Chapter 46

Li Xian looked at the somewhat inexperienced maid in front of him and inwardly despised the emperor... with a hint of envy. But he still asked, "Beautiful sister, can I ask you a question?"

As he spoke, Li Xian skillfully flicked a string of pearls over. It was a string of 30 thumb-sized pearls, truly extraordinary. Such a low-key yet luxurious item was definitely a treasure in the palace.

The maid was indeed a remarkable person, as one would expect in the palace. She caught the pearls with a flick of her hand, felt them a few times, and immediately knew their worth. She then put on a stern face, "Palace matters cannot be casually inquired about. But go ahead and ask. If I can't answer or don't know, I can't help you."

"Understood, understood. Did you see a woman like this tonight? She's about eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed simply but with the air of a noble lady, and she has a young nephew with her..."

Li Xian described her in detail. The maid's expression grew increasingly strange.

Seeing this, Li Xian understood—there was a chance.

But unexpectedly, the maid finally replied, "I didn't see her."

I... Li Xian was speechless. But after a moment's thought and a look at the maid's expression, he immediately understood: although the maid didn't say it outright, she had actually told Li Xian—she saw her.

"Here, go in." The maid finished and turned to leave.

With his mind now active, Li Xian heard another meaning in her words—The woman you're looking for is here, go in.

"Tsk tsk... The people in the palace are truly extraordinary. A simple sentence can have two layers of meaning. Amazing! The palace is indeed not a place for ordinary people."

With such amazement, Li Xian walked into the gate.

"Clang!" Two long swords crossed in front of Li Xian. Two women in armor spoke in unison, "Entering the inner palace without permission, you will be cut into a thousand pieces."

"Two sisters, I have an invitation!" Li Xian, seeing the bright swords and feeling the formidable strength of the two female guards, quickly took out the invitation.

One of the guards took the invitation, checked it, and threw it back to Li Xian, "Go in. But next time, don't call me sister. I could be your great-grandmother."

"Old as tree bark?" Li Xian muttered.

Unexpectedly, his words stirred the guard, who heard them.

"Alright, Mr. Li, you have some courage. Let me see just how much courage you have. Raise your swords!"

Swish swish swish... The sound of swords clanging, a row of shining long swords was raised, forming a "sword gate."

Seeing the shining sword blades, Li Xian's face turned pale. But the next moment, Young Master Li summoned his courage, raised his head, and walked forward with large strides, ignoring the sword tips that were almost touching his scalp. Li Xian's heart was pounding like a drum. Only after he walked through the "sword gate" did he feel his legs go weak, and his back was drenched in sweat.

"Wow... A man came in!" As soon as Li Xian walked through the "sword gate," a delicate voice exclaimed.

Li Xian looked over and saw a girl who looked like a little fairy floating over, about eleven or twelve years old. Li Xian immediately "seriously" said, "Reporting to the little fairy, I come from the mortal world to present a gift to the little fairy."

As he spoke, he magically pulled out a bracelet made of colored glass prisms strung together with seahorse silk, with a 15-millimeter white pearl in the center. The bracelet sparkled beautifully under the colored lights.

"Wow, so beautiful." The little girl wanted to reach out to take it but was a bit timid.

"Not many left..." Li Xian instantly turned into a creepy uncle.

The little girl was taken aback, then, with her hands behind her back, she sized up Li Xian and nodded like a little adult, "Alright, seeing your enthusiasm, I, the little fairy, will accept your gift. Present it."

The little girl was really something!

And before Li Xian could "present" it, the little girl grabbed the bracelet and ran, leaving a trail of joyful laughter, showing off her beautiful bracelet as she ran. The bracelet, moving, looked even more beautiful and colorful.

The next moment, Li Xian was surrounded by a group of little girls, each pulling on his clothes. Some of the bolder ones were even shouting, "Mortal, where is my gift from the little fairy?"

"I have them, I have them." Li Xian quickly scattered seven or eight bracelets, trying to escape.

But his sleeves were still grabbed by two little girls, "Bad guy, we are fourteen, and you only have seven or eight bracelets. You're lying! This is a crime against the emperor."

Li Xian was sweating profusely, not expecting so many little girls. Seeing more of them gathering, he quickly explained, "Little fairy, I only brought nine bracelets. How about you come to the Brilliant Star Trading Company in three days, and each of you can have two."

"Alright, alright, enough fun. Li Xian, bring 200 bracelets in three days." The empress spoke.

Li Xian was sweating profusely, 200 bracelets? To meet the deadline, he would have to have the craftsmen work overtime and use magic to form the prisms. Fortunately, he still had some pearls in stock.

But when he looked at the empress, Li Xian was stunned. The simple figure was sitting to the right of the empress, very obedient. Most importantly, this woman had a four or five-part resemblance to the empress.

Her identity was almost clear, but why was she dressed so simply?

Li Xian approached the empress, finally taking out a beautifully crafted purple glass box containing ten identical, thumb-sized purple pearls. These purple pearls were not only beautiful jewels but also had medicinal value for health.

The empress was very pleased. "Take a seat."

A maid brought over a cushion, and Li Xian sat down somewhat awkwardly, feeling uneasy under the empress's gaze.

The chattering around gradually stopped, and everyone's eyes turned to Li Xian, the only man present.

After a long while, the empress finally spoke. "Li Xian, I have been hearing your name frequently lately. Ten months ago, you were unruly, but since then, you have changed completely.

Today, I specially allowed you to enter here for two reasons: one, to see this reformed prodigal son, and two, for Qingqing's matter.

I heard you fell in love with Qingqing at first sight?"

Huh? Who said that? It must be the Crown Prince! Li Xian immediately muttered, but the situation seemed off.

'Qingqing' must be the princess's name, not a surname. But why does the empress look so meaningful?

Most importantly, Li Xian searched his memory but found no mention of 'Qingqing' or 'Princess Qingqing.' Could this be a coincidence?

But since the empress asked, Li Xian had to answer, "Yes."

After saying that, he looked at 'Qingqing' by the empress's side, who was already playing with the night lamp Li Xian had given her.

Seeing Li Xian's expression, the empress sighed, "Are you wondering why you've never heard of 'Qingqing'?"

"Yes." At this moment, Li Xian was very honest.

"This involves a secret that has been hidden for over a decade, but today, it should be revealed."