"We're in luck?" Zhu Zhuqing was puzzled, wondering what the eunuch meant.
"You'll understand when you get to the palace." The eunuch smiled, not answering Zhu Zhuqing's question, but turning directly to the guards, and continued, "You lot, don't you have any sense? Hurry up and bring the sedan chair in."
"No need, I have legs, I can walk down by myself. Big Brother Yi, let's go."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't like the eunuch's tone of voice, so she closed her room door and walked out of the family gate with Jun Yi. The carriage was already prepared at the gate, and Zhu Zhuqing and Jun Yi got into the carriage and headed to the palace.
They traveled in silence to the Star Luo Imperial Palace with Jun Yi Zhu Zhuqing. Along the way, he had a premonition that this annulment of the engagement might not be so simple. After all, this was different from usual. Zhu Zhuqing's family had annuled the engagement with the Star Luo Imperial Family family, and Star Luo Empire was different from Heaven Dou. They preferred to use forceful methods in dealing with people and things. He was afraid that Zhu Zhuqing Zhu Zhuqing might encounter misfortune, which was why he chose to go to the Star Luo Imperial Palace with her.
The carriage traveled smoothly to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace. Jun Yi and Zhu Zhuqing alighted from the carriage. The Star Luo Imperial Palace was heavily guarded, with armored guards carrying weapons patrolling everywhere. Although it was only the outer area of the palace, it still gave people a very oppressive feeling.
As Jun Yi and Zhu Zhuqing stepped onto the stairs, they were stopped by two guards. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Just then, the same eunuch stepped forward and said, "This is the second young lady of the Zhu Family. His Majesty has specially summoned her to the palace today, and this gentleman beside her is her friend."
"Masks are not allowed inside the palace. Take them off," the guard told Jun Yi.
" Big Brother Yi, you..." Zhu Zhuqing panicked for a moment, somewhat afraid that Jun Yi's identity would be exposed.
"Okay, I'll pick them now."
Jun Yi slowly removed his mask, revealing an ordinary face that was so plain it was almost invisible in a crowd. The guards frowned slightly upon seeing it; such a plain and unremarkable face would easily be overlooked without a mask. However, since he was a friend of the second young lady of the Zhu Family and the head steward was present, they did not question him further.
"Please put your mask away now. Within the palace, you must show your true appearance," the guard instructed.
"Hmm." Jun Yi nodded slowly and put the mask back into the System Space.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing to the side, stared at Jun Yi's face, a hint of shock flashing across her expression, which she quickly concealed. Disguise wasn't particularly rare in the Douluo Continent, but she was puzzled. Why would Jun Yi, who already possessed this skill, need to wear a mask? Wasn't that redundant?
"Come, Second Miss, follow us this way. His Majesty and the Grand Duke of Youming are waiting for you in the Imperial Study." With that, the head eunuch stepped forward to lead the way for Jun Yi and her companion.
Soon, the eunuch led the two to the imperial study. After announcing their arrival, Zhu Zhuqing entered the study, while Jun Yi was instructed to wait outside.
"Go ahead. I'll be there immediately if anything happens," Jun Yi instructed.
"Um."
Zhu Zhuqing followed the eunuch into the imperial study. She found that there were only four people in the huge imperial study. Her father and mother were sitting on the left guest seats drinking tea. In the center, on the dragon throne, sat a middle-aged man with a square face and a full head of blond hair. He was the current ruler of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo Emperor Dai Lingtian. Behind him stood an old man in a black robe. The old man kept his head down and seemed not to exist at all.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Zhu Zhuqing said, bowing to the Star Luo Emperor.
The blond, square-faced middle-aged man smiled slightly and said, "You must be Zhu Zhuqing. It's been a long time since I last saw you. You've grown into a beautiful young woman."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
After a very brief and perfunctory exchange of pleasantries, the Star Luo Emperor spoke, " Zhu Zhuqing, I won't beat around the bush. I'll get straight to the point. I actually agree with your decision to cancel this engagement. Mubai is indeed not good enough, and even somewhat cowardly. He actually fled the Star Luo Empire alone to save his own life. I am also very disappointed in him."
"Then Your Majesty, please annul the engagement," Zhu Zhuqing said, bowing.
Star Luo Emperor smiled slightly and said, "Of course, I have already discussed it with your parents. Your marriage to Dai Mubai is hereby called off."
A hint of joy appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face. She turned to look at her mother, but found that she was not very happy. Instead, she looked worried, which made Zhu Zhuqing feel that something was wrong.
The Star Luo Emperor then inquired, " Zhu Zhuqing, I heard from your parents that your Soul Power has increased significantly during your time away, and you've now reached the Soul Ancestor level, is that correct?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
"Hmm, very good, very good. Then I'll just tell you directly here, I've decided to strip you and Mubai of your Soul Master and betroth you to Weisi. What do you say?"
Star Luo Emperor's words made Zhu Zhuqing's expression extremely solemn. She had been wondering why her mother was unhappy, and now she knew the reason.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I have no such intention." Zhu Zhuqing politely declined.
Star Luo Emperor ignored Zhu Zhuqing's words and simply said, "Your father has agreed, so this matter is settled today."
At this point, Zhu Zhuqing turned to look at her father and found him silently sipping his fragrant tea, seemingly having already accepted the outcome.
Seeing her father's attitude, Zhu Zhuqing felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She took a deep breath and continued, "Your Majesty, I do not agree to this marriage. I have no feelings for His Highness the First Prince, and I will not marry him. Please, Your Majesty, understand."
Upon hearing this, her father snorted coldly and said, "Feelings? What use are they? Marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers. How can the marriages of the Netherworld Zhu Family be decided by anyone else? His Majesty has already said that your marriage to the First Prince is settled today. From now on, you will stay in this palace and will not need to return to the Spirit Hall Academy."
Zhu Zhuqing's father's words struck her like a bolt from Zhu Zhuqing blue, leaving her head spinning. She never imagined things would escalate to this point. She couldn't believe her father would choose to force her to obey the marriage agreement at this crucial moment. Wasn't this tantamount to pushing her into another Abyss? She couldn't understand why. She was her father's own daughter! Didn't she matter to him at all?
(End of this chapter)