[Host, the plot point “Male Protagonist Rescues The Female Protagonist” has been completed. Rewards include 500 points and a bottle of Illusion Beauty Pill.]
Back in the main hall of the Lu Ming Banquet, Li Shu suddenly heard 1314 that was unable to contain its joy: [Host, you’re amazing! You managed to turn the plot around like this.]
1314 could barely hide its excitement. Just fifteen minutes ago, it thought this mission was destined to fail. Who would have expected such a turnaround, the plot point was completed smoothly, pushing the mission’s plot advancement by 30%. It was truly a delightful surprise.
[What is the Illusion Beauty Pill? Why is the reward so much more than last time?] Last time, he only received a 100-point reward, and he thought the system would continue to be stingy.
[The Illusion Beauty Pill allows the user to change their appearance, with a duration of 72 hours. For each completed plot point, the rewards will be greater than the previous one. The host is now in a basic world, if it were an advanced world, the rewards would be even more abundant. Of course, as the world level increases, the corresponding task difficulty also increases.]
[It’s normal, the more you invest, the more you gain.]
The events in the women’s quarters had no impact on the lively atmosphere in the main hall where the Lu Ming Banquet was held. When Li Shu arrived, the atmosphere was still enthusiastic.
Amidst the commotion, the eunuch’s cry suddenly came from outside: “The Emperor has arrived!”
It was as if a pause button had been pressed in the courtyard. After a moment of silence, everyone hurriedly adjusted their attire and knelt neatly: “Respectfully welcoming Your Majesty!”
The Emperor wearing a bright yellow dragon robe was followed by Prince Qin and Prince Yu on his left and right.
“Rise, everyone.”
The Emperor’s arrival represented a certain attitude, making the ministers realize that the Emperor’s words earlier were not a momentary whim but a well-thought-out plan. He really intended to use officials who had passed the imperial examination.
Compared to the first meeting, the Emperor’s attitude towards Li Shu was not as conspicuous at the Lu Ming Banquet. The top three scholars were individually summoned for a conversation, but Li Shu’s conversation with the Emperor lasted a bit longer than that with the second and third scholars.
“The number one scholar, I’ve heard of your name for a long time.”
Li Shu was holding the wine glass and was about to find a quiet place to stay for a while when he was stopped by a young man dressed similarly to him.
[Host, this is the person who glared at you earlier.]
Upon 1314’s reminder, Li Shu remembered that during the audience with the emperor, he had sensed a malicious gaze behind him. However, since the person didn’t take any action afterward, he had set aside the matter.
“Do you need me for something?” Li Shu raised his eyebrows slightly. He had finally found a moment to get some space, and had no intention of being entangled by someone with malicious intentions.
Li Shu’s attitude wasn’t particularly good, and his tone was clearly impatient, which instantly infuriated the young man. He mocked, “Why were you appointed as the top scholar by the Emperor? Don’t you have any self-awareness? If it weren’t for your father being the Left Prime Minister, would you have the chance to sit in that top scholar position?”
“You’ve said I was appointed by the Emperor. Regardless of the reason, now that it’s a settled matter, what do you want by coming to find me?” Li Shu brushed away the hand blocking his path and walked away.
“Wait!” In his urgency, the young man grabbed Li Shu’s sleeve.
“Let go!” Li Shu turned around and gave the young man a cold glance.
The young man was frightened by that look and he subconsciously released his grip, watching Li Shu’s figure move farther and farther away from him.
The young man gritted his teeth and was about to catch up when he caught a glimpse of a figure from the corner of his eye and stopped unwillingly.
[Did that person follow us?]
[Host, rest assured, he didn’t follow.]
After turning a corner, a pond appeared ahead. Li Shu walked along the edge of the pond. This place was far from the hustle and bustle of the front courtyard and people were scarce – which was what Li Shu wanted.
[Does the host not like crowded places?] Seeing that Li Shu was getting farther and farther away from the crowd, 1314 couldn’t help but ask.
[It’s not that I don’t like crowded places, I just wanted to get some fresh air.]
Those in officialdom were all intelligent individuals. From the emperor’s subtle movements, they could tell that he would receive significant favor. Like a cat smelling a fishy aroma, they would approach him, hoping to gain some benefits.
He was a free-spirited demon, naturally fond of freedom rather than being confined by rules and regulations as he currently was.
After a few more steps, a figure faintly appeared ahead. Li Shu hesitated for a moment and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Along with the man’s slightly magnetic voice, there was the sound of garments rubbing against each other behind Li Shu. Before long, the man stopped half a meter behind him, no longer advancing.
Li Shu turned around and looked at the man under the moonlight for a while before asking softly, “Does Prince Qin have something to discuss with me?”
