166: The water was muddied

Situ Jun walked in, having changed into more comfortable casual clothes; the moon-white fabric softened the imposing Aura he carried.

Embroiderer rose to meet him, naturally taking the outer robe he had casually removed.

"Is Husband finished with his work?"

"Mhm."

Situ Jun gave a brief response, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on Shen Xingwan.

Shen Xingwan hurriedly stood up and stood to the side with her head bowed, her posture respectful.

"No need for such formality." Situ Jun walked to the main seat and sat down, looking at Embroiderer. "Was the chat pleasant?"

"Sister Xingwan has a gentle temperament and is exceptionally talented. We got along very well."

Embroiderer replied with a smile, personally pouring tea for Situ Jun.

Situ Jun picked up the teacup, his gaze lingering for a moment on Shen Xingwan's lowered profile.

Her figure was slender and graceful, and in her submissive manner, there was a naturally delicate and moving charm; she was indeed a rare beauty.

But what caught his attention more was the vigilance and unease she tried her best to hide—like a wounded small beast—as well as the proud spirit that she had forcibly suppressed.

Situ Jun took a sip of tea and said in a flat tone:

"East Lin City may not be peaceful in the coming days. Since you are here, you can help relieve the Madam's boredom in your spare time. You are proficient in music, and there are instruments in the estate's storehouse; if you like, you can take them to use."

Seeing Situ Jun being so approachable, much of the displeasure in Shen Xingwan's heart dissipated, and she hurriedly bowed again.

"Xingwan thanks Senior for his concern!"

"Mhm." Situ Jun said no more.

He turned his gaze toward Embroiderer, his eyes inquiring:

"You were startled today; are you feeling better?"

"With Husband by my side, I have long been fine."

Embroiderer's smile was warm, carrying a sense of complete dependence.

The way she looked at Situ Jun was like looking up at her own deity, full of trust and love.

Shen Xingwan took all of this in.

When this seemingly cold and powerful man faced his wife, the instant melting of his tenderness was so genuine, with no pretense at all.

And Embroiderer herself was not merely weak; her gentleness carried insight and wisdom, as well as absolute trust and support for her husband.

This peculiar atmosphere was completely different from the inner courtyard she had imagined, where wives and concubines fought for favor.

The sense of humiliation she felt from being presented as a gift seemed to be diluted a bit more by this strangely harmonious scene before her.

It was replaced by a complex and unspeakable emotion—curiosity, and a faint hope that even she herself had not yet noticed.

"I was just about to return to the room when you came back, Husband. I am tired; why not let Sister Shen keep Husband company?"

Embroiderer looked at Shen Xingwan and said considerately with a graceful smile.

Hearing this, Situ Jun glanced at Shen Xingwan and said:

"Miss Shen, stay in the west wing of the side courtyard tonight. We will discuss any matters tomorrow. What do you think?"

Shen Xingwan hesitated to speak, then after a moment, she said softly:

"Thank you, Senior. This servant shall take her leave."

Situ Jun nodded and had a nearby maid lead Shen Xingwan to the west wing.

The night grew deeper. Embroiderer considerately arranged for Shen Xingwan to stay in the west wing of the side courtyard... Situ Jun held Embroiderer as they returned to the inner chamber. Red candles flickered, and the bed curtains hung low.

"Husband, will keeping Sister Shen... cause you trouble?"

Leaning in Situ Jun's arms, Embroiderer toyed with the frog buttons on his lapel and asked softly.

Situ Jun lowered his head and kissed the top of her head:

"Trouble? No. I cultivate the Great Dao of Yin and Yang; if fate allows, what does it matter if I take another into my inner courtyard? Besides, she herself... does not have bad intentions, she is just forced by circumstances. Moreover..."

He paused, his finger brushing against Embroiderer's delicate cheek:

"My Embroiderer is so magnanimous; how could I, your husband, fail you?"

A blush rose on Embroiderer's face, and she gave him a playful glare:

"I am not being magnanimous. I just saw her... forcing a smile, and I felt pity in my heart. She is also a pitiful person."

"You are always so kind-hearted."

Situ Jun sighed and held her tighter, his voice low and solemn:

"But remember, human hearts in this world are unpredictable. Unless they have my approval, you must not trust them completely. You only need to trust me and rely on me; I will block all the wind and rain for you."

"Mhm."

Embroiderer nodded peacefully in his arms, closing her eyes and feeling this heavy sense of security.

Situ Jun's gaze, however, passed over the top of Embroiderer's head and cast toward the deep night outside the window.

The 'Legacy Immortal Cave' in the Southern Border was about to attract Cultivators from all sides to fight for it. A bloody storm was already brewing, and East Lin City could not remain uninvolved.

He sighed, a cold arc curling at the corner of his mouth.

He wanted to see exactly what kind of evil spirits were hidden behind this.

No matter who it was, anyone who dared to set their sights on Situ Jun and those he cherished must be prepared to endure his thunderous wrath.

The night wind blew through the courtyard, carrying the chill of late autumn.

Meanwhile, inside a palace of the Tianqi Dynasty, the lights were still brightly lit.

King Li Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his brow furrowed, remaining silent for a long time.

Standing beside him was 'Shadow', the leader of the Hidden Guards.

