After they exchanged greetings, Empress Liv turned her gaze to Chen Rui.
Chen Rui smiled. "As you can see, Your Majesty Liv, this appearance is merely more convenient."
Empress Liv nodded. "Please follow me, Your Highnesses."
Chen Rui knew that Empress Liv certainly wished to ask about the Tree of Nature. His eyes shifted as he asked, "Your Majesty Liv, may I ask where Lady Qi Lanya is?"
"Lady Qi Lanya?" Empress Liv was taken aback. "She is one of the officiants of the New Moon Festival and is at the ceremony site. Does Your Highness wish to invite her to join the discussion?"
"No, Your Majesty has misunderstood me. I merely heard His Highness Span say earlier that he wished to see her."
Qi Lanya was at the very top of Meriya's blacklist. The moment the Fairy Dragon lady heard that name, her pointed elven ears immediately perked up. Span had not expected Chen Rui to say such a thing and shot his son-in-law a vicious glare. Chen Rui simply copied his father-in-law's secret art of playing dumb and stared back at him blankly.
In truth, Span already understood his son-in-law's intentions. There were matters his son-in-law would shoulder alone, unwilling to drag him and Meriya into them. The Elf King and father-in-law pondered for a moment before finally nodding.
After a brief consideration, Empress Liv did not press the matter. "Then please make yourself at home, Your Highness Span."
Chen Rui looked at Lola, signaling for the Fairy Dragon lady to look after that half-elf if necessary. Lola nodded slightly. Her heart and mind were linked with Chen Rui's; sometimes, they did not even need telepathy—a single glance was enough for them to understand each other.
"All right, you go have your secret tryst with this little elven