"Yes!"
Feng Yingshan nodded and said, "The Crown Prince has commanded to personally invite Brother Ling to the Imperial Palace."
"The Emperor invites ? But it seems I don’t know him, do I?"
Ling Xiao frowned. The inner chambers of the Imperial Palace were not a good place to be, as the saying goes, ’To accompany an emperor is to accompany a tiger.’ If soone wanted to find fault, that could be very troubleso.
Back in the Holy City, with the Moon Lady by his side, he could be fearless.
But now, he did feel a little hesitant.
This Emperor was from the Ice Phoenix Clan, and it was clear that the Divine Phoenix Continent’s power backed the Ice Phoenix Clan. Who could guarantee this wasn’t a trap like the Hongn Banquet?
After hearing Ling Xiao’s words, Feng Yingshan appeared sowhat embarrassed.
The Emperor invites soone, and he had to know you to extend the invitation?
Ling Xiao indeed seed rather audacious, not even showing respect to the Emperor?
Seeing Feng Yingshan silent, Ling Xiao suddenly smiled and asked, "What if I don’t go? What would the Emperor do?"
Just as Feng Yingshan was about to reply, Ling Xiao waved his hand and said, "Nevermind, you don’t have to answer. You wouldn’t dare speak the truth anyway. Then again, I’m in quite an embarrassed state right now. How about I return to the Qingxu College to change clothes and freshen up before going? We wouldn’t want to be accused of great disrespect toward the Emperor, that would be bad."
"No problem, the banquet starts tonight. The Crown Prince will personally co to Qingxu College to escort you."
Feng Yingshan smiled.
Ling Xiao was truly puzzled; why was Feng Yingshan so polite to him? Could it be he had taken a liking to him?
At this thought, a chill ran down his spine, and he rushed back to Qingxu College as if fleeing for his life.
Actually, the change of clothes was a ruse. The real reason was to discuss the matter with Feng Qingyan.
Now that the Moon Lady wasn’t by his side, his only reliance was Feng Qingyan. This was certainly a ’leg’ he had to cling to.
After returning to the college, Ling Xiao detailed the issue to Feng Qingyan, who also expressed the sa concerns and agreed to accompany Ling Xiao to the banquet.
Ling Xiao then breathed a sigh of relief.
With Feng Qingyan there, even if he had to flee, it would be much easier.
After all, if they didn’t allow him to bring Feng Qingyan, he wouldn’t go.
It was essential to be wary of others.
In the evening, Feng Yingshan indeed ca personally to escort them. Seeing that Feng Qingyan was coming along, he didn’t object.
"Crown Prince, do you know why the Emperor wants to see ?"
Ling Xiao asked curiously.
"This matter, to tell the truth, the Crown Prince isn’t entirely clear either. But it’s likely related to three things."
Inside the sedan, Feng Yingshan speculated, "First, the two colleges are going to the border to participate in combat trials, and you’re expected to attend, so the Emperor would probably want to express so encouragent. I’ve investigated, and you’re not the only one attending the banquet tonight; there are youths from both Phoenix God College and the Royal Family as well.
Second, that master behind you, let’s not even talk about the Emperor. Even the Crown Prince himself would want to forge a connection. That’s probably another reason.
Third, within the Ice Phoenix Clan, there are many young won, and quite a few are unwed. The Crown Prince suspects that they might want to establish a marital alliance with you."
"Oh my, why do the people from the Royal Family always like to attract people in this way?"
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but shake his head and wryly smile. Back in the Heavenly Dragon Continent, the Sacred Emperor had tried the sa thing, wanting to control him by marrying Ji Mingkong to him.
And now he was encountering the sa situation.
He felt a bit repulsed by it.
Feng Yingshan smiled awkwardly at this, neither confirming nor denying it.
Because he had also considered selecting an outstanding woman from the Fire Phoenix Clan to form a royal alliance with Ling Xiao, he felt fortunate that he had not yet spoken out, for today, it would have looked sowhat embarrassing.
It was quite clear that Ling Xiao was very displeased with such matters.
...
"This doesn’t seem to be the direction of the Imperial Palace, does it?"
Halfway through the ride, Ling Xiao keenly noticed that they were actually moving away from the Imperial Palace and couldn’t help but ask.
"That’s correct, we’re not heading to the Imperial Palace, but to Ling Yue Bieyuan."
Feng Yingshan nodded and explained, "Brother Ling may not know, Ling Yue Bieyuan is a rare leisure spot within the Imperial City, a sumr retreat for mbers of the Royal Family. Anyone who spends ti in the Imperial City would be aware of this place."
"Ling Yue Bieyuan? I have indeed heard of it. It’s said that the food and wine there are the most expensive in the entire Imperial City, and that the music played is the most beautiful in all the city, even surpassing the level of the court musicians?"
Ling Xiao asked curiously.
"That’s exactly right. Ling Yue Bieyuan was originally created by Ji Fulin and Yu Xuan Yue as their residence, and no outsiders were allowed inside."
Feng Yingshan sighed, "After those two left the Divine Phoenix Continent, the Righteous Qi Alliance transford it into a place exclusively for the entertainnt of the Royal Family’s nobility. Although the prices went up, I feel the ambiance has gone down. As a prince, I’ve visited it a few tis; the food and wine do indeed live up to their reputation, but the competitive atmosphere is too intense."
As he spoke these words, Feng Yingshan kept his gaze fixed on Ling Xiao, trying to gauge from his reaction whether Ling Xiao was aware of Ji Fulin and Yu Xuan Yue’s affairs.
However, he was disappointed.
Although Ling Xiao had heard of these two and had also suspected whether he might be their offspring, it was rely a passing thought and he was not certain.
Soon the palanquin arrived at Ling Yue Bieyuan.
But once inside, they all alighted from the palanquin and could see that at the entrance there were many palanquins, all extrely luxurious.
So were worth tens of millions of Low-grade Spirit Stones.
Even the cheapest was worth several hundred thousand.
It was apparent that the guests here really were wealthy and powerful.
"According to the rules of Ling Yue Bieyuan, carriages and palanquins are not allowed inside, so we’ll have to walk from here."
Feng Yingshan explained.
"No matter."
Ling Xiao was no pampered young master.
He had grown up enduring hardship, so walking was nothing to him—even if he had to walk in backward, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
Inside the retreat, it was indeed an idyllic scene with a unique charm of its own.
It felt like the space inside the Bieyuan was much larger than it appeared from outside; it even accommodated mountains and rivers, which was truly special.
In the air soared the mist of water and the fragrance of flora, instantly making one feel refreshed and invigorated in spirit.
"Indeed a fine place. If one lived here for long, they would probably never fall ill at all."
Ling Xiao reflected, but then he started to carefully observe the layout of the Bieyuan.
Perhaps due to his proficiency in Array Formations, he noticed at first glance that the layout of the Bieyuan was very special.
It was the "Qing Shan Lu Shui Hao Ran Gui Lai Array."
This type of Array Formation tended more towards Feng Shui, capable of gathering the Spiritual Qi and Righteous Qi of heaven and earth.
Staying here for a long ti not only made one feel comfortable but also allowed one to sense the Righteous Qi between heaven and earth.
Just a pity, the further he walked inside, the more furrowed his brows beca.
It seed like the Array Formation had been tampered with.
The green mountains and clear waters remained, but the Righteous Qi was not as strong as before, and the air was mixed with so irritating, decadent sounds.
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