If yielding to threats were possible, Yin Wu Yan would not have held the position of Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, even with his own mother, the Princess of Rui, being the one to confront him so aggressively.
"Summon someone to escort the Princess of Rui back to her manor. Within fifteen minutes, if any unauthorized individuals remain in槐树巷 (Huai Shu Alley), they are to be executed as spies without further trial!" his icy voice commanded. Yin Wu Yan turned and left.
Vice Commander Kuang and the other guards’ expressions shifted dramatically. Everyone knew these words were not mere threats; if they lingered, they would likely meet a swift end.
Compared to the relatively calm guards of the Prince of Rui's manor, the maids and matrons from the manor were deathly pale. Witnessing the cold-blooded ruthlessness of these Forbidden Dragon Guards, the fainthearted were already trembling uncontrollably. If not for a shred of reason remaining, they would have abandoned the Princess of Rui and fled for their lives.
"Yin Wu Yan!" a sharp, furious voice shrieked. The Princess of Rui suddenly pulled out a golden hairpin from her elaborate coiffure, pressing its sharp end against her own throat. "If you are not afraid of me accusing you of filial impiety and forcing your own mother to death, what fate awaits you, you beast?"
Death was not a true possibility, but with a slight exertion of force, the golden hairpin would pierce her throat, solidifying the accusation of forcing a parent to their death.
The Forbidden Dragon Guard had accumulated countless enemies over the years, to the point where almost everyone wished them ill.
Even with the Emperor’s protection, he could not simply ignore such an event. Even the lightest punishment, such as temporary confinement, would be perilous. Given the current precarious situation of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, if Yin Wu Yan were to fall, their enemies, united in their attack, would surely tear a hole in the seemingly impenetrable ranks of the Guard. Like a thousand-mile dike collapsing from an ant's burrow, the situation would become irreversible.
With his back to those behind him, Yin Wu Yan looked towards Zhan Fei Yu, who was peeking out from the alley entrance. Their last meeting had been three years ago.
Now, gazing at the young girl with a face like a painting, so lively and beautiful, Yin Wu Yan was momentarily stunned. The girl with chubby cheeks had grown up, her delicate and spirited presence now like a lotus emerging from water, her movements graceful and soft.
The Princess of Rui had believed she had intimidated Yin Wu Yan, and her overwhelming rage had somewhat subsided. Following Yin Wu Yan's gaze, she saw Zhan Fei Yu at the alley's entrance.
"Kuang Xu, seize that wretched girl for me!" she commanded sternly. The Princess of Rui, seeing Zhan Fei Yu unharmed, could no longer suppress her fury.
The Princess of Rui had anticipated such a possibility the day Zhan Fei Yu was forcefully brought back to the Forbidden Dragon Guard by Chong Guang. These beasts, and the little beasts under his command, were all alike; they could not stand to see her prosper. She had planned to send this wretched girl to the Marquis of Wu'an's estate, and the Forbidden Dragon Guard would surely protect her.
Later, Madam Du of the Marquis's estate had sent people to spread rumors, tarnishing Zhan Fei Yu's reputation. All sorts of vile gossip circulated in the streets. The Forbidden Dragon Guard had not intervened, and the Princess of Rui had thought these beasts of the Guard had finally seen sense. But now, looking at Zhan Fei Yu, clad in a white fox fur coat and standing in the biting wind, her delicate appearance did not suggest hardship; she clearly lived a comfortable life, well-fed and cared for by the Forbidden Dragon Guard.
Sensing the Princess of Rui's palpable anger, Zhan Fei Yu calmly walked out of the alley. Her smile bloomed like a flower, and she waved enthusiastically at Yin Wu Yan. Then, to everyone's astonishment, she ran towards Yin Wu Yan like a swallow.
The distance was only about ten to fifteen feet. Before anyone could react, Zhan Fei Yu embraced Yin Wu Yan, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. "Big Brother, I've come to the capital to find you."
The fierce and intimidating Forbidden Dragon Guards stared, their eyes wide. They had all forgotten to expel the people from the Prince of Rui's manor, their gazes fixed solely on Zhan Fei Yu. In all their years, this was the first time they had seen a young lady so openly affectionate towards their Commander, and daring to be so physically close!
Most terrifyingly, their usually stoic Commander, who seemed impervious to the cold, did not evade her but allowed the young girl to embrace him fully. If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, they would have sworn their heads off. Seeing this scene made their lives worthwhile.
The chill and ferocity that had enveloped him instantly melted away. Yin Wu Yan looked down at the young girl, who now reached his chest. His hand, as always, gently ruffled Zhan Fei Yu’s hair. Without a word, Yin Wu Yan knew that the well-read and proper young lady was doing this intentionally.
"You… you all…" The Princess of Rui, utterly shocked, forgot her anger and stared blankly at the two people interacting so intimately.
A cold wind blew, and the Princess of Rui, without her hand warmer, shivered. Only then did she snap back to reality, furiously shouting, "In broad daylight, how can you be so debauched and shameless!"
As she was already a young lady, Zhan Fei Yu felt a slight sense of satisfaction hearing the Princess of Rui's trembling voice, filled with rage. She tilted her head, offering Yin Wu Yan an awkward smile, and then withdrew from his embrace.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Zhan Fei Yu said, facing the furious Princess of Rui with a light smile. "In the past, Master Fo Yin and Scholar Dong Po once discussed that Buddha arises from the heart. If one's heart holds Buddha, all things seen are Buddha."
If the heart holds only dung, then all things seen transform into dung. Zhan Fei Yu did not utter the latter part, but she was confident the Princess of Rui understood.
"Your Highness also mentioned broad daylight and public scrutiny. My Big Brother and I have not seen each other for years, and thus felt joy. As the saying goes, the benevolent see benevolence, and the wise see wisdom. I imagine Your Highness thinks only of thieves and whores, of debauchery and shamelessness, which is why such venomous words spill from your lips."
As a Princess of the highest rank, the Princess of Rui had never been so utterly humiliated. If previously her desire to take Zhan Fei Yu away was for the sake of the Marquis of Wu'an's estate, to betroth You Qi, the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis, to her son Yin Cheng Ye,
Then at this moment, the Princess of Rui, her face ashen, had but one thought: to tear this wretched girl who dared to insult her into a thousand pieces.