The Emperor Wants To Marry The Doctor Chapter 5: The Late Night Visitor

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Yes, Sister. Didn’t you mention that you liked the carved red jade pendant from Zhen Bao Pavilion and requested me to purchase it for you? Its cost is understandably steep, being the shop’s most prized possession. Dear Sister, do… you… lack the funds? B-but… the pavilion’s attendants already granted me a special allowance. Thanks to our family’s reputation, they permitted the purchase with an upfront payment of 1,000 taels.” Chu Liuyue appeared mortified.

The First Elder, standing right next to her, nearly choked on his breath. That amounted to 199,000 silver taels! Even for the Chu family, scraping together such a sum immediately proved challenging. He fixed his gaze on Chu Xianmin. Despite his past favoritism toward her, irritation now overwhelmed him completely. He scolded her sharply. “Minmin! You’re far too naive for your own sake!”

Now, with the family’s honor at stake, they had no choice but to acquire that pendant no matter the expense. If news of this spread, the Chu family’s reputation would suffer unimaginable damage.

Chu Xianmin parted her lips to protest, yet no words emerged. She hadn’t even requested Chu Liuyue to obtain anything for her, let alone that carved red jade pendant from Zhen Bao Pavilion valued at 200,000 silver taels.

That pendant had long been renowned. Crafted from the highest-quality red jade, it offered benefits for cultivation, yet it hardly justified a price of 200,000 silver taels! That explained why it lingered unsold in the store for so long!

Chu Liuyue’s cunning had caught her completely off guard.

Chu Liuyue had schemed to force Chu Xianmin to pay the full 200,000 silver taels herself!

Trembling with rage, Chu Xianmin seethed. Without the First Elder’s presence, she would have torn into Chu Liuyue and ripped her apart!

Over the years, she had scraped together merely 4,000 to 5,000 silver taels at most. Covering 200,000 silver taels represented an impossible chasm.

Still,… the Chu family’s reputation hung in the balance. She needed to resolve this, whatever it took.

“I-I… I’ll cover this from my personal funds for sure. First Elder, please don’t concern yourself.” Gritting her teeth, she squeezed out a smile. “Mother dotes on me endlessly. She vowed to grant one of my wishes if I topped the academy’s evaluation.”

Chu Xianmin’s mother, Lu Yao, hailed from the Lu family, among the Imperial City’s leading merchant clans.

By mentioning this, she signaled her ability to secure the funds without burdening the Chu family. Simultaneously, she aimed to leverage the Lu family’s prestige to boost her own standing.

As anticipated, the First Elder’s expression eased markedly at the mention of the Lu family.

“True enough, your mother cherishes you above all as her exceptional child. I remember the academy’s assessment falls in one month, correct?”

Tian Lu Academy served as Chu Xianmin’s institution. It stood as Country Yao Chen’s foremost academy ever. Admitted students ranked as elite prodigies, coveted even by imperial offspring eager for assessment.

This very reason earned Chu Xianmin adoration across the Chu family.

“Yes.” Chu Xianmin perked up noticeably. Then, a sudden recollection brought a shy flush to her lovely features. “Brother Jin… His Highness promised rewards too if I claim first place in the assessment.”

Chu Liuyue arched her brows slightly.

The ‘Brother Jin’ in question was none other than Crown Prince Rong Jin, Chu Liuyue’s own fiancé.

Her demeanor made it obvious that a connection existed between Chu Xianmin and the Crown Prince.

The First Elder’s eyes gleamed brightly. “Is that so?”

As His Majesty’s favored Crown Prince, Rong Jin possessed remarkable talent and prowess. With the Chu family waning, allying with this mighty figure—the Crown Prince—could transform their fortunes.

As if struck by a fresh idea, Chu Xianmin shot a swift glance at Chu Liuyue and clarified anxiously, “Sister, no need for any misconceptions. Brother Jin and I share nothing improper. He watches over me only because of your betrothal. Should you gain entry to the academy, Brother Jin would surely treat you…” She cut herself off mid-sentence.

Everyone recognized Chu Liuyue as a hopeless waste. Normal cultivation eluded her, let alone admission to Tian Lu Academy.

