Shuhan

Luoyang, this ancient and solemn capital, still stands tall in the Central Plains after experiencing many vicissitudes. However, at this moment, it is no longer the prosperous capital of the Wei State, but a city of the Han Dynasty.

Jinyong City, as a relatively remote and quiet place in Luoyang City, has now become the residence of the concubines of the former Wei State.

In a corner of Jinyong City, in a house whose decoration is not luxurious but can be considered exquisite, the former Queen Mother Guo Zhao of Wei State is facing a bronze mirror and sighing.

In the bronze mirror, she had a stunning face, eyebrows like distant mountains covered with smoke, eyes as clear as autumn water, a straight nose, and lips as red as cinnabar.

Her figure is plump, just like a ripe peach, full and tempting. Although she is middle-aged, she still has charm. Her every move reveals the unique charm of a mature woman, as if she is expecting someone to pick this ripe fruit.

At this moment, the crescent moon outside the window hangs high in the night sky, cool and bright, casting a faint silver glow, adding a bit of tranquility and mystery to this spring night.

The spring night breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness, through the window lattice, brushing Guo Zhao's cheek, making her shiver. This cold wind seemed to blow into her heart, making her feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

Since the day Luoyang City fell, Guo Zhao seemed to be living in a nightmare.

She clearly remembered that day, the shouts and screams outside the city were deafening and the flames shot up into the sky. The Wei soldiers fought desperately, but ultimately failed to stop the fierce offensive of the Han cavalry.

The State of Wei, the country on which she once depended for survival and glory, was wiped out in the torrent of history.

Emperor Cao Rui also died in the chaos.

These former concubines of the Wei Kingdom were like rootless duckweed, swept into the Jinyong City by the huge waves of fate.

At first, Guo Zhao, like other concubines, was filled with fear and anxiety.

They don't know what fate awaits them.

However, when they heard that the Han Emperor Liu Chan was a lustful man, they couldn't help feeling a little lucky.

They thought that perhaps the women in the Wei Palace could use their looks and figures to gain a place in this new palace.

However, a month passed and Liu Chan had not even set foot in the gate of Jinyong City.

This made Guo Zhao and other concubines feel unprecedented worry.

They began to wonder if Liu Chan was not interested in the women in the Wei Palace?
Or does he have other plans?

In the past few days, the atmosphere in Jinyong City has become increasingly tense.

The former concubines of the Wei Palace who were of average appearance had all been promised to officers and officials as concubines.

They cried and made a fuss, but ultimately they could not change their fate.

Seeing those sisters with whom he had lived day and night being given away one by one like objects, Guo Zhao's heart was filled with anxiety and fear.

Concubines, in this era, are like playthings.

When a man is happy, he can pamper you and love you; when a man is unhappy, he can abandon you at any time.

This is not the fate Guo Zhao wants to see.

She was once the queen mother of Wei State and enjoyed all the wealth and glory in the world.

Today, although her country has been destroyed and her family has been ruined, the pride and self-esteem in her heart have not completely disappeared.

She didn't want to be someone else's plaything, and she didn't want her fate to be manipulated by others.

Guo Zhao stood up and paced back and forth in the room, his steps seeming a little heavy.

Her eyes revealed confusion and anxiety, and her hands unconsciously twisted the corners of her clothes, as if this could bring her a little comfort.

She recalled the days when she lived in the Wei Palace and how honorable and glorious she was then.

Cao Pi doted on her and she had almost everything a woman could have.

However, all this came to nothing the moment Luoyang City fell.

"Is this my fate?" Guo Zhao asked himself.

She is not willing to give in, really not willing to give in.

She still wanted to try again to see if she still had a chance to turn things around.

At this moment, there was a sound of light footsteps outside the door.

Guo Zhao immediately became alert. She walked to the door and looked out through the crack.

I saw a palace maid walking hurriedly with a somewhat panicked look on her face.

Guo Zhao's heart moved, she thought this maid might know some news.

So, she gently opened the door and called the maid: "You, come here."

The maid stopped and turned around. Seeing that it was Queen Mother Guo calling her, she felt a little panicked. She quickly stepped forward and saluted, "Queen Mother, what's the matter?"

