The atmosphere in the inner Imperial Palace was unusually tense.
Inside Li Chen's Bedchamber Palace, several women, both strangers and familiar faces, looked at one another, momentarily at a loss for words.
Early that morning, Li Chen had gone to Morning Court as usual.
Only after he left did Mu Qingrou and Shi Yingying get up and change, one after the other.
Mu Qingrou left the bedroom and headed to the dining area.
Shi Yingying had already been waiting there for quite some time.
"Abode Master, I ordered some food for you. Come eat it while it's hot."
After so many years together, the two knew each other's tastes well.
"You eat first. I'm going to check on the Thousand-Blade Sword."
That was what Mu Qingrou had been longing for.
She had suffered quite a bit for it last night.
"The Thousand-Blade Sword is sitting right there. It's not going to run away. Eat something and replenish your strength first."
Mu Qingrou wanted to say something in response, but her stomach let out an uncooperative growl.
Thinking Shi Yingying had a point, she picked up the Thousand-Blade Sword, which Li Chen had casually left nearby yesterday, and brought it to the table, stroking the treasured blade as she ate breakfast.
Just then, a young, beautiful woman in a palace dress walked in.
Both her figure and her bearing were exceptional.
Together with her delicate, exquisite face, she was truly stunning at first sight.
Chu Ruoyan had heard yesterday that two new consorts had entered the palace.
So, following the usual custom, she had come early that morning to learn about them, see whose daughters Li Chen had ruined this time, and tell the new consorts a few things about the Imperial Harem to help them settle in.
Mu Qingrou and