novelraw Chapter 509: The Emperor Appears
Chapter 509: The Emperor Appears
"Bang—" the car door closed.
Lin Yuzhen stiffly fastened her seatbelt, eyes flickering.
"Let’s go." Lin Muxue said casually.
The car slowly started, the low hum of the engine reaching their ears.
Lin Yuzhen nodded hard, sitting carefully in the passenger seat, her hands unconsciously folded on her knees.
A faint high-end fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose, and the soft leather seat wrapped around her body.
She occasionally snuck a glance at Lin Muxue beside her, then quickly looked away, her face full of mixed emotions.
Suddenly, she felt like this cousin had become a total stranger.
A Porsche sports car, a diamond-studded watch, classy and extravagant clothes, refined makeup...
Like one of those elegant White Rich Beauties straight out of a TV drama.If they’d bumped into each other on the street, she might not have even recognized her.
"Zhenzhen, how’s school? You’re a junior now, right?" Lin Muxue asked casually while driving, her tone relaxed but tinged with concern.
"Yes, school’s going well."
"What made you want to come to Yancheng for fun?"
"I worked for over a month this summer, just wanted to go on a little trip during the National Day holiday. A classmate lives here, so..."
Lin Muxue’s lips lifted slightly, her voice calm, "The classmate you're talking about is that boy, right?"
"Ah!" Lin Yuzhen bit her lip, nervously wringing her fingers, "It’s... it’s Zhou Hao. I came with Li Xiaotong, we’re just here to hang out a few days and then we’ll go back."
Facing this imposing, mysterious cousin—especially her overwhelming aura—made her especially nervous. Even her voice was low.
Lin Muxue couldn’t help but sneak a look at the obedient Lin Yuzhen, feeling a sudden wave of satisfaction.
Her younger cousin used to be polite enough, but not exactly respectful. She always had a lukewarm tone when speaking to her.
Especially after getting into a 211 university, her attitude had grown far less affectionate than when they were kids.
This feeling of "returning home in glory" made Lin Muxue feel a little giddy.
Wasn’t everything she, Xiaoxue, had been working so hard for out there all for this moment?
Lin Muxue tapped the steering wheel lightly with her finger, "Do you like that Zhou Hao?"
Lin Yuzhen frantically shook her head, "No... no, I don’t."
Lin Muxue smiled, saying nothing either way.
She had good emotional intelligence and could naturally see how much her cousin was trying to cover up—it was obvious she had a bit of a crush.
But from just a quick glance earlier, she could also tell they weren’t really a good match.
Zhou Hao lived in Huajing Oasis, wore clothes worth over ten grand, and drove a BMW X5. Clearly a rich second-gen.
Lin Yuzhen might be smart, but after years of burying her head in books, she didn’t know much about the world—let alone human nature.
Having watched her grow up, Lin Muxue felt it necessary to offer some advice.
"Zhenzhen, when it comes to feelings, don’t dive in too deep too fast. Especially when the other person’s way ahead of you in terms of circumstances—you’ve got to learn to protect yourself. Not everyone’s going to be sincere. Sometimes they’re just in it for the novelty."
Lin Yuzhen froze, not expecting her cousin to be so blunt.
She looked down, tightly rubbing her fingertips against her hem, and whispered, "Got it, Sister Xiaoxue."
"Mhm."
The car fell silent.
A few minutes later, the Porsche 911 slowly pulled into the underground parking garage of Happy Metropolis.
Lin Muxue reached back to grab her bag, stepping out of the car with elegance and composure, "Your classmates probably aren’t here yet. Let’s wait by the elevator."
"Okay." Lin Yuzhen glanced at her cousin, then at the flashy sports car, and finally couldn’t help asking, "Sister Xiaoxue, is this your car?"
"Mhm." Lin Muxue answered calmly, "Just got it recently, got it at an internal price—just a little over two million."
"Two... two million?!" Lin Yuzhen nearly bit her own tongue, "That expensive?!"
"Not too bad. I picked a lot of custom options. I like things with personality." Lin Muxue explained offhandedly, like she was talking about something trivial.
