Chapter 18: The Portrait of the Empress (Part 1)

  Irina, Fragrant City.

  Everyone who has been to Irina's Sandalwood City will not forget the rich fragrance here, which is not just a simple floral scent or a single spice flavor, but a lingering fragrance that has accumulated over hundreds of years. The geographical location of Sandalwood City is very unique, with a good deep-water port and a calm bay. Since the 11th century, merchant ships have set sail from here, passing through the Firebird Island and Golden Turtle Island in the North Ocean, to reach the Yiyun Continent, or crossing the Lingqiao Ocean southward, passing through the Huolong Peninsula and the Yiyun Continent between the Yima Canal, entering the vast South Ocean.

  Merchant ships set sail from Xiangxiang City and arrive at the Yiyun continent, generally docking in either the Minis region or the western part of the Blood-colored Plateau. From there, they transport goods back to Xiangxiang City, mainly spices and precious minerals such as gold, silver, jewels, jade, and so on. The ships dock at Xiangxiang City, where the goods are transshipped before being transported to Ilena, Ilrena, the Kingdom of Kangshu, the Kingdom of Kangming, the Imperial Capital Kingdom, the State of Yanjing, the Dragon Capital State, the Jade Capital State, and even the distant Eight Path Alliance and the Star River Empire. Over time, a unique historical fragrance has formed here. A famous traveling poet once described it as: "Even if no one lives here for a hundred years, you can still smell its fragrance."

  Irena's beautiful palace is located at the southernmost tip of Xiangxiang City, with a high and white dome that is inlaid with large pieces of Hanbai jade, emitting a cool glow even on nights without moonlight. The palace is surrounded by a 20-meter-wide marble pedestrian path, which is spacious and clean, and features intricate patterns. On the front side of the palace is a square and spacious Fragrance Plaza, which is 150 meters wide and 200 meters long, and can accommodate more than 16,000 people during Irena's grand banquets.

  However, for a long time, the Fragrance Plaza has not been bustling, and more often than not, it exudes a bleak atmosphere. Since 1660, Irina's political situation has been in unprecedented chaos, with court coups happening as frequently as meals. The Fragrance Plaza is no longer a place where people gather to have fun, but rather a place where heads are hung. The 244 six-meter-high flagpoles surrounding it would occasionally hang bloody human heads. Perhaps the day before, these heads belonged to high-ranking officials of Irina's government.

  The cold autumn wind blew across the Fragrant Square, rolling up dust everywhere. At this moment, there were no human heads hanging from the flagpoles, but a faint smell of blood wafted into the palace with the wind, bringing an aura of death to everyone inside. Everyone in the palace was quietly watching, gazing at a certain place where the beautiful and sacred Queen Irina resided. Many people might have wondered what she, who had already become a prisoner, was doing at this moment.

  "Sister, Jie has not eaten anything for three days, only a little water to sustain his life... I'm really worried about him... That devil Bailin is capable of doing anything..." The woman's voice was choked with sobs, almost unable to speak. Long-term suffering and tears had made her vocal cords weak, and her speech was also soft and powerless. But she was still a beautiful woman. As the youngest of the four Feng sisters, Feng Qianxiang looked delicate and slender, with a tall and straight figure, although not as curvy as her sisters, but with an added touch of purity.

  "You can't keep retreating like this." The woman sitting in front of the dresser let out a slow sigh, removing the embroidered gold ornaments from her forehead one by one. There were no maids beside her, only her own younger sister. Her eyebrows were furrowed, carrying deep hidden worries. But all of this couldn't cover up her stunning beauty. At this moment, even without any makeup, she was already enough to make people infatuated. All of this was just because she possessed a proud and enviable name: Feng Shan Wu.

  The sunlight outside is very good, and the rays of light shoot through the window, sprinkling on the golden yellow citrus wood floor, reflecting a faint halo. Feng Shan's dressing table is located under the sun's illumination, quietly basking in the warmth of the autumn sun. Outside the window, it is quiet and peaceful, with only a faint scent of blood lingering in the air, making people unable to help but think of the bloody coup that has just occurred here.

  The phoenix dance of the past has become a stunning beauty, and after careful grooming, it looks even more dazzling today. The beautiful face is accompanied by a poetic and elegant demeanor, exuding a mature feminine charm. Her eyebrows are lightly swept, her bright eyes glance around, and her makeup is more gorgeous than usual. The bright red lip color makes the beautiful contours look even more three-dimensional. A high bun with a green hairpin inserted horizontally, a stunning beauty stands before our eyes.

  A silver low-cut, fine-shouldered, gold-embroidered dress that perfectly presents the slender and plump degree, with a subtle curve, half-exposing the creamy chest, with two peaks that are both tall and round, beautiful beyond description. A single, exquisitely crafted diamond on the crystal-clear white peak of the chest forms an enticing focal point. The delicate earrings dangling from the ears sparkle, highlighting the noble quality of the fairy-like beauty. The tender, plump, and lovely buttocks, along with the slightly curved, rounded jade legs, form a beautiful and captivating arc line that even the most perfect sculpture cannot present the dynamic vitality of this stunning beauty. On her feet, she wears sandals adorned with yellow diamonds, on top of which are ten small, delicate, pink jade toes that are both sexy and enchanting.

  Feng Qingwu also sensed her sister's abnormality, and today was a special day. She seemed unsuitable to dress herself up so gorgeously. She hesitated for a while before softly saying: "Sister, today is brother-in-law's..."

