Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Upon hearing this, the anger on the King of Western Chu's face seemed to be instantly blown away by a sudden spring breeze, replaced by a gentle smile.

He strode up and walked to the person, gently taking her arm in his hand.

He then led her to a seat at the carved dragon and phoenix table in the center of the imperial study.

He carefully adjusted the angle of her seat to make sure she was comfortable.

Although he was still very angry, he tried his best to control his emotions in front of him and said with a mixture of anger and helplessness, "Look at what he wrote in this letter!"

Upon hearing this, the woman, Empress Chen of Western Chu, picked up the letter beside her and began to read it carefully.

As the Empress of Western Chu, she enjoyed an extremely high status and respect in this palace.

She never needed to announce her arrival to enter the imperial study. This privilege was not only a recognition of her status, but also a testament to the deep love and trust the King of Western Chu had for her.

Empress Chen was over thirty years old, but she was at the peak of her beauty and charm.

Her face was like a finely carved piece of jade, her fair skin so delicate it seemed to break at a touch, with a faint blush, like a peach blossom blooming in spring.

Her eyebrows, like distant mountains, had a perfectly upward curve, exuding an innate majesty while retaining a feminine grace.

Those eyes, like a pool of autumn water, with slightly upturned corners, revealed a touch of charm and allure.

Her figure was graceful yet dignified and upright, her long neck as elegant as a swan's, and her collarbone delicate and charming.

Wearing a magnificent phoenix robe, the phoenix embroidered with gold and silver threads is lifelike.

Her hands were slender and long, with delicate fingers like green onions, adorned with priceless gemstone rings, exuding a noble and elegant aura with every gesture.

The pearls on her earrings swayed gently, harmonizing with the tinkling of her other ornaments.

Every smile and gesture of hers was breathtakingly beautiful, making people sigh that this was the demeanor befitting a mother of a nation.

After carefully reading the letter, Empress Chen showed no anger whatsoever; instead, her eyes shone with relief and joy.

She chuckled softly, her voice full of affection and emotion, "I thought Xixi was too picky and would never find a woman she liked in this lifetime. But after going to Dazhao, she found someone she wanted to protect for the rest of her life. She was even willing to stay in Dazhao as a hostage for her sake. I wonder what kind of dazzling woman she is. I really want to meet her."

Upon hearing this, the King of Western Chu was still furious and said, "Although he inherited my devotion and deep affection, Western Chu and Great Zhao are of equal strength. Why do we need him as a hostage? Besides, even if we were to send him as a hostage, it would be impossible for my only brother to be sent as a hostage."

That's right, he only recognizes this one younger brother.

Although he had many younger brothers and older brothers, he only had this one younger brother in his heart.

He wished he could give him all the good things in the world, afraid that he might suffer even the slightest grievance.

I never expected that he would willingly go to another country as a hostage for someone else's sake. It really infuriates him!

Moreover, they dared to act first and report later; this matter has now spread throughout the world!

What to do? I'm even angrier now.

That's right, Chu Xiyao did it on purpose.

He insisted on acting first and reporting later, otherwise his elder brother would definitely disagree.

Of course, the letter said that he had fallen in love with a woman in Dazhao, but the woman was unwilling to leave Dazhao, so in order to stay in Dazhao legitimately, he volunteered to be a hostage.

He also said that this was his own doing and had nothing to do with anyone else, and hoped that his elder brother would not blame the officials who were sent to Dazhao.

Nothing else was mentioned, not even a single word about Ling Yan.

Such a secret matter was naturally not explicitly stated in the letter, lest it be discovered by others in case of an accident.

The more the King of Western Chu thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more heartbroken he felt. In addition to heartbrokenness, he also felt jealous and aggrieved.

The little brat he raised with the utmost care and love has now grown up and has actually abandoned his elder brother for someone else.

He no longer wants his elder brother, showing no regard for him whatsoever.

How could he not feel wronged?

No, he must bring him back.

So what if this matter has spread throughout the world?

He doesn't care what the world thinks!

So he immediately ordered outside, "Summon the Fourth Prince to the palace immediately."

The palace servant immediately obeyed and left.

Empress Chen knew the person in front of her very well, and she said softly with a smile, "Does Your Majesty want Zhan'er to bring Xixi back?"

