Perhaps it was that same mother’s instinct at work once more. Wen Lian did not hear a peep from the two young men behind her, but when she turned, she subtly swept her eyes over them and saw the fear in their bearings, if not quite in their carefully schooled expressions.
In her face as well, one would not be able to read anything of note as she drew her eyes away and faced forward again.
While the newcomer was crossing the aisle to get to the front, no one spoke. However, while Xiang Ming was making his bow to the Emperor, Qing Xue made a snap decision to break the silence.
“Your Majesty,” he began, his hard and steady voice ringing out to surprise many people, including Bai Ruyi, into turning to him. Though Qing Xue felt the desperation emanating from the man beside him, one that seem
