After several days of observation, Ruan Yu’s plan was to take an indirect approach.
The East Pole Pavilion Master was not someone easily fooled, so she decided to start with the woman by his side.
“Ruan Yu, the chief disciple of the Mingguang Sect, pays her respects to the King.”
“I remember you. The future master of the Mingguang Sect, ranked sixteenth in the last Heavenly Concord Alliance Peak Dao Discussion, and a regular on the Asura Ranking. To what do I owe this visit, Fairy Ruan? Surely you haven’t come to solicit a sponsorship as well?”
Jing Tan’er crossed her legs and teased in a low voice, while simultaneously signaling to Geng Zhi, who was guarding her from the shadows, that there was no need to worry.
That title caused the corners of Ruan Yu’s mouth to curl—it wasn’t true yet, but it would be soon.
“Of course not. I am here regarding Mr. Yun. If I may be so bold as to speak plainly, Your Majesty’s current situation is quite unfavorable.”
“Oh?”
“First, allow me to congratulate Your Majesty and Mr. Yun on your upcoming grand wedding. The Mingguang Sect will forever be the Zhusheng Dynasty’s strongest supporter. Whatever the Shenhua Sect can do, we can do as well.”
Ruan Yu declared her loyalty without hesitation, making her stance clear.
“Mmhmm. You are quite thoughtful.”
This bout of flattery hit the Princess exactly where it counted.
She hadn’t even put on her wedding dress yet, but she was already practically preparing the formula for their second child.
Her entire being was immersed in a beautiful fantasy.
“But what happens after that? The Cloud Sea is, after all, Mr. Yun’s enemy homeland. Even if he leaves the sect, he cannot change the fact of his bloodline. He will ultimately have to consider his family on the Five Peaks. Once you are separated in two different locations, accidents are bound to happen.”
“Hmph.”
Jing Tan’er rolled her eyes.
The first person to pop into her mind was that “home-stealer,” Xiao Luran.
She couldn’t rely on that silly Little Yellow Hair, the ex-wife’s treacherous heart still hadn’t died, and there was also the saint-like Senior Sister Qin who was loved by everyone.
She couldn’t stay by his side every moment of the day.
“Therefore, I have an excellent suggestion—why doesn’t Your Majesty issue a decree appointing Mr. Yun as the Zhusheng State Preceptor? He would govern all the immortal sects within the four borders, ensuring that disasters like the Demon Sect’s invasion never happen again.”
“My Mingguang Sect will certainly lead the response, honoring the Mister as our Chief Guest Elder and establishing another Shanhai Pavilion branch in Guangming Ye to preside over the situation.”
Jing Tan’er laughed upon hearing this.
People didn’t visit unless they wanted something; it turned out she had her eyes on the Pavilion Master.
“You have quite the nerve, eyeing my Consort Princess? You’ve certainly made some clever calculations; your ambition is no small thing. Even Penglai Island couldn’t invite him…”
“Others might fail, but can the relationship between others and the Mister truly compare to the one between Your Majesty and him?”
“That is true.”
Jing Tan’er tilted her nose up proudly.
“Among the Three Prides of the Cloud Sea, I am the one Master dotes on the most. If I speak, what need is there for a decree?”
“It is a strategy that benefits both sides, is it not, Your Majesty?”
Ruan Yu winked.
She wasn’t some stubborn fool who only knew how to practice cultivation.
“Pillow talk” was the deadliest weapon of all, especially when it came from the Golden Crow Empress herself.
‘It really is quite a good idea…’
Although Jing Tan’er had once been part of Shenhua, that was already in the past.
Now, her every move was dictated by the affairs of the state.
The so-called art of kingship was nothing more than the word “balance.”
Whether in the central court or the world beyond, she could never allow one power to stand alone.
The Sword Sect had thousands of years of history and had once been so powerful it stood at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Concord Alliance.
Thus, the previous Mortal Emperor had deliberately nurtured the Mingguang Sect to counter it.
Even when Shenhua declined and the Mingguang Sect grew powerful, the former King still did not replace Shenhua’s status as the national religion, instead entrusting his beloved daughter to them to show his trust.
Shenhua and Mingguang were like two wings.
With only one side, the Vermilion Bird could not fly.
Now that the Shenhua Sect was flourishing, those who obtained the Heavenly Dao Pill would surely lead the era into a new glory.
As the recently ascended Little Princess, she couldn’t be biased.
She had to ensure Yun Liu took care of the other side as well.
Besides, her mother-in-law had a face like a dead man, looking as if the whole world owed her money.
Not only did she look down on the Princess, but she looked down on the ex-wife even more.
