HRPM – Chapter 371 The Empress Tests the Waters (1)

Xiao Luo took it off with an annoyed expression. With a flick of his finger, he neatly tucked the chrysanthemum beside Jin Luoluo’s hair bun. Against her cloud-like tresses, it made her look exceptionally delicate and radiant.

He could not help but stare in a daze.

Not far away, the brisk sound of hurried footsteps approached. A fifth-rank female official in blue robes walked toward Jin Luoluo.

When she saw Xiao Luo in his wheelchair, her expression changed slightly. After hastily paying her respects to him, she turned to Jin Luoluo and said,

“Miss Jin, Her Majesty the Empress invites you to visit the Phoenix Hall.”

“But I still need to escort the prince out of the palace.”

Jin Luoluo was a hundred and twenty thousand times unwilling to go. The Empress was far too clever and was wholeheartedly trying to match her with Xiao Che, while she simply was not in the mood for any of it.

“Such matters can be handled by us servants. Miss Jin, it would be best not to keep Her Majesty waiting.”

“Go on, Luoluo. Avoiding a problem is not the solution. If you truly don’t want it, then you should find a way to resolve it.”

Xiao Luo gave her an encouraging smile and calmly wheeled himself away.

“Your Majesty, why did you summon me? The clothes you asked me to make for the delegation last time—I have already prepared several designs. I’ll bring them for you to review in a couple of days.”

Jin Luoluo deliberately steered the conversation into safer territory, hoping the Empress would devote more attention to that matter instead of meddling in her affairs with Xiao Che.

“Mm, I knew I was right to entrust it to you. You are an intelligent and capable young woman, thoughtful and adorable as well. Having a daughter-in-law like you would truly be my blessing.”

The Empress deftly guided the topic right back again, taking Jin Luoluo’s hand and smiling warmly at her.

Jin Luoluo was so exasperated that she felt like coughing up blood, yet all she could do was laugh awkwardly to brush it off.

“Hehe…”

“Luoluo, lately it seems you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with Seventeenth Brother. I remember that at the last palace banquet, you appeared rather surprised when you saw him. Did you two know each other before?”

The Empress began probing for information. If there truly was something developing between the two of them, she needed to nip it in the bud immediately.

After all, there was only one Jin Luoluo. Naturally, she should be reserved for her own son—how could such a treasure be allowed to benefit outsiders?

“No, we didn’t know each other. It’s just that he looks very much like someone I once knew.”