"There's no need for the seat of honor. Minister Sima, please speak plainly about what's on your mind."
Nangong Ling spoke softly and chuckled slowly, his aura gentle and harmless, as if he were truly an innocent and naive young man. I was annoyed; if I didn't know his character well, I could easily have been fooled by him.
"I don't need to say more, do I? Your Highness is a very intelligent person. What can escape your eyes?" Sima Gongqing gave a strange smile. "No matter how clearly anyone with eyes can see the matter of Jingyan Gate, the evidence is conclusive. Wuyue Palace is still involved."
“My father’s methods…” I was startled, not expecting it to be a trap set by Nangong Yi. He paused, glanced at me, tightened his grip on my hand, and continued to laugh, “Although they’re old tricks with no originality, they seem to always achieve their purpose. But… what can the Jingyan Sect do to me?”
The old man was stunned by his arrogant words and remained speechless for a moment before recovering. "Such great confidence! Back when the Jingyan Sect emerged from the martial world, your father was still nowhere to be found..."
“Brother Sima, that’s why I said you’re getting old. Not long ago, this kid uprooted the Rong family, that old tree. Is Jingyanmen even enough to fill his teeth?” One of the people next to Sima Gongqing jumped out.
"Old man He!" Sima Gongqing was furious that someone had said he was old, and he glared at them angrily.
"What are you talking about? I'm just stating the facts. Besides, I've always admitted I'm getting old, unlike some people who stubbornly refuse to accept it." He Gongqing rolled his eyes, then turned to Nangong Ling with a kind and benevolent expression. "Kid, I have high hopes for you!"
Nangong Ling smiled, her eyebrows slightly raised, and He Gongqing was dumbfounded, muttering that the child was incredibly beautiful... At that moment, I had only one thought: What a femme fatale! If Nangong Ling were born a woman, she would definitely be even more alluring than her mother.
If I let him sell smiles in the future, it'll be a sure-fire way to make money—every smile is worth a fortune. Just as I was lost in thought, someone tugged at my hand.
"Lian'er, what do you say?" Then a beautiful and gentle voice came.
I stared blankly at the person's alabaster-like face for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean, how do I say it?"
"We're going to be staying here for a while, so you can pick a room and see which one you like."
Letting me choose where to stay? Nangong Ling, you're really asking for too much influence! I blinked, looked outside the hall, and pointed to a magnificent and opulent building.
I heard someone gasp softly, and when I turned around I saw that Jiu Gongqing's expression had frozen, and then Nangong Ling smiled brightly.
"You have a good eye for choosing, young lady." A hoarse voice slowly rang out, and looking over, one saw a serious-looking old man in brown robes.
That's right, I chose it exactly what Nangong Ling wanted.
Chapter 63
The place I pointed to was the Nine-Story Tower, where only the city lord of the imperial city could live.
There was a faint, almost imperceptible sound of falling leaves swirling on the ground, yet it broke the silence of the hall.
"Does Lian'er like the Nine-Story Tower? But there are ten Kings of Hell sitting in front of it..." He seemed to sigh helplessly as he said this.
"The palace masters are currently unable to engage in battle. Please instruct your palace masters to wait until this matter has subsided before discussing it further." It was still the voice of the old man in brown robes.
Nangong Ling lowered his head, some of his dark hair slipping down and scattering around his cheeks. I could clearly see the mischievous smile in his eyes. When he looked up again, he sighed, with a hint of regret.
"What a pity..." Then he stared at me intently, his eyes filled with an almost indulgent doting affection. "The Nine-Story Tower won't do, but I know a good one. Master often says the Seven-Star Tower is good. What do you gentlemen think?"
Sima Gongqing moved his mouth, but before he could speak, He Gongqing spoke first.
"Alright, Seven Star Tower, tsk tsk, it's a good place too."
