The stone steps at the entrance were broken, overgrown with weeds, and a few unknown birds flapped their wings, flying past the ruins, adding to the desolation.
"This is...?" Luo Lingling slightly frowned, looking around.
The Ghost Mastiff said in a deep voice, "This is Jintian Palace, rumored to be the residence of the Great Prince Xuanyuan Xuanhuang."
"This area to the west is full of the residences of princes, princesses, and nobles."
He paused, sweeping his gaze over the surroundings, "This place has been abandoned for hundreds of years. Back then, Zhao Hanyue and I once sheltered here, moreover, it is not far from Xuanyuan Yichen's mansion."
Zhou Qing nodded thoughtfully.
Speaking of which, the princes he has interacted with can be counted on one hand—Fourth Prince White Crane, Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen.
As for Fifth Prince Xuanyuan Fengtai, he hasn't t him at all.
The Thirteenth Prince, however, had long died at the hands of the Jieyun Thief.
"The Great Prince... is dead?" Zhou Qing looked at the ruined scene before him, frowning slightly.
The Ghost Mastiff nodded and said in a low voice, "It's said he was poisoned, dying suddenly overnight."
He raised his hand, pointing to the plaque on the palace gate, "All the princes' residences are nad 'Mansion,' like the Seventh Prince's 'Yiyun Mansion,' but uniquely, the Great Prince's place is called 'Jintian Palace'—the deeper aning is self-evident."
"Dragon Reserve?" Zhou Qing's eyes flashed.
"Sothing like that." The Ghost Mastiff smirked coldly, "The current Emperor Xuanyuan Hao has many offspring, and the princes and their maternal families fight openly and in secret. It's not surprising that the Great Prince fell victim to poison."
He waved his hand, "Enough, let's not ntion that. Those old matters have nothing to do with us."
"About half an hour west from here is Xuanyuan Yichen's mansion. Your Second Senior Sister and I will wait here; if anything goes wrong, we can respond in ti."
Zhou Qing nodded in agreent and handed the old hen he was holding to Luo Lingling, asking her to take care of it temporarily.
"Alright, I'm going. Be careful!" After giving the warning, Zhou Qing leaped onto the wall and moved west swiftly.
After Zhou Qing left, the Ghost Mastiff looked at the round old hen in Luo Lingling's arms and couldn't help frowning, "Egg Treasure Chicken? Even with Old Fourth's cultivation, he carries food with him?"
Luo Lingling softly stroked the hen's comb and smiled, "It's worth far more than you."
"Oh, co on, just this fat chicken?" The Ghost Mastiff snorted disdainfully.
"It can lay Spirit Eggs and ignore the Three-Color Restriction." With a casual remark, Luo Lingling made the Ghost Mastiff's eyes widen in shock.
...
Half an hour later, Zhou Qing stopped in front of an elegant mansion.
Unlike the other lavish prince residences he passed along the way, the Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen's [Yiyun Mansion] exuded a transcendent aura.
Green vines covered the azure jade walls, dotted with tiny white flowers.
On either side of the mansion's gate stood a millennia-old cloud pine, its branches were gnarled like dragons, crowns resembling clouds.
"Halt!"
Two guards dressed in light cyan uniforms stood with their halberds crossed at the entrance.
Their gaze was sharp as electricity, with spiritual power vaguely circulating around them, they were in the late stage of Nascent Soul cultivation.
Zhou Qing, unhurried, took a deep blue token from his bosom.
The token was encircled with cloud patterns, with an antique "Yi" character carved in the center, emitting a gentle halo under the sunlight.
"Please, report," Zhou Qing presented the token, "An old friend seeks an audience with the Seventh Prince."
The guard took the token and carefully inspected it. When he saw the faint mark of a cyan lotus on the back of the token, his expression changed dramatically.
The Cyan Lotus Order—only three made by the Seventh Prince himself, held by the most esteed guests.
"Please wait, honored guest!"
One guard swiftly turned and entered the mansion, and soon, the clear sound of bells rang from within.
A young man in a moon-white robe stepped briskly forward, his features handso, with a steadiness beyond his years in his gaze.
Soon, Xuanyuan Yichen stood ten steps away, scrutinizing the masked stranger at the door.
Though not seeing his true face, Xuanyuan Yichen knew this person was Zhou Qing.
Only three Cyan Lotus Orders existed, and the owners of the first two had already visited, leaving one unaccounted for.
"Zhou!" Xuanyuan Yichen laughed aloud, taking three steps into two toward him.
Zhou Qing raised his hand to remove his mask, opting for an open eting with his old friend rather than concealnt that might arouse suspicion.
"Is Your Highness well?" Zhou Qing bowed in greeting, his voice smooth as jade, "I apologize for the unannounced visit."
Xuanyuan Yichen, however, warmly took his arm, "No need for formalities between us!"
He instructed the guard, "Prepare tea, from last year's harvest of Cloud Summit Mist Bud."
He then happily led Zhou Qing inside the mansion.
"Why have you suddenly arrived in the Imperial City? Had I known, we could have traveled together from Taiqing Sect."
"A few days ago, Mu Qian ntioned you. She said Consort Chen arranged a match at the White Jade Taixu Courtyard, which you politely declined and she's still upset..."
...
In the guest hall, sandalwood incense wafted, blending with the aroma of tea.
The Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen, smiling warmly, showed the utmost hospitality, "It's rare for Brother Zhou to co to the Imperial City, you must let play the gracious host this ti."
He personally poured a cup of Spirit Tea for Zhou Qing, casually asking, "By the way, what brings Brother Zhou to the Imperial City? If you need any assistance, feel free to ask."
Others might not know, but he was aware that Zhou Qing was a direct disciple of Master Lin and an Array Master.
Moreover, his grandfather, the Emperor, valued Zhou Qing greatly.
Several tis at the border, his grandfather took Zhou Qing with him quietly for reasons unknown.
Zhou Qing lightly touched the tea cup with his fingers, glancing over the attendants in the hall, then smiled, "rely here to broaden my horizons."
Xuanyuan Yichen understood, waving his hand to signal everyone to leave.
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