Ji Qianxue truly wanted to know.
Chen Fan had been deprived of a chance to rise to prominence overnight by her breaking off the engagement—would he feel any regret?
After all, marrying the Female Emperor was something many dared not even dream of.
Yet Chen Fan wore a calm, faint smile. “What is there to regret? A true man need not worry about lacking a wife. If she doesn’t fancy me, so be it!”
“People should always live the life they wish to live. Besides, who knows what the future holds? Who knows if someday I might, ‘With spring breeze in my heart, my horse gallops swift, in a single day I’ll see all Chang’an’s flowers in full bloom!'”
Hearing this, not only Ji Qianxue, but even Xue Ying beside her was taken aback.
What a line—”With spring breeze in my heart, my horse gallops swift, in a single day I’ll see all Chang’an’s flowers in full bloom!”
Combined with the earlier line, “Past shames are not worth boasting of, today’s unrestrained thoughts roam boundless,” wasn’t this a complete poem?
To compose poetry effortlessly upon speaking!
Such talent could only be described as astonishing.
And this poem would undoubtedly be passed down through the ages!
Yet, just from this single poem of Chen Fan’s, she understood that he harbored no regret—not even a trace.
Still, she felt helpless. After all, Chen Fan didn’t know her. What did breaking off the engagement matter to someone as bold and free-spirited as him?
“Young Master Chen is immensely talented. I am in awe!”
…
Time passed slowly, and Ji Qianxue and Chen Fan conversed for a long while.
Ji Qianxue was an excellent conversationalist, articulate and appropriate, making the conversation comfortable.
Since arriving in this world, Chen Fan had never met someone he could talk to so freely. Unconsciously, he became engrossed, discussing geography, customs, astronomy, and constellations.
He lost track of time, and when he finally came to his senses, it was already late into the night.
Chen Fan finally bid farewell to Ji Qianxue and, accompanied by Lian Yue and the two maids, headed toward his residence.
Of course, Ji Qianxue was also deeply intrigued. As the Female Emperor, she held immense power and status, yet no one had ever been able to converse with her so freely and delightfully.
Even after Chen Fan left, she still felt a lingering sense of enjoyment.
Yet she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret.
If she hadn’t broken off the engagement with Chen Fan, marrying such a talented and refined person would have been wonderful.
If only she had come to Jinling earlier.
Had she come sooner, she would have learned what kind of person Chen Fan was earlier, and naturally, the engagement would never have been broken off.
Still, she couldn’t figure out why Chen Fan had chosen to live as a profligate in the past.
When he was clearly so exceptional.
“Female Emperor! It’s getting late. You should retire for the night!” At that moment, Xue Ying approached Ji Qianxue and whispered softly.
“It’s fine!”
Ji Qianxue responded briefly but suddenly thought of something, her expression changing abruptly. “Wait! Chen Guogong was publicly humiliated by Chen Fan tonight. Given Chen Guogong’s vengeful nature, he will not let Chen Fan off easily.
Moreover, Chen Fan is carrying the Lin Family’s million-tael banknote. The Lin Family will certainly not spare him either. Hurry and follow him. You must protect Chen Fan at all costs and ensure nothing happens to him!”
“Yes, Female Emperor!” Hearing this, though somewhat reluctant, Xue Ying bowed respectfully.
Meanwhile, as it was late at night, the streets were exceptionally quiet.
Chen Fan and the three others walked along, chatting and laughing.
“Young Master, who exactly is that Hua Gongzi?”
“Why did you talk with him for so long?”
Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai, each holding one of Chen Fan’s hands, asked curiously.
“He’s a very special person. His knowledge, temperament, cultivation, and demeanor are unmatched by ordinary people.”
Chen Fan smiled as he spoke, then added, “And he’s quite handsome.”
“Quite handsome? Even more handsome than the young master?” Xiao Ai asked with an innocent expression.
“Of course, he still falls a bit short compared to the young master!” Chen Fan chuckled lightly.
“Hehe, I knew it! Our young master is the most handsome in the world!” Xiao Ai laughed.
