Creak—Dong…
The doors of the Palace of Eternal Joy slowly closed.
After watching Ye Anping and the other two leave, Tong Zilan let out a long sigh and walked back to the Imperial Concubine’s couch, leaning to one side. Her mind replayed Ye Anping’s gaze from moments ago.
Before Ye Anping and the others were led into the room, Liang Zhu had been telling her about some of Ye Anping’s past deeds.
—How Ye Anping, with the help of a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, had saved the Myriad cultivators within Chi Long Mansion from four Core Formation Stage demonic cultivators from the Tian Mo Sect, and had helped Li Qianjin revitalize Chi Long Mansion.
At the time, as Liang Zhu spoke, neither she nor Yue Xuanming, who was listening, took it seriously. They thought Liang Zhu was exaggerating and trying to flatter his “Sixth Brother.”
She just listened for amusement and didn’t pay it any mind.
But now, after meeting Ye Anping, she felt that Liang Zhu’s words were not just an exaggeration.
Those deep purple eyes held none of the immaturity expected of a boy around ten years old. Even she found it difficult to fathom the thoughts in his heart.
Facing her, the Empress of the Central Domain, and the Deputy Commander of Xing Tian Division, who was two major realms higher than him, he showed no fear. Instead, he was calm and logical.
Tong Zilan was silent for a moment, then turned to Yue Xuanming beside her and asked:
“Yue Qingjia, with your judgment from over a hundred years of serving in Xing Tian Division, what is your evaluation of Young Master Ye?”
Yue Xuanming lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before replying:
“He is extremely deep, with none of the youthful impetuosity expected of his age. Every action is logical, and to reach the Mid Foundation Establishment cultivation at this age is already a great talent. He must not be underestimated in the future.”
“Oh?” Tong Zilan’s eyes showed a hint of surprise. “It’s rare to hear you praise someone so highly, Yue Qingjia.”
“Your subordinate speaks the truth. If that kid were a hundred years old, I wouldn’t need to say this. But he’s only seventeen or eighteen. It seems the Sect Master of Hundred Lotus Sect has indeed taught him well.”
Listening to their conversation, Liang Zhu’s expression shifted slightly, and he felt a mix of emotions.
As the saying goes, one can only raise the kind of person one is.
He had met Ye Ao. While it was impolite to say so, he truly felt that Ye Ao was just an ordinary person, clearly incapable of great things. Madam Kong was slightly better but still unremarkable.
How had this couple managed to raise Ye Anping, “Old Six”?
Earlier, at the Hundred Lotus Sect, he had even thought about asking Ye Ao to help educate A’ting, hoping that A’ting could become as clever as Old Six in the future, but…
Tong Zilan listened, resting her chin on her hand as she pondered for a moment:
“Seventeen or eighteen years old… Speaking of which, isn’t Yu’er almost at her Coming of Age Ceremony?”
?
Hearing this, Liang Zhu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Why was the Empress suddenly bringing up this topic?
Yue Xuanming calculated with his fingers and replied: “More than ten years ago, the Second Princess was brought out by Liang Zhu. I remember the Second Princess was only not even three months old at the time. Calculating from that, she should be fourteen this year.”
“Mmm… this age also matches,” Tong Zilan murmured, turning to Liang Zhu. “What do you think, Liang Qingjia?”
Liang Zhu’s expression twitched, and he cupped his hands to ask:
“…What do you mean, Your Majesty?”
“Naturally, I want to arrange a good marriage for Yu’er. The Hundred Lotus Sect is supported by the Xuan Xing Sect, and Young Master Ye seems to have a good relationship with the two young masters of the Xuan Xing Sect. If Yu’er marries him, she will likely have a prosperous future.”
…
Liang Zhu’s jaw almost dropped to the floor. He opened his mouth and stuttered for a long time before quickly cupping his hands and saying:
“Your Majesty, I believe this matter is inappropriate! This… this! A’ting… is, after all, the Second Princess of the Imperial Sect. Such a marriage should be of equal standing. Marrying into the Hundred Lotus Sect would be a downgrade…”
“…Second Princess.” Tong Zilan shook her head slightly, a look of helplessness on her face. “There are no more heirs in the Central Domain Imperial Sect. After his death, the Imperial Sect has already ceased to exist in name. What is the point of keeping the title of Second Princess of the Imperial Sect?”