Guo Zhao looked at the palace maid and saw that she was still young and had a pretty face, but there was a hint of uneasiness in her eyes.

She asked softly, "You are so flustered, have you heard any news?"

Upon hearing this, the maid's face changed. She hesitated for a moment before she whispered, "Empress Dowager, I... I did hear some news, but... I just don't know whether I should tell you."

Guo Zhao's heart tightened, and he said anxiously: "Just tell me what you want to say. I won't blame you."

The maid bit her lip, as if she had made up her mind, and said, "Empress Dowager, I heard...I heard that Liu Chan, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, he...he does not intend to take us women in the Wei Palace in. He...he does not seem to have any interest in us."

When Guo Zhao heard this, his heart sank, as if a huge rock was pressing down on his chest.

She stood there in a daze, staring into the distance with empty eyes, and it took her a long time to come back to her senses.

She murmured softly: "So that's how it is... So that's how it is..."

Seeing this, the maid couldn't help but feel a little pity.

She knew how noble Empress Dowager Guo once was and how miserable she was now, and she also understood the resentment and helplessness in her heart.

She comforted him softly, "Empress Dowager, don't be too sad. Maybe... maybe things can turn around."

Guo Zhao smiled bitterly when she heard this. She knew that this was just the palace maid's words of comfort.

In this troubled world, the fate of women is like duckweed, drifting in the wind, unable to control themselves.

She sighed deeply and said, "A turning point? Where is there any turning point? I'm afraid that the people of us can only live alone in Jinyong City for the rest of our lives."

After saying that, she turned around and walked back into the house, closing the door heavily.

She leaned against the door and slowly slid down to the ground, her eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

She knew that her fate was sealed.

In this new era, she, the former Queen Mother of Wei, no longer has any status or dignity.

She could only accept this cruel reality silently and wait for fate to decide.

However, at this moment, footsteps were heard outside the door again.

This time, the footsteps sounded firm and powerful.

Guo Zhao's heart moved, she raised her head and looked towards the door. She saw the door was gently pushed open and a figure walked in.

Guo Zhao looked carefully and found that it was a eunuch in the palace.

He walked into the room, looked around, and finally his eyes fell on Guo Zhao.

Guo Zhao's heart tightened, she didn't know what the eunuch's purpose was.

She stood up and asked calmly, "What do you want here, palace eunuch?"

The eunuch looked Guo Zhao up and down, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He said softly, "I am here on the orders of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty. The Emperor has ordered that you be allowed to live somewhere else in the palace as a token of his favor."

Guo Zhao was shocked when he heard this.

She didn't expect that Liu Chan would suddenly change his mind and move her to another place in the palace.

A glimmer of hope emerged in her heart. Perhaps, this was her turning point.

However, she quickly calmed down.

In this chaotic world, everything is full of variables.

She didn't dare to believe the eunuch's words easily, for fear that it was just another scam.

She looked at the eunuch and asked in a deep voice, "Are you serious? Why did the emperor suddenly change his mind?"

Seeing this, the eunuch smiled and said, "Your Excellency, don't be suspicious. The reason why the emperor changed his mind is because he heard that the Queen Mother is very beautiful and talented. The emperor wants to see her with his own eyes, so he specially allows the Queen Mother to live in another place in the palace."

Guo Zhao thought to herself when she heard this. She knew that this might be her chance to turn things around. However, she also knew that this was bound to be full of risks and unknowns.

She took a deep breath and said firmly: "Okay, I'll go with you."

The eunuch continued, "In that case, please pack your luggage as soon as possible and go with us."

When Guo Zhao heard this, his heart tightened, but he remained calm.

She raised her hand slightly, signaling the eunuch to wait a moment, then turned and walked into the house.

She asked the maid to pass the jewel to the eunuch and said, "Please accept this little gift."

The eunuch refused once or twice, but finally took it in his arms.

At this moment, Guo Zhao was in the room.

The furnishings in the house are simple, yet reveal an elegant atmosphere. This is the only peaceful place for her in Jinyong City.

Guo Zhao walked to the bronze mirror and looked at himself in the mirror. His face was still as stunning as ever, but there was a hint of vicissitudes and determination in his eyes.

She sighed softly and thought to herself, "Whether this move to the harem is a blessing or a curse is still unknown. But am I, Guo Zhao, someone who will give in easily? I must seize this opportunity and find a way out for myself."

