"And you are...?" Emperor Xia halted his steps, looking at the two figures before him with surprise.
Within the main hall, countless young men and women wore expressions of infatuation.
Initially, Emperor Xia had assumed that whoever could behead Xia Yong must be an ancient, powerful existence.
But judging by their apparent age, both seemed to be around sixteen or seventeen.
Could it be... they were the disciples or descendants of some ancient being?
"Xia Sheng, are you satisfied with my gift?" Ling Xiao's expression was serene, carrying an air of transcendence.
His gaze swept across the hall, a faint trace of surprise flickering in his eyes.
With the Empress Dowager's birthday, all the notable talents and prodigies of Great Xia should be gathered here, right?
How come... there isn't a single Son of Fate among them?
That doesn't seem right.
However, when his gaze briefly rested on Xia Yanran beside Qi Deqiang, Ling Xiao's eyes paused for a moment.
That Second Prince Qi, from his nose to his eyes, radiates an aura of 'I'm the fucking center of the universe.'
Clearly, he's a villain.
And Xia Yanran's eyes are red; she's clearly been crying recently.
Considering the intel I extracted from that Great Xia guard's soul memory... heh, it's likely this princess's husband hasn't made an appearance yet.
Right, Sons of Fate always make their entrance last.
Otherwise, if the crowd isn't complete, how can the mockery reach its peak?
It seems the main event hasn't even started!
Furthermore, while Xia Yanran doesn't possess great Luck, she has a modest amount—around a thousand points.
Of course, without any Luck, how could she possibly encounter a Son of Fate as a live-in son-in-law?
Most importantly, Xia Yanran's physique... is rather mysterious.
Primal Origin Spirit Body.
It's said that women with this constitution have all their spiritual power concentrated within that single drop of Primordial Yin Blood.
Once their purity is lost, that spiritual power completely dissipates, bestowed upon another.
Marvelous!
This is a top-tier cultivation cauldron. Although it's a one-time use... reaching the mid Breakthrough Realm is still quite decent.
Most importantly... following the usual tropes of live-in son-in-law stories, it's highly likely Xia Yanran hasn't yet consummated her marriage with that good-for-nothing.
The question is, does that good-for-nothing understand medicine, and has he discerned Xia Yanran's special physique?
Ling Xiao guessed he probably did.
As for why he hadn't taken the opportunity to 'pluck' Xia Yanran... don't ask, the answer is 'true love'.
After all, only villains act solely for their own benefit.
Sons of Fate, their persona must be upright and loyal.
"How dare you!! How can a mere hammer like you directly address the Emperor's name?!" A loyal minister in the hall immediately roared in anger.
Ling Xiao merely gave him a cold glance, then produced a dragon talisman from his hand.
The expressions of Emperor Xia and several other members of the Xia clan instantly froze.
Then, under the stunned gazes of everyone present, their legs went weak, and they nearly knelt.
We pay our respects to the Dragon King... wait, no...
"We pay our respects to the Ancest..."
"Alright, rise." Ling Xiao waved his hand lightly. A trace of imperial might quietly spread out, supporting Emperor Xia's form and preventing the kneel. Then, he stepped forward, leading Ye Qingchan into the hall.
"Gulp." To be honest, Emperor Xia's face at this moment was a mix of gravity, fear, and awe.
In short, it was complicated.
That dragon talisman—the younger Xia generation and outsiders might not recognize it, but he did!!
It was the heritage national artifact left by Great Xia's founding ancestor, Xia Chen! The faint dragon aura within it couldn't be wrong!
He had also sensed that wisp of imperial authority from the young man.
But...
Ancestor, you've been ascended for so many years, and you haven't improved your cultivation one bit?
Dammit!
You're a... good-for-nothing!
Of course, Xia Sheng only dared to curse like this in his heart.
If he said it out loud, the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration would likely become his own funeral!
"Quickly... take that 'loyal minister' out and execute him!!" Emperor Xia turned his head and glared fiercely at the man who had just shouted at Ling Xiao.
The man's face stiffened. Before he could even plead his case, he was dragged out of the hall in a daze by two guards.
"What are you all still standing around for?! Make way for the Ances—ahem, for this esteemed lord!" Emperor Xia walked to the upper part of the hall, kicked the Empress to move her aside, and ordered the Empress Dowager to be carried to a lower position. Only then did he respectfully address Ling Xiao, "Esteemed lord, please!"
"Mm. Carry on, don't mind me too much." Ling Xiao sat down upon the imperial throne, his gaze gentle as he looked upon the people in the hall.
Don't mind you too much?
You've moved the birthday honoree to a lower seat, how can we... not mind you?
Just who is this young man?
Why is Emperor Xia being so obsequious?
It seemed like he almost knelt to this youth moments ago?
A sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth?
Since when did the Western Frontier have such an awe-inspiring figure?
Instantly, countless speculations arose in everyone's hearts, but no one could pinpoint who deserved such supreme honor.
One of the Eight Great Imperial Dynasties? The Cold Moon Immortal Palace?
Even if the master of the Immortal Palace arrived, they probably wouldn't command such deference.
Unconsciously, the atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive.
For Xia Yanran and the other talented young women of Great Xia, besides the oppression, there was also an indescribable sense of admiration.
Is this what they call a Son of Fate?
An Emperor bows his head, his bearing naturally transcendent!
Most importantly, this mysterious young master's eyes are exceedingly gentle, not a trace of arrogance to be seen!
A person like this is simply... the benchmark for an ideal match!
No wonder even that fairy-like young lady is willing to stand by his side, playing the role of a maid.
For a young master like this, forget being a maid, I'd be willing to be a bed-warmer!
Some of the talented youths even began secretly calculating how to inconspicuously curry favor with this mysterious young lord.
"Report, Your Majesty, the Royal Son-in-Law has arrived!"
Right at that moment, an announcement came from outside the hall.
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
Our good-for-nothing son-in-law, he has arrived!
"Oh? Let him in." Emperor Xia and the others brought over small stools and sat at the front of the hall.
At this moment, the new master of Great Xia felt a mix of anxiety, excitement, and a faint trace of gloom.
This Great Xia realm was, after all, stolen by me.
Would the ancestor's sudden descent... bring condemnation?
But since he came bearing Xia Yong's head as a gift, he must acknowledge my status.
Could it be...
Suddenly, Emperor Xia thought of a possibility.
Could it be that Xia Yong brought his death upon himself, disturbing the ancestor at the Xia ancestral grounds, and was executed for it?
Yes!! It must be so!!
But I wonder, what is the purpose of the ancestor's descent to the mortal realm this time?
Could it be... to help me unify the Western Frontier and achieve an eternal, domineering legacy?
"Your son-in-law, Jiang Yu, pays his respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager!"
From outside the hall, a young man in a deep blue robe walked in. He had delicate, handsome features.
A gentle smile graced his face, and his eyes were deep and calm, like the starry sky above a deep sea.
If not for the complete lack of spiritual from his body, he could be considered a refined young gentleman.
In his hands, he held a sandalwood box, his steps light and vigorous as the wind.
But before he could even fully enter the hall, the faces of those seated below instantly revealed unconcealed disdain.
Now that's more like it!
For any Son of Fate, especially of this archetype, their entrance must be met with a storm of mockery.
And our good-for-nothing son-in-law won't just not get angry; the corner of his mouth will even curl up slightly!
Please, begin your performance!