72: The Princess summoned

Yan Ruxue was bestowed the title of Han Yue Princess by the Ice Emperor, and everyone in the Wind and Snow Country called her the Han Yue Country Lord.

Only people of higher status and position would directly address her as Han Yue.

When Yan Ruxue saw the newcomer, the shy expression on her face flickered and was replaced by her usual cold demeanor.

"A few days ago, I returned to my family's home. May I ask Young Master Gu what business you have with me?"

The Young Master Gu before her, named Gu Changfeng, was the Young Sect Master of the Wuji Sect, the largest sect in the Wind and Snow Country.

He was one of Yan Ruxue's many suitors, and also the only suitor Yan Ruxue didn't dislike.

Gu Changfeng, hearing Yan Ruxue's slightly distant tone, frowned and looked at Lin Mu and the other person.

As he clearly saw Lin Mu's appearance, a wave of jealousy immediately surged in his heart.

Lin Mu, dressed in flowing white robes, had a handsome face and an extraordinary aura, exuding an air of a superior from within.

"No wonder Han Yue has become so cold towards me after only a few days apart. So it's because of this person?"

Gu Changfeng pondered in his heart, but a kind smile appeared on his face.

"I am Gu Changfeng. May I ask this young master your esteemed name?"

Lin Mu glanced at Gu Changfeng, then ignored him and turned back to look at the Wind and Snow Grand Array.

Yan Ruxue, seeing the anger on Gu Changfeng's face, quickly spoke up:

"This is Young Master Lin from the Heavenly Dao Sect of the Yanshan Kingdom. He has come here to discuss important matters with Her Majesty the Empress."

Yan Ruxue's explanation only made Gu Changfeng's expression even uglier.

He sneered and said, "The Heavenly Dao Sect is, after all, the largest sect in the Yanshan Kingdom. How can people from the Heavenly Dao Sect be so impolite?"

Yan Ruxue's face changed drastically at Gu Changfeng's words. She glared at Gu Changfeng and said with a hint of anger.

"Young Master Lin is a guest I invited. If you speak nonsense again, don't ever appear before me again."

Gu Changfeng was both ashamed and angry. Yan Ruxue had always been close to him and had never treated him like this before.

"Han Yue, I..."

"Enough, no need to say more. You should leave first. We can talk about anything else later."

Seeing that Yan Ruxue was truly angry, Gu Changfeng dared not say anything more.

His tone returned to normal as he said, "Then I will come to find you in a few days."

Before leaving, he glanced at Lin Mu again.

That look was full of jealousy and unwillingness.

"Young Master Lin, please forgive me. Young Master Gu is not a bad person; he is just straightforward and has offended you. Please don't take it to heart."

Lin Mu withdrew his gaze from the Wind and Snow Grand Array and said in a calm tone:

"He's just a jealous little brat. I won't do anything to him, so there's no need to be nervous."

Lin Mu stared at Yan Ruxue with a strange look, as if he had seen through her little schemes.

Yan Ruxue didn't pay attention to Lin Mu's actions. She cleverly changed the subject and talked about some of her observations in the Wind and Snow Country.

Upon entering Xuanbing City, Lin Mu could clearly feel the temperature in the air plummet.

The pedestrians and vendors on the streets were dressed very lightly, as if unafraid of the cold.

"This Xuanbing City truly lives up to its reputation as one of the largest cities on the Nine Nether Continent. Just these streets, several zhang wide, are incomparable to the cities in the Yanshan Kingdom."

Yun Feiyang exclaimed.

"Indeed. Earlier, I was worried that the Three-Headed Dog wouldn't have enough space if it followed us, but it seems even if it doesn't change its size, it will have enough room to frolic and play," Lin Mu echoed.

Yun Feiyang smiled and said, "I'm afraid it's enjoying itself too much to think of returning now. When I left, I saw it gnawing fiercely on a roasted calf."

Far away in the Tao Family, the Three-Headed Dog had just swallowed a mouthful of fatty beef when it suddenly sneezed.

"Who's talking about this great master?"

However, he then dismissed the thought and continued to feast heartily.