He had followed Situ Jun's instructions to return to the capital and provided a half-true report on the situation in North Border City.

Although it was surprising that Situ Jun had advanced from the Foundation Establishment Stage to become a Golden Core Cultivator, it was still acceptable. What made his mind uneasy was that North Border City supposedly had a Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivator backing them, who had cleared out the root of the unrest for Situ Jun.

After a long time, Li Xuan turned around, the gold threads on his dragon robe glinting coldly under the light. He looked at Shadow, his voice carrying suppressed irritation:

"Have you found out who this Half-step Nascent Soul is? Can they be recruited as a Royal Enshrined Expert?"

Shadow bowed his head:

"This servant does not know. Such figures are elusive, appearing and disappearing like divine dragons; they are not for us to investigate or approach. The unrest in North Border was settled in a peculiar way. Those rebel Cultivators who were originally arrogant all died in a manner caused by the spiritual power of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, so this mysterious figure's Cultivation must be at least at the Half-step Nascent Soul Stage."

Li Xuan paced to the window, looking at the deep night outside the palace walls, his finger unconsciously tapping on the windowsill.

With such a figure assisting North Border City, North Border is stable, but this is somewhat of a deterrent to the capital.

The Imperial Dynasty Regulations clearly state that a Dynasty is only allowed to have one Nascent Soul Stage presence. Any additional Nascent Soul Cultivators are restricted to the Imperial Dynasty or Sects and are not allowed to cause chaos in the mortal world.

Otherwise, it will be regarded as a provocation to the Imperial Dynasty, and the Imperial Dynasty will send people to capture or even exterminate them.

If it wasn't a passing Nascent Soul Cultivator, then the most likely possibility is that North Border City has a Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivator guarding it, and they happen to be protecting Situ Jun—that is the fact Li Xuan least wants to see.

A moment later, Li Xuan sighed and said:

"It is truly a troubled time. Now a high-level Cultivator's Legacy Immortal Cave has appeared in the Southern Border, causing forces around the Dynasty to head there both openly and secretly. Have the Shadow Guards discovered any news?"

Shadow bowed and replied:

" Return to Your Majesty， News of the Southern Frontier Heritage Cave has spread throughout the surrounding dynasties and sects.， According to the secret report sent back by the Shadow Guards， Aside from the cultivators of our Apocalypse Dynasty， Zhou Dynasty、 Qin Dynasty、 Xuanyin Sect、 Xihua Sect、 People from the Immortal Spirit Pavilion and others have been sent to the Southern Frontier.. In addition， The Poison Scorpion Cult of West City、 The Wan Gu Sect in Southern Xinjiang has already clearly sent people to seize the inheritance.. What's more troublesome is， Even a dominant force like the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce has released the news.， It is said that this inheritance may be related to the one that perished three hundred years ago.' Daoist of the Dark Crow' related."

"Daoist Ming Ya?"

Li Xuan turned abruptly, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the desk, nearly knocking over the inkstone:

"That Loose Cultivator who was unsurpassed in the world with his fire-element Divine Abilities, but mysteriously vanished while attempting to break through to the Void Refining Stage?"

"Exactly."

Shadow nodded and continued:

"Rumor has it that after Daoist Ming Ya fell, he sealed his lifelong Legacy in an Immortal Cave. If one can obtain some of the treasures he left behind, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could directly Breakthrough to the Golden Core, and a Golden Core Cultivator would have a chance to touch the threshold of the Nascent Soul. With such temptation, I fear all the Cultivators in the Southern Border will go mad."

The red candle crackled and popped, and Li Xuan's face flickered in the candlelight.

His finger tapped more urgently on the windowsill:

"East Lin City is already the gateway to the Southern Border. Now that various forces are gathering and Situ Jun has happened to appear there, this..."

Speaking to this point, he suddenly stopped, a flicker of complexity crossing his eyes.

Situ Jun's Golden Core Cultivation might not be much in the eyes of these great Sects, but he was able to become City Lord with a Foundation Establishment Cultivation and was highly regarded by Zhu Changpo, who is at the Golden Core level; he must have some unknown extraordinary qualities.

Now with a Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivator secretly assisting him, if he wants to get a share of the Southern Border Immortal Cave, it probably won't be difficult.

"Have the Shadow Guards keep a close eye on Situ Jun."

Li Xuan's brow furrowed as he spoke slowly.

Pausing, he turned and instructed:

"If he interferes in the matters of the Immortal Cave, do not stop him; just send back news. In addition, send the General Zhenguo with five thousand Imperial Guards to the outskirts of the Southern Border to be stationed. Externally, claim it is to 'protect the borders and secure the people,' but in reality..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes:

"If there is a chance, bring the treasures back to the Dynasty! Any small forces that don't know any better, act first and report later!"

Shadow took the order: "This servant will go and arrange it now."

"Wait."

Li Xuan called him back, remained silent for a moment, and then said:

"Is there anything unusual with Princess Danying?"

Shadow was following Situ Jun's orders to protect Li Danying, so he could not answer Li Xuan truthfully. He paused and said:

"According to the Shadow Guard's reports, everything Princess Danying does daily is very ordinary, with no abnormalities."

Hearing this, Li Xuan sighed and waved his hand, signaling Shadow to withdraw.