He Gongqing's obvious protectiveness made me sense a subtle unease among the nine nobles. It's common for a city to be without a ruler, with others vying for the position. Moreover, the previous city lord hadn't chosen a suitable successor, and had declared that whoever could overcome the Ten Kings of Hell would become the new city lord. Now, they're claiming the palace masters are unable to fight, suggesting things might have changed. This change was probably something Nangong Ling had foreseen. Even without the city lord's will, breaching the imperial city wasn't as simple as it seemed. The people inside were all top-tier fighters, each one a match for ten. To say the outside forces were numerous and powerful wouldn't make sense; they'd even lower themselves to invite Nangong Ling's help. Could it be the Martial Venerable's strong recommendation? Speaking of which, the current master of the Seven Star Tower is that old man, the Martial Venerable. Last time I met Jun Guan, he said the old man had something to do. I thought it was just some nonsense he'd heard from incompetent subordinates, but now it seems… things are far from simple.
"Ah Yue, take the Palace Mistress there." In the end, Sima Gongqing compromised.
The old man in brown didn't look too good, and the others also had their own thoughts, but He Gongqing was the one who was laughing the most happily.
After walking a distance, Qionghua, who had been silent for so long that I had almost forgotten about her, suddenly let out a big sigh of relief.
"Moon, why are you still so cold after all this time?"
The boy simply smiled gently upon hearing this, a soft smile playing in his bright eyes. How could such a boy be so pure and beautiful, inspiring such tenderness and affection?
"You know this child has always been shy around strangers." Something flickered in Nangong Ling's dark eyes. "You just saw how many of them you were sure about?"
Qionghua stopped laughing, and her expression became unusually serious.
"Minister Tan seemed a bit impatient; those people must have been putting a lot of pressure on him. When Miss pointed to the Nine-Story Tower, Minister Wei and Minister Huangfu's expressions also became rather strange. So, for now, we'll just talk about these three."
"The obvious ones, that means there are also the hidden ones."
He spoke with certainty, his tone always soft and gentle, yet it always sent a chill down one's spine for no reason. He half-closed his eyes, the curve of his lips a half-smile, an unpredictable danger, the complete opposite of his demeanor in the Azure Palace.
Qionghua gave an awkward smile, neither confirming nor denying. "I'm afraid there's an even bigger master behind them."
"Oh? Someone with an even more prestigious background than the Nine Dukes..." The low, lingering tone, enveloped in the crisp, cool fragrance, held a hint of allure for a fleeting moment. "Tell me, who could it be?"
"I've heard that there's a celestial star shining in the desert, and I've wanted to go to the Central Plains for many years," A-Yue, who had been silent until now, said softly.
"Ah, the Central Plains is indeed rich and powerful, Lian'er, don't you think so?" He held my hand, touching and playing with each hair, making my palms itch.
"Tianchen Yaoxing, what is that?"
"It's a foreign tribe, said to be protected by a god. From the rumors, they seem quite powerful." Nangong Ling, could you please stop mimicking my tone?
My brow twitched. "They want to form an alliance? Someone wants to become the city lord themselves?"
But because other forces in the capital city are suppressing it... wait, if we deduce it this way, perhaps the idea of breaking into the capital city was also devised by this person.
"You guessed it?" A cool, jade-like hand stroked the stray hairs on my forehead, her tone filled with certainty.
So why be so clear-sighted, so calculating and wary at every turn, fearing that a moment's carelessness might lead to someone stabbing you in the back? He did indeed suffer greatly in this regard, forced to grow up at a very young age. No matter how talented or intelligent, he couldn't escape the bloodshed that followed heartbreak. He was told at such a young age that no one in this world would lend a hand, no one would protect him; he had to forge his own path, or simply die silently, as if he had never existed.
I sighed inwardly, which stirred up ripples that spread like waves, causing intense, sharp pain.
There's no way around it. No matter how much I usually bully others and spout harsh words, when I actually face him, I'm the one who can't bring myself to do it.
Chapter 64
The wind picked up last night, and it got colder and colder. Yunzhi wouldn't let me go out. Even when I was really bored, she would make me wrap myself up in layers of clothes before letting me go out.
These past few days I've started sleeping until noon again. I must say, the Flying Eaves Pavilion of the Seven Star Tower is truly a place that nourishes the body.
