Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!

Chapter 404: Chapter 396: Lu Family’s Second Young Master

As so many days passed, the spring atmosphere in the Imperial City grew increasingly thick, bidding a complete farewell to winter and welcoming vibrant life.

Calculating the days, Lu Xiao has also been gone for more than a month.

Back then, the Sky King said the trial wasn’t that hard, and the fastest it could be finished was within ten days to half a month. With Lu Xiao’s abilities, it shouldn’t have been delayed this long, right?

Shen Tang was a bit worried.

Unfortunately, she didn’t know much about the rules over there. The Old Lord Lu Shen should know a bit more about it than she does. After handling her political affairs, Shen Tang took the time to visit the Lu Family.

During the time Lu Xiao was away, the family affairs of the Lu Family were handled by the Old Lord and the second young master, which made the Old Lord, who had just retired and was planning to enjoy his twilight years, incredibly busy.

When Lu Shen heard that Shen Tang had come over, he promptly set aside what he was doing and went to greet her personally.

”Why does Your Majesty have the time to come to the Lu Family today? Surely it isn’t to visit this old man, right?” Lu Shen joked with a cheerful grin.

In the past, Lu Shen had a rather unfavorable view of Shen Tang, and Shen Tang also thought this old man from the Lu Family was a stubborn and rigid relic. But after spending time together, she realized the Old Lord had quite a humorous and witty personality.

Shen Tang sighed, ”I came today to ask the Old Lord if there’s been any news from the Yunding Empire? Ah Xiao has been gone for over a month now and hasn’t returned. I suspect he may have encountered other matters there, and the Sky King won’t have changed his mind and forcibly kept him there, right?”

”There’s no need to worry about that, Tian Hui is someone who values credibility. Since she promised you, she definitely won’t go back on her word,” Lu Shen replied. ”Although the trial is harsh, the Roc Clan has few descendants. If too many were to die in the trial, over time they’d be extinct. So, while the trial is difficult, it isn’t too dangerous.”

He continued, ”Tian Hui only said that to purposely ease your worries. In reality, the trial takes quite a long time, most take several months, and some have even taken several years to complete.”

”Those who came out too early were all ones who failed the trial.”

Shen Tang, ”I’m still worried. Doesn’t the Old Lord have contact details for the Sky King? Perhaps you could ask her?”

Lu Shen coughed heavily, and for once his face showed a bit of embarrassment. ”She deleted me long ago. If I could contact her, I wouldn’t have waited until today.”

”...”

[Rest assured, Host, Lu Xiao’s life value is very normal!]

Hearing the system, Shen Tang wasn’t too worried.

In the sitting room, Shen Tang and the Old Lord discussed political matters.

There was a knock on the door from outside.

Instantly, there was a deep and pleasant voice.

”Father.”

Lu Shen’s face sank, ”Come in then.”

Shen Tang looked toward the door as an eighteen or nineteen-year-old young man pushed it open and entered. His face was deep and handsome, his build tall and slender, resembling Lu Xiao by a bit, though more youthful yet full of extraordinary charisma.

Lu Shen remarked in surprise, ”You dressed in a proper way today of all days, not embarrassing your father for once!”

The young man raised an eyebrow, ”Father, your words are too harsh. Your son is quite impressive and has never embarrassed you.”

Lu Shen turned his head toward Shen Tang and cheerfully introduced, ”Your Majesty, I’d like to introduce my second son, Lu Ke.”

He scolded, ”Ke’er, aren’t you going to greet Your Majesty?”

The youth, upon seeing Shen Tang on the sofa, exhibited a mixture of surprise and a bit of shy reservation, ”I didn’t expect Your Majesty to be here today. Lu Ke pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Shen Tang had some impression of the second young master of the Lu Family, but she’d never spoken much with him before.

She smiled warmly, ”No need for formalities, Second Young Master. I’m your elder brother’s companion, also your sister-in-law. There’s no need for these formalities.”

”The etiquette between a sovereign and their subject must not be broken,” Lu Ke replied respectfully.

