"Are you two sure you don't want to compete for first place?" Ziyang Chun asked again, incredulously.
The two looked at Zi Lingling simultaneously and said, "We're sure!"
Ziyang Chun looked at Zi Lingling, then nodded, "If that's the case, the first place in the family competition is already decided!"
Zi Hanxiao smiled charmingly and said, "Indeed it is!" She thought to herself, *My intuition is never wrong!*
Zi Nan chuckled heartily, "I'm convinced!" Though he was proud, he was also perceptive. Even if future cultivation resources were to be withheld by Zi Wenchang, it was a blessing to not offend the Underworld King.
"Good! I, old man, announce that the first place in this family competition has been determined early. Third Miss Zi Lingling has conquered her opponents without a fight and rightfully deserves the top spot!"
"You two, rest for a while, then decide your rankings!"
"No need!"
"No need!"
Zi Hanxiao and Zi Nan said in unison, "We don't need to rest, we can begin the final battle now."
Ziyang Chun was not a rigid person. Since the parties involved had made their decision, he saw no reason to object.
"Alright then! Prepare yourselves!" He then looked at Zi Lingling and said, "Third Miss, you and I shall go down and rest."
Zi Lingling nodded and gracefully descended the stage. Although she hadn't displayed strength that convinced everyone, there were still opportunities, weren't there?
"Ling'er, come sit here!" Zi Lingling was about to return to her previous seat when Ye Lingyuan called out to her.
"Okay!" She nodded and calmly sat down next to Ye Ling, her demeanor unfettered.
In the viewing area, the onlookers seemed to have discovered a new world and looked curiously towards the main seating area.
"Is His Highness the Underworld King inviting Third Miss Zi?"
"Be more confident, drop the last word. Didn't you hear His Highness the Underworld King call Third Miss Zi 'Ling'er'?"
"It seems their relationship is more than just casual! There's something fishy! Something very fishy!"
"Fishy? Your eyes aren't sharp enough! Can't you tell the relationship between a man and a woman?"
"Right! Come to think of it, the two of them standing together look like a golden couple, a match made in heaven!"
"Exactly! The man is incredibly handsome, and the woman is stunningly beautiful. They have the look of a couple! Definitely a perfect match!"
...
The crowd buzzed with gossip, their eyes filled with curiosity.
But one person was an exception: Crown Prince Ye Yuanhao.
Ye Yuanhao's face was as colorful as if it had been dipped in a dye vat. Damn it! She was his fiancée, yet she was sitting next to that man. Even more infuriating, the two of them shone so brightly that even in his mind, a word appeared – compatible! Dammit, how could this be? However, he had to admit, Zi Lingling at this moment was truly dazzling.
Ye Yuanhao seethed with anger. If he had noticed how beautiful Zi Lingling was earlier, would he have resisted her approach? If he had always cherished such a dazzling woman in his heart, would he now be the center of everyone's attention? If... Unfortunately, there are no 'ifs'. In this world, there are countless types of pills, but none for regret. No! He was unwilling.
Where the heart desires, the feet will follow. Ye Yuanhao deliberately weaved through a few people and approached them. He smiled and said, "Royal Uncle rarely enjoys these occasions, what brings you here today with such refined taste?" Although his words were respectful, they were intentionally provocative.
Ye Lingyuan raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, "What? If the Crown Prince is here, then I, this King, cannot be?" A faint pressure emanated from him, making Ye Yuanhao's chest feel heavy.
Ye Yuanhao forced himself to breathe, replying, "Yuanhao did not mean it that way, I was merely curious." For some reason, he did not want to lose face in front of Zi Lingling.
Ye Lingyuan sneered, "Curious? My affairs... are not to be trifled with!" The words "not to be trifled with" exploded in his mind like a warning. How could he forget that the Underworld King was ruthless and capricious, a man even his father, the Emperor, was wary of?
He forced a smile and said, "Royal Uncle is overthinking! It's just that Ling'er is Yuanhao's fiancée. It's not appropriate for her to sit here. I beg Royal Uncle to allow Ling'er to sit with Yuanhao." Even he didn't realize the subtle hint of jealousy in his words.
"Fiancée?" Ye Lingyuan's hand skillfully slipped around Zi Lingling's lower back as he smiled, "Ling'er, is he your fiancé?" Zi Lingling's body stiffened slightly. She shot Ye Lingyuan a cross look and said, "Do I have a fiancé? How come I don't know about it?"
This remark caused a stir.
"Is Third Miss Zi denying her relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"What relationship? Wasn't the Crown Prince repudiated?"
"That's right, it seems there was such a thing?"
"Mm-hmm! When the Crown Prince was exchanging sweet glances with Second Miss Zi earlier, Third Miss Zi did indeed say that."
"Is His Highness the Crown Prince still harboring feelings and wants to get back together?"
"Who knows! Wasn't he acting suspiciously with Second Miss Zi before?"
"Looking at the plate while still wanting the bowl, you men are truly exasperating!"
"Are you sure Third Miss Zi repudiated His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Third Miss Zi said it herself, it should be correct!"
"This Crown Prince, alas! One shouldn't speak of it, shouldn't speak of it!"
...
Listening to the crowd's chatter, Ye Yuanhao's face flushed and paled. He swallowed hard and said, "Ling'er, it was an imperial decree from the Emperor that betrothed us. You wouldn't dare defy it, would you?"
A chill spread across Zi Lingling's face, "Defy the decree? Ye, you great scumbag, when I divorced you, it was recognized by the Heavenly Dao! And don't call me Ling'er, it makes me sick!"
Recognized by the Heavenly Dao! This meant that the marital contract between them had indeed become void, and it was with the Heavenly Dao's sanction. Since time immemorial, the Heavenly Dao's recognition was paramount. As Zi Lingling had repudiated her husband with the Heavenly Dao's approval, it indicated that Ye Yuanhao was no longer Zi Lingling's fiancé.
"Recognized by the Heavenly Dao? Then why is His Highness the Crown Prince still pestering her?"
"Exactly! They are no longer connected, yet he dares to claim to be her fiancé?"
"Indeed! Even as the heir to the throne, one shouldn't be so shameless!"
"Really, how can such a person be fit to hold the position of Crown Prince?"
...
Ye Yuanhao roared in anger, "How dare you! Are matters of the royal family something you can discuss?" He had only said a few words, how did it provoke such public anger?
Zi Lingling sneered, "Dare? Is His Highness the Crown Prince trying to silence the public?"
"Silencing the people is more dangerous than damming a river!" Ye Lingyuan added at the opportune moment, "His Highness the Crown Prince should choose his words carefully!"
"You..."
"You all..."
Ye Yuanhao was speechless. What could he say? At this moment, whatever he said would be a mistake.
Zi Lingling said coldly, "Don't always try to suppress people with the name of the royal family. Water can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it. The royal family bears the surname Ye because the common people and these individuals acknowledge you; if the common people and these individuals no longer acknowledge you, the royal family's surname should change."