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She was propped up slightly on one elbow, her eyes quietly studying him. As soon as she realized he had woken up, her face turned crimson. "You're awake Husband," she said softly, her voice almost shy.
Lie Fan let out a warm chuckle and replied, "I am. You've been watching me for a while, haven't you?"
Zhen Ji looked away for a moment, and as she attempted to sit up, a hiss escaped her lips. The pain of her first time made her wince, and she immediately fell back onto the pillows.
Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, both from pain and from embarrassment as she remembered just how fierce and intense their union had been.
Lie Fan chuckled once again, much deeper and warmer, as he reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. "Still hurting?"
Zhen Ji's blush deepened, and she spoke in a low shy voice as she protested. "Whose fault is that, Husband?"
"Mine," he admitted without remorse, leaning down to press a teasing kiss to her temple. He then leaned closer and whispered teasingly into her ear, "Ji'er, if you keep acting this cute, I can't promise I'll behave myself this morning."
Zhen Ji gasped in surprise, her eyes widened in alarm, half scared and half flustered. Her small fists pounded weakly against his chest in protest, though it was more symbolic than serious. Then she immediately buried her face into the pillows with a muffled groan. "N... no more! I surrender!"
Lie Fan grinned and pressed a kiss to her head. "Rest a bit longer. I'll have the handmaidens bring breakfast to you. I need to start my day now."
"You're terrible," she mumbled, showing her face which was clearly flustered but also smiling.
Lie Fan on the other hand slipped out of bed gently, stretching as the morning air cooled his skin. Meanwhile, Zhen Ji is watching as he moves toward the bathing chamber. The sight of his bare back, still marked faintly from where her nails had dug in last night, sent another wave of heat to her face.
By the time Lie Fan returned, freshly bathed and dressed in his imperial garments, robes of deep crimson with gold embroidery, his hair neatly and tied back into his signature topknot.
Zhen Ji had managed to sit up lightly, though the tangled sheets still pooled around her waist. He crossed the room in a few strides, bending down to capture her lips in a slow, tender kiss.
"I'll see you tonight," he murmured against her mouth.
Zhen Ji could only nod, still too flustered to form words.
With one last smirk, Lie Fan straightened and strode out, the doors closing softly behind him.
He made his way toward the imperial dining hall, expecting perhaps a quiet late breakfast before beginning the day's work. But to his surprise, when he entered, he found four familiar figures already waiting for him.
Empress Ying Yue, regal as ever, stood at the center of the group, her long black hair cascading down her back. Beside her were the three consorts, Diao Chan, with her unmatched elegance. Cai Wenji, the cultured and wise. Lu Lingqi, always standing with that warrior's posture, her arms crossed but her eyes warm.
What caught him off guard was not just their presence, but what they were doing. All four of them were actively preparing breakfast with their own hands. Trays of steamed dumplings, congee, and freshly cut fruit were neatly arranged, and the aroma of warm buns and sweet lotus tea filled the air.
The sight struck him speechless for a moment.
Ying Yue noticed him first and smiled brightly. "You're just in time, Husband. We decided that today, you deserve a meal made by our hands, not just the palace chefs."
Lie Fan blinked, warmth rising to his chest. "All of you... did this for me? The four of you must have woken up much earlier."
Diao Chan laughed softly. "Of course. We heard Zhen Ji stayed the night... and figured you'd need a little extra nourishment."
Lie Fan's brows raised. "You knew?"
Cai Wenji chuckled behind her sleeve. "We are women, dear. We know many things even without being told."
Lu Lingqi smirked and elbowed him lightly. "You look more relaxed today. I'd say Zhen Ji did her duty well."
Lie Fan rubbed his temple, half embarrassed and half amused. "You're all impossible."
Ying Yue stepped forward and took his hand. "No, we're just your wives. We may not have all spent the same night with you, but that doesn't mean we're not united. You're working tirelessly every day to build a new world, the least we can do is give you a moment of peace."
He looked at them, truly looked, and in that instant, he felt full of affection. These women, each so different in strength, intellect, elegance, and heart, were the pillars of his personal life. With them by his side, the burdens of rulership felt a little lighter.
Lie Fan stepped further into the dining room and allowed them to guide him to the seat prepared at the head of the table.
As he sat, the Empress and consorts each took their place around him. For a little while, there was no talk of battles or politics, no maps or reports, only laughter, gentle teasing, and warm food shared between husband and wives.
As they eat, Diao Chan, perched elegantly on a cushion, fanned herself with exaggerated innocence. "Husband, I heard that it was quite the strenuous battle took place last night. The entire palace is talking about it."
Cai Wenji, though quieter, hid a smile behind her teacup. "The maids said the bed nearly collapsed."