The King of Western Chu replied, "That's right. Zhan'er is closest to him. He's always been attached to his little uncle since childhood. I don't believe he'd want Xixi to stay in Da Zhao forever. He must be very reluctant to let her go and will definitely try his best to persuade her to come back. Plus, with my decree, it's..."

He stopped there and didn't say anything more.

His expression was rather helpless.

Empress Chen, with her keen insight, sighed upon hearing this and said, "Your Majesty is clearly the one who understands Xixi the most. You know that once Xixi makes a decision, she will never change it. Even if Zhan'er goes or Your Majesty goes in person, as long as Xixi is unwilling, no matter what method you use, Xixi will never change her mind. So why are you doing this, Your Majesty? It's all in vain."

Upon hearing this, the King of Western Chu chuckled self-deprecatingly and said, "How could I not understand him? It's just that I'm unwilling to do nothing and simply accept my fate. I have to make myself give up!"

Empress Chen felt a pang of pain upon hearing this. She placed her hand on his and comforted him with a smile, saying, "No matter what, Xixi will always be His Majesty's brother. He must always be thinking of His Majesty. He will definitely come back to see His Majesty when he has time. Besides, even though Xixi is gone, His Majesty still has me and his children. He is not alone."

Upon hearing this, the King of Western Chu felt somewhat better and replied with a smile, "Fortunately, I have you."

Just then, the Fourth Prince, Chu Zhan, arrived.

He is seventeen years old this year. If Chu Xiyao is the big demon king, then he is the little demon king.

Moreover, he greatly admired and worshipped his uncle, Chu Xiyao, and liked to follow Chu Xiyao's lead in everything he ate, wore, and did.

He's a total fanboy.

Chu Xiyao likes to wear red clothes, but he actually prefers plain colors, so he still wears red with him.

It's beautiful, of course.

Chu Xiyao simply didn't want him to copy him in every way, so he forced him to change the color.

So Chu Zhan changed to his preferred solid color.

At this moment, he was dressed in a moon-white robe, but he did not have that ethereal, gentle, and jade-like feeling.

Instead, it exudes youthful energy, is flamboyant and unrestrained, lively and agile, and bright and dazzling.

After he entered the imperial study and bowed, he heard his father, the emperor, command him: "Your ninth uncle has voluntarily stayed in Da Zhao as a hostage for a girl. I order you to go to Da Zhao and bring him back."

Chu Zhan was speechless upon hearing this.

He asked incredulously, "Father, is this true? Uncle really..."

The King of Western Chu looked at his son's shocked expression and slowly nodded.

His tone revealed a hint of helplessness yet firmness as he said, "This is absolutely true. He personally wrote to me to inform me, so there is no doubt about it. Once you arrive in Dazhao, just do your best."

It took Chu Zhan a while to process what he had said before he vaguely agreed.

Then, looking dazed and confused, he left the palace.

This is just too unbelievable!

Does Uncle Nine have a girl he likes?

He was even willing to stay in Dazhao as a hostage for her sake?

Good heavens, how could someone as handsome, talented, and proud as Uncle Nine be so humble for a woman?

This is just too unbelievable and unacceptable!

I'm really curious what kind of woman Uncle Nine would take a liking to!

Not only was he curious, but many people from Western Chu who later received the news were also curious.

Especially those sons of high-ranking officials in the court, they knew all too well what kind of person the Ninth Prince was.

Aside from His Majesty and the Empress, who else has he ever taken seriously?

They are arrogant and lawless.

It is astonishing that such a person would go to such lengths for a woman, especially one from the Great Zhao Dynasty.

I just can't believe it!

And those women who, whether genuinely in love or simply because of the Ninth Prince's status, had expressed their affection for Chu Xiyao, whether boldly or subtly, were now filled with bitterness and jealousy.

They never imagined that one day the Ninth Prince would fall in love with a woman from the Great Zhao Kingdom.

Moreover, this woman from the Great Zhao was so ungrateful that she refused to leave her homeland.

And the Ninth Prince was even willing to stay in Dazhao for her sake.

This shows that the Ninth Prince truly loved her deeply, and it wasn't just a passing fancy.

How could they not be jealous? How could they be at peace with themselves?

That woman is truly unworthy of anything!

To be treated with such sincerity by the Ninth Prince.