Thinking of this, she turned to the maid behind her and said, "Please go pack my luggage for me and prepare some simple makeup. I'm going to meet some old friends."

The maid took the order and left, while Guo Zhao quickly walked out of the courtyard and headed towards another yard.

Several stunning beauties from the Wei Palace lived there, including Mao, Guo, Zhang Cairen and He Cairen. They were all beauties that Cao Rui had collected, each of them had extraordinary looks and her own merits.

When you walk into the courtyard, you will see the fragrance of flowers and the air filled with spring.

Guo Zhao looked around with her beautiful eyes, and a sense of emotion welled up in her heart.

Inside the room, Mrs. Mao, Mrs. Guo, Zhang Cairen and He Cairen were sitting together, each with a different expression.

They either lowered their heads in deep thought or looked into the distance, and they all seemed to be weighed down by a lot of things.

Guo Zhao's arrival made them all stand up and salute.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived. We are sorry for not coming in person to welcome her." Mao spoke first, her voice gentle and pleasant.

Guo Zhao smiled slightly and raised his hand to signal them to excuse themselves.

She looked around at everyone and saw that Mao was plump, and her body surged when she saluted, just like a peony in full bloom in spring, delicate and charming; Guo was pretty and dignified, with a gentleness in her eyes and brows; Zhang was lively and lovely, always with a sweet smile on her face; He was gentle and restrained, and her every move revealed the temperament of a lady from a noble family.

"Sisters, I came here to discuss something important with you." Guo Zhao said straight to the point: "The Emperor of the Han Dynasty wants me to move to the harem. This is a rare opportunity. Are you willing to go with me?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room suddenly fell silent.

Mao and others looked at each other, with a hint of surprise and expectation in their eyes.

They all knew that moving to the harem meant a chance to gain the emperor's favor and thus change their own destiny.

Mao bowed slightly, her voluptuous body surging again, and she said softly: "The Queen Mother is right. It is better to live in the harem than to be treated as a plaything in Jinyong City. If I can be favored by the emperor, I can enjoy wealth and honor. I am willing to move to the harem with the Queen Mother."

Guo also nodded and said, "I am willing to do so. In this Jinyong City, we are just rootless duckweed, drifting with the wind. If we can move to the harem, we may still have a chance of survival."

Zhang Cairen blinked her eyes and smiled, "Empress Dowager, I have wanted to leave this place for a long time. Although the competition in the harem is fierce, it is better than waiting to die here. I am willing to go with you."

He Cairen said gently: "I will follow the arrangements of the Empress Dowager. If I can be favored by the emperor, it will be a good thing; if not, I am willing to live a peaceful life in the harem."

Hearing this, Guo Zhao felt a little relieved.

These women are smart people who understand the importance of their situations and choices.

She nodded and said, "Okay! Now we are old members of the Wei Palace. If we want to survive in the harem, we must unite and gain the favor of the emperor. Go pack up and move to the harem with me!"

Upon hearing this, Mao and others stood up and responded.

They all knew in their hearts that this move to the harem was their chance to change their fate and their only way out.

Guo Zhao looked at their busy figures and couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

She thought back to the days when she was in the Wei Palace and how noble and glorious they were then.

Now that their country is destroyed and their families are ruined, they have become newcomers in the Han harem, and everything has to start from scratch.

However, Guo Zhao did not feel depressed or desperate because of this.

As long as they work together, and with their beauty, they will be able to survive in the harem and even gain the emperor's favor and wealth.

After a while, Mao and others packed up and stood in front of Guo Zhao waiting to set off.

Whether they are wearing gorgeous clothes or exquisite jewelry, they all look energetic and radiant.

After saying that, she was the first to walk out of the courtyard and head towards the harem.

Mao and others followed closely behind, their figures looking particularly graceful in the spring breeze.

Liu Chan, who was in the Taiji Hall, stretched himself, looked out the dark window, and said to the eunuch serving beside him, "Let's go to the harem!"

The eunuch immediately asked, "Where will Your Majesty go to rest?"

Liu Chan was stunned for a moment and asked, "Among the old people of Wei, are there any who have evil intentions?" (End of this chapter)