In the training ground, Lan Zhao looked at the person walking towards him and said in a cold voice, "The First Prince is late today."

"Yes, I am willing to accept the punishment."

Feng Guang immediately became anxious upon hearing this, "It's understandable that you're blocking the way because of that Consort Yun's people, but you should explain it to him clearly."

Xianmo remained silent.

This child is far too stubborn!

Lan Zhao was somewhat surprised by Xian Mo's decisive admission of wrongdoing. Then, he frowned and asked, "You drew your sword today. What happened?"

"I met Consort Yun's people on the way, and they invited me to be their guest."

Did you hurt anyone when you drew your sword?

"It was just a eunuch's arm that was severed." Xianmo told the truth without any deception.

This made Feng Guang extremely anxious. He was only twelve years old when he cut off someone's arm with a sword. This was no small matter. People might even think he was bloodthirsty and cruel.

Lan Zhao was only stunned for a moment before he suddenly laughed. It was quite a rare sight for such a rigid man to suddenly laugh, like an iron tree blooming. "He's just a eunuch. Since you want to come here for class, he can't stop you. Even if you kill him, it won't matter."

"Yes, Master." Xianmo nodded seriously, intending to do exactly as Lan Zhao said next time.

Feng Guang's forehead twitched.

Lan Zhao only cared about matters in the military camp. Unlike Zou He, who was idle and inquired about gossip in the harem every day, he still had common sense. Consort Yun's name was Zhuo Yun, and she was a princess of the previous dynasty. After Xian Rang established the new dynasty, the first thing he did was to take Zhuo Yun as his consort, and the second thing was to announce the establishment of the empress. Zhuo Yun had always been favored, otherwise, in the harem where offspring were scarce, she would not have had a son and a daughter.

However, Zhuo Yun was also a notoriously jealous person who couldn't tolerate even the slightest imperfection. This is why, after Xian Rang left Xian Mo in Zhuo Yun's care, Zhuo Yun immediately threw the child into the Cold Palace. Because she loved Xian Rang, she couldn't bear the thought of him having a child with another woman.

It was the right decision for Xianmo not to go to Consort Yun's palace today; if he had gone, he would have faced a lot of difficulties from her.

Lan Zhao admired Xian Mo's ruthlessness. This kind of ruthlessness was exactly what was needed to kill enemies on the battlefield. He would never say much about the affairs of the harem in front of His Majesty, but if His Majesty was angry and pleaded for Xian Mo, then he would be willing to do so.

"Although you had a reason for being late today, being late is being late, so I'm going to punish you, and you don't have any objections, right?"

"Yes." Xianmo lowered his head. "I have no objection to whatever punishment Master wants to give me."

"Alright, you will remain in the training ground at noon today, when the sun is at its strongest. You will be exposed to the sun for an hour."

He answered without hesitation, "Yes."

"Oh no!" Feng Guang exclaimed, "It's June, the weather is so hot! What if you get heatstroke?!"

He slightly raised his eyes, without saying a word, but told her with the smile in his eyes that he would be alright.

Feng Guang suddenly couldn't utter a single word.

Lan Zhao never lied. At the height of the scorching sun, Xian Mo stood motionless in the center of the training ground, surrounded by sweltering heat, for almost half an hour. In ancient times, a "shichen" referred to two hours.

Feng Guang looked at Lan Zhao, who was sitting under the shade of a tree not far away, leisurely drinking tea. In contrast, Xian Mo, under the scorching sun, had his hard-earned fair and tender face sunburned red.