The palace doors were pushed open from the outside. When Jun Ning saw who entered, surprise flickered across her face.
At this hour, wasn’t Xiao Moyuan supposed to be summoned by the Emperor to the imperial study? How could he appear here now?
Jun Ning wasn’t the only one astonished—Consort Yan Zhuang and Xiao Yunjie were equally taken aback.
Prince Xuan had avoided the spotlight for years, usually quiet and unobtrusive. Why would he suddenly intrude upon Yuxiu Palace today?
“Greetings to Consort Yan Zhuang.” Supported by Cang Ying, Xiao Moyuan stepped across the threshold and bowed respectfully.
Consort Yan Zhuang had intended to rebuke him, but seeing him like this, she held back.
“Prince Xuan, why have you come here?”
“Your Ladyship, please don’t take offense. My health has been poor, and I haven’t come to pay respects in some time. Today, when Father Emperor saw me, he reminded me to visit Yuxiu Palace. Better today than any other day—I haven’t seen Your Ladyship in so long, so I came.”
Xiao Moyuan answered calmly, his words a blend of truth and pretense. Then, suddenly, his tone shifted: “But today is unfortunate—I happened to hear Fifth Brother instructing my future princess in such a way.”
Consort Yan Zhuang, ever mindful of propriety, did not know how much Xiao Moyuan had overheard while standing outside.
No matter what had happened in the past, Jun Ning was now destined to become another man’s princess consort. Between her and Prince Jing, the fault was no longer hers.
Consort Yan Zhuang was still considering how to explain when Xiao Yunjie strode forward to confront Xiao Moyuan.
“Elder Brother, isn’t it too early to call her your princess consort? The imperial decree hasn’t been issued yet—Jun Ning is not your consort!”
Unlike Xiao Yunjie, who snapped at everyone like a rabid dog, Xiao Moyuan remained calm and unhurried.
“Father Emperor’s word is law. The decree is only a matter of time. Fifth Brother, you already have your beauties and concubines, yet you still cling to what is mine. Do you truly think the Prince Xuan’s household is so easily bullied?”
Xiao Yunjie felt a sudden, inexplicable pressure from Xiao Moyuan’s words. No, impossible. How could he feel such weight from a man he had long dismissed as useless? He refused to admit it, and his denial only fueled his rage.
“Xiao Moyuan, you speak so grandly. Then tell me—do you know Ah Ning’s likes and dislikes? Do you know her past?”
He jabbed at his chest, almost boasting: “I’ll tell you—I know all of it. I am the one who understands her best in this world!”
Faced with such provocation, Xiao Moyuan did not grow angry. Instead, he smiled faintly, his tone steady: “Fifth Brother, you and Ah Ning have known each other since childhood, so naturally you know much about her. But the days ahead are long. Living together, I will come to know her likes and dislikes in time.”
“Oh, and one more thing—Fifth Brother, you should stop calling her ‘Ah Ning.’ Such an intimate address from your lips, I truly dislike it.”
“You—!” Xiao Yunjie had lifted a stone only to smash his own foot. His fury stripped away all reason, and his words grew ever more reckless.
“Xiao Moyuan! You’re a disfigured blind man—do you really think you can compete with me?”
*Smack!*
A sharp slap rang out in the hall.
Before anyone could react, Jun Ning was already standing between Xiao Moyuan and Xiao Yunjie, withdrawing her tingling right hand.
Blood trickled from the corner of Xiao Yunjie’s mouth, his face twisted to one side, the imprint of her fingers starkly visible.
“You… you actually hit me?” He stared in shock, unable to believe Jun Ning would strike him for the sake of another man.
Jun Ning lifted her face, meeting his gaze directly without flinching. Her beautiful eyes held nothing but coldness—no trace of affection remained.
That icy look, laced with hatred, was something Xiao Yunjie had never seen before. His heart tightened painfully.
“Prince Xuan is your elder brother. You showed him no respect. One slap is already lenient!”
Even disfigured and blind, Xiao Moyuan had just spoken in her defense.
Jun Ning didn’t know whether his words were true, but since he had stood up for her, she couldn’t allow him to be humiliated without cause.
A flicker of anguish passed through Xiao Yunjie’s eyes.
“Jun Ning, why? Don’t tell me you like him. You’ve only met once—I refuse to believe you’d treat me this way for a single meeting with him!” He reached out, trying to seize her hand, but Jun Ning deftly avoided him.
“There must be some reason I don’t know, isn’t there? Ah Ning, you must have some hidden burden. Tell me—tell me, and we’ll face it together, all right?”
“Ah Ning, I know… I know you couldn’t possibly like him…”
Xiao Yunjie pleaded humbly with Jun Ning, his voice breaking into near sobs by the end.
Jun Ning frowned deeply. She, the one whose life he had personally destroyed, had not shed tears—so what was a grown man crying for?
Unwilling to be entangled with him any longer, Jun Ning steeled herself, turned, and rose on tiptoe.
Xiao Moyuan only sensed someone approaching before hands clasped his shoulders. Before he could react, a kiss brushed his lips. Soft, warm, reckless—the fleeting touch made his heart tremble violently.
“Now do you see clearly?” Jun Ning stood before Xiao Moyuan, her attitude toward Xiao Yunjie utterly indifferent.
Watching the girl he had adored since childhood kiss another man, Xiao Yunjie staggered back several steps, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
“No… impossible… it can’t be…”
Seeing her son’s disgrace, Consort Yan’s face twisted with fury.
“Jun Ning! I am present here. Before all these eyes, how dare you behave so shamelessly!” She sought to salvage her son’s dignity by attacking Jun Ning.
But Xiao Moyuan deflected her rebuke with effortless precision.
“Rather than fault Ah Ning, Your Ladyship should first discipline your son. Father himself approved this marriage. Yet even with me here today, he dares to speak so recklessly. If one day he has no restraint, will he not tear the heavens apart?”
“Prince Xuan, are you telling me how to discipline my son?” Consort Yan loathed anyone daring to lecture her. Raised in luxury and long favored by the emperor, she had never been chastised by a junior before.
“Good medicine is bitter. I only speak the truth. If Your Ladyship blames me for it, I will accept the blame.”
“If Your Ladyship has no further matters, I shall take Ah Ning and leave.”
Xiao Moyuan bowed slightly in courtesy.
Few men ever addressed her so intimately as Ah Ning. In her past life, when Xiao Yunjie called her that, she had found it sweet. Now, hearing Xiao Moyuan say it, the name sounded far more pleasing. His meaning was plain: punish us quickly if you must; otherwise, we are leaving.
Consort Yan fumed, but to truly strike or punish Xiao Moyuan—she dared not. Years ago, when Xiao Moyuan had first been injured, similar confrontations had already occurred.