Chapter 7 (1/2)

Chapter Seven

Xiao Shun Tu helped the deflated emperor stand.

The moment Na Lam was born his imperial father declared him the crown prince and many people spoiled him. Everyone wanted to gain his favor, scared to make him unhappy and didn’t want him to experience failure. So being continuously defeated by the little girl Ling Fei was the first time in his life he had to endure countless failures.

After Na Lam and Xiao Shun Tu left, Que Cong Cong arrived at the imperial guards’ courtyard.

‘Are you Lady Ling?’ Que Cong Cong asked.

‘I am,’ Ling Fei said.

‘The empress dowager requests Lady Ling’s presence in her chamber,’ Que Cong Cong said.

Que Cong Cong led Ling Fei to the empress dowager’s chamber full of a strong floral incense fragrance.

Ling Fei bowed to the empress dowager who wore an elegant white dress.

The empress dowager smiled and raised her hand. ‘Ling Fei, you can sit.’

‘Thank you empress dowager,’ Ling Fei said.

‘Ling Fei, I heard Xiao Shun Tu said earlier you hit and kicked my son,’ empress dowager said. ‘Is it true?’

Although Na Lam was the empress dowager’s son, she regretted she didn’t get to witness her son’s fall.

‘Empress dowager… I…’ Ling Fei stuttered.

‘Ling Fei, you don’t need to be scared,’ empress dowager said. ‘I’m not reprimanding you. I’m praising you. You hit and kicked my son well. In the world no one else would dare to hit my son. You’re the first person. I think my son must be feeling frustrated.’

Ling Fei was surprised the empress dowager wasn’t angry at her.

‘Ling Fei do you think my reaction is unusual?’ empress dowager asked. ‘It’s true a mother would sympathise with their child’s pain. But my son is different to other people. It’s his imperial father, his imperial grandma and my fault for spoiling him too much. He’s temperamental and often threaten to behead people. But he hasn’t behead you even though you’ve hit him. It shows there is still hope for him to change for the better.’

The empress dowager’s eyes were teary. She was happy her son finally began to change.

Ling Fei’s frightened heart relaxed.

‘Empress dowager, I promise I’ll use all my abilities to help the emperor,’ Ling Fei said.

The empress dowager dabbed the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief.

‘It’s enough for me to hear your promise,’ empress dowager said.

‘But there is something I need to clarify with empress dowager,’ Ling Fei said.

The empress dowager understood and she gently patted Ling Fei’s hand.

‘Is it about yours and my son’s betrothal?’ empress dowager asked. ‘I know this betrothal is unfair on you. But if I didn’t tell my son about it then he wouldn’t take the bait. Since the betrothal was announced, he’s been practicing Kung Fu properly compared to the past. He’s prideful since he was a little boy. He wouldn’t have expected to lose to a young woman like you. He wants to improve his Kung Fu so in the future he can raise his head in front of you. His life’s been too smooth. He needs challenges to improve himself.’

‘I understand,’ Ling Fei said.

Ling Fei understood it wasn’t the right time for her to retreat.