Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Meanwhile, Zheng Luoqi had already left the hunting grounds before the wild boar even arrived. After learning the outcome, Zheng Luoqi smiled, as if it were expected. He had once again underestimated the female lead's resilience; it seemed that dealing with the male and female leads by force wouldn't be so easy.

Zheng Luoqi frowned, pondering her next move.

Zheng Luoqi had a feeling that no matter what she did, she couldn't stop the male and female leads from forming an alliance.

Zheng Luoqi gazed at the night sky, her thoughts drifting back to a long time ago, to when she first came into this world, when she had finally found a little happiness, only to have it cruelly taken away by fate once again.

So much time had passed that she had almost forgotten her mother's face. Thankfully, she still had her father; she wasn't alone. Zheng Luoqi clearly remembered the plot developments in the book. She had once considered whether to persuade her father to be a loyal subject. However, as she watched her father's journey unfold, she increasingly felt that her thoughts were ridiculous.

Honestly, Zheng Luoqi felt that the most selfish, ruthless, and indifferent thing to the people in this world was imperial power. Using the lives of ordinary people as bargaining chips for the so-called imperial balance, and condoning corrupt officials' evil deeds to consolidate power, was utterly absurd and laughable.

From the very beginning, Zheng Luoqi and the male and female leads were on opposite sides. The male lead represented imperial power, which was wrong, and disobeying him was wrong.

And the Wen family—sooner or later they'll all be made to pay for their mother's death. Wen Lian will make them pay for their blood debt.

Since he doesn't want to be a proper puppet emperor, he shouldn't be blamed for being ruthless.

..............

"Xianlin, look how cute this lantern is!" Wen Nanwan said affectionately, holding Chen Xianlin's hand.

Since the incident at the royal hunting grounds, they hadn't left the house for a long time. Since the Qixi Festival was approaching, they thought they would make an appointment to go out together, see the lanterns, and buy some clothes and pretty jewelry for the festival.

Chen Xianlin looked at Wen Nanwan and said that the lantern was beautiful. It was a lantern shaped like a cat. The cat was so lifelike and its expression was so vivid that it was hard to look away.

"Indeed, it's really cute!" Chen Xianlin held the lantern with great affection, readily paid the shopkeeper, and Wen Nanwan and Chen Xianlin each got one. The two walked happily down the street.

As the two were walking, a carriage suddenly appeared on the road, speeding and crashing into Chen Xianlin.

"Watch out!" A male voice came from behind. Chen Xianlin's arm was pulled away from the carriage, and she fell into the arms of the person behind her. Chen Xianlin looked up and the two looked at each other. Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Suddenly realizing their position was awkward, Chen Xianlin quickly pulled out of his embrace and bowed, saying, "Thank you for saving me, Lord Ye."

Ye Churan looked at the kitten lamp in Chen Xianlin's arms and found it somewhat amusing. He couldn't help but laugh out loud and said, "Miss Chen, this kitten lamp is quite cute and suits you very well."

Hearing his words, Chen Xianlin looked at the cat lamp in her hand, lowered her head shyly, and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Lord Ye." After saying that, she looked up at Ye Churan and found that he was also looking at her. Their eyes met, and Chen Xianlin felt like she had been caught red-handed.

Watching the interaction between the two, Wen Nanwan sighed inwardly: So this is the newly appointed top scholar, Lord Ye Churan.

Wen Nanwan smiled and said to Ye Churan, "Lord Ye."

Ye Churan nodded in response.

"Since Miss Chen is alright, then I will take my leave."

Chen Xianlin nodded somewhat shyly and replied, "Thank you very much, Lord Ye. I won't bother you any longer; I will definitely repay your kindness another day."

Ye Churan smiled and replied, "It's nothing, Miss Chen. Just be careful of carriages on the street next time you go shopping. I'll take my leave now." He cupped his hands slightly and turned to leave.

Watching Ye Churan's departing figure, Wen Nanwan couldn't help but exclaim, "This Lord Ye is no less impressive than the Emperor!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xianlin immediately understood what Wen Nanwan meant, and jokingly asked with a smile, "Is Miss Wen finally getting it?"

Wen Nanwan blushed instantly and said coquettishly, "What nonsense are you talking about! I, I have someone I like, it's not Lord Ye, so don't talk nonsense." After saying that, she lowered her head shyly.

"Oh, I didn't expect our Miss Wen to have someone she likes," Chen Xianlin said, feigning surprise.

"Oh, so you've learned to make fun of me now? You're asking for it!" Wen Nanwan said, pretending to hit Chen Xianlin.

Chen Xianlin dodged, and the two started playfully fighting.

Before they knew it, night had fallen. Wen Nanwan and Chen Xianlin had played from day to night, and neither of them wanted to stop. After saying goodbye, they agreed to come back and play together again next Qixi Festival.

Before we knew it, the Qixi Festival arrived. The streets were bustling with people, some choosing their favorite items, others haggling with vendors. Children played and frolicked among the crowd, occasionally their eyes drawn to small toys.

"Wow, Wanwan, look! It's so lively today!" Chen Ruoyao exclaimed excitedly, pointing to the crowds coming and going on the street. She pulled Lin Wanwan and Lin Qianning along to the middle of the street.

It was the Qixi Festival, and the streets were filled with men, women, and children dressed in their finest clothes, their faces beaming with festive joy.

Looking at the lively scene before her, Chen Ruoyao was in a particularly good mood. Without saying a word, she pulled Lin Wanwan and Lin Qianning towards the lakeside.

The three of them booked a boat today and decided to spend the holiday on the boat, enjoying the lake view.

Once they boarded the boat, the boatmen immediately began rowing, and the boat slowly sailed towards the center of the lake.

Along the way, the lake water shimmered and a gentle breeze caressed our faces, making us feel incredibly comfortable.

As night falls, many people go to the lakeside to release river lanterns. Every year, many couples get together on this day, and many people write their wishes on the river lanterns, hoping that their wishes will come true in the coming year.

The Qixi Festival is also a day when many young men and women express their feelings for each other. On this special day, they use the moonlight to express their love to the person they admire.

Lin Qianning's thoughts drifted far away.

They weren't the only ones taking a boat trip; many daughters of officials also chose to do so.

Zheng Luoqi was also on one of the boats. She had a rare day off and had booked a boat for a leisurely stroll. On board, several beautiful women were singing and dancing, performing for Zheng Luoqi. He was seen with his clothes half-drawn, a seductive man feeding him wine, and a charming woman massaging his shoulders…

Anyone who sees this scene wouldn't say, "This dazzling world is a feast for the eyes."