Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Rumors had it that Officer Yan Qing was His Grace’s sword. He had a cold heart and a cold face, and he was swift and decisive. Even if he was killing thousands of people and going through many deathly battles, his cruel and heartless expression didn’t change.
But today, it was the first time he knew what ‘fear’ meant.
Chu Liuyue was clearly smiling in front of him, but Yan Qing felt a chill run down his spine. His instincts told him that he had said something wrongly. Besides, it wasn’t a minor mistake but a ridiculously major one.
He struggled to say, “N-no. It’s because His Highness has some things to discuss with that person. It’s not because of anything—”
“Oh.” Chu Liuyue nodded. “Oh, then it does seem like it’s very important… But it’s fine if he doesn’t come. The contest to choose the princess consort will happen soon. I believe he must be very busy.”
Yan Qing felt that there was no use if he tried to add anything, so he hopelessly shut his eyes. “Ms. Liuyue, take it as I’m begging you. Please go up with me first! If His Highness doesn’t see you later, he’ll be anxious again—”
“I’m from outside the God Residence Realm. Today, I had to rely on my connection with Grotto-Heaven Cliff’s Lin family to come to the Sky-Cloud Empire. I naturally need to journey with them, so how can I just leave like this?” Chu Liuyue directly rejected him without thinking. He can refuse to come because he doesn’t want to, yet I must go just because he wants me to? How can there be such a good thing in the world?
“Besides, why can’t I see him? In another four hours, the birthday banquet will begin. Won’t I see him then?”
“But… It’s hard on you if you stay here…” Yan Qing wanted to convince her further, but he swallowed his remaining words when he saw Chu Liuyue’s seemingly smiling expression. Due to this, he changed his tone. “T-then, I’ll listen to you for everything. If you have any issues, do let me know.”
Chu Liuyue waved her hands. “Okay. Since we’ve talked it out, I know what to do. Let’s go!”
…
Even though Chu Liuyue urged him to leave, Yan Qing still respectfully sent her back to where she was previously.
When the duo reached the entrance, the crowd in the room—who heard the commotion—looked over.
“Uh… I-I’ll leave first.” Then, Yan Qing left after seeing Chu Liuyue nod. But after taking a step, he turned back to glance at Hu Yang and instructed, “You must take good care of Ms. Dugu and the rest.”
Hu Yang hurriedly said, “I understand! Don’t worry, Officer Yan Qing!”
Yan Qing then nodded.
As he couldn’t successfully invite Chu Liuyue over, he left with a heavy heart.
On the other hand, Chu Liuyue looked relaxed as she directly walked to the chair at the side and sat down as if nothing had happened.
This difference was shocking to the crowd.
“Ms. Dugu, are you satisfied with this area?” asked Hu Yang carefully.
Actually, he was already very polite to Lin Tianfeng and the rest, but he was even more respectful in front of Chu Liuyue. Although Officer Yan Qing said to properly take care of these people when he left, who can’t tell that he specifically meant Dugu Yue? Even a ghost wouldn’t believe that there is nothing between them!
Chu Liuyue surveyed her surroundings, smiled, and said, “It’s quite nice.”
To Hu Yang, Yan Qing, and the rest, this place might be insufficient. But in actual fact, it was much more extravagant and elegant than most of the palaces she had seen before. It also wasn’t a superficial extravagance. Instead, it was an elegance that came from the bones of a deep-seated traditional aristocratic family.
It’s no wonder Rong Xiu is so rich… With such a huge family business, what else does he need to worry about?
Hu Yang had a better impression of Chu Liuyue. It’s fine if she didn’t know of Officer Yan Qing’s identity earlier. But now that she knows, she actually doesn’t plan to use this connection to gain benefits for herself. Her attitude is also as approachable as before. How rare.
His smile was even more genuine. “That’s good, that’s good! I’ll be staying right beside you. If there’s anything, you can just directly instruct me.”
Then, he cupped his fists toward Chu Liuyue, Lin Tianfeng, and the rest before leaving.
The remaining few people all looked at Chu Liuyue with different expressions.
Chu Liuyue looked up slightly and saw them. She then smiled and asked, “Why is everyone looking at me like this?”
Why? What do you think?!
“Ms. Dugu, I didn’t expect you and Officer Yan Qing to have such fate!” The few ladies’ thoughts were purer and simpler. They didn’t care about much and directly asked, “How do you know each other?”
Chu Liuyue sipped on a cup of tea and slowly said, “It was some twist of fate. There’s nothing much to say.”
Should I say that I know him because of his master?
Hearing her ambiguous answer, the few ladies exchanged glances in disappointment. T-this is akin to not saying anything!
“Alright, it’s getting late. His Grace’s birthday banquet is about to begin; you should go down and prepare,” said Lin Tianfeng suddenly.
With his reminder, the few ladies then recovered their senses. Oh right! The most important thing that we came here to do is to join the contest for the position of princess consort! All the elegant women that the divisions have meticulously picked out will be shown together! At that time, we naturally have to fight for the limelight.
Even though they knew they didn’t have much hope of being chosen, they still had to dress up meticulously in case they humiliated Grotto-Heaven Cliff.
The few ladies excused themselves and left together.
Lin Mo said to the remaining two elders, “Let’s also go first.”
Lou Ruhai knitted his brows slightly and glanced at Chu Liuyue.
Detecting his gaze, Chu Liuyue turned around.
The two of them stared at each other briefly.
Lou Ruhai was the first to avert his gaze before he sneered, whipped his sleeves, and left first.
Lin Mo coughed awkwardly and advised Chu Liuyue, “Ms. Dugu, don’t worry. Ruhai is a little hot-tempered; he isn’t targeting you. Please don’t mind him.”
Even if he did have any thoughts beforehand, all of them should’ve disappeared when he realized that Dugu Yue actually knew Officer Yan Qing.
Chu Liuyue’s eyes curved up like a crescent moon. “Thank you for your concern, Elder Lin Mo. I know all of this.”
Very quickly, only Chu Liuyue, Big Baby, and the Lin father-son duo were left in the room.
Lin Tianfeng shot Chu Liuyue a complicated gaze and was hesitant with his words.
“Master Lin, if you have anything you want to ask, please do,” said Chu Liuyue directly.
Lin Tianfeng paused. “Ms. Dugu, I don’t have any intentions of offending you, but I do find this issue rather strange. Uh… You and that Officer Yan Qing…”
As he said this, he glanced at Big Baby—who was so quiet that it seemed like he didn’t exist—and hesitation surfaced on his face.
“Master Lin, you can just say it directly. Big Baby can hear whatever I can hear.”
Hearing her say this, Lin Tianfeng clenched his teeth. “Actually, I want to ask… Is Officer Yan Qing the one you mentioned before, Ms. Dugu? Is he also… Big Baby’s biological—”
Kacha!
Big Baby sliced the table beside him in half!
