Substitute Bride Phoenix, The Tyrant's Pampered Demon Empress

Zuiying squinted. “Ever since our parents passed away, we relied on begging for a few years. Later, I was fortunately taken to the imperial barracks where I trained tirelessly every day. However, I still have an older brother to take care of in the family, so even when I became a shadow guard, I could only be the lowest ranking shadow guard. It wasn’t until that day when I met your Majesty, did I fortunately leap up to the second rank. I’ve endured so many years of hard work just to take care of my severely ill older brother. He is the person who I need to protect in life, so I understand what is true love.”

Han Moze glanced at Zuiying with a slight smile, but didn’t say another word.

When the morning came, Han Moze dressed up from head to toe and headed to the morning proceedings in high spirits.

Zuiying stood hidden in a shady area to guard Han Moze.

In court, Han Moze arrived in perfectly normal conditions, shocking all the high officials.

Didn’t they say that His Majesty was severely ill? That he had only a month to live? How had he suddenly made a recovery?

Han Moze ignored the astonished looks on the officials’ faces and finished proceedings in his usual commanding manner.

After proceedings ended, Zuiying followed Han Moze back to the Dark Moon Palace.

To their surprise, they bumped into Xu Ziling, who immediately reached her arm out to stop Han Moze. “Your Majesty, big brother, I… I want to ask you to please bestow Zuiying to me, I beg you, please agree!” She cried with a pleading look on her face.

Zuiying immediately walked up to Han Moze and cupped his fist. “Your Majesty, please do not bestow me to Young Lady Xu, because she often thinks of ways to make life difficult for me. I simply harbor no good feelings for her.”

Han Moze glanced at Xu Ziling and flatly said, “Zuiying doesn’t want to go with you. I mustn’t force others to do things against their will, so you’re best off leaving!”

All of a sudden, General Xu who stood not too far, drew closer. He was a man with a slender face, around fifty years old, and wore black full body armor. He had a black, short beard and sharp eyes that resembled a tiger. As he walked up to Han Moze, he cupped his fist and said, “General Xu at your service, Your Majesty.”

A friendly smile instantly appeared on Han Moze’s face. “General Xu, no need for the formalities.”

General Xu straightened his back and shot a glance at Ziling, as he spoke to Han Moze. “Your Majesty, my daughter said that she has fallen for one of Your Majesty’s shadow guards named Zuiying. May I ask, where is he now?”

Zuiying tightly furrowed his sharp brows, then turned to General Xu with cupped fists. “General Xu, I am Zuiying,” he replied.

General Xu nodded with some degree of satisfaction, then turned to Han Moze. “Your Majesty, I’ll be taking Zuiying now. I hope your Majesty permits it.”

Then, without waiting for Han Moze’s approval, he turned to the dozens of shadow guards behind him and ordered, “Men, take Zuiying away!”

“Yes, General!” Replied the shadow guards, then they quickly surrounded Zuiying.

Xu Ziling looked over at Zuiying with an unruly smile. Her father was His Majesty’s teacher. Even if he didn’t show her some respect, he would show it to her father.

Han Moze clasped his hands together and said, “General Xu, but…”

General Xu immediately glared at Han Moze. “Your Majesty, don’t tell me that you won’t allow me to give orders to a shadow guard who signed a slave contract? He is fortunate for my daughter has set her eyes on him. He has no right to decline!”

Han Moze sighed and didn’t say another word. He was right. Zuiying was just a shadow guard who had signed a slave contract. Although he was a second-ranked shadow guard, he was no different from a servant. He wasn’t going to offend General Xu, the man who taught him for over ten years and helped him fight for his kingdom, over a servant.