Everyone in the Chu Lineage's residence, from the patriarch and ancestor down to the maids and grooms, was unusually excited.
Today, His Majesty had summoned their eldest young lady to the palace. If she caught his eye, wouldn't even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven along with her?
Chu Ruoyan had barely stepped through the gates when her mother hurried out to meet her, her face full of concern and anticipation.
"My daughter, you're finally back!" Chu Ruoyan's Mother seized her hand, her eyes gleaming with anxious excitement. "Quick, tell me, what was His Majesty like? Did you catch his eye? How are things progressing between you?"
Chu Ruoyan's father pretended to drink tea nearby, but even his hands were shaking.
This was an opportunity that could decide the Chu Lineage's fate. How could he not be excited?
Then again, her father knew Chu Ruoyan's temper well.
If that girl dug her heels in, they would be in serious trouble.
Being thrown out of the palace would be a minor matter. If she offended His Majesty, they could count themselves lucky if the Chu Lineage was allowed to pack up and leave the Imperial Capital.
By the time Chu Ruoyan returned home, she had already regained her usual composure.
She gently patted her mother's hand to reassure her. "Mother, don't worry. Let me tell you everything slowly."
With that, she walked into the house, her mother following close behind with anticipation in her eyes.
Seated by the window, Chu Ruoyan took a small sip of tea to moisten her throat, then began recounting the luncheon. "His Majesty looked very well today, and he treated me with great courtesy. But how could feelings develop in a single day? I spoke with him a little over dinner, though we hardly touched on anything personal."
Compared with men who could not move their feet the moment they saw her, then pursued her frantically as though possessed, Li Chen's approach was far more likely to win Chu Ruoyan's favor.
At the very least, she could feel that this powerful emperor, despite his lofty position, respected her.
He also took her feelings into account as they talked.
He was unlike those other men, who were always showing off how impressive they were in front of her.
They never cared about what she truly wanted.
Li Chen was very considerate. After learning that Chu Ruoyan liked sweets, he had thoughtfully prepared plenty of desserts for her and even mentioned that he had done some research on the subject.
Chu Ruoyan was eager to try the "Ice Cream" Li Chen had mentioned. Just thinking about it made her swallow.
At the time, Chu Ruoyan had thought that Li Chen was almost unfairly outstanding. He fit every single thing she liked to perfection.
What woman could withstand an offensive on Li Chen's level?
As Chu Ruoyan grew more animated while talking with her mother, she also mentioned seeing many important figures in the Imperial Study.
For all their usual imposing airs, once they made a mistake, those important figures knelt before Li Chen, trembling.
That frightened her mother terribly, and she hurriedly said, "Shh! You mustn't speak carelessly about such things. Even if you saw them, you cannot mention them to anyone else. Don't you understand?"
Divulging matters from within the palace without permission was extremely dangerous.
Only after hearing her mother say this did Chu Ruoyan feel a twinge of lingering fear.
Oh no. I heard so much just now-doesn't that put me in danger?
Every one of those ministers kneeling before Li Chen could bring the Chu Lineage to its death.
Seemingly noticing her daughter's worry, her mother reassured her. "Don't worry. Since His Majesty let you stay there, you already had his tacit permission. It's just that ordinary people like us cannot hear such things."
Did Chu Ruoyan's mother not want to know what had happened in the Imperial Study?
Of course she did, but she also knew that some things were better left unknown if they were not meant for her ears, lest they invite trouble.
Seeing his daughter's expression, the Chu Lineage's patriarch, a man who had been through such things himself, could hardly fail to recognize that she was certainly fond of the emperor.
His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, could finally settle halfway.
As for the other half, that depended on whether the emperor took a liking to his daughter.
There was one thing the Chu Lineage's patriarch could be sure of, however: this new emperor was undoubtedly outstanding.
If the new emperor were worthless, his proud daughter could never have shown such admiration in her eyes when mentioning him.
After chatting with her family, Chu Ruoyan felt somewhat tired and prepared to return to her room to rest.
Just as she reached her own courtyard alone, a dark figure quietly appeared.
It was none other than Xiao Ming, who blocked Chu Ruoyan's path.
"Why are you in my home?"
The moment she saw Xiao Ming, Chu Ruoyan instinctively covered her chest and pulled her neckline considerably higher.
Xiao Ming considered himself a decent man. Even though he wanted to look, he deliberately averted his eyes and lowered his head.
He even retreated a few steps to demonstrate that he truly was an upright gentleman.
"Ruo Yan, I came to give you good news. My master has agreed to help us leave the Imperial Capital."
Xiao Ming had followed her all the way from the palace gates, waiting for an opportunity to explain this matter.
Seeing what Chu Ruoyan was wearing truly pained him.
In all these years, he had never seen any part of her besides her hands and face.
Damn it! That bastard emperor got to take advantage of her just like that! Xiao Ming's heart was bleeding!
From the moment Xiao Ming first saw Chu Ruoyan, he had already decided she was the woman for him.
Now that his goddess was under threat, Xiao Ming felt he had to rescue her from that poisonous mire.
While waiting outside the palace gates earlier, he had even imagined the humiliation his goddess was suffering inside!
Damn that bastard emperor. I, Xiao Ming, will remember this grudge!
The day I reach the Saint Realm, I will teach that bastard emperor a lesson and wash away the hatred in my heart.
Unfortunately, he was not strong enough yet, so he could only let that bastard emperor off for now.
Had Chu Ruoyan known what he was thinking, she would certainly have said, "Actually, it wasn't nearly as humiliating as you imagined. I was even a little happy."
At that moment, however, Chu Ruoyan finally remembered that she seemed to have tacitly agreed to "elope" with Xiao Ming.
Out of reserve, she had not agreed outright at the time, but she had indeed entertained the idea.
After going to the palace and seeing Li Chen, however, she had forgotten all about it.
Just as she was about to explain, Xiao Ming gritted his teeth and said, "I understand that this wasn't what you wanted. You don't need to explain anything to me. I trust your character. You must do everything you can to stall for these seven days."
With that, Xiao Ming vanished from the Chu Lineage's rear courtyard in a flash, without waiting for Chu Ruoyan to reply.
In his view, how could a proud woman like Chu Ruoyan possibly take a liking to that emperor?
In Xiao Ming's mind, Li Chen was old, ugly, and lecherous.
After all, most people only knew that the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty had a new emperor. They knew nothing specific about him.
Xiao Ming was already a full realm stronger than Chu Ruoyan, and the cultivation technique he practiced was strange, while his movement technique was exceptionally fast. She could not stop him at all.
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