The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

A little boy rushed in. The boy was about ten years old. He was the youngest son of the second master and second mistress, named Xu Chaoran.

It would be a bad idea to let the child know about this, so the second wife hugged her youngest son in her arms.

"No one, Ran'er, you heard it wrong."

Xu Chaoran nestled in his mother's arms, his eyes red.

"Mom, the teacher at the clan school told Ran'er not to go to school tomorrow. What's going on?"

The Second Master's heart sank again when he heard this. The First House and the clan elders were just pushing the wall down! Did they really think they couldn't turn things around?

After the anger, there was helplessness again, and everyone in the room was at a loss.

……

Prince Sheng's Palace.

The small dining hall where the prince had his meals was filled with delicious food, and the palace lanterns hanging from the ceiling illuminated the entire dining hall beautifully.

Chu Musheng strode into the dining hall accompanied by Sheng Er.

Sheng Er pulled out the armchair and waited for the prince to sit down before leaving.

The prince has always been accustomed to dining alone and never has anyone to serve him.

"Sheng Er, go and invite Miss Xu to come and dine with me."

"Yes."

Sheng Er took the order and walked towards Tingyuxuan. Since the prince didn't tell him earlier, Miss Xu must be enjoying dinner by now, right?

not at all.

Xu Keke was worried that the crazy prince would attack her tonight, so she had no appetite and was sitting in front of the dressing table putting on makeup.

The maid who was guarding the door came in to report.

"Miss, the prince invites you to dinner in the dining hall."

When Xu Keke turned around, the maid was startled.

"My lady, how can you go to see the prince in this state? Let me help you wash your face first!"

"No, I'm hungry. Take me there to enjoy the food."

Xu Keke stood up and pushed the maid out.

Sheng Er, who was standing outside Tingyuxuan waiting, was also stunned when he saw Xu Keke, with his mouth open so wide that an egg could fit in it.

It took him a while to react.

"Well...it's not that the prince can't wait. How about you go wash your face, young lady? I'm worried that the prince won't be able to eat tonight after seeing you like this."

It’s right that he can’t eat. I’m going to make him unable to bear it and drive me away.

Xu Keke flicked the handkerchief in her hand and imitated the matchmaker in the TV series.

"Oh my, it's already so late. I'm so hungry. Why don't you lead the way for me? Hehehe."

Sheng Er was frightened by her bold move and took a few steps back.

She ordered the silly maid next to her.

"You, take Miss Xu there."

The maid couldn't find anyone to order around, so she had to bite the bullet and take Xu Keke to the prince's dining hall.

As soon as he entered the dining hall, Chu Musheng saw Xu Keke's appearance and almost dropped the chopsticks in his hand.

She was wearing a colorful and weird outfit.

There were a few wild flowers picked from somewhere in her hair.

His face was covered with makeup, like an actor in an opera, with red and white patches.

Her cheeks were painted red, just like two ripe red apples.

Look at the eyebrows again, they are drawn thick and black, like two caterpillars lying on them.

There was a circle of dark blue eye shadow around her eyes, and from a distance, it looked like she had been punched twice.

Her lips were painted bright red, as if she had just drunk human blood.

Seeing that the Regent was frightened, Xu Keke became even more excited. She twisted her waist and swung the handkerchief in her hand.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. I'll start eating first. Please feel free to do as you please."

As he said this, he was about to sit down on the armchair.

"You stop."

Chu Musheng stopped her.

"Someone, bring me a basin of warm water."

Xu Keke took a step back: "What are you going to do?"

Chu Musheng ignored her and urged, "Hurry!"

Soon a servant brought a basin of warm water with a cotton towel placed next to the silver basin.

Chu Musheng stood up, grabbed Xu Keke's wrist, and walked to the silver basin.

"Hurry up and wash this king clean."

"I don't."

Xu Keke turned around and was about to run, but was caught by Chu Musheng.

"It hurts!"

Chu Musheng's palms were like iron pliers. Xu Keke was so hurt by his grip that tears came to her eyes.

"Go down."

Chu Musheng drove away the maids and servants who were standing there in amazement, picked up a cotton towel, dipped it in water and washed Xu Keke's face.

Xu Keke turned her head away, rubbed her wrist which was pinched and hurt, and muttered to herself.

"I spent a long time putting on makeup. It would be a shame to wash it off."

Chu Musheng snorted coldly without stopping his movements.

"Don't wear makeup like this anymore. It's simply unsightly."

Xu Keke's weak rebuttal.

"What do you know? This is called unique beauty!"

"Unique? In my opinion, it's more like scary."

After finally washing her face, Xu Keke's face finally returned to its original fair complexion.

Chu Musheng pulled her to the dining table.

"Sit down and eat, and stop making trouble."

Xu Keke picked up the chopsticks, looked at the delicious food on the table, and muttered softly.

"Your Highness, eat first. Who knows if your meal is poisoned?"

Chu Musheng was so angry that he laughed.

"If I wanted to kill you, why would I have to use such means?"

"What if they gave me some low-quality drugs?"

Xu Keke blurted out, and only then realized that her words were suggestive, so she quickly covered her mouth.

"What's going on in your little head all day? If I really wanted to use some despicable means on you, would you still be able to talk to me like this right now?"

As he was talking, Chu Musheng seemed to have thought of something and looked at Xu Keke with amusement.

"However, you have reminded me. How about you eat with me?"

Xu Keke didn't respond and pretended not to understand. She was already stuffing food into her mouth because she was really hungry.

"Eat slowly, no one will compete with you."

Chu Musheng smiled helplessly and began to eat elegantly.

For a moment, the only sound in the restaurant was the clatter of cutlery.

After a while, Xu Keke was finally full and she rubbed her stomach contentedly.

Chu Musheng raised his eyebrows and looked at her, "Are you full?"

Xu Keke nodded, "Well, thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness."

Chu Musheng put down his chopsticks and said, "Since you are full, then chat with me."

Xu Keke's heart tightened and she stared at Chu Musheng vigilantly.

"What does Your Majesty want to talk about?"

Chu Musheng stared into her eyes.

"Let's talk about why you think I would poison you or use despicable means."

Xu Keke's eyes were evasive.

"I...I was just talking nonsense. Your Majesty, please be magnanimous and don't take it personally."

Chu Musheng leaned back.

"I am not that easy to fool, to be honest."

Xu Keke lowered her head, and her tone became more sincere.

"Your Highness, I'm new here and I'm unfamiliar with the place. I'm scared, so I'm having all sorts of wild thoughts."

Chu Musheng was silent for a moment.

"Well, I bet you wouldn't dare lie to me. However, in this palace, as long as you behave yourself, I won't make things difficult for you."

Xu Keke nodded quickly like a chick pecking at rice.

"Yes, yes, I will behave myself."

Chu Musheng waved his hand.

"Okay, now that you're full, go back to Tingyuxuan."

Xu Keke felt as if she had been pardoned and quickly stood up and saluted.

"I'm leaving now."

After saying this, she hurriedly left the dining hall, and a maid outside the hall door took her back to the side courtyard.

After Xu Keke left, Chu Musheng tapped the table unconsciously with his fingers, lost in thought.

Ever since Chu Musheng could remember, he had always refused to allow women to get close to him, and his food, clothing, and daily life were all taken care of by the eunuchs in the palace.

He couldn't explain why he had such a strong aversion to women.

It seems as if this rejection is innate and deeply rooted in the bone marrow.