Long fingers lightly tapped on the red wood table, producing a dull sound. Xū Yáng looked at Chǔ Lián Ruò, his eyes deep and mysterious. However, Chǔ Lián Ruò's gaze back at him showed no signs of backing down.

  The two of them remained silent for a long time, and then Xi Yang shifted his gaze to the window, looking at the scenery outside, his eyes distant.

  Chu Lian originally thought that Xū Yáng would ask more, but after a long time, he slowly opened his mouth: "So, you helped me in order to avenge the former Empress?"

  Chu Lian was taken aback for a moment, but her eyes immediately became resolute. She looked at the tall figure in front of the window and said with a soft yet unshakeable tone: "Yes, the former empress and the general's mansion have an indelible connection with me."

  He thought Xū Yáng would be furious because he had used him, but unexpectedly, the man in front of the window turned around, a bright smile spreading across his lips, and his enchanting eyes were so deep that they seemed bottomless.

  Xu Yang reverted to his previous lazy demeanor, the smile at the corner of his lips carrying a hint of wickedness. He looked at Chu Lianruo and smiled: "Revenge is indeed more to my liking. Compared to other motivations, people who seek revenge tend to have simpler goals, which makes me feel more at ease."

  Chu Lian slightly opened her eyes, looking at the man in front of her with some surprise, but she couldn't see any emotions on his handsome and charming face.

  Xu Yang saw Chu Lian Ruo's reaction and the smile on his face grew a few degrees thicker. He lightly clapped his hands, and a woman fell from the window.

  The woman was wearing a tight crimson dress that accentuated her slender figure, but her face was somewhat plain. Her long hair was tied up high with a red ribbon, giving her an extraordinary air.

  Xu Yang's gaze shifted to Chu Lian Ruo, and he introduced in a nonchalant tone: "This is Qingqing, she was picked up by me during the war and is one of my secret guards. Not only is she skilled in martial arts, but her medical skills are also quite impressive. Having her by your side will make things more convenient."

  Chu Lian'er looked at Xi Yang's nonchalant expression, but in her heart, she was smiling bitterly. The man in front of her was indeed as she had thought, a dragon trapped in shallow waters. He was not only formidable, but also impossible to fathom.

  Chu Lian nodded slightly, which was equivalent to agreeing.

  Seeing Chu Lian nod, Xie Yang's face revealed the same sly and evil smile as before, he stretched his waist slightly, then walked to her side, saying in a not-too-high-or-low voice: "This king is also tired, it's time for this king to go take a look at this king's male concubines."

  Chu Lian's eyes drooped, and her ears couldn't help but turn red again. Although she knew that the king in front of her was just pretending to be a good person, his evil and arrogant smile, combined with his low and seductive voice, indeed had the power to make people blush and skip a beat.

  After Xū Yáng left, Qīng followed behind Chǔ Lián Ruò. Chǔ Lián Ruò glanced at Qīng briefly, her eyes calm as water. A moment later, she instructed: "From now on, you will wear the attire of a maid and follow me."

  She nodded slightly, her eyes showing neither flattery nor disrespect. This kind of person is probably the most suitable to be by one's side; that person must have also been secretly accumulating a lot of power.

  Chu Lianruo's gaze fell on the man who had already walked far away in front of the study, and from a distance, he still looked unruly and untamed, but Chu Lianruo couldn't help but curve up the corners of her lips.

  Working with clever people will naturally save a lot of effort.

  Since the last time she entered the palace, Chu Lian had been idle in the mansion and hadn't hurried to enter the palace for a second time.