Zhi Gu was sitting at the front of the carriage, unaware that Liu Liu was a woman, let alone a consort of the current dynasty. She merely followed orders.
Though surprised by her master's return to the capital overnight, she asked no questions and quickly drove the carriage away from Black Wind City.
In an elegant and noble room in Black Wind City's most luxurious inn, a profound silence reigned.
A man, reclined on a white sofa, had a handsome face etched with murderous rage. His phoenix eyes were raised, and his琉璃-like pupils flashed with dark, tempestuous storms. His thin lips were tightly pursed into frigid lines.
He held a portrait in his hand, gripping it tightly. As his anger surged, he raised his hand, and the portrait instantly shattered into paper scraps that fluttered down in the room.
"Master, please don't be too angry. Perhaps this is just a misunderstanding," a subordinate said cautiously. Their master always lost control when the consort was involved.
Always indifferent and unyielding in front of outsiders, did their master ever wonder why he became so easily enraged by the consort?
This breathtakingly beautiful man in a state of fury was Feng Xie. Upon receiving his subordinate's report that the martial arts alliance leader, Zhan Yun, had posted a portrait seeking an ugly woman as a concubine, he initially had no objections, as it was normal for men to take concubines.
But when Ri Ying handed him the portrait that evening, he almost overturned the inn. The woman in the portrait was an exact replica of his Empress, strikingly lifelike, especially the large birthmark on her face.
He figured that throughout the entire Tian Feng dynasty, there wouldn't be another woman with such a unique mark. Although the woman was not pleasing, she was now his Empress. For the Emperor's woman to be taken as a concubine by a subordinate—how could he not be furious?
Outside the window, the wind blew, making the branches sway and the fallen leaves dance. The candlelight flickered within the room, casting dappled shadows, and a chilling air filled the space, accompanied by a palpable sense of impending danger.
The door was lightly knocked twice. Yue Ying went to open it and found Ri Ying had indeed returned, with Zhan Yun following behind. Zhan Yun didn't understand why his master summoned him at this late hour.
Despite not understanding, he sensed the chilling atmosphere in the room and his master's anger.
"Seize Zhan Yun," a frigidly lethal command, like that of a hellish Asura, issued forth. The three people in the room simultaneously jolted, yet moved in unison.
Ri Ying and Yue Ying darted forward, their swords unsheathed, while Zhan Yun stood with his hands hanging at his sides, allowing the two to apprehend him without resistance.
His handsome face wore a look of confusion. Had he done something to incur his master's wrath?
"Zhan Yun does not understand what wrong he has done. Please, Master, enlighten me?"
Feng Xie snorted coldly. On his exquisite features, his eyes flashed with a chilling malevolence. A brilliant smile touched his lips, yet it carried the emperor's cold, unfeeling demeanor. "Did you post the portrait on the wall of Black Wind City?"
As the Emperor's words fell, a wry smile appeared on Zhan Yun's face. He hadn't expected his master to even question his taking a concubine. It must have been that woman, Lin Cai Xue, who secretly met the Emperor. That detestable woman.
She shouldn't expect him to ever give her a pleasant look. They were better off never crossing paths. She couldn't even tolerate his concubine, yet she dared to expect his attention.
Furthermore, the Emperor had him arrested based on her words. If this woman wasn't someone the Emperor had cast aside, he truly couldn't believe it.
"Yes," he replied, lowering his head. Naturally, if the Emperor wished to arrest him, he would submit to their disposal.
"Cai Xue is such a good woman, yet you don't cherish her, and you intend to take such an ugly woman as a concubine. Have you seen that ugly woman?" Feng Xie's voice was deep and fierce, his face mysteriously captivating like a phantom's. He stared intently at Zhan Yun's lips, hoping for a denial.
But Zhan Yun nodded.
"Yes, Zhan Yun has seen that woman. She is not as ugly as Your Majesty describes. The birthmark on her face is not unsightly; on the contrary, it is unique, like a blooming lotus, making her entire being seem sacred and elegant, elegantly conveying a sense of pitiable beauty.
Zhan Yun spoke with intoxication, while the Emperor's face grew increasingly dark. Could that woman truly have come to Black Wind City? Because I neglected her, she couldn't bear the loneliness and came to Black Wind City to seduce men. But does her birthmark truly resemble a lotus?
Or is Zhan Yun seeing another woman?
Ri Ying and Yue Ying, seeing Zhan Yun speak so enthusiastically, exchanged several glances with him, but he remained oblivious. This foolish man left them speechless. Didn't they see His Majesty's face turning greener by the moment?
And the person he spoke of, how similar it sounded to the consort. Even they had to wonder if the consort had come to Black Wind City. But why would a delicate woman like the consort come to Black Wind City?
The candlelight flickered, casting an eerie, dim glow.
Feng Xie let out a cold snort and spoke with chilling authority, "Cai Xue is such a good woman, and you don't cherish her. Instead, you're ostentatiously seeking someone to take as a concubine in Black Wind City. It seems you've become too complacent."
Zhan Yun finally came back to his senses, cursing himself inwardly. Was he truly mad? Did he have a death wish? Knowing that his master was acting on Cai Xue's behalf, he went on to praise that woman's merits. Wasn't this pushing himself toward a dead end?
"Master, this is my family matter," Zhan Yun stated firmly. The candlelight reflected on his face, showing his composure and steadfastness, devoid of any fear.
Two small sparks danced in his eyes, filled with a burning passion. The moment he thought of that woman, he felt a sense of recklessness. People were truly strange. He had only met her once, yet he desired her so intensely.
Some people, after being together for a lifetime, still felt nothing, even harboring aversion.
"Audacious," Feng Xie roared with displeasure. His body moved with lightning speed, landing beside Zhan Yun. His hands shot out like hawk claws, locking onto Zhan Yun's throat. Using only half his strength, he made it difficult for Zhan Yun to breathe, his breaths becoming rapid and his face turning pale.
But he remained motionless. Before his eyes, he saw himself, Ri Ying, and Yue Ying, wandering the streets like dogs, being chased and beaten by people.
If they were injured, their wounds would fester without anyone inquiring. When they approached others, those people would cover their noses and curse them as mongrels.
Later, they encountered the then Crown Prince. Although they later learned that the Crown Prince had noticed their upright physique and strong bones, deeming them suitable materials for martial arts training, and intended to cultivate them into capable subordinates.
In the end, they were merely pawns in the Crown Prince's hands. However, over the years, they had gained the respect they deserved, acquired martial arts skills, and obtained status.
All of this was bestowed by the Emperor. Therefore, even if the Emperor wished to kill him, he would not regret it. Zhan Yun closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting. He missed his mother; her embrace was so gentle.
Seeing the Emperor's fury, and sensing that he might truly kill Zhan Yun, Ri Ying and Yue Ying hurriedly knelt.
"Master, please spare Zhan Yun. He didn't know that woman was the consort. Moreover, what Zhan Yun saw might not be the consort at all. All of this awaits verification. If Your Majesty kills Zhan Yun, the sudden death of the martial arts alliance leader will inevitably cause turmoil in the martial world. It will then take considerable effort to cultivate another trusted subordinate."
Hearing Ri Ying and Yue Ying's words, Feng Xie's brow furrowed. He slightly loosened his grip, then retreated to the sofa, coldly gazing at the slumped Zhan Yun on the floor.
When Zhan Yun slowly came to his senses, Feng Xie spoke with chilling severity, "I will spare you this time. Organize the martial arts tournament properly. Otherwise, do not blame me for your ruin."
"Thank you, Master," Zhan Yun replied, a sigh of relief escaping him. His master had finally spared him at the last moment.