From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 127
A moment later.
The First Prince arrived at the venue.
At this moment, the vast viewing platform was left with only a few people, presenting a desolate scene as the crowd had already dispersed.
Looking at the empty venue, a flash of intense anger crossed his eyes.
“The competition ended before I even arrived? How dare they!”
The First Prince roared into the sky, and beams of dark flames shot out, forming a giant dragon in the air that engulfed the entire venue, turning it into a sea of fire.
This scene terrified everyone.
“Quick! Report to the Princess immediately, someone is causing trouble!”
A cultivator shouted loudly and ran towards the capital.
…
Meanwhile.
A banquet was being held in the imperial palace.
In the grand hall, figures with powerful auras were seated, the weakest among them at the Divine Sea First Layer!
At the head of the hall sat Xiao Minghuang, who had just been crowned as the Crown Princess.
Although she was only the Crown Princess, she had already taken over all the powers of the monarch.
The fact that the Emperor did not appear at the first grand banquet after her coronation, and instead had Princess Ziwei preside over it, clearly indicated this.
The ministers present were well aware of this.
“From today onwards, the Princess is the true ruler of Great Xia.”
“We must change our mindset and pledge our loyalty to the new monarch.”
Most of the officials in the capital held this view, knowing that Princess Ziwei was unparalleled in talent and had long since won their hearts.
However, there were those who disagreed.
“Even though Princess Ziwei is exceptionally talented and has the recognition of the nation’s fortune, she is still only the Crown Princess. As long as the Emperor lives, she remains a subject!”
“The Emperor is still on the throne, how dare Princess Ziwei claim supremacy? This is overstepping!”
Although these comments were not loud, they were clearly audible to everyone present, obviously spoken on purpose.
On the ninth step, Xiao Minghuang wore a light golden dress, a crown on her head, exuding elegance and nobility. The corners of her mouth slightly upturned, her beautiful eyes narrowed, radiating a sense of authority and dominance that made it hard for anyone to meet her gaze.
Earlier in the wilderness, the people of Great Xia had already pledged their loyalty, and the ministers in the capital knew her power well, not daring to show any disrespect.
But those standing in the grand hall were all regional officials, governing territories that had been passed down for generations, possessing both strength and prestige.
Xiao Minghuang’s eyes flickered. Dealing with these people, exchanging interests and slowly winning their hearts was certainly a sure bet, but…
Only by forcefully subduing them first and then bestowing small favors could ensure their eternal loyalty!
Xiao Minghuang slowly stood up, her gaze sweeping over the ministers, and she spoke in a calm voice:
“I have inherited the position of Crown Princess, blessed with the nation’s fortune, and the Old Ancestor personally bestowed upon me the Mountain and River Seal, a treasure of the nation’s fortune. The Emperor himself wrote the edict, commanding me to oversee the state and govern, and my decrees are equivalent to imperial edicts…”
“…Who among you dares to defy me?”
As soon as these words were spoken.
The entire hall fell into complete silence.
You could hear a pin drop!
After a moment.
“Your subject, Duke Dongyang, Li Ziqi, pays homage to the Princess!”
An elderly figure knelt on the ground and respectfully called out.
The ministers were shocked to see the old man kneeling.
“Duke Dongyang is the lord of a city at the Divine Sea Seventh Layer, with immense strength and high prestige. He actually bowed to Princess Ziwei just like that?”
Someone exclaimed in astonishment, finding it hard to believe.
The speaker was a burly middle-aged man.
As soon as he finished speaking, he knelt down with utmost respect:
“Your subject, Yang Wendao, Lord of Sanchuan, pays homage to the Princess!”
Seeing the burly man kneel, everyone was once again shocked.
“Yang Sanchuan is the most powerful local lord, yet he so easily bowed down to Princess Ziwei?”
“As Yang Sanchuan just said, Princess Ziwei is destined to lead an era. Being able to join her ranks before her rise might be a stroke of fortune.”
The local lords present were all astute individuals and quickly grasped this point.
One by one, they knelt down and paid their respects in unison.
“Very well, my lords, you may rise.”
The lords expressed their gratitude and stood up.
Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang nodded in satisfaction and spoke:
“You have guarded the regions for many years, toiling with great merit, and thus deserve rewards. However, as you are all cultivators at the Divine Sea Realm, the treasures that would benefit you are too precious, and even I, the princess, cannot easily bestow them… Therefore, in a month’s time, send your younger family members to the capital. I will select the most outstanding among them to serve by my side. What do you think of this proposal?”
Hearing this, the lords were delighted.
