Recalling the skills of a software hardening engineer from his past life, Chen Anlin excelled at massage techniques.
Wu Qingxue frowned slightly. A strange sensation spreading from her foot arch swept across her body, causing goosebumps to rise.
Instinctively adjusting her position, she unexpectedly discovered a ticklish feeling—it tickled!
She muttered inwardly, When did this guy learn foot massage?
Could it be that he secretly learned it to serve me?
Haha, finally learned how to flatter me, huh?
“Where did you learn foot massage?” Wu Qingxue asked with scrutiny.
Chen Anlin raised his head...
Just as he was about to respond, Wu Qingxue glanced at his pants, her cold eyes piercing through him.
This guy actually...
“Get lost!”
Bang!
Wu Qingxue’s jade-like foot kicked him in the face. With a howl, Chen Anlin was sent flying out of the palace, his wails lingering in the air:
“Your Majesty, it wasn’t intentional!”
“This guy is getting more and more audacious, daring to show disrespect to me!”
Wu Qingxue spat her discontent, the frost in her eyes gradually dissipating.
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
---
She had always considered Chen Anlin merely a childhood friend.
Their time together as children was her happiest and most carefree period, making her deeply cherish those memories. Being with him felt relaxing, with no barriers between them.
Of course, it wasn’t about romantic feelings—purely friendship.
But just now, his audacious disrespect infuriated her…
---
“Cough, Your Majesty, Anlin is still young and impulsive. You can’t blame him entirely.”
Yang Dou, standing by, couldn’t help but plead for Chen Anlin.
“Hmph, if it happens again, I’ll make him a eunuch.”
After her harsh words, Wu Qingxue still reminded Yang Dou, “Dou’er, make sure to keep this brat safe!”
“Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll go immediately.”
---
Meanwhile, outside the palace:
“Ouch, Her Majesty’s kick is no joke,” Chen Anlin groaned.
In stories, the empress was often depicted as dim-witted, tyrannical, and clueless. But to him, she was indulgent and protective, perhaps because of their childhood bond.
---
Back then, Wu Qingxue had merely been a princess, far from inheriting the throne. But at age ten, her extraordinary martial talent emerged. Years later, she broke through to the third rank.
When the late emperor passed, the court was in chaos as princes fought for power. To everyone's shock, Wu Qingxue rose to power with her formidable strength, wiping out rivals and ascending the throne.
From leading expeditions to pacifying rebellions, her reign kept the empire united and stable. Without her, chaos might still plague Da Zhou today.
---
The following morning, at the Zhao family residence:
In the Confucian Hall, senior members of the Zhao family gathered to discuss Zhao Yao’s decision to return the betrothal gifts.
At the head seat sat Zhao Bao, Zhao Yao’s father and the head of the Zhao family. Dressed in fine robes, his lean figure and goatee exuded authority. The aura of a sixth-rank cultivator radiated from him.
He was furious.
Last night, Zhao Yao returned home in tears, claiming she was wronged in the broken engagement. But instead of siding with her, Zhao Bao scolded her harshly, even threatening to hit her before her mother intervened.
Bang!
Slamming the table, Zhao Bao roared:
“Who gave you permission to annul the engagement? Do you realize what consequences we’ll face if we offend the Chen family?”
Zhao Bao was well aware that the Zhao family’s business heavily depended on Chen family support. Losing their favor would spell disaster.
“Father, why worry? The Chen family is prominent and prideful. If they demand the gifts back, it’ll only disgrace them, not us,” Zhao Yao retorted stubbornly.
Beside her, Xiao Chen smirked confidently: “Uncle Zhao, there’s no need to worry. Chen Anlin is merely playing hard to get.”
“Playing hard to get?” Zhao Bao raised an eyebrow.
“Exactly. Using the excuse of a broken engagement to manipulate Yao’er into submission,” Xiao Chen declared.
Hearing this, Zhao Yao brightened and chimed in: “See, Father? Even Xiao Chen agrees! He knows Chen Anlin better than anyone.”
In Zhao Yao’s mind, Xiao Chen was a true gem—a self-made man with intelligence and perseverance. Compared to Chen Anlin, who was just a pampered noble’s son, they're not even close.
Unlike Chen Anlin, Xiao Chen often gave her handpicked stones, treasures with sentimental value, unlike the lavish gifts Chen Anlin carelessly threw money at.
---
“Uncle Zhao, trust me, if Yao’er insists on the breakup, Chen Anlin will come crawling back,” Xiao Chen assured.
“Hmph, even if he does, I’ll make him kneel!” Zhao Yao sneered.
At that moment, an intimidating voice echoed from outside:
“I’d like to see how you make me kneel!”
Bang!
Chen Anlin kicked open the iron
door, standing confidently with Chen family guards behind him.
Following him was Yang Dou, the veiled attendant of the empress.