Chapter 312: An Imperial Marriage Decree (Fourth Update)

As the words fell, the surroundings fell silent for a moment.

Even Sun Zhongyan and the others couldn't help but look toward Rong Xiu.

This was, in fact, the point they were most curious about.

Under those circumstances, even Wei Yun had been blocked from entering, yet Rong Xiu had successfully broken in and made his way all the way up to the sixth floor!

One had to realize that even for people like Sun Zhongyan and his group, the highest they had reached was only the fifth floor!

The Empress stared intently at Rong Xiu, various speculations flashing through her mind.

Ever since Rong Xiu had returned, he had lived in seclusion, rarely involving himself in anything other than nursing his illness.

He appeared to be a man without desire or pursuit, gentle and composed.

But in her heart, she always felt something was amiss.

She couldn't pinpoint exactly what the problem was, but she had a persistent intuition: Rong Xiu was definitely not as simple and harmless as he appeared on the surface!

If he truly was just a sickly, medicine-dependent invalid, then how did he enter the Nine Nether Tower, and how did he reach the sixth floor!?

Countless gazes fell upon Rong Xiu, heavy with the weight of scrutiny.

Rong Xiu remained calm, offering a slight smile.

However, that smile did not reach the corners of his eyes.

"The reason this Prince was able to reach the sixth floor is because my Imperial Mother once went up there in years past."

Emperor Jiawen’s expression jolted.

"What did you say!?"

Rong Xiu took something out from his robes.

It was a palm-sized, ring-shaped jade pendant made of emerald.

It was entirely a vibrant green, transparent and clean, like the budding leaves of early spring.

Upon the jade pendant, some pattern was carved.

Chu Liuyue caught a glimpse of it from the corner of her eye and noticed that the pattern seemed to be peach blossoms.

It was clearly a pendant carved from a piece of high-quality emerald, but beyond that, there seemed to be nothing special about it.

However, when Emperor Jiawen saw that jade pendant, his expression changed violently!

He stepped forward quickly, seemingly wanting to take a closer look at the pendant, but halfway through reaching out, he suddenly stopped.

Chu Liuyue had never seen such an expression on Emperor Jiawen's face before.

Complex, conflicted, longing, regretful...

Glancing to the side, she saw that the Empress, standing behind Emperor Jiawen, had turned deathly pale, as if she had seen something terrifying.

With a sudden thought, the Empress had roughly guessed the origin of that jade pendant.

"Where... where did you obtain this jade pendant?" Emperor Jiawen asked with a trembling voice.

"The sixth floor," Rong Xiu said indifferently.

"Seeing the Nine Nether Tower on fire, your son remembered that this item was kept on the sixth floor. Out of concern, I disregarded the obstructions and went up. Although I was injured, fortunately, I brought the item back intact."

"This was the first gift she personally gave to me... Later, when she left the palace, she took it with her. I... I searched for this item for many years, I never expected—"

Emperor Jiawen felt as if something were choking him; he was unable to speak for a long while.

Chu Liuyue understood.

So, it was the token of love between Emperor Jiawen and Consort Wan. No wonder Emperor Jiawen's reaction was so intense.

Looking at him like this, he was indeed deeply in love with Consort Wan.

Rumor had it that Consort Wan had once held the greatest favor in the inner palace, but later, for unknown reasons, she had fallen out with Emperor Jiawen and left the palace in a fit of anger to become a teacher at Tianlu Academy.

Until the day she died, she never returned to the palace.

No one knew exactly what had happened back then to make Consort Wan take back even the token of love she had given.

It seemed she had left no lingering sentiments for Emperor Jiawen.

Looking at it now, the reason Emperor Jiawen placed such importance on Rong Xiu was largely because of Consort Wan.

Seeing Emperor Jiawen so moved, Rong Xiu still maintained a gentle smile on his face.

But to Chu Liuyue, that smile carried a distinct sense of detachment.

Clearly, Rong Xiu did not care at all about Emperor Jiawen's series of reactions.

"Before my Imperial Mother left all those years ago, she told your son that she had placed this item on the sixth floor of the Nine Nether Tower. She also instructed... that unless it was absolutely necessary, I must not inform Imperial Father. Therefore, I ask for Imperial Father's forgiveness."

Emperor Jiawen froze.

"She truly does still hate me... No matter, you did it for her sake; it is only right that you did not tell me. Since this item is now with you, you shall keep it from now on."

After saying this, Emperor Jiawen let out a sigh, appearing to age many years in an instant.

"I am weary. I shall return to the palace first."

Having said that, without waiting for anyone else to speak, he turned and left.

The Empress stood stunned on the spot, her heart filled with confusion.

He left!?

His Majesty just left like that!?

Wasn't he in the middle of asking Rong Xiu how he reached the sixth floor? Rong Xiu had merely mentioned that jade pendant, and he actually stopped questioning him!?

The Empress looked back at the departed Emperor Jiawen. Her logic told her she should follow him immediately.

But too many things had happened today, and she could no longer restrain the impulse in her heart.

Thus, she persisted in asking

"Prince Li, this jade pendant is the relic of Consort Wan. Your risk in going up to retrieve it was an act of filial piety worthy of praise. But you have yet to explain clearly how you reached the sixth floor."

A sneer suddenly came from beside her.

The Empress turned her head and found that the person was actually Ye Zhiting.

Fanning himself slowly with a cattail leaf fan, he said leisurely

"Empress, do you not know that the jade pendant is an Original Artifact?"

The Empress was stunned.

"Wha... what?"

"That item was placed on the sixth floor. Since Rong Xiu possesses Consort Wan's bloodline, he could naturally ascend smoothly..."

Ye Zhiting had originally been full of doubt.

But the moment he saw that jade pendant, he understood everything immediately.

Seeing the Empress's aggressive manner now, he couldn't help but feel a sense of loathing, and said lazily

"It seems the Empress is unaware of this matter? It makes sense; this is a matter between His Majesty and Consort Wan. It is normal for the Empress not to know."

The Empress's face turned pale with anger, but she did not dare to contradict Ye Zhiting in public.

Though she held the high position of Empress, even Emperor Jiawen gave Ye Zhiting some face, let alone herself.

With so many eyes watching her, she felt even more humiliated.

It seemed she could not do anything to Rong Xiu or Chu Liuyue today; she would have to find another opportunity.

Thinking of this, the Empress forced a smile

"Thank you, Elder Ye, for clearing my doubts. Since His Majesty has already left, this Palace shall not linger."

With that, she hurriedly turned and chased after Emperor Jiawen.

"Imperial Father, please stay your steps."

Rong Xiu suddenly spoke, his voice as clear and cold as jade striking stone.

Emperor Jiawen, who had already walked a distance away, heard the voice and turned back in confusion.

"What is it?"

Rong Xiu took a step forward.

"Your son has a request."

He stood there, tall and elegant.

His body was clearly stained with messy bloodstains, yet between his brows was a sense of composure and nobility that made people instinctively feel awe.

Emperor Jiawen asked

"What matter?"

A perfect curve rose on Rong Xiu's thin lips.

"This time, entering the Nine Nether Tower to save Miss Chu was a pretense, but the admiration in your son's heart for Miss Chu is real."

Chu Liuyue's heart skipped a beat.

Then, she saw that man, who was always refined and dignified, extend his long arms, his silk robes fluttering as he knelt straight down.

"In this life, your son seeks nothing else, wishing only to follow my Imperial Mother's words: to hold one person's hand and grow old with that one person."

"I earnestly beseech Imperial Father to grant this marriage."