Lin Yuzhen followed her closely, texting Li Xiaotong on her phone as they walked.
As they entered the elevator lobby—
"Whoosh—" all eyes quickly turned their way, landing on the elegant and sexy Lin Muxue.
Men and women alike were drawn to her.
Lin Yuzhen felt instantly uncomfortable.
And she noticed—many of the women weren’t just looking at her cousin. Their gazes were fixated on the bag in her hand.
Following their line of sight, Lin Yuzhen finally noticed the large "LV" logo and the gray-white gradient crocodile texture.
The clean and refined design was mesmerizing.
So beautiful!
It was probably the best-looking bag she’d ever seen in person. As a fellow woman, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of longing.
But she knew nothing about luxury brands. She’d only picked up a few bits from Li Xiaotong and didn’t know what bag it actually was.
Lin Muxue seemed used to this kind of attention. She casually took off her sunglasses and slipped them into the bag—smooth and practiced.
As her gaze skimmed over all the envious, jealous stares, the corners of her mouth lifted. Her mood soared.
Go ahead and be jealous! I, Empress Muxue, am here to crush you all!
They hadn’t waited long before hurried footsteps echoed, accompanied by Zhou Hao’s voice: "Zhenzhen, Sister Xiaoxue, sorry to keep you waiting."
Lin Yuzhen quickly replied, "We just got here too."
Li Xiaotong walked up beside Lin Yuzhen, her eyes instinctively drawn to Lin Muxue. Her pupils shrank as she blurted out, "Gilded Sahara?"
Hearing that, Lin Muxue turned slightly, giving her a quick glance, clearly pleased.
At least someone has good taste.
Lin Yuzhen whispered, "Xiaotong, what’s Gilded Sahara?"
Li Xiaotong took a deep breath and pointed to the bag in Lin Muxue’s hand, her voice slightly tense, "That bag is LV’s bag king—the Capucines Gilded Sahara. It’s over 200,000!"
"That expensive?" Lin Yuzhen’s eyelid twitched, her whole body stiffening.
A bag worth over 200K—totally beyond her imagination. And it belonged to her cousin.
"Yeah! Super expensive!" Li Xiaotong subtly shifted her own 5,000-yuan Prada bag backward and looked at Lin Muxue with eyes full of envy and shock.
Able to carry a bag that expensive and drive a Porsche 911...
Just who is Lin Yuzhen’s cousin, really?
But then a hint of doubt crept in.
They were both from Shaanxi Province and shared a dorm. She’d heard Lin Yuzhen mention this cousin before—
Supposedly didn’t graduate from any fancy school, and her job wasn’t all that impressive either.
How did she suddenly become this extravagant?
Could it be...
Her gaze flickered with suspicion, and she couldn’t suppress the shadowy guesses forming in her mind.
Seeing isn’t always believing.
The car could’ve been rented or borrowed. The bag and clothes might be knock-offs.
We can visit a luxury boutique later. If she dares to walk in, then it proves her stuff is real.
After all, the shop assistants are professionals, and they’ve got the same styles in-store. If you walk in with a knockoff, they’ll definitely spot it.
Hearing the two of them talking and glancing at Lin Muxue standing there, a hint of obsession flickered in Zhou Hao’s eyes.
Lin Yuzhen’s cousin was, hands down, the most attractive and impressive woman he’d ever seen.
Her delicate features were nearly flawless, and you could tell she hadn’t had any cosmetic work done.
A slender waist, long legs, fair skin, and beautiful looks—all portrayed to perfection.
Add that cool and unattainable “high mountain flower” aura, and she was absolutely unbeatable!
Compared to her, Lin Yuzhen and Li Xiaotong, who he used to find fresh and pretty, suddenly looked plain and forgettable.
If only she were his girlfriend, that would be...
While he was daydreaming, the elevator doors slowly opened, and the group quickly stepped inside.
It was the National Day holiday, and the mall was packed with people.
The elevator soon became crowded.
Zhou Hao stepped forward, shielding Lin Muxue and Lin Yuzhen to block any “ill-intentioned” men from getting too close.
However, to his disappointment, Lin Muxue didn’t even spare him a glance.
