TSFLIP Chapter 1025

Rong Tingxue smiled faintly. “When the time comes, you will naturally return to where you belong.”

“And when will that be?”

“That depends on fate.” Rong Tingxue’s smile was unfathomable. “Some things cannot be rushed. They can only follow their natural course.”

Fengguang pouted. “Then what’s the difference between saying that and saying nothing?”

“There is no difference,” Rong Tingxue replied casually. “In this world, there must be cause before there is effect. When the result arrives, you will understand what the cause was.”

Fengguang thought for a moment, then asked, “Your Majesty, do you practice Buddhism?”

“I cultivate the Dao, not Buddhism.” Rong Tingxue left her with a faint smile and turned, flicking her sleeve. “I am retiring for the night. You should leave as well.”

A gust of wind swept over her, and Fengguang’s body was sent flying uncontrollably out of Fengyi Palace. She drifted at the palace gates, convinced that this Empress was anything but ordinary. She had wanted to ask more about regaining a physical body, but the Empress had simply sent her away.

Most importantly, although the Empress seemed easy to talk to, she was in fact anything but.

After lingering for a while, Fengguang finally drifted back to Yihe Palace.

Before dawn the next day, it was time for Xianmo’s martial training again. Fengguang watched as he held a sword stance for nearly half an hour. His body was clearly at its limit, yet since Lan Zhao had not given the order to stop, he maintained the position without moving an inch.

She hovered anxiously around him. Finally, after a few more minutes, Lan Zhao called out for a halt. Xianmo relaxed his stiff posture. A layer of sweat covered his forehead, but he made no complaint.

Even Lan Zhao, who always wore a stern expression, softened slightly. “Your Highness, take a short rest. We’ll continue shortly.”

“Thank you, Master.” Xianmo set down his sword and walked to sit on a nearby bench.

Fengguang hurried to fan him with her hands. “Little A-Mo, you must be exhausted, right?”

“I’m fine.” Xianmo glanced at the tall, unmoving figure in the distance and lowered his voice.

“If it’s too much—if you really can’t handle it—don’t just keep quiet about it,” she urged. She knew his tight-lipped nature all too well.

Xianmo curved his lips into a smile. Now that his body had been properly nourished and restored, that handsome young face paired with such a casual smile carried an almost unintentional charm. “I’ve grown used to Master’s instruction. This is nothing.”

Fengguang was momentarily dazzled by his smile and couldn’t tell whether he was telling the truth or not. Ever since she had taught him to smile more often, he seemed to flash a faint grin at the slightest occasion. She had been happy to see him learn to smile—but she had never told him to use that expression on her as well!

She sighed, suddenly feeling like a mother whose child had grown up beyond her control.

Noticing her silence, Xianmo asked softly, “Fengguang, are you angry?”

“No.”

The stiff, simple reply sounded nothing like someone who wasn’t angry.

Xianmo didn’t understand why she would be upset, but he knew that, whatever the reason, apologizing was the safest choice. “Fengguang, it’s my fault. Please don’t be angry.”

At such a young age, he already had the awareness to hurry and admit fault in front of a girl. Somehow, she suddenly had the feeling that this child’s future would be limitless.