Had anyone truly valued her engagement to the Crown Prince, Chu Liuyue wouldn’t have endured such relentless torment!

Chu Ning clenched his jaw, his heart turning icy.

The formal betrothal loomed just a month away. He had hoped it might shift dynamics, but clearly, that was mere wishful thinking.

Rumors had reached him of the Crown Prince’s interest in Chu Xianmin, but he never imagined it had escalated so openly! They showed utter disregard for Yue’er! His devoted daughter had harbored pure affection for the Crown Prince.

Chu Xianmin inwardly gloated while eyeing Chu Liuyue. She anticipated agony on her rival’s face, yet astonishingly, Chu Liuyue remained utterly indifferent.

Far from dismayed or heartbroken, Chu Liuyue even chuckled! “As long as Third Sister can provide the money, all is well.”

Chu Xianmin froze in disbelief. Why did it feel like the Crown Prince mattered less to her than those 200,000 silver taels?

“Father and I shall depart now that this is resolved.” With that, Chu Liuyue truly turned and departed alongside Chu Ning.

“You…” A stifled frustration choked Chu Xianmin, like a fist striking soft cotton.

At the doorway, Chu Liuyue halted abruptly and pivoted back. Her pitch-black, chilling gaze bored into Chu Xianmin, imposing a heavy, suffocating hush. “Oh, and Third Sister, mind that tongue of yours going forward. Had I not returned today in time, all would assume I stole your belongings and fled. Clearing such a stain would prove impossible, wouldn’t it?”

A sudden chill gripped Chu Xianmin. She knows! She definitely knows. Desperate to retort, she felt an unseen pressure pinning her down, rendering her immobile.

Only after Chu Liuyue vanished beyond the threshold did the sensation ease, leaving Chu Xianmin drenched in cold sweat on her brow.

Fierce resolve flickered in Chu Xianmin’s eyes.

She needed to investigate the Song Lian trio’s whereabouts first, then devise a permanent solution for Chu Liuyue.

…

Chu Liuyue and Chu Ning made their way back to their secluded courtyard abode.

“Yue’er, you’ve endured enough today. Get some rest.” Heart aching, Chu Ning stroked Chu Liuyue’s hair gently.

Chu Liuyue scanned her dismal surroundings swiftly. Even with past-life memories intact, the sight still drew an inner sigh from her.

This wasn’t a proper courtyard but a cluster of crumbling, forsaken shacks.

Their harsh existence stood starkly revealed for the father and daughter.

No one would credit that Chu Ning, once poised to lead the Chu family, and Chu Liuyue, the nominal eldest miss, inhabited such squalor.

Chu Liuyue nodded softly. “You too, Father.”

Chu Ning hesitated, lips parting as if to speak, but ultimately just sighed.

“Yue’er, I know the Crown Prince holds your heart, yet he may not suit you. Chu Xianmin boasts talent and clan backing. Clashing with her as you did today might bring…”

Chu Liuyue smiled reassuringly. “Rest easy, Father. I have it under control.”

Worry clouded Chu Ning. Yet gazing into those serene, smiling eyes, words failed him suddenly.

Yue’er… she’s changed somehow. He nodded, tousled her hair affectionately, and departed.

Chu Liuyue’s gaze lingered on her father’s lame right leg, which scarcely bore his weight, before shifting away as he passed through the door.

Nightfall descended outdoors. Faint moonlight filtered through the shattered window.

Approaching the window, Chu Liuyue tapped it thoughtfully.

She had confirmed the date earlier that day: the tenth of the seventh month in year 832 of Country Yao Chen. Matching it against the Tianling Dynasty’s calendar, it marked precisely one year since ‘her’ demise.

Thus, she had reincarnated into Chu Liuyue’s form one year post-death. Given her present position and power, plotting vengeance demanded utmost caution.

Abruptly, her face shifted. Whirling toward her bed, she demanded, “Who’s there?”

Silence engulfed the chamber, the atmosphere turning frigid.

In the shadows, a pair of ice-blue eyes materialized briefly.

Peering closer, Chu Liuyue stared in astonishment at a massive white lion curled submissively on her bed! “Xue Xue?”