That was normal, though.
It was only human nature for her to be unwilling to let go of the beloved son she had raised.
Senior Sister Qin was very easy to talk to, but the truly significant threat was her formidable Master.
Ge Erniang’s rejection was practically written all over her face.
Jing Tan’er could see it clearly—on his family’s side, no one wanted “Little Yun” to “marry” into the royal family.
Even those Elders who yearned for the immortal stipend were insincere.
In the entire Shenhua Sect, the only one on her side was probably that “best friend” she had met through fighting, Ji Shiyu—too bad she was an idiot.
Thus, the prideful Princess felt her heart stir.
No one could stop her from pursuing her happiness, not even two mothers-in-law.
The envoy from Mingguang began to apply pressure, working hard at “digging out the foundation” of the wall.
However, Ruan Yu wasn’t the only one stirring up trouble in the shadows.
***
The perspective shifted to the Dragon Subduing Hall.
The usually kind and amiable Sweeper was currently fuming with rage.
As soon as he closed the doors, he began to scold the two Peak Heads for their failure to act like proper leaders, accusing them of taking the lead in stirring up a toxic atmosphere of female competition within the Cloud Sea.
“Blessed fate descends from heaven, and it belongs to those with virtue. Now even the parents are getting involved. Showing such a lack of respect for your seniority—what kind of behavior is this!”
Ge Lan said weakly, “Sect Leader… but I see that you haven’t been idle either. Have you never thought about pairing Little Liu with Ji Shiyu? You even brought the girl into the Illusion Pavilion to teach her personally.”
“Don’t forget, Sect Leader Senior Brother, you aren’t just the Head of Falling Cloud Peak, you are also the Sect Master of the Sword Sect. They are all disciples; why do you only teach the disciple of the First Peak?”
Shen Zhong’s old face turned red.
“Don’t say that… in my heart, I really do favor the Little Yellow Hair from the Palace of the Heavenly Pivot Star the most.”
“Is—is that the same thing?!”
“How is it not? Do you dare say that your return to the Jianghu wasn’t for the sake of helping Shiyu keep the Child of Extreme Fate?”
By now, many had realized that Yun Liu was the true Child of Destiny of the East Pole Province.
It was normal for winds and clouds to rise wherever he went, though they had not studied him as thoroughly as Yan Bingling.
Whether it was Extreme Destiny or Stellar Destiny, both were obtained after the young man counter-attacked the two women; it was truly satisfying.
Seeing that the Head of Qingxia dared to talk back, the old Sect Leader glared at her.
The Great Baldy stood to the side, not daring to say a word.
“That’s just how it is. No matter who stays, Xiang’er is definitely going to get the first bite anyway.”
Ge Erniang muttered under her breath, having her own clever plans.
“As for you, Bingling…”
“Hmm?”
The eyelashes of the Head of Tianxiang trembled slightly as if she were about to open her eyes.
The old Sect Leader could only cover his face and sigh.
“Clean up the house of Celestial Phenomena Peak yourself; don’t make too much noise. I will handle the matter of the Fang family personally. It seems I have been gone for too long, as even the cats and dogs by the roadside dare to occupy a nest that isn’t theirs. Don’t think I don’t know what they want to do—the Shenhua Sect is not a place where outsiders get to make the decisions!”
The Grand Elder’s beard shook.
“This commotion is no simple thing… to even disturb Sect Leader Senior Brother, doesn’t that mean we are going to clear the house?”
“It’s good that you understand.”
The Aunt Master went her own way, sweeping her sleeves and leaving, letting his words go in one ear and out the other.
The Head of Qingxia was in a worse state, being directly punished with the loss of ten years’ worth of offerings.
Even so, it didn’t change her determination to “finish the deed” and make it a reality.
The generation of mothers left grumbling, and it was the turn of Qin Xiang and Ji Shiyu, who were waiting outside, to enter.
Both of them were completely bewildered.
“It’s fine, don’t be afraid of that old fossil. Just go in, say ‘yes’ a few times, and deal with him however you want.”
Qin Xiang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Ji Shiyu timidly followed her Senior Sister through the door and was instantly stunned.
‘That’s strange. Isn’t that the old man who watches over the Library? Why is he sitting in the head seat with the Great Baldy serving at his side?’
Wasn’t the one who summoned everyone the Sect Leader Immortal Master?
A powerhouse rumored to be on the same level as Old Mother Ji…
Looking at the Grand Elder’s half-smiling expression—
This was bad.
Ji Shiyu’s face turned pale.
‘Oh my god… how many times have I been disrespectful to him?!’