chsdbacks Chapter 318 Marriage and Engagement, Emperor's Dragon Fist
Chapter 318 Marriage and Engagement, Emperor's Dragon Fist
Chapter 318 Marriage and Engagement, Emperor's Dragon Fist
The stone door to the quiet room slowly opened, and Li Xijun stepped out.
He did not deliberately exude any aura, but as his eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if the stars in the sky were rising and falling, and an invisible and profound majesty was naturally revealed. Compared with before his seclusion, he had gained a greater depth and majesty that made people dare not look directly at him.
He had just returned to the main hall of the palace when Mu Wanqiu and Mu Qingyi arrived together.
Although I had some premonition, I was still surprised when I saw Li Xijun after she came out of seclusion.
Both of them had an inexplicable feeling in their hearts, as if they, as two Dharma Masters, had become much smaller in front of Li Xijun.
However, after the incident with the Crimson-Blooded Marquis, the relationship between the three is no longer the same as before.
This strange feeling was fleeting, and soon Mu Qingyi naturally began to report the events of the past few days to Li Xijun, who listened casually while looking out the window with his hands behind his back.
Not long after, a slightly hurried yet deliberately soft footstep sounded from afar.
Eunuch Wei approached Li Xijun with barely any movement, almost bowing low. When he was still several feet away, he knelt down without hesitation, touching his head to the ground. His voice, filled with unprecedented respect and a barely perceptible tremor, said, "This old servant, Wei Jinzhong, pays his respects to Your Highness!"
"Congratulations on Your Highness's emergence from seclusion! Your divine skills have reached a pinnacle, and your majestic Dharma form awes the world. Truly, this is a blessing for our Great Xia Dynasty and a boon to our nation!"
His demeanor was more humble than ever before, even cautious, with every movement perfectly executed. He portrayed the image of a loyal old servant facing a dignified master, completely devoid of any of the arrogance of a powerful eunuch.
Seeing Wei Gonggong's behavior, the mother and daughter exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
Mu Qingyi was even more impressed: This Wei Jinzhong, truly a man who climbed his way up from the ranks during the late emperor's era, his ability to read people and understand his own position is truly unparalleled.
However, they were unaware that Eunuch Wei was not merely "acting" at that moment.
When he stepped into the palace and saw Li Xijun's figure with his hands behind his back, his heart almost skipped a beat.
In that instant, it was as if he saw not the young crown prince, but the unfathomable former emperor who held the reins of power!
There was also an invisible sense of oppression, like a celestial emperor looking down on mortal ants, which made his soul tremble. It was an instinctive fear brought about by the absolute difference in the level of power.
Therefore, seven or eight parts of his respect and fear at this moment were genuine.
Li Xijun slowly turned around, his gaze calmly landing on Eunuch Wei. He didn't immediately tell him to get up, but instead spoke in a low voice, "Eunuch Wei, during my seclusion these past few days, has the capital been peaceful and secure?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an indescribable penetrating power, as if it resonated directly in Eunuch Wei's heart.
Eunuch Wei dared not delay and quickly gave a concise report on recent affairs of the court, especially the movements related to the Empress's forces and the remaining followers of the Divine Marquis. The content was basically consistent with what Mu Wanqiu and Mu Qingyi had told Li Xijun before, and even more detailed in some aspects.
Listening to Eunuch Wei's report, Li Xijun nodded slightly in agreement.
His ambition was to achieve unparalleled martial arts, and he was not extremely enthusiastic about the imperial power of this world. He regarded it more as a place to stabilize the rear and collect cultivation techniques.
Seeing that during his seclusion, Eunuch Wei did not abuse his power or feign compliance, but instead diligently carried out his duties and maintained a balance of power among the three parties, he was quite satisfied.
It seems that even if I return to the main world in the future, this operating mechanism will be able to function on its own in the short term.
"Hmm, well done," Li Xijun said with a light compliment. "Get up."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!" Eunuch Wei felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He carefully stood up, still bowing slightly, not daring to look directly at him.
After asking a few more questions, Li Xijun said, "Make preparations. I need to go to the Empress's palace. You go ahead and inform her."
"Yes, this old servant will take care of it right away!" Eunuch Wei hurriedly agreed, bowed, and withdrew.
A moment later, outside the palace where the empress resided, the ceremonial guards stood solemnly, creating a dignified atmosphere.
