But Dongfang Feihong's primary objective was Zilin Ling.
Therefore, with Ye Lingyuan absent, it played right into his hands.
He said with a touch of regret, "Since His Highness the King of Hell is not here, then Madam Zilin must accompany Feihong to the palace first. This way, I can fulfill my father's wishes, and my father and I can fulfill our duties as hosts!"
One had to admit, those born into royalty were all master actors.
Zilin Ling thought to herself, "Indeed, no one from a royal family is simple-minded!"
However, she calmly replied, "Then I shall trouble Crown Prince Dongfang to lead the way!"
"It would be my utmost pleasure!"
Dongfang Feihong's eyes curved into crescent moons, and he绅士ly stepped aside.
Of course, he also used this opportunity to subtly glance into Zilin Ling's room, to confirm if Ye Lingyuan had truly left.
However, how could his small actions escape Zilin Ling's vast divine consciousness?
A meaningful smile flickered in Zilin Ling's eyes, but she did not expose Dongfang Feihong's petty move.
Let alone Dongfang Xiongqi wanting to win her over, even if he wanted to kill her, she could retreat with her whole body intact.
Soon, the group arrived at the Dongfang Imperial Palace.
With Dongfang Feihong, the Crown Prince, present, the two of them passed through smoothly and arrived directly at the imperial study.
In the imperial study, Dongfang Xiongqi raised his eyes slightly and asked, "Madam Zilin, have you been accustomed to your stay in Dongfang City these past few days?"
Zilin Ling, seated on a carved chair that had been bestowed upon her, carefully observed Dongfang Xiongqi before replying, "Does Your Majesty not already know whether I have been accustomed to my stay or not?"
One had to admit, Dongfang Xiongqi possessed more regal bearing than Ye Moyuan.
Although Dongfang Xiongqi did not deliberately exert his imperial aura, it was still not to be underestimated.
How to put it? It was like the difference between a true dragon and a grass snake.
"Uh..."
Dongfang Xiongqi had not expected Zilin Ling to be so direct, immediately exposing the fact that she had been secretly monitored.
This was a difficult topic to respond to; a poor response would surely displease Zilin Ling.
He gazed at Zilin Ling for a moment, then curved his lips and said, "As expected, a woman of talent is no less than a man! Madam Zilin, at such a young age, to be able to firmly hold the position of matriarch of the Zi family in Tianqi, you truly have extraordinary capabilities."
"Of course, while I have been keeping track of your every move, it was not with the intention of spying on you. Rather, it was more of a form of protection."
A gleam flashed in Zilin Ling's eyes as she thought to herself, "As expected of imperial power tactics, twisting black and white without batting an eye!"
"Oh?"
She smiled faintly and said, "Then I must thank Your Majesty for your great favor!"
As the ruler of a nation, Dongfang Xiongqi could not fail to detect the sarcasm in her words.
He said with a half-smile, "If not for this great favor, how would I know that Madam Zilin is someone who cannot stay idle?"
"You defied my authority, healed Young Master Shen, allied with Miss Qin San and Qin Jiugian, stole the Zi family's Soul Nurturing Wood tree, and threw the Zi family into chaos..."
"Stop, stop, stop! Your Majesty, I admit the first three matters you mentioned. But the last one, I do not and cannot admit, nor dare to admit.
"I defied your authority because your dog cannot speak; I healed Young Master Shen because I owed him a favor; as for allying with Qin Mingyue and Qin Mingfei, it is also because we have a cooperative relationship in Tianqi Kingdom."
"But the theft of the Soul Nurturing Wood tree from the imperial Zi family truly has nothing to do with me. Moreover, when the Zi family's Soul Nurturing Wood tree was stolen, I was refining the Blood Spirit Pill for Qin Mingyue. Therefore, you cannot slander me, as this is a life-threatening matter!"
Zilin Ling interrupted Dongfang Xiongqi and said seriously.
What a joke!
Since no one had witnessed the matter of the Soul Nurturing Wood, she would not be foolish enough to admit it!
"Is that so?" Dongfang Xiongqi asked with a half-smile.
Zilin Ling nodded seriously and said, "Of course! Everything requires evidence. If Your Majesty has no evidence, you absolutely cannot speak carelessly! I still want to live a few more years!"
No evidence, no witnesses, she would never admit it, even if beaten to death.
Dongfang Xiongqi laughed and said, "Since Madam Zilin says no, then it is no. I have summoned you today to ask if you have any intention of joining the royal family. Of course, if you wish, you may choose from my thirteen sons!" Su Dan Novel Network.
He did not dwell on the matter of the Zi family, but changed the subject.
Especially the sentence, "You may choose from my thirteen sons," which immediately startled Zilin Ling.
Zilin Ling cursed inwardly, thinking, "Dongfang Xiongqi, you fool, how could you say such a thing?"
Damn it, if that certain prince heard this, he would surely become jealous again.
Besides, could your thirteen sons combined be as handsome as Ye Lingyuan?
Pah!
What nonsense was she spouting!
Zilin Ling jumped up from her chair in disbelief and said, "Your Majesty, this joke cannot be made! It will cost lives!"
Dongfang Xiongqi said dismissively, "Every word I say is serious, how can it be a joke?"
Zilin Ling rolled her eyes and said, "Yes! You are serious! You are seriously trying to force a marriage!"
Dongfang Xiongqi narrowed his eyes and said, "What? Madam Zilin! Are my thirteen sons not worthy of you?"
Zilin Ling was quite speechless and said, "Your Majesty, this is not a matter of worthiness, but rather I have someone in my heart and will never join the royal family!"
Hmph! Since you are forcing me, I will completely extinguish your hopes.
Dongfang Xiongqi's imposing aura shifted, and a chilling coldness permeated the air.
"Zilin Ling, what if I insisted that you choose one from my thirteen sons?"
Zilin Ling was furious and thought to herself, "Are you a mad dog!"
She casually took out a scalpel from her Nine Spirit Ring, clutched it in her hand, and said, "I regret to decline! If Your Majesty truly insists on forcing me, then we can only fight!"
As she spoke, her aura changed, and a chilling coldness emanated from her entire body.
Accompanying this coldness was a soaring fighting spirit.
Hmph! If you dare to try and force a marriage, I dare to level your palace!