Chapter 165
Sheng Bailan nodded eagerly.
“Minghuang, just say it. Whatever conditions you have, I’ll agree to them!”
Xiao Minghuang let out a soft sigh, thought for a moment, and then said:
“First, you cannot force me to do anything, nor can you use my family or Ruoshui to threaten me into doing anything. Moreover, once Ruoshui finishes her alchemy, you must send her back to Xia Capital!”
“No problem, I agree. What’s the second condition?”
She never intended to coerce Xiao Minghuang in the first place; it was just a matter of urgency.
“Second, you cannot say you want to marry me. Instead, you must say you will marry into my family. I am the Princess of Great Xia, and the sole heir to the throne. In the future, I will inherit the throne, so I cannot marry out!”
Sheng Bailan didn’t quite understand the concepts of princess or heir to the throne, but she felt that marriage and marrying into a family seemed to mean the same thing—wasn’t it just about them getting married?
“Alright, I agree.”
Xiao Minghuang’s expression remained unchanged, but a hint of joy flickered in her heart.
This Sect Master Sheng seemed more foolish, or perhaps more naive, than she had imagined.
Perhaps she had been practicing her sword alone for too long and had driven herself a bit mad.
“Third, as the Princess of Great Xia and the heir to the throne, my word is law. Since you want to marry into my family, from now on, you must prioritize me in everything and cannot act against my will. Moreover, when I need help, you must assist and support me. This is my final condition. If you agree, then I am willing to marry you. If you don’t agree, then we part ways here!”
Hearing this, Sheng Bailan furrowed her brows. She roughly understood the meaning of these words.
It seemed like she would have to help Xiao Minghuang with some things in the future, which wasn’t a big deal for her.
“Alright, I agree to this condition as well. When shall we get married?”
Sheng Bailan blinked her eyes. She was really missing the wonderful sensations of that night and couldn’t wait to experience them again.
Xiao Minghuang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if she was worried, but a glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes. She spoke with a hint of self-pity:
“That won’t do. A contract between cultivators must be sealed with a Heavenly Oath to be valid. Otherwise, if you go back on your word later, and my strength is so much weaker than yours, what if you bully me?”
Without much thought, Sheng Bailan immediately said:
“Then I can make a Heavenly Oath. Minghuang, you can rest assured.”
Xiao Minghuang smiled softly and said:
“Then please proceed!”
Seeing Xiao Minghuang’s smiling face, Sheng Bailan suddenly felt a surge of joy in her heart. This was the first time since she could remember that Xiao Minghuang had shown her such a smile.
It wasn’t a perfunctory smile, but one that came from the heart, a genuine smile.
Perhaps overwhelmed by Xiao Minghuang’s beauty, Sheng Bailan didn’t delay any longer. Following Xiao Minghuang’s request, she immediately made a vow to the heavens.
As she spoke, an invisible thread seeped out from her body, connecting to Xiao Minghuang on the other end.
No matter how far apart the two were, regardless of their cultivation levels or the changes in their lifespans, the vow would remain in effect.
“The contract is sealed, and the one who breaks it shall suffer the punishment of swallowing rocks!”
A slight smile curled at the corners of Xiao Minghuang’s lips, and a glimmer of amusement appeared in her eyes.
From this day forward, she had a Nascent Soul realm enforcer at her beck and call.
Sheng Bailan had made the vow, and though she felt something was amiss, her excitement quickly overshadowed that thought.
She eagerly ran to Xiao Minghuang’s side and gently took hold of the other’s soft, warm hand.
“Minghuang, when shall we get married?”
Having just secured an enforcer, Xiao Minghuang was in high spirits and didn’t mind indulging this naive woman a bit more.
“The sooner, the better!”
Xiao Minghuang replied straightforwardly.
Sheng Bailan immediately followed up:
“How about… tonight?”
“That won’t do!”
Xiao Minghuang showed a hint of sorrow.
“Senior Sheng… Bailan, you are at the Nascent Soul realm, while I am merely at the Divine Sea realm. If we were to marry now, it would be a mismatch, and we would inevitably face criticism. As the crown princess of Great Xia, this is not just about my own dignity but also the reputation of the entire Great Xia court. Therefore, we cannot act so rashly.”
“How about this: once my cultivation reaches the Nascent Soul realm, we shall marry. What do you say?”
Hearing this, although Sheng Bailan was not entirely pleased, she had to admit it made sense.
Her cultivation level was so much higher than Xiao Minghuang’s, and it did feel somewhat like the latter was reaching above her station.
Moreover, she knew Xiao Minghuang’s talent was exceptional, and it wouldn’t take long for her to reach the Nascent Soul realm.
So, she wouldn’t have to wait too long.
“Alright then, I’ll wait for you!”
Seeing Sheng Bailan’s somewhat pitiful expression, Xiao Minghuang reached out and gently patted her head.
Although Sheng Bailan was half a head taller than Xiao Minghuang, at this moment, Xiao Minghuang was the one in control, the master of the situation.
And Sheng Bailan, who had just been subjected to the “head pat,” showed an expression of pure enjoyment.
It was the first time she had been treated with such intimacy.
This feeling brought her immense joy.
It seemed even more satisfying than a breakthrough in her sword cultivation.
Having dealt with the naive and simple-minded Sheng Bailan, Xiao Minghuang continued her journey toward Great Xia.
With such a top-tier expert from the Southern Region guarding her wholeheartedly, Xiao Minghuang had no worries along the way, completely at ease.
…
The Central Plains of Great Xia.
A majestic city stood on the plains, exuding grandeur.
Standing outside the city walls, Xiao Minghuang felt a surge of nostalgia.
“Although I haven’t been away for long, there’s an indescribable excitement.”
It was like a wanderer returning home.
“Is this the capital of Xia?”
Sheng Bailan, despite having cultivated for over forty years, had never left the Spirit Sword Sect. Her only ventures outside were the first time to the Tianfu Secret Realm to rescue Xiao Minghuang, and the second time just a couple of days ago on the plains, to save her again.
Thus, she was utterly clueless about the outside world.
Along the way, Xiao Minghuang had managed to coax Sheng Bailan quite well.
Now, this Nascent Soul realm powerhouse was practically her loyal dog, if not entirely obedient, at least willing to follow her lead without question.
Xiao Minghuang squeezed Sheng Bailan’s hand and smiled.
“Once we’re done with our tasks, I’ll take you for a stroll around the capital.”
Sheng Bailan naturally jumped at the opportunity and immediately responded:
“Alright!”
Upon entering the capital of Xia, Xiao Minghuang didn’t even return to the princess’s residence but headed straight for the imperial palace.
After so many days of delay, she wondered how the Old Ancestor was doing.
The palace guards naturally recognized Xiao Minghuang and bowed in salute from afar upon seeing her.
At the same time, they noticed that Princess Ziwei was accompanied by a woman dressed in pure white, exuding an air of cold elegance.
This news quickly spread through the changing of the guards and reached the princess’s residence.
“Hey! Have you heard? The princess has brought back a very beautiful stranger!”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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