Chapter 462: Inner Harem Palace (2)
Chapter 462: Chapter 462: Inner Harem Palace (2)
Eunuch Peng led Li Feng through several winding paths of the inner palace.
The surroundings grew increasingly luxurious and heavily guarded the deeper they went.
After about fifteen minutes of walking, they finally arrived at a grand, ornate gate leading into the inner harem palace.
But the moment they approached, two stern imperial guards in full armor stepped forward, crossing their spears to block the entrance.
"Halt!" one of the guards shouted. "The inner harem palace is strictly restricted. Only palace maids and eunuchs are permitted entry."
He then glanced at Li Feng with a frown and said coldly, "No outsiders allowed, regardless of status."
Eunuch Peng immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply while presenting a special token of his own.
"Honored guards, this servant is Eunuch Peng, serving Concubine Zi. This young master is the imperial envoy sent by Her Majesty the Regent Empress herself on urgent business regarding His Majesty’s condition. He wishes to investigate for any suspicious activity within the inner harem palace and carries an official token."
Li Feng gave the chubby eunuch a quick glance and thought inwardly that the two spirit stones had been well spent.
But the guards’ expressions remained unmoved.
One of them glanced at Li Feng suspiciously.
"Even with a token, men are strictly forbidden from entering the inner harem without a special imperial decree. Especially not a young man like him. Rules are rules."
Li Feng didn’t seem bothered or angry by the strict protocol.
After all, this was where the Emperor’s consorts and concubines resided.
If he were in their position, he would be even stricter in protecting his own women from unknown men.
’Hmmm... As expected. The inner harem really is tightly guarded. Good thing I came prepared.’
He calmly took out the golden imperial token, letting it shine under the sunlight, and spoke in a steady, authoritative voice.
"This junior understands the rules. However, the Regent Empress has granted full authority for this investigation. If there is any issue, you may report directly to Her Majesty... but delaying official imperial business... I’m sure you both understand the consequences."
Seeing the golden token, the guards exchanged uneasy glances.
They had initially thought it was just an ordinary passage token, but this was clearly different.
The golden token carried immense weight, and the mention of the Regent Empress made them hesitate.
Eunuch Peng, sensing the tension, quickly added in a low voice, "The honored envoy is also here to assist Concubine Zi’s situation."
Hearing those words, Li Feng blinked.
’Situation? What situation?’
Then he remembered the contents of Fen Ziyan’s letter and how her mother had fallen ill.
Realizing that might be the case, he stayed quiet as he noticed the guards were already wavering.
The two guards hesitated for a long moment, their faces conflicted.
But then,
One of them finally spoke, his tone still stern but noticeably more respectful.
"...Since the honored envoy carries the golden token and acts on Her Majesty the Regent Empress’s orders, we will make an exception this once. However, you must be accompanied by Eunuch Peng at all times, and you may not enter any private chambers without permission. Any violation will be reported directly to the palace supervisor."
Li Feng cupped his fists politely, his voice warm and understanding.
"This junior naturally respects the rules of the inner palace. Many thanks for your understanding."
The guards reluctantly stepped aside, uncrossing their spears and allowing passage.
Eunuch Peng wiped the sweat from his brow and hurriedly led the way inside.
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’Wow...’
As they crossed the threshold into the inner harem palace, Li Feng’s eyes swept over the elegant, secluded courtyards, fragrant flower gardens, and quiet pavilions in awe.
It was like entering an entirely different world.
The air here carried a distinctly different atmosphere... more delicate, feminine, and filled with subtle, intoxicating fragrances from rare spiritual flowers and the faint, alluring scents of the beautiful women who resided within.
Soft spiritual mists drifted lazily between the buildings, and the gentle sound of flowing water from hidden streams added to the serene yet seductive ambiance.
Li Feng felt his desires strangely stir just from the atmosphere alone.
A faint heat rose in his lower abdomen as his imagination ran wild.
’...No wonder the Emperor keeps this place so strictly guarded. Just breathing the air here makes one’s blood boil. All these pampered, beautiful consorts and concubines... hidden away like precious jewels. If I weren’t here for serious business, this young master might really feel like plucking a few flowers.’
But then he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly in pity.
After all, if this matter was truly connected to Fen Ziyan’s hidden calamity, all these treasured women of the nation would eventually have to suffer.
The thought of such a beautiful, fragrant garden turning into a sea of tragedy made someone as kind and righteous as him feel a trace of regret.
’Tch. What a waste. But if it comes to that... maybe I’ll just take the best ones with me into the Divine Brick. I can’t let such an amazing mother of the nation perish like that.’
Li Feng thought righteously as he followed Eunuch Peng, while carefully studying the hidden formations and arrays here... for future use, of course.
While Li Feng was meticulously examining the formations with indecent purposes hidden behind a serious, focused expression... two breathtaking mature beauties were enjoying tea together in a nearby pavilion, surrounded by beautiful maids and eunuchs.
One of them was a stunning woman in her late twenties with long, flowing silver-white hair that cascaded like moonlight, adorned with intricate golden hairpins and dangling red tassels.
Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, with delicate yet seductive features: sharp, fox-like eyes highlighted by bold red eyeliner, a small beauty mark beneath both eyes, and full, alluring red lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
Her figure was voluptuous and mature, with full, proud breasts barely contained by her revealing red and black imperial style robe.
The mature beauty was gracefully sipping her tea when she suddenly noticed Li Feng.
Her sharp fox-like eyes locked onto him with clear interest.
She slowly lowered her teacup, her red lips curving into a more pronounced, intrigued smile.
Opposite her sat another breathtaking mature beauty with lustrous dark purple-black hair elegantly styled in an intricate updo adorned with delicate white and purple floral ornaments, golden tassels.
Her face was exquisitely refined and gentle, with large, captivating purple eyes that seemed to hold a soft, ethereal glow, long lashes, and a subtle, dignified smile.
Concubine Zhao noticed her friend’s gaze and glanced over, spotting Li Feng as well.
"Oh? Who is that?" she asked softly, her voice gentle yet carrying natural grace. "It is quite rare to find a man other than the Emperor walking in here."
"That should be Envoy Li Feng from the Azure Moon Sect," a soft, gentle voice replied.
Concubine Zhao turned to her best friend, Concubine Wei, who was calmly sipping her tea again.
"Ah, really? How do you know that?" she asked in surprise.
Concubine Wei smiled charmingly.
Her beautiful silver-grey hair shifted slightly as she murmured slyly, her fox-like grey eyes glinting with amusement.
"...Because my grandfather has warned me about him."
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[Check out the Concubine Wei in the character portrait~]
[And here an illustration of Concubine Zhao:]