Moments later, the grand doors to the Main Hall opened, and a group of dignitaries entered. They were dressed in elaborate robes, clearly of high status. At their head was a tall, imposing figure who looked like he was in his early thirties. He radiated an intimidating aura. As he came in, he saw the King dining with a woman. His brows furrowed as he stared at the woman. Isn't she supposed to be dead? he thought. He quickly hid his emotions before anyone could notice.
King Jin's demeanor changed instantly. He still held a warm, gentle expression when he glanced at Yi Ling, but a steely determination replaced it when he looked at the guests.
"Your Majesty, your servant Lu Zhangchen is here to pay his respects." He clasped his fist and bowed.
"En," King Jin replied, giving more dishes to Yi Ling and not paying much attention to the newcomer.
Yi Ling's mouth twitched. How am I supposed to eat all these? But she didn't complain; he was showering her with his attention, after all.
Seeing the two made Lu Zhangchen puzzled. How did this woman attract the attention of the King? Why was she still alive? He couldn't help but keep staring at Yi Ling.
Yi Ling felt uncomfortable under his gaze, so she looked at King Jin. "Brother Jin, please stop. I'm going to get fat if you keep feeding me. I haven't finished my plate yet." She decided to call him Brother Jin, hoping the other man would stop staring at her.
King Jin's eyes went wide, and he chuckled. It was the first time she called him Brother Jin. It made his heart happy. He didn't know that someone could make him happy just by calling him Brother Jin.
"Alright, I just didn't want you to starve," he said sheepishly. Yi Ling rolled her eyes.
Lu Zhangchen was shocked. How come the King is talking to her informally? And she called him Brother Jin? What is their relationship?
"Your highness, forgive me if I may be too bold. But, may I know why my young master's fiancée is here?" Lu Zhangchen dropped the bomb.
Everyone fell silent inside the room. They looked at Yi Ling when she dropped her chopsticks. Someone finally recognized her body, and it's already engaged?
Yi Ling didn't know how to explain this. She looked at King Jin, but he didn't look at her. She noticed that he was clenching his fist. Is he mad at me? He might think I lied to him.
"Xian'er, the young master has been looking for you for a year. Everyone thought you were dead. What are you doing here?" Lu Zhangchen smirked.
~ You thought you could escape death by coming here? And you actually dared to flirt with the King? Ha! Let's see how the young master will finally dump you this time! My sister is way better than you! If only I thought that the King finally decided to mingle with women, I would've brought my sister along! ~ He schemed silently.
Yi Ling tightened her fist. "Brother Jin, I can explain."
"No need." King Jin knew the situation well. He knew that whoever that woman is, is already dead.
Hearing his short answer made Yi Ling's heart hurt. Since he didn't need her to explain herself, she got up. "Your highness, I'm full. Please allow this lowly one to retire and thank you for the meal." She bowed and left without waiting for him to reply.
He wanted to get up and run to her, but he had to keep his status in check in front of this man.
"Your majesty, forgive the young miss. It seems like she tricked you. She is still young after all." He was acting like he was siding with her but was totally blaming her as well. He was too shameless.
"En." King Jin didn't really listen to him. He was thinking if he had said something wrong. What made her leave? He was clueless about women. He sighed.
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Yi Ling walked quickly through the palace corridors, her mind in turmoil. She couldn't believe someone had recognized the body she was inhabiting and claimed it was engaged. What did this mean for her? And what did it mean for her relationship with King Jin? She needed to think. She needed to find a way to explain everything to King Jin. But how?
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Meanwhile, in the Main Hall, King Jin's patience was wearing thin. "Lu Zhangchen, state your business and leave," he said coldly.
Lu Zhangchen straightened up. "Your majesty, I am here on behalf of my young master, Lu Tian. We have been searching for his fiancée, Xian'er, for a year. We thought she was lost to us, but now we have found her here. We respectfully request that she be returned to us."
King Jin's eyes narrowed. "Xian'er is no longer your concern. She is under my protection now. If your young master has any issues, he can address them to me personally."
Lu Zhangchen's face darkened, but he bowed. "As you wish, your majesty. I will relay your message to my young master."
With that, he turned and left the hall, his mind already plotting his next move.
King Jin watched him go, his mind racing. He needed to understand more about Yi Ling's situation. And more importantly, he needed to make sure she was safe. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her, not after everything they had been through.
He stood up and made his way to Yi Ling's courtyard. He needed to talk to her, to reassure her, and to figure out a way to handle this new threat together.