I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse-Chapter 1952 - 1954: Dios and the Goddess

Chapter 1952: Chapter 1954: Dios and the Goddess
Although the women you married are all concubines and not wives, both within the military and government circles, as well as among civilians, everyone regards Zhao Yu as the legitimate wife. Privately, they all address Zhao Yu as the Lady.
No woman can replace Zhao Yu’s status. On the surface, she may not have an official position, but when you are not present, she has clearly become the center of everyone; all significant matters require Zhao Yu’s nod. Even if Ren Hongchang is extremely formidable, when she sees Zhao Yu, she has to sweetly call her "Elder sister". Of course, the relationship between Ren Hongchang and Zhao Yu goes without saying. Their sisterly bond was personally "cultivated" by you in the bedchamber—cough, cough, let’s not elaborate here.
And then there’s Zhen Luo and Mi Xiang.
If placed in modern times, Zhen Luo and Mi Xiang would be career women, their business acumen no less than that of men, perhaps even surpassing them.
Both have a strong family background, accompanied by the temper and mindset that a "successful woman" and "young lady" should have.
Compared to the "non-contentious" nature of Zhen Jiang, Cai Xiao, and Gan Mei, the "unpredictability" of Zheng Zhi, and the "irreplaceability" of Zhao Yu and Ren Hongchang, Zhen Luo and Mi Xiang become secret rivals among the other women.
Like Mi Xiang, Zhen Luo’s family also once offended you. However, having once worked as a guard in the Zhen Family, and with Ah-Shui dying because of you, saving your life, you later promised Zhen Luo secretly, and with her efforts, she managed to bring her two younger brothers and some loyal Zhen Family members into Xuzhou, settling them in Penglai City’s Chengyang County.
Currently, within Xuzhou’s domain, there are several powerful families, including the Mi Family of Mi Xiang and the Zhen Family of Zhen Luo.
The maid, however, remained kneeling, her head lowered, seemingly unwilling to rise and leave without Zhen Luo’s agreement.
Upon seeing this, Zhen Luo couldn’t help but frown slightly. Truthfully, she didn’t wish to associate with Mi Xiang. Mi Xiang was far more complex than she appeared on the surface, having grown up amid the schemes and profit-centric nature of merchant families. At the same time, Zhen Luo considered herself the same kind of person, and two businesswomen with no mutual interests could hardly become close. Zhen Luo even thought that if not for your presence, the two might even become enemies.
After weighing the situation, Zhen Luo finally said softly, "You may go back and tell your lady that I will certainly attend the banquet on time."
"Yes, I take my leave." Only then did the maid rise, bowing her body as she slowly stepped backward out of the door before turning to leave.
"Miss, what’s so remarkable about Mi Xiang that she dares to force you to attend the banquet?"
Zhen Luo smiled slightly and said, "She’s just trying to silence me. Does she really think I don’t know her little tricks? Since I have to go, then I might as well dress up tonight."
"Understood, I’ll prepare right away."
Penglai City has a curfew at night, but these so-called bans are as insignificant as dog fart in front of those high officials and aristocrats. In truth, most of the so-called decrees are harshly enforced upon the common people, while they mean nothing to the privileged class.
The City Lord’s Mansion is located slightly east of the center of Linqu City, considered a prime location within the city, with excellent geographical placement. As for the city center, it is a military fortress, and under normal circumstances, no one, not even those so-called high officials and aristocrats, has the right to enter. After all, you and Zhao Yu govern the military strictly. In this era of cold weapons, fist power represents everything, and you would never allow outsiders to interfere in the military, which is a major reason why Zhen Luo and Mi Xiang’s people have never managed to penetrate the army.
Of course, Zhen Luo and Mi Xiang weren’t foolish enough to seize military power to that extent. After all, their husbands are you, and they have a relatively good understanding of your character.
The intrigue between women is naturally something unknown to you as a man, and you are reluctant to bother with it. On one hand, you are preoccupied with military affairs, and on the other, you refuse to face the scheming and intrigue among women, which is inevitable.
In truth, you are somewhat disappointed.
To be honest, you despise the open and covert struggles that arise because of interests and power.
If you had to choose between being stabbed a hundred times by the enemy and being betrayed by women for family interests, you would choose without hesitation to be stabbed a hundred times by the enemy.
However, this world itself is a filthy and ugly place driven by interests and desires.
Men wage wars outside while women engage in intrigue and even harm each other in the harem. Such events have been all too common throughout China’s thousands of years of history, something you’re well aware of.
Women are inherently a product of interests. They crave nobility, crave to be looked up to. They will spend an hour or two on makeup and would go as far as to kill each other over a slight rift.
No distinction exists between wives. Your original intention was for them to get along harmoniously to achieve a united and fulfilling big family. Unfortunately, you were wrong and terribly so. The only slight consolation is that among the many wives there are only two—Zhen Luo and Mi Xiang—with a great desire for power, while the other women only have some personality differences.
This likely relates to their personality since you know Zhen Luo and Mi Xiang are the same person, Wu Qiyi!
The gates of the City Lord’s Mansion are wide open tonight, crimson lanterns hung high, with a stream of guests coming and going.
Among the numerous guests, those young scholars and beauties naturally receive the most attention.
"The high hall stands majestic, the spacious mansion desolate. The gentle breeze arises at the women’s chambers, the setting sun casts shadows over the courtyard. Lingering under the roof, I sing and lean against the glorious column. Your journey is prolonged, for whom shall I adorn myself?"
At this time, under the floral moonlit night, a group of scholars and beauties sit together, tasting wine and discussing poetry, filled with elegance and grandeur.
A young and handsome youth stands proudly beneath the moonlit courtyard, bathed in moonlight, with a graceful demeanor. His recited poem naturally draws the warm support of numerous young men and women.
"On a clear night, I wander in the western garden, with carriages chasing in pursuit. The bright moon shines clearly, the celestial hosts irregularly aligned. Divine breezes join the red wheels, the light aroma shifts with the wind. I let my ambitions soar, as they have for a thousand years like this."
Another tall and handsome young man stood up and recited loudly. This person, extraordinarily handsome, dressed in fine attire, merely stands proudly and draws fervent shouts from countless young maidens while simultaneously capturing the attention of businessmen in another corner of the courtyard.
"Brother Zilin, what a good poem, indeed a good poem!" said the previous poet, cupping his hands in salute.
"Brother Zhiwen, compared to you, my work is still somewhat clumsy." The latter also cupped his hands in return, both showing mutual appreciation.
"Madam Luo has arrived!"