Chapter 286: Helplessness (Second Update)

The woman before him possessed a beauty that could topple cities, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

Those eyes were truly extremely similar to hers.

But upon closer inspection, there were several differences.

That person from the past was like the high sun amidst the clouds, lofty and supreme, peerless under heaven.

Even if she merely stood there, she could inspire a sense of submission in others, making them dare not commit even the slightest profanity.

However, the Chu Liuyue before him possessed a bit more of the worldly, mundane atmosphere.

Although those eyes appeared just as clear, a careful look would reveal that too many things were hidden in the depths of Chu Liuyue's gaze.

Curiosity, eagerness, fawning, and a trace of anticipation.

He had seen such expressions too many times.

Those who wanted to obtain something from him always looked at him with such eyes.

Perhaps because she was still young, although her expression was controlled very calmly, her eyes could not lie.

The subtle sensation in Mu Qinghe's heart gradually dissipated.

The pair of eyes in his mind gradually transformed clearly into two different people.

"It's nothing."

He suddenly felt a sense of boredom; without saying anything more, he turned and left.

Hong Yao gave Chu Liuyue a lingering, reluctant look before following Mu Qinghe.

This time, it was very well-behaved and did not look back again.

"Farewell, Vice General Mu."

Chu Liuyue bowed respectfully.

Only after Mu Qinghe's figure gradually disappeared from sight did the eager smile on her face slowly fade. Her lips pressed together into a straight line, looking somewhat cold.

Today was managed to be faked past for the time being; she would have to be extremely careful in the future.

Fortunately, Hong Yao had always been very obedient; after sensing her intentions, it truly did not pounce at her again.

Chu Liuyue stood in place for quite a while, only snapping out of it when her neck began to feel itchy.

Looking down, she saw that the little dumpling was squatting on her shoulder, staring at her with wide, round eyes in a pitiful manner.

Chu Liuyue tapped its head

"You're the one acting aggrieved? You almost caused me huge trouble today, do you know that?"

The little dumpling had actually fought with Hong Yao in front of so many people. If Mu Qinghe decided to pursue the matter, let alone the dumpling, even she would be in for it.

The dumpling nuzzled against her cheek in a fawning manner.

"Hong Yao has a noble status and powerful strength. You should avoid provoking it in the future," Chu Liuyue continued.

However, upon hearing this, the dumpling immediately widened its eyes to stare at Chu Liuyue, filled with accusation

*You actually took that guy's side!*

*Who exactly is your magical beast!?*

Chu Liuyue raised an eyebrow at it.

"Today should have been the first time you and Hong Yao met, why are you so hostile? It didn't even provoke you—"

The dumpling shook its head frantically.

*It did!*

*It did!*

*That guy actually dared to pounce directly into Chu Liuyue's arms!*

*Simply audacious!*

*Plucking a tuft of its fur was merely giving it a simple lesson!*

*If there is a second time, just watch how it deals with it!*

Seeing the dumpling's high-spirited fighting intent, Chu Liuyue fell silent for a moment and very decisively gave up on persuading it.

Although the dumpling had been with her for not long, she had already figured out its temperament.

Since it dared to openly attack Hong Yao in the main hall today, it would only fight even more fiercely in private; persuasion was useless.

"Your temper really is just like..."

Chu Liuyue murmured in a low voice, but the second half of the sentence remained unsaid.

If it were before, she could at least mediate, but the situation was different now!

Hong Yao's identity was extraordinary; it could practically walk sideways through the Yao Chen Kingdom.

If the dumpling continued to target it like this, or even engaged in a major fight, once people with ulterior motives found out, they certainly wouldn't let her off easily.

Chu Liuyue's slender, fair finger lightly tapped the dumpling's nose.

"If you don't listen, I won't bring you out next time."

This sentence finally worked; a flash of hesitation crossed the dumpling's eyes.

If it couldn't come out with Chu Liuyue, what if that guy took advantage of the opportunity!?

In the end, it could only nod reluctantly.

Chu Liuyue let out a soft sigh.

For some reason, she had a feeling.

When Hong Yao and the dumpling met again, they would definitely fight again.

"Let's go. There are plenty of troubles waiting for us in the future!"

*Crash! Smash!*

Inside the room, the sounds of various objects being smashed echoed; it was not hard to imagine the owner's current fury.

The palace attendants all stood in the courtyard, glancing inside from time to time, trembling with fear.

"Have you made enough of a scene?"

The Empress's authoritative voice rang out, finally allowing Rong Zhen, who was on the verge of losing control, to regain a shred of reason.

She looked at the Empress, her eyes red as if she had suffered a great injustice.

But this time, the Empress did not step forward to comfort her with heartache as she had in the past; instead, her anger grew even more intense.

"You're aggrieved? Do you know what you did today!? That person is an envoy of the Tianling Empire! Having seen so many methods, your little schemes were seen through by them long ago! Who do you think you are!?"

Rong Zhen looked at the Empress in disbelief.

Ever since she was a child, her Imperial Mother had always doted on her. Even when she was willful and reckless, after a lecture from her mother, the Empress would always take her side.

She had never been scolded like this by her mother!

Rong Zhen's face turned pale, and her body swayed as if she could not withstand such a blow.

But the Empress had no intention of stopping.

She took a few steps forward, walked up to Rong Zhen, and looked at her with extreme severity.

"Do you know that if you are not careful today, not only will your own life be in danger, but others will be implicated as well! Look at your Imperial Brother, is that not the case!? It was one thing to throw tantrums in the past, but how dare you be so insolent today!"

"I... I..."

Rong Zhen trembled all over, tears falling continuously.

"Imperial Mother? What did I do wrong? I only said a few words—"

"Were those few words not enough!?"

The Empress suddenly raised her voice, startling Rong Zhen so much that she recoiled, her eyes filled with fear and panic.

Seeing her like this, how could the Empress not feel heartache?

But today, she was determined to teach Rong Zhen proper rules!

Otherwise, with this temperament, she would harm everyone sooner or later!

"It doesn't matter if something happens to you, but if you harm your Imperial Brother, can you bear the consequences!?"

Rong Jin had lost face in front of everyone today, and the Empress was both heartbroken and fearful.

On one hand, she worried this would be a huge blow to Rong Jin; on the other hand, she worried it would affect His Majesty's perception of him.

If what happened today were to spread, Rong Jin's situation would become even more difficult in the future.

Rong Zhen looked up in disbelief.

Imperial Mother actually just said... that it didn't matter if something happened to her?!

Imperial Brother, Imperial Brother!

Since she was a child, had she not done many things for her brother?

She let out a cold laugh

"Imperial Mother, even if I was in the wrong today, is Imperial Brother truly completely innocent? It is he who is incompetent, unable to compare to Chu Liuyue and failing to catch the eye of Vice General Mu! It is his own uselessness!"

*Slap!*

(End of Chapter)