Chapter 320: Sneak Attack (Second Update)

“What?”

Rong Jin froze for a moment.

“The Kingdom of Xingluo previously mentioned to your Father Emperor that they wished for a marriage alliance between you and Situ Xingchen. Situ Xingchen holds a noble status and is extremely favored; if you can marry her, it would be no different from gaining a powerful source of assistance.”

The Empress took a sip of tea and cast a cold glance at Rong Jin.

“If not for this, why do you think your Father Emperor was willing to let you off today?”

Rong Jin frowned.

“But Situ Xingchen... is this the only way?”

“Are you still unwilling?”

With a loud *thud*, the Empress set her teacup down, her face twisted into a cold sneer.

“From any perspective, Situ Xingchen is an excellent candidate for Crown Princess. What more dissatisfaction do you have?”

Although she did not particularly like Situ Xingchen in her heart—having lived in the deep palace for many years, her intuition told her that Situ Xingchen was not simple—she could not afford to care about that now.

Rong Jin fell silent.

He was also very aware that his current situation was precarious, and Situ Xingchen was indeed the perfect choice to help him stabilize his position.

“Find a way to contact Situ Xingchen. It would be best if you could win her favor quickly. That way, things will proceed much more smoothly afterward.”

Rong Jin frowned

“But I am currently under house arrest; I have no way of going out at all. Furthermore, the Qingjiao Assembly has ended, and they will be leaving tomorrow.”

“What kind of problem is that? As long as you want it, all of these can be resolved.”

The Empress said dismissively.

“Unless, you truly do not want to be the Crown Prince anymore.”

Rong Jin gritted his teeth

“Your son understands.”

***

Chu Ning and Chu Liuyue returned home together.

Just as they reached the entrance, both of them saw a servant waiting at the door.

Chu Liuyue narrowed her eyes.

She recognized this servant.

A person from the Chu family.

Seeing Chu Ning and his daughter descending from the carriage, the servant hurriedly ran over with an eager expression.

“Lord Chu Ning, Eldest Miss, you have finally returned!”

Chu Liuyue and Chu Ning exchanged a glance.

People do not visit without a purpose; it was perfectly obvious why the Chu family had sent someone now.

“Mu Teng? What are you doing here?”

The servant called Mu Teng bowed and scraped with a fawning expression. He pulled an invitation from his bosom and handed it over respectfully.

“Hehe, it is difficult that Lord Chu Ning still remembers this lowly one! The Great Elder says he wishes to invite you to return to the manor once; this is the invitation.”

Chu Ning gave a half-smile.

“Back then, you made Yue'er fetch water for you for three months, causing her hands to develop chilblains. How could I ever forget you?”

The smile on Mu Teng's face froze instantly, leaving him utterly embarrassed.

“This... this... it was all the fault of this lowly one back then! You are a great man with a magnanimous heart, please let me off! This lowly one begs for your forgiveness!”

Seeing that the expressions of Chu Ning and the other remained unchanged, he gritted his teeth and began to slap himself violently across the face.

“It is all my fault! It is all my mistake! This lowly one deserves death! Death!”

His cheeks quickly became red and swollen, leaving clear palm prints.

Since Chu Ning did not speak, he did not dare to stop.

It was not until his mouth was filled with blood that Chu Ning let out a cold laugh and led Chu Liuyue toward the main gate.

Seeing the two about to leave, Mu Teng panicked and hurriedly chased after them.

“Lord Chu Ning! I beg you, please accept this invitation! Otherwise, I truly won't be able to explain myself when I return!”

Chu Ning had no intention of paying him any mind, not even sparing him a redundant glance.

Mu Teng simply knelt down and kowtowed forcefully

“Lord Chu Ning, I beg you! Eldest Miss, please persuade Lord Chu Ning!”

The corners of Chu Liuyue's mouth curled slightly as she took the invitation with interest and opened it.

The letter was actually written personally by the Great Elder, Chu Xiao, and the wording was extremely polite, clearly intending to make amends.

Chu Ning's brow furrowed, a flash of disgust crossing his eyes.

“Yue'er, what is there to look at in such a thing? It will only dirty your eyes.”

Chu Liuyue winked at him, then looked at Mu Teng

“Are you saying that if this invitation is not delivered today, it will be a death sentence when you return?”

Mu Teng said with tears of gratitude

“Yes! Eldest Miss—”

“That is wonderful. Then you should hold onto it tightly.”

Chu Liuyue smiled sweetly as she stuffed the invitation back into Mu Teng's hand.

“Safe travels. I won't see you out.”

Mu Teng stood dumbfounded, only realizing what had happened a moment later, his face turning pale.

“Eldest Miss—”

“My father and I have completely severed ties with the Chu family. I truly cannot bear to be called 'Eldest Miss' anymore.”

With that, Chu Liuyue turned and left with Chu Ning.

Mu Teng looked desperate. Seeing their figures about to disappear behind the gate, he shouted anxiously

“Lord Chu Ning! The Great Elder said that even if you are unwilling to return to the Chu family, please consider the Head of the Family!”

Chu Ning's footsteps faltered, a trace of struggle flashing across his face.

Chu Liuyue glanced at him sideways.

Seeing this, Mu Teng felt there was a chance and shouted even louder

“The Head of the Family values you most of all! If he sees the Chu family in this state after coming out of seclusion, he will surely be extremely disappointed!”

Chu Liuyue's lip twitched.

So they were starting to use those words now.

Back when the entire Chu family was bullying them, they hadn't considered for a moment that the Head of the Family would be disappointed.

A flicker of hesitation flashed in Chu Ning's heart, only to vanish in an instant.

“Let's go.”

He did not look back, pulling Chu Liuyue to leave.

Chu Liuyue let out a soft sigh.

“Father, perhaps it would be better if you went back to take a look.”

Chu Ning looked up in surprise

“Yue'er?”

Chu Liuyue gently patted his arm.

She felt no affection whatsoever for the Chu family. How the Chu family fared or how the Head of the Family fared was entirely unimportant to her.

But Chu Ning was different.

The Head of the Family was, after all, his father.

It was impossible to say there were no lingering ties between them.

Chu Liuyue knew very well that the main reason Chu Ning had severed ties with the Chu family was for her sake.

Mu Teng's words meant nothing to her, but they were bound to shake Chu Ning.

“No matter what, Yue'er does not want to see Father being unhappy,” she said softly.

Chu Ning immediately understood her meaning, and his heart warmed.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally said

“Don't worry. Since we have already completely broken away from the Chu family, we will not return no matter what. I will just go and come back quickly, so that I can give the Head of the Family an explanation in the future.”

Chu Liuyue nodded.

“Then I will wait for you to come home.”

Hearing Chu Ning agree to go to the Chu family, Mu Teng felt as though he had just cheated death.

“Thank you, Lord Chu Ning! Thank you, Great—thank you, Miss Liuyue!”

After Chu Ning gave a few instructions, he left with Mu Teng.

Chu Liuyue watched Chu Ning leave. Only after his figure was no longer visible did she turn around, step through the gate, and enter the courtyard.

She walked toward her room.

Reaching the door, she placed her hand on it, intending to push it open.

Suddenly, her movement halted, and an extremely sharp, cold light flashed in her eyes!

In the next instant, she abruptly retreated!

A dark shadow burst through the door!

In the blink of an eye, it rushed right in front of Chu Liuyue!

Before Chu Liuyue could even see the opponent's face, she was covered by a massive net!

(End of Chapter)