Chapter Seventy-Three: Audience with the Celestial Emperor

The remaining members of the Qin and Su families departed together from the palace gate, preparing to return to Dongchang Pavilion and await the Saintess’s emergence.

Su Ze, twelfth among the Su siblings, walked a few steps and noticed Su Nanxing still standing motionless. He called out, “Seventeenth brother, shall we go together to Tingfeng Pavilion?”

Su Nanxing kept his gaze fixed on the palace gate, not turning his head. “I’ll wait here,” he replied.

Su Ze turned back, standing by Su Nanxing’s side with a teasing tone. “It’s only half an hour at most, and Father’s with her—are you afraid she won’t return?”

Still not looking at him, Su Nanxing retorted, “If your wife were the one entering the palace, could you sit still?”

Su Ze laughed. “Blame me for meddling. But I saw your friends at Xuanshuang Pavilion—aren’t you going to check on them?”

After a brief consideration, Su Nanxing said, “That’s fine. But I’m heading to Zhaixing Pavilion—higher up, I’ll have a better view. As soon as they leave Xuanling Palace, I’ll come down and wait.”

The two set off together toward Dongchang Pavilion.

The flower carriage continued forward, with Qin Youchuan, Su Yanfeng, and the Seventh Prince riding their dragon steeds alongside. Upon entering the palace gates, Tao Ming saw a stretch of interconnected palaces ahead.

Unlike the Forbidden City she had once visited, this imperial palace was composed of blue bricks and gray tiles, its singular color palette giving it a somber, oppressive feel. Tao Ming glanced discreetly, noticing the palace walls, pillars, and beams lacked any painted decoration, which struck her as odd.

She recalled what the Seventh Prince had told her last time, and felt that the shadowy, indistinct side halls behind the main palace seemed even more gloomy.

Though she hadn’t observed closely, Tao Ming noticed there were very few people moving about within the palace. Earlier, outside the gates, she hadn’t seen any guards; now, even inside, there was still no sign of them, leaving her puzzled. She resolved to ask Su Nanxing about it later.

Arriving at a grand palace, the flower carriage stopped again. The Seventh Prince extended his hand. “Step down.”

Tao Ming handed both Soft and Sticky, whom she carried in her arms, to the Seventh Prince, then held onto the carriage’s handrail and jumped down.

Once she was steady, she took Soft back from him and waited quietly.

Someone approached from the palace door—it was Dragon Scale One.

His voice was as grating as ever: “His Majesty awaits inside. Follow me.”

Holding Soft securely, Tao Ming walked behind Dragon Scale One, silently encouraging herself: “It’s fine. You can do this! At worst, just hide!”

The Seventh Prince walked alongside her, secretly admiring her composure.

Qin Youchuan and Su Yanfeng followed close behind.

At the palace entrance, Tao Ming saw a black plaque above the door, with three red characters: “Xuanling Palace.” Whether it was the darkening sky or her own nerves, she felt the red characters looked as if written in fresh blood, giving them a sinister air.

The palace doors were closed. Dragon Scale One announced, “Your Majesty, the Saintess has arrived.”

A deep, resonant male voice came from within: “Enter.”

The sound surprised Tao Ming; based on the Seventh Prince’s descriptions, she had expected the Heavenly Emperor’s voice to send chills down her spine. Instead, it was so pleasant it could make one’s ears tingle—a stark contrast to Dragon Scale One’s jarring tone.

Unaware that she was being compared, Dragon Scale One pushed open the doors, letting a flood of white light spill out, and gestured for Tao Ming to enter.

Tao Ming took a deep breath and stepped into Xuanling Palace.

The ceiling was studded with countless luminous stones, their bright, gentle glow illuminating the entire room.

She saw, some ten meters ahead, a wide chair occupied by a figure in purple robes. Supposing this must be the Heavenly Emperor, she immediately lowered her gaze, determined not to look around.

The Seventh Prince went ahead, bowed, and said, “Father, I have fulfilled your expectations and safely brought back the Saintess.”

Without expression, Qiao Lingcang responded, “You’ve worked hard on this journey. Wait to the side.”

