Chapter 9: A Worthless Person Paired with a Genius

Loxia turned around, her face pale as a sheet and so weak that a gust of wind might topple her at any moment.

Loyi was secretly delighted.

With that sickly look, did she really think the Crown Prince would favor her? She was delusional!

The Crown Prince murmured a few words in the Emperor's ear.

Immediately, Loxia noticed the Emperor and Crown Prince staring at her as if she were an imbecile.

No one knew what scheme the Crown Prince was plotting, but after observing him, they all agreed he would name Loyi as the Crown Princess, while Loxia would surely be punished.

She had almost escaped disaster just moments ago, but the Crown Prince had called her back! Sometimes, even a sip of water could get stuck in your throat when fortune turns against you.

This useless girl had clung to the title of "future Empress" for so long, sullying its honor. If she wasn't punished, how could the Crown Prince rid himself of his resentment?

Everyone knew the Crown Prince was not to be trifled with.

Loxia was doomed!

The crowd watched with barely concealed glee.

If the Crown Prince could rid them of Loxia, all the better; then the Lox residence would no longer bear the shame.

The Crown Prince coughed, his face full of wicked amusement. “Father, isn’t the County Prince still without a princess? Why not bestow this girl, said to be the reincarnation of the phoenix, upon him?”

At his words, the crowd was stunned!

The County Prince!

He was a prodigy, a legend. County Prince Situteng Yi had just turned eighteen, yet he was already at the peak of eighth-level power!

What kind of monster possessed such talent?

Across the vast continent, none could rival the County Prince’s gifts. He claimed second place, and no one dared claim first.

It was because he was so powerful that he was named County Prince.

The Emperor was wary of the County Prince’s strength; the title was merely a temporary appeasement.

But those who knew the County Prince were aware—he was the most sinister of lords.

He was obsessed with cleanliness; if a woman came within three feet of him, she would vanish without a trace.

If the Emperor were to bestow Loxia upon the Evil Prince, then Loxia...

The crowd couldn't help but pity her.

Though everyone wished her dead, to be slaughtered by the Evil Prince was a fate too terrible to witness.

Loxia pressed her lips together.

How could she not know what everyone was thinking?

From the memories she had gleaned, she now understood the Evil Prince’s situation perfectly.

A prodigy like the County Prince—there was none other like him on this continent!

Anyone else in his hands would vanish utterly, but for her, things were different. She fancied herself Lady Luck, tripped up only by Loyi and Tian Yushuo. But fate had granted her a second life; those two would pay for it soon enough!

Though secretly pleased, she continued to tremble deliberately.

Now, while she was still weak, she would play the fool.

These so-called tigers thought they had the upper hand, but in terms of cunning, who could match her? How many times had her missions nearly failed, only for her to turn defeat into victory at the last moment?

Let the enemy drop their guard, then strike back fiercely, leaving them reeling and bewildered—that was the true mark of mastery!

The Emperor was in excellent spirits.

The Crown Prince had presented him with a brilliant plan!

If the Evil Prince refused to marry this simpleton, wouldn’t that be defying imperial order? The palace was full of experts; even the Evil Prince would struggle against them.

If he married the simpleton, he would be the laughingstock of the realm! A peerless County Prince, at the peak of ninth-level power, marrying a fool? It would be the greatest joke under heaven!

The Emperor smiled. “The Crown Prince is thoughtful, caring for the County Prince’s loneliness without a princess. Very well, I shall decide here and now: Loyi shall be Crown Princess, Loxia shall be County Princess. We’ll choose an auspicious day and hold both weddings together.”

At these words, the Lox household was filled with excitement!

Loyi had become the Crown Princess!

The greatest house in the land would continue its legacy!

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness.”

Everyone knelt in gratitude.

Loxia did not resist because she was certain the County Prince would cause trouble for the Emperor himself; she had nothing to fear.

Loyi, on the other hand, felt a pang of regret.

She had initially wanted to marry the Crown Prince, but once the Emperor brought up the County Prince, she regretted her choice. If possible, she’d rather wed the County Prince!

Though he forbade women within three feet, this was an imperial decree—he would not dare openly defy it. If she could get close to him, with her beauty and wit, she was sure she could win his heart!

With a wave of the Emperor’s hand, everyone rose and took their places.

“Prime Minister Lox, you have truly borne two remarkable daughters,” the Emperor said to Lox Anrong, smiling graciously.

The Prime Minister felt the Emperor truly valued him—after all, even his useless daughter could marry so well.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless,” Lox Anrong replied courteously.

“All credit goes to the Lox ancestor’s contributions.”

…

From then on, Loxia had no further part to play.

Before leaving the hall, she caught the schadenfreude on everyone’s faces, scoffed, and returned to her small courtyard.

What do sparrows know of the swan’s ambition?

Let these self-proclaimed geniuses enjoy their moment.

“Miss.” As Loxia returned, Bizhu breathed a sigh of relief.

Loxia frowned. “Why aren’t you resting?”

Bizhu was aggrieved, her small face flushed. “I was worried about you, Miss. Did they give you any trouble?”

“No.”

They hadn’t troubled her—only sent her into the tiger’s den.

Bizhu clearly didn’t believe her. “Miss, I know you’ve been wronged.”

Loxia walked toward her bed.

“Miss…” Bizhu called after her, still feeling sorry for her mistress, who seemed to suffer all day long.

With little effort, Loxia moved the bed aside.

Bizhu’s jaw dropped!

When had her mistress become so strong? She used to be as frail as a breeze.

Loxia stared at the tunnel beneath the bed, eyes wide.

Good heavens, what sort of monster was this?

Just a single palm, and a tunnel had been carved out!

How absurd!

She’d initially suggested a hole just big enough to hide under the bed, but this prodigy had managed to dig a full tunnel with one strike!

“Miss…”

Bizhu came closer, nearly fainting from fright. She asked timidly, “When did a tunnel appear under your bed?”

Loxia didn’t answer. She took a candle and descended.

“Miss!” Bizhu cried, trying to grab her.

But Loxia was too quick; Bizhu didn’t even touch the hem of her dress.

“Go guard the courtyard. If anyone comes, alert me!”

With those words, Loxia vanished.

Bizhu was terrified, but dared not disobey. She sensed the third miss had changed—become much stronger.

Stronger?

How could she think of the third miss as strong?

Goodness, this tunnel was at least ten meters long, probably reaching the courtyard!

Loxia was astonished as she walked.

Was this person really at the peak of eighth-level power? Was it truly so formidable? One palm, and a tunnel carved out so easily? If she reached eighth-level peak herself, she’d be unstoppable in the Tianyou Kingdom!

Suddenly, Loxia halted.

She sensed the powerful threat emanating from the black-clad figure.

He sat about a meter away, meditating.

Though he was simply cultivating, the aura radiating from him was enough to crush her, a mere shrimp.

But he didn’t seem well—he appeared poisoned.

Loxia had not been a doctor in her previous life, but that didn’t mean she was ignorant.

For cultivators, disturbance was taboo—lest they succumb to madness.

But judging by his condition, if she did nothing, he would likely lose control.