Chapter 6: Palace Banquet and Assassination on the Way Back

Lin Luoluo returned to the prince’s residence with a faint smile, forbidding anyone from disturbing her. She entered her spatial dimension, practiced light-footed martial arts, and honed a few techniques she had picked up from Lin Da.

After finishing her training, Lin Luoluo noticed that a batch of crops and vegetables she had planted earlier had ripened. She harvested them with a thought and stored them in a corner of the space before replanting a new batch.

The fruit trees had begun blooming, and it wouldn’t be long before they bore fruit. She took some vegetable leaves to feed the chickens and ducks, then returned to the thatched hut to study medical books.

By evening, she exited the space, had her meal as usual, and prepared for bed after washing up. That’s when Chu Chenyu arrived.

“What are you doing here?” Lin Luoluo brushed past him, poured herself a cup of water, and drank it nonchalantly.

Seeing her indifference, Chu Chenyu was somewhat annoyed.

“This is my residence; naturally, I can go wherever I please.”

“Late at night, coming to see my princess consort… naturally, it’s because—”

He snatched the cup from her hand and took a sip. Today, after refusing Qingxue and encouraging her to seek a better match, he felt unburdened and unexpectedly lighthearted.

“That was my cup,” Lin Luoluo grumbled.

“I’ve already tasted your lips, so why fuss over a mere cup?” His tone carried a hint of ambiguity.

Ugh! A scoundrel who only thinks with his lower half! May you lose all interest in women! she cursed inwardly, making a funny face at him when he wasn’t looking.

“Cursing me in your heart, hmm?” Chu Chenyu set the cup down and glanced at her.

Is this guy a mind reader?!

“No, absolutely not!” Lin Luoluo forced a stiff smile.

Chu Chenyu stood and opened his arms. “Come here and help me change.”

“You have hands, don’t you? So troublesome!” she muttered as she reluctantly approached him.

Wrapping her arms around his waist to untie his belt, Lin Luoluo found herself pulled into his embrace. Resting his head on her shoulder, he spoke softly, his tone carrying a hint of plea.

“Luoluo, stay by my side, will you?”

Hmph… Like I’d fall for that! When you’re pleased, you coax me; when you’re not, you could end my life without hesitation. Not to mention, you’re nothing but a philanderer!

“Luoluo, please?” he asked again, this time with a touch of childish charm.

This man is so shameless! Against her better judgment, Lin Luoluo muttered an absentminded “Alright.”

Hearing the answer he wanted, Chu Chenyu lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the bed.

“What are you doing? Put me down!” Lin Luoluo exclaimed in shock.

“Not a chance. You agreed, and now you’re mine for life.”

---

By the next morning, Chu Chenyu was no longer by her side, nor was the usual bowl of bitter medicine anywhere in sight.

This is good. Maybe I’ll even leave with a little life growing inside me. That way, I’ll never be lonely again. Who needs men anyway?

For the next two days, Lin Luoluo busied herself tending to her spatial dimension, practicing martial arts, and reading. Soon, the envoy from Damo arrived in the capital.

To welcome them, a grand banquet was held in the palace the following evening.

That evening, Lin Luoluo donned a pale pink gown and styled her hair into playful twin buns. Outwardly, she still presented herself as a simple-minded girl.

Hopping along cheerfully behind Chu Chenyu, she entered the palace and took her seat. Immediately, she sensed a hostile gaze filled with jealousy. Looking up, she saw a beautiful woman in a white gown draped with a lavender shawl glaring at her. The woman then exchanged a longing glance with Chu Chenyu.

When he noticed Lin Luoluo watching, Chu Chenyu quickly averted his gaze and nodded politely at the woman.

So, this is Chu Chenyu’s beloved, Murong Qingxue. It seems I’m the obstacle in their love story.

“His Majesty, the Emperor, and Her Majesty, the Empress, have arrived!”

The hall fell silent as everyone rose to bow.

“We greet Your Majesty and Her Majesty. May you both live long and prosper!”

“At ease,” Emperor Chu Chenyu gestured for everyone to sit. “Summon the envoys!”

Soon, the envoys entered the hall.

“The Third Prince of Damo, Ruogu, and Princess Lingyun greet His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Third Prince, Princess, you may rise. Take your seats,” Chu Chenyu said warmly.

As the banquet began, Lin Luoluo enjoyed the performances and food.

Halfway through, the Third Prince stood and addressed the emperor.

“Your Majesty, to show our sincerity, Damo has sent Princess Lingyun for a political marriage. My sister has prepared a performance for your enjoyment.”

“Proceed,” Chu Chenyu nodded.

Moments later, Princess Lingyun appeared, dressed in a red, translucent dance costume with a veil covering her face. Her enchanting dance captivated the hall.

When the performance ended, Chu Chenyu clapped and asked, “Princess Lingyun, do you have someone you fancy?”

“Lingyun is willing to serve Your Majesty,” she replied with a seductive bow.

The empress flinched slightly, but Chu Chenyu held her hand in reassurance. Understanding the nature of imperial life, she composed herself, nodded, and smiled at her husband.

“Have the Imperial Astronomer select an auspicious date to welcome Princess Lingyun into the palace,” Chu Chenyu commanded.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” a slightly plump official replied promptly.

After the banquet, Lin Luoluo and Chu Chenyu left the palace.

Midway back, their carriage was ambushed by black-clad assassins wielding swords.

“Assassins! Stay alert!” Chu Chenyu shielded Lin Luoluo as they exited the carriage and engaged the attackers.

During the fight, a silver arrow whizzed through the air toward Chu Chenyu. Acting on instinct, Lin Luoluo pushed him aside, taking the arrow herself.

With a sharp pain in her chest, Lin Luoluo fell.

Am I doomed?

Siblings, wait for me… I can’t die… Spirit spring water! Yes, spirit spring water…

Fighting unconsciousness, she managed to sip from her spatial spring before passing out.

Seeing Lin Luoluo collapse, something inside Chu Chenyu snapped.

“Kill them all! Leave no one alive!”

Fighting with reckless abandon, Chu Chenyu quickly dispatched the remaining assassins. He scooped Lin Luoluo into his arms and rushed back to the residence.

“Summon the royal physician immediately!” he barked, carrying her to the bedroom.

The physician arrived and examined her wound. Though the arrow had missed her heart, the dark blood indicated poison.

“Your Highness, the princess consort’s condition is dire. The poison, known as ‘Thread of Death,’ has no antidote. Most victims perish within moments. It’s a miracle she’s survived this long.”

Chu Chenyu’s mind reeled as despair took hold. “No! Summon the imperial physicians! Do what you can to stabilize her!”

While the physician treated her wound, Lin Luoluo used the opportunity to secretly take a life-saving pill from her spatial space.

I must escape this place and protect my siblings. Freedom is worth everything.

Life is precious, love is costly, but freedom is priceless.