Upon hearing this, Lu Yinxing's smile grew even more radiant.
She extended a small, jade-white hand and blinked her sparkling eyes. "Mr. Chu, you're too kind. I've long heard of your great name. This humble girl has admired you for a long time."
"This humble girl?"
This form of address made many of the high-ranking officials of the Great Xia Empire, as well as the King-level Martial Artists, furrow their brows.
'She's the reigning Queen of the Great Xia Empire, and she's calling herself 'this humble girl'?'
Chu He, however, just smiled faintly. He could see Lu Yinxing's intelligence and shrewdness.
Compared to the Queen of the Great Jing Empire,
the one before him clearly had a much better understanding of how to interact with people and win their hearts.
"I've prepared a grand banquet for you…" Before Lu Yinxing could finish, Chu He cut her off.
"We'll have plenty of opportunities to eat later." Chu He's voice was firm and decisive. "Right now, I want to see my parents first."
Lu Yinxing was taken aback for a moment but quickly composed herself.
She nodded in understanding.
"Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you speak to Her Majesty the Queen like that? Her Majesty is showing you great respect, and you're just going to throw it back in her face?"
The sudden outburst was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples through the crowd. The expressions of the surrounding Great Xia Empire officials varied—some frowned deeply, some wore derisive smirks, and others simply looked on with cold indifference.
Hearing this, Lu Yinxing frowned slightly. She glared at the young man, her eyes flashing with displeasure.
However, she did not lash out, simply saying, "Hold your tongue, Ruan Chengxiang."
Upon hearing this, Chu He simply glanced at Ruan Chengxiang, his expression unperturbed, as if the provocation was nothing more than a wisp of smoke.
He said calmly, "Out of respect for Her Majesty Queen Xingcan, I won't stoop to your level."
Ruan Chengxiang was thoroughly enraged by Chu He's dismissiveness. He took two steps forward, the sneer on his face deepening. "You won't stoop to my level? I'd like to see just how you managed to trick Her Majesty the Queen!
You were completely disgraced in the Great Jing Empire, a pariah chased out of town, and now you've run to the Great Xia Empire to try the same old tricks?
Let me tell you, the Great Xia Empire isn't as easily fooled as the Great Jing Empire!"
Without turning back, Chu He simply shot him a sideways glance and continued on his way.
Seeing Chu He ignore him so completely, Ruan Chengxiang's anger flared like dry kindling set ablaze.
However, just as he was about to make another move, a single glance from Lu Yinxing prompted another King-level Martial Artist to step forward and hold him back.
The man shook his head slightly, warning him not to act rashly.
Ruan Chengxiang struggled for a moment before finally swallowing his anger.
As he watched Lu Yinxing walk away, a flash of deep affection crossed his eyes.
'In his eyes, Chu He was just a charlatan chasing fame, completely unworthy of such special treatment from Her Majesty the Queen.'
…
Led by Lu Yinxing, Chu He and Ye Lingyun stepped into a specially outfitted van.
The interior was elegant, the atmosphere dignified yet comfortable.
Lu Yinxing personally poured them both a glass of red wine, which swirled with an alluring aroma.
Ye Lingyun took a curious sip, savoring the taste.
Chu He, however, simply swirled the wine glass in his hand.
His gaze seemed to penetrate the liquid in the glass, staring into the distant future. "Lu Yinxing, you're a smart woman. Much, much smarter than the Queen of the Great Jing Empire.
Ten of her, or even a hundred, couldn't compare to you.
I hate being used, and I despise being a pawn in someone else's game.
I know why you went to such great lengths to investigate my background, even finding people you believe to be my birth parents.
It's all just a ploy to get me to help the Great Xia Empire stabilize its internal affairs.
You and Ji Shengyue both face the same challenge: as women who have ascended the throne, you find it difficult to secure your rule.
Your Empire isn't just plagued by Evil Spirits; there are also those plotting in the shadows, scheming to drag you from your throne."
Listening from the side, Ye Lingyun was completely bewildered. She never imagined Chu He could see things with such clarity.
She looked at Chu He, her eyes full of admiration.
Lu Yinxing's expression faltered slightly.
'I thought Chu He was merely a Martial Artist, but I never expected his strategic mind to be so unfathomable.'
She sighed softly, her voice tinged with resignation. "Mr. Chu, you can rest assured. I will be more careful in the future, and what happened today will not be repeated."
Chu He nodded, saying nothing more.
He downed the wine in his glass and set it gently on the tray beside his seat.
His gaze drifted out the window, as if he were deep in thought.
'That King-Sealing Level Martial Artist, Ruan Chengxiang… he jumped out to condemn me while everyone else stayed silent.'
'I'm sure,' Chu He thought, 'that his background must be extraordinary.'
'Otherwise, how would he dare to be so insolent in front of everyone?'
'I suspect that even though Ruan Chengxiang's status isn't as high as Lu Yinxing's, he must have his own power and backing—so much so that even Lu Yinxing has to tolerate him.'
After a drive of about half an hour, the convoy arrived at a place called Jinwan Town.
It was a scenic place of rolling hills and vast fields.
In a courtyard that backed onto the fields, a hunched-over husband and wife stood waiting.
Their hair was streaked with white, and their faces were covered in wrinkles as deep as dried tree bark.
Their clothes were washed-out and patched. It was hard to imagine anyone wearing such simple attire in this day and age.
A young woman stood beside them, helping them stand.
She looked to be in her twenties, but her hands were exceptionally weathered, as if they had endured decades of hardship.
Nearby, several well-dressed staff members stood to the side, holding briefcases with serious expressions.
Many of the local villagers had gathered to curiously watch the unusual scene unfold.
Soon, the convoy stopped outside the courtyard, and a door slowly opened.
Chu He stepped steadily out of the vehicle.
His eyes swept over everyone present, finally landing on the elderly and visibly emotional couple.
Their eyes were filled with tears, a mixture of disbelief and inexpressible joy.
"Is… is that Xiao He?"
The old woman's voice trembled, as if unable to bear the sudden wave of joy and excitement.
She clasped her hands tightly, as if trying to draw strength from the grip to confirm that this moment was not a dream.
Chu He gazed at the courtyard, which was at once familiar and strange, as an indescribable emotion welled up inside him.
Although the couple's appearance had changed drastically over the years, Chu He could still find traces of them in his hazy memories.
Ever since obtaining the Immortal Primordial Spirit,
many of Chu He's long-dormant memories had been reawakened. He remembered with perfect clarity that he had indeed spent his childhood in this very courtyard.
And the two people before him were none other than his birth parents, from whom he had been separated for so many years.
The familiar environment and the scent of kinship seemed to activate a part of Chu He's memory that had been buried deep within his heart.
…
「Meanwhile, in the Royal City of the Great Jing Empire, Ji Shengyue received news that Chu He had appeared in the Great Xia Empire and found his birth parents.」
The news hit her like a bombshell, unleashing a tempest in her heart.
In a rage, she hurled the cup in her hand to the floor. It shattered instantly, sending shards scattering in every direction.
"Chu He… He actually found his birth parents!"
Ji Shengyue's voice was filled with fury and indignation.
She could not accept this reality, and she certainly could not tolerate Chu He finding such happiness after betraying her.