“But how will you manage when I’m gone?” Xiao Qi frowned and could not make up her mind.

　　 While she was anxious about Xiao Shi, she could not help but to worry about Chu Li too.

　　 Chu Li chuckled and replied, “I won’t starve to death.”

　　 “What about your meals?”

　　 “I can eat at a restaurant.”

　　 “It’s okay to occasionally eat at a restaurant, but you’ll get tired of their food if you eat there too often.”

　　 Chu Li broke into laughter.

　　 Xiao Qi had always been cool and aloof, so he felt very touched and amused when she raised her concerns on this matter.

　　 She rolled her eyes at him and said, “Food is no trivial matter. Can you really manage on your own?”

　　 “Don’t worry. I’ll think of something,” Chu Li said with a smile.

　　 Xiao Qi sighed. “Although I don’t want you to kill King An, it seems like you have no choice but to do it seeing as he’s becoming more aggressive and overbearing toward us. I think he’s really trying to drive you into a corner and make you mad.”

　　 Chu Li slowly nodded.

　　 King An attacked Chu Li’s weakest points to infuriate him and make him suffer. King An probably believed that Chu Li had not recovered his martial arts yet. That was why King An dared to provoke him so recklessly to get back at Chu Li for what he had previously done to him.

　　 Although King An was under the impression that Chu Li had been crippled of his martial arts, he still decided to send four two-hundred-year-old martial arts masters to deal with Chu Li. This indicated that King An was becoming increasingly cautious in the way he handled things and was doing everything in his power to make sure that he would not let Chu Li win this time. It seemed like he had learned from his past failures. When a person could persevere through troubles and setbacks, the person’s abilities would be greatly enhanced. Indeed, King An had become more and more cunning after having gone through so many failures.

　　 Chu Li suddenly knitted his brows together.

　　 Xiao Qi looked to him.

　　 Chu Li said, “An Imperial Decree is being delivered here from Fairy’s Capital.”

　　 Xiao Qi became puzzled as she asked, “Is it meant for you?”

　　 “Very likely.” Chu Li slowly nodded.

　　 Xiao Qi huffed. “What is the Emperor trying to do now!”

　　 Chu Li gritted his teeth as his hatred for the Emperor increased. He disliked this terrible feeling of being at someone else’s mercy and wished he could become an Enlightened Master right away so that he could beat the Emperor up until the Emperor knelt and begged for mercy.

　　 “You should go and meet the second lady first,” Chu Li said with a frown.

　　 Xiao Qi shook her head. “Let’s see what this Imperial Decree is about first.”

　　 They exchanged a few more words and then heard the sound of footsteps approaching from outside as two middle-aged men in black robes pushed the door open and strode in. “Chief Chu Li of King An’s Imperial Residence, please step out to receive this Imperial Decree!”

　　 Chu Li went forward and gave a fist salute. “I, Chu Li, receive this Imperial Decree.”

　　 These two black-robed protectors from the Imperial House looked valiant and had a commanding presence. They stared at Chu Li with piercing eyes and said loudly, “Chief Chu Li is to return to King An’s Imperial Residence immediately as an official of the Imperial Residence. May you carry out your responsibilities to the best of your abilities and not neglect your duties!”

　　 Chu Li gave a fist salute again and replied, “I thank the Emperor!”

　　 The two black-robed protectors from the Imperial House smiled at him. “Chief Chu has the trust and favor of the Emperor. Congratulations.”

　　 Chu Li had been ordered to return to his position so soon after being banished by decree to the Imperial Mausoleum. This turn of events was a clear sign that the Emperor thought highly of him and always kept him in mind.

　　 He stretched out a hand and invited both of them to have a seat in the gazebo while Xiao Qi served them tea.

　　 The two protectors glanced at Xiao Qi and were not surprised by her beauty since they had previously seen many beautiful women in the Imperial House. They were merely curious to see her face because they both knew that she was Xiao Qi, the third lady of the High Duke’s Public House.

　　 The news of Xiao Qi getting married to Chu Li was known to everyone and had given rise to a considerable amount of discussion in Fairy’s Capital. Given Chu Li’s low social status, it came as quite a surprise that he was able to take the third lady as his wife.

　　 As for Xiao Qi, many were in awe of her deep love for Chu Li considering how she had agreed to get married to him at the lowest point of his life.

　　 Chu Li took a quick sip of tea and put his teacup down before he said, “I’ve been crippled of my martial arts. I’m a useless person right now. Why has the Emperor decided to let me return?”

　　 “Hehe, it was His Highness King An who personally went to the Imperial House to plead for leniency on your behalf,” one of the Imperial House protectors replied while shaking his head and chuckling. “At first, the Emperor would not agree. After all, it hasn’t been long since you came here. How can the Emperor change his mind and go back on his word so easily? Still, the Emperor could not bear His Highness King An’s persistent pleas, so he had no choice but to give way in the end.”

