Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The royal capital was massive and beautiful, too. When Jiang Yi just entered this city, he almost fell asleep when he was walking—naturally not putting too much thought into it. He was currently sitting in a carriage with Su Ruoxue and looking out of the windows… at the spacious and clean streets, orderly houses, and willows that formed shades at the side of the streets. He was looking at the faraway starlights formed by the lamps in the tens of thousands of houses, smelling the delicate fragrance that was coming from the beauty beside him—feeling completely contented.
Principal Qi had successfully invited Su Ruoxue. They rode on the carriage and set off for the palace once again. The palace was in the north, but the Crown Prince’s residence was in the east; hence, they had to take a different path.
The carriage was arranged by Heng Lao; it was luxurious and comfortable. The carriage was stocked with incredible tea leaves and delicious fruits; it was just a pity that there wasn’t any wine or meat. Jiang Yi soon withdrew his gaze and cast it onto Su Ruoxue’s face which was resting on the carriage’s window. He could see that her face was pale while her bending eyelashes were shaking and her hands were clutching onto her dress tightly. Jiang Yi asked with some doubt, “Su Ruoxue, isn’t it just attending a banquet? Why are you so nervous?”
Su Ruoxue’s eyelashes were shaking. She opened her eyes, but she didn’t look at Jiang Yi but outside of the carriage window—remaining silent. Jiang Yi looked at her a few more times and didn’t ask anymore. He was rather worried about the abnormal behavior displayed by Su Ruoxue.
“Jiang Yi!”
After the carriage continued for a short moment, Su Ruoxue suddenly spoke softly, “When we are at the Crown Prince’s residence later on—no matter what happens, you have to bear it patiently. You are still a Divine Martial Kingdom’s citizen. If you are to offend any of the influential people inside, it will be detrimental for your development!”
“Ke-Ke!”
Jiang Yi laughed indistinctly and spoke as though it wasn’t a matter, “Is there a lack of people that I have offended? Don’t worry, I am not a mad dog that bites whoever I see. As long as they don’t come provoking me, I will not even bother to respond to them.”
“En!”
Su Ruoxue nodded and didn’t continue to say anything; neither did she continue to sleep. Her beautiful eyes, which were filled with concern, were constantly looking out of the window.
The Hidden Dragon Pavilion was located in the central of the royal capital, and it wasn’t far from the Crown Prince’s residence. It took just one hour for the carriage to arrive in front of an imposing palace. Jiang Yi got off the carriage and looked at the towering palace walls, gigantic stone lion, and a huge gate which was painted red. He sighed and knew that he didn’t even need to go into the Crown Prince’s residence to know how great and grandiose the interior was.
Heng Lao did things very thoroughly and had asked someone to inform the servants of the Crown Prince’s residence way beforehand. There was a commander dressed in the Royal Military’s yellow battle armor. When he saw the Qian Clan’s carriage, he came over from a distance to greet them with cupped hands: “Would it be Young Lady Su and Young Master Jiang?”
Seeing the two of them nodding, the commander quickly ushered for them to head inside.
As they walked, Jiang Yi was dazzled. There was a pavilion in the middle of the water, a garden with a small lake… a palace-like loft. Jiang Yi was just like a bumpkin who was silently amazed while they walked by. On the contrary, Su Ruoxue, who was wearing a veil, remained calm and collected while she leisurely walked forward. Never did she once admire the scenery.
Two maidservants walked along with the three of them for 15 minutes and arrived in front of a palace. That commander made an inviting pose and loudly announced when Su Ruoxue and Jiang Yi walked in: “Young Lady Su and Young Master Jiang have arrived!”
“Swish! Swish! Swish!”
A bunch of eyes immediately swept over, and most of their eyes lit up when they saw Su Ruoxue. Of course, there were some who gave perplexed expression when they saw Jiang Yi.
This palace is imposing!
After Jiang Yi walked into the palace, he gasped in his heart. This palace was about 2000 feet in radius, facing the grand doors was a purple-gold stage. Sitting behind the purple-gold stage was a dashing youth who was wearing an official’s robe. On both sides of the purple gold stage, there were golden square tables arranged which had someone seated cross-legged on a praying mat. Behind the golden tables were black wood tables which were arranged in a similarly orderly manner. With a single glance, there were almost a hundred tables which nearly seated a hundred people.
