Chapter 147 - 3.43

Another year passed.

She was further hailed as one of the highest contributor to the Kingdom's prosperity and was beginning to gain relevance not only in the Kingdom's operation ranks, but also the common people.

One more year came and left. Her achievements skyrocketed this year, bringing in massive profits and benefits for Xi. Many officials now wished for her to stay in Xi and throw away her past of being in Xian Ruo.

In total, five years fleeted away just like that. Without seeing Xie Yongrui in the slightest.

During this period of time, Xu Jiaqi wasn't sure exactly how she felt. In one side, she was definitely hit with an empty feeling after not seeing Xie Yongrui for this long, and this emotion transmitted to her longing to meet him even further. However, her work and her mission was just as equally important to her. It made her wonder.

If one day, there came a time where she had to choose between staying with this particular soul that she encountered and continuing her line of work, what would she choose?

...What did the past her choose?

It was a given that in the past, she must've done something that related to the soul Xie Yongrui was currently housing. What was her choice in the past? If she is here right now, without memories of him, and that he had to chase after her like this, didn't it mean that the decision she made in the past actually brought her to a disaster?

If the second time to choose came around.. What did she have to choose?

She was also not dumb, nor was she gullible. She knew that the System definitely knew something. Ever since they entered this world, the System had begun to act weird, and this act of his was clearly captured by Xu Jiaqi.

What was he hiding, and how did it connect to his disappearance?

It should be noted that Xu Jiaqi was indeed not angered by the System's decision, but she was slightly disappointed. It might have been for the greater good, but the thought of being left out of all this even though she was supposed to be the one in the center of the equation made her quite disturbed.

Thankfully, the five years that she spent in the Land of Xi did give her time to think about the things happening around her and how she should proceed in the future.

Today, just like any other day, she was working in the castle. An official had just called for her, telling her that the King was nowhere to be seen. Responding to this, she immediately went on a search to look for He Yiyuan.

Over the course of all these years, He Yiyuan and her had developed a rather favorable relationship, and it was good to say that she was quite close to him.

She was one of the only few that were granted permission to directly call him by his name and enter his living quarters. As such, Xu Jiaqi visited his quarters and intruded on his lounge, where she discovered him basking in the sunlight while his feet was dipped in a clear pond. Beverages and appetizers were lined up beside him, and he looked awfully cozy wearing a thin robe to allow the breezy weather to truly be felt.

"I've been working my ass off, and you're here just.. doing whatever you're doing. Well, not that I'm complaining. It's easier when you're not here. For some reason, they're super afraid when you come to interfere." Xu Jiaqi placed her hands on her hips as she huffed a long breath, pointing towards He Yiyuan, who looked towards her and smiled in a relaxed manner.

He wore loose clothing that showed a large part of his body, and his chest wasn't even covered. For someone who didn't actively engage in physical activities, his body was well sculpted and would draw a lot of people's attention when one's eyes fell upon it. There was a clear six pack abs present on his abdomen.

Xu Jiaqi sighed, shaking her head as she disapproved of his actions.

"..You really have no manners, do you?" He Yiyuan didn't become mad, but instead smirked devilishly as he gripped the glass of wine in his palm. "To barge in here and scold me without any sort of notification... Are you not afraid of any repercussion that might come with your actions? Was I too lax with you, to the point where you are disrespecting our boundaries?" He Yiyuan feigned a stern tone as he said.

"Repercussions? You want me to be afraid of the repercussions? Sorry, but I don't think I will." Xu Jiaqi chuckled as she took away the glass of wine and downed it in an instant. "No more alcohol for you, please. Get to work, or I will personally use all of my power to destroy this kingdom from the inside. You of all people would know that I can do it. Surely, the reason you wanted to scout me was not to just use me as a work slave? Please make it make sense. You have responsibilities to follow."

"Do you also nag the imperial prince back in Xian Ruo?" Instead of the King getting back to work, Xu Jiaqi was met with a question instead.

"..Why are you mentioning him all of a sudden?" Xu Jiaqi raised a brow and sighed.

It should be noted that she had never mentioned that man herself. Whenever his name was brought into question, it was always He Yiyuan or another person that reminded her of the departure she had from Xian Ruo, and the man she left as a result of it.

Just like this time.

"I don't know, it seems like you grow to miss him a lot from time to time. I can tell by how you act. You.. care about him very much. Do you have a special relationship with him?" He Yiyuan asked.

"Why is it that you always mention him? It seems like you're more concerned with our matters than us.." Xu Jiaqi huffed as she complained, burdened by He Yiyuan's antics.