Li Xijun was dressed in a black prince's everyday robe with gold thread embroidered dragon patterns, wearing a winged crown adorned with pearls and a jade belt, and walked with a leisurely gait.
He did not deliberately put on a grand display, but with Mu Qingyi, Mu Wanqiu, and a team of elite guards following behind him, his own profound and unyielding demeanor naturally became the focus of everyone's attention. Wherever he went, the palace servants held their breath, bowed their heads, and respectfully paid their respects.
Upon entering the hall, one sees the Empress seated on her phoenix throne. She is dressed in a magnificent phoenix-patterned palace gown. She is said to be nearly forty years old, but due to her considerable martial arts skills, she is very well-preserved and her demeanor is no less than that of Mu Qingyi. Moreover, her brows and eyebrows exude the dignified air of someone who has long held a high position. However, upon closer inspection, one can also see a hint of weariness and caution hidden deep in her eyes.
Beside her, the stunning fairy in her pale yellow dress stood with her hand on her sword, as aloof as ever.
Upon seeing Li Xijun enter, a hint of undisguised amazement flashed across the Empress's eyes.
This young prince was as upright as a pine tree, with an exceptionally handsome face. What was even more remarkable was his composure beyond his years and his deep eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts.
She secretly admired him: "No wonder he can repeatedly invoke the Book of Mortals, and now he can even defeat a Grandmaster, a figure of such renown throughout the world. His demeanor and cultivation speed are truly rare indeed."
However, unlike the Empress's astonishment, the Fairy Jinghong, standing to the side, felt her usually calm heart surge with intense emotion the moment she saw Li Xijun.
For the first time, a clear look of disorientation and shock appeared in her eyes, which were as clear and cold as stars!
Even though I already knew that Li Xijun had broken through to the fourth level of the Outer Realm and condensed a Dharma Image, seeing it with my own eyes was a completely different experience.
When she escorted Li Xijun before, although she felt that this boy was extraordinary, she was confident that with the mystery of her "Instant Eternal Calamity Sword Chapter" and her already stable Dharma Aspect cultivation, she should be able to suppress him.
But now—the other party was just standing there, and her clear, sharp, and never-faulty sword heart was sending out clear warnings and faint fears!
It was as if standing before her was not a person, but a vast and boundless starry sky, and a Heavenly Emperor who ruled over the ultimate realm of heaven and earth.
She had a gut feeling that if the other party intended to kill her at this moment, she would probably have little chance of escaping.
This feeling of not being in control of her own life sent a chill down her spine, and her assessment of Li Xijun instantly rose to an unprecedented level. She felt that this person was shrouded in mystery and was becoming increasingly unfathomable.
"hope Jun greets Your Majesty the Empress." Li Xi Jun nodded slightly in accordance with etiquette, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.
The Empress snapped out of her reverie and gave a perfectly measured, gentle smile: "Your Highness, there's no need for such formality. Please have a seat. I've heard that Your Highness has made great progress in your recent seclusion; that's truly a cause for celebration."
The two sides took their seats and began the usual small talk.
Li Xijun cut straight to the point, stating that Mu Qingyi would continue to represent him and fulfill the agreement previously reached with the Empress. The court would provide more convenience and relaxation to Jianmen and other sects that supported him in terms of material transactions and territorial management.
"Now that the situation has been initially stabilized, we need the concerted efforts of all parties. If a little bit of resources and convenience can help the sect's development, it would be a move to stabilize the country and the nation." Li Xijun's tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable determination.
He knew that the world would change drastically in a few years and the old imperial power would inevitably weaken. Releasing goodwill and securing these forces ahead of time would be more beneficial than harmful.
Upon hearing this, the Empress's smile widened, and she repeatedly agreed.
The more she looked at Li Xijun, the more satisfied she became. His strength and potential, as well as his ability to handle affairs, far exceeded her expectations.
Looking at his handsome profile and composed demeanor, a thought stirred in her heart, and her eyes subtly changed, taking on a more intimate and even ardent light.
Mu Qingyi, who was standing to the side, keenly noticed the change in the Empress's eyes. An alarm bell rang in her heart. Just as she was about to speak to steer the conversation away from the main topic, she saw that the Empress could no longer contain herself and asked with a smile, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is young and promising, with unparalleled talent. I wonder—is he married yet?"
