Chapter 3: A Heart Aflutter

The matter of the Crown Prince was of great importance to the nation, and a prolonged indecision could lead to instability. The Imperial Princes were competing, civil and military officials were choosing sides, and beneath the calm surface raged unseen conflict.

Xiao Rui did not want to be emperor anyway, so what did it have to do with him?

As for who should become the Crown Prince… well, did becoming the Crown Prince guarantee inheriting the Imperial Throne? Come, come, let Li Erlang tell you the story of the Xuanwu Gate.

It was a pitch-black night…

Never mind, I’ve gone off topic.

Xiao Rui gave a shy smile. “As the saying goes, one who wins the hearts of the people wins the realm. Your Majesty always acted this way, so I believe the candidate for Crown Prince should also possess such integrity. As for which family the Crown Prince position will fall to, naturally it depends on where the people’s hearts lie, for the people’s heart is the sage’s heart.”

He paused, then said with a grin, “Marquis, among my six elder brothers and two younger brothers, who do you think enjoys the highest prestige in the eyes of the common people?”

“Naturally, it’s the Eldest… Eldest…” Zhang Jinfu hurriedly caught himself, then glared at Xiao Rui.

You little rascal, you almost tricked me! If this got out, wouldn’t it sound like I support the Eldest Prince?

“Who has high prestige still depends on the people,” Zhang Jinfu replied cleverly, going along with Xiao Rui’s words.

Xiao Rui wore an expression of admiration, making Zhang Jinfu swallow the question he wanted to ask next.

“He’s a little fox!” Zhang Jinfu couldn’t help muttering.

Then he stood up and said, “You sit and rest for a while. I’ll be right back.”

Shortly after Zhang Jinfu left, a woman dressed in martial attire walked in.

She wore a black warrior’s robe, her hair tied in a ponytail. She stood tall and slender, about one meter sixty-seven in height. Her features were delicate and pretty, especially her eyes and brows, which conveyed a heroic air.

The woman walked straight in and sat opposite Xiao Rui. Her almond-shaped eyes looked him up and down, her face wearing an expression that kept strangers at bay.

Xiao Rui originally meant to stand up and greet her, but seeing her lack of manners, he couldn’t be bothered.

So Xiao Rui continued to sip tea and eat snacks, treating the person opposite him as if she were air.

After a long while, Zhang Ruoxi could no longer restrain herself and asked, “Are you the Seventh Prince, Xiao Rui?”

Only then did Xiao Rui’s gaze shift to her face. He asked, “Are you the second young lady of the Residence of the Loyal and Brave Marquis, Zhang Ruoxi?”

“Do you know martial arts?” Zhang Ruoxi asked.

“Do you know embroidery?” Xiao Rui asked in return.

Slap!

Zhang Ruoxi slapped the table and stood up, furious. “Why are you copying me?”

Xiao Rui’s heart skipped a beat in fright. Oh no, did a couple of retorts just provoke her to draw her blade? It seemed gaining the favor of this hot-tempered young lady wouldn’t be easy.

If she didn’t like the tough approach, then try the soft one. Poor woman, only later would she understand that tough was still better.

A smile appeared on Xiao Rui’s face as he bowed deeply.

This action left Zhang Ruoxi somewhat confused.

Am I dead? Why is he bowing if I’m not?

“What are you doing?” Zhang Ruoxi asked.

Xiao Rui smiled and said, “I’ve long heard of your reputation, lady warrior. Meeting you today, I wish to express thanks on behalf of the common people you have helped.”

“Are you making fun of me?” Zhang Ruoxi clenched her fist and asked coldly.

Xiao Rui shook his head. “Lady warrior should know my background. My mother came from a military family. Before entering the palace, she hated evil and cared deeply for the common people, helping them overthrow the strong and aid the weak. It’s a pity… Seeing you, lady warrior, reminds me of my departed mother…”

At this point, Xiao Rui’s eyes turned slightly red. He truly missed his mother, and tears couldn’t help but well up in his eyes.

Zhang Ruoxi felt slightly flustered, not expecting Xiao Rui to say such things. Her own parents were still alive, but what about him? His mother died early, his bond with His Majesty wasn’t deep, and being older now, he couldn’t stay long in the Imperial Palace, so he lodged at the Fourth Prince’s residence. He was called the Seventh Prince, but he seemed worse off than a pampered noble’s son.

He really was pitiful.

Now, touched by the scene, his emotions were hard to control.

They all said that a supremely filial person couldn’t have bad character.

Zhang Ruoxi’s first impression of Xiao Rui immediately improved. She apologetically said, “I’m sorry, I spoke a bit rashly just now.”

Xiao Rui gave an awkward smile. “I should be the one apologizing. Mentioning such things upon first meeting a young lady was improper. Actually, my visit today was firstly my fourth brother’s idea, and secondly, I wanted to see the lady warrior’s honorable appearance with my own eyes. If I have displeased you, I shall take my leave.”

