Liu Xu never expected that the Emperor would ask to see her. Saying she wasn’t nervous would be a lie.

The person in question holds the power over life and death. If he’s unhappy, beheading is a common occurrence.

Seeing her nervousness, Mingzhu comforted her, "If the sky falls, there will be tall people to hold it up. Don’t worry."

Liu Xu nodded vigorously, "You’re right, so I must cling tightly to you and the Lord’s leg."

Mingzhu’s mouth twitched.

She didn’t know whether to praise her honesty.

"Lan Ci is also here, he won’t just watch you being tormented."

Liu Xu was staying in a guest courtyard and, upon hearing the Emperor’s arrival, feared offending the esteemed guests and causing trouble for the Mingzhu couple, she stayed in her courtyard all day.

Lan Ci was busy with official duties and hadn’t gone to see Liu Xu either.

She really didn’t know Lan Ci was also in the inspection team.

Her anxious heart slowly settled down.

She clicked her tongue, "That guy, didn’t even give a heads-up, making me so nervous."

Mingzhu laughed, "I wonder if he wrote to Yun Ling."

"He must have, it’s not easy to marry a wife, he wouldn’t dare not cherish her."

Mingzhu nodded, "We trust him."

Talking like this, they bumped into Xi Yu.

Upon hearing that the Emperor asked to see Liu Xu, Xi Yu grew slightly worried, "I’ll go with you."

Doctors are well respected.

Especially Xi Yu’s superb medical skills, many people want to maintain good relations with him, just in case.

The Imperial Family is no exception.

As long as Xi Yu doesn’t overstep bounds, he will be given face where it’s due.

Today, there were many people present, and it wasn’t a formal occasion, so Xi Yu going to greet the Emperor was normal.

Mingzhu understood his intentions but didn’t expose him.

The medicine that Miracle Doctor Xi was seeking had already been gathered, yet he hadn’t left Yanzhou, what does that mean, anyone with a brain could guess.

Liu Xu stole glances at him, but when Xi Yu looked back, she hurriedly withdrew her gaze.

Scolding herself for being unpromising.

Xi Yu was younger than her, as an elder she should show some authority!

So, she lifted her chin.

Said to Xi Yu, "Don’t joke around later, or if you get dragged off for beheading, no one can save you."

Xi Yu nodded, looking like he’s been taught, "Don’t worry about me, I’m not a child, I’ll definitely be cautious."

Liu Xu snorted, "Who’s worried about you, I’m just afraid you’ll cause trouble, implicating us!"

Knowing she’s saying the opposite of what she feels, Xi Yu felt quite pleased.

Deliberately teased, "Although we weren’t born on the same day, month, and year, dying together on the same day, month, and year isn’t too bad. After all, I have brotherhood with Ah Zhen, with Mingzhu, and with you... we are very good friends."

Mingzhu’s tone turned ethereal, "Not including me and Xie Yunzhen, we still have to raise kids. You can die on your own."

Liu Xu repeated, "Die on your own, I haven’t earned enough silver or enjoyed all that life has to offer."

Xi Yu felt hurt.

He was just joking, humoring him wouldn’t cause harm, did it have to be so hurtful?

He grumbled, "Where haven’t you enjoyed? Others get married and have children right after coming of age, then manage family affairs."

Someone as carefree as Liu Xu, without any worries about livelihood, is rare under heaven.

This time, Mingzhu felt the sting.

She began contemplating marriage right after coming of age. Now apart from managing the household, she also had to raise kids and do business with Liu Xu...

Though there are many helpers, she indeed doesn’t have Liu Xu’s freedom.

Liu Xu astutely said, "Getting married and having children has its advantages, the household is bustling and lively. Though I am free, occasionally I do wish for family companionship."

This thought wasn’t intense.

Nor did it appear frequently.

Most of the time, Liu Xu felt living alone was better.

Only in sentimental moments would she think of having a family.

Xi Yu’s eyes flickered slightly, "If you want it, then act on it."

Mingzhu fanned the flames, "Miracle Doctor Xi is right, merely thinking about it is useless, you have the ability to take care of yourself, and the promising Lan Ci is backing you, if it doesn’t work, you can always divorce."

Before Liu Xu could express her thoughts, Mingzhu was shot an accusatory glance by Xi Yu.

"Duchess, you’re ready to abandon your husband and children anytime now, huh."

Mingzhu’s scalp tingled, "Don’t spread rumors."

Liu Xu sided with her, intentionally teased Xi Yu, "Rumor monger has a wicked tongue."

Always bullied by them, Xi Yu felt extremely wronged.

In this household, only Zimu and Zishan were young and unaware, allowing him to bully them a bit.

Once the two kids grow up, they’ll likely lord over him too.

Thinking about his days, Xi Yu felt sorry for himself.

Feigning fierceness, "Be nice to me, or I’ll run away from home, and if you catch a cold or headache, you won’t find anyone."

Mingzhu, as the hostess, wasn’t fit to comment on this topic.

Their relationship had already warmed over these months.

Liu Xu had no such scruples.

"For a cold or headache, we don’t really need you, it’d be wasting talent. At such times, we could just easily invite a doctor to take a look. If Miracle Doctor Xi has urgent matters, feel free to leave first."

Xi Yu ground his teeth.

This person knows his thoughts yet leads him on.

Every time he intends to reveal his feelings, Liu Xu switches the topic.

He wonders whether she doesn’t want to settle down.

Or maybe she’s not interested in him.

Xi Yu deliberately said, "You want me to leave, but I refuse. I’ll follow you even as a ghost in this life!"

His words were so startling that Liu Xu rubbed her arms, "Can’t you be normal?"

"I can’t!"

Xi Yu suddenly understood why Ah Zhen behaved like he had lost his mind years ago.

Even when Mingzhu was already engaged, he shamelessly chased her to Yangzhou, utterly disregarding his dignity.

Encountering a woman whom one truly likes, it’s indeed hard to let go!

Xi Yu rubbed his fingers, seemingly needing to consult Ah Zhen to snatch his lady love sooner.

If they dawdle any longer, they’ll grow old...

Others have children at their age already, while they have made no progress; Xi Yu was truly anxious.

After all, life is really too short.

Unconsciously, Liu Xu felt jittery, sensing Xi Yu was scheming against her.

Besides that, an undeniable sense of tension simmered inside her.

She wasn’t foolish, clearly knowing Xi Yu’s intentions toward her.

The man has capabilities, and looks handsome, Liu Xu indeed felt a bit moved.

Her liking was genuine.

Fear of stepping into marriage was also genuine.

Though she constantly says, if dissatisfied, they could divorce.

With Xi Yu’s status, let alone divorce, marrying into the Xi Family would be fraught with obstacles.

Liu Xu wasn’t sure if there was a need to run headlong into obstacles.

She was truly bewildered.

Uncertain about which road to take next.

Perceiving her emotions, Mingzhu said, "When uncertain, don’t force yourself to decide, let it be for a while, maybe after seeing a flower or feeling the breeze, you’ll suddenly have the answer."