The main hall of the Great Xia Imperial Palace.
Emperor Xia's gaze was somber as he sipped his tea.
Xia Yong was dead. Logically, his greatest hidden danger should have been eliminated.
Yet, inexplicably, he felt even more uneasy inside.
It was as if something momentous was about to happen, but he couldn't find even the slightest clue.
Was happiness too sudden?
Or was it the inherent anxiety of a usurper?
"Go on!"
At that moment, Xia Yanran emerged from the rear hall and, under Consort Hua's pointed gaze, walked towards Qi Deqiang.
"Second Prince, how are you finding Great Xia's wine?" Though Xia Yanran wore a smile, the redness around her eyes was still quite evident.
Seeing this, a smile finally tugged at Emperor Xia's lips.
Had I been overthinking?
As long as we can form an alliance with Great Qi, even if Xia Yong weren't dead, what storm could he possibly stir?
"Hehehe, so it's the Fifth Princess. I've long heard that Great Xia boasts two great beauties: Princess Yanran and the Grand Tutor's direct granddaughter. In my opinion, Princess Yanran surpasses them all. With a beauty like you by my side, the wine naturally tastes excellent!" Qi Deqiang laughed arrogantly.
He didn't care whether Xia Yanran's feelings were genuine or feigned. Once he'd had his fill, he'd grow bored anyway!
It was said that despite being married, the Fifth Princess remained pure.
In that case... even if she was unwilling, a little resistance would only add to the fun, wouldn't it?
"You flatter me, Second Prince. Sister Shuang is my eldest imperial brother's betrothed. His good fortune is something Yanran could never compare to." Xia Yanran let out a soft sigh.
To be honest, she envied Qiao Shuang.
Although her eldest imperial brother, Xia Feng, might not necessarily become the Crown Prince, he was single-minded and had always treated Qiao Shuang extremely well.
Whether in terms of status or talent, Xia Feng's name was among the best in Great Xia.
Countless talented young women wished to be the one by his side.
Ah!
If only Jiang Yu had half of what my imperial brother possesses, would I have fallen to this state?
If my eldest imperial brother were here today, Father might not have forced me like this.
He was the only person in all of Great Xia who didn't dislike Jiang Yu and would often drink and chat with him.
Ah, Eldest Imperial Brother, you are truly such a warm and upright person!
Hmph, that good-for-nothing Jiang Yu said he went out this morning to prepare a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager. It's probably just an excuse.
He doesn't even have a single spirit stone on him. What treasure could he possibly have!
I hope he doesn't show up today to embarrass us further.
Meanwhile.
Deep within a desolate mountain range on the Great Xia border, a spiritual light suddenly shot into the sky, transforming into a seven-colored mysterious glow. It was clearly a sign of a supreme treasure appearing.
"Brother Feng!! A treasure has really appeared!!" At the source of the spiritual light, at the edge of an ancient forest.
A young woman in white robes stared with wide eyes, her pretty face a mix of shock, delight, and excitement.
The girl appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen, with elegant features and fair skin.
Her lively eyes contained an immortal charm.
She was none other than the Grand Tutor's direct granddaughter, Qiao Shuang.
Beside her stood a young man in black python robes, his hands behind his back, his gaze calm.
"Hehe, Shuang'er, have I ever lied to you? I discovered this ruin long ago. It holds an ancient relic inside. Our engagement has lasted five years. Let me use this treasure as a betrothal gift to officially welcome you into my household, how about that?" A gentle expression appeared on Xia Feng's face as he looked affectionately at the young girl beside him.
It wasn't that he didn't covet the throne. Although he would never confine himself to a single dynasty in this lifetime, his current cultivation was still low, and the position of Emperor had its uses for now.
His low-key and patient demeanor was merely to accumulate strength in secret.
By marrying Qiao Shuang and gaining the support of the son of the Townfarer Loyal and Righteous Count, Great Xia was within his grasp.
And this was only the beginning of his long path to immortality.
As for today, how could he forget the Empress Dowager's birthday?
But if he went, it would inevitably draw suspicion from the Empress.
