Page 770

She was also busy entertaining.

Eastern Palace.

Flowers were blooming splendidly, and thick moss covered the palace walls, festooned with multicolored flowers.

As Lan Xi looked on, she found the scenery delightful.

It was probably the most unique and delicate view in the Heavenly Palace.

Lan Xi had reached the entrance when she was immediately invited in by the heavenly guards.

"Your Highness Lan Xi, you are early. The Crown Prince has not woken up yet. Please wait in the main hall for a moment, I will go wake him up for you," said the guard hurriedly as he stumbled away.

Lan Xi was not in a hurry. She swayed the Blood Jade Precious Fan in her hand, where the crimson Precious Jade became even more vibrant and translucent within her grasp.

After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Ya wearing a precious purple robe embroidered with a dragon pattern ran into the main hall of the Eastern Palace, escorted by palace maids.

"Wife, were you looking for me for something?"

When he laid eyes on the girl seated on the stool, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

The lady dressed in an official water-blue robe, her beautiful hair coiffed atop her head, black hair cascading like a waterfall down her back.

At a glance, the girl’s features were icy and jade-like, possessing an incomparable beauty of the age. Her eyes, like autumn waters, exuded a warm glow, instantly immersing one in her beauty, making it impossible to extricate oneself.

"Wife, you look so beautiful! Ow-woo, I’m falling in love with you more and more," Ya said, his mood heavy but unable to suppress the excitement in his heart.

Lan Xi frowned slightly and shook her fan, her tone cool, "Don’t call me that randomly, lest you become the laughingstock of others."

"What’s there to laugh at? We have been betrothed since we were children, and sooner or later you will marry me," Ya said confidently, patting his chest. "Wait for me for ten thousand years, and I will surely break through to become a Sovereign, worthy to be your husband."

Lan Xi swept him with her gaze. He was tall, and his purple scholarly robe gave him an air of nobility and a rogue charm. This fellow was also quite handsome, undoubtedly a rare beauty between heaven and earth.

But she felt no spark for him, just like when they were children, she only saw him as a little boy.

As for him being her husband — forget about it!

"Cut the chatter, I came to you for a reason. I remember your Heavenly Family possesses a divine artifact, the Heavenly Lantern. I would like to borrow it for a time," Lan Xi stated directly and forthrightly.

The war had ended, and seeking the Heavenly Lantern was a matter of urgency.

No-return Valley was cut off from the world, and Ah Qing had been wounded by the Heavenly Sword. His soul had naturally scattered in No-return Valley. She needed to take the Heavenly Lantern there, to find all the fragments of his soul and save him.

"The Heavenly Lantern?" Ya stroked his hair, looking troubled, "That is Imperial Father’s favorite object; he keeps it by his bed every day. He doesn’t allow anyone else to touch it. I’m afraid it might not be easy to borrow."

"So you’re saying that this object is in your father’s hands!" Lan Xi stood up and headed outside. "Then I will go to him rather than discuss this."

After all, she had performed heroic deeds in the Demon War; borrowing something shouldn’t be too difficult, should it?

"Wife, wait for me. I’ll accompany you," said Ya, unwilling to give up. Seeing that Lan Xi was already disregarding him, he hurriedly chased after her.

Lan Xi spared him a glance, "Don’t follow me, and stop calling me wife. I won’t marry you."

"If you won’t marry me, whom will you marry?

In all the world, only I am of sufficient status to be your match, and you will have to marry someone eventually," Ya pursued relentlessly.

Although he was not yet strong enough, he would strive to cultivate, and when the time came and he was powerful, he would marry her.

Lan Xi stopped and looked directly at Ya, saying firmly, "Listen well, in my heart, you are just a brother. I have never thought of marrying you. And no matter whom I marry, rest assured, it will not be you!"

Was he rejected?

The palace maids and all the heavenly guards looked on in disbelief at Lan Xi and Ya.

I had assumed that Ya was in such a hurry to see the Crown Prince because she worried about him, but unexpectedly, she said she could marry anyone but the Crown Prince.

Why?

As Ya said, in all of heaven and earth, who else could be worthy of her noble status except for him?

Lan Xi decisively strode away.

Ya stood there dumbfounded, clenching his fists tightly, "Why?..."

Why could it be anyone else but not him? He didn’t want to be the brother; he was the Crown Prince, he didn’t need a sister.

...

The Palace Maid and the Heavenly Soldiers exchanged glances, certain that this matter must be reported to the Heavenly Emperor immediately.

He was busy preparing the engagement between the two parties; if Lan Xi publicly refused during the banquet, then the Heavenly Family’s face would be completely lost.

Lan Xi headed straight for Linxiao Palace because the Heavenly Emperor and the others were deliberating inside, so she had to wait outside.

Meanwhile, inside Linxiao Palace, the Heavenly Emperor was all smiles, discussing with the Immortal Family what betrothal gifts to offer.

Of course, naturally choosing the best and most precious items to give, they decided on thousands of pieces.

This was a betrothal gift the likes of which had never been seen before in heaven and earth, enough to tempt anyone who saw it.

It was evident that the Heavenly Emperor and the Goddess Palace were determined to join their families.

Just when the list of gifts was half drafted, a Heavenly Soldier and two Palace Maids rushed into the great hall in great agitation, saying tensely, "Your Majesty, there’s trouble. Just now, Your Highness Lan Xi had an argument with His Highness in the Eastern Palace."

"What? Do you know why?" The color drained from the Heavenly Emperor’s face, "This disappointing boy, it’s this critical moment, and he still doesn’t know how to coax Lan Xi. He actually had an argument with her."

The Heavenly Emperor was furious, intending to give him a severe reprimand, "Someone, go and summon the Crown Prince."

"No, Your Majesty, please let us finish. It’s not the Crown Prince’s fault, it’s Your Highness Lan Xi who has refused him. She said she does not wish to marry the Crown Prince," the Heavenly Soldier said with grave seriousness.

The Heavenly Emperor frowned, "Is what you report true?"

"Every word is true; the Palace Maids beside me can testify."

The Palace Maids immediately prostrated themselves on the ground and said with conviction, "We heard it with our own ears."

The Heavenly Emperor upon hearing this clutched the betrothal gift list in his hand, his brow furrowed.

If Lan Xi was unwilling to marry the Crown Prince, then who could she marry, who else in the world could be worthy of her?

The Immortal friends standing before the Heavenly Emperor also looked grave.

"Your Majesty, this marriage must be tied no matter what."

"Indeed! Given Lan Xi’s status, marrying her to anyone would greatly strengthen one party. Without the support of the Goddess Palace, I’m afraid even the Heavenly Family would struggle to keep the peace in the Four Seas and Eight Desolations."

"Lan Xi is still young and doesn’t understand love. So, by getting engaged now, it will also allow the two children to grow their affection for each other."

"But if Lan Xi refuses, we have no way to proceed!"

The Heavenly Emperor hadn’t overlooked these points; the issue was how to stabilize Lan Xi now and secure this marriage.

Once they were engaged, the wedding would naturally follow as a matter of course.

The Palace Maid, with her head lowered, a glint of cunning in her eye, raised her head to look at the Heavenly Emperor and said earnestly, "I heard from the conversation between Your Highness Lan Xi and the Crown Prince that Your Highness Lan Xi is looking for the Heavenly Lantern.

She is likely waiting outside by now. If Your Majesty were to use it as leverage, she would surely agree. "