…
Upon hearing this, Yue Xuanming also sighed deeply:
“If I hadn’t heard Your Majesty say it personally today, I would never have believed that Your Majesty would commit such a destructive act that would lead to the sect’s demise. Once this matter spreads, the Imperial Sect will surely face condemnation from the Immortal Families of the three domains…”
“Even so, at that time, please let Dan Yue Shang Xian put an end to the thousand-year-old Imperial Sect.”
Tong Zilan relaxed slightly and waved her hand:
“Whatever happens in the Central Domain from now on is beyond our control. Yue Qingjia, you will handle the matter of receiving the Demon Emperor into the city. Remember, do not let that old man notice anything unusual.”
“Your subordinate understands.”
Then, Tong Zilan turned to Liang Zhu on the other side and called out:
“Liang Qingjia.”
“Yes…”
“You have taken care of Yu’er for so many years. Allow me to thank you. Do you regret it?”
Liang Zhu was silent for a moment, then nodded:
“Indeed, I regret it. If I hadn’t agreed to Your Majesty’s request back then, I believe I would be in a high position in Xing Tian Division now, and my cultivation wouldn’t have stopped at Late Foundation Establishment. But similarly, if I hadn’t agreed back then, I would also regret not saving the Second Princess now.”
“Please continue to take good care of Yu’er in the future. Her identity as the Second Princess of the Imperial Sect should be kept a secret, buried deep.”
Liang Zhu deliberated for a moment before continuing: “Yes, this subject will keep A’ting’s secret. However, regarding the Second Princess’s marriage, I hope Your Majesty will reconsider… My Sixth Brother is…”
Seeing Liang Zhu’s reluctance, Tong Zilan covered her mouth and chuckled:
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Liang Zhu pouted and reluctantly cupped his hands in agreement:
“…Yes.”
“I am tired. You two esteemed ministers may leave.”
Liang Zhu and Yue Xuanming cupped their hands in salute, then turned and walked out of the hall doors.
The palace gates of the Palace of Eternal Joy opened and closed once. The two arrived at the steps below the palace gate. Yue Xuanming looked at Liang Zhu and said:
“Liang Zhu, after we return to Xing Tian Division, I will temporarily promote you to my assistant. You can then use my waist token. You can freely dispatch personnel from the Gold, Wood, and Earth Elemental Divisions of the Pavilion without prior notice to me, but be careful of the Pavilion Master of Xing Tian Division. You should know him.”
“…I know him.”
“That’s good. If anything concerning that Young Master Ye arises, you can also directly inform me by coming to the Pavilion.”
“Thank you, Lord Yue.”
“I will return to Xing Tian Pavilion now.”
Yue Xuanming cupped his hands in salute to Liang Zhu, then had the waiting maid lead him away from the Imperial Palace of Tianan City through a side gate.
Liang Zhu let out a long breath and looked up at the full moon at this moment. An image involuntarily formed in his mind.
In the main hall, he and Ye Ao, dressed in ceremonial robes, sat on either side of the offering table.
The officiant would shout, “Welcome the bride and groom!!”
Then, he would see Old Six, holding his A’ting’s small hand, walking step by step towards him on the red carpet. Under the officiant’s urging of “Bow to the elders~~,” Old Six, with a mischievous grin, would bow to him.
…
*Crack—*
Liang Zhu could not help but clench his teeth, a hint of killing intent appearing on his face, scaring the waiting maid to shrink her neck.
“Lord Liang?”
“Hoo—” Liang Zhu closed his eyes and exhaled. “Please lead the way.”
“Yes… Lord Liang, please follow this servant.”
Liang Zhu followed the maid towards the side gate of the Imperial Palace, muttering in his heart: I will not let such a thing happen!!
—Absolutely not!!!
…
