Xu Jiujiu's Shyness, Xu Jiawei's Scheme

"He just called me Jiujiu!"

"And he was so close!"

Looking at Gu Tian, who was right in front of her, Xu Jiujiu's already slightly flushed pretty face turned completely red at a speed visible to the naked eye. A blush even appeared on her crystal-clear earlobes.

Now, Xu Jiujiu was even more flustered than before, completely unsure of what to say.

Seeing this, Gu Tian couldn't help but chuckle.

She was quite cute looking like this.

Compared to her usual noble and elegant self, this was a different kind of charm.

"Sister Jiujiu, where are you!"

At this moment, a light shout came from a distance.

"Oh no, it's Yun'er!"

Hearing the call, Xu Jiujiu's face instantly lost all color, and she became very flustered.

In this situation, it was hard not to cause misunderstandings.

And the person coming was her own sister, Xu Yun.

Just as Xu Jiujiu was about to push Gu Tian away, her legs suddenly went weak, and she stumbled directly into Gu Tian's embrace.

Xu Jiujiu's face couldn't have been redder. She hadn't expected to fall into a man's arms.

Looking up, she met Gu Tian's bright and deep eyes.

For a moment, Xu Jiujiu couldn't help but stare, mesmerized.

It wasn't until the crisp footsteps grew closer that Xu Jiujiu finally came back to her senses and quickly stood steady.

"Yun...er is looking for me, I... I'll be going now!"

Leaving these words behind, Xu Jiujiu hurriedly fled the scene.

She was still a maiden!

Having lived in the imperial palace since childhood, she had not only never been in love, but her heart had never stirred so much as it had today.

"If I have nothing to do tomorrow, I'll continue to come to this garden to stroll at this time."

Watching Xu Jiujiu's graceful retreating figure, Gu Tian smiled and shouted this out loud.

One minute passed!

Two minutes passed!

Just as Gu Tian thought the other party wouldn't respond, Xu Jiujiu, who was halfway through her run, suddenly stopped.

At this moment, the moon had broken through the clouds.

"Me too."

The bright moonlight shone on Xu Jiujiu. She looked like a fairy who had descended from the Moon Palace. She turned to face Gu Tian.

As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Jiujiu's pretty face blushed slightly again.

As if to cover her embarrassment, she turned and ran before Gu Tian could respond.

Seeing this, Gu Tian smiled and shook his head, humming a little tune as he returned to his residence.

Coming here was an unexpected gain.

The next day, early morning.

In the Star Luo Great Hall, all the core members of the Star Luo Empire, except for Azure Luan Douluo who had not yet returned, were gathered.

"Your Majesty, is something major happening that you've summoned us here so early?"

Medicine Immortal Douluo Wang Xian'er asked Xu Jiawei.

As soon as she spoke, everyone present turned their gazes over.

"This matter can be big or small, depending on how we choose."

Xu Jiawei took out a letter from his embrace: "This is a secret report from the Sun Moon Empire."

Hearing this, everyone present raised their eyebrows, not understanding what Xu Jiawei meant.

A matter was either big or small.

There was no such thing as "big or small."

The next moment, the letter accurately floated into Wang Xian'er's hand.

After the Venerables read the contents of the secret report one by one, their attitudes changed slightly.

Some looked serious, some frowned, and some remained expressionless.

The content recorded in this secret report was very simple.

Jing Hongchen had been stripped of his position as Dean of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and the head of Mingde Hall.

The Old Emperor of Sun Moon also issued an imperial decree to Jing Hongchen, betrothing his granddaughter, Meng Hongchen, to the current Crown Prince, Xu Tianran.

Jing Hongchen neither agreed nor refused, simply delaying the matter.

"The Sun Moon Royal Family is really quick!"

A sharp glint flashed in Wang Xian'er's eyes: "And they've used such an open scheme."

"Old man Jing Hongchen has contributed so much to the Sun Moon Empire, even his son and daughter-in-law died on the battlefield."

Shattered Star Douluo sighed lightly: "To think it would end up like this!"

Jing Hongchen, as the former Hall Master of Mingde Hall, was more well-known across other countries on the Douluo Continent than Kong Deming, who was known as the Father of Soul Tools.

Basic information about him was naturally not overly secret.

Although the other Venerables didn't say anything, judging by their flickering eyes, they were clearly moved.

"..."

To be honest, Xu Jiawei didn't think the Sun Moon Royal Family was wrong.

If he knew someone would betray the Star Luo Empire in the future, he would do the same.

No matter how much that person had contributed to the Star Luo Empire, or what hardships they had endured!

Betrayal was betrayal, and confirming that was enough.

Of course, Xu Jiawei naturally wouldn't say such a thing at this moment to spoil the mood.

"I didn't expect that old fellow to be so decisive in just one day!"

Xu Jiawei coughed dryly: "But this might not be a bad thing for us in Star Luo."

"Your Majesty, you want to win over Jing Hongchen?"

Upon hearing this, Shattered Star Douluo's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Yes." Xu Jiawei nodded.

"Your Majesty, Jing Hongchen is insidious and cunning; he's a double-edged sword."

Wang Xian'er pondered for a moment, then said with a solemn expression: "If used well, our Star Luo's national strength will greatly increase. If used poorly..."

Although the rest of the sentence was not spoken, everyone present understood what she meant.

"Don't forget, Jing Hongchen is not alone. With his grandchildren, and coupled with the current actions of the Sun Moon Royal Family, it will surely chill his heart."

"And his granddaughter is the future Consort Meng of our Star Luo Empire, the Minister of the Soul Tool Department."

Xu Jiawei smiled and reminded: "With the blessing of various factors, it will be difficult for Jing Hongchen not to lean towards us."

"Your Majesty, do you mean you want us to rescue them from the Sun Moon Empire?"

Manyi looked at Xu Jiawei and asked in a deep voice.

"That's right, but not now."

"Although Jing Hongchen is insidious and cunning, that's only towards enemy nations."

"He is, after all, a high-ranking official of the Sun Moon Empire. Yes, his loyalty to the Sun Moon Empire remains, and he will absolutely not defect to our Star Luo Empire unless it's a last resort."

Xu Jiawei nodded and shook his head: "When Jing Hongchen is completely disheartened with the Sun Moon Royal Family, that will be our time to act!"

"I have no objections, but isn't that Jing Hongchen fellow always dragging his feet?"

Giant Hammer Douluo scratched his head and said carelessly: "When will we have to wait until then!"

He didn't understand those convoluted matters, he only knew that doing so was beneficial to the Star Luo Empire, so he chose to support it.

"From my understanding of that old fellow, he doesn't have that much patience..."

Xu Jiawei gazed into the direction of the Sun Moon Empire and slowly said: "And we just need to make preparations in advance and wait for the opportune moment."