I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 5

Huangfu Chicheng’s smile faltered once again.

Qi Anning’s face paled completely. How is this possible? Qi Ye actually met Young Master Shen in the Illusory Mist Forest! If he had known, he would have gambled his life to follow his father. If he had intentionally gotten lost in the woods, it would have been him that the Young Master rescued!

Qi Ye was equally stunned, and the other guests in the hall exchanged startled glances, though they dared not speak in the emperor’s presence.

“Oh?” Huangfu Chicheng continued. “I heard that during your year at Canglan Academy, you reached the peak of the Sky Profound realm. With the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass, you are certain to cross into the Imperial Profound realm. Truly, you are a paragon of our generation. Allow me to congratulate you, Xiao Zhuo!”

Shen Qingzhuo’s power had indeed grown over the past year. When he first transmigrated, the original host was only at the early Sky Profound stage, which was already enough to shock the Kingdom of Yun. The Emperor, now in his forties, was only at the mid-Sky Profound stage, while Crown Prince Huangfu Ying hailed as a youthful genius, was twenty-four and at the second level of the Sky Profound realm. Beyond them, it was rare to find anyone else of that caliber in the entire kingdom.

However, regarding his rapid growth, Shen Qingzhuo was just as baffled as everyone else. He had spent the entire year slacking off and doing nothing of substance. Meanwhile, others poured fortunes into spirit stones and resources without gaining an inch. He suspected the System had given him an “overpowered” buff out of concern that he wouldn’t be strong enough to protect the protagonist.

Following the Emperor’s praise, a wave of envious sighs rippled through the banquet. Shen Qingzhuo merely smiled, offering no explanation. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Qi Anning froze, his wide, watery eyes brimming with shock.

The Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass could help the Young Master break through to the Imperial Profound realm?

Then why did he give it to Qi Ye? Anning knew that a breakthrough opportunity was a rare alignment of fate; if missed, one might never find it again. And the higher the cultivation, the harder the leap. Even with his meager Red Profound foundation, Anning understood that much.

He bit his lip, a dark thought taking root. Qi Ye must have used some despicable, underhanded means to coerce the Young Master!

Now that Young Master Shen had seen Qi Ye’s true, “vile” nature, he would surely be even more determined to break the engagement. Today, the annulment was a certainty! Perhaps the Young Master would even grow so disgusted with Qi Ye that he would demand the herb back.

Anning plotted silently. When that happens, I will make sure the Young Master sees my worth.

Emperor Huangfu, watching everything from his high throne, noticed Anning’s strange behavior. “Master Qi’s second son, is he feeling unwell?”

Every noble head turned toward him.

Anning’s heart hammered as he realized he had lost his composure. He quickly steadied his emotions and stole a glance at Shen Qingzhuo. Seeing that the Young Master wasn’t looking at him, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This humble one is fine.”

Good, he didn’t notice. He wanted to save his best self for the Young Master to leave a perfect impression.

But the Crown Prince just now…

Now that he had narrowed his targets down to Shen Qingzhuo and Huangfu Ying the two most exceptional men in the kingdom Anning was focused on them exclusively. To him, they were the only one’s worthy of him. But he thought he had caught a flash of displeasure in the Crown Prince’s eyes.

When he looked back, Huangfu Ying had already turned away to whisper something to Shen Qingzhuo.

Unlike the Prince’s usual cold and efficient demeanor, his expression was now patient and pleasant. Shen Qingzhuo tilted his head slightly to listen, offering a soft laugh at something the Prince said.

To Anning, they looked like lifelong confidants or two elites sharing a mutual understanding. In that moment, the displeasure he thought he saw on Huangfu Ying’s face was nowhere to be found.

Anning’s heart skipped a beat. Did I see it wrong? What are they talking about? Are they talking about me?

Huangfu Ying picked up a pastry carved into the shape of a peach blossom from a rare spirit fruit. “I find the flavor of this one quite exquisite. Would Young Master Shen care to try?”

Shen Qingzhuo smiled. “Thank you for sharing, Your Highness. I shall try it in a moment.”

Seeing the scene below, Huangfu Chicheng’s mood improved. “Xiao Zhuo hasn’t been back to the kingdom in a long time, but it seems you’re adjusting well. That puts my mind at ease. The last time I saw you, you were only as high as Ying’er’s waist.”

Shen Qingzhuo continued to smile politely.

“Xiao Zhuo, what do you think of my Ying’er?” the Emperor asked.

“The Crown Prince is extraordinary and accomplished,” Shen Qingzhuo replied. “Naturally, he is excellent.”