The man stared straight at him with dark eyes, remaining silent.
“If there’s nothing…”
“There is,” Qi Mingxuan interrupted. Before Li Shu could inquire further, he spoke the remaining words in one breath, “ I didn’t mean to deceive you at Xian Guo Temple.”
Li Shu was stunned, not expecting Qi Mingxuan to say this to him.
“I didn’t intend to hide it from you,” seeing Li Shu’s lack of response, Qi Mingxuan hurriedly spoke to explain, “I…”
“Your Highness doesn’t need to apologize,” Li Shu realized the situation now. Qi Mingxuan was indeed apologizing to him, “I understand that Your Highness has difficulties. There’s no need for Your Highness to tell me these things. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait, there’s one more thing. I’ve taken those two children back to my mansion. If you want to see them, you can come.”
In the night, the young man seemed to be bathed in a layer of cool moonlight. With delicate features and a calm expression, he resembled an immortal arriving with the moonlight. Once released, it was as if he could no longer be captured.
He wanted to keep him.
He didn’t know when this thought first came up, fermented, and grew. By the time he realized it, it had grown into a towering tree, deeply rooted in his soul and challenging to uproot.
“Are those two children okay?” Li Shu had considered going back to the dilapidated temple later but 1314 informed him that the two children had already been taken away by the male protagonist, so he didn’t make the trip.
Hearing Li Shu ask this question naturally, a giant rock that had been hanging in Qi Mingxuan’s heart for a long time finally fell. Although he had guessed that the masked person was Li Shu, a guess was different from hearing it from Li Shu’s own mouth. Suppressing the various emotions rising within him, Qi Mingxuan answered with a steady voice, “They’re both fine. Do you want to meet them?”
Before Li Shu could refuse, he continued without hesitation, “You can also have them come out to meet you.”
Li Shu raised his eyes and happened to meet Qi Mingxuan’s gaze. Qi Mingxuan’s eyes were deep, and with just one glance, it seemed like he could be drawn into an abyss. What surprised Li Shu was that he actually saw a plea in those eyes. Although this plea was vigorously hidden by the owner, it still inadvertently revealed itself.
Li Shu hesitated for a moment but didn’t refuse. “Okay.”
Upon hearing this response, Qi Mingxuan’s eyes lit up. Li Shu happened to see the joy that erupted in the male protagonist because of his words and was moved yet somewhat puzzled. He only agreed to meet two children, so why was the male protagonist so happy?
“I’ll arrange everything. Rest assured, no one who shouldn’t know will find out.”
Li Shu wore a mask that day, so he clearly didn’t want to reveal his identity. Qi Mingxuan used the excuse of meeting the children to invite Li Shu, so naturally, he had to make all the necessary preparations.
After the Lu Ming Banquet, the successful candidates gradually received assignments. Some were sent to remote places, and a small number were assigned in the capital. Though not many, compared to previous years, it was already considered substantial.
Li Shu naturally belonged to the group staying in the capital. Yu Rongxiu also stayed in the capital. Only two of the top ten were sent elsewhere, and one of them was the person who wanted to cause trouble Li Shu.
Like the others who stayed in the capital, Li Shu assumed duties at the Hanlin Academy. Just when everyone thought Li Shu would spend several years accumulating experience at the Hanlin Academy, he was promoted within a few months. After leaving the Hanlin Academy, he gained real power.
As soon as the news came out, many colleagues came to congratulate him. Li Shu reciprocated each greeting with a humble and composed attitude, not displaying any superiority due to his sudden promotion, which got him a lot of goodwill.
Everyone envied Li Shu’s sudden promotion, but after a few months of working together, Li Shu’s abilities were obvious to all, so no one felt particularly surprised by this outcome.
Only Yu Rongxiu looked at Li Shu with eyes filled with concern. He could see beyond the surface. He understood that behind his friend’s glory, there hid a considerable amount of danger. It was like walking on the edge of a cliff, one small misstep could lead to shattering into pieces.
As a friend, Yu Rongxiu didn’t wish for his friend to choose this path due to personal concerns. However, on the other hand, it was precisely because he was Li Shu’s friend that he would respect every decision he made.
“I’ve been promoted. As a friend, why do you still wear such a sad expression?”
“You know the reason, Zi Shu,” Yu Rongxiu smiled bitterly.
Li Shu stood beside Yu Rongxiu, looking at the azure sky outside. He said in a soft voice, “I have no other choice.”
Whether it was to fulfill the mission or to break free from the cage even if he ended up battered and bruised, he had to choose this path.
Only through this path could he reach the top at the fastest speed.
