In Huaxi Village, there's a Great Pagoda Tree by the river just outside the stone bridge. The winds are strong at the gap, and the tree's crown is vast. Several flat stones are placed beneath, and it's quite common for the villagers to rest, cool off, and quench their thirst under its shade while chatting leisurely.
The past few days, this Great Pagoda Tree was especially bustling—
General Wei picked on two beauties, and Empress Dowager Li felt small and overlooked.
Lady Feng kindly bestowed favors, and two concubines caused havoc in the inner palace.
General Wei spoke out of turn after drinking, claiming Empress Dowager Li had long whiskers and a black mole.
Empress Dowager Li had been a widow for three years, keeping a favored male consort who sullied the royal harem.
It started as gossip which, as it spread, turned into all sorts of indecorous tales that widely circulated among the common folk…