Just listen to these words. Even Xiao Rui felt they were just right, explaining why he came and stating his own thoughts. Finally, he brought up the purpose: if you’re happy, we can continue talking; if not, I’ll quickly make myself scarce.

Zhang Ruoxi’s cheeks flushed slightly red. She greatly disliked arranged meetings, but she didn’t mind admirers coming to see her. She was just too shy. Oh my, this lady warrior’s maiden heart.

“If you leave so soon after arriving, if outsiders find out, won’t they say our Residence of the Loyal and Brave Marquis offered poor hospitality?” Zhang Ruoxi said softly.

Xiao Rui blinked, looking at the faint blush on Zhang Ruoxi’s cheeks. He found this girl quite cute, possessing true sincerity.

No! Can’t let a beauty cloud my mind. Must remember the purpose of this visit!

That was to gain Zhang Ruoxi’s favor!

Wow, this System really has no shame, forcing me to chase girls.

“May I call you Ruoxi?” Xiao Rui said with a smile. “The weather is nice today. How about taking a walk on the street together?”

Zhang Ruoxi clasped her hands together and said in a low voice, “Isn’t that too fast?”

Fast? Men hated it most when women said such things.

Who told your father to have people peeking through the window? Several heads lined up against the windowpanes. Did you think I wanted to take you out?

“Forget it then,” Xiao Rui had just started to say.

Zhang Jinfu rushed in. “Not fast, not fast at all! It just so happens we’re out of rice at home. Ruoxi, you go out to eat with the Seventh Prince. Take good care of our guest.”

“Oh!” Zhang Ruoxi nodded, then looked at Xiao Rui.

Xiao Rui bid farewell to Zhang Jinfu. “Marquis, we’ll be off then. You should still tell the servants to buy rice quickly. Life isn’t easy for a proper Third Realm Marquis residence. Should I give you some?”

The corner of Zhang Jinfu’s mouth twitched. He smiled broadly as he watched the two leave.

Walking on the bustling main street, the two chatted back and forth. Zhang Ruoxi seemed somewhat shy, as if it was her first time accompanying a man alone for a stroll. Xiao Rui kept staring at the information code in his mind. Why wasn’t the task complete yet? Did this young lady have zero fondness for him?

That shouldn’t be. I’m this handsome, are you blind?

Don’t make me unleash my ultimate move!

Forget it, can’t win.

The two arrived at Cuiyun Tower.

This was a famous restaurant in the Capital City, a place where high officials and nobles spent their money. As soon as they entered, they ran into four richly dressed youths.

“Well, if it isn’t the second young lady of the Residence of the Loyal and Brave Marquis, Zhang Ruoxi! First time seeing you at Cuiyun Tower. Oh… you’re here for a matchmaking meeting,” one youth exclaimed excitedly.

He seemed to have been beaten up by Zhang Ruoxi before, for he glared at his enemy with particular hatred.

The three behind him chimed in. “Kid, you’re truly a model for men in the Capital City, saving the fate of unmarried young men here.”

“Bold! Aren’t you afraid of being crushed to death in bed? Hehe…”

“Kid, haven’t seen you before. New to the Capital City? Pretty gutsy, huh? Don’t know the terror of the Terminator?”

The four of them took turns taunting Xiao Rui and Zhang Ruoxi.

Zhang Ruoxi’s pretty brows furrowed, her fists clenched tightly.

The four stepped back in fear, shouting, “Zhang Ruoxi, don’t you dare start a fight! The Loyal and Brave Marquis promised that as long as we don’t bully commoners, you can’t hit us! We’re just talking about you now. You can curse back!”

“Yeah, if you’ve got skill, let’s battle with words.”

“Third Brother, battling with words sounds so sleazy.”

Zhang Ruoxi gritted her teeth in anger, considering whether to break her father’s promise, when Xiao Rui beside her pulled her behind him, shielding her with his tall frame.

Then he flew into a kick, hitting one person, and his hands transformed into hand blades, striking the necks of two others. In an instant, three lay on the ground howling in pain.

Only one remained, trembling, and roared, “You little bastard, looking for death? Damn it, do you know who I am?”

Crap! Using status to threaten me? Sounds thrilling. Is this one of the pampered nobles’ ultimate moves?

“I’m so scared…” Xiao Rui said deliberately, then flew into a kick and hit him too.

He turned back to look at Zhang Ruoxi, meeting her slightly surprised eyes. He gave a warm smile. “I can’t defeat you, but teaching those four a lesson is still easy.”

Ding dong!

A prompt sound suddenly rang in his mind.

Then the information code appeared:

“Congratulations, you completed the task. Advent Points +15.”

Xiao Rui immediately beamed with joy, his smile growing even brighter.

Looking at the young man’s radiant smile, with sunlight spreading across his face, turning it golden, Zhang Ruoxi suddenly felt her heart flutter like a deer. She hurriedly shifted her gaze elsewhere and softly uttered, “Mhm.”

Her heart went pitter-patter.