The imperial concubine was burned by fierce flames, the peerless beauty envied by women all over the world turned into ashes in an instant.

  The carved railings and jade steps of the crystal palace, representing the majestic motherland's Sunrise Palace, have also become a ruin. The feast with cups and chopsticks intertwined with songs and dances reached its peak in one night, only to be shattered, leaving behind the wailing spirits of three thousand palace maids crying and singing mournfully throughout the night.

  This is the heaviest and most shameful chapter in the history of the previous dynasty, also a prelude to the death knell of the country.

  Su Zi saw Bai Ronghua's pale complexion and dazed expression, which made her heart ache. She felt infinite pity for this little sister who trusted and relied on her.

  However, from the moment she was appointed as the Crown Prince's consort, Bai Ronghua had no choice but to understand some things and give up on some emotions in order to survive peacefully in the Eastern Palace and become a safe and stable Empress.

  Su Zi gritted her teeth and continued, "I suppose you also know what's going on next."

  She paused slightly, her tone calm and devoid of any warmth. "Emperor Xuan passed away at a young age, leaving behind only one son, the Crown Prince, who was born to Empress Xuan. At that time, he was only three years old. Emperor Cheng and Emperor Rong each had their own thoughts, so they used the crime of being a demonic child to execute the Crown Prince. Later on, Emperors Cheng and Rong did not submit to each other, and after several years of internal strife, the imperial court's foundation became greatly chaotic. This was what gave the Taizu Emperor of the Sheng Dynasty an opportunity."

  Bai Ronghua's body went limp, and she swayed as if about to fall. She struggled to suppress the trembling of her lips and finally managed to say, "Zi Hua sister's warning this time, I will remember it in my heart, I...I understand..."

  The Emperor has been somewhat weak in body since he contracted a serious illness twelve years ago, and the Crown Prince had already taken over the administration of the country.

  Crown Prince Zhao Xun is already twenty-three years old, the biological son of Empress Jiang, and the only son under the Emperor's knee. He is also the most likely candidate to succeed as the next emperor of the Sheng dynasty.

  Bai Ronghua knew in her heart that becoming the Crown Prince's consort was only the first step on her path to wealth and glory, and that she would ultimately belong to the Empress of the Sheng Dynasty.

  But the virtuous empresses of past dynasties, whose husbands they served, which one did not have three thousand beauties in the harem, with favors distributed equally, and numerous offspring? And yet those imperial consorts who exclusively gained the emperor's favor, hardly any had a good ending.

  If it were just a matter of personal honor and life or death, then so be it.

  A slight mistake in the imperial harem can lead to a chain reaction, where one misstep can bring down the entire family.

  Like the imperial carriage of yesterday...

  After Xuan Hou and the Crown Prince died, her maternal family, the He Zhong Luo clan, also encountered great difficulties and was almost completely exterminated.

  Bai Ronghua's eyes flashed, her face had already returned to calmness. Although there was still sadness in the depths of her eyes, a faint smile emerged from the corners of her lips. "I happened to read about Empress Su of Ming Cheng last night. Among all the empresses of the previous dynasty, only Empress Su was praised by historians as the best."

  She smiled more gently, "She was gentle and virtuous, dignified and elegant, not meddling in politics, cautious in words and deeds, advising the king to be fair and just, not jealous or suspicious, treating the concubines and imperial heirs well, regarding them as family members. After her death, Emperor Ming of Chen was grief-stricken, vowing that he would only have one wife for the rest of his life and never again establish an empress. Later, it was also her most beloved son, King Ping, who succeeded to the throne."

  Historical records show that Emperor Ming of Chen had hundreds of concubines throughout his life and fathered a total of sixty-five children. By the time he died, thirty of his sons had already come of age, among them only three were born to Empress Shen, one princess and two princes.