"Miss, you're awake. Would you like lunch?" Aqing asked as she helped me change.
"No, I'm not hungry."
Aqing was born with delicate and pretty features, and her smile, especially when she lowered her head and smiled, was as gentle as water.
I have no female servants by my side. Since the Rong family fell from grace, I have been self-reliant. A couple of days ago, Yunzhi chose Aqing from the Twelve Heavenly Kings to serve me, and I was momentarily embarrassed and uncomfortable.
"Sister Qing, is Miss Rong inside?" A clear, melodious voice rang out from outside the door, behind layers of curtains.
I glanced at Aqing, who frowned slightly.
"What's wrong?"
Aqing hesitated for a moment before saying, "Miss, it's best to avoid contact with Master Wu of Wanshou Hall."
"The four halls, twelve floors, and twenty-four pavilions have already begun to fight amongst themselves?"
Perhaps I was too blunt, because Aqing looked a little embarrassed.
"Oh, no wonder Yunzhi hasn't had time to come over lately." I picked up a comb and brushed my hair. "Since you can't find Yunzhi, you've come looking for me."
"Sister Qing?" Receiving no response from outside the door, she called out again.
Wu Fei, I bet he came because he knew I was in the house.
"Bring him in." I untangled a knot in my hair, but I still felt a little sleepy.
Despite her surprise, Aqing still opened the door as I had instructed.
She wore a blue robe embroidered with subtle floral patterns, exuding a simple and elegant charm. Though not particularly striking in appearance, she was dignified and composed, and her demeanor was quite pleasing to the eye.
"Rumor has it that Miss Rong is as beautiful as a celestial being, and now that I've seen her, she truly is a beauty of unparalleled grace..."
I turned my head to look at him, and he was speechless for a moment because of my stare.
"Just say what you have to say. I don't have time to listen to your nonsense."
A hint of embarrassment crossed his upright face; he knew he had stumbled upon someone difficult to talk to.
"The imperial city has been unrivaled in the world for many years. Doesn't Miss Rong think this is too domineering?"
"Passing the Ten Kings of Hell proves that one's martial arts are extraordinary, enough to be above ten thousand people. What's wrong with him taking over the imperial city and ruling the martial arts world?"
"That's inappropriate. It's too arbitrary. How can anyone see its fairness? If the city lord has evil intentions, wouldn't he be plunging millions of people into misery?"
"What good intentions could Master Wu possibly have in coming here to say all this to me?"
This world is inherently a dog-eat-dog world. How many wise and virtuous people are there? If you are a true gentleman, I will naturally respect you. But if you are a true villain or a hypocrite, then why should I be polite?
He was taken aback by my retort, but then laughed again. "Naturally, I hope to avoid trouble and maintain peace in the world. If Miss Rong doesn't think this is well-intentioned, I have nothing more to say."
If you have nothing to say, then don't say anything and don't disturb my rest.
One sentence was thrown at him, and his expression froze. "Hmph, you want me to do what you say? No way!"
"Aqing, see the guest out."
I tied my hair up, put on a trench coat, and decided to go for a walk outside. After shooing away the speechless Wu Fei, A Qing grabbed another coat and followed me.
There are several lilies of the valley by the pond in the outer courtyard of the Seven Star Tower. Their petals are pure white, their red berries are dazzling, and they exude a rich fragrance.
"It's truly remarkable that someone can grow such beautiful lily of the valley with such vibrant flowers and fruits during this season."
"Hmm, and there are lychees too. Miss likes them, right? How about I pick some fresh ones for you this afternoon?"
"No need for that. It's best to let things take their natural course. They're best eaten in the season they're in. Lychees should always be chilled. They're sweet and refreshing in the summer. Right now, we can only enjoy them occasionally, so they're probably not at their best."
"Miss, you are mistaken. Since I can make it bloom and bear fruit in autumn and winter, there will certainly be no problem with its taste."
The person stood beneath a crabapple tree, ethereal and otherworldly, pure and untouched by worldly dust.