Xuanyuan Che's eyes flashed with complex emotions when he heard Chen Xiaoru's refusal. He quietly stared at the woman in front of him, her head bowed. Her slender fingers tightly grasped the corner of the quilt, appearing so weak yet stubborn.

"Do you know my identity?" Xuanyuan Che's voice was low and gentle, with a hint of temptation.

Chen Xiaoru shook her head gently, her long eyelashes trembling slightly:

"I don't know, but judging from your attire, you're probably someone special. But I don't know exactly what your identity is."

Xuanyuan Che raised a bitter smile. He reached out and gently stroked Chen Xiaoru's cheek, feeling the delicacy of her skin.

"I am the ruler of Daxia, Xuanyuan Che."

These words rang like a thunderclap in Chen Xiaoru's ears. She raised her head abruptly, her eyes wide open, and looked at the man in front of her in disbelief.

"You...you...I...I...Your Majesty..."

Chen Xiaoru wanted to stand up and salute in a panic, but Xuanyuan Che held her shoulders.

"No need to be polite in front of me."

Xuanyuan Che's voice was still gentle, "Now that you know my identity, do you still want to refuse?"

Chen Xiaoru bit her lower lip, a trace of struggle flashing in her eyes. She gently pushed Xuanyuan Che's hand away, her voice soft but firm:

"Because I know you are the king of a country, I cannot agree to this. I am just an ordinary peasant girl, not worthy of your status."

Xuanyuan Che's eyes became deep, he stood up and walked to the window.

"You saved my life, I must repay this favor. And..." He turned around and looked at Chen Xiaoru with burning eyes.

"I must also take responsibility for what happened last night."

Chen Xiaoru's cheeks instantly flushed, she lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.

"Your Majesty, there's no need to do this. It was an accident... You were poisoned by that drug, so there's nothing we can do about it!"

"It wasn't an accident."

Xuanyuan Che interrupted her, his voice firm, "Although I was drugged, I knew exactly what I was doing. You are more than just a lifesaver to me."

She is also my first woman, a woman who can make me a real man. Xuanyuan Che did not say this.

Chen Xiaoru still shook her head and refused. Although her tone was gentle, it was filled with unquestionable firmness:

"Your Majesty, I, a humble woman, do not dare to marry into the Emperor's esteem. Moreover, Your Majesty is a lord of great rank, with three thousand beauties in his harem. I simply want to live a quiet life."

Xuanyuan Che was hurt by her rejection. He had never thought that he, the king of a country, would be rejected so bluntly by a peasant girl.

The gentleness on his face faded, replaced by the majesty of a superior and a hint of offended anger. He stared at Chen Xiaoru, his tone lowered a bit, with a sense of oppression:

"Do you know the consequences of rejecting me?"

Chen Xiaoru trembled slightly, but still gritted her teeth and raised her head to meet Xuanyuan Che's gaze:

"I don't know, but I have made up my mind. I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish."

Xuanyuan Che laughed in anger, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone:

"Fulfill your wish? You saved me, I want to repay you and take responsibility for you, but you keep refusing. Could it be that you're playing hard to get?"

He took a step forward and approached Chen Xiaoru, his tall figure almost completely covering her.

Chen Xiaoru was intimidated by his aura and subconsciously took a step back, her face pale. "I dare not, I just..."

"Just what?" Xuanyuan Che interrupted her with an aggressive tone.

"Do you just think I'm unworthy of you? Or do you think that now that you've climbed up the social ladder, you can manipulate me at will?"

He grew angrier and angrier as he spoke, the rage in his heart almost swallowing him up. He had never spoken so humbly to a woman before, only to receive such a result.

"I dare not!"

Chen Xiaoru knelt down hurriedly, her voice trembling, "Your Majesty is the Supreme Being, how dare I have such thoughts? I just... just..." She was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to explain.

Xuanyuan Che looked at Chen Xiaoru kneeling before him, and the anger in his heart subsided a little. He knew that he had lost his composure a little. He took a deep breath and softened his tone, but still with a hint of majesty:

"Forget it, I don't want to force you. I'll give you time to think about it. Think carefully about what you will gain by following me. What will you lose by rejecting me?" He paused, his tone becoming meaningful.

"My patience is limited. I hope you won't let me down."

He turned and walked to the window, with his back to Chen Xiaoru, and said in a low voice:

"I can give you wealth and honor, and supreme respect. These are things you, a peasant girl, will never be able to achieve in your lifetime. Do you really want to give up?"

He seemed to be giving Chen Xiaoru a choice, but in reality he was putting pressure on her. He believed that no woman could resist such temptation.

Chen Xiaoru was silent for a long time before she slowly spoke. Her voice was still soft, but with a hint of firmness:

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but this is not what I want. I just want a peaceful life, nothing more."

Xuanyuan Che turned around and looked at Chen Xiaoru deeply, his eyes were complicated and difficult to read. He was silent for a moment, and finally said:

"Okay, I'll give you time to think about it. But I hope you remember that you only have one chance." After saying that, he turned away, leaving Chen Xiaoru kneeling on the ground alone.

After Xuanyuan Che left Chen Xiaoru's room, he stood in the yard and took a deep breath of fresh air.

When the secret guard saw His Majesty come out, he immediately knelt on one knee to salute. Xuanyuan Che raised his hand slightly to signal them to stand up, his eyes sweeping across everyone's faces.

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!