Chapter 311: Counterquestion (Third Update)

The Empress spoke softly, yet her words were like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, brimming with malice.

Once this situation was established, it would be bad news for both Rong Xiu and Chu Liuyue.

In such a case, in the eyes of the public, Rong Xiu would become a devoted fool who would disregard everything for a woman, while Chu Liuyue would be branded a "femme fatale."

No matter how much Emperor Jiawen favored Rong Xiu, he could not entrust the Great Ye to such a person.

At the very least, the court officials would never agree.

And as for Chu Liuyue, it went without saying.

In a royal family, such women were always avoided like scorpions.

Sure enough, as soon as her words fell, Emperor Jiawen's expression suddenly froze.

The situation had been too tense just now, and he hadn't had time to consider this matter.

Now that the Empress had brought it up, he also sensed that something was amiss.

"Rong Xiu, Liuyue, is what the Empress says true?"

He cast a suspicious glance at the two of them.

Thinking back carefully, the two of them had indeed come out together.

Could it be that Rong Xiu really went in for the sake of Chu Liuyue?

Perhaps because he had taken Ye Zhiting's medicinal pills, Rong Xiu's complexion had improved somewhat.

His pale lips moved slightly, pulling into a faint smile.

"Imperial Father, that is not the case. Your son went in for another reason. It just so happened that I encountered Miss Chu in the middle, so we came out together."

The Empress sneered inwardly, but her face showed nothing as she said gently

"Oh? So you're saying it was merely a coincidence? But Prince Li, your injuries... why are they so severe? On the other hand, Miss Chu seems to be perfectly fine... Those who don't know better might think you were heavily injured just to save her."

As she spoke, she glanced at Emperor Jiawen and sighed

"Fortunately, Prince Li is blessed by heaven. Otherwise, if something had truly happened, I don't know how heartbroken Your Majesty would be! Don't you agree, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Jiawen's gaze swept over Chu Liuyue, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

What the Empress said was not without reason.

Anyone looking at the situation of these two would find it strange.

"Speaking of which, Prince Li and Miss Chu truly have a destiny. Back at the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, Prince Li seemed to take extraordinary care of Miss Chu..."

Emperor Jiawen's brow furrowed slightly.

That was right.

He remembered this matter as well.

Though it was only a small detail, thinking about it now, it was indeed somewhat strange.

The Empress's voice lowered, and she suddenly laughed.

"Please do not mind, Your Majesty, I was merely speaking casually. Prince Li has not been in the Imperial Capital for many years and likely was not familiar with Miss Chu before; these are all just groundless speculations. Besides, if Prince Li truly likes Miss Chu, then it would actually create a wonderful legend!"

However, there was not a trace of joy on Emperor Jiawen's face.

Rong Xiu smiled warmly

"Imperial Father, actually, I must thank Miss Chu today. If she hadn't stepped in to save me in time, I'm afraid I would have died in the Nine Nether Tower by now."

Everyone was struck with astonishment.

Emperor Jiawen could not help but ask

"You say... Liuyue saved you?!"

"Precisely. At that time—*cough, cough*—"

Rong Xiu clenched his fist and pressed it against his lips to cough a few times.

"When the Nine Nether Tower began to collapse, I happened to be trapped on the sixth floor. My injuries were also sustained then. At that time, the sixth floor was sealed off by collapsing rocks, and no matter what I tried, I couldn't get out. Just then, I encountered Miss Chu; she helped me and, disregarding the danger, led me out. Only then was I able to see the light of day again, otherwise..."

Rong Xiu did not continue, but the implication was clear.

Emperor Jiawen's expression softened considerably.

"So, you weren't injured because of her, but rather she saved you?"

Rong Xiu nodded slightly.

"Imperial Father is wise."

Only then did Emperor Jiawen breathe a sigh of relief, and the way he looked at Chu Liuyue was vastly different from before.

"So that's how it is! Liuyue, it seems I must thank you this time! Rong Xiu has not been by my side for many years, and now that his health has finally recovered a bit, he has finally returned to the Imperial Capital. If something had truly happened... how could I have faced Wan'er..."

His voice suddenly trailed off, and a look of pain flashed across his face.

The Empress lowered her eyes, concealing the jealousy and hatred in her gaze.

Then, she smiled as if unintentionally

"So that's how it is. It seems this Palace was mistaken. I didn't expect that Miss Chu, with such a delicate frame, could actually rescue Prince Li from such a dangerous place. Truly impressive!"

Chu Liuyue's eyebrows twitched slightly.

It seemed this Empress was still unwilling to give up.

Rong Xiu had already laid the words out so clearly, yet she still wanted to drag her down.

Unfortunately, such petty tricks were of no use against her.

Rong Xiu smiled faintly

"Miss Chu took first place as both a Martial Artist and an Arcane Master at the Qingjiao Assembly simultaneously. This Prince suffers from chronic illness and naturally cannot compare to her in that regard."

The Empress was choked up.

She had actually forgotten about this!

Although Chu Liuyue looked slender, she possessed actual strength!

Chu Liuyue bent her knees in a salute, acting very humble

"The Empress overpraises me. My meager skills may not catch your eye, but it is an honor to be of some help to His Highness Prince Li."

Empress: "..."

If someone like Chu Liuyue was considered to have "meager skills," then what were the people who lost to her at the Qingjiao Assembly supposed to be!?

"What? Girl, you actually took first place at the Qingjiao Assembly!?"

Ye Zhiting, who was standing aside, suddenly spoke, his face full of shock.

After coming out of seclusion, he had been busy dealing with the matters of the Nine Nether Tower and had not had time to learn about anything else.

Sun Zhongyan chuckled

"Uncle, I almost forgot to tell you. Liuyue indeed took two first places!"

Ye Zhiting's eyes widened, and it took him a good while to react

"Where is the Heavenly Physician!?"

Chu Liuyue said honestly

"Master, I did not sign up for the Arcane Master competition."

"Ah?"

Ye Zhiting was instantly somewhat disappointed.

Although he knew that given Chu Liuyue's level, she might not even look down on the Heavenly Physician competition at the Qingjiao Assembly, but... she was his disciple after all.

She took two first places, yet had absolutely nothing to do with the Heavenly Physician... it would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed.

Suppressing a laugh, Sun Zhongyan said

"Uncle, although Liuyue did not sign up, the pill that won first place was actually refined by Liuyue!"

Ye Zhiting looked bewildered.

Sun Zhongyan gave a simple explanation of the matter.

"...So, from a certain perspective, Liuyue has also claimed these three first places!"

As Sun Zhongyan spoke with admiration, he cast a meaningful glance at the Empress.

"Furthermore, now Vice General Mu of the Tianling Dynasty has already chosen Liuyue and thinks very highly of her!"

The Empress's body swayed.

The person Mu Qinghe had taken an interest in was someone she herself looked down upon; wasn't this just looking for trouble for herself!?

"This Palace is not—"

The Empress was extremely nervous and wanted to explain, but she realized that in this situation, continuing to dwell on this issue would only work against her.

Her mind raced, and she suddenly thought of something, asking back

"By the way, it seems every floor in that Nine Nether Tower has a restriction. Prince Li is in a weak state; how could he have reached the sixth floor?!"