âWhat? Empty-handed?â
Chen Xiaobei had always been one to shock people.
That one simple sentence had everyone stunned into silence!
Blood was rising up Luo Qiongcangâs face. âYouâre just trying to make a fool out of me! How dare you come to the betrothal contest empty-handed! This is lying to the emperor!â
The people all around also expressed their dissatisfaction with Chen Xiaobei.
âIdiot! How dare you poke fun at our emperor and all of us!â
âSon of a bitch! A nobody who tries too hard to be somebody! The other three childes brought invaluable betrothal gifts and this bastard came with nothing! Heâs just trying to provoke us!â
âYour grace! Please allow me to drag this man aside and beat him to death! We cannot allow outsiders to think that they can bully Saint Duke!â
âYeah! This is outrageous! This kid crossed the line! Killing him is the only way to safeguard our dignity!â
Evidently, Chen Xiaobei was the most hated person in the room right now.
Helian Tulong took this opportunity to fan the flames. âThere are rumors out there that heâs actually a Tenshou spy! I didnât believe it at first but now I do! He didnât come to join the betrothal contest today! He came here to provoke Saint Duke!â
âYeah! Tenshou is an old rival of Saint Dukeâs!â Feng Chongwei said. âWe should just do it now! Get rid of this Tenshou spy now! Send his head to Tenshou at the beginning of the war!â
Yun Changxiao was even more minacious. âYour grace, just give the word and Iâll behead this kid! His head will be part of my betrothal gift!â
âIâve already investigated him, and I can confirm that heâs a spy!â Luo Qiongcang boomed. âI was going to kill him early on. But I wanted to see what betrothal gift he was going to bring today. Alas, he came here empty-handed! Thereâs no need to keep him aliveâ¦â
Zing! Zing! Zing!
Immediately, weapons and knives were brandished; their sharp tips pointed at Chen Xiaobei.
The three thousand heavily armored guards closed in on Chen Xiaobei.
To the people of Saint Duke, today was the last day of the betrothal contest, and also Chen Xiaobeiâs last day alive!
Most people would have wet their pants in fear and begged for mercy, trying to explain themselves, but Chen Xiaobei did not so much as flinch. âI came empty-handed here today not because Iâm a spy for Tenshou, and definitely not because I want to provoke you!â
Luo Qiongcang spat, âThereâs a war coming! I would rather kill the wrong person than letting him go! Do you think that I would believe you just because you say youâre not a Tenshou spy? You will die today!â
âHis head is mine!â Yun Changqiao said eagerly.
Feng Chongwu argued, âNo! Itâs mine!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Helian Tulong broke in, âStay back, the both of you! None of you are as fast as I am!â
The three thousand people around Chen Xiaobei were ready to attack at the emperorâs orders.
âStop!â A womanâs voice called out suddenly, so chilly, it caused the people to shudder.
However, there was also a melodious ring to the voice; pure and untainted â comparable to the goddesses in heaven.
It belonged to a very attractive-looking woman carrying her fiery red dress as she ran into the plaza.
Because today was a special day, she made an effort to dress up.
She ran so quickly that the beautiful gown she wore wrinkled up and its sequins and beads fell to the ground. On top of that, she was not wearing any shoes!
It was disgraceful for a woman to appear in such a manner in front of public eyes. All that virtue would have flown right out of the window!
Outsiders might have taken her for a crazy woman from a common family to make a spectacle of herself!
But by her stunning good looks, the people could tell that she was the leading lady in todayâs betrothal contest â the one and only in Saint Duke! The angel-faced Princess Puti carrying Saint Dukeâs bloodline!
âMy god! Is that Princess Puti! She looks even more beautiful in person! Sheâs a goddess! No! Even goddesses donât look as beautiful! Sheâs too stunningâ¦â
Except for her relatives, the officials, guards, and the three childes were all completely mesmerized by Luo Putiâs breathtaking beauty.
Feng Chongwuâs eyes might as well have been crossed. âPrincess Puti is here! Sheâs running towards me! She must like my gifts the most!â
âNonsense!â Yun Changxao hissed. âSheâs running towards me! My good looks have won her heart! Look, sheâs looking right at me!â
âStop dreaming the both of you!â Helian Tulong smiled confidently. âMy betrothal gift, family background, patrimony, faction, looks, qualities, and wealth are the most outstanding! Princess Puti is 100% coming towards me!â
With the exception of his personality, Helian Tulong was excellent in every aspect. Most women would have thrown themselves at him.
Whatâs more, the fuma candidate had already been chosen.
Helian Tulongâs confidence was not unfounded.
âCome to me, my baby, Puti! The most beautiful woman ever to live! Come into my arms and make all men envious of me!â Helian Tulong spread his arms wide open. âYou will also have the most outstanding man, that youâll be the envy of every woman alive! We are a pair made in heaven! There is no better choice for you than me! Come come! My arms are wide open! Hahahaâ¦â
âIâm sorry, can you please step aside!â Luo Puti moved past Helian Tulong. She did not so much as glance at him.
âThatâ¦â Helian Tulongâs body went rigid like a stone statue.
Did Luo Puti just ignore him?
How awkward. How extremely awkward.