Chapter 1687. Movements in the Central City.

Chapter 1687: Chapter 1687. Movements in the Central City.

While Yasenia was settling down near the Shang Family estate and creating a little protective nest and teleportation formation, the city was in a bit of an uproar. It was hard to see new powers appearing in the solidified Central Area, let alone someone who came and straight-up formed an alliance with the Shang Family.

It wasn’t just her influence. The rumor that Yasenia was a demonic beauty who could charm both men and women with a single glance also reached everyone due to her actions in the Guest Room.

The Zen and Luo families, specifically, reached out to the Shang Family to ask for an explanation. Shang Ancestor answered with the truth. Their children tried to mess with Yasenia, and Yasenia retaliated.

While it was embarrassing, what Yasenia did was mild enough to brush off. If they didn’t have weak minds, Yasenia’s charm attack would not have worked either way.

Moreover, they were not really harmed, other than having their dao hearts somewhat destabilized due to the experience. In a few centuries of close care and meditation, they would return back to normal... Or so they expected.

However, the biggest piece of news among all of them was that Shang Qinqin, the woman who some people had expected to become a prince consort, was seen hugging Yasenia’s arm and walking around the city. Rumors also said they were actually dating.

The Imperial Family naturally didn’t take this lightly. Their authority was not only based on being the strongest family of cultivators, but also on their authority and presence.

Even if Shang Qinqin was going to be married to the Third Prince, who had no rights of succession, she was still tied down to a prince.

Inside the Imperial Palace, the reigning Emperor, named Xuanyuan Zhenyu, was receiving information from the Grand Chancellor, Han Zhengwen. "We don’t know where they came from. However, they are a group of mid-level cultivators. Their numbers are large, most of them being between the Fourth and Sixth Levels of Transcendence. Each of them has a powerful and profound aura, and most of them look rather young."

"...Young?"

The Emperor was a solemn man. He had ruled this part of the continent for thousands of years against the constant threat of the Demonic and Divine forces snooping around outside. He was, by far, the strongest in this area of the World. He could be called an existence with a foot in the Demigod Realm, as he had already managed to understand his [Law] to a certain extent.

The only reason he didn’t cross over and form it was that he needed an appropriate heir, or the entire Empire would collapse quickly after he left.

His father did the same, and his grandfather, who founded the Empire, did as well.

The Grand Chancellor explained to him. "The life signals, according to the Secret Guard we sent to observe them, are... abundant. They are quite sure that almost none of them surpass 2,000 years old. If they were allowed to make bold guesses, they would even reduce those guesses by half."

The Grand Chancellor and the Emperor were quite familiar with each other. Since the Emperor was starting to enter the twilight years of his reign, he had also loosened formalities with those who had been loyal to him.

Xuanyuan Zhenyu’s eyes widened faintly at his words. If he put all of that together, this group was a gathering of heavenly beauties and geniuses. Over three hundred individuals under 1,000 years old at the mid-levels of Transcendence? Not even the Demonic and Divine super-geniuses could compare.

Even if he combed the entirety of his Empire, he would probably be unable to gather that many geniuses of that level... ’No. It is not just how many I could gather; the problem is that I might not even find five of them. An under 1,000-year-old mid-level Transcendence? Even though I only achieved such a level in my 3,000s, I was called a peerless genius.’

Reaching that conclusion made his face harden. No wonder the Grand Chancellor was wearing such a subtle expression. "...They are not of common background."

If he had to guess, a group of geniuses from a Higher Heavenly Layer who came down to practice for a while. If they were such a group, though, they would’ve probably shown some sign by now.

The Emperor smiled wryly at those thoughts. ’A sign? What better sign is there than their cultivation?’

"Do not treat them rashly. Still, since that Young Lady Shang has chosen to forsake the marriage arrangement, we need to ask for an explanation. First, make sure that the Third Prince doesn’t do anything he would regret. Then, make an appointment with them to meet me personally in a month. You are dismissed."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

***

In one of the palaces, the Third Prince was fuming as he smashed the table in his study. "Someone dares to steal this prince’s woman!?"

The Third Prince was a martial genius, but his short temper kept him from being highly regarded by the Imperial family. His position was more like a military talent backed by the Imperial family.

The first and second princes were the ones fighting in the open and in the dark for the Crown Prince position, while the fourth prince was at leisure and spending his time at ease. He could be seen receiving songstresses, going to plays, and doing all kinds of other leisure activities. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Still, the third prince had not completely given up. Yes, he couldn’t compete with his big brothers, but he could at least aim for the highest military position. His marriage with Shang Qinqin was one of the main steps in his plans.

Moreover, he had seen her before, and Xuanyuan Zhenkai had found her attractive. Since they were about to be betrothed, he already considered Qinqin his woman. The one who would be his main wife.

"And yet you are telling me that she was seen flirting with a woman!? A woman!?"

It was not that relationships between same-gender people were some sort of taboo. Even if they were very rare, plenty of cases existed among cultivators.

