Gong Bao Lei (Zhi Yuan)

Another morning of the Head has long been, as usual, spent with the concubine. He glanced at the girl’s naked body, sharply tugged at the blanket, and muttered displeasedly: 

— Get out of here! — sitting on the bed with a smile and watching the beauty get dressed, he couldn’t resist commenting, – don’t rush, let me enjoy your view, who knows when I’ll remember you again.   

The caster stood up and walked around the room, following the girl out the door with his eyes. The servants entered immediately after her, the leader looked questioningly at the young man with the letter in his hand.

— Is this something that urgent? — Bao Lei picked up the paper and ran his bright green eyes over it. From what he read, his eyebrow raised slightly, and he voiced his thoughts:

 — So, so... the Head of Bailing Hu decided to celebrate his birthday! Has the heavens fallen to earth? — He looked questioningly, but they just shook their heads negatively. What else to expect from the servants. Bao didn’t even count on an answer, but the morning was a success. The man waved his hand.

— Find my sons and bring them to the dining hall on time. Don't forget that the table should be gorgeous, we are celebrating the greatest event. I thought that this unsociable Hu would never start a celebration.

Bao Lei, having given the order, sat down in a chair, giving the opportunity to take care of his long, luxurious ivory curls. Then he had to get dressed, eat, take care of business, and it seems that today nothing could spoil the mood of the Head of the Fengling Gong Order.

Gong Ki Bo (Joon Jae)

The young heir admired himself in the mirror while the maids styled his thick chocolate-colored curls into an intricate hairstyle.

— Sir, Head Gong has ordered you to come to the dining hall, — the out of breath servant rushed into the room and, bowing low, blurted out a patter.

The young man tore himself away from his own reflection with displeasure. Under the cold gaze of green eyes, the newcomer shrank so much that it seemed he had become even shorter.

— Sorry for disturbing you, — continuing to bow, the man walked backwards out of the room. A relieved sigh came from behind the closed door.

— How long will you continue to mess around?

The girl dropped the hairpin in surprise; Gong Ki Bo had never paid attention to them before.

— Excuse me sir, I'm finishing now, — deftly picking up a fallen hairpin, stuck it in her hair and, wanting to become invisible, slipped out of the room.

Left alone, Jun Jae once again carefully examined himself in the mirror - flawless, as befits the heir of a great Clan. Without further delay, he went to the dining hall.

Gong Sheng Li (Li Xin)

Perhaps the earliest bird of the Phoenix Valley is Gong Sheng Li, the son of one of the many concubines of the Head of the Fengling Gong Order. Having barely opened his pale green eyes after sleep, he quickly gathered his dark shock of hair under a hair clip, got dressed and went out to explore.

— Did you know that Head Hu's birthday is coming soon? — the maid speaks quietly, but Sheng Li, standing around the corner, still hears and freezes, holding his breath, trying not to disturb someone else's conversation.

— And who doesn’t know? — the second girl snorts dismissively and speaks louder than the first.

— Head Gong called his sons together, soon the palace will become calmer.

 Such conversations or gossip were not uncommon. One could even say that the walls of the corridors witnessed many secrets and intrigues that the young man would never have known about, if not for one thing - Sheng Li is very curious. Yes, people here like to chat as much as they like to listen. He had learned that long ago.

Even as a child, he understood perfectly well that all walls have ears, and it is better to speak as quietly as possible, or even better, not to speak at all. Li Xin more than once became an involuntary witness to other people's conversations, even if he himself did not want to.

Of course, he understood that eavesdropping was bad, because it was one of the immutable truths, but over time he also realized that other people's chatter could play into his hands, well, and the fact that he was eavesdropping... Well, these people themselves were to blame for this, since they did not first make sure that no one could hear them.

Head Hu, they talked about him as a strong and strong-willed person. He really wants to see this, as everyone said, powerful warrior. Could such an event mean that he would be taken along?

The answer came as soon as he turned the corner. The servant, with a bow, announced that the Head was waiting for him for breakfast. Li Xin smiled contentedly and headed to his room to get ready.

Very attentive to the smallest details, there should not be a single wrinkle, no matter what, the father would not be able to say that his son is not good enough. However, the only blemish on the impeccable Sheng Li is his origin. Contrary to words, the attitude towards a child from a wife and a child from a concubine is different.

Everyone always spoke of the Bailing Hu Order as extraordinary. A Clan in which strength and persistent character are primarily important. Sheng Li admired this and knew that he himself would never be able to do the same. While still quite a youth, he became more adept at cunning and manipulation than all his brothers combined were able to wield swords. 

Shaking his Head, thereby driving away unnecessary thoughts, the young man looked in the mirror, right now he was happy with everything. Clasping the hilt of his sword with his palm, he went to the dining room.

Gong De Ming (Song Lin)

Gong De Ming was on the training field when the servant informed him of the family meal, and was rewarded with the usual nod in response, but so lightly that not a single black hair moved in his loosely collected hairstyle. 

The young man was deep in thought about what his father had decided to tell him. The recent dinner kept reminding him of itself, the Head of the Order had said that the children had already grown up and it was time for them to find wives. His father's voice in his head reminded him of the speech down to the slightest intonation. Song Lin, sighing heavily, put the sword back in its sheath, affectionately giving the guard the warmth of his hand. 

Yes, he is one of the few who truly loves his weapon, loves its history, its spirit and is ready to share with it everything that happens in life and in his heart. And the sword, in turn, is also responsive to its owner, and only a blind person would not notice this.

Wide, rich corridors and shuffling servants, everything as usual. Heels click behind him, but he is not waiting for his mother, and it is unlikely that she wants him to. He is like her, like drops of water, in appearance and inwardly. Just like lady Gong, the young man does not seek communication.  

Entering the hall, he silently greeted his brothers and sat down in his usual place, waiting for his father.

Gong Mei Li (Hu An)

Mei Li still managed to arrive first, although it took longer than usual to get dressed - the sluggish maids could not cope with the outfit. And now he was causing discomfort, but the lady did not want to admit the obvious.

Black thick hair, collected in an intricate hairstyle. On the porcelain face, large green eyes like grass shine like precious stones. A heavy dress, embroidered with gems, carefully chosen for the morning meal, successfully hid her protruding belly.

In the early years of her marriage, she was offended by the fact that her husband often spent the night with his concubines, but now it was for the better, allowing her to hide her situation. She remembered well how monotonously tedious previous pregnancies had been.

Gong Bao Lei treated his wife like a vessel, not caring much about her wishes, only worrying about the future child.

As she approached the table, the woman heard her husband's footsteps, but chose not to turn around.