chapter 25

Once Fengguang reached the door, she saw Prime Minister Xia Chao and his wife Wang Ci. Regarding Fengguang’s attire, the pair nodded their heads in satisfaction. Once they got into the carriage, Fengguang was also helped into the carriage by a servant girl.

Wang Ci was seated next to her and across from Xia Chao. Although the pair appeared amicable and respectful of one another, in reality, they had already separated as a couple. Sixteen years ago when the title of first beauty belonged to Wang Ci, Xia Chao spent all his time and energy to convince Wang Ci to choose him amidst all her suitors. They were the ideal couple and the first year after marriage, they had quite the honeymoon stage but soon after, Xia Chao found a feeling of freshness in Wang Ci’s personal maid and thus, Xia Qimeng was born and she was younger than Fengguang by three months in age.

Wang Ci was a prideful woman and she didn’t express any anger or throw any tantrums. But naturally, she also wouldn’t lower her dignity and suffer, to deliberately welcome such a man. Xia Chao was also not a man who would admit his wrongs and so, to others they became an admirable wedded pair. However, whenever no one was around, their only form of communication was nodding heads.

Xia Fengguang was close with Wang Ci and she wasn’t afraid of Xia Chao but she also didn’t like Xia Chao because she hated Xia Qimeng. When Fengguang accepted this world’s memories, personally she hated Xia Qimeng too. Mainly because generally speaking, she disliked every world’s male and female leads because those two existences were obstacles for her in completing her missions.

The imperial city was very large and it took approximately an hour for the carriage to reach the palace gates. No matter the title or status, everyone had to get off from the carriage in order to be granted entry. The only exceptions were if the emperor had granted a special privilege or if they were the crown prince otherwise no one was exempt from this rule.

The palace banquet was held in the imperial gardens and on their way there, Xia Chao ran into his colleagues and their families. Of course, this didn’t include concubine-born children since they were not suited for appearing in public. Everyone including the emperor knew that if Ghost King Xiao Ruo was birthed by the empress, the current position of crown prince would be given to him.

For a royal banquet like this, Xia Qimeng was not allowed to come. However, the female lead was still the female lead so she had her ways. Even if she didn’t have any way of her own, the men in her harem would find a way for her.

The emperor Xiao Fen was very old and said a few simple words before he let everyone get up from bowing. He looked towards the person sitting next to Xiao Ruo and smiled. “This must be Silver Mask Strategist Bai Rong.”

“Replying to the emperor, this subject is indeed Bai Rong. When this subject was young, there was a fire and this subject’s face became terrifying. This subject asks that the emperor will forgive and allow the mask to stay on.” His voice was very clean and curt. The silver mask hid half his face. The effects of the mask weren’t horrifying but rather, it made people want to explore the mystery behind it.

Only Fengguang knew… No, presently, there was also Xiao Ruo who also knew, so only the two of them knew that he was actually a she.

Xiao Feng let out a genuine laugh. “I’ve heard how you’ve created countless strategies for the Ghost King on the battlefield, how you even caused Guangliu troops to retreat with your intelligence. We can’t thank you enough so why would we blame you?”

“Since Emperor Father also thinks highly of Bai Rong’s efforts, how about rewarding him?” Xiao Ruo spoke out in a low, deep voice. His face was flawless and his many years on the battlefield gave him a frightening aura that let off a killer’s energy. Even though he appeared handsome to the point of being surreal, others didn’t dare approach him.

Fengguang stole a glance at the crown prince who was lazily drinking and didn’t seem like he planned to do anything.