Chapter 9: The Disabled Lady (Part Nine)

Chapter 9: The Disabled Young Lady (Part Nine)

The grand imperial palace of the Great Yuan dynasty, with its golden glazed tiles, rose majestically behind layers of vermilion palace walls, countless palaces stacked one upon another, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Su Kui nearly dozed off in the carriage as it jolted along. At that moment, Granny Gu, standing outside the carriage, lifted the curtain and said, "Miss, we have arrived."

According to protocol, the selected palace maids were required to enter the palace on foot. Even though Su Kui was physically impaired, there was absolutely no chance she would be permitted to ride in a carriage to the palace.

Though Su Kui wanted to complain about this obvious loophole—what kind of shortage of women did Emperor Yuan Yang have to be so desperate as to include someone like her among the candidates for palace maids?

Su Kui steadied herself on Granny Gu’s hand to get out of the carriage, then took her seat in the wheelchair.

Suddenly, she felt a scorching gaze cast upon her body, fiercely aggressive, as if it would burn her from head to toe.

She looked up and immediately locked eyes with a pair of deep, dark orbs, like an ancient well with no bottom.

The man who had just stepped down from the carriage had sharp brows, icy eyes, chiseled features like they were carved from stone, and thin lips pressed lightly together.

At this moment, he stood with his hands behind his back, tall and upright, his noble bearing making him stand out even more among the crowd of palace maids and servants.

Those cold eyes landed squarely on Su Kui.

She froze for a moment, then suddenly met his gaze directly and flashed a big, bright smile, her dimple on the side of her cheek sinking deeply.

That smile was as brilliant as the blazing sun of early spring, fierce and radiant—stunning not just him, but everyone around.

Just from the way the other palace maids looked at Su Kui—as if their icy daggers could pierce her several times over—you could tell how lethal that smile was.

The man narrowed his eyes, his slender phoenix-like eyes gleaming with mischief, then took a step toward her.

His pace was firm and resolute, like a warrior gripping his sword, carrying an overwhelming presence that seemed capable of crushing heaven and earth.

Such a demeanor could obliterate everything!

Su Kui sat quietly in her wheelchair, her smile faint but bright, her delicate face insouciant and proud.

Inside, she felt both nervous and excited, but those feelings paled before the shivering thrill radiating from her soul.

Excitement outweighed fear—

Though it was only a few dozen meters, it felt like a century had passed.

The man simply stared at her, walking step by step through the silent crowd alone until he stood before her.

Looking down from his height with lowered eyelids, he asked, "What is your name?"

Su Kui curled her lips into a defiant smile, tinged with a hint of provocation. "And you? What is your name?"

No one had ever dared to be so brazen in front of him—not only ignoring his question but boldly demanding his name in return.

Intriguing...

The man furrowed his brows, considering her. Perhaps a young girl?

Indeed, a rebellious girl with cunning beneath her spirited defiance.

After a moment, he chuckled softly, "Heh, my name is Jun Mo. Remember it well."

So it was him!

Su Kui lifted her head to look up at him. Jun Mo was so tall that, in her current position, it was truly difficult to observe him properly.

Then, in a move that left onlookers stunned, she reached out her fair little hand and grasped Jun Mo’s cold hand, slowly pulling it downward.

Even more astonishing, Jun Mo cooperated completely, bending his body little by little, and finally squatting down slowly before her, meeting her gaze eye to eye.

Now that was perfect! Su Kui withdrew her hand, and the instant her touch left him, Jun Mo felt an inexplicable reluctance stir within.

Meanwhile, Su Kui seemed to have accomplished something extraordinary, smiling joyfully. "My name is A Kui."

"A Kui?" Jun Mo repeated the name, turning it over on his lips, sensing a sweetness in it.

(End of Chapter)