The princess’s words were clear: she wanted them to send their children to the capital to serve as her close attendants in the palace. This was obviously a move to win them over and ensure their loyalty.
Moreover, given the princess’s unparalleled grace, if their descendants could gain even the slightest benefit from her, it would be enough to last them a lifetime!
Thus, they knelt down once more.
“The princess is divinely wise, and we wholeheartedly agree!”
Xiao Minghuang’s lips curled slightly as she chuckled softly:
“Since that is the case, you may disperse now. Some rewards will be sent to your residences shortly.”
“Thank you, Princess!”
The lords respectfully withdrew and departed one by one.
Xiao Minghuang returned to the rear hall.
The two women, Ye and Lin, had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing her return, they immediately approached.
Xiao Minghuang glanced around and noticed someone was missing.
“Where is Xiu’er?”
“She took Prince Wu’an back to her residence, saying she needed some time to calm down,” Lin Wanqiu replied, her expression somewhat complicated.
“I see…”
Xiao Minghuang also felt a sense of melancholy. The evil cultivators had, without anyone noticing, infiltrated the heart of the Great Xia Empire, even possessing a powerhouse at the ninth level of the Divine Sea Realm. How could this not be terrifying?
Moreover, she was even more concerned about Xu Xiu’er. This stubborn young girl had already endured many hardships, and now she had suffered this heavy blow. If she were to collapse under the pressure, it would be a great pity.
“Ruoshui, when you have some free time, please take care of Xiu’er for me.”
Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui replied:
“Your Highness, don’t worry. In a couple of days, I plan to start teaching her alchemy. Once she has something to do, she won’t dwell on negative thoughts.”
Xiao Minghuang nodded, then turned to Lin Wanqiu and said:
“Wanqiu, the feudal lords coming to the capital this time need to be treated properly. I just promised them rewards, so go and arrange it.”
“Also, in a month, the feudal lords will send their younger generation to the capital. Don’t neglect the intelligence from the regions.”
“Alright, I’ll get to it right away!”
Lin Wanqiu responded, fully understanding Xiao Minghuang’s intentions, and then turned to leave.
Xiao Minghuang turned her head, and Ye Ruoshui’s delicate and lovely face came into view.
She suddenly realized that, at some point, this thin and frail little girl seemed to have grown up.
Her petite figure had gradually become fuller, and her stature had grown taller, now reaching up to Xiao Minghuang’s eyebrows.
Before, she only needed to reach out to pat the little girl’s head, but now she had to raise her hand higher to do so.
What remained unchanged was that round, youthful face, which seemed forever innocent and pure.
Suddenly, she understood why Ye Ruoshui’s destiny was called 【Childlike Heart of Alchemy】.
“Ruoshui, come here quickly. Big sister has something to give you.”
Xiao Minghuang sat in the armchair, smiling as she opened her arms.
Ye Ruoshui was momentarily stunned, her cheeks flushing slightly, before she walked over and gently sat in Xiao Minghuang’s lap.
“Ruoshui is so obedient…”
Surrounded by the fragrance of orchids, Xiao Minghuang’s embrace was still soft and warm. In that moment, Ye Ruoshui felt a sense of happiness, her heart swaying as if she had returned to that night under the bright moon.
Xiao Minghuang held Ye Ruoshui’s slender and soft waist, stroking her smooth black hair, and then took out a hard yet warm object from her sleeve, placing it in Ye Ruoshui’s hands.
“This is a treasure from big sister. Take good care of it!”
“Thank you, Your Highness…”
Ye Ruoshui barely noticed what Xiao Minghuang had given her. Instead, she slowly closed her eyes, savoring this moment of tranquility.
Since returning to the capital, Xiao Minghuang had been focused on her cultivation almost every day, and it was rare for the two of them to spend quiet moments like this together.
This brief embrace filled her heart with contentment.
Suddenly.
A soft and delicate sensation touched her lips. Ye Ruoshui opened her eyes to find Xiao Minghuang leaning down, kissing her.
Ye Ruoshui’s cheeks turned crimson, her head spinning, and her entire being felt disoriented, unsure of what to do.
“Your Highness… mmm~~”
She let out a soft moan, her eyes tightly shut, but her heart was filled with sweet happiness.
A wave of weakness washed over her, causing her to tremble and collapse into Xiao Minghuang’s arms. An unbearable heat surged from her chest, spreading throughout her body.
After what felt like an eternity, just as Ye Ruoshui was about to suffocate, Xiao Minghuang reluctantly let her go.
“Tonight, Ruoshui, wait for big sister, okay?”
