Volume One, Chapter 21: Cheng Xi Harms Her

Cheng Xi was very mindful of propriety. After finishing breakfast, she took her leave, and before departing, she spoke with particular solemnity, “I will prepare the Spirit-Nourishing Elixir and deliver it to you, my lord, once it is ready.”

“No rush,” Li Zhian replied slowly.

Cheng Xi smiled faintly and turned to leave.

She was anxious—above all, she hated owing others favors.

Hearing my words, Yuezi let out a heavy sigh before breaking into a smile; her eyes gleamed with a newfound brightness.

After two rounds of competition, rumors had already begun to circulate: the Xia family had brought in an extraordinarily fierce and skilled warrior. Yet, Miao Jueyang remained unaware of all this, and more importantly, he did not realize the great trouble about to befall him.

Li Xiuyu knew the emperor held the empress in the highest regard, so he had been laying groundwork for her early on—those connected to her were being promoted and supported well in advance.

This is troublesome. I suddenly remembered Xiao Fubin, who had never cooked before. When he tried preparing a meal for the first time, would he end up burning down my kitchen? Just as I was about to follow him into the kitchen, Dongfang Ding grabbed my arm firmly.

I even foolishly thought that perhaps surrendering myself here would be better—then I wouldn’t have to trouble myself with his fractured personality. After all, regardless of which persona he exhibited, in the end, all he desired was my body.

The situation before me might seem straightforward, but one must place absolute trust in Li Tian.

Thankfully, the Grand Tutor is here; otherwise, Lin Yujiao would find it even more inconvenient. To eat anything fresh, one would have to trek out to a rural estate beyond the city.

Perhaps the purifier Lasha once stood unyieldingly for the will of the Holy Light, refusing any compromise. But now, he had changed.

“I advise you to stop,” Miao Jueyang said while dodging. “Though your strength is great, you are no match for me. I have no desire to make enemies.”

“No problem. The school has troops stationed over there as well. When your principal gives an order, can you refuse?” Jian Xin chuckled, then ended the call.

Drawing her spiritual energy out from the Ice and Snow Bracelet, she returned to normal consciousness and found that her injuries were gradually healing under the combined effects of the azure power and the bracelet’s restorative magic. The wounds had scabbed over, and she felt not the slightest pain.

The following day, July 18th, the highly publicized large-scale music talent show, “Empire’s Finest,” officially began. Filming took place in Jiangshui City, Jiangsu-Zhejiang Province, and was broadcast live on Jiangsu-Zhejiang Satellite Television.

Luo Xiancheng had used the guise of negotiations to delay matters with Jiang Ning for over a year, consolidating control over territories such as Xiangyang and Suizhou. Luo Xiancheng neither intended to recruit Jiang Ning’s troops for conquest nor sought to formally bring Jiang Ning under his command. Lacking political foresight, he only wished to maintain the status quo.

“Mr. Lin, I’m sorry, but the terms you proposed require further discussion between both parties,” Song Ye typed, politely declining for the moment.

“Are you threatening me?” Lei Yuntian narrowed his eyes. “It seems I am the true head of this family!” As soon as the words left his mouth, Lei Yuntian exuded a formidable aura—one that only sixth-tier martial artists could possess—an aura that five others at this stage could still resist.

Cao Zi’ang instructed Sun Shangwang and over ten villagers from Hejian Prefecture to rest at the camp first. All decisions were to await Lin Fu’s return.

I thought again of my illness—my life held little hope. All I could do was make the greatest possible contribution through him.

I realized that the primary challenge I now faced was how to deal with He Yulu’s determined efforts to drive me away.

“President, Lin Feng made some changes to the couplet. Please listen carefully: the tune now goes, ‘Spring melodies pure and bright, notes like flowing mountain streams.’ He modified a few words,” Supervisor Liu reported dutifully, conveying every detail without omission.