Chapter 374: Appearance! (First Update)

Situ Xingchen felt that Chu Liuyue's words were incredibly grating!

Her expression shifted, and her lips curled into a forced smile before quickly dropping back down.

Seeing the bright, radiant smile on Chu Liuyue's face, Rong Jin felt a complex mixture of emotions in his heart.

Getting engaged to Situ Xingchen was his best choice right now.

When everything was proceeding smoothly, he had also secretly felt relieved, thinking that with Situ Xingchen, everything following this would be easy to manage.

He had originally thought he no longer cared that much about Chu Liuyue; after all, in every respect, Situ Xingchen was not inferior to her.

But only at this moment did he realize that was not the case.

As for the Empress, she was no longer capable of hearing a single word Chu Liuyue was saying.

Her expression was desolate and her gaze was vacant. Looking at Emperor Jiawen's decisive and cold silhouette, she felt a wave of despair spreading from the depths of her heart.

If not for Rong Jin and Situ Xingchen supporting her on either side, she would have collapsed onto the ground long ago.

Chu Liuyue gave the Empress a thoughtful glance, then turned to follow Chu Ning.

Upon reaching the palace gates, Eunuch Min had already arranged for ordinary carriages to wait.

Chu Liuyue couldn't help but marvel inwardly; someone who could serve by Emperor Jiawen's side for so many years truly possessed a keen and clever mind.

Emperor Jiawen was still wearing his dragon robes; if he left just like that, it would certainly cause a massive commotion.

And then there was the Empress; in her current disheveled and wretched state, she was even less fit to be seen.

Using such ordinary carriages could minimize trouble to the greatest extent.

The group thus headed toward Seven-Corner Alley in a low-profile manner.

Emperor Jiawen traveled alone in one carriage, with only Eunuch Min accompanying him.

The rest of the group shared another carriage.

Inside the carriage, everyone sat facing each other. No one spoke, and the atmosphere was frigid, as if the very air had frozen solid.

Finally, Rong Jin could not help but advise in a low voice

"Mother, you needn't worry. Even if someone wants to frame us, they might not have the ability! Imperial Father has always been wise; he will surely be able to distinguish right from wrong and restore your innocence!"

This "someone" naturally referred to Rong Jiu.

In Rong Jin's view, if Rong Jiu hadn't interfered, this matter would never have developed into its current state!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Rong Jiu sitting opposite him, a flash of resentment crossing his eyes.

It was because of Rong Jiu last time that he had been placed under house arrest by his father and even had much of his power stripped away!

This time, it was still because of him!

However, Rong Jiu leaned against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, his expression calm, as if he didn't care about these matters at all.

"Rong Jiu, we bear no grudge or enmity against you. Do you not fear retribution for framing us like this!?"

Rong Jin finally lost his restraint and questioned him in a low voice.

Rong Jiu opened his eyes and gave him an expressionless look.

"Imperial Brother, where is this coming from? I was merely helping Imperial Father find Rong Zhen. Everything I said in the Great Hall was the truth. How can you call it 'framing'?"

Seeing that he still refused to admit it even at this point, Rong Jin was nearly exploding with rage.

If he hadn't considered that they were in a carriage and surrounded by so many people, he would have stepped forward long ago to give Rong Jiu a severe beating!

Sitting to the side, Chu Liuyue had already begun chatting with Chu Ning.

"Father, actually, going to Taiyan Academy this time was quite interesting..."

Chu Ning had originally been somewhat worried, but seeing his daughter's extreme composure, he felt much more at ease.

Hearing her talk about Taiyan Academy, he couldn't help but feel curious

"Oh? Is that so? I heard their Library Pavilion is massive. What did you look at?"

Chu Liuyue said with a smile

"Actually, I didn't look at much, but I did indeed find something I liked."

Situ Xingchen's eyelid twitched violently!

*Didn't look at much?!*

Chu Liuyue truly had the nerve to say such a thing!

She clearly remembered that not long after Chu Liuyue entered, the records kept outside were already piled high!

What was even more hateful was that, according to her Master, she had even found an Earth-rank martial arts technique!

Although Situ Xingchen had always specialized in Heavenly Medicine and had little interest in things like martial arts, seeing Chu Liuyue obtain such a treasure still made her feel extremely disgruntled.

Every single word of her statement sounded like intentional boasting!

Situ Xingchen could no longer maintain the smile on her face; she merely lowered her eyes, pretending to be quiet.

The Empress gradually regained her senses. Seeing Chu Liuyue and Chu Ning chatting and laughing, a sudden surge of fury erupted in her heart!

All of this was clearly Chu Liuyue's fault!

It must have been her who hid Rong Zhen, only to conspire with Rong Jiu to throw the mud onto her own head!

And now, while her heart was suspended in mid-air, tormented by agony, Chu Liuyue could actually still smile so easily!

"It's all you, it's all you!"

Listening to the sound of the carriage rolling over the bluestone slabs, the Empress knew they were getting closer and closer to Seven-Corner Alley, and her mood grew increasingly agitated.

Finally, unable to restrain herself, she let out a low curse and lunged toward Chu Liuyue!

Chu Liuyue had already seen her movement out of the corner of her eye; she shifted slightly and dodged the attack.

*Thud!*

A dull sound rang out!

The Empress's head had actually slammed directly into the wall of the carriage!

"Mother!"

Neither Rong Jin nor Situ Xingchen managed to catch the Empress in time; by the time they heard the sound, it was already too late.

The Empress's forehead throbbed with intense pain, and her vision went dark in waves.

"Mother, how are you?!"

Filled with anxiety, Rong Jin hurriedly helped the Empress up.

Situ Xingchen's willow brows furrowed slightly

"Miss Chu, even if you harbor dissatisfaction toward Her Majesty the Empress, you shouldn't act like this! With the Fourth Princess missing lately, Her Majesty has been worried day and night; how could she withstand such a blow?"

Hearing this, the resentment and anger in Rong Jin's gaze toward Chu Liuyue also deepened.

Chu Liuyue blinked.

"Eldest Princess Situ, your words are quite interesting. Everyone saw clearly what just happened. Her Majesty the Empress lunged toward me herself. If I didn't dodge, was I supposed to sit there obediently and wait to be hit?"

Situ Xingchen seemed to hesitate for a moment before saying, "But you are very strong; stopping Her Majesty would have been a simple matter of lifting a finger..."

The implication was that Chu Liuyue had done it on purpose.

Chu Liuyue laughed.

"Eldest Princess Situ, the Crown Prince's strength is also not weak. Are you implying he is incompetent for failing to hold back his own mother?"

Situ Xingchen was choked up, not expecting Chu Liuyue to be so sharp-tongued!

*Knock, knock, knock.*

"My Lords, we have arrived. Please descend."

Eunuch Min knocked on the door from the outside.

Rong Jiu was the first to step out.

Chu Liuyue and Chu Ning followed closely behind.

The carriage stopped in a narrow alleyway, and Emperor Jiawen was standing not far away at the entrance of a residence.

Chu Liuyue quickly scanned the surroundings, her brow furrowing slightly.

Seven-Corner Alley seemed ordinary, but faintly, there was indeed an extremely strong sense of pressure!

Upon careful distinction, one could sense that it was emanating from that residence!

Emperor Jiawen looked toward Chu Ning

"Open this gate!"

Chu Ning immediately replied, "Yes!"

However, before he could act, the gate was already opened from the inside.

The slender figure of Rong Zhen appeared before everyone!

"Mother, you've come—"

(End of Chapter)