Xiao Minghuang pinched Ye Ruoshui’s reddened nose, smiling gently.
Ye Ruoshui buried her face in Xiao Minghuang’s soft and ample bosom, letting out a muffled sound.
“Mmm~”
From then on.
The two of them remained silent, enjoying the wordless tranquility.
Meanwhile.
Xiao Minghuang heard the voice of the system in her ears.
【Ding!】
【Host has successfully gifted an opportunity!】
【Congratulations, host, for triggering a hundredfold critical strike compensation, obtaining the Earth-rank lower-grade treasure, the Mountain and River Suppressing Seal!】
Upon hearing the voice, a hint of joy surfaced in Xiao Minghuang’s heart.
Although the Earth-rank lower-grade and the Mysterious-rank top-grade seem only one grade apart, the difference is actually immense.
Just as only Earth-rank and above techniques and martial arts can evolve into divine abilities and secret arts, Earth-rank and above treasures also possess greater potential.
Treasures below Earth-rank, no matter how extraordinary, are ultimately just objects. Without someone to control them, they hold no power.
However, Earth-rank and above treasures have the potential to give birth to artifact spirits.
Once an artifact spirit is born within a treasure, it becomes a unique innate being, possessing many mysterious and unpredictable powers.
Legend has it that the Earth-rank sword in the hands of the Spirit Sword Sect’s Master is a sword that has given birth to an artifact spirit, its might so great that it makes her invincible within the Nascent Soul realm.
Thus, the Earth-rank is a watershed, its significance far beyond what a single grade can encompass.
Xiao Minghuang calmed her mind and used her spiritual sense to familiarize herself with the newly acquired treasure in her consciousness.
At almost the same time.
A commotion suddenly arose outside the hall.
“Something terrible has happened! Something terrible! I need to see the Princess! Let me see the Princess!”
The urgent cries caused both Xiao Minghuang and Ye Ruoshui to open their eyes simultaneously.
Ye Ruoshui wrinkled her cute nose in displeasure:
“Who is that? So annoying!”
Xiao Minghuang smiled softly and said:
“Ruoshui, if you’re tired, go rest first. Be good and wait for your sister to come home, okay?”
Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Minghuang chuckled, stood up, and walked towards the hall’s exit.
Her departure did not take away the air in the hall; the faint, elegant fragrance of orchids still lingered in the air, not dissipating for a long time.
Ye Ruoshui took a deep breath, curled up in her chair, and closed her eyes contentedly.
…
Xiao Minghuang arrived in the courtyard and saw a group of guards kneeling on the ground. She frowned slightly, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes, and asked:
“What’s going on?”
The kneeling guards were disheveled, their clothes blackened and emitting a burnt smell.
“Reporting to the Princess, we were cleaning up the scene at the ceremonial platform when suddenly a very powerful madman appeared. Without a word, he started causing massive destruction…”
“…That person wore a black robe and unleashed black flames, like a giant dragon, his spiritual power covering thousands of feet!”
“He seemed extremely angry, muttering something about being too late…”
“Wuwuwu… Princess, if we hadn’t run fast, we would have been burned to ashes by that madman. Princess, you must seek justice for us!”
The guards recounted the incident in a flurry of words.
“A madman… a black-robed man… can release fire… too late?”
Noticing these key points, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly, a trace of suspicion flashing in her eyes.
She felt that this black-robed man might have some connection to her.
After condensing the Crown of Fortune, she could vaguely sense a kind of revelation. This was not clairvoyance but an intangible feeling, mysterious and difficult to articulate.
But in any case, this black-robed man posed little threat to her.
“This princess will personally make a trip to see who this black-robed man really is.”
Upon hearing this, the guards were overjoyed and immediately bowed in unison:
“Your Highness, with your divine might, you are sure to achieve victory and success!”
Xiao Minghuang smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying, and with a flash, she leaped into the sky.
In no time at all, she arrived at the outskirts of the capital.
As soon as she flew into the air, she felt a wave of heat rushing towards her.
Xiao Minghuang hovered in the air, looking far into the distance where a vast plain stretched out. A black fire dragon was rampaging wildly, with roaring winds and expanding flames devouring everything around it, as if it were the end of the world.
Watching the scene in the distance, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly. Today was the day she ascended to the position of heir apparent.
But just as the ceremony had ended, someone had come to cause trouble.
Clearly, they didn’t take her seriously!
Moreover, amidst the sea of flames, she seemed to see a familiar figure.
There, standing proudly atop the black fire dragon’s head, was a burly figure.
Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang instinctively summoned her status panel.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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