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After all, everyone was clear about the purpose of the Heavenly Lantern, and such an important item was indeed for a highly important use.

Lan Xi returning to search for it surely meant she needed it.

"This..." Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Emperor hesitated for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and nodding.

This was probably the only way to make Lan Xi willingly get engaged, although he feared this move might infuriate her, which in turn could affect her future relationship with Ya.

"Your Majesty, no matter what, although the means of marrying Her Highness Lan Xi to the Heavenly Clan might seem somewhat underhanded, it’s for her own good."

The crowd also agreed one after another; after all, only the Heavenly Clan was worthy of Lan Xi.

Lan Xi waited outside the hall for a while.

The council at the Linxiao Palace ended, and the ministers of the Heavenly Family dispersed one after the other.

Lan Xi was led by two celestial soldiers into the great hall.

As soon as the Heavenly Emperor saw her, he immediately stood up with delight, walking up to her, "Lan Xi, it’s quite rare for you to visit us here. If not for the banquet at the Imperial Garden, it’s really hard to see you come for a visit."

"Not at all, here I am, haven’t I come?" Lan Xi said with a smile. "Your Majesty seems to be getting more and more spirited over the years."

"That’s right, with the child growing up, there’s less to worry about. Although Ya is young, he’s also a cut above the rest among the youngsters. What do you think, Lan Xi?" the Heavenly Emperor asked tentatively.

Lan Xi gave a light and casual smile, "Naturally, he has been diligent at the Taibai Hall for ten thousand years, he’s very hardworking." Even when she asked him out to have fun, he rarely went.

"So, has he been good to you?" the Heavenly Emperor asked with a sly smile.

Although Lan Xi felt somewhat perplexed, she still nodded with a smile, "Very good!"

The Heavenly Emperor chuckled, "So, Lan Xi! Your mother and I have already discussed it, and we’ve decided to use the midday feast at the Imperial Garden as a perfect occasion to get you two engaged. Here’s the list of betrothal gifts; have a look at it first."

Before Lan Xi could even react, the Heavenly Emperor had already stuffed the list into her hands. And there it was, the Heavenly Lantern, so blatantly positioned at the very first row of the list.

Lan Xi was shaken from head to toe, feeling as though she had been struck by a hefty hammer.

Looking at the thick stack of betrothal gift lists in her hand, adorned in red and edged with gold, she had no interest in knowing how many precious items were listed.

She only knew she needed that Heavenly Lantern.

Seeing her stunned, the visible anger faintly emanating from her, the Heavenly Emperor shook his head helplessly, pretending he didn’t see anything, "Lan Xi, are you satisfied?

This is the betrothal gift list for the Crown Prince to take a wife, which has been prepared for quite some time.

Every item is the finest from my Royal Family. "

Lan Xi felt as though a mosquito was buzzing in her ears, not really hearing what the Heavenly Emperor had said.

At that moment, her mind was a mess. Could she refuse?

But the Heavenly Lantern!

If she didn’t have the Heavenly Lantern, how could she save Ah Qing?

But if she wanted to save Ah Qing, she must choose to marry Ya, she...

"Lan Xi, you can hold onto the betrothal gift list for now. There are still a few shichen until the banquet, so you, Your Highness Lan Xi, are free to walk around and enjoy the sights. I’ve already given orders; no one will stop you."

Lan Xi didn’t know how she managed to leave the Linxiao Palace, nor where she ultimately went.

Immortal mists intertwined around her, palaces stacked upon one another—colored clouds set off the horizon in breathtaking splendor.

Rong Feng stood behind Lan Xi, following her, not understanding why she had been looking so dispirited since she met the Heavenly Emperor.

"Master! What did the Heavenly Emperor say?" Rong Feng couldn’t help but ask.

Lan Xi sat dazedly on the steps outside the palace, her face expressionless.

It took a while before she spoke in a flat voice, "Isn’t every mortal’s fate in marriage under the control of the Matchmaker God?"

"In theory, that’s true. The Matchmaker God ties the thread of destiny, controlling the marriages of mortals. But the fates of immortals are usually inscribed on the Three-Life Stone," Rong Feng explained. At his words, Lan Xi abruptly stood up, stuffing the list of betrothal gifts into his hands.

Afterward, she vanished in a flash.

Rong Feng stood in place, clearly unable to catch up.

But when he saw that list of gifts, he was stunned on the spot, over a thousand betrothal gifts, each one a treasure from the Immortal Family.

For an ordinary wedding, two hundred gifts would be considered many, but now there were a thousand—it was such a grand wedding.

Wait a minute!

It suddenly dawned on Rong Feng, were these betrothal gifts for Lan Xi?

Could it be that Lan Xi was to marry into the Heavenly Family?

No wonder she looked so burdened since coming out of the Linxiao Palace.

By the River of Forgetfulness, in front of the Three-Life Stone, Lan Xi looked at the light grey stone and slowly walked forward, placing her hand on the smooth surface.

Soon, two rows of golden characters appeared on the stone.

Lan Xi

Ancient Dragon Ya

Lan Xi took a step back in shock, her eyes losing their luster bit by bit as she gazed at the golden characters.

"This can’t be possible?" Lan Xi raised her hand, gripping the Goddess Sword tightly, as she intended to erase the names.

Her destiny in marriage should be hers to decide.

"Your Highness, please wait." Just then, a woman in a plain dress quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then hurriedly explained, "The Three-Life Stone represents the will of the heavens, even you cannot change it lightly.

Only if you can one day become a true Goddess, master of this world, can this predestined marriage be altered.

Otherwise, it will remain valid, and you cannot escape it. "

Lan Xi clenched the sword in her hand and glared fiercely at the Three-Life Stone. "What you say is true, that only by becoming a true Goddess can one master their own marital fate?"

"Yes!"

"Then who are you?"

"I am Meng Po!"

Lan Xi observed the woman, put away her longsword, turned back to look at her, and said word by word, "I will remember your words. When I become a Goddess, I will return."

With that, Lan Xi waved her sword, transforming into a mist and disappearing without a trace.

Meng Po watched, shaking her head helplessly, such was the way of the world with marriages.

Not the one they yearn for, yet the one most suitable for them.

Lan Xi and Crown Prince Ya were indeed the best match—what could she be dissatisfied with?

In the Imperial Garden, there was a beautiful Crystal Lotus, with crystal-clear flowers that drew praise from everyone who saw them.

The banquet had been going on for a while now, and the Goddess along with all the invited immortals had been seated for a long time.

All the necessary words had been spoken, and all the rewards that should be given had been given.

At this moment, the dance performance at the banquet had reached its climax. If Lan Xi did not arrive soon, this engagement party might just slip by unnoticed.

The Heavenly Emperor was anxious.

Ya sat in his seat, deep in thought.

Lan Yan was curious too. Logically, Lan Xi should have arrived first; she shouldn’t still be absent by now.

As the dance came to an end, to buy time, the Heavenly Emperor brought out his treasured wine that even he was reluctant to drink, and shared it with all the guests.

As everyone was exclaiming over the fine wine, a young girl in a fiery red Fairy dress came forward with a smile and asked for permission, "Your Majesty’s fine wine is truly exceptional.

I have heard that Crown Prince Ya’s flute playing is wondrous and unique.

Li Huo would like to dance to the beautiful scenery for all, and wonders if the Crown Prince would be willing to accompany with his music. "

"Uh!" The Heavenly Emperor was taken aback on the spot, looking at the woman kneeling in the center of the venue. She was as enthusiastic as fire, her red dress making her look charming and stunning, and when compared with Lan Xi, she was like fire to her ice.