46: Princess Dafeng

"This matter is of great importance; I need time to consider it."

Chen Xu did not immediately agree, nor did he refuse again.

"Alright, I'll give you three days."

Madam Qin seemed to know that pushing too hard would be counterproductive.

She resumed her languid demeanor, waving her hand, "Li Jing will arrange your accommodation. In three days, I await your reply."

Chen Xu nodded, not saying a word.

He turned and left the courtyard, which made him feel extremely oppressed.

Watching Chen Xu's departing figure, Madam Qin's seductive charm and smile slowly receded!

"Come out."

She spoke indifferently.

Li Jing's figure emerged from the corner again.

His expression was even more respectful and fearful than before.

"My Lady, this person is unyielding and his Heart-Nature is terrifyingly resilient. I'm afraid..."

"I know."

Madam Qin interrupted him, her gaze deep as she looked in the direction Chen Xu had disappeared. "This person rose too quickly, yet his Foundation is incredibly solid, and his Divine Soul is ridiculously strong."

"This is definitely not something an ordinary Opportunity can achieve."

She pondered for a moment, a glimmer of realization flashing in her eyes. "His Luck, and the Luck of his Family, are closely intertwined."

"The Ninghai Chen Family, in just a few short years, has grown from an obscure minor Family to its current scale. This in itself is abnormal."

"I suspect that what he Cultivates is very likely the legendary Family Luck Cultivation Technique, which has long been lost."

Li Jing's heart was greatly shaken upon hearing this.

Family Luck Cultivation Technique!

That was a Heaven-Defying method from ancient times, whose Legacy had long been broken.

"Therefore, his greatest weakness, and also his strongest reliance, is his Family."

Madam Qin's lips curled slightly. "Since the hard approach doesn't work, we'll try the soft one."

She turned and instructed Li Jing, "Go, summon Qin Yan'er."

"Yes."

Inside an elegantly decorated side hall of a palace, incense smoke curled gracefully.

A young woman in a pink palace dress, with a charming face but a hint of melancholy in her eyes, was fretfully plucking the strings of a guqin, producing a series of discordant noises.

"So annoying, so annoying!"

She pushed the guqin away and stood up, pacing back and forth in the hall.

This woman was none other than Princess Qin Yan'er, the princess Li Jing mentioned who was to be married to the Chen Family.

"Sister, who has upset our little princess again?"

A gentle voice came from outside the hall.

A woman with a taller figure and a gentle, dignified demeanor slowly walked in.

She wore a light green long dress, her eyes filled with a smile!

She bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Qin Yan'er, but appeared more mature and composed.

"Sister!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Qin Yan'er's vexation intensified.

As if she had found someone to confide in, she quickly walked up, grabbed her hand, and complained, "Sister, you've come at just the right time. Madam Qin and the others... they actually want to marry me off as a concubine to a Family Head from out of town!"

"A country bumpkin who has never even been to the capital, and I hear he already has several wives and concubines at home!"

"How can I, a dignified Imperial Princess, endure such humiliation!"

The newcomer was Qin Yan'er's elder sister, Princess Rouer.

Princess Rouer patted her sister's hand reassuringly and gently persuaded, "Sister, I've also heard about this matter. That Head of the Chen Family is no ordinary country bumpkin."

"I heard Venerable Li say that this person, at such a young age, is already at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage of Great Perfection cultivation. His strength is unfathomable, and even Madam Qin looks at him differently."

"Moreover, he is handsome and has an extraordinary demeanor, not the uncouth person you imagine."

"So what?"

Qin Yan'er remained indignant. "No matter how powerful he is, doesn't he already have a wife? If I marry him, I won't even get the position of main wife. In the future, I'll have to compete with a group of women, and the thought of it is terrifying."

"Born into the Imperial Family, are we not even allowed to decide our own marriages? It's truly lamentable."

Looking at her sister's aggrieved expression, a strange glint flashed in Princess Rouer's eyes.

She had already heard many rumors about this Head of the Chen Family, whom she had never met.

The Ninghai Chen Family, rising in just a few short years, shone like a comet.

