The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 9

“Brother, someone is committing violence in the street!” Xu Ruoxiang cried out loudly.

Xu Yunshen walked in with a stern expression, his hand resting on his sword. “What happened?”

Seeing the young master of the Xu family arrive, the shopkeeper couldn’t help but feel intimidated. “Oh, Young Master Xu, it’s a minor matter, just a minor matter.”

Song Jin bowed slightly to Xu Yunshen and said, “Commander Xu, we were just looking at a hairpin when this performer insisted on snatching it away and even pushed Xiangxiang down because of it.”

Xu Yunshen frowned and glanced at Yunxia. The woman wearing the veiled hat felt strangely familiar to him she resembled someone, yet not quite. Her graceful figure stirred his imagination.

Xu Yunshen said in a deep voice, “Committing violence in the street is punishable by twenty lashes according to the law! Considering this is your first offense, go and apologize to the two young ladies. If they choose not to pursue the matter, you may be spared the punishment.”

Yunxia clenched her fists tightly, not daring to make a sound. A dull pain still throbbed in her arm. She was afraid that if Xu Yunshen recognized her, everything would be over.

Xu Ruoxiang gloated from the side, “Kowtow three times, and we’ll let you off!”

Song Jin tugged at her sleeve, her eyes crinkling with laughter. “Xiangxiang, you’re so mischievous. Why make her kowtow? Just have her remove the veiled hat and apologize to us publicly.”

Seeing that Yunxia remained motionless, Xu Yunshen waved to the guards behind him. “Restrain her!”

Two guards immediately stepped forward, each gripping one of Yunxia’s arms tightly to prevent her from moving.

Xu Ruoxiang, arm in arm with Song Jin, walked step by step toward Yunxia and said viciously, “Ajin, don’t you think this performer always wears a veil? Maybe she has some kind of facial disease?”

Song Jin covered her mouth and giggled delicately. “Xiangxiang, people like her probably serve too many others and have no face left to show. Hahaha.”

Yunxia twisted her body, struggling desperately. In an instant, her veiled hat was knocked off. She closed her eyes in despair, just before Xu Ruoxiang’s hand could reach her veil.

“Stop!” Lu Zhao’s voice rang out, low and firm. His usually cold and distant face now held a hint of anger as he stood at the entrance, his gaze icy.

Xu Ruoxiang shrank back in fear, withdrawing her hand. Song Jin immediately stepped toward Lu Zhao and bowed gracefully. “Your Highness, what brings you here?”

Xu Yunshen bowed respectfully and said, “Your Highness, someone here has committed violence in the street. Your subordinate ”

Without even glancing at them, Lu Zhao stared fixedly at Yunxia’s restrained arms. His thin lips parted slightly as he commanded, “I said, let her go!”

Intimidated by Lu Zhao’s imposing presence, the two guards released Yunxia in fright. In that instant, Yunxia rushed into Lu Zhao’s embrace. Her nose tingled with emotion, and tears as large as beans fell from her eyes. Trembling, she whispered, “Sister, Niannian hurts.”

Catching a glimpse of the terrifying bruises on Yunxia’s pale arm, Lu Zhao’s expression darkened even further. His arm tightened around her abruptly, his heart aching as if twisted by an invisible hand. In a cold voice, he ordered, “Xigui, strike back!”

Xigui replied respectfully, “As you command, Your Highness!” In a flash, two cold glints swept through the air. The guards clutched their arms and fell to the ground, howling in pain. “It hurts, it hurts.”

Yunxia buried her face in Lu Zhao’s chest and pointed a delicate, pale finger at Xu Ruoxiang. In a soft, pleading voice, she said, “Sister, she pinched me. Niannian hurts so much.”

Watching the two guards writhing in pain on the ground, Xu Ruoxiang’s face turned pale, and she swayed unsteadily. She cast a pleading look toward Xu Yunshen.

Xu Yunshen didn’t even glance at her, his heart filled with regret for offending the regent over such a trivial matter. Had he known earlier that the actress was from the Lu residence, even with ten times the courage, he wouldn’t have dared to act so recklessly.

Xu Ruoxiang tugged at Song Jin’s sleeve and whispered, “Ah Jin, please plead for me. Whatever you say, the prince will surely listen.”

Song Jin glided forward gracefully, tilting her face up to look at Lu Zhao as she said softly, “Ah Zhao, for my sake, could you spare her?” Her voice was tender and coquettish, as if she shared an intimate relationship with Lu Zhao. Song Jin believed herself to be special in Lu Zhao’s eyes after all, the princess treated her with such familiarity, so surely Lu Zhao would heed her words.