The elevator stopped on the first floor, and everyone gradually exited.
Lin Muxue patted her cousin’s shoulder and said calmly, “Zhenzhen, which phone are you planning to get?”
Lin Yuzhen looked down and replied, her voice a bit reserved, “I’m using a Vivo now, so another Vivo is fine. The model doesn’t matter. My budget’s under 2,000. I don’t know much about this stuff.”
Li Xiaotong immediately chimed in, “If you ask me, just go big and get an iPhone 15.”
Lin Yuzhen quickly shook her head and waved her hands awkwardly, “No, no need... really.”
Lin Muxue’s gaze swept over her cousin and her classmate, her brows slightly raised as she said lightly, “Alright, Zhenzhen. Since you came all the way to Yancheng, of course I’ll take care of you. Come on, I’ll buy you a phone.”
With that, she walked ahead with graceful steps, as if stepping into her own domain.
The Chanel knit cardigan on her swayed gently, her whole aura radiating confidence and elegance.
People passing by couldn’t help but turn their heads, and a few young people even secretly raised their phones to take pictures. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Lin Yuzhen bit her lip and lowered her head, quietly following behind.
As they entered the sleek, modern Apple flagship store, a uniformed staff member immediately greeted them with a professional and enthusiastic smile, “Hello, may I help you?”
“Mhm, looking at the iPhone 15 series.” Lin Muxue’s tone was casual as she headed straight to the display area.
Lin Yuzhen stood at the counter, staring at the dazzling array of high-end phones, her emotions a complicated mix.
The staff began explaining the features and specs of each phone in detail, while Lin Muxue listened absently, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment.
A moment later, she turned to her cousin and asked, “Zhenzhen, what color do you like?”
“I... anything’s fine...”
Lin Muxue didn’t bother with more questions and said directly to the staff, “One iPhone 15 Pro in Natural Titanium, the one with the largest storage capacity.”
“Absolutely!” The staff beamed instantly, “I’ll go get it for you.”
Lin Yuzhen’s heart pounded wildly, her voice dry as she said, “Sister Xiaoxue, that’s... way too expensive... the basic model is fine, and I don’t need that much storage.”
The 1TB version of the 15 Pro cost 12,999 yuan—about a year’s living expenses for her.
To a regular student, that was an astronomical price.
Lin Muxue raised her chin slightly and said coolly, “Heh, I don’t give out cheap stuff. You’re my cousin, after all. Buying you a phone is only right, so don’t be shy about it.”
Right now, she had just gotten her top-tier Obsidian Card and was riding a wave of inflated confidence.
She didn’t even bat an eye at spending ten thousand-plus.
Hearing her bossy CEO-like words, Li Xiaotong felt a twinge of toothache.
It was the first time she’d met someone this flamboyant.
Not just her looks—even her personality was aggressively bold, full of presence. She and Lin Yuzhen were polar opposites.
Soon, the staff brought over the phone and handed it to them.
Lin Muxue took the box, double-checked the version and specs, then said briskly, “I’ll take it.”
“Alright, that’ll be 12,999 yuan.”
The staff efficiently guided all four to the checkout.
Lin Muxue opened her bag and hesitated for a moment—not choosing the newly acquired Black Card. Instead, she pulled out her China Merchants Bank credit card.
Though she was dying to try the thrill of her new card, this expense was for her cousin, and didn’t fit the “Assistant to Tang Song” usage rules.
More importantly, she wanted her first swipe with the Obsidian Card to be something personally meaningful.
That was her own little ritual.
She entered the PIN and took the receipt.
The staff enthusiastically unboxed the phone, patiently introduced the features to Lin Yuzhen, and helped her transfer her data.
Li Xiaotong’s gaze was filled with envy.
She was still using a 13 Pro, and had been pestering her dad for an upgrade—so far, no luck.
Her earlier suggestion that Lin Yuzhen’s cousin should buy her a 15 Pro had mostly been a joke. She hadn’t expected it to actually happen.
Holding the premium Apple flagship phone in her hands, Lin Yuzhen pressed her lips together, eyes brimming with uncontrollable joy.