Hearing this, Lian Yue, who was standing nearby, looked utterly speechless. “Xiao Ai, aren’t you a bit too confident? Don’t you realize your young master is just being vain?”
“Where am I being vain? Am I not the most handsome man in the world?” Chen Fan retorted.
At this, Lian Yue felt even more exasperated but still replied coyly, “Yes! You are the most handsome man in the world! No one is more dashing than you.”
“Exactly, the young master is the best-looking!” Xiao Ai chimed in.
As the group walked along, chatting and laughing, they found a unique joy in their banter.
However, Xue Ying, hiding in the shadows, was utterly dumbfounded. How could Chen Fan possibly be considered the most handsome man in the world?
Shameless.
But just as Chen Fan and the others had left the city not long ago, their path was suddenly blocked by a figure clad in black.
The person wore a sleek black outfit, a black bamboo hat, and held a long sword in their arms, standing motionless in the middle of the road.
Seeing this, Chen Fan quickly shielded Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai behind him. “I wonder who you are—”
But before Chen Fan could finish speaking, the black-clad figure drew their sword without a word and lunged straight at him.
Their figure flickered, moving as swiftly as the wind.
“Lian Yue, take Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai and run!”
Seeing this, Chen Fan pulled Lian Yue aside and shouted. His heart raced with panic—he had never learned martial arts. What was he to do?
Was he going to die here today?
Just then, a figure flashed forward, deflecting the sword aimed at Chen Fan with a single stroke and positioning themselves in front of him, blocking the black-clad assailant.
“It’s you! How did you…” Chen Fan stared at Xue Ying in astonishment.
“The young mistress was worried about you and specifically ordered me to escort you back!”
Xue Ying spoke coldly, her expression icy. She hadn’t expected Ji Qianxue to guess so accurately—someone truly intended to harm Chen Fan.
Without hesitation, Xue Ying raised her sword and charged at the black-clad figure.
Instantly, the two became entangled, dodging and weaving, their swords flashing in a fierce and intense battle.
It was the first time Chen Fan had witnessed such a real fight.
It was like watching martial arts masters in a drama—blades gleaming, sword energy swirling, terrifyingly intense.
Moreover, the two seemed evenly matched, making the battle exceptionally fierce.
“Cold Light Sword Intent! You’re Leng Hanshuang!”
Suddenly, Xue Ying withdrew, her face filled with shock and disbelief.
The black-clad figure paused for a moment upon hearing this, but in the next second, they attacked Xue Ying with even greater ferocity.
This time, however, Xue Ying seemed almost disdainful. “Overestimating yourself!”
She spoke coldly, but in the next moment, her figure suddenly shifted, as if her entire aura had intensified, and she charged straight at the black-clad figure.
The two instantly became locked in combat again, their swords clashing with extraordinary intensity.
But suddenly, the black-clad figure was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground. A bright red gash appeared on their chest, blood seeping out continuously.
And the next second, Xue Ying’s figure appeared directly in front of the black-clad person, her long sword already pointing at their neck.
But upon seeing this, Chen Fan hurriedly shouted, “Don’t kill them!”
Hearing this, Xue Ying’s expression suddenly changed as she looked at Chen Fan. “What do you mean?”
However, Chen Fan had other thoughts in mind. Tonight’s assassination attempt made him realize one thing—he needed martial arts experts like Xue Ying by his side.
Not only could they protect him, but they could also protect Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai.
Otherwise, standing out too much would attract danger, and it was far too risky.
After all, this was not the twenty-first century.
Yet Chen Fan did not answer Xue Ying’s question. Instead, he stepped forward directly and looked at the black-clad person.
“Who sent you?”
But before the black-clad person could answer, a volley of arrows suddenly shot toward Chen Fan.
“Ambush!”
Xue Ying’s expression changed abruptly as she hurriedly stepped in front of Chen Fan, drawing her sword to deflect the arrows.
Just then, an arrow suddenly shot toward the black-clad person on the ground. Seeing this, Chen Fan urgently shouted, “Watch out!”
But the next moment, Chen Fan threw himself forward, shielding the black-clad person beneath him and blocking the arrow.