Weird, my gaming life

The atmosphere inside the carriage was somewhat tense.

Zhu Wanying withdrew her gaze from the window.

The coldness that had appeared on his face because of Zhao Shixun and Zhu Xiaoyun's appearance had not completely faded.

She glanced at the quiet Lin Yuan beside her, her feelings complicated.

"That's just the kind of people they are!"

Zhu Wanying's voice was very soft, as if she were explaining, or perhaps talking to herself.

Lin Yuan raised his eyelids slightly.

"I can tell, one is just putting on an act, and the other is a smiling tiger."

Your fiancé's eyes are darting around; he doesn't look like a good person at all. As for your sister, she's a total green tea b*tch!

Zhu Wanying couldn't help but laugh at his blunt words, but then shook her head helplessly.

"You little brat, you always have such a good eye for people. But what can I do? Born in the palace, I seem noble, but in reality, I'm constantly scheming and betraying others, and I have no control over my own destiny!"

Lin Yuan rolled his eyes and retorted mercilessly.

"What, you want to switch with me?"

You've become so arrogant, living a life of luxury every day.

You need to understand that ordinary people like us don't even have the chance to scheme or cheat! Because if we don't have enough to eat, we'll starve to death.

Zhu Wanying was speechless for a moment, and the gloom that had just risen in her heart disappeared by more than half. She poked Lin Yuan's little head with a mixture of anger and laughter.

"You little brat, you have a sharp tongue! Can't you say something comforting?"

"Hehe, give me your unparalleled martial arts skills, and I'll say all the nice things you want to hear."

"You! All you think about all day is your unparalleled martial arts skills. Is practicing martial arts really that important? If it is, you can't see anything else!"

At this point, a hint of disappointment flashed in Zhu Wanying's eyes.

Lin Yuan turned to look at her and asked, "So what do you think is the most important thing in this world?"

Is it love, fame and fortune, power, or family ties?

Zhu Wanying was taken aback by Lin Yuan's serious gaze. She thought about it and realized that these things were all quite important.

"Don't you think these things are important?!"

Lin Yuan silently shook his head. "These are all worthless in the face of power."

Love can be betrayed, fame and fortune are given by others, power comes from society, and family affection depends on the conscience of parents. Only power is truly one's own.

As long as I am strong enough, everything the former has is just scenery along the way.

I'm a greedy person; I want everything, so I need to become strong enough, because right now I have nothing but power!

Lin Yuan's words, which went straight to the heart, sent a shiver down Zhu Wanying's spine.

She opened her mouth, wanting to refute Lin Yuan's theory of power above all else.

But when the words reached her lips, she didn't know what to say.

Indeed, if a person is powerful enough, then love, friendship, family, power, fame, and fortune will all revolve around him.

Because he doesn't need others, but others need him.

Just like her now, why would she keep Lin Yuan? Undeniably, part of it is out of gratitude for Lin Yuan saving her.

There's also the personality compatibility developed over time.

But more importantly, Lin Yuan is powerful enough.

So powerful that she couldn't help but want to rely on him.

If Lin Yuan didn't have such powerful martial arts, perhaps she would have thanked him at first.

She would give her some money, but she would never keep it with her, because she knew that she was not in a safe place.

The car gradually fell silent.

Before long, Zhang Long and Zhao Hu drove their carriage through the arched gates and headed deep into the palace.

The vermilion palace walls soar into the clouds, and the golden glazed tiles gleam in the sunlight.

Finally, the carriage stopped outside the Zichen Palace.

"Your Highness, we've arrived." Zhang Long's respectful voice came from outside the carriage.

Zhu Wanying took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and opened the car door.

Lin Yuan followed behind her, jumping off the carriage like a little tail.

Zhao Shixun and Zhu Xiaoyun's carriage was also parked not far away.

The two walked side by side, both wearing perfectly timed smiles, as if their street confrontation had never happened.

"Sister, Father is waiting for you inside the palace. Let's go in quickly!"

Zhu Xiaoyun stepped forward affectionately, but her gaze gave Lin Yuan a meaningful look.

"As for you... my little benefactor, please wait a moment in the side hall. The palace has its rules; when an outsider comes to see the emperor, he must first inform him and verify his identity."

