Volume One, Chapter 14: You Have Crossed the Line

At the palace gate, a servant hurried over and said that Murong Qinghe was waiting for him there.

Han Zong smiled subtly and said, "Your Majesty, now that you have received the Mandate of Heaven and ascended the throne, it is time to consider matters of the harem."

Indeed, Murong Qinghe was far superior to Xiao Aoyu.

Lin Che understood that he was referring to the matter of establishing the empress.

"Thank you for your concern, Grand Tutor."

Han Zong disembarked from the carriage, bowed, and then left.

It was truly time to establish the empress...

Lin Che thought to himself, then said, "Come up."

Soon, as the curtain was lifted, a fragrance wafted over.

Murong Qinghe bowed slightly and said, "Your servant greets the Emperor."

Lin Che shook his head, looking at her delicate face. "Just now, I was discussing the matter of establishing the empress with the Grand Tutor."

Murong Qinghe lowered her head slightly. "I will follow your Majesty's arrangements."

The empress must be a model for the realm, and Murong Qinghe was perfectly suitable.

Lin Che was in no hurry to leave. "Since you are here, come along with me for a stroll. We can look around and see if there is anything you like to choose."

Murong Qinghe felt overwhelmed by the favor.

In truth, there was no need for Lin Che to personally handle such matters.

But because of Xiao Aoyu, Lin Che felt a heavy weight in his heart and wanted to clear his mind.

In the future, he would rarely leave the palace.

They arrived at the market, and after getting off the carriage, Lin Che and Murong Qinghe began to browse.

Murong Qinghe looked as if she had entered the Grand View Garden, here and there, buying many things, though all were quite inexpensive.

She refused to buy anything too expensive, even when Lin Che suggested it.

"There's some pastries over there. I'll go take a look and buy some. Father doesn't usually let me eat these!" Murong Qinghe said, trying to maintain her figure, so there were many foods she simply could not eat.

Lin Che let her go while he stayed to ponder.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Wangzhi, I want to go back and look ahead, buy Father some brocade, and some jade pendants from Xiao Chen..."

Lin Che was stunned and turned to look.

On the bustling market street, Lin Wangzhi and Xiao Aoyu were walking toward them, followed by two maids carrying many valuable items.

"Alright, Yuer," Lin Wangzhi said, holding Xiao Aoyu's hand, then suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong, Wangzhi?" Xiao Aoyu looked over and saw Lin Che as well.

"Lin Che?"

Lin Che had come to the market to ease his troubled mind, but he hadn't expected to run into the two of them.

Xiao Aoyu’s face darkened with displeasure. "Lin Che, are you stalking me?"

Her gaze toward Lin Che grew more hostile.

Lin Che, unaware of where she got such confidence, spoke honestly, "This is the market. No one said I couldn't come here."

"Hmph, do you think I would believe that?" Xiao Aoyu sneered with disdain. "Lin Che, you slandered me and ruined the Xiao family. Now you come to me again—what do you want?"

Lin Wangzhi’s face was also full of murderous intent.

If not for the concern over his reputation, he would have killed Lin Che already for daring to have designs on his woman.

Just as Lin Che was at a loss for how to respond, Murong Qinghe had already finished buying pastries and was returning, holding them in her hands as she hurried back.

"I'm back! These pastries are still warm and so delicious..." Murong Qinghe was halfway through when she saw Xiao Aoyu.

Xiao Aoyu’s eyes widened as if she had seen something unbelievable.

At the moment Lin Wangzhi saw Murong Qinghe, his pupils contracted sharply!

She was stunningly beautiful!

Not at all inferior to Xiao Aoyu!

Her nose was like jade, her eyes as fluid as water, her cheeks smooth like cream, and her figure graceful as a celestial maiden.

Because he spent most of his time away and Murong Qinghe stayed secluded in the inner chambers, the two barely knew each other, at most having met twice.

Lin Wangzhi’s greedy gaze roamed over Murong Qinghe, feeling she looked somewhat familiar, but he did not think much of it.

Seeing Lin Wangzhi’s mesmerized expression, Xiao Aoyu was filled with an inexplicable fury.

Pointing at Murong Qinghe, she asked Lin Che, "Lin Che, who is she?"

Lin Che sneered coldly, "Does that concern you?"

"Wangzhi!" Xiao Aoyu called out unwillingly as she saw Lin Wangzhi constantly staring at Murong Qinghe.

Lin Wangzhi snapped back to his senses. "Yuer, I was just thinking about something else!"

He did not feel the slightest guilt.

Because he was the Prince of Liang!

Xiao Aoyu refused to believe it, but felt helpless inside.

If it were the old Lin Che, she would have slapped him and walked away immediately.

But Lin Wangzhi was different. She relied on him and truly liked him. Seeing him interested in another woman only made her more unwilling.

Murong Qinghe recognized Xiao Aoyu and understood the situation as soon as she saw her.

Lin Che felt a softness pressing against him; Murong Qinghe had already grabbed his arm.

"Young Master Lin, who is she?" Murong Qinghe asked coquettishly.

Lin Che said, "It’s nothing important."

Hearing Lin Che’s words, Xiao Aoyu’s face twitched in anger.

"Nothing important?!"

Suddenly she shouted, "Lin Che, you really are no gentleman!"

That woman must have been the one he dallied with at the border!

She never imagined he could be so filthy!

While she fought battles at the frontier to defend the homeland, he could not resist loneliness and was with another woman.

Truly shameless!

Murong Qinghe frowned in displeasure. "Miss, Young Master Lin is exceptionally talented. How can you insult him so?"

Seeing her defend Lin Che, Xiao Aoyu was even more unwilling and was about to expose Lin Che: "Miss, you’ve definitely been deceived by him. He’s not talented at all..."

"Enough!" Lin Che interrupted her, his last bit of goodwill toward this woman gone.

Does she think no other woman deserves him?

"Xiao Aoyu, we are already divorced. You are crossing the line."

"Crossing the line?"

Xiao Aoyu felt she was not crossing a line but refusing to let another woman be deceived.

Now she knew just how shameless Lin Che was!

"Miss, may I ask your name?" Lin Wangzhi suddenly spoke.

He had already taken a liking to Murong Qinghe. Although he had promised Xiao Aoyu he wouldn’t take a concubine, given his status, how could he truly marry only one wife?

"My name is of no consequence. If fate allows, we shall meet again," Murong Qinghe replied enigmatically, showing no fondness for the Prince of Liang. Then she looked at Lin Che. "Let’s go. I want to return."

Lin Che turned and left, his arm entwined with hers.

Xiao Aoyu felt some grievance in her heart and turned to Lin Wangzhi. "Wangzhi, what did you mean just now?!"

She paid no mind to why there was a beauty beside Lin Che. Lin Wangzhi’s behavior earlier had left her deeply unhappy.