"Yan... Yanran, why did you hit me? Could it be that you... you..." A trace of panic flashed across Jiang Yu's face.
The reason he was so determined to stay in the Xia Palace wasn't just to save his life, but also because of... Xia Yanran's love for him.
Although that love was subtle, Jiang Yu could feel it.
But...
Why did she hit him?
Didn't she want her man to be someone who stood tall and unyielding?
A mere Second Prince of Great Qi...
"Jiang Yu, don't you understand yet? Father is determined to form an alliance with Great Qi! If I refuse now, not only you, but my mother will also die! As a couple of three years, I advise you... if you're trash, then be trash quietly. Don't dream about becoming an Emperor overnight and being revered by the world. How... in one hour, can you achieve the Mandate of Heaven? Or can you prove to Father that you're more valuable than that Second Prince of Qi?"
Tears shimmered in Xia Yanran's eyes.
So disappointed. At a time like this, Jiang Yu is still thinking about showing off!
Could it be that your sixth-grade Divine Emperor elder bestowed other treasures upon you?
Or can you break through to the Divine General realm within an hour to prove your prodigious talent to the world?
Or perhaps you've been hiding your identity as a descendant of an imperial bloodline all along?
Pfft.
Xia Yanran laughed in utter anger. Her fate was already sealed.
Except for... that supreme existence, probably not even the King of Heaven could change it!
"Yanran..." Jiang Yu was only stunned for a moment before he figured it out.
Wasn't Xia Yanran hitting and humiliating him also a form of... subtle love?
She must be utterly desperate by now!
And if it weren't for that upright and benevolent young lord in the Xia palace today, I would probably have been executed by Emperor Xia!
Yanran's actions are to protect me!!!
Forcing me to leave to avoid further persecution from Emperor Xia.
My foolish princess!
You have suffered these past three years!
From today onwards, I, Jiang Yu, swear I will make you the pride of Great Xia!
Because you have me!! A husband who is a peerless prodigy!
Peerless alchemy talent, a Spirit Flame fused and sealed within me using the lifelong cultivation of a sixth-grade Divine Emperor expert!
Either one is enough to shock the world and earn a reputation of absolute excellence!
"Yanran, don't be afraid. Actually, I..." Just as Jiang Yu lowered his head, a smile gradually appearing on his lips, ready once again to tell Xia Yanran his identity, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside the hall.
"Is Princess Yanran inside?"
Huh? Jiang Yu's face stiffened.
Dammit!
Is it this hard to show off now?
I've endured for three years, suppressed myself for three years, just for this moment to show off, and it's this difficult?
No!!
No matter who comes today, they cannot stop me from finishing this act of showing off!!
"Yanran... actually, I am..."
"My Lord!!" Xia Yanran looked up. Seeing the figure in white robes walking slowly towards the hall from outside, a look of pleasant surprise and astonishment flashed in her beautiful eyes.
Huh? Jiang Yu was slightly taken aback. He was about to get angry, but seeing the newcomer was actually the mysterious young man who had saved him in the hall today, the anger on his face instantly vanished.
"Young Master!!"
Slap!
Another crisp slapping sound echoed. Ling Xiao shook his head with a light laugh, looking at Jiang Yu, who was already dazed from the slaps, feeling somewhat internally.
These good-for-nothing son-in-law types really are all masochists.
No matter how their wives or mothers-in-law bully, beat, or even humiliate them, hey, they can just endure it.
Isn't it strange!
I'm obviously awesome, but just because of a three-year promise I made to an elder, I have to endure the humiliation!!
Dammit!
Your elder told you not to reveal your identity or talent, fearing it would attract villains.
But did your elder tell you to be a coward?
You don't dare offend the Great Xia imperial clan, I understand that.
But how is it that I've heard even a dog in the Great Xia imperial palace dares to shit and act spoiled on your head?
Is that reasonable?
Just to emphasize the identity of the good-for-nothing son-in-law, not to mention the dogs in the palace, probably even the unruly commoners outside the palace dare to point at your nose and curse you, 'Good-for-nothing Royal Son-in-Lief', 'Soft-rice Royal Son-in-Lief'...
Are you kidding me!
You're a Royal Son-in-Lief, at least. Does this setting make sense?
But having said that, the harder the suppression, the more satisfying the moment when the identity is revealed.
As for whether it's reasonable or not, who cares.
Satisfaction is all that matters!
"What 'Young Master'! This is..." Xia Yanran glared fiercely at Jiang Yu, then looked shyly at Ling Xiao, "...is My Lord!!"
My Lord is here... could it be for... the matter of Father forcing me to go to the guesthouse?
It must be!
The way My Lord looked at me earlier was very strange!
Could it be...
"My Lord..." He's at most seventeen or eighteen, right? He's clearly a young man, why 'My Lord'?
Jiang Yu felt stifled, but it quickly turned into a sincere smile.
No matter who this young man was, he was an upright person worthy of his respect.
Moreover, in his three years in Great Xia, he was one of only two people willing to speak up and stand out for him.
Especially now, when his cultivation was sealed, his talent hidden, making him a complete good-for-nothing, Ling Xiao's actions felt even more precious.
"My Lord, today, thank you..."
"Oh, it's nothing, just a small effort." Ling Xiao shook his head, his expression consistently calm.
But Xia Yanran lowered her head shyly and said softly, "My Lord, you came to Huayuan Palace..."
"Oh, I heard that powerful experts from Great Qin have arrived in our Great Xia capital, seemingly looking for someone. They were acting sneakily, so I came to inform you." Ling Xiao turned his head and glanced at Jiang Yu. "Royal Son-in-Lief, where is your hometown?"
"What!!!" Jiang Yu's face turned pale, and he nearly lost his balance.
He didn't doubt Ling Xiao's words at all at this moment.
After all, this person's integrity had been proven.
But... powerful experts from Great Qin?
Dammit!
Master did say back then that after the three-year seal broke, perhaps powerful experts would come to guide me back to the court to inherit the throne.
But...
My seal hasn't broken yet!!
How did these Great Qin people find me?
Could it be... those rebellious ministers and traitors?
Yes!!
It must be those who hunted me back then!!
Damn it!
I must not let others know my identity, otherwise... I'll lose both my life and the Spirit Flame.
Damn it!!
But if that's the case, wouldn't Yanran then have to...
"Royal Son-in-Lief? Royal Son-in-Lief? Huh? Could it be that the Royal Son-in-Lief happens to be from Great Qin?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Slap!
Xia Yanran raised her hand and slapped the dazed Jiang Yu awake.
"His Lordship is asking you a question! Why are you spacing out!"
"I... I'm just a good-for-nothing, how could I have come across two dynasties! I'm a native of Great Xia!" Jiang Yu forced a bitter smile. It never rains but it pours.
Misfortunes never come singly – the ancients truly did not deceive me!!
"My Lord... I..." Xia Yanran suddenly bit her red lip, hesitating to speak.
The only one who could change her fate now was the person before her.
If... he was willing to take her as his servant, then Father wouldn't dare make her serve that Second Prince of Great Qi anymore, right?
"Oh, Yanran, I heard your father sent you to discuss the alliance between the two dynasties with Qi Deqiang?" Ling Xiao nodded, as if he had guessed what Xia Yanran was thinking.
Seeing the cold intent suddenly flicker in his eyes, both Xia Yanran and Jiang Yu felt a surge of hope in their hearts.
There's a chance!!