Chapter 18

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

The two big shots in the court who appeared at the beginning had already made Chu Ruoyan's heart surge; she also didn't expect to see such big figures on this occasion.

But the ones who appeared next made her even more fearful, because she even recognized some of them.

As a second-rate noble family in the Imperial Capital, the Chu family could still touch some upper circles.

These people who entered the Imperial Study one after another were all high-ranking officials with real power in the Imperial Capital.

They were core figures of the Six Ministries, backbone members of the Imperial Guard and City Defense Army, and even the Governor of the Imperial Capital, and a famous high-ranking noble.

Among these people, there were a few big figures Chu Ruoyan had seen at various gatherings; her father even went to give gifts during festivals just to curry favor with these big figures.

Especially when specifically inquiring about the birthdays and anniversaries of these big figures, even if they didn't invite him, the head of the Chu family would go with a thick skin.

Don't look at the fact that Chu Ruoyan's father's cultivation is considered high; he is also majestic and imposing in the Chu family.

In front of these high-ranking officials with real power, he was just a submissive person with his tail between his legs.

But now, these high-ranking officials with real power in the Imperial Capital were kneeling in front of Li Chen, trembling one by one, and some were even shaking all over before they even entered the door, unable to speak clearly.

If one were to say the Great General and the Prince from before had elements of acting, the ones who came later were truly afraid.

Of course, the high-ranking noble Chu Ruoyan recognized almost tripped when he entered the door; his acting was indeed too heavy, and his performance was deliberate and exaggerated.

Chu Ruoyan also began to understand why Li Chen was just muttering 'old fellows are really good at acting' in that tone.

For some reason, watching these high-ranking officials kneeling on the ground and trembling one by one, Chu Ruoyan was very moved.

Even the big figures her father couldn't reach, those high-and-mighty nobles, could have such expressions?

These big figures might make people around them tremble with just one look after leaving the palace.

But this is the Imperial Palace, and they are facing the Emperor.

In front of this Emperor, it is they who are trembling.

Slowly, Chu Ruoyan's eyes when looking at Li Chen showed some changes.

Chu Ruoyan couldn't explain the rest, but that respect and admiration were all written in her eyes.

Chu Ruoyan stood for almost three hours before Li Chen finished reviewing the memorials on the table.

"Sorry, I kept you waiting so long."

Looking at the beautiful figure standing in the Imperial Study, Li Chen showed an apologetic smile.

This made Chu Ruoyan feel a bit flattered; her expression was flustered, and her hands were constantly swaying.

"No, no, no, Your Majesty, please don't say that. You have official business to attend to. Being able to find time to see a commoner in your busy schedule is already my honor. You... if you are not free today, you can summon me at any other time."

By the time she finished speaking, Chu Ruoyan didn't know what she was saying.

Her flustered face had already begun to turn slightly red; where was the disdain and hopelessness toward Li Chen when she first arrived?

Now, she was just a little girl at a loss.

This was the first time in her life she had such an emotion.

Watching Li Chen walk over, Chu Ruoyan's heartbeat began to accelerate; her mind was already blank, and she didn't know what to say next.

In fact, Li Chen just intended to chat with her, understand her more, go out on a date, or something similar.

After all, it's choosing a wife; appearance is certainly important, but character and personality need to be deeply understood to know.

At the very least, there must be a certain emotional foundation; after all, sleeping on the same pillow in the future, what if she stabs me in the back when I'm not prepared?

Li Chen is a relatively steady person; he wouldn't put himself in danger for the sake of a little beauty.

Otherwise, he couldn't have buried his head in cultivation until the Sage Realm before revealing his strength.

Just as Li Chen was about to speak, a few more people walked in. Their appearance made Li Chen a bit puzzled; hadn't everyone he summoned today already arrived? Who is this again?

The ones who came were three eunuchs, led by the Eunuch Manager Cui, whom he was familiar with, who was responsible for all the affairs in the palace and was also a person by the late Emperor's side.

The Eunuch Manager and two little eunuchs were again holding a large pile of memorials.

"Your Majesty, these are the memorials from various prefectures, as well as some secret reports from military officers, which have been piled up for a period of time. Please handle them early, Your Majesty. This old slave will put them here for you first."

After speaking, Eunuch Cui let the two nimble little eunuchs pile the memorials on the table and put the ones Li Chen had already handled on the other side.

Not long after, two 'small hills' appeared on the table again.

Li Chen had just intended to go out on a date to relax, and now so much trouble came again.

From early morning until now, is this any way to live!

"This—"

Li Chen looked at the lively and alluring Chu Ruoyan in front of him, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"Your Majesty, you should still prioritize state affairs. If you don't mind, this commoner will accompany you here for a while."

!

Chu Ruoyan is of course a sensible woman, and this can be considered the most decent words she could think of.

Remembering when she first entered the palace, Chu Ruoyan felt that the palace was cold and she didn't want to stay for a moment.

But now, she is not very repulsed by this place.

Because she can see a good Emperor who is working seriously.

Facing subordinates, Li Chen's speech has both the dominance of ruling the world and the steadiness and wisdom unique to an Emperor.

Facing blood relatives, the majesty and power revealed in his words can handle every matter impartially.

Whether Li Chen is considered a good Emperor by others, Chu Ruoyan is not clear, but at least in her eyes, Li Chen is a good Emperor.

"Hey, alright, then you can wander around here by yourself for a while."

Li Chen called the head palace maid and asked her to prepare some tea and snacks for Chu Ruoyan.

Then he sat at the table and began to review the memorials.

The reason why so many were piled up was because they hadn't been handled during the period when the late Emperor passed away.

These all belonged to relatively urgent memorials that required his approval to proceed.

Li Chen also had no choice; after all, he is the Emperor now.

Since he became Emperor, he must at least fulfill certain duties.

Noticing Li Chen's little expression of speechlessness as he returned to the table to review the memorials, Chu Ruoyan felt it was very interesting.

The dignified Emperor of the May Tian Ce Dynasty also has such depressed times.

Eh, is His Majesty depressed because he wanted to go on a date with me and now has no time?

Thinking of this, Chu Ruoyan even had a little secret joy in her heart.

But soon, she felt she was being narcissistic; His Majesty must be worried about the country and the people.

This is a change she didn't even notice herself.

The head palace maid set up a seat for her in the Imperial Study, with exquisite tea and pastries placed beside it.

If it were an ordinary person, they might not be able to tell, but Chu Ruoyan's eyes were full of surprise; among them, she actually recognized a few pastries.

The one that made her swallow her saliva the most here was the 'Dragon Saliva Jade Dew Cake'.

The Dragon Saliva Jade Dew Cake is made from deep-sea ambergris, golden honey dates, and rare ganoderma spore powder.

Chu Ruoyan still remembers that on her eighteenth birthday, a high-ranking noble gave her such a portion of pastries!

(End of chapter)