There were small doors on the inside where maidservant would come in and out of, serving every guest with extravagant delicacies. Every table was served by a maidservant who kneeled by the side. The entire interior of the palace was spread with white carpet while the walls were all hung with night jewels which dazzled. At the corners of the palace, sandalwoods were lit up which provided fragrance, making the whole place extremely luxurious.
“Crown Prince?”
Jiang Yi’s eyes landed on the man, who was dressed in official robes, sitting behind the purple-gold tables. He was deeply moved in his heart. When he was young, his greatest wish was to see the city lord Ji Tian. He never would have expected to actually be able to witness the Divine Martial Kingdom’s crown prince.
Of course, right now, his attitude was largely different. He soon retracted his gaze before glancing at the people in this grand hall and realized that there were many familiar faces. At the golden tables on the left seated in order were Zhangsun Wuji, Zhan Wushuang, Qian Wanguan, and a few young masters who had an extraordinary bearing. They must be the first young masters of the Long Clan, Ying Clan, or Taishi Clan; otherwise, they wouldn’t even have the qualification to sit on the first row. Jiang Yi also saw that Ying Sha, Long Xiang, and the others who were seated on the second row.
When he saw Zhangsun Wuji, Jiang Yi revealed a faint smile, thinking to himself that this meal was not going to be a nice one.
He looked to the right and saw that it was actually a youth in official’s robe who sat in the first seat. The Crown Prince had an official’s robe with nine claws, but his was with eight claws. That youth was currently looked straight at Jiang Yi with cold eyes, and Jiang Yi could see the obvious presence of killing intent.
On the second seat was a beauty that was in a three-colored dress and a jade crown. She even wore a light veil. The aura and figure that she had were definitely on the same class of beauty like Su Ruoxue. She should be a princess. On the third and fourth seats were Yun Fei, Shen Ying, followed by Ah Ni and the rest—who were all familiar faces.
“Isn’t all the Young Masters and Ladies in the royal capital here? Such a grand event!”
Jiang Yi was silently overwhelmed, but he was suspicious when he didn’t see Shui Qianrou. Didn’t Qian Wanguan mention that she would be in the royal capital? Could she have returned to Starfall Island?
“Hahaha!”
Just as Jiang Yi was muttering, the Crown Prince Xia Wuhui stood up. He smiled wholeheartedly as he personally came to welcome them. His eyes fixed onto Su Ruoxue and spoke with some criticism, “Ruoxue, you sure have some airs, huh? Wuhui already invited you three times and still have to trouble Principal Qi before you were willing to come! Do you really see Wuhui with such disdain?”
“Ruoxue?”
Jiang Yi had this flabbergasted expression that flashed in his eyes while Zhan Wushuang, Qian Wanguan and the rest were stunned. Xia Wuhui actually addressed her with such intimacy? Could they have known each other? Su Ruoxue had always been on Mt. Spirit Beast College while Xia Wuhui had been in the Azure Dragon College. How could the two of them know each other?
Su Ruoxue nodded humbly and spoke softly, “Your Royal Highness, Ruoxue has been wearied from the long journey and is feeling rather unwell. I don’t have any other intention.”
“En?”
Jiang Yi and the others got another shock. Facing such an intimate address, Su Ruoxue actually didn’t have any reaction?
“Haha, then it is Wuhui’s fault! My apologies. Since you are here, why not sit for a while!”
Xia Wuhui had a handsome face and was giving off a graceful and magnificent presence that only royalties had. His tiger eyes would shoot out terrifying brilliance from time to time.
After speaking with Su Ruoxue, he turned to look at everyone and explained: “I believe everyone here doesn’t know it, right? Ruoxue is the Great Xia Kingdom’s Ninth Princess and is also Wuhui’s fiancée. A year and a half ago, the Great Xia Kingdom’s Lord and my Lord Father had set this betrothal. Today is the first time Wuhui and Princess Ruoxue are meeting each other.”
“Wow!”
There was an uproar in the hall. Jiang Yi’s mind felt like there was a bolt that came out of the blue, causing his entire body to shudder and his face to turn pale like snow.
