The Emperor Wants To Marry The Doctor Chapter 3: She’s Alive!

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

To her utter shock, a man lurked right in the heart of the lake!

Stunned, Chu Liuyue reflected on her many visits here without a hint of his presence. Though bereft of her past body's power, her acuity remained razor-sharp and sight impeccable—evident from her solo handling of Song Lian and his two cronies earlier.

This guy had to be extraordinarily powerful.

“Is this your territory?” she probed warily.

Ripples danced on the water's surface. Vaguely, Chu Liuyue spotted a towering figure surfacing, his outline piercing a shroud of white mist.

Broad shoulders, expansive back, and sculpted physique lurked indistinctly beneath the lake.

Chu Liuyue clenched her hairpin, eyes fixed intently. Newly reborn, she had zero desire to perish once more.

A deep chuckle arose unexpectedly. “Do I look that good?”

A sudden breeze scattered the white mist, clarifying the man's form. Evidently, he welcomed a face-to-face encounter.

Chu Liuyue scoffed silently. She'd beheld grander spectacles. No cause for intimidation. “I can’t get a good look with the mist in our way. Let me take a closer look; I can give you my answer then.”

The drifting mist froze abruptly. The man surely hadn't foreseen such audacity from a girl her age.

“If you are really that keen, I will be happy to oblige. However, I’m worried you’ll stab me with your hairpin before you’ve seen more.” Laughter tinged his voice, showing no trace of anger.

Chu Liuyue stayed quiet. Strong, intelligent, and formidable—this man discerned her ploy instantly. She never confronted types like him directly.

Rolling her eyes, she swept back her hair and neatly tucked the hairpin into her bun. “My apologies. I didn’t know this was your territory. I thought there was nobody until I intruded. I hope you will forgive me for my intrusion.”

The man fell silent briefly.

“There’s no need for that.” Distant echoes filled his voice.

Chu Liuyue gaped in surprise. Forgiveness came so swiftly? Confusion robbed her of words.

“The water in Lake Bibo may be good for health, but your meridian points are blocked. It’s better if you don’t stay for long.” He rose and strode toward the shore, fully attired in a blink.

Even through the lingering white mist, his silhouette betrayed an exceptional build. Truly impressive.

Hastily donning her clothes without a blush, she departed. This was no opponent to underestimate.

Ere she could move, his voice sounded from behind. “Young lady, I have no wish to pursue this matter, but I have to know who has intruded into my territory today.”

Silken in timbre, his words bore the undeniable authority of high nobility.

Does he seek to coerce my name through intimidation? Chu Liuyue pivoted. A man stood mere paces away.

Her breath hitched.

In her princess days, she'd encountered endless prodigies and heartthrobs. Her betrothed, Jiang Yucheng, reigned as Tianling Dynasty's premier beauty.

Yet this man's debut gaze left her mesmerized despite all.

Saber-edged brows swept toward his temples, nose straight and proud, eyes aglow. No celestial starry canopy matched their abyssal depths—one glimpse sufficed to madden and drown in brilliance.

Crimson lips pressed into a perfect thin arc, but the bead at the center of one lent them vivid redness.

Eyes evoked the purest midnight firmament, lips the subtlest blush of spring. Purity entwined with mystery, grace with regality—a bewitching paradox that ensnared every gaze.

Chu Liuyue appraised him, one term surfacing: Demon!

“Chu Liuyue.” Concealment seemed futile; he exuded capability. Deception would breed trouble.

Positioned opposite, he regarded her with moon-glow softness, gaze skimming lightly before anchoring on her features. “Let’s forget about this since Xue Xue was the one who let you in.”

Xue Xue? That white lion?

Suddenly, he advanced, halting directly before Chu Liuyue.

Chu Liuyue tensed inwardly but quelled it, facing him with composure.

Rooted in place, he extended a hand, warm fingertip grazing her cheek. “Lady Chu, you can’t go home in such a mess with blood on your face.”

Shock jolted Chu Liuyue. Glancing down, she noted the blood on his finger.

For a beat, their breaths intermingled, scents shared.

His profound voice resonated in her ears. “Also, my name is Rong Xiu.” Without pause for reply, he added, “You should go.”

Chu Liuyue pressed her lips. His motives eluded her, but Chu family conflict loomed upon return. “Thank you.”

…

Not until the girl's slim form fully melted into the woods did Rong Xiu avert his eyes toward the white lion.

His genial warmth faded sharply. “Did you betray your master to curry her favor?”

The white lion lay immobile.

“If you pretend to be dead, I will tell her your other name is Hua Hua when I see her the next time.”

Roar!

The white lion leaped upright. Its name was Xue Hua [Snowflake], not Hua Hua! The shame if discovered!

“The Imperial City should be quite crowded these days, so I’ll leave you to it.”

Xue Hua’s eyes gleamed brightly.

…

Tension gripped the Chu family hall.

Chu Ning's features twisted in worry as he paced restlessly, eyes darting outward.

“Yue’er has been gone for the whole day. It’s already evening. Why isn’t she back yet? First Elder, we should send a search party out quickly.”

What if disaster struck? Yue’er stood utterly vulnerable.

First Elder, Chu Xiao, savored his tea indifferently. “Chu Ning, stop fretting. This isn’t the first time she has gone out. What could happen? Perhaps, she was having so much fun that she simply forgot the time.”

Chu Ning burned with anxiety, sensing their refusal. Darkness crept in. Yue’er was too sensible for this delay. “I will search for her myself!” He dashed out alone, heedless of protests.

The Third Missy, Chu Xianmin, entered clad in yellow finery, her face enchanting. Bowing respectfully, she quavered, “First Elder, I know that my sister hasn’t come back yet, so I shouldn’t bother you. B-but… there is something that I don’t dare to hide—my things have been stolen.”

First Elder frowned. “What happened?”

Tears welled in Chu Xianmin’s eyes. “I invited my sister to my room this morning, wanting to give her some money so she could buy something for herself when she went out. However, when I checked earlier, all the money and jewelry my parents gave me were missing.”

Chu Ning barked. “What are you trying to say? Are you implying that Yue’er is the thief?”

Chu Xianmin wept more fiercely, tears spilling in grievance.

“I didn’t mean that… How could I accuse my sister? However, she was the only one who has gone into my room today.”

First Elder squinted his eyes. “Perhaps… she stole Xianmin’s money and ran away? How dare she!”

Chu Ning prepared to retort upon the servant's cry.

“Big Missy is back!”

The hall's occupants stilled.

A single tear clung to Chu Xianmin’s eye, veiling her incredulity. How? Chu Liuyue should be…

A delicate figure advanced amid the glow.

“First Elder must be joking. As the Chu family’s eldest daughter, I have a share of all the family’s assets. Why would I steal my sister’s money and betray my family?” Chu Liuyue entered smiling, her expression sending shivers through Chu Xianmin. “Am I right, Sister?”