Chapter 209: Chapter 209: He Is a Natural-Born Ruler

"Good," Cui Lingyao said, smiling and patting her shoulder. "As long as you can let it go and stop torturing yourself, I’ll support whatever decision you make."

In her opinion, Zhao Shijie’s actions really didn’t warrant such a severe response.

If she ignored that bizarre and grotesque dream, all that remained was a single instance of him speaking rashly.

Even if he was at fault, his years of devotedly caring for his sick wife were enough to let the matter drop completely.

The bond between a husband and wife could still be repaired.

As long as Chen Minrou agreed, they could absolutely reconcile.

They might even learn to cherish each other more after everything that had happened.

Even as an observer, Cui Lingyao could sense the depth of Zhao Shijie’s feelings. There was no way Chen Minrou herself couldn’t.

If her friend could let it go and stop dwelling on it, Cui Lingyao would be happy to see them get back together.

But if her friend truly couldn’t get over it, Cui Lingyao would also unconditionally support her decision to divorce.

Chen Minrou was a little touched.

She sighed softly. "It’s not really a matter of letting it go or not. I just feel there’s no need to make such a big fuss over what might have just been a dream."

Even if that dream had felt so real it nearly broke her.

But divorce was just too serious.

She couldn’t be so rash.

"Anyway, enough about me," Chen Minrou said, turning to her friend. "What about you? Are you still planning to find a concubine for Xie Jinbai?"

Cui Lingyao froze, speechless for a moment.

Seeing her reaction, Chen Minrou understood everything.

"I knew it!"

She laughed. "You’d have to have lost your mind to be that generous! That’s Xie Jinbai we’re talking about. In terms of status and power, he’s second to none in the Capital City. Do you have any idea how many noble ladies dream of marrying him? During the three years you were in a coma, the Emperor considered choosing a new main wife for him more than once. If he hadn’t stubbornly refused, you’d probably have woken up to find him with a hall full of wives and concubines."

"..."

’If that had really happened, I probably wouldn’t have come back at all.’

Cui Lingyao grumbled internally, then muttered aloud, "So I guess I should thank him for his devotion."

"I wouldn’t go that far. That’s a separate issue. Your falling into the water had everything to do with him."

Chen Minrou continued, "But since you’ve already forgiven him and decided to live a good life together from now on, don’t bring up old scores, and don’t do anything that would hurt your relationship."

Ever since Cui Lingyao revealed her intention to find a concubine for Xie Jinbai, Chen Minrou had found herself mulling it over from time to time.

The more she thought about it, the more she worried about her friend’s decision.

She was afraid that Cui Lingyao, in a moment of impulse, would actually bring a few "sisters" into her home, destroying any chance of peace for the rest of her life.

They were surrounded by dense forest with no one else around—the perfect time for a heart-to-heart between friends.

Chen Minrou took her friend’s hand and advised her earnestly, "Xie Jinbai might be a bit fierce, a bit ill-tempered, a bit too murderous, and a bit too calculating, but there’s no questioning his feelings for you."

Cui Lingyao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or an insult.

She defended Xie Jinbai in a low voice, "Actually, he has a pretty good temper. He just looks fierce. Given our relationship, you really don’t need to be afraid of him."

Judging by his aura, Xie Jinbai certainly looked like someone you shouldn’t cross.

But beyond that, Cui Lingyao had always felt he would be a reasonable and enlightened ruler.

He was fair in his rewards and punishments and would never discipline subordinates without cause.

As long as you had genuine talent and ability, you wouldn’t have to worry about a lack of opportunity under him.

’He’s a very good boss.’

Chen Minrou had long since noticed her friend’s blind adoration for Xie Jinbai, so she wasn’t surprised. She just gave a dry laugh. "Forget it. Just looking at him gives me the creeps."

The first time she saw Xie Jinbai was at the spring hunt when she was ten.

Although they moved in the same elite circles, Xie Jinbai was a Prince—and the Empress’s only son. He had been favored by the Emperor since birth and was always surrounded by other noble young men. Few families could ever manage to invite such an important figure.

At the time, she was wandering the hunting grounds with Zhao Shijie when they happened upon the Prince dealing with several criminal officials.

In the garden, two famished leopards were released, pitting man against beast.

Flesh and blood flew everywhere amidst bloodcurdling screams.

The officials were able to resist at first, but they were picked off one by one, their wounds so deep you could see the bone. Soon, they collapsed to the ground, limp.

They weren’t even completely dead as they were devoured bite by bite.

Eaten alive until nothing was left.

Even now, the memory of that scene was enough to make Chen Minrou want to vomit.

And the boy, who was only twelve or thirteen at the time, stood ramrod straight, watching the entire spectacle without a change in expression.

It was as if he were watching his own poultry perform a trick.

His posture was relaxed, as if he were on a leisurely stroll through a courtyard.

That was the first time Chen Minrou saw Xie Jinbai, and the sight made her blood run cold.

He was a natural-born ruler.

A born Emperor—ruthless, unfeeling, and likely incapable of even emotional fluctuations.

His murderous intent was so strong it was terrifying.

Later, she met Cui Lingyao. The two of them hit it off and became very good friends.

When she was fifteen, her dear friend suddenly started getting closer and closer to that God of Killing.

While Chen Minrou sweated with worry for her, she was also filled with admiration.

The shadow cast by that first meeting was too large. Even though Xie Jinbai later treated her with a sliver of warmth for Cui Lingyao’s sake, Chen Minrou’s knees still went weak whenever she saw him.

"I still can’t believe that someone like him could actually cry."

And so... brokenly.

Chen Minrou hissed softly. "I don’t think there’s anyone in this world, besides you, who can handle that God of Killing."

In any case, she was terrified just looking at him.

Cui Lingyao was both amused and touched. "You were that scared, yet you still dared to come to the Capital City to demand an explanation from him."

"That’s a separate issue," Chen Minrou said seriously. "I was scared, yes, but I was even angrier that he had hurt you. My fury took over, and all I could think about was getting justice for you. Even the deepest fear had to make way for that."

Cui Lingyao’s eyes filled with emotion. She was about to give her a hug but was pushed away in mock disgust. "Don’t get all handsy. Let me finish first."

Chen Minrou said, "I saw his suffering over these past three years. He was no different from a walking corpse. And that’s with you having woken up. If you hadn’t, he’d be as good as dead. Since you’re not entirely without feelings for him and have already chosen to forgive the past, what’s the point of tormenting him with talk of a concubine?"

"Tormenting him is just another way of tormenting yourself."

On one side, Chen Minrou was wholeheartedly trying to convince her friend to give up the idea of finding a concubine for her husband.

On the other, at the martial arts training ground...

Cui Mingrui had also arrived with his wife.

He arrived just in time to see his younger cousin defeated, as a new challenger took to the ring.

That illegitimate son of the Hu Family was indeed an extraordinary martial artist. His moves were sharp and powerful, his stance steady and solid.

For such a person to have been completely unknown in the Capital City before, he must have been hiding his true abilities.

And for him to be so aggressive and prominent today, it was obvious he was trying to attract Xie Jinbai’s attention.

After all, everyone in the Capital City knew that Xie Jinbai didn’t care about a person’s background or connections when he employed them.

He only looked at ability.

Being an illegitimate son meant nothing.

However, Xie Jinbai was hardly lacking for capable men under his command.

Defeating these noble young men was not enough to truly impress him.

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