Not That Fast, but Soon!

Night fell over the Chu Lineage residence.

Chu Ruoyan paced back and forth in her room, looking preoccupied.

I have to make things clear to Xiao Ming today. I absolutely can't give him a chance to speak first.

She had developed strong feelings for Li Chen. How could she possibly run away with Xiao Ming now?

But Xiao Ming still knew nothing of this. He thought Chu Ruoyan was enduring humiliation at Li Chen's side.

There was one thing Xiao Ming did know, though: if he did not act quickly, Chu Ruoyan would no longer be enduring humiliation at Li Chen's side, but beneath him.

Whenever he imagined his goddess's body colliding with another man's, he scratched at his head in agitation and ground his teeth.

The Saint Remnant Soul in Xiao Ming's Necklace had thought these emotions would hinder Xiao Ming's cultivation, perhaps even cause cultivation deviation if they grew severe.

But before the Saint Remnant Soul could offer any guidance, the soul discovered, to great surprise, that Xiao Ming's cultivation speed was actually increasing dramatically at times like these.

The Saint Remnant Soul began to wonder whether this disciple possessed some peculiar trait.

Chu Ruoyan knew Xiao Ming's temper, too. Once he made up his mind, he would never change it. He would certainly come again tonight.

She had prepared plenty of gentle refusals. She was determined to speak first and make everything clear.

The problem was that Xiao Ming did not give her a chance to speak this time, either.

While Chu Ruoyan was pacing back and forth, a short sword flew through the window with unerring precision and lodged firmly in her bedroom wall.

Chu Ruoyan initially thought it was some kind of hidden weapon, but a closer inspection revealed a letter attached to the sword.

The letter read: I know every day you spend here is torture. Don't miss me too much. See you in five days!

Chu Ruoyan was furious after reading it. Is this guy really not going to give me a single chance to explain?

She only hoped Xiao Ming would not stir up some bizarre trouble, or things would become truly difficult to resolve.

Should I tell Li Chen beforehand?

But with Li Chen's cultivation realm, what could Xiao Ming possibly do?

Meanwhile, inside the house where Wu Qi was staying.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so listless?"

Wu Nanzhi was eating fruit when she saw her nephew return looking utterly dispirited, and asked out of curiosity.

"Nothing. I just never saw the person I was waiting for, and spent the whole day staring at someone I didn't want to see instead."

Wu Qi sat straight down on the threshold, his face weary.

He had gone to stake out the Chu Lineage residence early that morning, hoping to follow Chu Ruoyan and thereby curry favor with his goddess's man.

Near the Chu Lineage residence, he had also spotted Liu Hao.

That fellow probably had the same idea.

The two had exchanged looks of mutual disdain without saying much.

Strangely, neither of them had seen Chu Ruoyan leave the residence that day. Had His Majesty begun neglecting their goddess?

They had truly crouched there all day before returning to their respective lodgings.

That was not the case at all. Chu Ruoyan had already guessed what they would do, so instead of leaving through the main gate, she had climbed over the side courtyard wall.

Naturally, Wu Qi and Liu Hao had failed to intercept her.

Still, he had heard that His Majesty would attend the grand ceremony at Cloud Deer Academy tomorrow. He could try his luck there.

At that thought, he looked toward Wu Nanzhi, who was still eating fruit.

Wu Qi began considering how to talk his aunt into going to Cloud Deer Academy.

If His Majesty took a fancy to his aunt, his mission would be accomplished!

Wu Nanzhi had never imagined that this nephew of hers really intended to sell her out.

"Aunt, didn't you go to Marriage Mountain today? How did your fortune turn out?"

"It was all right. The scenery there was quite lovely. I only asked about romance for fun. Your aunt doesn't believe in that sort of thing."

In fact, she had drawn the most auspicious lot, and the interpreter had told her she would meet her destined partner soon.

Wu Nanzhi felt the interpreter was merely offering pleasant words, so she had not taken it particularly seriously.

"Did you meet anyone interesting?"

Wu Nanzhi did not answer that question, but she had indeed met a man.

His aura had been powerful, and he had been exceptionally handsome. Most importantly, his eyes had been remarkably clear.

He had certainly left her with a rather different impression.

Seeing Wu Nanzhi fall silent, Wu Qi changed the subject and brought up Cloud Deer Academy, which did pique her curiosity.

"I've heard your grandfather mention it. The master of Cloud Deer Academy is a Saint Realm expert. Your grandfather met him once and thought very highly of him."

Seeing that his aunt was interested, Wu Qi naturally continued along those lines.

Finally, after his persistent coaxing and pleading, Wu Nanzhi agreed to accompany him there tomorrow.

Deep within the palace, Li Chen returned to his bedchamber and found a lovely figure lying on his bed.

He was not particularly surprised, because that person was Li Sining.

After leaving the Imperial Study, Li Sining had come straight to Li Chen's bedchamber.

It had been a long time since her last visit, but every time she came, her heart filled with joy.

Outside, she was the dignified, virtuous Ninth Princess. Here, she was simply a grown girl free to let her true nature shine.

With practiced familiarity, she opened a door. Inside were toys Li Chen had made himself when he had nothing else to do.

For some reason, no matter how many times she played with it, Li Sining still loved the toy called LEGO.

With Li Chen away, this place was her domain!

It felt wonderful not to have to pretend.

Under her deft hands, the LEGO pieces became all sorts of marvelous buildings.

After spending a full two hours on it, she even completed a miniature imperial palace.

If she could receive Li Chen's praise now, that would be perfect.

"Honestly, why isn't my brother back yet? How long is this date going to last?"

Li Sining yawned, looking a little tired, and flopped onto Li Chen's bed.

She drew in a deep breath, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.

The lingering scent on the quilt delighted every cell in her body.

Before she knew it, she had hugged Li Chen's pillow and fallen into a deep sleep.

When Li Sining opened her eyes again, the strikingly handsome face she dreamed of day and night appeared before her.

"Brother, you're finally back."

Li Sining slowly opened her eyes, which seemed to hold the stars themselves. Through their sleepy haze shone an innocence and tenderness untouched by the world.

Her lashes trembled lightly as her gaze gradually focused. A trace of just-awakened bewilderment lingered in her eyes, enough to stir anyone's affection.

Her waterfall of long hair lay loosely scattered over the pillow, a few strands brushing her cheeks and lending her a touch of softness and allure.

Beneath that soft, beautiful hair, her fair left shoulder had slipped into view. Her skin was as delicate as porcelain, tinged with a faint rosy glow that set the imagination wandering.

Li Sining rose slightly, making that bare shoulder even more conspicuous.

"I had no choice. I didn't want to come back either, but I've got plenty to do tomorrow."

Li Chen said it offhandedly.

Just then, Li Sining leaned her pretty face closer, revealing a mischievous smile.

"How's it progressing?"

As she spoke, Li Sining formed a circle with her left hand and moved her right index finger back and forth inside it.

"Ahem. Not that fast, but soon."

Li Chen could not understand who had taught her these things.

Could it be that when the Previous Emperor told her to read, this was what she was reading?

Perhaps no one would have imagined that their conversation could be so blunt and direct!