She’d only ever held a phone like this while window shopping, never imagined she’d actually own one.
Li Xiaotong’s eyes were still full of envy—she was still using a 13 Pro, and had been nudging her dad to get her a new one with no results.
What she said earlier about letting Lin Yuzhen’s cousin buy the 15 Pro had mostly been teasing—but to her shock, it came true.
After leaving the Apple store, Lin Muxue suggested they browse some other shops.
Next, she led them straight to the Celine boutique.
In the end, she spent another fifteen thousand to buy Lin Yuzhen a full set of autumn clothes.
The whole process was effortless—she swiped her card without hesitation.
Lin Yuzhen looked down at the large shopping bags in her hands, her mind in a daze.
In less than an hour, she’d received a top-of-the-line phone and a full set of designer clothes. The sudden wave of happiness left her totally overwhelmed.
Her gaze landed on her cousin, and a swirl of emotions rose inside her.
There was deep guilt—and also an unmistakable sense of inferiority.
This kind of treatment, it was as if she were being treated like a real little sister.
And she? She’d always been lukewarm toward this cousin, even a little dismissive.
Every time they talked, she acted overly polite but never really cared about her cousin’s life—let alone took the initiative to reach out.
“Jie...” Lin Yuzhen’s lips trembled, a soft shimmer of tears in her eyes, “Thank you for the gifts.”
Lin Muxue smiled slightly and patted her shoulder, “Alright, no need to thank me. Saying stuff like that just makes us seem like strangers.”
Beside them, Zhou Hao said, “Zhenzhen, Xiaotong, didn’t I promise to get you two gifts before? Let’s go to Chanel. I’ll buy each of you a Camellia silk scarf.”
Li Xiaotong’s eyes lit up instantly, her voice filled with excitement, “Wow! Hao-ge, you’re amazing!”
During the recent Mid-Autumn break, they’d hung out with Zhou Hao in Chang’an for two days, and he had indeed promised to get them both gifts once they came to Yancheng.
They just hadn’t expected them to be so pricey.
After all, even a basic Camellia silk scarf cost three to four thousand at the boutique.
“No need to be polite, let’s go.” Zhou Hao shot a subtle glance at Lin Muxue—but failed to get any reaction he was hoping for.
Lin Yuzhen still wanted to say something, but she was already being pulled away by Li Xiaotong.
The interior was understated and luxurious, with a faint scent of perfume in the air.
The marble floor reflected a soft sheen, and every display exuded refinement and meticulous design.
“Welcome.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
The sales associates’ trained eyes quickly scanned the four of them. When they saw Lin Muxue’s outfit and handbag, their demeanor instantly changed—becoming especially attentive as they gathered around.
Seeing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Li Xiaotong’s eyes. The dark suspicions she’d had in her heart were completely shattered.
That outfit was definitely the real deal—there was not a single hint of pretense.
Lin Muxue rested her left hand on her right arm, her gaze sweeping confidently across the boutique, lips curving into an almost imperceptible smile.
Time to show some real power!
My dear Obsidian Card, your time to shine has come!
As Tang Song’s assistant, of course she had to dress well and look presentable—to keep him in a better mood. That totally counted as a business expense, right?
Even if he found out, he definitely wouldn’t blame her.
Thinking that, a rush of emotion surged through her. Her mood steadily rose.
Zhou Hao hurried forward, beaming, “We’d like to take a look at the Camellia silk scarves.”
“Of course, right this way.” The sales associate politely led them to a display counter.
From within, she took out a large box with neatly arranged silk scarves inside.
Basic black and white, colorful prints—each scarf radiated its own unique charm.
Li Xiaotong and Lin Yuzhen each picked one, trying them on and snapping photos, totally immersed in the fun.
Meanwhile, Zhou Hao’s gaze remained fixed on Lin Muxue.
He took a deep breath and gathered his courage. “Sister Xiaoxue, why don’t you pick one too? Consider it a gift from me.”
Then he picked up a cashmere version worth over eight thousand yuan and said sincerely, “I think this one really suits your style.”
“Oh? A gift for me?” Lin Muxue raised her brows and nearly laughed aloud.