No matter how slowly Tao Ming walked, she soon reached the emperor. Staring at her shoe tips, she kept silent.

Soft, noticing Tao Ming’s lowered head, leaned close and whispered, “Mom, did you drop something?”

Tao Ming tightened her grip, gently pinching Soft’s small bottom—Soft obediently fell silent.

When Tao Ming entered, Qiao Lingcang’s attention was entirely on Soft, secretly pondering how to extract her from under the noses of the Qin and Su families.

Hearing Soft speak, he noticed Tao Ming’s bowed head and lack of greeting. Enduring his displeasure, he finally said, “For bearing the Saintess, you shall be credited.”

Tao Ming thought, “Who cares?” and remained silent.

Qiao Lingcang saw Qin Youchuan and Su Yanfeng come in behind, his gaze darkening slightly. He spoke gently: “Master Qin, Master Su, what brings you to the palace today?”

Su Yanfeng, ever cautious, replied, “It has been a long time since we last saw Your Majesty; we missed you dearly. Today, we took the opportunity of the Saintess entering the palace to pay our respects.”

Qin Youchuan answered straightforwardly, “I’m accompanying my granddaughter to see you.”

Tao Ming inwardly admired her grandfather’s boldness!

Though displeased, Qiao Lingcang kept a pleasant face. “Master Qin, you needn’t worry. It’s been a thousand years since a Saintess appeared—I wished only to see her for myself.”

Qin Youchuan responded, “Since we’ve met, I’ll take them back now. We’ll return for the investiture ceremony.”

Qiao Lingcang gritted his teeth in secret, but could not show it. “Very well. Three days hence, the investiture ceremony will be held at the Sacred Hall. I invite Master Qin and Master Su to attend.”

Both Qin Youchuan and Su Yanfeng readily agreed, then called Tao Ming to leave Xuanling Palace. Throughout, Tao Ming never looked up, and so never saw what the Heavenly Emperor looked like.

The Seventh Prince remained quietly aside, not leaving with Tao Ming.

Once outside the palace, Tao Ming finally exhaled in relief.

But the flower carriage parked earlier was gone; only three dragon steeds waited obediently.

Tao Ming softly asked, “Grandfather, how do we leave?”

Qin Youchuan waved his hand, producing a carriage, and hitched two dragon steeds to the front. “Today, your grandfather will be your coachman.”

When Tao Ming entered the carriage, Qin Youchuan lowered his voice and said to Su Yanfeng, “Hypocrite!”

Su Yanfeng was puzzled—uncertain whom Qin Youchuan meant by “hypocrite.”

The carriage quickly left the palace, stopping before Dongchang Pavilion.

As Tao Ming sensed the carriage halt and prepared to ask, Su Nanxing’s head appeared at the door. “Wife, I missed you so much!”

...

Qiao Lingcang looked at the silent Seventh Prince before him and asked, “Kongqing, recount the attack in detail.”

The Seventh Prince recited the account he had agreed upon with Dragon Scale One and Qin Sihou: “The journey was smooth until we met the Saintess. Just as we left Qiluo Town, we were ambushed—a man, a woman, and a little girl, all slain. Outside Yunxian City, we encountered another cult ambush; their numbers were overwhelming. The Dragon Guard fought to the death, but could not eliminate them all. Fortunately, Fifth Master Qin arrived to receive the Saintess, and I barely escaped with my life.”

Qiao Lingcang’s eyes flickered with unreadable light. He spoke after a long silence: “The cult grows ever stronger—a grave threat. Return to your residence and consider the matter; if you can offer a good solution, you will be well rewarded.”

The Seventh Prince answered in a low voice, “It is my duty to share Father’s burdens.”

Qiao Lingcang stared at him in silence; the prince grew anxious inside but dared make no move.

Qiao Lingcang finally said, “You may go.”

The Seventh Prince bowed and retreated. At the palace door, he saw Dragon Scale One give him a signal—two fingers raised, indicating that Dragon Scale Two had been sent to investigate. Without pausing, he left the palace and returned directly to his own residence.

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