Chapter 68: Movements Within the Imperial City (Part Two)

Su Yanfeng was somewhat annoyed. He had only discovered that the Saintess carried the blood of the Qin family—how had he failed to check if she had a share of the Su family as well? All because of that rascal Shiqi; even after becoming a father, he hadn’t uttered a word, letting the opportunity slip away. Thankfully, the Saintess hadn’t entered the city yet, and it wasn’t too late to act. His tone grew assertive. “Lord Qin, since the Saintess bears the name Su, she naturally ought to reside in the Su household. I have already ordered the manor prepared; once she arrives, she can be settled immediately.”

Qin Youchuan slammed his teacup onto the table. “Daydreaming! The Saintess’s mother, Tao Ming, is my granddaughter. The Saintess is still a child—it is only right she lives with her mother in the Qin household.”

Su Yanfeng couldn’t help but laugh. “Tao Ming is Shiqi’s wife; she’s already a member of the Su family!”

Qin Youchuan shot him a glance. “Wife? Where’s the bride price? Where’s the marriage contract? With nothing, you dare say she’s part of the Su family?”

Su Yanfeng suddenly felt powerless, hesitating before replying, “Shiqi met her in another world—they must have already married.”

Qin Youchuan snorted coldly. “My Qin family’s daughter, and you’d allow such a hasty marriage?”

Su Yanfeng’s intuition sharpened. “Then why does she bear the Tao surname?”

Qin Youchuan was left speechless—the fact that Tao Ming bore the Tao surname was as cold and unyielding as gold. If he had to find a reason, he could only blame himself for not letting Si Yu marry Sisi back then. For a moment, he didn’t know how to refute.

Seeing Qin Youchuan’s shifting expression, Su Yanfeng added another blow. “Tao Ming’s affection for our Shiqi runs deep—she openly threw herself into his arms before everyone.”

Qin Youchuan immediately recalled the letter sent back by Qin Sihou. “Hmph! A grown man acting spoiled and shameless—utterly disgraceful!”

Su Yanfeng retorted, “Shiqi misses his wife; if his actions are a little out of line, it’s perfectly understandable!”

Qin Youchuan gave him a sidelong look. “Like father, like son!”

Su Yanfeng’s anger flared. “You old codger!”

Qin Youchuan stood. “Looking for a fight?”

Su Yanfeng remembered Qiao Ruowei’s admonition, waved his hand, and said, “I don’t wish to quarrel with you today. Where the Saintess will reside should be decided after we’ve met the Heavenly Emperor.”

Qin Youchuan thought to himself: Tao Ming will certainly stay in the Qin household; her parents are both there! He lifted his robe, sat down again, and took a sip of tea with affected calm. “You called me out just for this?”

Su Yanfeng raised a finger and pointed upward. “What about that one?”

Qin Youchuan curled his lip. “If you’re willing to sit in that seat, I’ll help you up.”

“Discussing things with you is truly exhausting!”

Qin Youchuan’s brows furrowed. “Do you actually want to sit in that seat?”

“Do you think me a fool?”

Qin Youchuan hesitated briefly, then nodded.

Su Yanfeng’s frustration boiled over; it was like playing music to a cow. He lowered his voice. “You think I don’t know? If you count back at least two thousand years, every woman your Qin family sent into the palace was adopted from outside.”

Qin Youchuan’s expression didn’t change. “Your Su family is no different!”

Su Yanfeng pointed upward again. “Do you think he knows?”

Qin Youchuan scoffed. “Would he care? The man’s mad.”

Su Yanfeng agreed wholeheartedly. “Not just mad—foolish too.”

At this, Qin Youchuan found Su Yanfeng much more agreeable, raised his teacup, and said, “It’s rare for us to share the same attitude.”

Su Yanfeng clinked his cup in return. “From now on, our two families move forward together.”

“As it should be.”

...

The spies dispatched by other families within the Heavenly Saint Imperial City gradually sent back reports before noon. Every household was shocked—the Saintess possessed both Qin and Su bloodlines! The Qin and Su families had been at odds for nearly a thousand years, constantly causing trouble for one another behind the scenes. If this opportunity led to reconciliation and joint action, the entire Weishui region would have to tread carefully. Clearly, words and deeds must be more cautious in the future.

