The man gave a low “mm” and walked past her. With a sweep of his brocade robe, he sat before Xue and ordered the servants: “Help her up and remove the cloth from her mouth.”
The cloth was pulled from Xue’s mouth, and she gasped continuously.
Enduring the pain, she sat up. When she clearly saw the person sitting before her, she couldn’t help but be stunned.
She had seen few men in her life, but each was young, handsome, and striking. This man was the most outstanding and beautiful she had ever seen from childhood to adulthood.
His features were calm and serene, with a gentle demeanor even when not smiling. Noticing Xue’s gaze fixed on him, he curved his eyes slightly and asked, “Do you know who I am?”
Xue suddenly realized her impropriety and hastily lowered her head, stammering, “No… I do not.”
“I am Yan, commissioned to lead the Forbidden Army, and I have some acquaintance with your father, Minister Xue.”
The words “Yan” and “Forbidden Army” were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head. Her heart instantly froze, with only two words echoing in her mind: It’s over.
Since the princess’s near-fatal incident last year, the palace concubines had become more restrained, showing more fear towards the empress – not out of respect, but terror of the person who backed her and eliminated those who had harmed the princess.
Yan Xiaohan, a key confidant of the emperor and leader of the Forbidden Army.
The initial amazement faded, replaced by pure terror. Xue retreated in panic, trembling, “What do you want…”
“Noble Concubine,” he asked casually, “Don’t you know why I’m here?”
“I don’t know!” Xue tried to appear composed, her voice sharp but hollow, “An outsider intruding into the palace is a capital offense. How dare you touch me? Aren’t you afraid of the emperor’s punishment?”
Yan Xiaohan responded, “I am commissioned to protect the palace and cannot ignore a malicious woman deceiving the court. This is my duty. You should know who I am, and understand that even your father would not be spared.”
Xue trembled, “I… I am the emperor’s concubine. This is not your concern… I want to see the emperor!”
Yan Xiaohan sneered, “I address you as ‘Noble Concubine’, but do you really think you are one?”