Huangfu Chicheng laughed heartily. “I was worried you might look down on him! To be honest, Ying’er is of marriageable age, yet the Eastern Palace remains without a mistress. You are nearly of age yourself. Ying’er is my most prized son, and I’ve watched you grow up since you were a child. I was thinking… if the two of you could join in marriage, it would be a truly wonderful union!”

He continued, his crown tassels swaying with his enthusiasm, “Even though we haven’t met in years, the more I look at you, the more I wish we were family. If you are willing, I can issue the imperial decree right now, in front of all these noble families, to celebrate your union. What do you say?”

Shen Qingzhuo set his tea down, his face calm. Knowing Huangfu Chicheng’s political ambitions, this proposal didn’t surprise him.

The Emperor seemed genuinely excited by the prospect, but Shen Qingzhuo knew better.

Suddenly, Huangfu Ying stood up, his robes sweeping the floor as he walked into the center of the hall. He channeled a surge of blue profound energy available only to those at the Sky Profound realm and summoned a waist-high jade crystal from his storage ring.

The crystal floated, glowing with pure, vibrant light. On the Nine Provinces continent, “stone gambling” was a major activity where fortunes were spent hoping to find treasure. The quality and size of this crystal were impeccable. Most noble cultivators had a few crystals in their rings, but none had ever seen one this large.

The spiritual energy within was enough to sustain a year of cultivation. As currency, it was enough to ensure wealth for generations. The minor nobles whispered in awe of the Prince’s capability and generosity.

They had all come expecting a breakup between Shen Qingzhuo and Qi Ye, but they hadn’t expected a marriage proposal from the Crown Prince. To them, the match seemed set in stone.

Many were seeing Shen Qingzhuo for the first time, and even the Crown Prince was a rare sight for those from declining families. Seeing the kingdom’s two most elite individuals join together was a thrilling prospect.

Qi Anning’s expression was hideous. What went wrong? How can the Young Master marry the Prince? He’s supposed to love me! He has to refuse him!

Huangfu Ying stood before the massive crystal, his gaze softer than it had ever been, seemingly fixed only on the elegant man in blue. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, he extended his hand with deep affection. “Are you willing to become the master of my Eastern Palace?”

Shen Qingzhuo looked up. His refined face showed neither joy at the prospect of power nor embarrassment at the public proposal. He simply looked at the Emperor on the dais.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. The Prince is indeed an excellent man,” Shen Qingzhuo said smoothly. “However, there is something Your Majesty might not know. Since I was born, my family has already settled my marriage. A parent’s command must be obeyed. I’m afraid I cannot accept Your Majesty’s goodwill today.”

“That is no matter,” Huangfu Chicheng countered. “A parent’s command is significant, but marriage is no trivial thing; one must be happy. Even with an engagement, you have been at the academy for years and have barely seen him. Surely there is no real affection between you. Since you think my son is excellent, and Ying’er tells me he has loved you for a long time, why not give it a try?”

Loved me? Shen Qingzhuo thought. This is the first time he’s ever met me. The ruthlessness of imperial families was no joke; the only thing the Huangfu family “loved” was the Shen family’s power.

Shen Qingzhuo didn’t call him out. “I will not hide it from Your Majesty, that was my thought upon returning. One only knows if a match is suitable after trying. I appreciate the Prince’s sentiment, but I truly cannot accept.”

The hall fell into a stunned silence. Huangfu Ying looked shocked; in all his years, no one had ever rejected him.

“If Young Master Shen has made up his mind, I naturally won’t persist,” Huangfu Ying said, maintaining his gentlemanly grace. “It seems our fate is short today. Nevertheless, please accept this profound crystal as a gift for your return to Cloud City.”

He laughed heartily. “If the day comes when you realize he is not the right person, I hope you will reconsider. The position in the Eastern Palace will always be held for you.”

Shen Qingzhuo declined again. “There is no need for a gift. Your Highness is so exceptional that many fine ladies and gentlemen must be longing for you. I do not understand matters of the heart; please do not let me delay your great affairs.”

Huangfu Chicheng looked disappointed, though he seemed to have expected this. The members of the Shen family—from the Priest to the old Patriarch to this young master all appeared gentle, but none were easy to manipulate.

The Emperor’s gaze shifted to the corner of the room. Qi Ye hadn’t taken the seat reserved for him beside his father but had tucked himself away in a shadow. Shen Qingzhuo was clever; by using a parent’s command as a shield, he avoided insulting the royals while cutting ties with the Huangfu family. To outsiders, he looked like a man of deep integrity.

Huangfu Chicheng scrutinized Qi Ye, hoping to find something special, but the youth looked utterly ordinary. Aside from being somewhat handsome, he couldn’t see a single reason why Shen Qingzhuo would choose him.