Upon hearing this, Yunxia clung tightly to Lu Zhao, shaking her head gently in her embrace. She lifted her tear-streaked face, lips trembling, and asked pitifully, “Sister, are you going to side with them and bully Niannian too?”

Lu Zhao’s beautiful brows furrowed. She patted Yunxia’s back and said coldly to Song Jin, “Miss Song, I don’t wish to embarrass the Grand Tutor because of you. The two of you need only apologize to Niannian publicly.”

Song Jin’s face flushed crimson, tears glistening in her eyes. The thought of apologizing to someone from the Hongxiu Pavilion was more unbearable than death itself.

Xu Ruoxiang was even more unwilling. She was currently in marriage discussions with Prince Qing if this were to spread, whether the marriage would proceed was uncertain. She tugged at Xu Yunshen’s arm anxiously and said, “Brother, help me.”

Xu Yunshen snapped sternly, “Nonsense! Whatever His Highness says, we shall do!”

Dragging Xu Ruoxiang along, Xu Yunshen approached Lu Zhao with an ingratiating smile and said in a low voice, “Your Highness, my younger sister is immature. I’ll have her apologize to the young lady immediately.”

He gave Xu Ruoxiang a push, scowling as he hissed, “Hurry up and apologize! If Miss Niannian remains upset, just wait till we get home I’ll deal with you!”

Reluctantly, Xu Ruoxiang murmured to Yunxia in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, “I was rude to you earlier. It was my fault, and I apologize.”

Yunxia’s eyes were red-rimmed, tears streaming down continuously. Her pale, delicate arms wrapped around Lu Zhao’s neck, revealing patches of bruises, as she said softly, “Sister, Niannian can’t hear.”

Xu Ruoxiang choked with anger, “You !”

Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow at them. “Abusing authority to harm someone on the streets Commander Xu, you shall face punishment upon your return as well.”

Xu Yunshen dared not refute, merely nodding meekly before shoving Ruoxiang harshly. “Louder! Apologize quickly!”

Tears welling in her aggrieved eyes and face flushed red, Xu Ruoxiang shouted, “Miss Niannian, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have been rude to you!”

From behind, Song Jin murmured softly, “Miss Niannian.”

Lu Zhao bent down, scooped Yunxia up into her arms, and without another glance at them, stepped into the carriage.

Once inside, Yunxia who had been weeping moments before now gazed at Lu Zhao with sparkling eyes and a radiant smile.

Lu Zhao pinched her delicate little nose and asked with a teasing smile, “Well? I’ve avenged you. Are you happy now?”

Suddenly, Yunxia’s nose tingled with emotion, mist clouding her eyes. This was the first time someone had stood by her side without hesitation. She sat quietly on Lu Zhao’s lap, arms wrapped around her neck, resting her head in the crook of her shoulder, and murmured softly, “Mm.” She was exceptionally well-behaved and calm.

Sensing the unusual demeanor of the person in her arms, Lu Zhao soothingly stroked her back and teased, “What’s wrong? Not happy even after getting your revenge? Or are you dissatisfied?”

Yunxia nuzzled against her neck and murmured, “In the past, when I was bullied, I never dared to fight back. Resisting would only make life harder. Sister, aside from my elder sister and mother, you are the kindest person to me.”

Lu Zhao felt the dampness on her neck, her heart aching. She was determined to find out just how much suffering this little girl had endured in the past. Unconsciously, she tightened her embrace around her. “Niannian, from now on, I’m here. No one will dare to bully you.”

Yunxia wiped her face hastily, removed her veil, and rummaged through the pouch of jewelry to find the embroidered pouch she had bought for Lu Zhao. She hung it at her waist. “Sister, you are so good to me, but I have nothing to give you in return.”

Lu Zhao chuckled softly, her gaze deepening as she stared at the little girl with a reddened nose. She gently stroked the pouch at her waist. After buying so many things, at least she had the heart to pick one out for her. Since the gift was so modest, she would naturally have to collect something else in return.

With this thought, Lu Zhao reached out and caressed Yunxia’s delicate earlobe, her eyes darkening with a hint of intensity.

A strange sensation instantly spread throughout Yunxia’s body. She shyly turned her head away, her toes curling up secretly, and a faint blush crept all the way up to her neck.

Lu Zhao let out a soft laugh, pulling Yunxia’s slender waist closer to her own. Warm breath brushed against Yunxia’s neck.

Yunxia’s mind went blank. Trembling, she closed her damp, fox-like eyes, her cheeks flushed as red as blood. Her body instinctively leaned back, revealing her slender neck, while her hands clutched tightly at Lu Zhao’s collar.

Just as Lu Zhao’s lips were about to meet hers, Xigui’s respectful voice sounded from outside.

“Master, we have arrived.”