294: It's hard to talk about

“Your Highness, please be the judge. Qingyi has no such intention.” Cao Qingyi’s expression turned solemn as she cupped her hands again.

“Enough,” Princess Huangfu Yu waved her small hand, her tone turning indifferent. “I came here for that matter. Tell me everything you know in detail.”

With a grave expression, Cao Qingyi slowly explained, “I once intercepted a secret report mentioning... that for this opening of the ruins, someone has secretly set a bait, intending to lure the three families into conflict...”

After she finished, Crown Prince Huangfu Hong shook his head and sighed. “Your words are without proof or evidence. How can you expect us to believe you?”

“Indeed,” Princess Huangfu Yu added calmly. “Who’s to say someone doesn't have ulterior motives, wanting to prevent our Old Ancestors from going to the ruins?”

“If that were the case, wouldn’t the Opportunity of the Immortal Palace fall into someone else's hands?”

Crown Prince Huangfu Hong and Princess Huangfu Yu’s doubts were not entirely without reason.

After all, the Old Ancestors of the Three Great Factions of Tianyang Star had all seized Opportunities and even Spirit Treasures from those ruins back then to achieve their current status.

If the Immortal Palace reappeared this time and another great treasure emerged, only to be missed due to suspicion or even fall into the hands of others, it would be a great pity.

Therefore, it was only natural to suspect that someone was secretly interfering.

However, you sensed another layer of meaning from the words of Crown Prince Huangfu Hong and Princess Huangfu Yu.

It seemed these two Prodigies of the Immortal Dynasty suspected the Cao Family of having ulterior motives—they believed the Cao Family was deliberately spreading such news to make the Three Great Factions hesitate.

As long as the Three Great Factions did not interfere with the ruins, the Cao Family might be able to take advantage of the situation and seize the Opportunities within.

If that were true, the Cao Family might eventually join the ranks of a fourth great faction.

It was for this very reason that Princess Huangfu Yu had been difficult from the moment she arrived, pointing out the “ruthlessness” of the Cao Family’s actions.

To even dare use a secret technique like transplanting a younger brother’s Spiritual Root and Physique—such decisiveness, how could an ordinary Family achieve it?

Once such a “ruthless” act is done, cracks will inevitably form within the Family.

Furthermore, in the unseen realm, it would trigger unknown Karma and destiny.

Most Families wouldn’t dare to do such a thing.

But the Cao Family did it anyway.

If they dared to do this, what else wouldn’t they dare to do?

You were secretly alarmed; you absolutely could not be deceived by Princess Huangfu Yu’s appearance as a five-year-old girl.

Her mind was far deeper than that of an ordinary person.

Actually, one couldn't blame Princess Huangfu Yu for not believing; after all, it was just the Cao Family’s word, and they hadn’t specified which power was behind the plot.

If she could directly state which faction the opponent belonged to, her words might carry some weight.

Cao Qingyi’s face tightened slightly; she had clearly thought of this as well.

“Enough,” Princess Huangfu Yu waved her hand dismissively. “The Immortal Palace hasn't appeared yet; we still have time.”

“The Crown Prince and I will also be staying in Tianyang City for the time being. Find out the truth of this matter as soon as possible.”

Although she said that, Cao Qingyi knew very well that Princess Huangfu Yu would definitely investigate the truth herself.

“Understood,” Cao Qingyi replied. “The entire City Lord’s Estate is at Your Highness’s disposal.”

Princess Huangfu Yu nodded slightly, but her gaze suddenly fixed on you.

She asked calmly, “What is your name?”

You took a step forward and replied with cupped hands, “Qin Chen.”

“So you are Qin Chen?” Princess Huangfu Yu nodded. “Why were you looking at this seat with such a strange gaze just now?”

“This humble one was struck by the Princess’s Aura and couldn't help but look a few more times,” you responded calmly.

“Interesting,” Princess Huangfu Yu revealed a pair of canine teeth and looked at you with a playful grin. “You're not afraid of me?”

“Why should I be afraid?” You remained calm.

Princess Huangfu Yu smiled, her tone turning flat. “I heard that when you were heading to the Imperial Capital, you were intercepted by a mysterious Soul Transformation expert on the way, and in the end, only you and Cao Qingyi came back alive?”

Your heart stirred—this little girl, Princess Huangfu Yu, had asked a few trivial questions first, but now she had suddenly thrown out a fatal question.

If there was even a slight hesitation in your answer, she might see through you.

This “young age” was indeed meticulous and not to be underestimated.

Without hesitation, you replied directly, “Yes. That person even told me to be a spy in the City Lord’s Estate, which is why he let me go.”

The corners of Princess Huangfu Yu’s mouth curled up as she asked again, “You agreed to such a thing? What other shameful things have you done?”

With a serious face, you blurted out, “Once, because I was poor and couldn’t find a Dao Companion... I could only ‘borrow’ my neighbor’s.”

Your words immediately caused all eyes in the hall to focus on you.

The guards had various expressions: shock, complexity, disbelief, and... anger!

Cao Qingyi looked at you, a strange glint flashing in her eyes.

Even Cao Jun, who had remained calm all along, couldn’t help but look at you thoughtfully.

“Hmph,” Crown Prince Huangfu Hong said coldly. “So filthy. A disgrace to our generation.”

“Hahaha...” Princess Huangfu Yu, however, threw her head back and laughed. “You are truly interesting!”

Although there was a smile on her face, her gaze was locked onto you.

You knew she definitely didn't believe your story.

“You shall follow me for the next few days,” Princess Huangfu Yu suddenly said.

“Yes!” You immediately accepted with cupped hands.

For the next few days, you became Princess Huangfu Yu’s personal guard.

This Princess Huangfu Yu didn't seem to have any intention of personally investigating the truth.

But you gradually understood her approach—she only needed to confirm whether Cao Qingyi was telling the truth.

If what Cao Qingyi said was true, then the plan and evidence were real.

If what Cao Qingyi said was false, the consequences were obvious.

After all, trying to find the mastermind in the vast sea of people was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

So her goal was clear: she only needed to verify the truth of Cao Qingyi’s words.

And “you” were the Breakthrough point Princess Huangfu Yu had chosen.

You only realized this while wandering around with Princess Huangfu Yu over the past few days.

After figuring it out, you couldn't help but feel a chill.

Fortunately, the confidence and calmness brought by your strength prevented you from showing any flaws.

But what you didn't know was that it was precisely this confidence and calmness that were suspicious.

On this day,

In a courtyard of the City Lord’s Estate, Princess Huangfu Yu looked at you with a harmless expression.

“Xiao Chen, I remember you said that because you were poor, you ‘borrowed’ your neighbor’s Dao Companion?” Princess Huangfu Yu suddenly spoke.

“Yes, Your Highness!” you replied with a serious face.

“I'll give you a chance to have Cao Qingyi. How about it?” Princess Huangfu Yu said with a faint smile.

“I only have respect and awe for her; I don't have those kinds of feelings!” you blurted out.

“Don't worry, I'll ensure your safety. What do you say?” Princess Huangfu Yu rested her chin on her hand, looking at you with a grin.

“Why did Your Highness choose me? And why do this?” you asked seriously.

“You're a smart person. You should know that with her status, if she isn't willing to marry into my Huangfu Family, then she cannot marry anyone else either.” Princess Huangfu Yu explained the reason without concealment.