The Head of the Chen Family, Chen Xu, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, fought a Golden Core Great Demon to a draw.

He was proficient in high-level Talisman Dao, and even Madam Qin wanted to recruit him.

He was decisive in his actions, had a resilient Heart-Nature, and could face Madam Qin's pressure without changing his expression.

These fragmented pieces of information, in Princess Rouer's mind,

pieced together the image of an extremely charming man.

She had grown up in the Imperial City and had seen countless Imperial Family descendants and Young Masters of aristocratic families!

But most of them were mere good-for-nothings, outwardly splendid but inwardly rotten!

Or they were bound by Family rules, lethargic and lacking any sharpness.

A heroic figure like Chen Xu, who, by his own strength, elevated an obscure minor Family to its current status!

She had only heard of such people in stories.

"Sister..."

Princess Rouer pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "If you truly don't wish to, why don't... I go and speak with Madam Qin, and I, instead of you, will marry him."

"What?"

Qin Yan'er suddenly looked up, staring at her sister in surprise. "Sister, you... you're crazy? To become a concubine to a country bumpkin, you..."

"He is not a country bumpkin; he is a regional magnate."

Princess Rouer corrected seriously, "And, you're right, we are born into the Imperial Family and are not masters of our own destiny. Since we must marry anyway, why not marry a true strong man?"

"Someone I can admire, and who can respect me?"

Qin Yan'er stared blankly at her sister, suddenly feeling a little unfamiliar.

Sister had always been gentle and quiet, content with her lot, so why would she say such words today?

She looked at the unprecedented brilliance in her sister's eyes.

A strange, indescribable feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

It was as if something that should have belonged to her was snatched away with delight by someone else before she even had a chance to discard it.

But on second thought, not having to be someone else's concubine was a good thing after all.

"Sister, you... are you serious?"

Qin Yan'er asked tentatively.

"Of course, it's true."

Princess Rouer nodded.

"Then... then alright."

Qin Yan'er bit her lip, finally agreeing.

The two sisters immediately set off to seek permission from the elders in the palace.

The response they received was quicker than they expected.

The inner palace elder in charge of the matter was only slightly surprised!

Then smiled and agreed!

They didn't even need to inform Madam Qin.

"Princess Rouer is gentle and virtuous; the Head of the Chen Family will surely be satisfied."

It wasn't until they walked out of the palace that Qin Yan'er belatedly realized.

"Sister, why do I feel... like you were one of the backup candidates all along?"

Princess Rouer smiled faintly, not answering.

Just then, a young eunuch hurried over!

He whispered a few words into Princess Rouer's ear.

Two blushes instantly flew onto Princess Rouer's face, and her eyes became somewhat nervous and expectant.

"That Head of the Chen Family has already arrived in the Imperial City and is currently resting in the villa arranged by Venerable Li."

She immediately turned, pulling Qin Yan'er's hand, and walked back quickly. "Quick, Sister, we need to go back and prepare."

Watching her sister's hurried appearance,

Qin Yan'er felt even more uneasy... Meanwhile, in the villa where Chen Xu was staying.

Li Jing was smiling broadly, accompanying Chen Xu for tea, the awe in his eyes several times thicker than before.

"Head of the Chen Family, I truly admire you."

Li Jing raised his teacup and sincerely praised, "To remain composed in front of Madam Qin, and even to make her look upon you with high regard, you are the first."

He didn't believe Chen Xu could resist Madam Qin's charm!

Nor did he believe anyone could fully escape Madam Qin's illusions.

But the facts were laid out before him; Madam Qin's post-event evaluation of him was: "Good Heart-Nature, extremely strong Foundation, a talent with potential."

This evaluation, Li Jing had been by Madam Qin's side for decades!

He had never heard her say it about any young junior.

"Madam Qin was just playing a joke with me."

Chen Xu said indifferently, but in his heart, he was contemplating the other party's next move.

Three days, the other party would definitely not let him stay peacefully.

"Head of the Family, you must be bored staying in this villa. How about I accompany you for a stroll in the Imperial Garden?"

Li Jing indeed offered a suggestion. "Speaking of which, your future Dao Companion, Princess Rouer, also enjoys strolling in the garden on weekdays. Perhaps you might meet today."

