Chapter 213 - 212 Su Nv Sect

The Emperor has too many children.

Zhao Jiangning was not outstanding among the numerous children, and her mother died in childbirth. Now that Gao Fen has also died in battle, Zhao Jiangning is left without support.

Zhao Fujin was clearly aware of Zhao Jiangning’s worries and immediately embraced her, comforting her gently, "In the future, I’ll protect you. Tomorrow, I’ll tell father to let you move back to Fengyang Pavilion."

Zhao Jiangning understood Zhao Fujin’s kindness, stroked her beautiful hair and smiled softly, "Fujin, you’re already an adult, and sooner or later, you’ll get married. It won’t be long before you’ll have to move out of Fengyang Pavilion."

"Elder sister, I’m still young." Hearing this, Zhao Fujin blushed, and inexplicably, Chen Mo’s image surfaced in her mind.

"You’re sixteen, how can you still be young? If you were among common folk, you’d probably already be a mother of several children." Zhao Jiangning gently pinched Zhao Fujin’s nose.

"I don’t care, I won’t marry."

Zhao Fujin showed the temperament of a little girl, then said, "And even if I do get married, elder sister, you can still move in with me, and I’ll still be able to protect you."

"If you get married, you’ll have to live at the Prince Consort’s house. What kind of propriety would it be for me to go with you? People would gossip." Zhao Jiangning glared playfully at Zhao Fujin.

Zhao Fujin didn’t think it through deeply and said, "What gossip is there to talk about? You’re my elder sister. What’s wrong with living together? And by that time, I’m sure he’ll agree as well."

"Alright, alright, when the time comes, I’ll definitely move in." Zhao Jiangning didn’t want to dwell on this topic any longer, so she casually said it to brush it off.

...

Weiyang Palace.

Of course, Xiao Yunxi also received news about Nanyang.

Upon learning that Huangfu Hao was still leading a large army to conquer Western Shu, Xiao Yunxi was inwardly opposed.

Because, according to the information she received, officials drawn from various places had almost arrived in Nanyang County, so the army should have returned to the Capital.

But if they go to conquer Western Shu, who knows when they can return?

Xiao Yunxi pulled out a chest from under the bed.

Upon opening the chest, there was a white brocade robe inside.

She held the white brocade robe in her hands and gently caressed it.

This white brocade robe was sewn by her own hand, stitch by stitch.

On the chest of the robe, a few red flower petals were adorned.

While caressing the white brocade robe, a picture clearly appeared in Xiao Yunxi’s mind.

A handsome young man stood in the sunlight wearing the white brocade robe, which fluttered in the breeze. He smiled at her and then walked over and kissed her on the lips.

Xiao Yunxi’s face turned bright red, then she fell onto the Phoenix Bed, her legs entwined, and between her legs was that white brocade robe.

...

The wind rustled, and the moon hung on the branches.

A nimble figure slipped past the Xiao Family’s guards, stealthily reached the backyard, and then moved like a bird over eaves and walls, finally flipping over the courtyard wall, cautiously dodging maids, and then opening the window, skillfully squeezing into the room.

She lit a candle and just removed her hood.

A voice sounded behind her, "Yaoyao."

Yi Yao’s body stiffened, then slowly turned around to see a beautiful woman in a luxurious dress sitting on her bed, apparently waiting for her for a long time.

"Mother." Yi Yao smiled awkwardly, unsure of where to place her hands.

"You still know how to call me mother?" The beautiful woman with a stern face rose and approached Yi Yao, saying, "Where did you go so late?"

"Nowhere, just went out for some air..."

"Still lying to me, have you gone out to practice martial arts again?" The beautiful woman, somewhat angry, said, "I’ve told you, girls shouldn’t get involved in fighting, and you have a better path laid out for you, just like other girls, isn’t it better to learn some needlework at home?"

"Is becoming a maid for a eunuch really a better path?" Yi Yao couldn’t hold back, softly shouted.

The beautiful woman was stunned, "Yaoyao, you... you know?"

"When we were brought back to the Xiao Mansion, I overheard your conversation with that person." Yi Yao said honestly.

"Actually, the master didn’t want this either, it’s... it’s all the decision of the Grand Commandant, the master... couldn’t resist, and mother couldn’t do anything either." The beautiful woman turned sad at this moment.

She was born in a brothel, once the courtesan of the establishment, known as Zhihua, who was favored by the cousin of Xiao Family’s legitimate eldest son, Yi Qinghong, and conceived Yi Yao.

But the Xiao Family does not allow brothel women to enter their home, even though Yi Qinghong is not strictly of Xiao Family bloodline.

Thus, she was kept by Yi Qinghong outside for more than ten years, and Yi Yao became an illegitimate child.

Only a few days ago did the Xiao Family bring them back.

Zhihua thought it was the end of her hardship.

Unexpectedly...

"So I don’t blame you, mother." Yi Yao took Zhihua’s hand and smiled, "My master says I should be able to break through to the level of a Fifth Grade Martial Artist in a few days, and by then, I’ll take you away from here."

"Leave here?" Zhihua was taken aback, then shook her head, "No way."

Being from a brothel, Zhihua had long known the cruel nature of society and the fickleness of human warmth. She’d had enough of that living on the edge kind of life, and now she’d finally reached the end and could enjoy life, how could she be willing to leave the Xiao Mansion?

"Why not?" Yi Yao frowned and then said, "If you’re worried about not being able to leave the Xiao Mansion, mother, you can rest assured. At that time, my master will meet us outside. She is an Innate Martial Artist and will definitely be able to take us out of the Capital."

Zhihua’s expression was hesitant; she didn’t want her daughter to know she was someone who sought vanity, so she said, "After leaving the Xiao Mansion, where can we go? Now the world is so chaotic, and we don’t have much silver taels..."

"You don’t need to worry, mother. My master has said that by then we’ll go to the sect, a place with high mountains and flowing waters, where birds sing and flowers smell sweet—it’s much better than Bianliang..."

Yi Yao laughed happily and shared about her sect with Zhihua.

The sect was called the Su Nv Sect, also a branch of Daoism. Although it was a single lineage, it has a grand reputation.

Then there were tales of robbing the rich to help the poor, upholding justice for the world, etc.

Yi Yao talked about a lot.

But Zhihua only caught one phrase.

Living a life of poverty.

Zhihua continued to persuade softly.

But Yi Yao was determined to leave, even saying, "Mother, you don’t want me to become a maid to a eunuch, right? And officially, they say it’s being a maid, but in reality, it’s akin to marrying him.

Mother, I’ve heard that eunuchs, having lost that part, often become even more depraved in that aspect, surely you wouldn’t want your daughter to step into a pit of fire."

Zhihua lowered her eyes and her expression fluctuated, then she avoided Yi Yao’s gaze and said, "Mother... mother promises you.

When do you plan to leave the Xiao Mansion?"

"My master said within five days at the latest."