Chapter 32 “Elder Sister, why not be frank—do you now directly wish to possess me?”

“Elder Sister, why not be frank—do you now directly wish to possess me, isn’t that so?”

Chu Xingchen suddenly flushed red, as if struggling greatly within himself, and finally voiced the turmoil in his heart.

He had always harbored extreme disgust for this vicious woman before him—extravagant, licentious, and devoid of any genuine goodness or beauty.

Unable to restrain his emotions any longer, Chu Xingchen sneered coldly, “Using the pretense of bestowing favors upon Younger Brother to coerce and manipulate him—such hypocritical, scheming, and ill-intentioned actions! It only makes Younger Brother despise you all the more!”

Upon hearing this, Su Yingxue remained unperturbed, neither angered nor annoyed. Instead, she smiled gently.

It turned out that the Chu Xingchen of this time was not yet the decisive, inscrutable, and masterful strategist from the later stages of the novel, who could plan dozens of steps ahead with each move.

Still young and impulsive, he lacked composure. With a single outburst, he had laid bare his true thoughts before her, showing little of the cunning and calculation he ought to possess.

Su Yingxue looked at Chu Xingchen, her red lips and pearly teeth curving into a gentle smile as she softly defused the sharpness in his words. “Younger Brother, you are overthinking.”

Facing Chu Xingchen’s slightly surprised expression, Su Yingxue remained calm as water, her smile pure and confident.

She spoke softly yet firmly, “Elder Sister may have committed many wrongs in the past due to her obsession with Younger Brother’s appearance, but from the moment Younger Brother saved Elder Sister, that obsession has been washed away by feelings of guilt and gratitude toward you, and no longer exists.”

“Whether Younger Brother believes it or not, Elder Sister now swears that she will never make Younger Brother her Male Consort in this lifetime.”

Su Yingxue spoke candidly, “From now on, Elder Sister and Younger Brother will maintain a pure and proper relationship. Younger Brother need not worry.”

After saying all this, she performed a formal kneeling salute of the Dasheng Royal Palace toward Chu Xingchen, her demeanor graceful and dignified, her posture elegant.

Then, she stepped across the palace threshold on her own. Only after leaving the palace did Su Yingxue turn back and smile gently at Chu Xingchen, who was lost in thought inside the room. “Younger Brother, hurry back to the Side Hall for your meal and medicine. There is an afternoon lesson at the Imperial Palace Drill Ground later. On your first day of study, Younger Brother must not be late.”

Chu Xingchen watched as she finished her instructions, then left the palace with light, graceful steps, smiling like a brocade butterfly in flight, even carrying a touch of the gentleness and warmth unique to a young maiden.

This version of Su Yingxue was one Chu Xingchen had never seen in the decades past—bright as spring sunlight, gentle as spring water, and exquisitely beautiful as spring blossoms.

Chu Xingchen couldn’t help but stare, momentarily captivated.

Could it be that the female demon who had tormented him relentlessly in his memories also had such a pleasing side?

Recalling the events of the day, even though he, Chu Xingchen, had spoken so plainly, Su Yingxue had skillfully deflected his words, avoiding the heavy topics and focusing on the light.

Though she appeared sincere, Su Yingxue had been madly obsessed for decades. Chu Xingchen remained doubtful—if she had not truly changed her ways, then she must have become profoundly cunning and formidable, not to be underestimated.

Unlike Chu Xingchen, Su Yingxue felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart after leaving. She had finally declared her loyalty, confessed her past wrongs, and sworn lifelong devotion and protection to the future ultimate yandere antagonist and obsessive mastermind of this book!

Surely such an offer of allegiance was sincere enough!

The thought of now being considered sworn siblings with this future hegemon emperor of Da Qi brought Su Yingxue a surge of inner joy.

When Chu Xingchen asked if she intended to take him as a male consort, Su Yingxue inwardly scoffed – perish the thought, children’s words carry no harm!

Even if Chu Xingchen was undeniably the most handsome man in the world, she wouldn’t dare entertain such audacious ideas even with a thousand extra ounces of courage. Who was Chu Xingchen? In the original work, after the kingdom fell, he was the first powerful figure to have her flayed and stuffed with grass. How many lives did she have to dare mess with him like that?

Nevertheless, today was a good day. The big shot knew she had no ulterior motives and that her allegiance was sincere. Surely, when he completed his studies, dominated the realm, and returned to overthrow the kingdom, he would spare her life for old times’ sake, right?

Su Yingxue felt she was inching closer to her envisioned future!

“Your Highness, these past months, my informants report that the Eldest Princess has been diligently studying the Six Arts and scholarly pursuits within the palace. It appears she is preparing to re-enter Juxian Elegant Lodge.”

Shen Ruhai knelt on the floor of a resplendent, gold-adorned hall. Dressed in plain clothes, he had long shed the authority of his former position as head of the Inner Eunuch Directorate, now reduced to an unnoticed hidden piece, lingering inconspicuously in the palace like still water.

“Recently, it seems that Hostage Prince Chu Huangzi has been recuperating in the Eldest Princess’s side palace. I heard they attended morning lessons together today at the Hanmo Residence. They say the Eldest Princess shows him exceptional care!”

Though Shen Ruhai spoke with the characteristic subtlety of a eunuch, as a hidden piece, he was exceptionally shrewd, well aware of what his mistress wished to hear and what concerned her.

“That Chu Xingchen from the Cold Palace? The Hostage Prince of Da Qi?” The mistress, adorned in brocade robes and glittering hairpins, remained a woman of preserved elegance and charm, every gesture carrying grace. Despite her current high status, she held no fondness for Chu Xingchen or Su Yingxue. “A mere hostage from a defeated, feeble kingdom – does he still think he’s a prince?”

“As for Su Yingxue, she’s nothing but a spoiled, witless fool with no talent or intellect. A dignified Eldest Princess, obsessing over a hostage’s looks and tarnishing her own reputation – she should be easy to handle.”

“Although you bungled the task I assigned you earlier – lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot – and lost your position as a result, now you’re just a hidden dog.”

The noblewoman snorted coldly, her gaze sharpening as she glanced at the kneeling Shen Ruhai. Her voice turned icy. “That little wretch has nine lives – falling into the lake and still being rescued by Chu Xingchen. I’ve heard she’s undergone a drastic change in temperament, no longer arrogant or willful. Now she’s set her sights on returning to Juxian Elegant Lodge. How can I tolerate such insolence!”

“Shen Ruhai, this time, I want you to do everything in your power to prevent that wretch from re-entering Juxian Elegant Lodge. I’ve spent decades carefully orchestrating this game to reach this point – how dare she try to disrupt it? Wishful thinking!”

The lady sat elegantly on her divan: one maid knelt massaging her legs, another knelt painting her nails, a third pressed her temples, while two more knelt beside her, fanning her diligently.

This noblewoman was undoubtedly of high status and wealth, as the incense she burned was an extremely precious tribute-grade variety, known as “one tael of gold for one tael of incense.” Yet here, it was treated as a common consumable for perfuming the air and scenting clothing, shoes, and socks.

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruhai respectfully knelt, bowed his head to the ground, and said softly, “Your Highness, rest assured. Just as I once schemed to drive the young Eldest Princess out of Juxian Elegant Lodge in her childhood, I now have thousands of ways to ensure she can never set foot in that official academy again.”