1439 Zhang Xu Kingdom’s Internal Situation

"Prepare more pastries that she liked," Si Bai gave order as he walked down the stairs. "Oh wait, let me pick it myself. You wouldn't know what she liked."

The servant looked at Si Bai expressionlessly. For some reason, he had the feeling that he was back to the days when Si Mo Fan married Yan Xi. At that time, he had been a complete love brain and was trying his best to satisfy all Yan Xi's wishes.

It was to the point that Leader Ji, Ji Han Yu, wished to beat up Si Mo Fan so badly if not he couldn't defeat the other party.

Who would have thought that his son would behave similarly?

Like father like son.

The servant sighed and simply watched as Si Bai happily picked the pastries. In any case, with Si Bai managed to find a partner here and also happy together, their appearance no longer startled anyone. Slowly but surely, they blended into Zhang Xu Kingdom.

…

The Imperial Palace was beautiful and peaceful on the surface. But how many undercurrents happened below was not spread outside. It was kept in secret with few people knowing it.

Empress Dowager Jian looked at the table full of teas and pastries in front of her with cold face. Ever since the previous Emperor passed away, her title changed from Empress to Empress Dowager.

Even though she was still living in this large harem, her power was no longer as much as before.

She's not the third prince's mother.

But because she used to be the Empress, she still retained the title of Empress Dowager. But the power of the harem had been handed over to the new Empress while many of the previous emperor's concubines were sent to the nearby temples.

Only a few were left behind.

She was among them.

"Aijia* didn't think that the situation would be so dire that everyone has to gather here today," Empress Dowager Jian said in a low voice, her expression was filled with indifference.

Another Empress Dowager who also stayed in the Imperial Harem chuckled. "Your Highness, we're just worried about your health since the situation outside hadn't been very good."

Empress Dowager Jian smiled noncommittally. She had naturally heard of the situation outside, but she was not as worried as these women. Her family was quite strong and didn't go to the frontline.

Instead, it was some of these women who had their families at the frontline. The previous Emperor basically married women from various military and officials' family.

Empress Lang, the current Empress, clenched her fist when she listened to these women talked to Empress Dowager Jian. Even though she was the current Empress and had the power over the harem, there was no doubt that these Empress Dowagers listened more to Empress Dowager Jian.

She only had control over the Imperial Concubine Emperor Zhang Hou Tian had.

But for the Empress Dowagers?

They still behaved politely on the surface, but there would be knife inserted in every words and move they said.

"Your Majesty, don't you also think that way?" Another Empress Dowager turned to look at Empress Lang and smiled faintly.

Empress Lang forced a smile on her face. "Ben Gong** has been taking care of the internal affairs and hadn't heard much about the outside world. Would you please be kind and tell me more, Empress Dowager Huan?"

Empress Dowager Huan smiled faintly while cursing inside her mind. They were all women, so their main attention should be the inner compound. Who would actually busy running around and search about the outside news?

They were not so bored.

If not because this matter was spread far, they wouldn't even hear about it.

Some people were talking that the current emperor was incompetent and it was precisely because of this that such rumor was born. After all, since he ascended the throne, they hadn't done much and couldn't even kick Fei Yang Kingdom's soldiers out of Zhang Xu Kingdom's territory.

This had aroused the dissatisfaction of these Empress Dowagers. They felt that if only their son was the one on the throne, he would be able to do much better.

Unfortunately, the current power was hold on Emperor Zhang Hou Tian.

They could only curse bitterly inside their heart and transferred their hatred towards Empress Lang in front of them.

They couldn't touch the men.

But they could still stab Empress Lang a bit from time to time.

Anyway, there was no other amusement in this large palace. It would be better for them to spend their time 'fighting' with the other women in their spare time when they were annoyed.

"Your Majesty must be kidding. How can I know the details? Aijia is only worried and thought that Your Majesty knows more," Empress Dowager Huan replied kindly.

Empress Lang smiled and said nothing. She was tired of these women who kept on coming to search trouble from her. Even now, she felt that it was not a good day for her to come out.

These women just wanted to look for trouble from her.

"It has been a while. The tea is cold and Aijia is tired." Empress Dowager Jian waved her hand. "Let's go back and rest."

"Yes, Empress Dowager Jian."

As the former Empress, Empress Dowager Jian had the highest power among them. Even if her son is not the current Emperor, it didn't change the fact that she was one of the most powerful among them.

It might be attributed to the fact that the Jian Family still hold some important position on the court. Not to mention, Empress Dowager Jian's sister also had a lot of connection through her second marriage.

The other Empress Dowagers and Imperial Concubines were not necessarily had higher background.

Thus, they were all very respectful.

Slowly, these women curtsied and began to walk towards their separate palace. The harem was large and each of these women had their own courtyard with its size depended on their status.