Zhao Shixun quickly echoed, "The Second Princess is absolutely right. Wanying, the palace rules are strict. This young hero has had a long journey. Let him rest and have some blood tea and refreshments. I have already made arrangements."

His words were gentle, yet they conveyed an air of undeniable authority.

Zhang Long and Zhao Hu immediately stepped forward, forcing a fake smile at Lin Yuan, "Young brother, please."

They had long disliked Lin Yuan, and now that the Second Princess and the Marquis were backing them up, they naturally became much bolder.

"No need."

Zhu Wanying suddenly interrupted, taking a step forward and pulling Lin Yuan directly to her side.

"Qin Xiu is my savior, not an outsider. He must come with me to meet the Emperor."

Zhu Wanying looked around, her gaze resolute. "Anyone who dares to obstruct us is an enemy of Princess Changping."

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Zhu Xiaoyun's smile faded. "Sister, why are you doing this? You're defying palace rules for a wild child of unknown origin, only to displease Father."

Lin Yuan watched all this in silence, his brows furrowing slightly.

He was now only eager to get the rewards from the adventure quest, while the two of them were acting like drama queens, chattering on and on.

"Are you two putting on a grand show here?!"

In an instant, the entire area outside the main hall fell silent.

Zhu Xiaoyun and Zhao Shixun's expressions changed simultaneously.

"How dare you, a lowly commoner, speak to us like that!"

Zhu Xiaoyun's fake expression finally crumbled.

Just as they were about to say something more, a chief eunuch trotted over, bowed to them, and said, "Your Highnesses, Your Lordship, His Majesty has been waiting for a long time."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Wanying quickly pulled Lin Yuan, who had incurred the wrath of the crowd, and headed straight for the main hall.

Zhu Xiaoyun and Zhao Shixun, standing behind him, both stared at Lin Yuan with icy eyes.

This wild kid from who-knows-where actually dared to call them actors.

This was an insult to them, but since the emperor had a plan, they didn't want to be disrespectful in front of the emperor and could only endure it.

However, they had already decided that they would definitely teach this wild boy a lesson later.

In the capital, if they wanted to, making a helpless wild boy disappear wouldn't be too easy, even with Princess Changping protecting him.

Inside the Zichen Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Emperor Zhu Hongyuan of the Ming Dynasty, dressed in a dragon robe, sat high on his throne.

His face was stern, exuding authority without anger. A hint of warmth flickered in his eyes as he looked at his daughter who had returned safely.

But when his gaze fell on Lin Yuan beside Zhu Wanying, that warmth turned into a deep scrutiny.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well," Zhu Wanying said, bowing.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Zhu Xiaoyun also bowed gracefully.

"Your subject, Zhao Shixun, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Lin Yuan stood beside Zhu Wanying and followed suit by cupping his hands in a perfunctory manner, but his eyes were curiously examining the beams, pillars, and carvings in the hall.

"Rise."

Zhu Hongyuan's voice was deep and powerful, "Wanying, you've given me quite a bit of worry this time. Don't be so willful next time!"

"Yes, I'm sorry to have worried Father. It was all my fault for being so ignorant," Zhu Wanying said, standing up and speaking in a slightly coquettish tone.

Zhu Hongyuan shook his head helplessly.

"You...when will you truly grow up? By the way, I heard you were assassinated on your return. Quickly tell your father if you were injured anywhere!"

Zhu Wanying immediately showed a slightly aggrieved expression and briefly recounted her experience on the way.

Even so, Zhu Hongyuan was already somewhat terrified.

This was the daughter of his most beloved woman. Her mother had died young from illness, and he had always cherished her dearly. Now, someone actually dared to assassinate her; they were simply audacious.

"Damn it! Men, investigate! I want to see which outlaw dares to assassinate my daughter!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the main hall, respectfully kneeling on one knee to answer.

When Lin Yuan saw that figure, he instantly felt a long-lost sense of danger.

As Zhu Wanying and Zhao Shixun looked at the enraged emperor, a strange glint flashed in their eyes at the same time.

Zhu Wanying's feelings were purely jealous, but Zhao Shixun's eyes were filled with naked greed.