It finally came.

Chen Xu understood in his heart, but his face remained calm as he nodded, "Very well, then I shall trouble Fellow Daoist Li."

He wanted to see what exactly the Imperial Family was up to.

The two walked side by side, passing through pavilions and towers, and soon arrived at a flower-filled, beautiful Imperial Garden.

It was afternoon, and there weren't many visitors in the garden.

From afar, they could see a pavilion in the middle of the lake, where several graceful figures were laughing and talking.

Li Jing's eyes lit up, and he pointed over there, smiling at Chen Xu, "Head of the Family, look, isn't that a coincidence?"

He led Chen Xu, unhurriedly walking towards the lakeside pavilion.

Before they even got close, the three women in the pavilion seemed to notice them, stopped their conversation, and all looked over.

Leading them was Princess Rouer, who had changed into a carefully prepared luxurious dress, with a perfectly gentle smile on her face.

Beside her stood Qin Yan'er, looking curious yet somewhat reluctant.

And not far behind the two, Qin Mei'er stood quietly, her gaze cold!

As if admiring the scenery, but her peripheral vision was always fixed on Chen Xu.

Three princesses, three different charms, all equally stunning.

"Greetings, Princess Rouer, Princess Yan'er, Princess Mei'er."

Li Jing stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Then, he turned sideways and introduced to the three women, "Three princesses, this is the Head of the Chen Family from Ninghai, Chen Xu, whom I mentioned to you."

In an instant, three distinctly different gazes simultaneously fell upon Chen Xu.

In Princess Rouer's eyes, there was undisguised admiration!

She curtsied gracefully, her voice so soft it could drip water. "Head of the Chen Family, I have long admired your reputation. Seeing you today, you truly possess extraordinary grace. This humble woman, Princess Rouer, offers her respects."

Qin Yan'er's gaze was full of curiosity. She scrutinized Chen Xu, seemingly wanting to see if he had three heads and six arms.

As for Qin Mei'er, she merely glanced at him indifferently, then withdrew her gaze, as if everything had nothing to do with her.

Chen Xu's gaze calmly swept over the faces of the three women one by one!

His heart was clear.

One was enthusiastic and proactive, one was curious and awkward, and one was aloof and arrogant.

What a "soft" approach.

The Imperial Family's game of chess is quite well-played.

He smiled slightly, cupped his hands towards the three princesses, his voice gentle, yet carrying an undeniable presence.

"Chen Xu greets Your Highnesses, the three princesses."

Chen Xu's gentle voice echoed in the lakeside pavilion, neither servile nor overbearing.

Yet, it naturally carried a composed aura.

The reactions of the three princesses were all observed by Chen Xu.

Qin Rouer's eyes held open admiration; she returned the bow with standard and elegant movements, clearly acknowledging Chen Xu's status and position from the heart.

Her sister, Qin Yan'er, beside her, was more filled with curiosity.

Her small mouth pouted slightly, and her large eyes openly scanned Chen Xu, as if wanting to see what special qualities this man, whom Madam Qin regarded highly and for whom her sister had voluntarily taken her place, truly possessed.

Her gaze also carried a hint of defiance, as if saying, "He's nothing special."

As for the last princess, Qin Mei'er, who had remained silent and had a cool demeanor, she merely gave a faint nod when Chen Xu looked at her.

Then, she shifted her gaze back to the lake, as if the swimming fish were more interesting than the man before her.

Chen Xu understood; these three princesses, with their three different attitudes, were clearly a carefully orchestrated play by the Imperial Family.

One enthusiastic, one spoiled, one aloof—there was always one that could appeal to his taste.

Clever tactics.

"Head of the Chen Family has traveled a long way and must be tired."

Li Jing smiled, trying to smooth things over. He glanced at Qin Yan'er and said, "Princess Yan'er, the Head of the Chen Family is new to the Imperial City and unfamiliar with the palace. Why don't you accompany him for a stroll, allowing him to appreciate the scenery of our Imperial City?"