　　 Chu Li smiled faintly and said, “In that case, I should also thank His Highness King An.”

　　 “It appears that His Highness King An relies heavily on your service, Chief Chu. The moment he returned to the Imperial Residence, he immediately begged the Emperor to allow Chief Chu to go back,” the other Imperial House protector replied with a look of admiration. “I envy you a lot for being able to serve someone who thinks so highly of you!”

　　 Chu Li chuckled. “I feel deeply humbled by His Highness King An’s great kindness!”

　　 King An was waiting for Chu Li to return so that he could torture Chu Li and settle both old and new scores with him.

　　 Outsiders would not be able to tell what was going on behind the scenes between Chu Li and King An. As for those who knew, there was no reason for them to speak about it anyway.

　　 “Will both of you be joining me on my journey back?” Chu Li asked.

　　 The two Imperial House protectors nodded with a smile. “Yes. The Emperor knows that you’ve been crippled of your martial arts and has ordered us to escort you back in case you encounter any danger along the way. You’ve been given a month to return to Fairy’s Capital, so there’s no need to rush.”

　　 Chu Li suddenly felt his heart skip a beat and sensed that Xiao Shi had crushed her jade pendant as a signal for him to go to her as soon as possible.

　　 He became anxious but kept a calm composure and smiled. “I see. Well then, I thank you both very much. How about this? Let’s travel back separately, so you can go ahead and leave first. I have my own protectors.”

　　 “We can’t do that, Chief Chu.” The two Imperial House protectors quickly shook their heads.

　　 “The Emperor had specifically told us to escort you back.” The protectors continued shaking their heads anxiously while one of them said, “Our martial arts skills may not be particularly strong, but our identities as protectors from the Imperial House can come in quite handy.”

　　 As protectors who had been given the responsibility of delivering an Imperial Decree, they represented the prestige and dignity of the imperial family. Thus, if Chu Li offended these men in any way, he would be disregarding the imperial family’s authority, which would subject him to the death penalty.

　　 Chu Li was becoming more worried and did not wish to waste his time with them any longer, so he rose to his feet and said, “Xiao Qi, please talk to them about this. I’ll go and buy some food and drink first!”

　　 He did not wait for the two Imperial House protectors to reply and rushed out of the residence through the main door.

　　 Then, he vanished instantly.

　　 …

　　 The radiant sun shone over a forest scattered with fallen leaves of late autumn.

　　 In a deep part of the forest was a clearing where Xiao Shi laid motionless on a thick and soft meadow dressed in a snowy-white gown. Her beautiful face had been covered with a white veil while her almond-shaped eyes glared coldly and disdainfully at King An, who was standing with his hands behind his back.

　　 King An looked handsome and charming in his bright yellow long tunic, and his eyes twinkled as he looked at Xiao Shi with a faint smile.

　　 They were the only two people in this clearing, and their surroundings were so quiet that not a sound could be heard.

　　 “What are you trying to do?” Xiao Shi asked coldly.

　　 King An chuckled as a proud smile appeared on his attractive face. “What do you think, my Consort?”

　　 Xiao Shi muttered, “You’re a vile and despicable man who takes joy in hurting others!”

　　 “Takes joy in hurting others. Well-said. Haha!” King An laughed heartily. “My Consort, you’ve been married to me for so long, but when have you ever fulfilled your obligations as my wife? I’m going to get what I deserve today!”

　　 Xiao Shi frowned and asked, “Have you gone crazy?”

　　 “Haha, I was initially planning to get intimate with you in front of Chu Li and make him die of anger, but you’re just too beautiful, my Consort. I can’t hold myself back any longer!” King An studied her with a fascinated gaze.

　　 As Xiao Shi lay on her stomach on the thick and soft meadow, the supple lines of her graceful figure became clearly defined, which caused King An’s eyes to burn with desire.

　　 Xiao Shi noticed his gaze but remained unfazed and asked, “Do you even have the nerve to do that in front of Chu Li?”

　　 “Humph, he’s just a useless person now. What’s there to fear!” King An laughed coldly. “I’ve already asked my father to show mercy and order Chu Li to come back and continue serving as Chief of the Imperial Residence. Interesting, isn’t it?”

　　 “Interesting indeed. You’re rather bold!” Xiao Shi muttered coldly.

　　 King An said, “Today, I shall let you see just how bold I am!”

　　 He approached Xiao Shi while he spoke and then gently removed her white veil to reveal her gorgeous face.

　　 Xiao Shi’s acupuncture points had been sealed so she could not move at all and was forced to let him remove her veil and stared at her greedily.

　　 King An reached out and slowly caressed her delicate, jade-like face.