Chapter 45: The Storm Over the “Empress Consort” Designation

During the midday break, in front of the pavilion in the outer courtyard of Moxiang Academy, wisteria vines hung low, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers.

Students sat in small groups chatting, while a few who had yet to make a name for themselves crowded around stone tables, eagerly unrolling scrolls and grinding ink, hoping to leave a good impression whenever Palace Master Shangguan Waner happened to pass by.

Meanwhile, Lin Chen and Su Xiaoxiao sat under a camphor tree. Su Xiaoxiao was "fuming," accusing Lin Chen of a previous "socially humiliating act." Lin Chen smiled softly, poking Su Xiaoxiao's cheek with her fingertip: "You deserve it for being so mischievous."

Just then, three youths wearing brocade robes with purple edges strode over, the family crest of "Xiao" embroidered on the corners of their robes.

The leader kept his gaze fixed on Lin Chen, his eyes burning with an unmistakable, refined confidence.

He cupped his hands and smiled: "Miss Lin, my Xiao family recently opened a Spirit Spring estate. The spring water nourishes the Divine Sense, and the scenery is elegant. Would you care to pay a visit?"

Before the words had even faded, and before Lin Chen could react, another youth approached quickly. He wore white robes with a graceful bearing, a jade pendant hanging at his waist, and his voice was as clear and gentle as the wind:

"Miss Lin, Miss Su, Zhuoyuan has recently invited a master painter from the Cloud Hidden Sect to create a mural. If you two don't mind, I would be honored to act as your host."

Su Xiaoxiao was about to refuse, but she saw the white-robed youth look at the Xiao family member, his gaze sharp: "Spring water that nourishes the Divine Sense is nothing rare; only that which can capture the scenery of the soul is High Grade."

The youth surnamed Xiao smiled, not backing down: "No matter how beautiful a painting is, it cannot compare to the Spirit Spring accompanying the moon. If Miss Lin spends the night at the Spirit Spring, she is sure to have sweet dreams."

The two went back and forth, effectively "outbidding" each other right in front of Lin Chen and Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao burst out laughing: "What is this scene? We haven't even said we'd go, and they're already about to fight!"

Lin Chen pursed her red lips, her expression shy yet tinged with mischief: "Xiaoxiao, I'm actually looking forward to seeing what other tricks they can come up with. Why don't we watch?"

"Alright! Let's watch then."

The two youths traded barbs, their manners impeccable, but their tones grew increasingly confrontational.

"If Miss Lin would be willing to grace us with her presence, the Spirit Spring estate has already prepared all the maidservants, fragrant meals, and carriages; you will not be slighted in the least."

The youth surnamed Xiao kept his smile, but he repeatedly signaled his attendants. Before long, they produced an exquisite sachet adorned with the tail feathers of a Spirit Fox, which emitted a rich fragrance, and presented it to Lin Chen.

The other youth raised an eyebrow, took a small jade box from his robes, and opened it. A miniature spirit butterfly fluttered out, dancing through the air before landing on Lin Chen's shoulder, emitting waves of faint fragrance.

"This butterfly is called 'Dream Spirit,' and it only perches on the shoulders of absolute beauties. Seeing this butterfly, one knows—Miss Lin is truly extraordinary."

Su Xiaoxiao watched coldly, the smile on her lips fading bit by bit.

"Tsk," she thought to herself. "All these posturing men are disgusting."

A female student nearby whispered: "They are all avoiding Miss Su. Who doesn't know… Crown Prince Li Chongjun has long declared that 'Miss Su is the future candidate for Empress Consort'."

"Yes, indeed. It's said that her name is already on the noble marriage register. Who would dare touch her?"

"But Miss Lin… no one has claimed her yet."

Hearing this, Lin Chen froze slightly, a flash of astonishment crossing her eyes.

Su Xiaoxiao's expression darkened instantly, a coldness creeping into the corners of her long, slender eyes.

She certainly understood what these people meant. Because she was "designated as the future Empress Consort," they didn't dare provoke her, so they turned to treat Lin Chen as their prey.

Lin Chen, however, was oblivious and only asked her in a low voice: "Xiaoxiao, what's wrong?"

Su Xiaoxiao curled her lips into a smile, her eyes filled with a tenderness that bordered on doting.

"It's nothing. I just think—these people really have poor judgment."

