"Reporting to Fifth Princess, this humble one happened to encounter the Crown Prince of Tianwu and heard that the supreme alchemist of Tianwu Kingdom had also arrived, so I wished to see him. However, the Crown Prince of Tianwu was unwilling, and we got into an argument. Blocking Fifth Princess's path, I truly deserve death."
Prince Hong An did not mind Shangguan Yuning's tone at all. She was, after all, much more noble than him.
"Crown Prince of Tianwu, has that supreme alchemist really arrived?" Shangguan Yuning's tone towards Nangong Suqi was much better than towards Prince Hong An.
Shangguan Yuning did not hide her words. Everyone present could hear them and assumed she was being polite to Nangong Suqi out of respect for Ling Luoyi.
"Reporting to Fifth Princess, Eldest Miss Ling has indeed arrived, but I do not know her whereabouts at this moment."
Upon hearing that Ling Luoyi had also arrived, Shangguan Yuning was momentarily lost in thought. Her maid, seeing this, asked, "Princess, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Shangguan Yuning forced a smile and said.
"Princess, we must return to the palace quickly. If we delay further, the palace gates will be locked."
Shangguan Yuning said, "Prince Hong An, if you wish to see Eldest Miss Ling, you will be able to see her the day after tomorrow. Why cause trouble within my Nanxin City!"
"Fifth Princess, this humble one knows his mistake!" Prince Hong An hurriedly knelt down, and his entourage followed suit.
"Enough, I am too lazy to listen," Shangguan Yuning said. "Hong Ziyu, I know everything that just happened. You are merely a prince from a lesser kingdom, the nephew of a mere Consort, and you dare to call my father Emperor 'Uncle'? You truly have no respect for hierarchy!"
"Fifth Princess, spare my life!" Hong Ziyu was terrified to his core, his previous arrogance completely gone.
"Alright, all of you may return. There is a competition the day after tomorrow."
"Yes."
Hong Ziyu was helped away by his companions.
Seeing them leave, Shangguan Yuning said to Nangong Suqi, "Crown Prince of Tianwu, you should also return and rest well. Don't just go through the motions."
"Yes."
Nangong Suqi, along with Kong Hongming and his group, returned to the posthouse and did not leave again until two days later.
Ling Luoyi watched as the situation was somewhat resolved. She exchanged a glance with Qiu Yuanxi, and they both smiled before continuing their sightseeing and feasting.
Shangguan Yuning returned to the imperial palace, informed Empress Long Qing, and then went back to her own palace.
As soon as Shangguan Yuning returned to her palace, she was stopped by someone. Turning around, she saw it was Fourth Princess Shangguan Yuxuan.
"Fourth Imperial Sister," Shangguan Yuning bowed.
"Xiao Ning," Shangguan Yuxuan wanted to persuade her of something, but seeing her expression, she held back and asked softly, "Have you seen him?"
Shangguan Yuning shook her head, saying aggrievedly, "Fourth Imperial Sister, why won't he see me? I've waited for him for almost four months, and today I waited outside the academy for three hours, yet he still refused to see me."
As she spoke, Shangguan Yuning couldn't help but shed tears.
"Xiao Ning, Fourth Imperial Sister has told you many times that you and he have no chance. You should give up."
"Fourth Imperial Sister, but I've liked him for three years, how can I give up? You haven't been able to give him up either."
Thinking of that person, Shangguan Yuxuan sighed and said, "Xiao Ning, next year we will be sent for a political marriage. We cannot escape it. Xiao Ning, you know this too."
"I know, I know. But Fourth Imperial Sister, I can't let go of him, and I don't want to."
"Xiao Ning, please don't go to see him anymore, okay? As long as you stay away from him, one day, you will be able to let go." Shangguan Yuxuan persuaded her, looking at her breakdown. It was as much for her as for herself.
"But Fourth Imperial Sister, can you let go of him?"
"I..." Shangguan Yuxuan fell silent. She had liked him for four years, how could she let go?
