When Qian Renxue reviewed memorials, Hu Liena would sit quietly beside her, grinding ink and replenishing her tea.
When Qian Renxue grew tired, she would massage her shoulders and softly recount amusing stories from Spirit City.
Every time, she made sure the spies outside caught just the right glimpse.
The court officials saw it all, and anxiety gnawed at their hearts.
The ministers who had once supported Xue Qinghe's accession now wore bitter expressions, as though they had swallowed bitter herbs.
They had believed Xue Qinghe would be a wise ruler, an emperor who could lead the Heaven Dou Empire to prosperity and strength.
But now, it seemed this emperor was good in every respect except one: he was far too easily bewitched by women.
First came Empress Eva, then Noble Consort Hu Liena.
Each was more formidable than the last, each left him more utterly spellbound.
If a few more came along, how would the affairs of state ever be managed?
How would the empire keep functioning?
Now, every noble and faction in Heaven Dou City was deeply worried.
In the nobles' residences, people discussed the matter everywhere.
"His Majesty has spent the night at Noble Consort Hu Liena's residence for half a month straight."
"Half a month? Didn't he spend only three nights with Empress Eva last month?"
"Exactly! Empress Eva was the late emperor's queen. How many people opposed His Majesty when he made her empress? And now look—he gave her the title, only to leave her out in the cold. What kind of conduct is that?"
"Ah... Noble Consort Hu Liena has bewitched His Majesty."
"How could Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden be anything less than formidable? That face, that figure, those methods... How old is our emperor? When has he ever experienced anything like that?"
"Precisely.