This was clearly an attempt to create an Opportunity for the original candidate for the marriage alliance.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yan'er's expression stiffened slightly. She was a hundred times unwilling to curry favor with a married man.

However, Venerable Li was a favorite in front of Madam Qin, so she dared not openly refuse.

For a moment, she stood rooted, somewhat at a loss.

Just then, Qin Rouer stepped forward, shielding her sister, and curtsied gracefully to Venerable Li and Chen Xu, saying softly, "Venerable Li, Head of the Chen Family, what a coincidence."

"My sister is feeling a bit unwell today, and her complexion isn't very good, so she probably shouldn't be out in the wind. If this causes any neglect to our esteemed guest, it would be our fault."

She paused, her gaze turning to Chen Xu, a look of apology on her face: "If the Head of the Chen Family doesn't mind, Rou'er can take her place. I am quite familiar with every plant and tree in this Imperial Garden and will certainly not let the Head of the Chen Family feel bored."

Her words were impeccable, not only extricating her sister but also naturally taking the matter upon herself.

She appeared generous and elegant, without any pretense.

Qin Yan'er looked at her sister gratefully, quietly letting out a sigh of relief.

Li Jing took the Opportunity to glance at Chen Xu. Seeing no displeasure on his face, he went along with the flow and smiled, "That works well. Then, Princess Rouer, we shall trouble you."

"Head of the Chen Family, please."

Qin Rouer made a welcoming gesture, her posture elegant.

"Thank you, Princess."

Chen Xu nodded, then walked side by side with Qin Rouer towards the depths of the garden.

Watching their retreating figures, one tall and steady, the other gentle and dignified, they unexpectedly appeared quite harmonious.

For some reason, Qin Yan'er suddenly felt a little uneasy.

"Princess Yan'er..."

Li Jing's voice sounded in her ear: "Do you understand Princess Rouer's intentions?"

"I... I understand."

Qin Yan'er replied with a lack of confidence. She turned to look at Li Jing, with a hint of complaint and confusion: "Venerable Li, I just don't understand why we must have a marriage alliance? And as a concubine at that."

"I am a princess of the Imperial Family, surely I don't have to worry about not getting married?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing's smile faded somewhat. He looked at Chen Xu's distant figure and slowly said, "Princess, you only see the present, but Madam Qin and Your Majesty see the future."

"The future?"

"Do you think this Head of the Chen Family is merely a local magnate from Ninghai Town?"

Li Jing's tone became serious: "I tell you truthfully, this man is no ordinary person. His rise is legendary. His Heart-Nature, methods, and strength are all top-notch."

"Even Madam Qin herself admits that this man is an uncarved peerless jade."

Li Jing shook his head, sighing, "What discerning eyes Madam Qin has! The person she values will have limitless achievements in the future."

"Today's Chen Family may still need to rely on the Imperial Family."

"But what about ten, twenty years from now? By then, everything will be uncertain!"

"To be able to form a marriage alliance with such a figure, let alone be a concubine, even to be a servant, the noble ladies of influential families in the capital who wish to climb into his bed could line up from the Imperial City gate to outside the city."

"Princess Rouer, she understood this point."

"And you, my little princess, you only see the grievance of being a concubine, but you don't see the Heaven-Defying Opportunity behind it."

Li Jing's words struck Qin Yan'er's heart.

She stared blankly at the retreating figures of her sister and that man.

Her heart grew even more uneasy... Inside the Imperial Garden, flowers bloomed, birds sang, and the scenery was pleasant.

Chen Xu walked side by side with Qin Rouer.

A distance of three feet separated them, neither too far nor too close, just right.

"Head of the Chen Family seems very interested in these Spirit Plants?"

Qin Rouer saw Chen Xu's gaze linger on a meticulously maintained medicine garden.

She took the initiative to break the silence.

"I've dabbled a bit..."

Chen Xu nodded and casually asked, "The Imperial Family's medicine garden is indeed extraordinary. With so many high-grade Spirit Medicines, it must take a lot of effort to maintain, right?"

"The Head of the Chen Family jests."

Qin Rouer smiled sweetly, "These are merely embellishments of the Imperial Garden. The true Imperial Family's medicine garden is managed by specialists and is a hundred times larger than this."