  Feng Lian's face showed a strong expression, and she said calmly: "I just want to show Bai Ling that the women of the Feng family will not fall easily. Yes, today is your brother-in-law's memorial day, but I absolutely won't be sad. You know everything about what happened between him and me, so why bother? We only have a nominal husband-and-wife relationship, but no real one, let alone emotions. Why should I suppress myself?"

  Feng Qian softly said: "Yes."

  Feng Lian's calm eyes gazed out the window, her gaze flickering a few times before she slowly said: "Is there any news about Feng Caiyi and Feng Yanyan?"

  Feng Qing shook her head and said sorrowfully, "They have already left the Mantis Island, under the escort of the Tangchuan Empire Navy, heading to the inland of the Tangchuan Empire. If nothing unexpected happens, they will arrive at the inland in half a month. But I received some bad news, I heard that Bailing has offered a large sum of money to hire the Geouhai pirates to catch them, I'm really worried..."

  Feng Lian's eyes sank, and she fell into a daze for a while before speaking: "Feng Caiyi is intelligent and wise, and also deeply understands the ways of war. She won't come to harm. Moreover, this time we entrusted someone from the Northern Sea Fleet of the Tangchuan Empire - Vice Admiral Teppaku of the Navy. Teppaku has spent his entire life fighting against the Gouwu pirates, accumulating unparalleled experience. Even if the situation is unfavorable, he can still protect Feng Caiyi and Feng Feifei's escape. One day, Feng Caiyi will lead her troops back to rescue us. As long as we hold on strongly, one day we will meet again."

  Feng Qian Wu shook her head sorrowfully and said with a bitter tone: "Although Feng Cai Yi is an excellent military commander, that's only limited to land. Now their fate is decided at sea, and she doesn't have any troops to command... I always feel that Tang Chuan Empire's North Sea Fleet Commander Tang Cheng Huai isn't someone trustworthy... If he leaks Feng Cai Yi's whereabouts to Bailing, the Ge Ou pirates will definitely catch up..." As she spoke, she couldn't help but shed tears of despair.

  Phoenix gazed silently, only quietly watching the outside through the window. In the courtyard outside, many sparrows boldly lingered on the empty ground, playing and frolicking as if no one was around. Everything remained as peaceful as this, both of them silently wishing that this peace could be maintained forever.

  But suddenly, the sparrows took flight in a flurry, and the sound of footsteps echoed through the air. Feng Lianwu's face changed slightly, and Feng Qingwu's face also turned pale. The two women calmed down, only to see a tall, red-faced old man leading a group of people with their heads bowed walking into the courtyard. Beside him was a beautiful woman with her head lowered, looking like a quail, her face pale and terrified, yet helpless. It was none other than their own sister, Feng Yundong.

  "Feng Lin's face twisted in anger as she gritted her teeth and said: 'That cheap woman Bai Ling, how dare she show up in this place!'"

  Feng Qing's face was terrified, like a frightened little lamb looking at the door, her body slightly curled up.

  In an instant, the gate was pushed open with a bang, and the old man rushed in with a group of men.

  Feng Lin's eyes widened in anger as she shouted loudly: "Bai Ling, stop right there!"

  That majestic, ruddy-faced old man was none other than the current ruler of Irina, General White. To Feng Luanwu's shout, White seemed to be oblivious, as if he had returned home, waving his hand and letting those who followed him sit down in several corners before turning to Feng Luanwu with a slight bow and saying in a hoarse voice: "Your Majesty the Empress, White has come to pay his respects."

  "Feng Lian Wu suppressed her anger and said fiercely: 'You treacherous thief, you deserve to be killed by everyone! What are you doing bringing so many painters here? Are you going to kill yourself in front of me to make up for your crimes?'"

  The frail woman beside Bailing was suddenly frightened and trembled all over, her eyes fixed on the ground, her body as if about to collapse.

  Bailing still had a poker face as he said, "They are the most excellent court painters from places like Yilaina, Yirena, Longjing State, Yanjing State and Yu Jing State. They have accompanied me to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

  "Feng Lan said coldly: 'No need! My body is still very good, no need for you to care! Sanmei, come here!'"

  But Fengyun didn't dare to lift her head, she just stood there trembling all over. No matter how Fenglan called out to her, she didn't dare react in the slightest.

  Feng Lin's face turned slightly red, her voice also rose, and she said sternly: "You scoundrel Bai! What did you do to my sister?"

  Bailing shrugged indifferently and said lightly: "The empress has wronged me, what have I ever done to him?"

  "Feng Qing danced with her drum and said bravely: 'Bai Ling, you use my sister's child to threaten my sister, do you think we don't know?'"

  Bailing remained expressionless and said: "Since you all know already, why must I say anything?"

  Feng Lan's dance of rage pointed at Bailing's face, almost touching the dark scars crisscrossing his face, and shouted sharply: "Bailing, why do you treat a child under three years old so cruelly? Don't you have children yourself? Do you still have a conscience? Are you even human?"

  Bai Ling suddenly burst out laughing, his laughter almost stunning the three women. Feng Xue Wu felt her ears ringing and only saw Bai Ling's fists clenched, his eyes red, and his eyeballs almost popping out. He roared in a stern voice: "Of course I have children! Why wouldn't I have children? I have many children! Of course I have children!"