Pampered Consort:

Chapter 11

As months passed, the New Year Celebration arrived. After the festivities, the Sima Family left early to formalize Wei Lanying's engagement to the Lord of Blood Moon Palace. A week later, the Palace announced a feast for Nan Wang. Everyone knew this feast was for the Emperor to choose concubines and wives for his sons and to select a replacement for Shu Fei.

"Does the emperor truly wish to replace Shu Fei?" Wei Mingyu asked, perplexed. For sixteen years, Shu Fei had remained a Consort, even though she had been sent to guard the Imperial temple. Her name was still recorded in the Imperial Family. Now, suddenly, she was being stripped of her title.

"Da-gege," replied Wei Junfeng, "the Temple sent a letter stating Shu Fei died in a fire that destroyed part of the temple. According to the imperial Astronomer, Shu Fei would bring catastrophe to the Imperial Family if she were buried in the mausoleum."

Wei Lanying knew the truth only because Shu Fei had informed her that she had faked her death, Shu Fei had been planning for her freedom for many years and Deng Guifei had the Imperial astronomer deliver the news to be rid of Shu Fei. The Emperor had stripped Shu Fei of her title, and she was buried as a common Lady. Wei Lanying knew Shu Fei was alive because she had received a letter from her.

"Xiao jie, can't you go as Wei Xiao jie rather than the Ghost Alchemist?" Bai Ting Ping pleaded, having learned of Wei Lanying's plan.

"Ting Ping ai, I will leave my clone with you," Wei Lanying explained. "You just need to cover for me."

"How long will this clone last?" Bai Ting Ping asked.

"Two hours at most," Wei Lanying said. "The clone won't be able to speak, so you need to cover that up."

"We are really going to get in trouble."

Bai Ting Ping sighed and agreed. As they dressed for the banquet, they soon left for the Palace. The Feast was held in the Emperor's Dragon Hall. As they approached the gates, they were stopped by guards. The commander of the Imperial guards, Lord Shang, approached. The Imperial guards were divided into two factions: the blue guards, led by Lord Mu, who protected the Emperor, and the red guards, led by Lord Shang. The two families were bitter rivals. Lord Mu was married to a Princess, while the Shang family had an imperial concubine in the harem, though she wasn't favored. Everyone knew who truly held sway over the Emperor. The Shang Family was trying to push one of their own as a Consort, using the opportunity provided by the Emperor's wish to replace Shu Fei. Lord Shang, newly acknowledged by the Emperor, was the same age as Wei Junfeng, 19 years old. He had a heroic aura and a fierce demeanor. Despite his pretty face, his scowling made him seem harsh. To Wei Lanying, he looked like a popstar if he ever smiled.

"Lord Shang," General Wei said, peering from the curtains, "what are you doing?"

"Forgive me, General, but the Emperor has ordered every carriage to be checked," Lord Shang replied respectfully.

General Wei was silent for a moment before saying, "You may proceed."

Lord Shang nodded and went to check. His eyes fell on Wei Lanying's carriage, but before he could approach, Wei Yingjie emerged and started to make a fuss.

"Lord Shang, that is my sister's carriage," Wei Yingjie declared.

Lord Shang avoided the carriage, showing his shyness around ladies. He gave them a clear check.

"This is the new Commander of the Red Guards," Wei Yingjie remarked. "He is rather a pretty boy."

"Yingjie," came the stern voice of General Wei.

They finally arrived at the Dragon Hall. The gate had dragon pillars intricately carved in the Wu Dynasty style. As they entered, servants swiftly guided them to their positions. Wen Chyou and Jiang Yingyue sensed something strange about Wei Lanying, who was unusually silent and had not greeted them.