Chapter 34: Establishing Rules

A strange team appeared on the bluestone path leading to Jingsi Temple.

Ling Zixia walked in the middle of the team.

Most of her body was leaning on the little maid beside her.

The little maid's face was as pale as paper.

Her body was shaking violently and uncontrollably.

The arm holding Ling Zixia was like holding a red-hot iron.

Fear made every step she took extremely difficult.

More than ten elite guards from the Prime Minister's Mansion surrounded them in the center.

These guards are all Zhao Wuji's confidants.

On weekdays, they are only responsible for the safety of the Prime Minister.

But now he was transferred to guard an unfavored concubine.

There was no trace of honor on their faces.

There is only solemnity and deep vigilance.

They always kept a distance of more than five steps from Ling Zixia.

This distance can provide effective protection.

It can also ensure that they themselves will not be affected.

The team moved very slowly.

There was a silent oppression in the air.

Except for Ling Zixia's low sobs.

All that was left was the heavy footsteps and breathing of the crowd.

There are several welcoming pines planted on both sides of the path as embellishments.

The morning dew still hung on the green pine needles.

The accident happened when the team passed a welcoming pine tree.

The little maid who was supporting Ling Zixia finally collapsed.

She could no longer endure the fear that came from the bottom of her heart.

She felt like she was not supporting a single person.

But it was a monster that could devour her life at any time.

Her sanity was completely destroyed by fear.

She let out a shrill scream.

"Ah! Don't touch me!"

She pushed outward with all her strength.

Ling Zixia's weak body lost its support in an instant.

She screamed and fell to the side.

The direction she fell was exactly where the guard commander was standing.

The leader of the guards was named Zhang Mo.

He is one of Zhao Wuji's most trusted guards.

He witnessed everything that happened in the courtyard.

He saw with his own eyes the silver hairpin turned into ashes.

At this moment, he saw Ling Zixia falling towards him.

His first reaction was to dodge immediately.

But the Prime Minister's order still echoed in his ears.

Aunt Ling's safety is more important than the Prime Minister's own safety.

It was his duty to protect her.

If he dodges.

She would certainly be injured if she fell on the hard bluestone slabs.

By then he would not be able to explain to the Prime Minister.

In a flash.

Zhang Mo made a difficult decision.

He didn't retreat.

Instead, he took a step forward.

He stretched out his right hand, which was covered with a stainless steel wristband.

He tried to support Ling Zixia's arm.

But he didn't dare touch her flesh directly with his palm.

He just wanted to use the wrist guard to support her through her clothes.

This is a foolproof plan that can both complete the task and protect yourself.

However, he still underestimated Ling Zixia's reaction.

The moment the body loses balance.

Ling Zixia waved her arms in a panic.

Her wide sleeves drew an arc in the air.

The silk fabric at the edge of the cuff seemed to accidentally brush against the pine needles next to it.

Just at that moment when the gentle breeze brushed past.

Ling Zixia's fingertips gently touched the piece of cloth inside her sleeve.

The weak medicinal properties contained in the pine needles were instantly reversed.

The original calming and soothing property turned into a biting, cold and paralyzing poison.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

No one noticed her little movements.

All everyone saw was that she was about to fall.

Zhang Mo's arm was already stretched out in front of her.

His steel wristbands were about to touch her body.

A cold light flashed in Ling Zixia's eyes that no one noticed.

Her falling body cleverly turned at a slight angle.

Her sleeve had just brushed against the pine needles.

It's like it has life.

He lightly met Zhang Mo's wristband.

Silk and steel came into brief contact.

Zhang Mo's face showed an expression of mission being completed.

But the next second.

His expression froze.

An extreme chill instantly penetrated his arms through the thick steel armor.

It wasn't the bitter cold of winter.

It was a kind of coldness that seemed to freeze the soul.

His entire right arm lost all sensation in an instant.

The blood seemed to have solidified into ice in the blood vessels.

He could even feel a chill spreading along his meridians to his shoulders.

His outstretched arm froze in mid-air.

The five fingers became as hard as stone and could not move.

He watched Ling Zixia's body slip past his arms.

But he was powerless to do anything.

Ling Zixia didn't really fall.

She used her other hand to support the stone lantern by the roadside.

She managed to steady herself.

She raised her tearful face.

She looked at Zhang Mo with frightened and innocent eyes.

"Commander...your hand..."

Her voice was filled with just the right amount of apology and uneasiness.

The guards around were all stunned.

They saw everything that just happened.

Aunt Ling's sleeve only lightly touched the commander's wristband.

The commander's entire arm turned into a strange purple-blue color.

A thin layer of white frost even condensed on his wrist guard.

Zhang Mo looked down at his arm.

His eyes were filled with horror and fear.

He tried to move his fingers.

The hand didn't react at all, as if it didn't belong to him.

He couldn't even feel the pain.

There was only dead silence and numbness.

He understood immediately.

This is the price of touching this concubine.

The little maid who pushed Ling Zixia away had collapsed to the ground.

She looked at Zhang Mo's arm.

He also thought about how he had been supporting Ling Zixia just now.

The huge fear made her whole body tremble like a sieve.

After Ling Zixia stood firm.

She bowed to Zhang Moying.

"Thank you, Commander, for your help."

"It's all my fault for not being able to hold up well. I almost got the commander into trouble."

Her attitude was extremely humble.

But the more she does this.

The chill in Zhang Mo's heart grew deeper.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart.

He returned the greeting with difficulty, clasping his left hand.

His voice was a little hoarse with shock.

"My aunt, you are too kind. I have failed in my duty."

After saying that, he turned around immediately.

He gave new orders to all the guards behind him.

His tone was serious and decisive.

"Everyone listen."

"Keep at least ten steps away from Aunt Ling."

"No one is allowed to approach without permission."

“No physical contact whatsoever.”

"Anyone who disobeys orders will be dealt with according to military law."

"yes!"

All the guards responded in unison.

There was a kind of awe in their voices that they had never heard before.

The way they looked at Ling Zixia changed completely.

It was no longer a warning about a dangerous object.

It is an absolute submission to an unknown and terrifying force.

They finally understood the true meaning of the Prime Minister's order.

Protect this aunt.

Not just for her safety.

It is also for the safety of everyone else in the mansion.

The little maid who collapsed on the ground was dragged away by two guards.

No one cared about her life or death anymore.

The team started moving forward again.

This time.

The circle formed by the guards doubled in size.

Ling Zixia walked alone in the middle.

No one dared to come forward to support her.

She still maintained that fragile look.

It seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her down.

But now.

No one dares to underestimate this fragility anymore.

The gate of Jingsi Temple is in sight.

There were still traces of tears on Ling Zixia's face.

There was a cold calmness deep in her eyes.

She successfully managed to overcome the difficulties on her way back.

She did it in a whole new way.

For these new watchers around me.

The first unbreakable rule was established.

When she finally stepped into the gate of the meditation center.

Zhang Mo and the other guards breathed a sigh of relief.

They bowed to her back from a distance.

Then he became like the most loyal guard.

Guarding outside the gate.

Ling Zixia slowly closed the gate.

The heavy door panels block out all views from the outside world.

The timidity and sadness on her face disappeared in an instant.

Instead, there was an icy silence.

She raised her right hand.

Look at those slender white fingers.

It's like admiring a perfect work of art.

The new cage has been built.

And she.

And for the owners of this cage.

Put on the first invisible shackles.