Unruly Phoenix Xiaoyao

Chapter 71: Waiting for riches, honor, and disaster

The girl standing in the courtyard was currently in the prime of her youth, with curvy eyebrows and phoenix eyes. Her skin was white as snow and seemed delicate enough to break with but a puff of wind. She was wearing a white dress embroidered with various flowers, which fluttered in the breeze and made for a very pleasing picture for all who saw her.

"You cannot be impudent," Old Madame Xie scolded the girl by her side with a look. The girl hastily ducked her head, but flickered her eyes up to steal peeks at Ning Xiaoyao, who had moved to stand behind Supreme Commander Lou instead. This girl is giving me goosebumps.

"Her name is Xie Duoying,"[1. Xie Duoying (谢朵莹) - Duoying could mean "a jade-like stone, lustrous and transparent."] Big Boss Black said in a low voice. "She's the Grand Preceptor's granddaughter from one of his sons. Meow a mi, is she here to seduce my Supreme Commander?"

".........." said Ning Xiaoyao. The girl was only staring at her. How was that seducing the Supreme Commander?A few of the princes exchanged meaningful glances with each other. It looks like the Xie Clan wants to send women to the Son of Heaven again.

Old Madame Xie said, "I don't know whether Your Majesty could give this old woman some face and come rest a bit in my main hall? Have a taste of the pastries made by this old woman and our fifth lass." The girl named Xie Duoying was quite good with her timing, because she lifted her head right then to steal another timid peek at Ning Xiaoyao.

Pastries again? Ning Xiaoyao shook her head. Judging from the level of pastry she'd tried before, this old lady would be better off giving her a plate of .

"Elder cousin," Xie Duoying again called out to Ning Xiaoyao.

"That's His Majesty!" Old Madame Xie scolded her great-granddaughter again. "How could you be such a ill-behaved girl? Hurry up and kneel to ask His Majesty for punishment!" Old Madame Xie raised her walking stick and pounded it onto the ground.

Xie Duoying knelt on the ground. This time, her eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Ning Xiaoyao, the pupils bright and clear. Ning Xiaoyao thought it over for a long time before she figured out what was up. This young Miss of the Xie Clan was a girl that lured others to dote on her. Lou Zigui only laughed coldly. It looked like this old madame of the Xie Clan had no idea that His Majesty was a female. Otherwise, she wouldn't invite herself to court such dishonor.

Hearing Lou Zigui laugh, Xie Duoying's entire body stiffened. But she wasn't a girl who simply looked at any man, so she ignored him. Fifth Young Miss Xie understood in her heart that the old madame wanted to present her to His Majesty. His Majesty Ning Yu had been living in the Xie estate for 14 years, but he'd always been cut off from the rest of the world. No one knew about him, and even members of the Xie Clan often forgot that such an imperial son existed on their premises. If they knew this personage would turn into a dragon overnight, then Fifth Young Miss believed that His Majesty would have had long had a Xie Clan woman at his side by now.

Ning Xiaoyao glanced back at the half-open doors of the study. Nothing stirred inside.

"This one admits her wrongs," Xie Duoying confessed her faults to Ning Xiaoyao. By now, it should be Ning Xiaoyao's cue to speak so the girl could retreat from her stage. All of the vassal lords looked at Ning Xiaoyao. Here was such a delicately sweet and pretty beauty kneeling right before them. His Majesty was simply a boy who had a single empress consort by his side. How could he be able to hold himself back?

Ning Xiaoyao simply walked past Xie Duoying. This girl had called her elder cousin, which meant she was at most 13 to 14 years old. Ning Xiaoyao wasn't petty enough to find faults with a little girl.