Surely You Couldn't Serve the Emperor Ready-Made Meals! (Please Subscribe and Vote with Monthly Tickets)

The Wei Family estate was decked out with lanterns and festive decorations that day, even more splendidly than during the New Year.

A red carpet embroidered with gold thread stretched straight from the gates to the main hall. Maids and servants in matching uniforms stood on either side, their hair groomed without a single strand out of place.

The estate's steward had already warned them repeatedly: "Anyone who dares say one unnecessary word before His Majesty will be sent to dig in the mines of the northern frontier!"

The courtyard had been swept spotless. Even the koi in the pond had been temporarily replaced with a fresh batch.

In the shadows, the palace shadow guards had long since taken their positions. Powerful experts lay hidden on the eaves, behind the rockeries, and even within the underground formations.

The Wei Family waited anxiously, unable to sit or stand at ease.

Pan Chengwu stood in a corner, watching coldly as Wei Mingde adjusted his clothes in a show of composure.

For once, this puppet family head had straightened his back, though his fingertips kept trembling inside his sleeves.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The steward announced it in a lowered voice.

At noon, Li Chen stepped through the gates in an ink-black casual robe, with only a white jade pendant hanging at his waist. Yet his presence was more suffocating than any imperial robe could have made it.

Wei Lianhan followed at his side, dressed in a moonlight gown, cool and aloof as frost. Appearing together with His Majesty at the gates of the Wei Residence, they seemed strangely well matched.

Of course, "well matched" here merely meant that Wei Lianhan was barely worthy of Li Chen.

Wei Lianhan's appearance also filled quite a few of the nearby women with envy, jealousy, and