Rumors about Nan Shiying, the Regent's Consort, were as numerous as the stars.
Initially, she was rumored to be immoral and hideous; then, family members of various mansions spread tales of her unparalleled beauty and imperious demeanor. After the palace banquet concluded recently, some even claimed she possessed a gentle disposition and captivating charm.
The patrol captain alone had heard three versions. Regarding the Regent's Consort, it wasn't precisely curiosity, but rather a desire to see which of these descriptions the woman at the center of the gossip truly embodied.
Upon seeing her now, however, he felt all the previous accounts were utter nonsense.
"His Highness often says that the reason the people of the capital dare to go out at night, enjoying the lanterns and the lake, is due to the efforts of the generals and soldiers of the patrol营. Now that I see you, it is indeed as he said."
"General, your hard work is appreciated. I, on behalf of the people of the capital, thank you all for your protection."
Nan Shiying alighted from the carriage and gracefully approached the patrol营 members. A faint smile graced her lips, and the warm winter sunlight slanted down upon her, as if casting a halo around her.
Her eyes, dark and lustrous as grapes, crinkled in a smile like crescent moons. Her soft, gentle words of praise were both sincere and earnest, igniting a sense of recognized mission and responsibility within the hearts of the patrol营 members, mingled with an inexplicable feeling of gratitude and apprehension.
The general suppressed the excitement in his heart and led the patrol营 soldiers to kneel and bow. "Your subordinate greets the Consort. You are too kind, Consort. Guarding the capital is our duty; we dare not claim merit."
The smile in Nan Shiying's eyes deepened. "Whose son are you?"
The general respectfully replied, "This subordinate has no illustrious family background. I am merely a commoner."
"What does it matter if you are a commoner? This world, this nation, without the common people, where would the dynasty come from? I ask you because I ask for your name. The sons of common people are also the sons of our Lin Yuan Kingdom. Lift your head and tell me, what is your surname and given name?"
Nan Shiying's words were spoken with such powerful conviction and imposing spirit that everyone present felt as though they were listening to a royal decree.
The general was instantly filled with a surge of heroic spirit, willing to spill his blood and sacrifice his life for such a wise and benevolent ruler, repaying her recognition with unwavering loyalty.
"Your subordinate, Li Hao, kneels to thank the Consort for her teachings today."
Saying this, he was about to kowtow.
Nan Shiying grasped Li Hao's wrist, stopping his movement to bow. "General, you are too serious. My words today are merely what I have heard through constant exposure to His Highness. They are not worthy of your kowtow."
"General, and all the soldiers, please rise quickly!"
As Nan Shiying spoke, she applied a slight force to Li Hao's wrist, and he was actually pulled to his feet by this strength.
Was this internal energy?
The Consort knew martial arts?
Li Hao's pupils dilated in an instant, only to regain their composure in the next moment, suppressing all emotion.
The outside rumors were all nonsense. The Consort's appearance was indeed captivating and exquisitely beautiful, but compared to her peerless face, her demeanor, her temperament, her bearing, her unyielding spirit, and the glimpse she had revealed, which was likely only the tip of the iceberg, were enough to make Li Hao marvel, be amazed, admire, and revere her.
Li Hao's perception of the Regent also shifted. That man, who had established the awe-inspiring Demon Hunter Army before he even reached adulthood, was not only known for his cold ruthlessness and great ambition but also for his broad-mindedness and his benevolent care for the people.
If such a person were to become Emperor, it did not seem entirely unacceptable.
Li Hao was startled by this thought that suddenly popped into his mind.
He looked up sharply, casting a glance at the Regent's Consort, whose smile was radiant and whose presence exuded nobility without a hint of arrogance.
Were her words just now unintentional, or deliberate?
Sensing Li Hao's gaze, Nan Shiying smiled and nodded at him again, speaking courteously, "I will trouble the General to discard the criminal's corpse in the mass grave to feed the dogs. This way, he will have the good karma of cutting flesh to feed the eagles, like Buddha did, thus sparing him the fate of being cast into hell to endure endless torture."
Her eyes were filled with a smile, her tone as gentle and compassionate as a devout lay Buddhist kneeling before Buddha. Yet, what she said was filled with stark malice, exceedingly cruel and cold. This stark contrast caused a sudden surge of fear in Li Hao's heart.
He immediately lowered his head, responding without daring to delay, "Your subordinate obeys the command."
The patrol营 members carried the corpse away. The onlookers standing in the distance watched Nan Shiying, who stood not far from the bloodstains, and felt a chill run down their spines.
Nan Shiying glanced at them and smiled faintly.
However, the crowd felt as if they were being stared at by death itself. One by one, they quickly lowered their heads, wishing they had never appeared there that day.
Which bastard said Nan Shiying was a morally corrupt and unsightly person? And who said she was gentle and kind? Bah!
This woman was a killer star, no less formidable than the Regent!
This time, the common people finally believed the news that had spread from the palace banquet: the Regent and his Consort were indeed deeply devoted to each other.
They were a pair of formidable and deadly creatures!
The crowd, not daring to linger, turned and fled.
Xuan Yi watched the people flee with faces buried in their hands, then turned to glance at his Consort.
This woman was truly ruthless!
Only now did the Nan Manor's housekeeper tremble his way forward. He looked at Nan Shiying's face, which was as gentle as flowing water, and felt an all-encompassing chill. However, with matters having progressed to this point, someone from the Nan Manor had to step forward to take responsibility. They couldn't possibly present their master and say everything was the mistress's command.
Steeling himself, he suddenly knelt at Nan Shiying's feet and loudly confessed his guilt. "This old servant is guilty. To have allowed such a rebellious individual to enter the Nan Manor and become a gatekeeper. Although his words have no relation to the Nan Manor, as a servant of the Nan Manor, the manor bears inescapable responsibility. This old servant misjudged people and employed poorly, causing the Nan Manor to be slandered and the Consort to be shamed. This old servant deserves to die. I beg the Consort for punishment."
A clever move of advancing by retreating.
Did she think that the Nan Manor could escape unscathed and without a fight by doing this?
Nan Shiying let out a cold laugh. She cast a dismissive glance at the kneeling housekeeper at her feet, her voice as sharp and piercing as a winter gale. "Regarding this matter, I will report it to Father myself. I will also have a good talk with Lady Liu and ask her how she manages the inner courtyard. Misjudging people and employing poorly; if she cannot manage, I will personally invite physicians from the Imperial Hospital to examine Mother. Once Mother's health has greatly improved, she can once again take charge of the Nan Manor's household affairs, so as to prevent the Nan Manor from being managed so chaotically by Lady Liu!"
"Get inside and have Lady Liu come to welcome me into the manor!"