Southern Chen, Jiankang, the Imperial Palace.
Prince of Ancheng a few years ago, Chen Xu was now emperor of the Chen Dynasty. He listened to the reports of several people before him in the Imperial Study, his face lined with worry.
Once they had left, he shook his head and could not help sighing.
"Your Majesty, is something troubling you?"
A striking woman stepped out from behind the screen, followed by two palace maids carrying a bowl of soup.
She was Consort Shen. She had borne Chen Xu three sons and a daughter and was now much favored.
Chen Xu had been emperor for only a few years, yet he had already fathered more than a dozen princes and princesses. Once those children grew up and put out branches and leaves of their own, the Imperial Clan's shortage of heirs would soon be a thing of the past!
When Chen Xu saw her, he said, "Ah, you've come at just the right time. Massage my head."
Consort Shen smiled softly. She asked no more questions, but walked over and pressed her fair, tender hands to his head.
After a few strokes, Chen Xu felt much better and spoke of his own accord. "The situation is complicated, that's all. Rebellions keep breaking out. Qi and Zhou have stopped fighting in the north, so we can no longer watch the fire from the opposite bank. And trouble has flared up in Huainan..."
"Huainan?" A flicker passed through Consort Shen's eyes. "I heard that the Prince of Nankang now holds Huainan. He is a kinsman of the Imperial Clan and ought to ease Your Majesty's burdens. How could trouble still arise there?"
"I know what you're thinking. Haven't I already found posts for your brothers? Don't start making other plans." Chen Xu's voice