The contempt in their words felt like a slap, hard and heavy, thrown at Geng Yuyue.
Hiding one's strength?
Was that what she had been doing before?
Who was she fooling?
If hiding one's strength involved crying uncontrollably and trembling all over, then she was truly daring!
However, in the face of absolute facts, no one dared to retort at that moment.
After all, no one present was deaf.
And with the Great General of Zhennan still here.
Yun Ying clenched her fists tightly, her jealous eyes practically bleeding. Damn Yun Shu! To shine so brilliantly in the palace today! Look at those men, all eyes seemed glued to Yun Shu!
So fervent!
So frenzied!
No!
"Everything is arranged. If you don't want to be ridiculed, sit properly now," Madam Yang reminded coldly.
Indeed, no one present was as capable as Yue Yin.
But today, Yun Shu was so astonishing!
She absolutely could not let Yun Shu steal Yue Yin's limelight!
What was about to happen was prepared by Yue Yin. She believed that Yun Shu's dazzling brilliance was only for this moment. Soon, Yun Shu would fall into disgrace!
Yun Ying suddenly regained her composure, gritting her teeth and nodding.
"I... I..." Geng Yuyue gritted her teeth, her body trembling again.
At this moment, Yi Zixing stood up, his voice clear and loud, "Second Miss Geng, you have lost."
Hearing this, Geng Yuyue looked towards Yi Zixing.
It was really him who spoke!
It was really him who was defending Yun Shu!
The intense blow made her slump onto the ground with a thud.
Already overwhelmed?
Yun Shu chuckled inwardly.
The original owner, in the past, had endured endless humiliation and mockery under everyone's gaze, losing all face.
But back then, no one had helped her.
She walked up to Geng Yuyue and raised her hand.
Just as she was about to strike, the Empress Geng Yufei, who was not far behind, suddenly called out, "Second Miss Yun, stop!"
Yun Shu turned her head to look at Geng Yufei, the Empress to the young Emperor.
Oh, she had almost forgotten, Geng Yufei was Geng Yuyue's own sister.
When Geng Yuyue was about to be hit, she would naturally stand up to intervene.
Yun Shu gently withdrew her hand, and before Geng Yufei could speak, she spoke first, "Your Majesty the Empress, may you be blessed with peace and longevity. May I know what Your Majesty wishes to command? Oh, I understand. Our wager just now with Second Miss Geng is no longer valid, is it? I have experienced such breaches of agreement five years ago and even now, so I don't mind."
After speaking, she respectfully bowed to Geng Yufei.
Yun Changfeng's heart ached.
"Breaking your word! Are you even an adult? Cannot afford to lose."
A cold child's voice suddenly sounded at the opportune moment.
Yun Shu's eyes snapped towards Zhan Xiaoli.
She hadn't expected him to step forward to protect her, to speak for her! He was truly her son!
Zhan Tianye's dark eyes darkened further as he watched Zhan Xiaoli publicly defend Yun Shu. He thought to himself that he needed to find a mother for Zhan Xiaoli as soon as possible!
"Little Li is right. If even a child understands this principle, does the Empress's sister not understand it?" The young Emperor looked at Geng Yufei with icy eyes.
Geng Yufei's face immediately turned awkward. She looked at the frail young Emperor and gritted her teeth secretly, forcing a smile. "Your humble concubine just stopped Second Miss Yun because I didn't want Second Miss Yun to personally take action. Such matters should be handled by the palace staff."
"Sister..." Geng Yuyue's vision swam. She couldn't believe her own sister was not helping her!
She was really going to be publicly beaten by Yun Shu!
Her heart was filled with grievance.
"Guards, according to the wager, proceed," Geng Yufei commanded a nearby palace attendant.
The attendant obeyed and approached Geng Yuyue.
Just as they were about to act on Yun Shu's behalf, Yun Shu stopped them.
Yun Shu smiled enchantingly, and for a moment, everything around seemed to dim.
"I'll do it myself. I am a delicate woman, not very strong. A wager is a wager, and I must not truly injure Second Miss Geng. Step back!" Yun Shu gently pushed the attendant back.
Everyone present was astonished.
At this moment, Yun Shu was still considering Geng Yufei's feelings?
The palace attendants, working day and night, would surely have stronger grips than pampered young ladies from noble families.
Moreover, looking at Yun Shu's slender frame, she seemed to lack strength.
Yun Changfeng sighed inwardly, his daughter was still too soft-hearted. Alas! She didn't need to be soft-hearted; things had come to this point, and softness wouldn't earn her Geng Yuyue's gratitude.
Zhan Tianye frowned slightly.
He looked at Yun Shu again.
At this moment, Zhan Xiaoli heard Geng Yuyue's inner thoughts.
"It seems that fool Yun Shu doesn't dare to offend her sister! Humph! It's good that she knows fear. What good is a general for a father? Her sister is the current Empress!"
Zhan Xiaoli's little face was cold, wishing he could go and tell Aunt Yun Shu not to hold back.
That woman wasn't worth it!
"Yun Shu, after today, we are even! I lost today, and I admit my defeat." Geng Yuyue was considered clever. She calmed herself at this moment and found a way to save face.
At the very least, she could accept defeat and uphold the wager.
She stood up gracefully.
Facing Yun Shu with a smile, this position allowed many to see her composed and elegant smile.
"Good, we are even!" Yun Shu nodded with a light smile.
She raised her hand again.
Under the moonlight, her raised hand seemed to shimmer.
Gently, it descended towards Geng Yuyue.
This blow was not loud.
Many watched and saw that it was indeed gentle.
But!
For some reason.
Geng Yuyue, who looked a rounder than Yun Shu, was forced back several steps by the blow!
And let out a cry of pain!
"Ah!"
This cry of pain made those who didn't know think Yun Shu had used tremendous force.
But under everyone's eyes, they could clearly see that Yun Shu had merely made a light gesture!
Was this Geng Yufei pretending?
"You! Are you trying to kill me? Yun Shu, you are too vicious!" Geng Yuyue cried out.
No one had ever dared to hit her so hard!
She felt a throbbing pain in her head!
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow. "I was clearly very gentle."
"Yes, Second Miss Yun merely touched her lightly."
"Why is Second Miss Geng unable to accept defeat?"
"..."
As others softly questioned, Geng Yufei's expression also darkened. She looked displeasedly at Geng Yuyue, "Yuyue, stand still and don't move."
Her reputation today was about to be ruined by her own sister!
Even the consorts in the palace didn't dare to act like this!
Geng Yuyue was stunned. How... didn't they see how much she was hurting?
Zhan Tianye narrowed his cold eyes, observing Yun Shu.
That palm strike just now...
Contained some internal energy.
But those with low internal energy couldn't discern it.
His gaze swept over Yun Changfeng.
Had Yun Changfeng secretly taught her martial arts?
Or was he mistaken just now?
Geng Yuyue stood up again, her eyes threatening Yun Shu.
In the past, Yun Shu used to fear her gaze.