Lu Lingqi, much more blunt then her sisters, snorted. "At this rate, we'll need to reinforce all the beds in the harem."
Lie Fan arched a brow as he took stop hiemelf from eating a piece of dumplings. "And here I thought that the Oriole Agents acting as maids for now, we're supposed to be discreet."
Ying Yue poured him a cup of tea, her expression serene. "They are. But sound travels, Husband. Especially when certain parties are... enthusiastic."
Lie Fan accepted the tea, entirely unrepentant and decide to forego hi embarrassment. "Jealous?"
Diao Chan's fan snapped shut. "Perhaps a little."
Cai Wenji set down her cup. "We were just surprised. Zhen Ji has always been so reserved. To think she'd—"
"Beg for mercy by the third round?" Lu Lingqi supplied helpfully.
Ying Yue cleared her throat loudly, though her ears were pink. "That's enough."
Lie Fan chuckled, reaching for another dumpling. "If you're all so curious, I'd be happy to demonstrate it again sometime."
Four pairs of chopsticks froze mid air.
Then, in perfect unison, "Deal."
Hearing that and looking at the teasing smile of his four wives, Lie Fan could only shake his head with a mixture of amusement and affection. He resumed enjoying breakfast with them, the rich scent of lotus tea and freshly steamed dumplings still lingering in the air.
For that precious morning, there was no throne to sit upon, no decree to sign, just five people who loved one another, sharing a meal like any family would.
As the meal continued, Lie Fan quietly signaled to one of the imperial maids lingering at the edge of the dining hall. The young woman stepped forward, bowing her head in deference. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Prepare a tray of breakfast and take it to my quarters," he instructed gently. "Make sure Concubine Zhen Ji receives it personally."
"At once, Your Majesty." She curtsied and departed with swift, practiced steps. Down in the kitchens, she gathered several dishes from the surplus set aside, steamed meat buns, sweet glutinous rice balls, sliced persimmons and pears, and warm lotus seed soup, still kept warm by the attentive palace cooks.
The tray was elegant yet simple, a meal fit for a favored consort still resting after a long and emotional night.
Once the meal was finished, and a round of laughter had tapered into comfortable quiet, Lie Fan stood and offered his hand to Empress Ying Yue. She took it with grace and a knowing smile. "Shall we?"
She knew exactly what he meant. Today marked one of the more significant events within the palace, the selection process of new Imperial Maids, a reform born from Lie Fan's abolishment of the corrupt eunuch system.
Hundreds of eunuchs had been released from service across the palace and administrative ministries, their ranks replaced with carefully chosen and trained women from reputable, often humble backgrounds.
The responsibility of rebuilding and restructuring this system had been placed in the trusted hands of Empress Ying Yue, alongside Mao Jie as the Director of the Imperial Household Department and Sun Qian as the Director of the Department of Service.
Together, they had developed training programs, tested competencies, and devised a fair and rigorous system that emphasized not only loyalty but skill, discipline, and intellect.
Lie Fan, as per the rules he himself had established, would not interfere with the selection. His role was to oversee and offer limited suggestions when asked. The true authority rested in the hands of his Empress, a symbol of trust, balance, and good governance.
The two made their way to the back courtyards of the palace complex, entering through a long corridor shaded by blossoming wisteria vines. It led into the compound of the Imperial Household Department, a large, secluded courtyard surrounded by elegant structures and administrative offices.
There, gathered in neat lines under the early morning sun, stood around 100 to 125 young women, all dressed in identical pale blue training robes, their hair neatly tied back, expressions solemn. Some looked confident, others clearly nervous.
Each one had passed initial screening, background checks, literacy tests, etiquette drills, and basic administrative training. Today's final round would determine who among them would serve in the Inner Palace and who might be redirected to auxiliary duties.
When the gathered candidates caught sight of the Emperor himself approaching alongside the Empress, whispers rippled like a breeze through their formation. Wide eyes and quickly bowed heads followed, until one bold girl softly called out, "Long live Your Majesty, long live Her Majesty!"
Like a wave, the entire assembly followed, their voices uniting in respectful greeting.
Lie Fan paused at the front of the courtyard and gave Ying Yue a small but meaningful glance. He subtly raised his hand and stepped back half a pace, an unmistakable gesture of deference, signaling to Ying Yue that she, and she alone, would lead here.
It was a reminder to everyone watching that while he was Emperor, he placed great trust in her capabilities and authority here.
Ying Yue's eyes widened slightly at the public display of support, but she accepted it gracefully. She stepped forward, voice calm and resonant. "Rise. Be at ease." The young women obeyed instantly, straightening and clasping their hands before them, awaiting further instructions.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 34 (201 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0