Chapter 6: The Fiancé Met for the First Time

Compared to Gona's shock, Yu Changsheng's expression could only be described as terrified.

He forced himself to maintain his composure, wearing a rigid smile on his face until the ceremony concluded entirely and the ministers and the two queens had departed, at which point he prepared to leave.

"Do me a favor and lend me a hand," Yu Changsheng called out to the guard who had just informed him that the fleet was setting sail.

The soldier paused for a moment, then hurriedly stepped forward to support Yu Changsheng. Glancing down briefly at his crotch, the guard whispered, "My lord, would you like me to fetch you a fresh pair of trousers?"

Yu Changsheng waved his hand dismissively and, after a long moment, managed to squeeze out two words: "It wasn't that much."

Seeing this, Leah stepped forward to assist him as well. Yu Changsheng offered her an awkward smile and said, "I am so sorry! Making a fool of myself right upon our first meeting—you have no idea what I've just been through!"

The entourage followed Leah's handmaid to Leah's bedchamber.

The soldier who had supported Yu Changsheng released his grip, gave a military salute, and said, "Until the fleet returns, this century-guard cohort will protect the safety of you and Her Highness. Just let us know if you need anything."

Before leaving, the soldier leaned close to Yu Changsheng's ear and asked softly, "My lord, are you sure your subordinate shouldn't fetch you another pair of trousers?"

Blushing, Yu Changsheng nodded slightly, then made a slight bow to dismiss the guards.

"Why were you so terrified?" Leah asked. "Were you afraid I might eat you?"

Seeing that the spacious room now contained only himself and this delicate young woman, Yu Changsheng finally began to relax.

Feeling rather awkward, he scratched the back of his head and said, "Your neighbors, the neighboring clan, are quite strange. The men have three hands and three feet, while the women look just like us humans from the Xuanhuang lineage, only much taller and slender."

"Are these the reasons you were frightened?" Leah asked, looking somewhat bewildered.

"Oh! Of course not! I was afraid..." Yu Changsheng trailed off, hesitating.

"Afraid of what? We are already betrothed; is there anything we cannot discuss?" Leah picked up a brightly colored apple from a low table, picked up a small knife, and began slowly peeling the skin.

"Our fleet has left, did you know?" Yu Changsheng asked.

Leah paused her peeling hand for a second before continuing. Keeping her eyes fixed on the apple as its gorgeous outer layer slowly fell away, she said, "Expected, I suppose. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon."

"I've heard that this place of yours is terribly ominous. One moment the weather is bright and clear, and suddenly three giant suns will appear out of nowhere, scorching everything on the ground to ash. Or else, you might not see the sun for decades." Yu Changsheng pointed outside and said, "It must be just like this right now."

Leah said nothing. She silently finished peeling the apple, handed it to Yu Changsheng, and said, "A fruit from your Void. I hope it helps lessen your homesickness."

Yu Changsheng paused, smiled, and expressed his gratitude before taking the freshly peeled apple.

For a long time, both remained silent, until Yu Changsheng's question broke the quiet: "What are your two elder sisters like? Are they easy to get along with?"

"If you are useful to them, then they are easy to get along with," Leah replied.

"By the way! I heard they've been getting quite close to a mysterious visitor lately. Do you have any idea where this mysterious person comes from?"

Leah shook her head and said, "I only know that this person is extremely important to my two sisters. Furthermore, my informants tell me that this mysterious person might be connected to the so-called Mysterious Realm."

Hearing mention of the mysterious realm from Leah, Yu Changsheng grew interested. "Do you think this so-called paradise on earth is real?"

Leah raised her captivating, beautiful blue eyes and stared at Yu Changsheng for a moment. Puzzled, Yu Changsheng looked down to inspect himself carefully, finding nothing amiss.

"You seem like a smart person, so why would you fall for my sisters' tricks?" Leah asked with a slight smile.

Unconvinced, Yu Changsheng retorted, "I am the smartest person in my realm, second only to the Exalted Sovereign. I'm smarter than that fellow Lansheng and Palace Master Linbo. Palace Master Qin has praised me more than once," he said with a smug expression.

"Ah! What a pity that you're a coward," Leah said, gesturing toward Yu Changsheng's lower body.

Panicking, Yu Changsheng quickly shielded the small damp patch and explained, "This is just sweat—merely sweat! Besides, who says I'm a coward? Back in the Southern Flame Continent and Skywater City, I fought against the dark and ferocious rebels. Those were battles of life and death!"

"You've been to the battlefield?"

"Of course! I even exchanged blows with the most formidable figures of the dark faction, Tianshang and Dishang. The flying immortal-trap formation I independently created beat them to a pulp..."

Yu Changsheng spoke eloquently, embellishing his experiences outside Skywater City as he recounted them to Leah.

"So my fiancé is a great hero!" Leah clasped her hands beneath her chin, widening her crystal-blue eyes as she looked at Yu Changsheng with admiration.

Filled with high spirits, Yu Changsheng stood up, flicked his robe, and said smugly, "Oh, it was nothing much! I only used half of my power." Suddenly realizing the damp patch at his crotch, he hurriedly pulled the hem of his robe back down to cover it.

Seeing his childish behavior, Leah covered her mouth and burst into cheerful laughter.

"So, the paradise on earth your two sisters talk about is fake! Then why are they doing this?" To cover his embarrassment, Yu Changsheng forcibly changed the subject.

"It is definitely fake, though I haven't yet managed to investigate their true motive. But I am certain it's a huge conspiracy," Leah said.

"Then we cannot continue living here. If they really harbor malicious intentions, we mustn't let ourselves get dragged into it. Let's go to the Governor's Mansion right now. The Cloud Palace Guards are stationed there; no matter how brazen your two sisters are, they wouldn't dare storm the Governor's Mansion." Yu Changsheng hurried to his feet, preparing to pull Leah along with him.

Leah quickly cried out, "Wait, don't be so hasty! I can't just run off with you like this!"

"Do you still need to pack your belongings? Forget them all; once we return to the Floating Cloud Palace later, I'll buy you new ones," Yu Changsheng urged anxiously.

"It's not about packing things. I have a few close attendants. If I leave them here, they will undoubtedly meet a certain death at the hands of my two sisters. Could you let me bring them along?" Leah slightly bent her slender legs, half-squatting as she pleaded with Yu Changsheng.

Seeing her pitiful, tearful appearance, Yu Changsheng's heart softened. He hurriedly said, "Quick, quick, go gather everyone and let's go."