Seeing Uncle Fu's demeanor, Zhu Zhuqing felt a wave of relief despite her lingering confusion.
To her knowledge, Uncle Fu had never lied. Therefore, anything he said could be trusted without question. Since he wouldn't deceive her, his assurance that he wouldn't harm her was genuine, and Zhu Zhuqing gradually relaxed.
"Of course, this is truly good news for you, Third Miss," Uncle Fu said, relieved to see her calm down. He had feared she might act rashly, even resorting to self-harm, which was why he had stated his purpose upfront.
"Congratulations, Third Miss. His Majesty has issued a decree annulling your engagement to the Third Prince. You are now free," Uncle Fu announced with a smile.
Yet Zhu Zhuqing felt no joy. After living independently for so long, she had learned one thing: relying on others was never as reliable as relying on herself.
As the saying went, every gift from fate came with a hidden price.
Anything not earned through her own efforts would inevitably carry a cost.
"Freedom? What wonderful news," Zhu Zhuqing sneered before pressing further, "And whom does His Majesty intend to betroth me to now?"
The cold-blooded nature of the Star Luo royalty was no secret to her. She knew that if the imperial family relinquished something, they must have a deeper scheme in mind. The annulment of her engagement could only mean one thing: they planned to sell her for a higher price.
"As expected of Third Miss—sharp as ever," Uncle Fu praised, ignoring her sarcasm. Then, seemingly off-topic, he asked, "Third Miss, have you heard of Mr. Wu Tong?"
"Wu Tong? Yes, we've met once."
The moment Uncle Fu mentioned the name, Zhu Zhuqing recalled the godlike, strikingly handsome young man she had encountered earlier that day.
"Hmm."
"Hmm?"
"Hmm!!!"
At first, Uncle Fu didn't react, but after a moment, his eyes lit up with fervor as he stared at Zhu Zhuqing. "Third Miss, you've met Mr. Wu Tong? What does he look like? Is he as handsome as the legends say? Does he have that scholarly aura...?"
"Stop, stop. First, Wu Tong is no elder—he's around my age. Second, what does this have to do with him?"
Zhu Zhuqing hadn't expected Uncle Fu to be a fan of Wu Tong. His fanatical expression reminded her of the admirers of the Heavenly Water Idol Group.
She had once attended one of their performances and seen how their fans gazed at them with rapture, as if they wanted to devour the idols whole.
But now, it seemed Wu Tong's charm was even greater. To think even someone like Uncle Fu could be his fan was almost unbelievable.
Zhuqing was beginning to grasp the extent of Wu Tong's influence.
However, she had no interest in indulging Uncle Fu's curiosity. Her priority was understanding the full picture.
"My apologies, Third Miss. I lost my composure," Uncle Fu said, straightening his appearance and offering a sheepish smile.
"The matter is actually like this..."
—Explanation of the Star Luo Plan—
"So this is the Star Luo Empire's plan? What a 'brilliant' plan," Zhu Zhuqing remarked, her eyes flashing with disdain.
"Especially since it was Dai Weis who came up with it."
Uncle Fu sighed but remained silent. Such matters were beyond his station to comment on. He had said all he needed to; the choice was now Zhu Zhuqing's.
"Fine, I agree. I'll prepare now and leave with you."
After a moment of thought, Zhu Zhuqing decided to comply with the Star Luo Empire's scheme.
This wasn't surrender but a calculated decision:
First, she wanted to reunite with Nami, the girl who had urged her to escape her misery—her first friend. Nami was now with Wu Tong, and joining them would allow Zhu Zhuqing to see her often.
Second, this was her chance to break free from Dai Mubai. She knew that if she refused to 'seduce' Wu Tong, the so-called annulment would instantly become a farce. After her recent reflections, she had grown weary of Dai Mubai's hypocrisy and was desperate to sever their ties.
Third, it was because of Wu Tong himself. Zhu Zhuqing harbored no ill will toward him. On the contrary, she had long admired the renowned sage of the continent. Today's encounter had only deepened her fascination.
As the old saying went, love began with appearance, deepened with talent, and was sealed by character. Wu Tong fulfilled all three criteria, making him the ideal prince charming for any young woman—Zhu Zhuqing included. She already held a favorable impression of him and didn't oppose the arrangement.
"Wonderful, Third Miss! Let's depart at once," Uncle Fu exclaimed, overjoyed by her decision.
With Zhu Zhuqing's agreement, he, as the messenger, would receive a handsome reward from the royal family.
"If we set out now, we'll arrive the day after tomorrow, just in time for the opening of Mr. Wu Tong's academy. You can then travel with the other young ladies."
Zhu Zhuqing offered no comment. Under the cover of night, she returned to her dormitory, gathered her belongings, and followed Uncle Fu out of Shrek Academy, heading straight for the Star Luo Empire.
Within Shrek Academy, none were the wiser as their roster quietly reverted to its original three members—no more, no less.
Truly, a cause for celebration.
—
The next day.
Deep within Sunset Canyon.
Wu Tong rose from his languid repose and made his way to the heart of the lake.
There, on the island at its center, lay a breathtaking paradise crafted from three natural wonders: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Golden Tree, and the Lake of Life.
...
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(End of Chapter)