Chapter 166
The Fifth Prince, who was currently in charge of the capital’s defense, equivalent to the captain of the palace and princess’s residence guards, immediately asked upon hearing the guards’ report:
“Did you manage to capture an image talisman?”
“Yes, please take a look!”
The image talisman was a simple and inexpensive talisman, uniformly issued by the city defense department to the guards, allowing them to capture images when necessary as evidence.
The guard unfolded the talisman, and an image appeared.
In the image, two slender women entered the imperial palace.
The one in bright yellow attire was naturally Xiao Minghuang.
The other, a cold and elegant woman in white, was a complete stranger.
The Fifth Prince frowned slightly; he felt he had seen this woman somewhere before but couldn’t quite recall.
In the image, Xiao Minghuang and the woman in white were holding hands, appearing very intimate.
“Hand the image talisman over to me for safekeeping, and don’t concern yourself with this matter anymore.”
The guard handed over the talisman and added:
“This matter has been seen by many and has already spread. It will be difficult to keep it hidden.”
“I understand, you may leave!”
The Fifth Prince waved his hand.
After seeing the guard off, the Fifth Prince’s expression was not pleasant.
He could stay in the princess’s residence and now become the head of the city defense department, not only because of his own talents and qualifications but also thanks to Lin Wanqiu’s recommendation to the Emperor of Xia.
Although he was nominally a prince of Great Xia, in reality, he was no different from an ordinary minister.
The Emperor, apart from Xiao Minghuang, showed no fatherly affection towards his other children.
Therefore, his current position was entirely due to Lin Wanqiu’s support.
But now, Princess Ziwei had suddenly brought back a stranger from outside.
How could this not make him nervous?
He remembered that previously, Princess Ziwei had been “borrowed” by the sect master of the Spirit Sword Sect at the exit of the Tianfu Secret Realm…
At this thought, the Fifth Prince’s expression changed dramatically.
“That person is the sect master of the Spirit Sword Sect!”
…
“You’re saying Her Highness returned with the sect master of the Spirit Sword Sect and was very intimate?”
The Fifth Prince nodded heavily and took out the image talisman.
“Miss Lin, please look, this is the evidence!”
Lin Wanqiu saw the image of Xiao Minghuang and a cold, elegant woman in white holding hands tightly, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
She knew that the sect master of the Spirit Sword Sect was a Nascent Soul Realm expert and should have a mentor-disciple relationship with Her Highness.
But she had never heard of any mentor and disciple being so intimate.
Thus, there must be some secrets between the two that couldn’t be easily disclosed to outsiders.
After the scene ended, the Fifth Prince handed the memory talisman to Lin Wanqiu.
“This matter has already spread, and it might be difficult to contain… Is there anything Miss Lin needs me to do?”
Lin Wanqiu clenched her palm, her expression unchanged, and said softly:
“When Her Highness returns, I will talk to her. You don’t need to concern yourself with this matter anymore.”
The Fifth Prince wanted to say something, but after much deliberation, he ultimately couldn’t utter a single word.
“Miss Lin, if there is anything you need, I will not dare to disobey!”
He cupped his hands in a salute, then turned and left.
Watching the Fifth Prince’s retreating figure, Lin Wanqiu couldn’t help but sigh.
In the eyes of outsiders, the radiant and serene Princess Ziwei had only her as a fiancée.
And she had already openly taken charge in the princess’s residence, even gaining the recognition of the Xia Emperor.
But privately, only she herself knew that in Her Highness’s heart, Ye Ruoshui’s position might still be higher.
Although Her Highness always emphasized that she would treat them equally.
Just as there are no two completely identical snowflakes in the world.
There can also be no completely equal affections.
“Her Highness must have her reasons for doing this!”
Lin Wanqiu pondered, rubbing her temples, and murmured to herself.
The Sect Master of the Spirit Sword Sect was no ordinary figure.
But if it was Her Highness, it didn’t seem strange that she could subdue her.
…
In the palace.
Xiao Minghuang was completely unaware of what was happening outside.
After entering the palace, she headed straight to the side hall where the Old Ancestor was in seclusion.
As Xiao Minghuang entered the courtyard, she sensed a familiar presence.
Looking up, she saw the figure of the Emperor.
Without any preamble, Xiao Minghuang got straight to the point.
The Emperor seemed to be replenishing the spirit stones in the formation when he heard the sound and turned to look.
In an instant.
His expression changed drastically, his pupils constricted sharply, and his face was filled with shock.
“The… the Sect Master of the Spirit Sword Sect?!”
Xiao Minghuang let go of Sheng Bailan’s hand, took her by the wrist, and walked up to the Emperor.
“Father, this is the Sect Master of the Spirit Sword Sect, Sheng Bailan. You should have met her at the exit of the Tianfu Secret Realm.”
Sheng Bailan had no interest in anyone other than Xiao Minghuang and merely gave a slight nod in greeting.
After the initial shock, the Emperor quickly bowed deeply and said:
“Your humble servant, Xiao Siqi, pays his respects to the esteemed senior! I am unaware of the senior’s arrival and the purpose of your visit. If there is anything this humble servant can do, I will certainly fulfill it!”
Seeing the Emperor’s respectful demeanor, Sheng Bailan’s cold expression shifted slightly, and a hint of urgency flashed in her eyes. She didn’t want to engage with the Emperor, but she also didn’t want to see him bowing so humbly to her.
For a moment, she was at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Noticing Sheng Bailan standing there dumbfounded, Xiao Minghuang secretly poked her back with her finger and transmitted a message:
“Bailan, are you just going to let my father bow to you like this?”
Sheng Bailan came to her senses and waved a strand of spiritual energy, lifting the Emperor up.
“Emperor, there’s no need to be so polite. I’m just accompanying Minghuang to take a look… You two should reunite as father and daughter. I won’t disturb you.”
With that, Sheng Bailan turned and left the courtyard.
Watching the white figure disappear at the corridor, the shock in the Emperor’s eyes gradually subsided.
“Little Xiao, what… what’s going on here?”
Xiao Minghuang smiled and said nonchalantly:
“It’s nothing, I just asked Sect Master Sheng to accompany me back home. Father, don’t be too surprised. Let’s talk about the Old Ancestor instead!”
The Emperor was taken aback, only then realizing that the first thing Xiao Minghuang had mentioned upon entering was the Old Ancestor.
At the mention of the Old Ancestor, the Emperor’s expression gradually darkened.
“After returning from the secret realm, the Old Ancestor went into seclusion, and it’s likely that he has less than a month left to live.”
“During this time, I’ve gathered some high-quality spirit stones and Xuan-grade elixirs in an attempt to prolong his life, but the effects have been minimal.”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang’s expression turned serious. She knew well that the reason the Old Ancestor’s lifespan was nearing its end was because he had taken two palm strikes from the Dragon Tiger Sect Master for her outside the secret realm.
If it weren’t for the Old Ancestor’s self-sacrifice, she might not have survived until Sheng Bailan came to her rescue, and she would have perished.
Therefore, she was determined to save the Old Ancestor!
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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