With her intuition and EQ, she could instantly see through his little scheme.
Hmph! So full of himself!
“Yeah, my parents always tell me to make more friends with outstanding people. And Sister Xiaoxue, you’re by far the most outstanding person I’ve met.” Zhou Hao’s face was full of sincerity, his tone clearly buttering her up.
He really liked Lin Yuzhen’s cousin—especially that moment when they first met. It was still playing on repeat in his mind.
His eagerness was, in truth, all to get her attention. Start as friends, and maybe something could develop later. There might still be a chance.
In this area, he had some confidence.
He had good looks—campus heartthrob level, often hit on by girls, definitely presentable.
His family ran a business with their own company, assets in the tens of millions. In Yancheng, that made him your standard rich second-gen.
Hearing the conversation,
Li Xiaotong bit her lip. Her gaze toward Lin Muxue was tinged with panic and jealousy.
The reason she brought Lin Yuzhen over to Zhou Hao’s place was, frankly, to use her as a foil to make herself shine and get closer to Zhou Hao.
She hadn’t expected a cousin to show up and instantly crush her like dust.
Seeing Zhou Hao act like this—this was not looking good!
Lin Muxue glanced down at the scarf, then looked up at Zhou Hao.
She let out a soft “heh,” her eyes gleaming with a bit of playful mockery. “No need. That scarf you mentioned? I already own two.”
“Uh…” Zhou Hao’s eyelid twitched. He clearly hadn’t expected to be turned down. “Then maybe... another style?”
“No need. I’ll handle it myself.” Lin Muxue touched her LV Gilded Sahara, turned gracefully, and waved at a nearby sales associate.
The associate immediately stepped forward, respectfully saying, “Hello, I’m happy to assist you.”
“Do you have the Paris-Hamburg series scarves?”
“I’m sorry, that collection is limited and only available in select cities or regions. Our store doesn’t carry it.” The associate explained, then added, “But if you’d like, I can check availability at other stores.”
“No need. What about the annual limited-edition Camellia one?” Lin Muxue continued.
“That we do have, but…” the associate paused, then cautiously explained, “it’s only available for VIC clients and requires a two-month advance reservation. If you’re willing, I can check your status and help you apply.”
As a seasoned sales associate, she could tell Lin Muxue wasn’t lacking in funds. She really wanted to keep this high-value client.
But luxury brands set high thresholds to maintain their exclusivity and prices—limited editions and VIP-only services were the norm.
Hearing this, Lin Muxue remained composed, a faint smile curling at her lips. “One moment, I’ll make a call.”
She opened her bag, pulled out her phone, and dialed the Obsidian Card concierge’s number.
The call was answered after just two rings.
“Hello, Ms. Lin. How may I assist you today?” came a warm and professional voice from a female concierge.
Lin Muxue responded in fluent English: “I’m currently at Chanel in... Yancheng Happy Metropolis. I’d like to purchase some limited edition items. Can you help arrange priority access for me?”
“Of course... Ms. Lin, please wait in-store for a moment. I’ll take care of it right away. Is there anything else I can assist with?”
“No, that’s all, thank you.”
As the conversation played out,
Zhou Hao and the others, while not fluent, could make out parts of it—and were all shaken.
After hanging up, Lin Muxue looked up with a calm smile. “Please wait a moment.”
“Certainly.” The associate stood beside her, head bowed, waiting silently.
About two minutes later,
Hurried footsteps echoed.
A man in his thirties, dressed in a black suit, rushed in. “Excuse me, who is Ms. Lin Muxue?”
“That’s me.” Lin Muxue nodded slightly.
“Hello, Ms. Lin. I’m the store manager.” He bowed slightly, voice respectful and tinged with apology. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Would it be convenient for you to move to our VIP lounge? We’re ready to serve you personally.”
In an instant, all eyes turned toward them.
Not just other customers, even the staff nearby were sneaking glances.
Lin Yuzhen and Li Xiaotong’s eyes twitched, their heads a total mess.
Zhou Hao licked his lips, his face incredibly awkward.
Lin Muxue felt like every pore of her body had opened up, her toes curling in delight.
