[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet-":3,"chapter-i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-22":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Just Maxed Out, and You Want Me to Be a Puppet Emperor?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2336461,4569,"Chapter 22: Don","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>Li Chen was stretching when a long, pale leg stepped into the imperial study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he glanced at the figure, his eyes met the girl’s clear, bright gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen didn’t think much of it, but the girl pressed her lips together and lowered her head slightly, appearing shy and introverted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your humble subject bows to Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ruoyan knelt before Li Chen; it was clear she had prepared this time, unlike yesterday when she had stood there dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today she wore a light purple silk robe embroidered with floral patterns, radiating the vibrant charm of a young maiden in full bloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the front, her slender waist bore full, ripe curves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind, her tall figure revealed graceful elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Li Chen’s words, Chu Ruoyan slowly stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was still slightly nervous, but Li Chen soon began chatting with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen said he planned to inspect the eastern district today and asked if Chu Ruoyan was familiar with the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a question she could answer—she immediately patted her full chest and declared she had grown up in the eastern district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her view, this emperor must be on a covert inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this outing, Li Chen had changed into ordinary clothes, concealing his royal identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And learning from last time’s lesson, he had brought plenty of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eastern district was full of merchants, and the guilds had built numerous commercial streets, where every shop was upscale and elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The street Li Chen visited was one ordinary people could never afford; only imperial capital nobles and nouveau riche could shop here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to imperial nobles, the nouveau riche preferred buying such items to prove their wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen and Chu Ruoyan first entered a clothing store called “Nishang Yuyi Pavilion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shop was renowned throughout the capital for its unique designs and precious materials, a dream destination for countless nobles and cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping inside, a faint fragrance filled the air—specially blended incense that calmed the mind, as if one had entered a celestial realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interior was ancient yet elegant, with walls hung with various garment patterns, each revealing the designer’s meticulous artistry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along one side stood bolts of silk and brocade, all handwoven by renowned imperial weavers, each bolt infused with unique spiritual energy to nourish the wearer’s body and spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a customer wished to customize, they could choose any silk or brocade they desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite side, finished garments were displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were exquisitely embroidered robes adorned with intricate totems and runes, each stitch a testament to the artisan’s skill; there were flowing long gowns whose hems swayed like fairy skirts descending from heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen casually pointed at one garment and said to Chu Ruoyan, “Do you like this dress?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ruoyan looked at the outrageously expensive brocade robe, a flicker of delight crossing her heart—how could any woman not love such things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But out of modesty, she claimed she didn’t like it much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen didn’t bother with further talk—he turned to the shopkeeper beside him and said, “You heard her? She doesn’t like this one. Pack up everything else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stunned both the shopkeeper and Chu Ruoyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clothes here were expensive; they’d seen people buy multiple items at once, but never like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen didn’t care whether Chu Ruoyan agreed or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t ask why—ask because I brought enough money today!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With money, you can do anything!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop naturally offered professional delivery services—pay, and they’d send elite guards to escort the goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the silver notes, the shopkeeper’s hands trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s sales had skyrocketed; bowing low beside Li Chen, he acted like a humble servant, treating Li Chen as his ancestor. Had he known Li Chen’s true identity, even calling him ancestor would have been an honor he didn’t deserve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Chu Ruoyan could recover from the shock, they arrived at a luxury women’s goods store called “Qiluo Xuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the entrance hung a plaque carved from ancient wood, inscribed in gold powder with the three characters “Qiluo Xuan”—fluid, ancient, unmistakably the work of a master calligrapher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping inside, a faint, exotic fragrance filled the air—perfumes and rouge crafted from rare treasures, each bottle infused with unique spiritual energy to nourish the skin and enhance cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The store displayed all manner of cosmetics: some colors blazed like sunset glow, others shimmered like morning dew—each one irresistible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen’s shopping spree grew even more absurd: anything Chu Ruoyan glanced at, he bought outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer extravagance made one’s scalp tingle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of Qiluo Xuan, hearing of such a major customer, personally rushed out to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner’s tongue was slick as honey, lavishing praise on Chu Ruoyan, calling her a celestial fairy—these perfumes and rouges were honored to be used by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any new products would be delivered to her first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a privilege reserved only for noble families who had shopped here for over a decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ruoyan’s expression was dazed; she thought the world had gone mad—no, it was Li Chen who was insane!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, when she came here with her mother, even choosing mid-range perfumes made her wince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the most expensive, finest perfumes and rouges here felt like bulk purchases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of all, what stirred Chu Ruoyan’s heart was that Li Chen bought things for her without asking—this tyrant-style generosity, which woman could resist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ruoyan couldn’t resist it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially with the envious glances from nearby women, making her feel light-headed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the aura Li Chen gave her—her fondness for him was rising without limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t over—Li Chen had brought so much money today that he led Chu Ruoyan, still in a daze, to a shop called “Jinyu Mantang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shop was famed throughout the capital and the entire Tiance Dynasty for its jewelry and gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its exterior walls were built of translucent jade stones; under sunlight, they glowed with soft, warm radiance—clearly priceless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, shelves displayed all manner of jewelry: some set with dazzling gems, others forged from pure gold, each piece a marvel of craftsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most striking of all was a rare piece called “Tear of the Stars”—crafted from fragments of fallen stars fused with deep-sea blue coral, unique in the world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinyu Mantang’s greatest prestige lay in its right to supply the imperial family with gold and jewels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the imperial family approved of something, how could it be inferior?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, one understood Jinyu Mantang catered to the elite—its patrons were all nobles of some kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the nouveau riche: hearing the imperial family bought here, they too bought, proving their taste matched royalty—and they spent lavishly just for the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ruoyan had never dared enter this place before—only passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her family, a cultivation clan, spent all their money on cultivation resources and weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But which woman didn’t love glittering treasures?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ruoyan had been sensible since childhood; even if she liked something, she never burdened her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was different—before she even saw what the “Tear of the Stars” looked like, Li Chen had already ordered it all packed for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More stunned than Chu Ruoyan were the Chu family members who saw the priceless treasures being delivered to their home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their shocked faces seemed to say: Is Chu Ruoyan planning to move the entire commercial street into our house?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They saw shop assistants even carrying in door panels and ceiling decorations—this was beyond their comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen simply bought whatever he saw, regardless of whether the shop intended to sell it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While some rejoiced, two shadowy figures nearby gritted their teeth in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1271,"2026-06-20T21:59:17.413Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2aa97e9accc81ba1c26a9d0bafbd817a04d96817ce9e60ccc9a381284c80c74b","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-23","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-21",766,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--cover.jpg"]