"However, the Head of the Chen Family is right; maintaining these is indeed not easy."

She pointed to a 'Heart-Chilling Grass' blooming in the medicine garden and gently explained, "Just like this Heart-Chilling Grass, it thrives in cold and dislikes sunlight. It needs to be watered daily with profound ice water; a little too much will damage its roots, and a little too little will cause it to wither."

"The Blazing Fire Flower next to it is just the opposite."

"To plant so many Spirit Plants with different medicinal properties together and ensure they all grow well requires far more effort than it appears."

Chen Xu listened quietly, nodding inwardly.

This Qin Rouer was not simple.

She didn't boast about the Imperial Family's heritage; instead, she started by discussing the difficulty of maintaining the medicine garden!

Subtly, she displayed her meticulousness and extensive knowledge.

"It seems that governing a Family has a similar subtlety to managing this medicine garden."

Chen Xu followed her words, saying, "Both require understanding the 'medicinal properties' of each individual, placing them in the most suitable positions, and providing the most appropriate resources."

"Too much will make them lazy; too little will make them resentful. This balance is the most difficult to grasp."

A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Rouer's eyes. She hadn't expected Chen Xu to connect a medicine garden to Family governance.

She looked at Chen Xu seriously and said, "The Head of the Chen Family is absolutely right. Rou'er grew up in the palace and has seen brothers and sisters openly fight over a little bit of resources, and has seen the Emperor exhaust himself to balance various factions."

"Being in the Imperial Family, while seemingly glorious, in reality, everyone is like a Spirit Plant in this medicine garden, unable to act on their own will."

Her tone carried a faint sense of melancholy.

These words were both a lament and a form of testing and opening up.

Chen Xu understood her unspoken meaning.

He stopped, turned to look at Qin Rouer, his gaze calm: "Princess, you were born in the clouds, yet you sigh about being unable to act on your own will. Those of us born in obscurity, to climb even one step higher, must give our all."

"The Chen Family does not have the profound Legacy of the Imperial Family. One wrong step means eternal damnation."

"Behind me are the lives and future of my clansmen. I dare not make a mistake, nor can I afford to."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried a thousand-pound weight.

Qin Rouer's heart was gently touched by this weight.

The imperial princes and Young Masters of influential families she had met either talked about romantic affairs or grandly discussed the world's affairs!

Their words were filled with an innate sense of superiority.

Yet, no one had ever been like Chen Xu!

So frankly dissecting the heavy burden on his shoulders for her to see.

At this moment, she suddenly understood!

Why Madam Qin valued him; there was a unique charm about this man.

It was forged in the crucible of blood and fire!

Under the heavy responsibility, tempered into resilience and profundity.

"Rou'er was shallow."

Qin Rouer bowed slightly to Chen Xu, her expression extremely serious: "The weight carried by the Head of the Chen Family is beyond Rou'er's imagination. Compared to the Head of the Chen Family, our so-called troubles are merely baseless complaints."

Chen Xu looked at her and slowly shook his head: "Princess, you need not belittle yourself. Everyone has their own battlefield; your battlefield is in the deep palace, my battlefield is in Ninghai. There is no distinction of superiority or inferiority."

These words brought a warm current to Qin Rouer's heart.

This was the first time!

She had heard someone view her situation with such equality.

They exchanged smiles, and the previous formality and distance vanished at that moment.

The subsequent tour became much more relaxed.

They discussed everything from Family governance to insights on Cultivation, from the customs of the Great Feng Dynasty to strange tales of the Cultivation world.

Chen Xu discovered that Qin Rouer was not only knowledgeable but also had unique insights, hitting the nail on the head with many issues.

She was not a mere decorative vase kept in the deep palace, but a truly wise and broad-minded woman.

And Qin Rouer grew increasingly astonished. She found that Chen Xu's breadth of knowledge and depth of insight far exceeded her imagination.

No matter what she talked about, Chen Xu could always respond and offer deeper perspectives.

He was like a bottomless ancient well; you thought you had seen the bottom, but upon further exploration, you found another world entirely.