No one expected that Lan Shanyang's first words would not be about the Crown Prince's misdeeds, but about a young lady's skirt.

What does it mean to be utterly astonished? This is exactly what's happening right now.

Starting with Hu Tianyong, everyone stared in astonishment at the aloof Lan Shanyang.

Lan Shanyang acted as if he hadn't seen anything, but his gaze remained fixed on Qin Kou'er.

Lan Linxue frowned involuntarily; her father was acting really strange today!

Did he really know something?

But if he knew that Qin Kou'er was really a member of the Qin family, why was he still so calm and composed?

Qin Kou'er smiled gently and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is indeed learned and profound. This dress of mine does indeed have some family-inherited craftsmanship! It's just that I dared not be negligent in my audience with Your Majesty today, so I specially wore this dress. I hope Your Majesty will not think that I am unworthy!"

Lan Shanyang's smile became even more captivating, but a deeper, coldness remained subtly swirling in her eyes.

"Miss Qin's clothes are exquisitely crafted; how can you say they are meager? Judging from Miss Qin's tone, you wore this dress especially for me?"

Qin Kou'er nodded shyly: "Your Majesty, I really can't find a more suitable outfit for meeting you!"

Lan Shanyang stared at Qin Kou'er, the hair ornament on her head swaying back and forth, as if it was about to shake some past memories up from the depths of his heart.

However, it must be said that Qin Kou'er is incredibly bold!

She brazenly walked up to him, openly wearing clothes that revealed her identity, and told him: "To see the Emperor, I can only wear this. This is the kind of clothing that will allow him to immediately recognize who I am."

I just want him to know that his old friend has returned, come back to collect a debt!

Lan Shanyang was truly overwhelmed with mixed feelings—a bittersweet mix of emotions. She wanted to laugh out loud, yet she also wanted to cry freely!

Ten years have passed, and what was bound to happen has finally arrived! It has come before him, bringing with it a thousand thunderbolts and boundless rage.

In the end, Lan Shanyang simply transformed the storm in his eyes into a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. Let it come as it may.

Gently standing up, Lan Shanyang actually stepped down from the dragon throne.

Quan Jing quickly stepped forward to lend a hand, wanting Lan Shanyang to support him.

Lan Shanyang reached out and pushed the panoramic view aside, then walked straight to Qin Kou'er and stood there.

Qin Kou'er felt her heart suddenly leap into her throat.

Although she had met countless high-ranking officials and dignitaries, none of them had ever acted like Lan Shanyang. Whenever he took a step toward you, it felt as if a huge stone was constantly pressing down on your heart, making you feel suffocated and forgetting to breathe.

Qin Kou'er had to admit, she was nervous! The first time in her life she'd ever been nervous!

Even with Lan Linxue or Lan Xiuyuan, she never felt nervous.

However, now that Lan Shanyang is just standing lightly in front of her, she is so nervous that she can hear her own heartbeat.

Although she was trying to control her emotions, for some reason, she felt so nervous that her palms were sweating.

Is this what they mean by the solemnity of Heaven? So solemn that you can't even lift your head?

Or is it that Lan Shanyang himself gives off an aura of nobility that is impossible to look up to?

Qin Kou'er didn't want to know; she just wanted to perform well in today's show.

Lan Shanyang knew that Qin Kou'er was nervous, so nervous that her back was tense.

Lan Shanyang smiled slightly and gently extended his hand to Qin Kou'er.

Qin Kou'er was startled, but she didn't show it at all. She slowly raised her head and quietly looked at Lan Shanyang.

Lan Shanyang smiled slightly and reached her hand forward even further, seemingly intending to help Qin Kou'er up.

The people around immediately began to whisper among themselves: "My God, has the Emperor taken a fancy to Qin Kou'er? It seems that the long-empty harem is about to welcome a new concubine!"

Qin Kou'er slightly raised her hand, just about to place it on Lan Shanyang's hand, when Lan Linxue suddenly grabbed Qin Kou'er's hand and pulled her directly to her side.

"Why is Your Majesty holding that young lady's hand for no reason?"

Lan Linxue glared at her father with fierce expressions, looking ready to explode in anger.

Lan Linxue's actions startled both Qin Kou'er and Lan Shanyang.

Lan Shanyang's face immediately darkened. "Lan Linxue, how dare you!"

Lan Linxue glared at her father without backing down, and sneered, "Father, you'd better watch your behavior! After all, your sons are still kneeling here!"

Lan Shanyang's eyes instantly turned cold and sharp. This little beast could provoke him anytime, anywhere!

Lan Xiuyuan stood to the side, closely watching the commotion. When he saw Lan Shanyang actually descend from the dragon throne and personally walk to Qin Kou'er's side to help her up, his heart skipped a beat. A thought he never dared to entertain began to race and howl through his mind in terror: Has Father Emperor taken a fancy to Qin Kou'er? No! Absolutely not!

When Lan Xiuyuan heard Lan Linxue's outrageous words, he felt for the first time that he not only admired Lan Linxue but also genuinely liked her!

I admire his genuine nature and his free-spiritedness. I especially love his malicious defiance of his father.

That's right. His sons are still alive and well, yet he still tries to act disrespectfully towards his elders. What kind of behavior is that!

Seeing that Lan Shanyang's face was turning pale with anger, Qin Kou'er quickly pulled her hand away and kowtowed again, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Qin Kou'er didn't plead for Lan Linxue at all, because she knew that the more she pleaded, the angrier Lan Shanyang would become.

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