Free Web NovelChapter 1185: Chapter 1184: Remaining in the Palace
Cough cough!
Ling Chen nearly choked on his tea; did the other person see him sneaking a glance just now?
"No, no, I don’t want to at all."
Ling Chen lowered his head and said against his true feelings, for the person before him was the Emperor of the Central Dynasty, the revered woman of the Nine Provinces Land. If she accused him of disrespecting the sacred visage, he wouldn’t be able to bear it.
"Even if I can’t see Your Majesty’s true face, I know Your Majesty must be of unparalleled beauty, the most beautiful woman in all the world."
Ling Chen didn’t forget to flatter Empress Yun Yao. He had heard from his mother Liu Xiling when he was young that all girls liked to be told they were pretty, so saying this should be correct.
"Hehe... Unparalleled beauty, the most beautiful woman in all the world?"
However, upon hearing Ling Chen’s flattering words, Empress Yun Yao couldn’t help but laugh, her laughter as captivating as blossoms swaying gently, surprising Ling Chen. Could these words really be so effective?
"Ling Chen, my dear courtier, you really know how to speak. You haven’t seen my true face; how do you know whether I am beautiful or ugly?"
Empress Yun Yao gazed at Ling Chen for a moment before withdrawing her look and softly saying, "Do you know why I don’t wish others to see my face?"
"I do not know."
Ling Chen subtly furrowed his brow, wondering if there was some profound reason behind Empress Yun Yao’s reluctance regarding her face.
Even the most gorgeous of women, hearing others praise her beauty, wouldn’t have such a large reaction, would she?
"It’s because there are too many men in this world who judge by appearances."
Empress Yun Yao’s beautiful eyes flashed with a sharp glint, "I want them to know that a woman doesn’t rely on her face; she can ascend to this Nine-Five Supreme position through her strength, regardless of her appearance. It’s ability that truly compels the world to submit."
"I want the first thing people notice about me not to be my looks but to see my strength, my grandeur and might that tower over millions."
"Why should Your Majesty care about the views of commoners?"
Ling Chen nodded, admiring Empress Yun Yao’s words. But at the same time, a thought arose in his heart that Empress Yun Yao is indeed Empress Yun Yao. Such a woman who holds the world in her grasp would be difficult for any ordinary man to conquer. Whoever is with Empress Yun Yao in the future would likely be quite uncomfortable.
"Ling Chen, I summoned you today because there is something I need you to consider."
At this moment, Empress Yun Yao’s expression suddenly turned solemn, catching Ling Chen off guard. He hurriedly nodded, "Whatever Your Majesty wishes, please command."
Empress Yun Yao furrowed her delicate brow, hesitating briefly before looking at Ling Chen again with a serious demeanor, "I... want you to stay in the palace from now on."
"What? Stay in the palace?"
Ling Chen’s expression changed dramatically; stay in the palace?
"May I ask what crime I have committed?"
Ling Chen’s eyes sank as he took a deep breath; this was truly a disaster coming from the skies, an unexpected calamity.
Seeing Ling Chen’s performance, Empress Yun Yao was taken aback but soon seemed to understand something and couldn’t help but laugh softly, "Don’t be nervous; I don’t want you to become a eunuch."
"Not become a eunuch?"
Ling Chen sighed in relief, but the next moment, he felt a twitch in his eyelid. If not a eunuch, then why remain in the palace, could it be...
"Hmm."
Empress Yun Yao gently nodded, "I want you to stay here with me, become my man."
Upon hearing this, Ling Chen felt as if he heard some remarkable news, becoming petrified on the spot.
So Empress Yun Yao didn’t want him to be a eunuch but a male consort?
"Rest assured, I will give you a title."
Empress Yun Yao seemed concerned Ling Chen might misunderstand, so she added another line.
Giving a title?
Ling Chen’s forehead broke into lines; what would he become, a concubine? Or even the Empress?
"I cannot possibly agree to this."
Ling Chen stood up directly from the ground, deeply bowing to Empress Yun Yao and firmly refusing.
"Why?"
Empress Yun Yao bore an incredulous look, viewing Ling Chen with some disbelief. In this world, countless men yearned to be with her, dreaming of his position: transformation from a common chicken to a phoenix, ascending in one leap. Nevertheless, Ling Chen rejected her outright?
She had always presumed that as long as she spoke, Ling Chen would gladly agree, for this was an enormous boon for him, a great privilege.
Yet reality was, Ling Chen refused without a second thought.
The enormous contrast left Empress Yun Yao somewhat unable to accept.
"Because... I already have someone I like."
Ling Chen spoke with a similarly serious expression.
"Someone you like? Who is it?"
Empress Yun Yao’s expression changed instantly, her hands tightly clenched. As the Nine-Five Supreme, ruler of the world, she had never felt such a profound sense of defeat.
"Her name is Xu Ruoyan; she’s my fiancée."
Ling Chen said.
"Xu Ruoyan..."
Empress Yun Yao muttered, Xu Ruoyan, what kind of woman was she, able to make Ling Chen reject her?
"Could I meet her?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Chen could only smile bitterly, shaking his head, "She’s missing. Even I don’t know where she’s gone."
"But I believe that someday, I’ll see her again."
Light flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes.
"You really do like her, don’t you?"
Empress Yun Yao sighed deeply, suddenly feeling a hint of envy toward this Xu Ruoyan. Despite her absence, her life or death unknown, she managed to bind Ling Chen’s heart tightly, causing him to yearn so dearly.
"Since you have affection for her, I won’t force you."
Empress Yun Yao feigned indifference, waving her hand at Ling Chen to reassure him, "Don’t worry, I’ll order the Heavenly Dragon Guards to do everything they can to find this woman for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Hearing this, Ling Chen couldn’t help but relax, surprisingly grateful for Empress Yun Yao, who didn’t blame him but instead agreed to help find Xu Ruoyan.
"I never thought I’d owe her a favor again."
Ling Chen silently shook his head, recalling the affair with the Witch Gate last time, where he owed Empress Yun Yao a considerable favor. Originally planning to repay her during this visit to Divine Capital if she’d assign any task, now he feared the favor would only deepen.
"By the way, Your Majesty,"
At this moment, Ling Chen’s eyes suddenly brightened, recalling something important, "Regarding the Green Lotus Sword Song, I have made new progress that I wish to discuss with you."
"Oh?"
This immediately captured Empress Yun Yao’s interest, the Green Lotus Sword Song being incredibly profound. Even she had only managed to learn up to the fourth move, finding herself stuck. Ling Chen wanting to discuss this matter was particularly timely.