Chen Jingfu, head of the Chen family, had been in a daze ever since discovering the Su family had used the Chen family’s name in an attempt to assassinate the Saintess. If he had lived on Earth, he would surely have exclaimed, “I was just sitting at home, and disaster fell from the sky!” He might even have added, “I have an orange wheat bun and don’t know if it’s meant to be a paddle or not!” Thankfully, the Saintess was connected to the Su family’s young master Shiqi; otherwise, wouldn’t the Chen family have been exterminated by the Qin family? When had they offended the Su family? Chen Jingfu was utterly baffled.

Rightly so—Su Nanxing, when preparing, simply grabbed whatever was closest without even checking whose it was. If asked why he acted so carelessly, he’d most likely say, “Taking them by surprise is part of the plan.”

...

At that moment, the Heavenly Emperor Qiao Lingcang was in the imperial study, perusing reports from across Weishui, attended by no one. A voice came from outside the door: “Your Majesty, Dragon Scale One has returned with a secret message.”

“Bring it in.”

Qiao Lingcang took a seemingly ordinary white crystal coin in his right hand, formed a few seals with his left, and instantly the information stored within the crystal transferred to his mind. After absorbing all the data, the crystal coin turned to dust in his palm and drifted down as he relaxed his hand.

Qiao Lingcang’s face darkened and he thought angrily, “It’s that Extinguishing Azure Sect again—three hundred Imperial Dragon Guards weren’t enough. Fortunately, that old dog Qin sent people too, and the Saintess is safe.”

“Seventh Prince failed to take the chance to eliminate the Saintess’s mother; I must question him carefully when he returns.”

“The Su family is involved as well; if both families create obstacles, the Saintess may not reach the Sacred Mountain smoothly. This is troublesome.”

“Should I report this to the Immortal? No, I’ll wait until the Saintess is secured before claiming credit.”

After pondering awhile, Qiao Lingcang called out, “Order Li Xiuran to prepare the ceremonial procession to welcome the Saintess into the city.”

Someone outside responded and went to make arrangements. He summoned Dragon Scale Two, ordering him to investigate the truth behind the Seventh Prince’s party being ambushed.

...

Originally, there was an official specifically in charge of ceremonial processions, but Weishui had seen no grand events for ages, so that position had been reassigned. Now, all city ceremonies fell under the city guardian’s jurisdiction, and the equipment lay in storerooms, gathering dust.

Li Xiuran, city guardian of the Heavenly Saint Imperial City, had held his position for two thousand years, a master of smooth dealings and diplomacy. Receiving the imperial command, he immediately gathered his subordinates and personally led them to sweep the main streets. Dust flew everywhere, and his trusted aide Wang Shan coughed a few times and said, “Sir, as the Saintess will enter from the South Gate and proceed to the palace, and since Saint South Avenue is paved with stone slabs, wouldn’t it be more impressive to wash it down with water?”

Li Xiuran had intended only to put on a show for the Qin and Su families, but upon hearing this, he ordered, “Excellent suggestion. Oversee the cleaning yourself; I will arrange the procession.”

Wang Shan agreed. Li Xiuran returned to the city guardian’s office, racking his brain to recall where the ceremonial equipment was stored. He led men to open the storeroom, took out the Saintess’s ceremonial items, checked them against the register, had people decorate the flower palanquin, found enough participants to rehearse the formation, and finally led them outside the South Gate to set up, awaiting the Saintess’s arrival.

After all this, the entire population of the Heavenly Saint Imperial City knew the Saintess would enter by the South Gate that evening. Friends called friends, and everyone rushed to watch the spectacle. From the South Gate to the palace, both sides of Saint South Avenue were packed—teahouses and taverns were filled, and some even fought for the best vantage points.

The families who had received word at noon had long since claimed the prime spots, gathering in small groups to chat and wait.

Dongchang Tower, situated closest to the palace along Saint South Avenue, stood eight stories high, with elegant suites above the third floor. At this moment, the entire building was packed. The best spot, on the third floor, faced Saint South Avenue. A man in white, with refined features, leaned out the window for a look, then withdrew and said to the others in the room, “It seems everyone in the Heavenly Saint Imperial City has come out to watch the excitement!”