CHAPTER 267: CHAPTER 267: WHAT SCHEME IS HE PLOTTING?

The commotion between the two startled Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua.

Meng Yao swung the wooden stick in her hand with vigor, while Zhao Ting kept dodging.

"Mother, what’s going on?" Zhao Dahe couldn’t help but ask.

He could tell that Meng Yao was very angry.

"You both go back inside, your mother and I are sparring," Zhao Ting quickly answered, "Hurry back."

Regardless of the situation, he looked quite embarrassed now, and he didn’t want to appear so pitiful in front of Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua.

Meng Yao was also mindful that once she left, Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua had to rely on Zhao Ting somewhat, so she didn’t explain why she was acting like this, giving him a bit of dignity.

Zhao Xiaohua tugged at Zhao Dahe, "Brother, come, help me see how my calligraphy copying is going."

Father seems to be yielding to Mother, and Mother seems unwilling to lose. Maybe this is their way of developing affection; standing here would interfere with their bonding.

Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua left.

Qin Zheng and Wen Nuan also followed in their footsteps and left.

"Meng Yao, what on earth has happened? Please, tell me!"

Meng Yao remained silent, focusing even more on attacking Zhao Ting. Although Zhao Ting’s martial arts skills were better than hers, she refused to believe she couldn’t land a hit eventually.

"Meng Yao, even if you wish me dead, at least let me die understanding why!" Zhao Ting couldn’t fight back and was desperately dodging, looking very miserable.

"Keep acting, go on with your act! I couldn’t tell your acting was this good! Still pretending to be clueless; am I accusing you wrongly?" Meng Yao was extremely frustrated.

Even when she had initially arrived, she had never felt this angry.

Zhao Ting felt utterly at a loss. What did he do?

How did he manage to infuriate her this much?

Originally, he thought she might have suffered grievances in the palace, but from what she said, the person who provoked her wasn’t someone else, but himself.

Zhao Ting suddenly stopped dodging and took a solid hit to his shoulder with the stick.

Striking him by accident, Meng Yao paused, surprised.

"Hit me, if hitting me once will ease your anger, go ahead," Zhao Ting said. "But after, you need to tell me how I upset you so I can change and not make the same mistake again."

His face was full of sincerity.

He seemed genuinely unaware.

Didn’t appear to be pretending.

Meng Yao grounded the stick and looked at Zhao Ting with suspicion, "You really don’t know?"

"I swear to heaven, I truly don’t know why you’re so angry!" Zhao Ting said pitifully. The woman sure knew how to hit hard; without even lifting his clothes, he knew his shoulder must be swollen already.

"Noble Consort An wants to keep me in the palace," Meng Yao said.

"Huh? Maybe she likes you, so she wants you to stay and keep her company? An Changle often has strange moods and acts impulsively," Zhao Ting said.

But it shouldn’t cause Meng Yao to be that angry just because An Changle wants to keep her!

"If you don’t want to stay, then don’t. You shouldn’t worry about her," Zhao Ting quickly added. "She may be a Noble Consort, but she can’t force you."

This made Meng Yao slightly uncertain.

"She wants me to be her sister," Meng Yao elaborated.

"Sister? She’s younger than you, so she can only be a little sister," Zhao Ting said.

"Not that kind of sister, but the kind who shares a husband," Meng Yao stated.

"Impossible, I have nothing to do with An Changle! Meng Yao, I’m not the type to flirt and leave lovers behind! You must believe me; there must be some misunderstanding! I only met An Changle when we were children," Zhao Ting explained repeatedly.

Alright, now Meng Yao was almost convinced that Zhao Ting genuinely knew nothing.

So, is it Emperor Jing?

Meng Yao took a deep breath, "What kind of person is Emperor Jing?"

Zhao Ting didn’t quite understand why Meng Yao asked about Emperor Jing suddenly, but he answered her.

He might not be a good elder brother, but he’s a good emperor.

Self-disciplined and mindful, completely devoted to state affairs.

"Are you sure?" Meng Yao questioned Zhao Ting.

No peculiar hobbies or tendencies, then why did he set his eyes on her?

Zhao Ting nodded, "At least, that’s the Emperor Jing I know."

"Not lecherous, not lustful?" Meng Yao’s tone was filled with doubt.

Zhao Ting’s heart skipped a beat, "Did he harass you?"

Before Meng Yao could answer, Zhao Ting, with a fierce expression, stormed out, looking ready for a fight.

"Wait," Meng Yao hurriedly stopped him, "No harassment, no harassment."

His reaction somewhat pleased Meng Yao, but she couldn’t truly let him enter the palace to confront Emperor Jing.

The status gap was immense; if things went terribly wrong, he might not keep his head.

"Noble Consort An means to keep me in the palace. From the way she acted and what she said, it seems Emperor Jing instructed her. However, there’s no coercion," Meng Yao said. "It’s just unclear if this is a fleeting whim or..."

"Rest assured, with me around, I’ll protect you," Zhao Ting vowed resolutely.

"Sorry, I misunderstood you. I thought you knew beforehand and agreed," Meng Yao said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Meng Yao, remember, I would never do anything to betray you," Zhao Ting assured her solemnly.

In his time as a Prince, he was always cautious, and even till his death, he never experienced romantic affection.

After becoming Zhao Ting, before meeting Meng Yao, he didn’t harbor any thoughts either.

Now, feeling attached to Meng Yao, he was determined to protect her.

"Let’s first think about how to resolve this situation," Meng Yao’s gaze drifted, avoiding Zhao Ting’s eyes.

"Don’t worry, leave it to me; no one can force you to do what you don’t want," Zhao Ting said.

"General, people from the palace are here," said a young man Meng Yao had never seen before, who appeared out of nowhere.

Zhao Ting nodded, indicating he had understood.

Soon, there was a knock at the door.

Zhao Ting had already returned inside, seated on his wheelchair, his speed was astonishing.

Meng Yao went to open the door.

"Madam Zhao, by Imperial command, I am here to escort General Zhao to the palace," Eunuch Shuangxi said.

Failing and getting infuriated, are they aiming at Zhao Ting now? Will Zhao Ting be in danger entering the palace?

Imperial thoughts are hard to fathom.

Entering alone seems risky.

"Please, wait a moment, I’ll help him out," Meng Yao said.

Meng Yao helped Zhao Ting out, and the young eunuch beside Eunuch Shuangxi immediately took over, pushing Zhao Ting forward.

Hidden under his wide sleeve, Zhao Ting clenched what Meng Yao had slipped into his hand earlier, a smile playing on his lips.

"If that dog emperor tries anything, use this. It may not kill him, but only I can cure the poison,"

This was what Meng Yao whispered when she handed him the item.

So, she’s worried about him?

This is a good sign.

Zhao Ting put the item away diligently. If Emperor Jing truly wanted to kill him, he certainly wouldn’t just sit and wait to die.

Once he entered the palace, he was eager to see what Emperor Jing had planned!