Suddenly, Shangguan Yuning grabbed Shangguan Yuxuan's hand as if clutching a lifeline and said, "Right, Fourth Imperial Sister, his sister also came today. If his sister can speak to Father Emperor and ask him to let me marry him, Father Emperor will definitely agree!"
"Xiao Ning, if his sister were to speak, Father Emperor would surely agree. But why would his sister do that?! Have you considered that?"
"I..." Shangguan Yuning hadn't considered why his sister would help her. She only thought that if she could avoid the political marriage, she would have more time to be by his side. She asked for nothing else, just to be by his side.
"Xiao Ning..." Looking at her almost frantic state, Shangguan Yuxuan made a decision and said, "Xiao Ning, if this matter is to succeed, your only way is to make him like you! If he likes you, even if his sister doesn't intervene, Father Emperor will agree."
"But it's been three years, and he still doesn't like me." Shangguan Yuning faltered again.
"Xiao Ning, since he doesn't like you, why don't you approach his sister first? You've seen how he treats his other two sisters. Having them speak for you would be much better than doing it yourself."
"It's not that I haven't thought of this method, but one of them is a cultivation fanatic, and the other dislikes interacting with people."
"Therefore, first approach the one who is easier to get along with, and then have her help you break through one by one."
"That's right! Thank you, Fourth Imperial Sister!" Shangguan Yuning became happy.
Shangguan Yuxuan felt happy seeing her joy.
Shangguan Yuning noticed the melancholic look in Shangguan Yuxuan's eyes and asked, "Fourth Imperial Sister, what about you?"
"Ah?" Shangguan Yuxuan was taken aback.
"Fourth Imperial Sister, compared to me, it's easier for you to get Father Emperor's consent, isn't it?"
"Xiao Ning, I no longer hold out hope. If you succeed, carry that happiness for me as well."
Shangguan Yuning and Shangguan Yuxuan were twins, inseparable, and knew each other's temperaments and dispositions very well. Once Shangguan Yuxuan made up her mind, there was basically no possibility of changing it.
Shangguan Yuning did not try to persuade her, as it was futile anyway. It was better to help her in action.
"Fourth Imperial Sister, then come with me tomorrow. I'm a little scared."
"Alright."
The next day, the two princesses of Longqing Kingdom appeared at the Tianwu Kingdom's posthouse. As they were there to see Ling Luoyi, the others paid their respects and returned to cultivate, still remembering yesterday's humiliation.
When Zhuxue and Zhushuang came to report this news, Ling Luoyi was still chatting with Qiu Yuanxi.
"Looking for me?" Ling Luoyi frowned. She didn't recall having any interactions with these two princesses.
"Xiao Luo'er, are they your friends?"
"No, I don't have any friends on the Ancient Spirit Continent yet." Ling Luoyi put down her teacup and said, "A Yuan, the two princesses of Longqing Kingdom are looking for me. I must go and see them. You wait for me here and don't cause trouble!"
"Don't worry, don't worry."
Ling Luoyi took no one with her and went alone.
Upon arriving, Ling Luoyi sat down and asked directly, "May I ask what business the two princesses have with me?"
Shangguan Yuning and Shangguan Yuxuan exchanged a look and said with a smile, "Eldest Miss Ling, it's like this. We sisters feel that Eldest Miss Ling might be visiting Nanxin City for the first time, so we wanted to show you around and fulfill our duties as hosts."
"You two princesses are too kind. I'm merely here for the competition and will return after it's over."
"Although Eldest Miss Ling is here for the competition, you can still take this opportunity to look around. There are many interesting things in Nanxin City."
"I'd rather not. The competition is tomorrow, and I wish to rest well today."
"This..."
"Eldest Miss Ling is right. It seems we sisters chose the wrong time. How about we invite you again after Eldest Miss Ling's competition?"
"Alright, I'll be staying for two more days anyway. Perhaps then the two princesses can fulfill their duties as hosts."
"Then we will talk after Eldest Miss Ling's competition."
"Okay."
"Then we will not disturb Eldest Miss Ling's rest and will take our leave."
"No need to see us out."