The Imperial City of the Wind and Snow Country was located at the northernmost end of Xuanbing City, and it was surprisingly built against a mountain.

This mountain was a towering ice peak that reached into the clouds, and it was also where the Ice Emperor frequently secluded herself for cultivation.

Normally, all major and minor affairs of the country were handled by the Eldest Princess, assisted by ten priests.

By the time Lin Mu and the others arrived at the palace gate, it was already dusk.

The guards at the gate, seeing that it was the favored Han Yue Princess, dared not be negligent.

He jogged a few steps forward, bowed, and saluted, "This subordinate greets Han Yue Princess. The palace gate has already closed at this hour. If there is no urgent matter, please come again earlier tomorrow."

Princesses of the Wind and Snow Country who held no government positions lived in princess mansions outside the palace.

Although Yan Ruxue had special permission from the Ice Emperor to reside in the palace, once the palace gates closed, no one was allowed to enter or exit.

Yan Ruxue heard the guard's words and was not angry.

She asked calmly, "Which priest is on duty now? I have an urgent matter to report. It is of great importance and cannot be delayed."

"Reporting to Princess, today it is the Eldest Princess, the Third Priest, who is on duty. This subordinate will go and report immediately."

After speaking, the guard ran to the palace gate, spoke a few words to the people inside through the gate, and then jogged back.

"This subordinate has conveyed the Princess's words to the inner gate. Your Royal Highness, please wait here for a moment."

After saying that, he retreated back to the palace gate.

Yan Ruxue did not feel relieved by the guard's words; instead, her brows furrowed slightly.

Lin Mu also noticed her unusual behavior.

"Have you encountered a difficulty?"

Upon hearing Lin Mu's question, Yan Ruxue hesitated for a while, wanting to speak but holding back, before finally saying slowly:

"To be honest, Young Master, although the ten priests of the Wind and Snow Country each have their own duties, they also have their favorites and their dislikes."

"The Third Priest on duty today has always been at odds with my master, the Grand Priest."

"Now that my master has died unexpectedly, if the Third Priest finds out, she will likely make things difficult for me without any reservations."

"I have the Empress's favor, so she wouldn't do anything too excessive, but she could still prevent me from entering the palace."

Lin Mu listened and said with a smile:

"Even a group of women can't avoid infighting. If she wants to stop us, that would save us trouble. It would be more convenient to go directly to the Ice Emperor's secluded cultivation place."

Yan Ruxue looked at Lin Mu with a face full of black lines. She truly didn't understand what Lin Mu was relying on to dare to disregard the Ice Emperor.

However, regardless of whether Lin Mu had a reliance or not, she couldn't just stand by and watch Lin Mu act this way.

She was the one who brought him. If Lin Mu really did that, she would inevitably be implicated.

"Young Master Lin, please don't be impatient. Let's wait for news from inside the Imperial Palace before making a decision."

"If the Third Priest truly tries to stop us, I also have a countermeasure."

While the two were talking, the guard ran over again.

"Reporting to Princess, a message from inside the palace says that the Eldest Princess is in the Imperial Study Room, and she requests your presence."

After delivering the message, the guard very consciously retreated, and at this moment, the main gate of the Imperial Palace slowly opened.

Although Yan Ruxue had doubts, she did not delay.

She led the way into the palace gate, with Lin Mu and Yun Feiyang following closely behind.

Just inside the palace gate, a palace maid came to greet them.

"This servant greets the Princess. Please follow this servant."

Yan Ruxue recognized this palace maid.

She was the Eldest Princess's personal maid, and all the palace maids in the palace were under her jurisdiction.

This made her even more puzzled.

Since Yan Ruxue was granted the title of Han Yue Princess, she had been cultivating in seclusion by the Ice Emperor's side.

She didn't have much interaction with the Eldest Princess.

For the Eldest Princess to personally want to see her this time, and even send her most capable confidante, was unusual.

Could it be that something major had happened in the palace during the few days she was away?

All the way, Yan Ruxue was deep in thought.

Lin Mu and the other person also remained silent, merely observing the palace's layout along the way.

Led by the palace maid, the group soon arrived in front of a majestic palace.

On the palace plaque, three gilded characters read "Imperial Study Room."