Her question was quite direct, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately became slightly tense.
The Empress seemed oblivious and continued to smile, turning her gaze to the Fairy Jinghong beside her: "To be honest, Your Highness, Qing'er is my own niece. She grew up by my side since childhood, and we are like mother and daughter."
"Her swordsmanship talent is exceptional, making her a perfect match for His Highness the Crown Prince. If the two of you could become Daoist partners, wouldn't you be able to learn from each other in your martial arts cultivation? This would be a wonderful thing for both our Great Xia and the Sword Sect, strengthening our ties even further."
Upon hearing this, Fairy Jinghong's cool and aloof face visibly froze for a moment. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but upon seeing her aunt's expectant eyes and thinking of her aunt's nurturing grace and care over the years, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
She could be indifferent to most people in the world, but she couldn't bring herself to offend her aunt who treated her like her own daughter at this moment. She could only lower her eyes slightly and remain silent.
Meanwhile, Mu Wanqiu's heart tightened when the Empress inquired about marriage. When the Empress directly pushed out the Fairy Jinghong, she felt a strange bitterness and suffocation well up in her heart. The beauty on her face instantly faded, and her jade hands unconsciously clenched.
Before Mu Wanqiu could react, Mu Qingyi beside her straightened her face and spoke in a gentle but firm tone: "Your Majesty, you may not know, but His Highness the Crown Prince and my daughter Wanqiu have long been in love and pledged their lives to each other. It's just that the time was not right before, so we did not make it public."
"Now that His Highness has taken over the Eastern Palace, it is time to put this marriage on the agenda."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's smile froze for a moment, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes, but she quickly recovered and smiled, "I see. The Mu family's daughter is truly blessed. Miss Wanqiu is intelligent and kind-hearted; she and His Highness the Crown Prince are indeed a perfect match."
Although she felt resentful, she also thought it was reasonable. If it weren't for this relationship, why would the Mu family support Li Xijun so wholeheartedly?
Even during the bloody battle on the Imperial Street that day, the mother and daughter fought side by side.
But she was still somewhat unwilling to give up and pressed on, "When is the engagement ceremony to be held? I would like to prepare a generous gift in advance."
Mu Qingyi immediately replied, her tone certain: "Next month..."
1
Before she could finish speaking, Mu Wanqiu, almost instinctively and with a hint of urgency, blurted out, "Next week!"
The mother and daughter spoke almost simultaneously, but gave two different times.
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat strange and awkward.
Even the Empress couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, her gaze subtly shifting between the Mu family mother and daughter and Li Xijun. She then covered her mouth and chuckled, her tone carrying a hint of teasing: "Oh? Is it next month or next week? But no matter which day it is, I will definitely be there to congratulate Crown Prince Duan and his future Crown Princess."
Li Xijun remained expressionless, seemingly unaware of the minor incident, and calmly returned the greeting to the Empress, saying, "We will respectfully welcome Your Majesty's carriage at that time."
The matter was settled in this somewhat hasty and strange atmosphere.
Afterwards, Li Xijun discussed a few more details with the Empress before taking his leave.
As expected, as soon as she stepped out of the Empress's palace, Mu Wanqiu casually made up an excuse and slipped away in a flash of red. Clearly, what had happened earlier had made her lose face.
Mu Qingyi watched her daughter's retreating figure, shook her head helplessly, and said to Li Xijun, "Your Highness, the engagement ceremony needs to be prepared early. I will go and arrange the relevant matters first." She emphasized the words "prepare early," clearly referring to the time "next week."
Li Xijun nodded slightly: "Thank you for your help, Auntie."
After Mu Qingyi left, Li Xijun's face remained largely unchanged, as if the sudden "engagement controversy" was just a minor incident.
After giving instructions regarding the wedding arrangements, he turned directly to his attendants and ordered, "Go to the library."
He walked without stopping, passing through layers of palace restrictions, until he arrived at the most heavily guarded library in the imperial palace.
The attic is simple and rustic, exuding a faint scent of ink and the atmosphere of time.
There, he had longed for the "Emperor Dragon Fist," a technique transformed from a fragment of the ancient martial art "Eight Desolate Dragon Control True Chapter."
Undoubtedly, this would help him gain a deeper understanding of the imperial destiny of this world, and the martial arts techniques that might corroborate his Ziwei Emperor appearance would attract his attention even more at this moment.