Zhang Xu, who was already past thirty, found himself feeling an overwhelming sense of pressure from a twelve-year-old child. He didn’t dare move rashly, because he suddenly couldn’t judge just how strong the boy really was—nor whether he might truly be capable of killing him in a single strike.
But Zhuo Yun was not a martial artist, so she couldn’t understand what was happening. She snapped angrily, “Zhang Xu, why aren’t you making your move?”
For the first time, Zhang Xu realized that a woman could be this irritatingly loud. Still, he did not respond. His eyes remained fixed on the boy in front of him as he waited for the right opportunity—one chance to subdue him in a single move.
It was at this moment that the dignified and noble Empress arrived.
Behind her trailed a long line of palace attendants, her entourage naturally more imposing than Consort Yun’s. Dressed in formal attire, she was breathtakingly beautiful, and her exquisite makeup only amplified her charm.
Rong Tingxue smiled, her expression radiant. “Why, isn’t that Consort Yun and Commander Zhang? What brings you both here?”
Tilting her head slightly, she then noticed Xian Mo. She let out a soft “oh,” feigning surprise. “And this child must be the First Prince. Could it be… that Consort Yun feels guilty about how she treated the First Prince before, and today she’s come to bring him back to the palace to take proper care of him?”
Zhuo Yun’s expression stiffened. She couldn’t tell whether Rong Tingxue truly hadn’t noticed the large group of Imperial Guards behind her—or was only pretending not to. What she did know was that deliberately bringing up the matter of her sending Xian Mo to the Cold Palace years ago, in front of so many people, was clearly meant to embarrass her.
“Your servant greets Her Majesty the Empress,” Zhang Xu said, withdrawing from his silent standoff with Xian Mo. Being a clever man, he immediately bowed respectfully.
However, the Empress did not tell him to rise, so he could only remain bent over like that.
“A-Mo, the Empress is the reinforcements I called. She’s a good person.”
Hearing the voice that had not sounded in his ears for a long time, the intimidating aura that had surrounded Xian Mo moments ago softened slightly. The fingers at his side twitched, and then he felt his hand wrapped in a cool, refreshing touch. It felt very comfortable.
Feng Guang held his hand and said gently, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”
The corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly.
Meanwhile, the drama between the two women continued.
Zhuo Yun forced a smile. “Doesn’t Your Majesty usually stay inside Fengyi Palace? What brings you out today?”
“I’ve stayed in Fengyi Palace for so long that I’ve nearly forgotten what the other palaces look like,” Rong Tingxue replied lightly. “So I thought I might visit your Huimeng Palace.”
If there was one thing that pained Zhuo Yun most, it was the position of Empress. She was a princess of the former dynasty and therefore destined never to hold the title of Empress. Even if she was a favored consort, what did that amount to? In an ordinary household, she would simply be a concubine.
Even though the emperor did not favor Rong Tingxue, she was still his lawful wife. She could hold the phoenix seal and reside in Fengyi Palace—while Zhuo Yun had neither.
Zhuo Yun had always been the type to say exactly what was on her mind. She disliked playing word games, so she spoke directly.
“Your Majesty misunderstands. I came to see Xian Mo today simply because he bullied my Long’er.”
As for the matter of Xiao Gaozi—who really cared about that?
Rong Tingxue’s gaze shifted slightly, glancing toward Feng Guang beside Xian Mo.
Feng Guang quickly said, “That’s not what happened at all. Xian Long was scared into crying by his own nursemaid, Madam Guo. It has nothing to do with our kind-hearted A-Mo.”
Rong Tingxue smiled, her eyes curving as she looked at Zhuo Yun. “They’re just children. There’s no need to take it so seriously. Why should someone of your age get involved?”
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 66.1