574: Chapter 574 Royal Banquet

[You tilt your head to avoid her and look at her with a frown: "What is the meaning of this?"]

[Her hand hung in mid-air for a moment, but she wasn't annoyed. She withdrew it and lowered her head to play with the tips of her hair, her tone lazy: "Is the Young Master being so reserved because he's afraid my Imperial Sister will be unhappy?"]

["No."]

["Then you're afraid of me?" She looked up, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I'm not going to hurt you."]

[She took a step forward, almost pressing against you. She tilted her face up, her breath brushing against your chin, her voice as light as a whisper: "Young Master, tell me... between me and my Imperial Sister, who is more beautiful?"]

[You looked at her and said seriously, "Your sister is more beautiful."]

[She wasn't annoyed either and blew a gentle breath toward you. "Then between me and my sister, who smells better?"]

[A sweet fragrance wafted over your face. You took a deep breath and then looked her straight in the eye, your tone calm: "Third Princess, please conduct yourself with dignity."]

[She smiled and tilted her head back, her round eyes meeting yours.]

[After three breaths, her face suddenly fell, filled with displeasure. "Heh... Imperial Sister's luck is truly good. The throne is hers, and you are hers too. But what about me? Just because I was born a few years later, I have nothing."]

["What's so good about the throne?" Your tone was flat. "One's life is not their own; what they desire is not what they get, and what they get is not what they wanted."]

[Your words made her freeze for a moment.]

[She looked at you, paused for a moment, and then suddenly smiled. "Then how about you come with me?"]

[Just as she finished speaking, footsteps were heard from outside the courtyard.]

[A sharp light flashed in her eyes. She immediately pulled down her clothes, revealing her crystalline, jade-like shoulders, and suddenly threw herself into your arms.]

["Oh, Young Master Qin, how could you be like this..." she cried out coquettishly, her voice sweet and cloying.]

[Right at that moment, Fairy Tianxuan walked in through the door.]

[She froze for a moment at the sight. A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, but it vanished instantly, leaving her as calm as a pool of still water.]

[She walked over gracefully and spoke in a low voice, "Third Sister, what are you doing here?"]

[The Third Princess pouted, sobbing as she straightened her clothes. "I came to see Imperial Sister and just happened to run into Young Master Qin here, and then... waah... then he actually tried to seduce me... waah..."]

[As she spoke, her tears began to fall in torrents, flowing on command like a turned-on faucet.]

[Looking at her affected behavior, you smiled and shook your head.]

[Fairy Tianxuan looked at you and then back at the Third Princess. "You should go back. From now on, you are not allowed to enter my manor without my command."]

["Imperial Sister, how could you be like this..." The Third Princess pouted and ran away crying.]

[After the Third Princess's figure disappeared, Fairy Tianxuan turned to you, her gaze softening considerably. "What do you think?"]

["What do you mean, 'what do I think'?"]

["Is my Third Sister beautiful?" she asked with a smile.]

["Can beauty put food on the table?" you blurted out.]

[She covered her mouth and chuckled, then took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "You must have heard about the Imperial Consort matter. What do you think?"]

[You shook your head. "I don't know. I don't understand how to love someone."]

[After a pause, you asked, "Aren't you curious about what just happened?"]

[She smiled, her tone indifferent. "Curious about what? My Third Sister has been like this since she was a child; she wants to snatch everything I have. I've long since grown used to it."]

[She looked at you and suddenly became serious. "If you don't mind, I could marry you along with my sister."]

["It's just as well. Once I inherit the throne, I won't have time to accompany you. With my Third Sister by your side, I'll be at ease. It's better than you messing around outside."]

[You stared at her with wide eyes. "You're truly generous."]

["In this world, there are Empresses with three thousand concubines in their harems, and there are great experts with countless wives and concubines," she said calmly. "Isn't it quite normal?"]

["Shouldn't love be selfish?" you asked with a smile, in a joking tone.]

["No."] [She looked at you, her tone very serious. "I believe that love is selfless."]

[You looked at her in silence, saying nothing.]

[The two of you just stared at each other like that. Neither moved nor spoke, for fear of breaking this moment of tranquility.]

[The wind blew in from the courtyard gate, brushing past the tips of her hair and the hem of your clothes, gentle as if afraid of disturbing something.]

[Days passed, and the banquet arrived as scheduled.]

[Fairy Tianxuan came to pick you up in person.]

[She stood at the courtyard gate. Seeing you come out, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and there was a light in her eyes.]

["Let's go. Mother Empress is waiting."]

[You nodded and followed her onto the Spirit Beast carriage. Inside, the floor was covered in silk, and incense wafted from a burner. Fairy Tianxuan sat opposite you, glancing at you from time to time before lowering her head and twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers.]

["Nervous?" you asked.]

["A little."] [She smiled. "I'm afraid Mother Empress will make things difficult for you."]

["It's fine."]

[The carriage passed through the long streets and stopped before the palace gates. She got out first, and once you stepped down, she naturally took your arm. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, but she didn't let go.]

[Stepping into the palace gates, a long corridor led to a towering hall. On both sides, guards stood in bright armor with halberds like a forest. The hall was magnificent, with floating spiritual light, white jade steps, and pearls for lamps. The seats were filled with people in fine robes like clouds.]

[Empress Tianxuan sat on the main throne, dressed in a bright yellow Phoenix robe and wearing a golden crown. Her majesty was tinged with a hint of exhaustion.]

[Demon Lord Tianxuan sat by her side, his expression indifferent as he toyed with a jade thumb ring.]

[The Third Princess, Qiao Lu, sat in the third seat on the left. Seeing you enter, her eyes lit up, and a smile curled on her lips as she winked at you.]

[Below them on both sides sat over a dozen high-ranking officials. Their gazes fell upon you in unison—some curious, some scrutinizing, and some with a hint of disdain.]

["Your daughter pays respects to Mother Empress and Father King."] [Fairy Tianxuan bowed in greeting.]

[You also followed the local customs and cupped your fists. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Demonic Lord."]

[Empress Tianxuan waved her hand. "There is no need for such formality. Be seated."]

[You and Fairy Tianxuan took your seats on the right side. As soon as you sat down, you felt gazes cutting toward you like knives.]

["So this is the Young Master Qin who saved the Eldest Princess?"] [An old man with white hair and beard spoke, his voice loud and full of vigor. "I wonder, under whose tutelage did Young Master Qin study? Which immortal sect are you from?"]

[You glanced at him; you didn't recognize him.]

[Fairy Tianxuan whispered, "Prime Minister Zhao Mu, Soul Transformation Middle Stage."]

["Just a Loose Cultivator, with no sect or school."] [Your tone was calm.]

["A Loose Cultivator?"] [Zhao Mu smiled, his laughter carrying a hint of hidden meaning. "To reach the Soul Transformation stage as a Loose Cultivator is indeed rare. However..."]

[He changed his tone, "Her Highness the Eldest Princess is the future Empress of our Tianxuan Immortal Dynasty. Her Imperial Consort cannot be someone of unknown origin."]