101: You play your instrument, I'll do mine.
The atmosphere inside the great hall,
due to Princess Ji Yue's intrusion and her astonishing question,
instantly solidified.
Invisible electric sparks seemed to flicker in the air.
On one side was an Imperial Daughter who was arrogant and unwilling to lag behind others,
representing an Immortal Divine Dynasty and destined to be a future Empress.
On the other was a Quasi-Emperor of unparalleled grace, possessing a clear Dao Heart, and presiding over a top Sect.
Two stunning women who were usually evenly matched,
now stood on the same stage,
because of the same man,
engaging in a silent confrontation.
Liu Shenyin's clear, cold eyes
quietly gazed at Ji Yue.
She didn't speak, but her faint gaze seemed to say: Everything has an order of arrival.
Ji Yue stared back without showing any weakness,
her beautiful eyes burning with fire.
She seemed to be announcing:
No one dares to steal the person this Princess has set her eyes on!
Jiang Yuan sat in the main seat, watching the scene before him with great interest, finding it more entertaining than any grand performance.
Good heavens, this is the prelude to a Shura Field.
But, he liked it.
"It counts, of course it counts."
Jiang Yuan spoke lazily,
breaking the silence in the hall.
"This Imperial Son always keeps his word. Since I said I'd let you consider it, I will naturally give you time."
"However, This Imperial Son also mentioned that I don't have endless time, nor will I wait indefinitely for you, correct?"
Hearing the initial answer, Ji Yue's tense, pretty face relaxed slightly,
but she quickly grew nervous again, biting her lip with her silver teeth.
"This Princess... refuses to be ranked behind an outsider!"
"Outsider?"
Liu Shenyin finally spoke.
Her voice was still clear and cold,
but carried a trace of imperceptible sarcasm.
"Your Highness the Princess is mistaken. Shenyin came to discuss the Dao with Your Highness the Imperial Scion, exploring the true meaning of the Zither Dao; this is an elegant affair.
On the other hand, Your Highness the Princess broke into the palace late at night and spoke inappropriately. What is the meaning of this?"
"Discuss the Dao?"
Ji Yue sneered, the disdain in her eyes unconcealed.
"That sounds nice! Who doesn't know what you're plotting? You merely want to use the pretense of discussing the Dao to compete for affection! This Princess is ashamed to be associated with you!"
"You..."
Even with Liu Shenyin's tens of thousands of years of mental cultivation,
having her intentions exposed so directly by a junior made her lose face somewhat.
A slight blush appeared on the pretty face hidden beneath the white veil.
"Enough."
Just as the two were about to start arguing,
Jiang Yuan's voice sounded again.
He stood up from the main seat,
and slowly walked between them.
His deep eyes,
first glanced at Ji Yue, who was glaring angrily,
then turned to the somewhat awkward Liu Shenyin,
revealing a helpless expression.
"Both of you are people This Imperial Son values. Why must you be so confrontational?"
As soon as he said this,
both Ji Yue and Liu Shenyin felt their delicate bodies tremble,
and a blush simultaneously appeared on their faces.
"This Imperial Son's time is precious; I don't have the leisure to watch you argue here."
Jiang Yuan stretched, yawned, and looked impatient.
"How about this."
His gaze swept over the two of them, finally settling on Liu Shenyin.
"Sect Master Liu, didn't you want to discuss the Zither Dao?"
"Continue."
"Ah?"
Liu Shenyin was stunned.
"You play yours."
As Jiang Yuan spoke, he grabbed the wrist of Ji Yue, who hadn't reacted yet.
"You..."
Ji Yue cried out in surprise, instinctively trying to struggle free.
But Jiang Yuan's arm was like an iron clamp, making her unable to move.
"Didn't you say you didn't want to be the last one?"
"Now, This Imperial Son gives you a chance."
"Either come with This Imperial Son right now, or go back to your Ziwei Imperial Pavilion and keep waiting."
"This Imperial Son does not have that much patience."
The warm breath made Ji Yue's pretty face flush crimson.
She could feel Liu Shenyin's cold gaze fixed intently on her from behind, making her feel intensely uncomfortable.
A strong sense of shame welled up in her heart.
But at the same time, a greater desire, named unwillingness and possessiveness,
completely overwhelmed her reason.
Tonight, she absolutely had to be faster than Liu Shenyin!
Thinking this,
Ji Yue hardened her heart and gritted her teeth.
And then fiercely retaliated against Jiang Yuan's mouth!
"Mmm!"
Jiang Yuan was slightly surprised; this girl, who seemed so young, was actually so proactive.
But, he liked it.
Inside the great hall,
Liu Shenyin watched the scene before her, completely stunned.
On her face, which had always been as calm as an ancient well,
was now written shock, astonishment,
and a trace of... envy? which she herself hadn't noticed?
Because she was still supposed to continue playing the zither on the side!
This... this was simply... absurd!
Humiliation!
But... why did her heart,
not feel angry,
but instead beat so rapidly?
Jiang Yuan seemed to sense Liu Shenyin's complicated gaze.
He released Ji Yue, turned back toward Liu Shenyin, and flashed a smile.
"Sect Master Liu, why are you standing there stunned?"
"Keep playing."
"This Imperial Son is still waiting to hear the immortal melody."
After speaking, he scooped up Princess Ji Yue by the waist,
and amidst a soft cry, strode quickly toward the inner chamber.
The figures of the two,
gradually disappeared into the depths of the inner chamber.
Leaving only Liu Shenyin,
standing blankly in the center of the great hall,
staring at the tianyin ancient immortal zither which radiated supreme Dao charm,
her mind completely blank.
Play?
Or not play?
This was clearly the greatest treasure of her Sect,
the Ultimate Imperial Weapon that she had longed for,
if she could glimpse its secrets,
perhaps the imperial path would be within reach.
She glanced toward the inner chamber,
biting her red lip.
Finally, Liu Shenyin slowly sat down,
gently placing her slender jade fingers onto the zither strings.
Forget it, what is dignity?
In the face of an Opportunity to achieve the Dao,
everything can be abandoned for the future of the Sect.
Right!
Exactly! This is the way!
However, when her fair hand touched the zither,
this time, her heart simply could not calm down.
With a hum,
Liu Shenyin suddenly stood up, her white dress fluttering vibrantly.
When she realized it,
her feet had already taken the first step,
walking toward the inner chamber, in the direction of Jiang Yuan and Ji Yue.
She knocked on the bedroom door.
She didn't want to be the last one either.
"Your Highness the Imperial Scion, Shenyin... requests an audience for an urgent matter."
After a long while,
Jiang Yuan's deep voice came from inside the room.
"Oh, then come in. Coincidentally, This Imperial Son also has something to discuss with you. Let's talk together."
...