But on the surface, her tone remained calm. “Sure, thank you.”
Through a low-key but tastefully designed glass door, the group entered Chanel’s VIP lounge.
Decorated mainly in ivory tones and deep brown wood furniture, the space felt both elegant and cozy.
In the center was a round marble coffee table with a delicate tray of snacks on top.
“Ms. Lin, please relax here. I’ll bring the product right away.” The manager bowed and signaled for the staff to begin.
Meanwhile, another staff member brought over a warm lemon water, gently placing it in front of Lin Muxue.
She took the glass, her fingers resting lightly on the rim, her movements graceful and composed.
As if she were completely used to all this.
But in truth, her heart was soaring.
Enjoying the top-tier treatment and shamelessly flaunting herself—her heart surged with unstoppable satisfaction.
In less than two minutes,
A sales associate returned holding a black velvet box and gently placed it on the table.
“Ms. Lin, here is the annual limited-edition Camellia scarf you requested.”
Lin Muxue nodded and motioned for her to open it, revealing the exquisitely crafted scarf inside.
Lin Yuzhen and Li Xiaotong’s eyes were instantly glued to it.
Zhou Hao took a deep breath and forced a smile, “Sister Xiaoxue, that scarf is truly beautiful—it really suits you. Your taste is impeccable.”
Lin Muxue smiled faintly, her long legs elegantly crossed as she leaned back on the soft leather sofa and asked, “Does this scarf have a matching handbag?”
“Yes, Ms. Lin. We just happen to have a Mini Classic Flap Bag from the same series—also a limited edition. Would you like to see it?”
“Sure.” Lin Muxue nodded.
A moment later, the staff brought in a leather handbag.
The bag was made of cream-colored herringbone tweed, its gold chain studded with tiny pearls, echoing the golden embroidery of the scarf.
Together under the light, they sparkled brilliantly.
“I’ll take both. Oh, and I saw a special edition of the Little Black Jacket outside—I’ll take that too.”
“Absolutely, I’ll arrange it right away!” the manager replied promptly, his tone flattering.
Soon, several sales associates gathered around Lin Muxue, cautiously recommending new arrivals and bustling around her.
The 2023 Cruise rainbow-gradient CF bag, Tweed dresses and jackets, limited-edition embroidered bags from the Métiers d’Art collection...
One exclusive item after another was brought into the VIP room—for her and her alone.
The whole process was smooth and efficient, without the slightest delay.
Lin Yuzhen and Li Xiaotong stared in stunned silence, completely overwhelmed by the scene before them.
Zhou Hao watched Lin Muxue’s every move, stunned by the sheer force of her presence.
Over half an hour later,
All the selected items were neatly arranged on the table.
From scarves to handbags, clothing to accessories—each one something she’d once wanted but couldn’t obtain.
The store manager handed over a list. “Ms. Lin, here’s your shopping breakdown—please take a look.”
Lin Muxue casually glanced over it. The number made both Lin Yuzhen and Li Xiaotong gasp.
The total exceeded 360,000 RMB.
“No problem, swipe it.” Lin Muxue turned slightly, her slender fingers gracefully opening the Gilded Sahara to take out the Visa Infinite Obsidian Card.
Under the lighting, the intricate carbon fiber patterns shimmered like constellations—radiating an air of mysterious luxury.
The store manager’s gaze locked onto the black card, his expression flashing with awe and reverence.
He took the card with both hands and said respectfully, “Ms. Lin, as a prestigious Obsidian Card holder, I’ll contact your concierge team to handle the payment. No need for you to operate it personally. You’re also eligible for exclusive discounts.”
The jaws of Lin Yuzhen and the others dropped, their minds buzzing like “bzzz.”
Lin Muxue’s chest rose slightly as she mimicked Director Jin’s style, casually replying, “Go ahead.”
As the words left her lips, her emotions reached their peak.
She lifted her chin slightly and calmly scanned the surroundings.
October 1st, 2023—Empress Muxue descended upon the world, wielding the ultimate Imperial Weapon, opening a new era of her own!
Mortals, you were always destined to merely bask in my glory!