In the study of the city lord's mansion, Li Yuejin saw off the guests at the door. When he turned around, he saw someone sitting in the study.
He hurried over. "Auntie, why did you come without making a sound? You didn't even send someone to inform me."
Nan Chaoyu didn't say a word. Her peach - blossom eyes squinted slightly as she sized Li Yuejin up and down.
Li Yuejin didn't know her purpose. Seeing that she kept silent, he felt extremely uneasy. He tentatively asked, "Auntie, what's wrong with you?"
Nan Chaoyu withdrew her gaze, leaned back on the chair, curled her fingers and tapped on the table. "I'm here to see if there's anything I can help with!"
Li Yuejin looked at her suspiciously, hardly believing these words came from her.
Nan Chaoyu raised her eyebrows and said impatiently, "What are you looking at? Do you need my help?"
Li Yuejin came back to his senses instantly and quickly shook his head. "No." After thinking for a while, he explained, "Young Master Mu in the city stepped in in time, so the losses of these noble families were not great. You also came back in time. The father and son of the Xie family didn't have time to deal with the noble families. However... this Xie Zhenming—"
"Is ultimately a serious hidden danger."
"So, Dream Sea City must stand on its own in the end. Let me give you a hint—" Nan Chaoyu sat up straight. "The Holy Light Empire has had internal troubles for a long time. If you just rely on past achievements, you'll be pulled down one day."
"This time it's the Xie family. Next time it could be the Zhang family or the Wang family. You'll never be able to hold the position of city lord steadily."
"… I!" Li Yuejin blinked his eyes. He wanted to say it wasn't like this, but his throat seemed blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word of refutation.
Nan Chaoyu wasn't in a hurry. She picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and waited for him to figure it out.
She had stirred up the Secret Realm of the Soul - Devouring Sea, making Dream Sea City come into the sight of people across the world again. But it didn't mean she would take care of Dream Sea City forever, especially after she found out the tricks behind her engagement.
If Li Yuejin still didn't want to let go this time, she would have nothing to do.
Li Yuejin's face turned alternately blue and white. Looking at the leisurely Nan Chaoyu, he felt that things were getting out of control.
Nan Chaoyu tapped on the table again. "So, what's your decision?"
"Is this the reason why you didn't want to accept Father Emperor's reward?"
The Qingjun Prince had said that Father Emperor had once publicly issued an imperial edict to reward her, but she had refused.
He hadn't believed it at that time. But seeing her like this now, he suddenly felt uncertain.
"The old man wanted me to accept the position of princess just to restrain Mother Queen. It's their business, and I don't want to get involved. If you want to wade into this muddy water, just pretend I didn't say anything today."
Li Yuejin looked at Nan Chaoyu, as if trying to figure out the truth of her words.
But looking at the peerless face of the girl in front of him, he seemed to be back eighteen years ago.
After the wedding, the Phoenix Queen, who had lived on Snow God Mountain for a long time, first came down the mountain. Her beauty was unparalleled, instantly making all the women in the emperor's harem pale in comparison.
At that time, he was just a young man under twenty. He had resented this mother - in - law who wasn't much older than him.
But it was also this young mother - in - law who had helped him when he was framed by the eldest prince and his life was in danger.
Later, she helped him come to Dream Sea City and sent people to help him become the city lord.
There was only one condition: to protect her child.
The harem of the Holy Light Empire was full of intrigues. The emperor was amorous. Although he doted on the queen exclusively, there were still things beyond her reach.
Now, eighteen years had passed. The name of the Phoenix Queen of the Holy Light Empire was well - known, and her influence in the Holy Light was no less than that of the emperor.
But in Li Yuejin's heart, the Phoenix Queen was still the mother - in - law who had saved his life and given him a future.
Seeing Li Yuejin in a daze, Nan Chaoyu was a bit impatient. "Li the Second, have you made up your mind?"
Li Yuejin came back to his senses and sighed. "Auntie, if I don't have the support of the Holy Light Empire, I won't be able to hold the position of city lord steadily either."
"Really?" Nan Chaoyu didn't believe it. She looked at Li Yuejin with a half - smile. "I wonder which noble of the Holy Light Empire is supporting the Second Prince behind the scenes? Disregarding the laws of the Holy Light Empire like this, I really want to meet this person!"
"Hmm?"
"Auntie, please spare me!" Li Yuejin forced a bitter smile. He didn't know why she was being so aggressive.
Nan Chaoyu gave a soft laugh and then changed the subject. "Or is it the person behind you—Mother Queen!"
"Snapped!" Li Yuejin's hand trembled. He suddenly looked up at Nan Chaoyu, hardly believing what he heard. "What is the princess talking about?"
The expression on Nan Chaoyu's face faded. "You know what I'm talking about."
Since Old Master Xie said that her marriage was personally arranged by Mother Queen, she had been wondering if Li Yuejin knew nothing about it.
At the beginning, she was handed over to Li Yuejin by Mother Queen. She had thought their deal was just that one thing.
But no matter if she was stupid or crazy, as long as she was alive, she was the eldest legitimate princess of the Holy Light, and Li Yuejin, no matter how bold he was or how infatuated he was with Xie Zhenlan, wouldn't dare to privately betroth her to the Xie family.
But her mother - in - law was such a shrewd person. Naturally, Li Yuejin wouldn't dare to deceive Mother Queen. It could only be that there were reasons she didn't know behind this engagement.
And Li Yuejin's every word and deed suggested that the person standing behind him might be Mother Queen.
She didn't care how Li Yuejin acted, but she didn't want to be kept in the dark and finally be led around by others.
Nan Chaoyu's expression turned cold, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.
Feeling the increasing pressure from the person in front of him, cold sweat broke out on Li Yuejin's forehead. Only then did he realize that this auntie had come to him today fully prepared!
He immediately wiped the sweat off his face and showed an obsequious smile. "Auntie..."
"Li the Second, if you can't say what I want to hear, then don't say anything!"
Nan Chaoyu's eyes lightly landed on Li Yuejin, making him unable to utter a single word.
At this moment, Li Yuejin really couldn't understand. Although the news from the Holy Light said that the girl in front of him had almost overturned the Holy Light Imperial Palace, he had thought it was all because the Phoenix Queen was backing her up.
But now, she not only told him to stand on his own but also asked him to admit his collusion with the Phoenix Queen.
But for what?
Li Yuejin suddenly remembered that Xie Cheng had met Nan Chaoyu before he died, and an idea came to his mind.
But it would have been better if he hadn't thought of it.
Because in this matter, he had no say and didn't dare to say anything!
Nan Chaoyu observed Li Yuejin's expression and knew that he had figured it out. She curled her lips. "Speak!"
Li Yuejin tried to play dumb. "Hehe, auntie, what should I say... say!"
He couldn't afford to offend her. "The engagement with the Xie family was indeed arranged by the Phoenix Queen. But I was the one who initiated it."
"You know I like Xie Zhenlan. Knowing your background, I wanted to give the Xie family some face. I analyzed the situation for the Phoenix Queen. She thought you needed someone to protect you at that time, so she arranged this marriage. The Phoenix Queen had good intentions. Please don't be angry."
After saying that, he secretly glanced at Nan Chaoyu. Seeing that her expression softened a bit, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
She should believe it, right!
But before he could fully relax, he heard a soft laugh. Nan Chaoyu showed a sarcastic look on her face.
"Give the Xie family face? Li the Second, do you think with the Xie family's ultimate skills, do they need the little face you give?"