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Edited on May 13, 2021.

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Not counting the time when Xiao Zhi Zhi acted a bit weird that night, most of the time, Chu Zhu Yu's life went by normally.

After experiencing a few peaceful days, the news of the emperor falling ill made the bustling Luo Yang city quiet. In the general's residence, no one dared to breathe heavily, everyone is feeling anxious.

The general was going in and out of the palace to protect the emperor, so even the head housekeeper of the Xiao residence got affected by the atmosphere, his face was gloomy.

———

Currently inside the palace.

Xiao Zhi Zhi just left the emperor's room looking exhausted. The emperor is getting older, and his health is deteriorating. In just this year alone, the emperor has fallen sick three times, each time worse than before.

The City of Luo Yang is currently safe because the soldiers are well-trained under Xiao Zhi Zhi's guidance. However, in a few days, Xiao Zhi Zhi must go to the Cong Zhou to suppress the rebellion.

When that time comes, what will happen to the City of Luo Yang?

"Brother Xiao, how is Fu Huang's sickness?" the seventh prince who waited outside asked Xiao Zhi Zhi.

(E/R: Fu Huang - imperial father, a title used by the emperor's children only.)

"The imperial doctor stated that for now, the emperor is fine."

Of course, if the emperor's sickness relapses a second time, no one will know the ending.

"Since Brother Xiao will be going to the Cong Zhou to suppress the rebellion, I hope that you will have a safe journey." said the seventh prince.

"I actually wanted to hold a banquet for you before you leave, but Fu Huang is sick. I'm afraid holding a banquet right now will make me gather the resentment of the people."

"Banquet? I don't need one. I believe the rebellion in Cong Zhou will be quelled easily." Xiao Zhi Zhi massaged his forehead.

The seventh prince wondered, he knows that Xiao Zhi Zhi is a person who will never show weakness to anyone.

However, the Xiao Zhi Zhi in front of him looked so tired. After a moment, he remembered that the eunuch had made a report about his heavy workload.

"Brother Xiao I heard that when you enter the palace, you hardly get any sleep. Should I tell the imperial doctor to examine your health?"

"No need."

All he wanted to do right now was to see Chu Zhu Yu. He wanted to hug her and smell her tea scent. He knows that as long as she is by his side, he could sleep very peacefully.

Suddenly, a pair of footsteps were heard, and upon arriving, the palace maid walked closer to one of the two men, "General Xiao, please wait."

"What's the matter?" Xiao Zhi Zhi was displeased.

"The Tenth Princess wishes to see you." The palace maid replied while bowing.

The tenth princess is one of the few princesses who gets doted on by the emperor.

She is beautiful. Her dancing and singing skills are outstanding. Because she is so talented, the emperor had stated that no one could marry her except the hero.

Two years ago, the tenth princess fell in love with Xiao Zhi Zhi at first sight. The emperor tried to pair them with marriage, but alas, it was an unrequited love.

The Zen Master, Hui Wui was one of the most respected people in the palace court, and Xiao Zhi Zhi is his disciple.

In the past, when Hui Wui recommended Xiao Zhi Zhi to be his successor, he requested the emperor to issue an imperial edict- to let Xiao Zhi Zhi get married by his own choice.

So the emperor couldn't bestow the marriage, he was helpless and could only tell his daughter to use her own strength in pursuing her love.

When the seventh prince heard what the palace maid had said, he laughed, "My ambitious and proud Huang Mei is rushing to meet Brother Xiao."

(E/R: Huang Mei - imperial younger sister)

"This general (Xiao Zhi Zhi) still have things left to do, I'm afraid I can't accept the princess's invitation." Xiao Zhi Zhi replied as he passed the palace maid.

The palace maid was stunned, she never imagined that there will be someone who would refuse the princess's invitation.

The seventh prince followed Xiao Zhi Zhi, "You won't go, Brother Xiao?"

"Why should I go?" Xiao Zhi Zhi answered plainly.

"In this world, there are so many men who will endure many difficulties just so they could meet my Huang Mei, won't Brother Xiao regret this later on?"

"I don't even like her, so why would I feel regret?"

The seventh prince was dumbstruck, "I know that Brother Xiao is not attracted to anyone, but men should marry and have children. My sister really is in love with Brother Xiao, if..."

"I will not listen to you any longer." Xiao Zhi Zhi interrupted the seventh prince.

"Ah?"

"I already have someone I want, other than her, I don't need anyone else."

In fact, he is now rushing to go home, just so he could see her! Xiao Zhi Zhi never knew he was capable of feeling this way.

"...Brother Xiao already has someone he loves?"

The seventh prince laughed bitterly, this time, his Huang Mei might be apalled when she finds out...

———

A dignified and beautiful face. An elegant aura that could enramor people, this lady is not only beautiful, she is also praised for her talents and skills. On top of that, she is highly self-confident.

This lady is the Tenth Princess, Dai Rui Qin.

While biting her teeth, she furiously asked the trembling palace maid, "Did Xiao Zhi Zhi really say that?"

"Yes... General Xiao told me himself that he couldn't come."

"Did you ask him why he refused?"

"This... this lowly one couldn't dare to ask for more information."

"Did he say anything else?"

The palace maid took a deep breath, she scanned her head for anything that the general might have said. As she recalled her memory, she remembered something he said, but she is hesitant to report it to her master. After pondering about it, she said,

"General Xiao said that he already has someone in his heart, and that other than that person, he didn't want anyone else."

Bam!

With just that one sentence, it ignited all of Dai Rui Qin's anger. The delicate jade bracelet that was above the table was shoved to the ground.

Because of that cold person, she even swallowed her pride and learned how to brew tea. She always thought that because of her beauty and position, he will ultimately kneel for her hand.

She never thought that even when she used her position as the princess, he still would not pay attention to her!

"Who? Who's the girl?" she asked impatiently.

"This lowly one doesn't know. I just repeated the general's words."

The palace maid quickly lowered her head and kowtowed, she was afraid of looking directly at the scary princess.

Dai Rui Qian bit her nails, her beautiful eyes no longer had a trace of elegance within them. She is the tenth princess of this country. Her beauty and her status made her unable to let the word "cannot obtain" be in her vocabulary.

Xiao Zhi Zhi is the Zen Master's disciple, and is famous for his skillful martial art. He is a military genius, and his non-stop military achievements attracted her.

The tenth princess knew that she was waiting for that kind of man this entire time, a man who could match her.

She knows that Xiao Zhi Zhi is someone who doesn't want to be tied to a woman, so she will wait. She will wait until that day comes, when he finally becomes hers.

But who knew that while she was being patient, he would fall in love with someone else!

What kind of girl could make him fall in love with her?

"Go, investigate the identity of that woman!" She gave the order as she was burning with envy.

The most beautiful person, once she gets jealous, her beauty slowly diminishes.