After Xianmo had lived peacefully in Yihe Palace for some time, Xianrang’s personal eunuch, Mayuan, came once again to deliver an imperial decree, summoning Xianmo to the martial training grounds.
The moment Fengguang heard the words martial training grounds, she grew nervous. “He’s not going to pick a fight with you, is he?”
Xianmo was much calmer. He changed into a neat, fitted outfit. “We’ll know when we get there.”
At the training grounds, Xianrang was not alone. Standing beside him was a handsome young man dressed in luxurious purple robes, as well as a blue-clad man with sharp brows and bright, piercing eyes.
Xianmo stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Your son greets Father Emperor.”
“No need for formalities. Come here—let the Imperial Preceptor and General Lan have a look at you.” Xianrang beckoned with a kindly smile.
After Xianmo stepped closer, Xianrang first introduced the man in purple. “This is Imperial Preceptor Zou He.”
Xianmo bowed again. “Imperial Preceptor.”
“No need for such courtesy, Your Highness.” Zou He’s peach-blossom eyes that curved in a smile, effortlessly captivating. When he looked toward Xianmo, his gaze lingered for a brief second in an empty patch of air.
Fengguang instantly felt immense pressure. Floating close beside Xianmo, she didn’t even dare drift around and could only stare nervously at the Imperial Preceptor. Yet aside from that slight pause at the beginning, Zou He didn’t spare anyone else any unusual attention.
That glance just now… might have only been her imagination.
Xianrang then introduced the other man. “This is Lan Zhao, Great General Lan.”
Xianmo lowered his head. “General Lan.”
Lan Zhao suddenly reached out and placed a hand on Xianmo’s shoulder. After a moment, he nodded and said to Xianrang, “The Eldest Prince has an excellent physique for martial arts. He’s a rare talent.”
“Of course.” Zou He’s lips curled into a bewitching smile. “My divinations have never been wrong.”
“Good, good, good!” Xianrang said three times in a row, clearly delighted. He turned to Xianmo. “Mo’er, listen carefully. From today onward, General Lan will be your master. He’ll teach you martial arts, so you must study diligently.”
“Yes, Father Emperor.”
Xianmo looked at Lan Zhao, bowed deeply, and performed a formal salute. “Master.”
Lan Zhao hurriedly replied, “Your Highness, I dare not accept such a title. I am only responsible for instructing Your Highness in martial arts—it is nothing more than my duty.”
“What do you mean you dare not?” Xianrang disagreed. “If you teach Mo’er martial arts, you’re no different from a tutor who teaches him literature. How could you not deserve to be called ‘Master’?”
Zou He said with a grin, “Your Majesty, you know our great general—he’s always been rigid and by-the-book. That’s nothing new.”
Lan Zhao shot Zou He a look, as if he were nothing but a troublemaker, and ignored him.
Zou He added, “And quiet as a clam, too.”
Xianrang chuckled. “Enough. The general isn’t good with words, so Imperial Preceptor, stop teasing him.”
Just then, a eunuch suddenly came running over, shouting, “Your Majesty!”
Xianrang frowned. “Why are you yelling? Have you forgotten palace protocol?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty!” The eunuch immediately dropped to his knees. “This servant truly has urgent news to report.”
“Oh?” Zou He smiled meaningfully. “Isn’t that a eunuch from Consort Yun’s palace?”
Xianrang’s expression darkened at once. Ever since meeting Xianmo, he had been neglecting Consort Yun and had not visited her palace. She had remained quiet for a while, but seeing the young eunuch so flustered, he still asked,
“What happened?”
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1