Jiang Xuan heard the familiar voice by his ear and felt as though half of his heart had turned to ice.
Despite having the System constantly monitoring Leng Wu Shuang’s movements, how did she spot him in the crowd?
Though perplexed, Jiang Xuan knew that under everyone’s watchful eyes, he had to use some shady tactics to avoid being taken away by her for the throne.
In front of everyone, Jiang Xuan turned around and shot an innocent glance at Leng Wu Shuang before yelling out dramatically with a clear, melodic voice.
“Help! Someone’s trying to abduct me on the street! I don’t even know this person! Is there any chivalrous lady who can help?”
The moment the words left Jiang Xuan’s mouth, chaos erupted.
“What? Who dares to kidnap someone in the Imperial City?! This clearly doesn’t show respect for our Empress!”
“This is absurd! Kidnapping someone in broad daylight—what kind of j*rk would do that? We can absolutely not tolerate this!”
“Where? Kidnapping someone? Doesn’t that mean there’s a man with such good looks… oh, how shameful! What an ungrateful wretch!”
“Let my dear fellow release that boy at once!”
As the cultivators around them were drawn in by Jiang Xuan’s voice, they all took up arms to help.
But when they saw where the voice was coming from and who “kidnapped” the boy, they all froze.
The noise vanished and was replaced by an eerie silence.
Leng Wu Shuang calmly glanced around and said, “Make everyone disappear within three counts or risk facing dire consequences for interfering with my plans.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the most outspoken and ‘chivalrous’ women ran away faster than anyone else.
After escaping, they still looked shaken.
“Did I just imagine that? Why would our Empress be abducting a guy on the street?”
“Not a problem, since it’s the Empress doing the abducting, right?”
Someone quickly interrupted, “Be cautious with your words, my friend. You might eat the wrong food, but you mustn’t speak loosely. Our wise and valiant Empress wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“Right, right. I just peeked, and the guy she was trying to abduct was no prince charming. If even I wouldn’t go for someone like that, why would our Empress?”
“If someone with our Empress’s standards were to forcibly take a man just because of his looks, then I’d devour my own sword here!”
Meanwhile, Jiang Xuan was utterly flabbergasted, thinking, “Why are there no true chivalrous ladies around these days? He even offered himself up for help!”
“Ah, but I do have a rather ugly face, so it makes sense that he wouldn’t be interested in abducting someone of his own gender.”
But that didn’t make sense, if that were true, what was the Empress thinking?
Had her tiny brain been kicked by a donkey?
Deciding to take a gamble, Jiang Xuan resorted to betting everything on the System’s cosmetic effects.
To the onlookers, Jiang Xuan instantly changed his tune.
“Such a beautiful maiden, I never imagined I was so hideous; you’re actually trying to abduct people. Look at you, you must be famished, or hungry—I mean, you must be desperate, yes. Well, if you like me, then I’ll follow you.”
With those words, Jiang Xuan stepped forward and embraced Leng Wu Shuang.
He guessed she might be testing him, as she probably hadn’t fully recognized him.
After all, the cosmetic effect had even deceived Leng Mo, a top-tier martial saint.
His goal now was to ease her suspicions.
Jiang Xuan originally expected Leng Wu Shuang to reject him for his appearance.
Surprisingly, Leng Wu Shuang seized him first and whispered, “My dearest Emperor, if you ever leave me unannounced, I will break your legs.”
“Hmph, even my body knew it was you before my eyes did. Dear Emperor, it’s been a while, my beloved. Seems you’ve finally returned to me. Oh, the irony.”
Jiang Xuan: “??????”
Before Jiang Xuan could respond, Leng Wu Shuang disappeared with him instantly.
When he came to, he found himself in a very opulent palace.
“Emperor, from now on, you live here. Tomorrow morning, I’ll announce your title to everyone.”
Jiang Xuan: “??????”
“Wait, did you get me wrong? How did I suddenly become the Emperor?”
“Oh. Never mind, you’re the Empress of this dynasty. Sorry, but I don’t like authority figures. Let’s just end this…”
Before Jiang Xuan finished, Leng Wu Shuang clenched his chin tightly.
“Mr. Jiang, surely you don’t think I haven’t truly recognized you? Though your acting was superb, your disguise was lacking.”
“Even though your disguise was nearly flawless, your mannerisms and aura are well-known to me.”
“When the disguise only changes your face, it isn’t enough.”
“This Emperor’s role, you can’t escape it!”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
“Disguise, what disguise… I don’t understand what you’re talking about…”
“Hm? You’re not confessing? Your gall has grown quite big since we last met.”
“Fine, if you choose to lie, don’t cry later when things get tough.”
Jiang Xuan: “??????”
“You won’t lay a hand on me with this face! That’s ridiculous!”
“Not to worry. Since you only pretended your identity, I just need to conceal your face, and everything remains as before.”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
Seeing that no amount of pleading or bullying worked, Jiang Xuan gave up.
Just as he pondered one more move, Leng Wu Shuang laughed softly:
“So, your perfect disguise has expired. Perfect timing, too.”
Jiang Xuan immediately touched his face, fearing the worst. As Leng Wu Shuang handed him a bronze mirror to confirm his fears, the reflection showed his original appearance.
In his mind, he murmured:
【Oh no… the System’s cosmetic water can change my face at will. Now, it’s worn off. Why did it wear off just now?】
Facing reality, Jiang Xuan confessed:
“E-Empress, I’m not here to trick you. I just happened to pass through the Cold Light Dynasty. And frankly, the whole emperor job isn’t something I find interesting…”
At this, a smile crept onto Leng Wu Shuang’s face.
“Finally admit it, huh? I knew deep down you had feelings for me. Coming here in disguise was your way of looking at me from afar, hoping secretly that you wouldn’t run into me to avoid involving yourself.”
“That’s it, isn’t it? Even I didn’t expect the Emperor to be such an arrogant yet adorable person…”
Jiang Xuan: “??????”
This left him utterly confused.
