The Empire was as steadfast as iron, but its elites were as transient as flowing water.

Power and benefit were never left vacant, they were always filled by successors, one after another.

As soon as one side finished, another took the stage; there were none who could rival the setting sun.

Although officially Zhong Tianque controlled the Phoenix Empire, everyone knew that the real power lay with the influential Shen Family.

No, many had already started calling the Shen Family the 'Royal Family.'

If you were strong enough, there would always be a Great Scholar to debate on your behalf.

Even Great Scholars needed to eat.

Fengming Palace.

This was where the new ruler worked and resided, and was the political heart of the Phoenix Empire.

Since the Shen Family had physically flattened the two-hundred-year-old Phoenix Palace, leaving only a deep pit in the center of the city, countless skilled craftsmen from all over the country had hurried over in a matter of months to build a new palace in its place.

And to differentiate it from the previous Phoenix Palace, the new palace had been named 'Fengming.'

The ancestral home of the Shen Family was in the West Qi Mountains, and there was an adage about Phoenixes descending upon West Qi Mountains...

Was this not the land where the Shen Family's dragon soared?

Fengming Palace was more luxurious and grandiose than the previous Phoenix Palace. It utilized the most advanced defensive systems and energy materials, reportedly impervious even to the most destructive missiles.

Look, no matter who sat on that throne, they all became greedier and more fearful of death.

The barriers surrounding the black hole were removed, and the public gossiped unceasingly in admiration of the new palace.

Who would now remember the shadow of the Phoenix Palace?

We hear only of the newcomer's laughter, who hears the old one's tears?

Not just people, but places too.

Jingning Hall.

Today was Dongguo Chenxi's birthday party, a lady of the Dongguo Family and together with Zhong Yu Xiu Xue and Qin Shuang, known as the Three Beauties of the Empire.

Phoenix had escaped with Tang Fei to the Old Land, and Qin Shuang also left for Zhao Ling due to the Qin Family's 'misalignment.' Thus, Phoenix City was left with this sole moon.

Dongguo Chenxi had long been engaged to Zhong Tianque, the woman set to become the Queen of the nation.

Thus, it was only natural for the prospective Empress to hold her birthday party at Fengming Palace.

Tonight, the stars were dazzling.

Countless young talents, renowned ladies, stars, and cultural celebrities had gathered in Jingning Hall to celebrate Dongguo Chenxi's birthday.

The intertwining of drinks and laughter created an extraordinary festivity.

This was a birthday celebration, but also a venue for the pursuit of fame and profit.

Sheng Xinhua stood in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, viewing the brilliant night scene of Fengqu Lake, drinking a toast alone.

She avoided the bustling crowd, the liveliness belonged to them, she had nothing.

Nor did she need anything.

Better to drink alone comfortably, when friends were absent.

"Did you hear? Dongguo Chenxi is about to marry the King... Is Dongguo Chenxi flaunting her status as the hostess here?" came a soft voice from a corner.

"Hey, what's there to show off? Everyone knows Zhong Tianque is just a puppet put forth by the Shen Family... If she were to marry Shen Xinglan, I'd actually respect her," another person retorted sarcastically.

"Let's not even hope for Shen Xinglan... even marrying Shen Leyou, Shen Lewen, or Shen Lewu would be okay... They are, after all, direct descendants of the Shen Family, and their future wouldn't be dim..."

"The funniest thing is about the Zhong Family... Zhong Yu Xiu Xue brought back a wild man from the Old Land, only to find that this wild man was their archenemy, which completely ruined the Zhong Family..."

"An Empire Princess once high and mighty, now a fallen prisoner in the Old Land... It's hilarious... Is Shen Xinglan not good enough? If she had married into the Shen Family... would any of this have happened?"

Sheng Xinhua slightly furrowed her brows but didn't utter a word in retaliation.

Ever since the Zhong Family fell apart, the Shen Family took power, and Phoenix followed Tang Fei to flee to the Old Land, these had become the prevailing voices.

Everyone mocked Phoenix's foolish choice, abandoning her childhood sweetheart, Shen Xinglan, the pride of the Shen Family, and instead taking back the son of her family's mortal enemy from the Old Land.

They even gave Phoenix a nickname, calling her "Trash Princess."

They said she went to the Old Land to pick up trash.

"Exactly, during the former Empire's March, Zhong Yu Xiu Xue and Qin Shuang both cooled down... only Dongguo Chenxi remained beautifully unmatched..."

"People, the most important thing is the choice... They were both silly themselves, who else is there to blame?"

"Zhong Yu Xiu Xue was blind herself, Qin Shuang's family was blind..."

-----

Clearly, those women found a point of interest in their conversation and began to severely criticize Tang Fei, Phoenix, Qin Shuang, and others.

They cursed Tang Fei, and Sheng Xinhua didn't care because he deserved it.

They cursed Qin Shuang, and Sheng Xinhua didn't care because she wasn't familiar with her.

However, when they cursed Phoenix, Sheng Xinhua couldn't hold back anymore.

Dressed in a swaying red dress, Sheng Xinhua walked towards them with a fearless stride, holding a glass of wine, "Shouldn't speak ill of someone in front of others, nor discuss right and wrong behind their backs... Didn't your parents teach you this?"

The crowd was deeply engaged in their conversation, and upon seeing Sheng Xinhua standing in front of them, slightly startled before someone spoke up in retaliation, "What we say is our freedom... What's it to you?"

"Sneaking around and eavesdropping, your quality isn't any better, huh?"

"Exactly, pot calling the kettle black. You have no right to question others..."

-----

Facing a group, Sheng Xinhua expressed her doubts and immediately faced their collective attack.

These people included the Minister of Culture's granddaughter, relatives from the Shen Family, and women from the Dongguo and Yu Families, whose family backgrounds were not inferior to that of Sheng Xinhua's, some even stronger.

Thus, when facing Sheng Xinhua, they were utterly confident, not frightened at all.

Sheng Xinhua didn't care, scoffing coldly, "Criticize others, I don't care. But insult my friend, that's unacceptable."

"Oh, oh, oh, who is your friend?"

"Could it not be that Tang Fei? Or Qin Shuang and Zhong Yu Xiu Xue?"

"Tang Fei is the Empire's wanted criminal, you're not in cahoots with them, are you?"

"She is indeed in cahoots, Miss Sheng used to be a favorite in front of the Princess... Now that the Princess is gone, she must be very lost, huh?"

"The Princess is gone, but there are others... don't forget, Miss Sheng is really liked by those men... heard she's the most popular female teacher among college boys, very charming indeed..."

"A slut?" Sheng Xinhua slapped the Minister of Culture's dirtiest-mouthed granddaughter, Su Yiqiu, across the face, shouting, "Who are you calling a slut?"

"..."

With a violent red handprint immediately appearing on Su Yiqiu's tender cheek, it looked somewhat shocking to behold.

Staring at Sheng Xinhua with a face full of shock, how could this woman start hitting someone without a word?

A slut?

When did I ever call you a slut?

"You dare hit me?" Su Yiqiu's eyes fiercely fixed on Sheng Xinhua, looking for an opportunity to retaliate.

This slap could not go unanswered.

"Didn't I just hit you?" Sheng Xinhua cocked her head, coldly sneering, "Next time you dare call me that... I'll rip your mouth apart."

"..."

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