"He just called me Jiujiu!"
"And he was standing so close!"
As she gazed at Gu Tian, who was right in front of her, Xu Jiujiu's pretty face, already touched with a faint blush, turned visibly crimson. Even her delicate earlobes reddened.
Xu Jiujiu was even more flustered than before. She had no idea what to say.
Seeing this, Gu Tian couldn't help chuckling.
He had to admit, Xu Jiujiu looked rather adorable like this.
Compared with her usual noble elegance, this was a charming side of her.
"Jiujiu, where are you?"
A soft call came from the distance.
"Oh no, it's Yun'er!"
At the sound of the voice, Xu Jiujiu's face paled, and she grew terribly flustered.
In this situation, it would be hard to avoid giving people the wrong idea.
And the person coming was none other than her younger sister, Xu Yun.
Just as Xu Jiujiu tried to push Gu Tian away, her legs suddenly gave way, and she fell straight into his arms.
Her face was already as red as it could get. She hadn't expected to end up in a man's arms.
When she looked up, she met Gu Tian's bright, deep eyes.
For a moment, Xu Jiujiu couldn't look away.
Only when the crisp footsteps drew closer did she snap out of it and hurriedly regain her balance.
"Yun... Yun'er's looking for me. I... I have to go!"
Leaving those words behind, Xu Jiujiu hurriedly fled.
She was still an unmarried young woman, after all!
Having grown up in the imperial palace, she had never been in love—not to mention that her heart had never been so stirred before.
"If I'm free tomorrow, I'll come take a walk in this garden at the same time."
Watching Xu Jiujiu's graceful figure, Gu Tian smiled and called after her.
A minute passed!
Then two!
Just as Gu Tian thought she wouldn't respond, Xu Jiujiu suddenly stopped halfway through her run.
By then, the moon had emerged from behind the clouds.
"Me too."
Moonlight shone down on Xu Jiujiu. She looked like a celestial maiden from the Moon Palace as she turned to face Gu Tian.
As soon as she spoke, her pretty face turned faintly red again.
As if to hide her embarrassment, she ran off before Gu Tian could reply.
Gu Tian smiled and shook his head, humming a tune as he returned to his residence.
His trip here had brought him an unexpected reward.
The next morning.
Everyone in the Star Luo Empire's inner circle had gathered in Star Luo Great Hall, except for Azure Luan Douluo, who had yet to return.
"Your Majesty, you summoned us so early. Has something major happened?"
Medicine Immortal Douluo Wang Xian'er asked Xu Jiawei.
At her words, everyone present turned to look.
"This could be a big matter or a small one. It all depends on what we decide."
Xu Jiawei took a sheet of paper from his robes. "This is a secret report from the Sun Moon Empire."
The people present raised their brows, unsure what Xu Jiawei meant.
A matter was either big or small.
How could it be both?
The sheet of paper floated straight into Wang Xian'er's hands.
The Venerables read the report one after another, and their expressions shifted.
Some looked grave, some furrowed their brows, while others remained impassive.
The report's contents were simple.
Jing Hongchen had been stripped of his positions as dean of Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and master of Mingde Hall.
The Old Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire had also issued an imperial decree, betrothing Jing Hongchen's granddaughter, Meng Hongchen, to the Crown Prince, Xu Tianran.
Jing Hongchen had neither accepted nor refused. He was simply stalling.
"The Sun Moon Royal Family sure acted quickly!"
A glint flashed in Wang Xian'er's eyes. "And they've used such an open, calculated tactic."
"That old fox, Jing Hongchen, gave so much to the Sun Moon Empire. Even his son and daughter-in-law died on the battlefield."
Xuanji Douluo sighed. "Who would've thought he'd end up in this situation?"
As the former master of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen was better known in other countries across Douluo Continent than even Kong Deming, the man hailed as the Father of Soul Tools.
Basic information about him was hardly a secret.
The other Venerables said nothing, but the looks in their eyes showed that they, too, were affected.
"..."
To be honest, Xu Jiawei didn't think the Sun Moon Royal Family had done anything 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 once done for the Star Luo Empire, or what grievances they might have had!
Betrayal was betrayal. That was all that mattered.
Naturally, Xu Jiawei wasn't about to spoil the mood by saying so now.
"I didn't expect that old fox to act so decisively in just one day!"
Xu Jiawei cleared his throat. "But this may not be a bad thing for our Star Luo Empire."
"Your Majesty, are you thinking of winning Jing Hongchen over?"
Shattered Star Douluo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mm." Xu Jiawei nodded.
"Your Majesty, Jing Hongchen is crafty and treacherous. He's a double-edged sword."
After a moment's thought, Wang Xian'er said gravely, "If we use him well, our Star Luo Empire's strength will increase greatly. If we don't..."
She left the rest unsaid, but everyone present understood what she meant.
"Don't forget that Jing Hongchen isn't alone. He has his grandson and granddaughter. And the Sun Moon Royal Family's actions are bound to chill his heart."
"His granddaughter is destined to become the Star Luo Empire's future Dream Consort and Minister of the Soul Tool Department."
Xu Jiawei smiled as he reminded them, "With all these factors in play, it'll be hard for Jing Hongchen not to side with us."
"Your Majesty, are you saying you want us to rescue them from the Sun Moon Empire?"
Manyi looked at Xu Jiawei and asked in a low voice.
"That's right, but not yet."
"Jing Hongchen may be crafty and treacherous, but only toward enemy nations."
"He's still a high-ranking official of the Sun Moon Empire, and he remains loyal to it. Unless he has no other choice, he'll never defect to our Star Luo Empire."
Xu Jiawei nodded, then shook his head. "When Jing Hongchen has completely lost faith in the Sun Moon Royal Family, that's when we'll make our move!"
"I have no objections, but hasn't Jing Hongchen been stalling all this time?"
Giant Hammer Douluo scratched his head and spoke bluntly. "How long are we supposed to wait?"
He didn't understand all the twists and turns. He only knew that this would benefit the Star Luo Empire, so he supported it.
"From what I know of that old fox, he won't have that much patience..."
Xu Jiawei gazed toward the Sun Moon Empire and said slowly, "We just need to prepare in advance and wait for the right moment."
Before you continue