Emperor's Scheme

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Sister-in-law."

"No need for such formality."

Li Ping'an raised a hand in a token gesture of support. Mu Ningning stepped forward of her own accord, took Yao Ji's soft hand, and led her back to sit together.

Mu Ningning's sleeping quarters were hardly an office. The main hall was decorated in warm, cozy fashion. Li Ping'an sat at the head of the long table, while Mu Ningning held Yao Ji's hand and chatted with her nearby.

Yao Ji was also afraid of delaying Li Ping'an's enlightenment, so she quickly explained her purpose.

She said, "Brother, Sister-in-law, I've always felt rather restless while cultivating in the Heavenly Court. I want to take a walk in the mortal world and have a look around. Would that be all right?"

Mu Ningning found it somewhat strange. "If you want to go out, then go. When has our Li family ever had rules like that?"

"Well..."

"Do you want to go to the Southern Continent?" Li Ping'an asked with narrowed, smiling eyes.

Yao Ji sighed softly. "Brother understands me."

"Did someone say something to you?" Li Ping'an asked. "The Southern Continent is in troubled times right now. If you want to travel, you can go to the East Continent, the Western Continent, or any of the eight surrounding realms."

Yet Yao Ji said, "No one has said anything to Yao Ji. It's just that I've recently sensed something while seeking enlightenment. It seems that part of Yao Ji's destined fate has yet to be fulfilled."

"That portion of destined fate has already been abolished."

Li Ping'an shook his head.

"Besides, I'm no longer interfering with the thoughts of living beings. The Heavenly Dao cannot hide things from me and act recklessly.

"There is no destined fate... What you happened to