They exchanged a few pleasantries, formally acquainting themselves. After finishing a discussion on state affairs with the Old Lord, Shen Tang stood to take her leave.

Watching her departing figure, a difficult-to-interpret look flashed in Lu Ke’s eyes.

”Oh, and there’s this document that needs to be handed to Your Majesty, I forgot to mention it earlier. I’ll have to send someone quickly!” Lu Shen slapped his forehead in regret.

Lu Ke proactively offered, ”Father, let me take it over.”

”You’re surprisingly proactive today, alright, you take it, but make sure to personally hand the document to Your Majesty.”

”Understood.”

...

Another batch of documents was brought in, and Shen Tang went to the study to work.

Xiao Jin and the others were busy with their tasks.

Just as Shen Tang approved a plan, there was a knock on the door, ”Is Your Majesty available?”

The familiar voice made Shen Tang pause, ”Lu Ke?”

Why would he come here?

”Father had a document he forgot to give to Your Majesty, entrusted me to deliver it,” Lu Ke replied respectfully.

”Then come in.”

Lu Ke pushed the door open and entered.

Shen Tang’s gaze fell upon Lu Ke, her expression halted.

The youth had deliberately styled his hair, which showed a charming sheen from hair gel under the sunlight, and he had even put on cologne, the scent of which was noticeable from afar.

Lu Ke had also gone to the trouble of changing into a set of clothes, with a black lace tie around his neck. He wore a simple and refreshing white shirt with black pants, but the shirt’s material was quite sheer and seemed semi-transparent under the sun.

The youth stood at the door, backlit by the light.

Shen Tang could clearly see the black harness he was wearing underneath.

The black strap tightly encircled his chest, forming triangles on either side, making his already muscular chest look even more pronounced. The straps crossed his waist and continued downward, tracing his mermaid lines before disappearing into his waistband.

It unintentionally drew one’s eyes to the lines where they intersected.

One could imagine that once the clothes were removed, it would be quite a tantalizing sight.

”...” Shen Tang’s face showed a touch of discomfort as she averted her gaze, pretending not to have noticed.

Secretly pondering: It had long been said that the second son of the Lu Family was a reckless character outside, often causing the Old Lord to be frustrated with him, it seems his reputation is well-deserved!

However, coming to present himself to the monarch dressed like this... isn’t it somewhat inappropriate?

Perhaps he was planning to go to some special places, intending to run an errand along the way without changing clothes.

Shen Tang didn’t dwell on it much.

”Your Majesty, my father asked me to give this document to you, please check if there’s anything amiss,” Lu Ke’s voice was warm and composed. He approached the desk, his cologne becoming more intense, tingling Shen Tang’s nose slightly.

Shen Tang accepted the document and opened it to review.

”Shall I pour a glass of water for Your Majesty?” Lu Ke said considerately, turning to fetch a cup of water at the dispenser without waiting for a response.

As Shen Tang reached out to take the glass, his fingers nonchalantly brushed against hers, sending a tingling sensation over her skin.

Shen Tang shot him a puzzled glance, unsure of his intention.

The youth wore a considerate smile and showed no intention of leaving. He stepped closer to her side, bending down as he leaned in, his fingers tentatively reaching to hold her hand, ”Your Majesty, did you know, I’ve admired you for quite a while...”

Standing so close, the young man’s warm breath brushed against her face, and the air around them seemed tinged with a subtle hint of intimacy.

Shen Tang casually picked up a book, blocking his advance.

Lu Ke’s expression froze, ”Your Majesty...”

Shen Tang, ”I’m curious, what do you think of your elder brother?”

Lu Ke was momentarily stunned, unsure why Shen Tang suddenly brought his brother up. He gulped and lowered his voice, respectfully replying, ”My brother is gifted with remarkable talent and ability. He is the person in the family I admire the most, the most exceptional male figure.”

As he spoke, Lu Ke looked at her with bright, shining eyes, ”Of course, what I envy the most is my brother being able to marry an enlightened ruler like you...”