The Anarchic Consort

“Master.” The Fire Qilin approached while hiding itself partially, saying, “It’s a bit strange.” They merely left for a day but it seemed that the aura of resentment in the imperial palace had been cleared completely. Something feels wrong here.

Baili Jia Jue lowered his eyes and spun the thumb ring on his finger. Then, he instructed in a cold voice, “Go and investigate it.”

“Yes.” The Fire Qilin immediately disappeared without a trace, leaving the Green Dragon by Baili Jia Jue’s left side.

At this moment, the Xuanwu Gate that led the way to the imperial palace was opened.

Innumerable officials kowtowed on the stairs of white marbles, with their wide sleeves laying beside them on the ground. As they greeted, their voices were resoundingly sonorous.

“Your subjects welcome the Retired Emperor and the Third Prince!”

The Retired Emperor put on an elegant smile and raised his sleeves slightly, saying, “Everyone, you may stand.”

The ministers stood up one by one, forming into a long queue which seemed majestically imposing.

Since the Retired Emperor had returned, an heir apparent to the throne would be selected.

This was the most important event for the entire War Dragon Dynasty!

Everyone was smiling brightly even though there were many unresolved problems. However, all of the neighboring countries on the Divine Mainland knew that the War Dragon Dynasty was extremely powerful.

Although the neighboring countries had sent their messengers, the Third Princess Consort used her authority to deny their entry into the country, while the Third Prince seized the opportunity to attack the Southern region. Now, they would tremble in fear whenever they saw the flag of the War Dragon Dynasty.

This was an unprecedented situation.

The current War Dragon Dynasty was much more powerful than before.

Even the ministers felt greatly relieved and pleased now.

When the Retired Emperor was still in power, the War Dragon Dynasty was thriving well. However, it was trampled by the Emperor, causing the dynasty to fall into a dark and rocky era for 20 years. There were internal problems in the Elder Compound as the elders endlessly lusted after eternal life. Due to that, they lost their rationality, causing corruption to be rampant in the palace.

Now that Emperor was gone, it might be a piece of favorable news for the War Dragon Dynasty.

However, this was not a positive turn of events for the four influential families that wielded immense control over the country.

Originally, the four influential families and the Elder Compound depended on each other.

The four influential families were given that label because of their formidable military power and the vast amount of land they owned. As they possessed far-reaching connections, each of them was a founding General of the nation.

Among them, there were people who had helped the Retired Emperor greatly.

Now that they were this powerful, they would naturally crave for more…

As they trailed behind the Retired Emperor closely with smiling faces, they pondered about how to mention the consort selection.

They had similar ideas in the past.

However, at that time, Helian Wei Wei was so outstanding that she was the best in the appearance and the martial Qi aspects.

It was impossible to send anyone else but her to the Third Prince.

However, it was different now.

It had been a long time but Helian Wei Wei was not pregnant yet.

Being a new Emperor was different from being a mere crown prince. Once he was throned, he had to spread his seeds and produce many offspring. Thus, he had to be fair to every consort so and treat them all equally.

Now, it would be easier to send other women into the imperial palace than before.

After all, they no longer have to select the best candidate from all the women.

They merely need to paint their appearances and sent the paintings to the Retired Emperor for him to look over. By merely doing so, the young ladies from the remaining two influential families could be easily selected.

After all, the Hei family would not be participating while Helian Wei Wei was the head of the Helian family.

Before the two remaining families had returned to the Capital, they had already instructed their people to prepare the portraits of their young ladies.

They were determined to succeed now.

Helian Wei Wei was from the four influential families as well. Thus, she was clearly aware of what the other influential families were scheming about.

The mercenaries had relayed the news to Helian Wei Wei the moment the Retired Emperor arrived at Capital.

When Helian Wei Wei looked at the portraits, her long, narrow eyes twitched as she asked, “These are the candidates for the Third Prince to choose?”

The mercenary thought that it would be better for him to remain silent at this moment.

However, Helian Wei Wei merely smiled and mockingly said, “There are women of all kinds of looks here indeed. Go and return the scroll paintings. I suppose somebody would need them during the afternoon feast.”

The mercenary lowered his eyesight and spoke in a low voice, “Eldest Young Lady, for you, these paintings…”

“Return them.” Helian Wei Wei’s smile did not falter as she fiddled with the strawberries in her palm, muttering to herself, “I wonder what these officials would say in the Great Hall later.’

The mercenary simply answered, “Yes.” Then, in a blink of an eye, he disappeared from the Jiuchong Hall.

When he had left, Helian Wei Wei felt a surging excitement coursing through her veins. She only realized what was happening when she stroked her abdomen.

Did the fetus move?

Isn’t it too soon?

Shouldn’t it only move after later during the pregnancy?

Why is mine so…?

Helian Wei Wei sensed another movement in her palm while she was drowned in her thoughts. The baby seems to be very active and… happy?

Before this, she was plotting about messing with others.

Yet, the baby felt very happy about it… Its temperament was a little too extraordinary…

“Little rascal,” Helian Wei Wei said with a smile and stroked her abdomen.

The little fetus inside her tummy moved a little, as if in response to her words.

Seems like it really likes to pull pranks as well.

Helian Wei Wei could not help but imagine her little baby running around the imperial palace and pulling pranks on everyone. They would simply cower with fear as the baby grinned mischievously at them.

Although it was morally wrong to do that to others, Helian Wei Wei still felt that her baby was wickedly adorable.

However, she was anxious about His Highness’ parenting methods, wondering if he would directly throw the baby out if he found out about its mischief.

As if reading Helian Wei Wei’s mind, it moved a little in her belly again.

Helian Wei Wei smiled again and put down the strawberries in her hand languidly, saying, “Fine, let’s go and meet your father now. They should’ve entered the side hall at this moment…”

As Helian Wei Wei was saying that, she walked out of her room. The palace maids were already waiting outside, some with hand-held censers while some were holding her cloak.

His Highness had ordered that they must be well-prepared if the princess consort wanted to go out.

Little Seven was still biting a meat bun in his mouth. He dressed smartly today, in a bright black riding armor with jades at the cuffs. His handsome little face seemed cool and was full of vigor. As he was holding Helian Wei Wei’s hand, he appeared increasingly impressive.

As the offering of obeisances from all the officials would take some time, the harem’s people waited in the Great Hall for the Retired Emperor and the others to walk here from the Xuanwu Gate

Baili Jia Jue was standing to the left of the Retired Emperor, showing no signs of fatigue from the journey. Instead, he looked refined as a jade. A mere raise of his eyes would unveil his elegant and imposing aura.

As soon as Helian Wei Wei arrived, she unexpectedly caught His Highness’ eyes and immediately flashed a smile at him.

Little Seven also swelled up his cheeks and called out, “Third Brother, Imperial Grandfather.”

Baili Jia Jue answered coldly. Ignoring the ministers surrounding him, he nonchalantly took Helian Wei Wei’s hand and scrunched his handsome eyebrows, asking, “Why are your hands so cold?”

“Are they?” Helian Wei Wei did not feel the frost. Instead, she pulled at His Highness’ sleeves and said amusingly, “I have something to tell you.”