As she spoke, she reached out and put her arm around Lin Chen's shoulder, pulling her closer in front of all the students. Her actions were neither servile nor overbearing, but extremely intimate, and her tone was light:

"Lin Chen is my person. If any of you dare to set your sights on her, even if I can't fight, I will definitely have someone beat him… until his face is black and blue."

"You don't fight," Lin Chen said with a smile, her eyes curving like crescents, as she gently pushed her.

Su Xiaoxiao whispered: "I won't fight, but Lin Fan will."

Her voice was extremely low, as if she were talking to herself, but Lin Chen heard it clearly. Her heart trembled, and her gaze upon Su Xiaoxiao slowly softened.

The two sat nestled together, a fragrant breeze gently blowing past.

In the distance, the youths watched this scene, their faces turning green and white. Someone said dejectedly: "With them like this, could it be… that they have already…"

"Heh, perhaps she has already been secretly claimed by some noble lord." The other snorted coldly: "I fear we have come too late."

In the shadows far away, a gentle and composed male figure slowly glided past, his robes fluttering in the wind, his gaze as calm as an abyss.

It was a confidant of Crown Prince Li Chongjun, who was secretly observing everything.

The two youths had been unwilling to yield to each other from the start. Seeing that Lin Chen had not expressed an opinion, yet was leaning intimately against Su Xiaoxiao's shoulder, allowing herself to be held without struggling, and even wearing a smile, a sense of indescribable humiliation welled up in their hearts.

"Miss Su, you are merely a person with a broken Spiritual Root. What right do you have to claim that Miss Lin is your person?" The youth surnamed Xiao laughed in his fury. "Are you so arrogant just because of Crown Prince Li Chongjun's words about you being the 'future Empress Consort'?"

The other snorted coldly: "You are nothing more than one of the beauties waiting to be selected. Crown Prince Li Chongjun has so many beautiful women around him; he might favor you today, but he could discard you tomorrow. Do you really think you're something special?"

The surrounding area fell silent instantly; everyone knew that these words were extremely dangerous.

Su Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes, her smile growing even wider, but it held a chilling, icy edge.

"You two, do you want to test whether I have the 'right'?"

She stood up slowly, her figure graceful, her robes fluttering. The murderous intent hidden beneath her beautiful exterior surged like a tide, forcing the two youths to instinctively take half a step back.

Lin Chen's expression changed, and she hurriedly grabbed her arm, whispering: "Xiaoxiao, don't be impulsive."

Su Xiaoxiao gently held her hand, her voice soft: "I'm not being impulsive, I'm just going to knock the mouths of these two noisy people slightly crooked."

She raised her right hand slightly, and a thin ray of spiritual light gathered at her fingertips.

Just as she was about to act, a shadow flashed in the distance, and two middle-aged men in white robes landed simultaneously, shielding the two youths.

"Miss Su, please stop."

The leader had a grave expression but was neither servile nor overbearing: "My family head has ordered that since Miss Lin has unparalleled beauty, if she has no current suitor, we wish to have her brought into our Young Master's inner courtyard. Her status in the future will not be below that of Miss Su."

Before he had even finished speaking, Lin Chen was stunned, and the surrounding students gasped in shock.

This was an open and blatant attempt to steal someone!

Su Xiaoxiao's eyes turned cold, and just as she was about to lash out, another figure suddenly arrived, stepping through the air.

Dressed in pale gold brocade robes, with phoenix eyes like lightning, his face was handsome and stern.

It was—Crown Prince Li Chongjun.

His voice was mild, like a spring breeze, yet it carried an unquestionable authority:

"Since when did it become your place to make decisions about my affairs? This is far too presumptuous."

"Furthermore, I have always only loved Su Xiaoxiao alone."

As his words fell, the entire scene went quiet.

Su Xiaoxiao's mouth twitched, and her smile instantly shattered.

She glared at Crown Prince Li Chongjun, almost shouting: "You… love me?"

She pointed at her own exquisite face, her complexion turning pale and then green: "I! Am! A! Man!!"

The surroundings were deathly silent.

Everyone's expressions froze, and even Crown Prince Li Chongjun was slightly taken aback, as if he hadn't expected her to say such a thing in public.

The two youths who had just been speaking insolently were also frozen in place, their mouths wide open.

Lin Chen was also stunned, her small mouth slightly agape. After a long while, she blushed and stammered: "What… what nonsense are you spouting…"

Su Xiaoxiao almost screamed, but her voice remained clear and melodious: "Lin Chen, I don't care! I want to be with you, I am a man!"