  It can be seen that Emperor Ming of Han was not a sentimental man, and Empress Ma received limited favor when she was alive. However, she was praised by historians and the people as a virtuous empress of her generation. Her son became emperor, and her family enjoyed wealth and glory for a long time.

  Bai Ronghua thought, she would no longer indulge in those improper thoughts again.

  Su Zi's heart felt a pang, wanting to comfort her a few more times, but seeing Bai Ronghua's eyes had already faded away from sadness and became firm and calm, she could only swallow the words in her heart.

  She changed the subject and said, "Today is your birthday, don't just think about these things, take advantage of the sisters being here, have a good time. Look, the fifth brother and sister seem to be having a lively time over there, I don't know what they're playing, let's go join in on the fun?"

  Bai Ronghua's face regained its girlish innocence and vitality, she pulled Su Zihua's hand over, "What are you doing so noisily, without even calling me and Yuan Si Shu!"

  Miss Shi Liu poked out her round face and said with a smile, "The math problem set by Yuan Wu's wife is so interesting, come quickly, Rong Jie!"

  Inside Zhenrong Pavilion, joyful voices and laughter filled the air once again.

  On the way to General Guo's mansion, the horse carriage swayed gently, and the shadows of the outside light peeked through the curtains, casting a dappled glow on Su Zi's face, forming an uncertain aura.

  Cui Ling asked cautiously, "Is Fourth Sister unhappy in her heart?"

  Su Zi looked up at her, a beautiful woman carved out of the finest sheep fat white jade, with a worried face looking at her, her eyes full of kindness and anxiety.

  She let out a soft sigh and smiled as she asked in return, "Where did you see that I'm unhappy?"

  Cui Ling thought for a moment, "You've had something on your mind, even back in Zhen Rong Xuan. Later, although you played with us, you were always distracted. You smiled, but there was no joy in the bottom of your eyes, only sadness and worry."

  She hesitated for a moment and asked uncertainly, "Is... is it because of Rong Jie?"

  Su Zi's expression softened and she nodded slightly, "I just talked to Rong Jie about Xuan Hou."

  "Xuan Hou?" Cui Ying's delicate and beautiful face was filled with confusion and puzzlement, "Who is Xuan Hou?"

  Su Zi Hua couldn't help but rub her temples, feeling that her fifth brother and sister had made some progress. She briefly told them about what happened in the carriage, then said, "The General's Manor has a library called Cangshu Pavilion, located right in front of Dianjiang Hall. Most of the books inside are military texts and historical records. Reading is an interesting thing, if you have time, you can go take a look."

  She hesitated for a moment, "If you find these books too abstruse, I remember searching carefully and finding some folk records and unofficial histories. Although their authenticity needs to be verified, reading them can give you some understanding of past customs."

  Looking at Cui Ying's frown, she didn't give up and continued to tempt him, "Sitting in a well and looking at the sky can only see a small world in front of you. Don't you want to know what it looks like outside what we can see?"

  She gently patted Cui Ying's shoulder, "Even if as a woman there are many taboos and no way to experience it personally, but reading and writing others' travel notes and essays, closing one's eyes to imagine, it's just like seeing those landscapes and customs oneself."

  Choi Yeong was not interested in reading books, but it couldn't be denied that Su Zi's words had indeed stirred up her restless heart.

  What is the outside world like? She began to feel a little curious.

  At this time, Su Zi suddenly whispered in her ear, "In the future, Rong Jie will definitely step on the clouds and become a noble lady. However, although she will attain great wealth and status, she is destined to lose the ordinary pleasures that common people take for granted. No, it's not right to say that either. The men of the Yuan family rarely take concubines, which is also rare in the entire imperial court. Being able to marry into the Yuan family is a blessing for both you and me."

  She said softly, "The affection between husband and wife is a common warmth for ordinary people, but for many people, it's something that can't even be thought of. Your fifth brother is a kind, gentle, and considerate man, he has you in his heart, loves and respects you, it's your good fortune, Fifth Brother's wife must cherish it well!"