By not going, he gave her a reason to suppress him, which would naturally... lower her guard.
When the time came... hehe.
"Ah! Brother Feng... I... I'll leave it all to you." Qiao Shuang's face flushed red. She lowered her head slightly, as if unable to meet Xia Feng's gaze.
"Hehe, then what are we waiting for? Shuang'er, let's go retrieve the treasure." Xia Feng smiled faintly, took Qiao Shuang's delicate hand, and prepared to head towards where the spiritual light had descended.
"Ah! Right, Brother Feng, today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, isn't it?!" Qiao Shuang seemed to suddenly remember something, panic flashing in her eyes.
Before she left, her grandfather had reminded her to return early.
But... it seemed they had missed it.
"It's fine. Within these ruins lies a divine fungus brimming with vigorous vitality. When we present it to the Empress Dowager, I'm sure she will understand our thoughtful intentions."
"This... Brother Feng... how did you know what treasures are inside?"
"Hehe, Shuang'er, have you forgotten? I once studied the art of divination…"
...
Back in the palace, as Xia Yanran sat beside Qi Deqiang, the atmosphere in the hall instantly warmed up.
Princes and ministers toasted one another, a picture of harmony.
Only, the occasional glances cast towards Xia Yanran now held an extra layer of... mockery.
As expected, she always acted so pure and chaste, but in the end, she's just a covetous social climber.
"Report! Your Majesty, outside the hall... there's... there's someone who says he comes from Xuyun City. He wishes to offer birthday congratulations to the Empress Dowager! And... he has sent a gift."
At the entrance to the hall, a guard suddenly bowed, holding a square, four-cornered box.
The previously lively hall fell silent instantly.
A faint, bloody scent quietly began to permeate the air.
"Hmm?!" Emperor Xia's eyes narrowed. Guards below the hall gripped their swords.
"Bring it here."
From Xuyun City?
Could it be... Xia Yong?!
He's really not dead!!!
But as the guard walked into the center of the hall, whether from nervousness or physical weakness, he stumbled and fell to the ground.
The box in his hands fell, and a head rolled out.
"Ah!!!"
Screams instantly filled the hall. Even the hundred-year-old Empress Dowager nearly fainted, her birthday nearly becoming her death day.
But!!!
At that moment, Emperor Xia's eyes widened abruptly. The look on his face shifted from shock to wild joy.
Because he saw that the fallen head was actually Xia Yong's!!!
The head of Xia Yong, the legitimate Great Xia successor, his dear elder brother!!
Moreover, beside the head lay a golden seal—the very True Dragon Seal symbolizing the imperial authority of Great Xia!
He who possessed this seal possessed the dragon's fortune of Great Xia and the hearts of the people!!
Who!!!
Who had delivered such a great gift to him?!
"Quick!! Quickly, invite him in!!" The guard who had fallen was already prostrate on the ground, despair in his eyes.
But hearing the excitement in Emperor Xia's voice, he froze for a full three breaths before scrambling to his feet and rushing out of the hall.
Emperor Xia had already stepped forward, picked up the head, confirmed it was genuine, tossed it to a guard beside him, then picked up the golden seal and laughed heartily at the sky, "Hahahaha, Heaven's Mandate!! Heaven's Mandate!! Now who dares call me a False Emperor?! Great Xia is already the domain of Xia Sheng!!"
Everyone in the hall immediately stood and bowed towards Emperor Xia. "We congratulate Your Majesty on obtaining this Dragon Seal!!"
"Hahahaha, quickly, come with me to welcome our esteemed guest." Emperor Xia strode forth, about to rush towards the hall entrance, when he saw a figure in white robes slowly walking in from the direction of the main door.
He was handsome, his face bathed in a golden light, an immortal aura swirling naturally around him.
Those dark eyes, visible beyond the immortal radiance, seemed to contain starlight, capable of captivating anyone who met their gaze with a single glance.
Half a step behind him was a young woman dressed in green robes.
Her stunningly beautiful face was like that of a celestial maiden who had descended from the highest heavens, utterly captivating.
What a pair of... transcendent, peerless lovers!