CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 32: FLOURISHING ERA OF THE EMPIRE (PART 1)

The hovercar was on autopilot, driving steadily. Moreover, Ke Lian was careful to shield Du Xixi all the way, making her feel no bumps at all, as if she were just sitting for a moment on a soft and comfortable sofa at home.

She knew she was to appear under the public gaze today, tightened her hand subconsciously, yet still took a deep breath to present a calm demeanor when Ke Lian extended his hand to help her, resting her foot on the ground underneath as she held his hand.

The low-heeled shoes landed firmly on the ground, and as Du Xixi leaned out of the rear car door, she felt inexplicably at ease while greeting the intense simulated sunlight.

Standing outside the Imperial Palace were the Imperial Guard, with Rob leading the way, which darted to Du Xixi’s side the moment she got off the hovercar, assuming a protective posture.

Du Xixi’s hand was firmly held by Ke Lian, and he led her towards the Imperial Palace. Her gaze, however, instinctively flicked to the livestream cameras surrounding them.

She knew these were for live broadcasting, capturing every movement and expression of hers and Ke Lian’s, faithfully recording them and then transmitting them to the livestream platform, to be seen by everyone through the live feed.

Du Xixi did not know if her expression at the moment was indifferent or smiling, but when one of the cameras caught her full face, she instinctively gave it a reserved nod.

The wispy strands of hair on her forehead were blown messily across her smooth forehead by a gentle breeze, her lips pressed tightly together, her eyes cold, the amber-tinted pupils that were supposed to be softly gentle were instead aloof.

The livestream audience was instantly captivated by Du Xixi’s gaze and appearance.

[——!!!

——Sister, you’ve slain me!

——I have to say, I’ve got my eyes not only on the Marshal but also on the Marshal’s Wife.

——If I could have both, that would be great...

——The person above is too greedy, though I feel the same way.

——Good-looking people always play with good-looking people. The stunning Marshal and the gorgeous Marshal’s Wife are killing me.

——Ah!!! I want the Marshal’s Wife to coldly say she loves me!!!!!

...]

One can only say that beauty is justice. When the powerful Ke Lian has looks that can charm countless people, everyone frantically pursues him. Now, the one being fervently pursued and praised has become Du Xixi—the current Marshal’s Wife.

Fans: A Marshal’s Wife capable of conquering the powerful Marshal is naturally powerful herself!

Du Xixi had no idea that her nod had caused such a ripple in the livestream. At this moment, she could already ignore the livestream cameras, chatting idly with Ke Lian and Rob.

But it wasn’t until walking into the Imperial Palace, entering the grand hall used for discussions—one Du Xixi had visited before—that she finally felt completely relaxed.

There were very few people inside the grand hall, aside from Chen Yin, His Majesty, there were only a handful of officials Du Xixi had once glimpsed, all high-ranking and influential figures.

Chen Yin didn’t intend to distance himself from Du Xixi in front of the livestream cameras; on the contrary, he directly ignored them, walked to Du Xixi’s side, squeezed out Rob standing on her left, attempting to place himself on an equal footing with Ke Lian.

Ke Lian gave him a cold look, the implication as clear as day—What are you doing?

Chen Yin was not willing to show weakness either, returning a cold gaze—Not doing anything, haven’t seen Xixi in a long time, just catching up!

Ke Lian didn’t respond further, but his expression was clearly unpleasant, as if enduring something, while Chen Yin, as if winning this silent battle, was quite smug, holding Du Xixi’s arm in a "good siblings" manner.

"Xixi, how have you been lately? Has that brat Ke Lian bullied you?" Chen Yin was much gentler facing Du Xixi, devoid of the authority he showed to officials or the disdain he had for Ke Lian.

Du Xixi, having been admiring some decorations in the grand hall, found them exquisite and didn’t notice the silent rivalry between Ke Lian and Chen Yin. Just as she refocused and heard Chen Yin’s concern, she responded warmly, "Very well, Ke Lian treats me very well."

She answered earnestly, seemingly unaware that Chen Yin merely wanted to capture her attention. Seeing Chen Yin smiling at her with a "playful" grin, she looked at him oddly, then turned to Ke Lian and softly asked, "What’s wrong with him?"