back tomorrow. She still holds a title of nobility."

“How could there still be an imperial edict Was it made by Feng Yu Xi”

Besides her, who else could it be Now that she is the Empress, you should be more mindful of your attitude towards her. Avoid attracting gossip and always think before speaking. Don't be quick to engage in arguments.

Shu Taifei instructed, Feng Lingxi responded. Mother concubine had said so, she naturally would pay attention to some things. She just hadn't expected that Feng Yu Xi was quite capable. Not only did she make her biological mother the rightful mistress of the General's Mansion, but she also gave her a noble title. It could be said that she was extremely honored.

To reach such a position as a concubine is truly the pinnacle of one's life.

"Ch'er, tomorrow you accompany Xi'er back to General's Mansion together, it's good to have someone looking after her. This concubine is worried that once we go back, Xi'er will still suffer grievances."

The imperial concubine sighed softly, “Things have been happening too quickly these past few months. With you both away, things inside and outside the palace haven’t been peaceful.”

"Mother, you don't have to worry about Xi'er, Xi'er will be careful."

Feng Lingxi soothed, "Hearing your concerned tone, Mother Empress, I don't want to worry you. Because of my matters, you've truly worried a lot."

Shutai gave a slight nod and ordered someone to bring the ginseng chicken soup to Feng Lingxi’s presence. “Xier, this is something your mother concubine personally cooked for you. It will nourish your body. These past few months, your mother concubine doesn't know how you’ve been doing. You’ve even lost a circle of weight. Just looking at you makes your mother concubine feel heartache.”

"Thank you, Mother. Xi'er will definitely drink it all."

She knew her mother cared for her, able to personally stew soup for her, she naturally wanted to finish it, not wanting to worry her mother.

"You all have."

Shutai looked at Luoli and her own son, instructing someone to serve them soup. "These are soups personally cooked by your mother-in-law. Please nourish yourselves. In the days to come, you will be busy and need to take care of your health."

That's all she could do.

Luo Li and Li Wu Yan saw that they were all involved, thanked them, and looked at Feng Ling Xi, their eyes full of envy.

"Imperial Consort Shu, I have a question for you. What rank is the Lady Dowager of this General's Mansion"

"Three ranks down, if you are given the title of Generalissimo, that would be equivalent to a Junior Second Rank."

Feng Lingxi's hand holding the soup suddenly stiffened, her brows furrowing.

"If this really happens, I'm afraid the Feng family will be running rampant in the capital from now on."

"The title of Great General Protecting the Nation was bestowed by the Empress. Now, all civil and military officials in the court have agreed to this matter. Those who oppose it, I'm afraid, will soon submit." The Imperial Noble Consort reminded him, "The Third Prince is also on the Empress's side."

"Mother Empress, after I left, did he ever come to the Prince's Mansion"

Dugu Cheng asked, the he in his mouth naturally referred to Dugu Yu.

The Noble Consort Shu shook her head. "No, Your Majesty forbids anyone from entering the Fourth Prince's Mansion. He did come once, but was stopped."

Dugu Cheng nodded, it seemed that Dugu Yan had made it very clear to Dugu Yu that he was on the side of the imperial court.

However, this is not a bad thing either. He knows what Dugu Yu is thinking, and he wouldn't willingly submit to others. He will eventually retaliate against Fengyu Xiyi one day, it just hasn't happened yet.

"My Lord, the Third Prince is requesting an audience outside."

Ye Xi stepped forward to report, the atmosphere instantly changed. Feng Ling Xi looked at Du Gu Cheng's tightly furrowed brows, "He came rather quickly, do you want to see him"

"The Three Kings also said they wanted to see the Queen."lf a month. If she fails, she is not to return."The Empress Dowager, thinking of Dugu Yan's attitude, her eyes turned cold. "Send word to the Sixth Prince, and have him take advantage of the situation...