Nevertheless, they were almost unheard of among the top levels of society. Bloodline was, after all, a very important matter. Same-sex marriages could fill the love aspect of the relationship, but they couldn’t produce an appropriate heir. Therefore, they were not accepted.

Having your supposed lover stolen by another person was hurtful, but at least there was a way to win the other person back. If a same-sex individual robbed them instead... "It’s not like I can cut it off or something!? Damn Shang Qinqin!"

Still, he wouldn’t give up easily. "Prepare the carriage! We are visiting the Dravory Family Estate. Today, this prince shall challenge Yasenia Dravory in a duel of honor!"

While the Third Prince was raging all over the place, the rest of the Imperial children couldn’t help but react as well.

From the first to the third princess, and from the first to the fourth prince, all of them got news one way or another. The princesses grew curious about the woman who targeted women, and the princes grew intrigued by the developments that would follow.

The First Princess looked at her husband’s handsome and calm face and chuckled teasingly. "Shall I go meet this bewitcher?"

The husband’s eyebrow twitched. Truthfully, he had been there the day Yasenia arrived at the Shang Family. As the Prince Consort of the First Princess, he had some dealings that day that needed to be attended to.

So when his wife asked teasingly, he actually grew somewhat scared. ’That woman’s beauty is enough to charm anyone.’

Even now, the man couldn’t forget Yasenia’s body and her seductive facial features. No matter how loyal he was, he was a normal person, after all.

"That... won’t be necessary."

The First Princess blinked her beautiful eyes. She had expected him to laugh and tease her back. Instead, he wore a wary, genuinely worried expression. They had been together for over 5,000 years and were even lucky enough to have two children. So, his attitude deeply offended her.

She, the First Princess of the Empire, was suspected of committing adultery with a woman? Her face turned cold as she stood up. "I didn’t know you took me as such a loose woman."

The man, who had reacted like that because he recalled Yasenia’s figure and face, was momentarily startled. "Huh? Qingyue?"

However, Xuanyuan Qingyue was already gone, having returned to the main wing to spend time alone in the garden she was growing. ’Tsk. He is getting senile or something. Would I betray him? No matter how attractive, haven’t I shown him enough favor?’

Truthfully, her husband was not someone worthy of the Imperial Family. The only reason they even managed to get married was her insistence and sacrifice back then. She gave up most of her Imperial Family advantages just to build a family with the man she fell in love with during one fated dinner party.

"Hmph. Little Zhu, go to the Imperial Palace and ask Imperial Father if that woman is going. I want to see what kind of beauty is enough to make my husband misunderstand."

Little Zhu, a secret guard who had accompanied her for most of her life, bowed and quickly vanished into the shadows.

***

Meanwhile, the Third Prince arrived at Yasenia’s newly built family estate and shouted. "Yasenia Dravory, this Prince has come to meet you!"

He could’ve asked the temporary guards placed at the front door. Nevertheless, he wanted to shame Yasenia, so he decided to shout out loud.

Meanwhile, the Secret Guards arrived just a step too late after the Third Prince shouted, causing them to sigh deeply. With things having reached this point, they couldn’t interfere. So they hid nearby to wait and see.

Everyone nearby with enough strength moved, curiosity driving them. The rumors had spread like a plague, so most people of sufficient strength could guess the reason for the spectacle about to happen in front of them.

Inside, Yasenia was currently leaning into Tatyana’s arms with a languid expression when she was interrupted. A faint scowl appeared on her face. "Prince? What is a prince... Ah. Qinqin."

Nearby, Qinqin stiffened. "That. Um... Tehe?"

BONK!

Yasenia’s tail smacked the top of her head. "You really know how to cause trouble, don’t you? Didn’t you say that the prince and you barely met twice or thrice? Why is he knocking at our main doors as if I have stolen the love of his life?"

Shang Qinqin was equally bewildered. She and the Third Prince met exactly three times.

The first time was during an Imperial Banquet, where they exchanged a five-minute conversation.

The second time was during an award ceremony, where they exchanged a ten-minute conversation.

The third time was during a meeting to choose princess consorts, where the Third Prince just looked at her, and they exchanged formal smiles.

That was the extent of the Third Prince and Shang Qinqin’s relationship. And yet, the man was cooking up a storm far beyond what Qinqin had expected. ’Even if I expected conflict, I thought it would happen in private... Can Yasenia win?’

Yasenia’s figure fighting the Evil Heart flashed in Qinqin’s mind, and she blinked. ’Never mind. I hope she doesn’t kill him. It would be troublesome for her.’

Qinqin smiled at Yasenia. "Try not to kill him, Yasenia!"

BONK!

"Do I look like a rash woman to you? I will spank you later, so be prepared."

Qinqin’s answer was not gloomy in the slightest. "YES! I WILL WARM UP SO YOUR HAND DOESN’T FEEL COLD!"

Yasenia almost tripped while walking outside.