Prince Tianxiang's return was a major event. It should have been celebrated properly, but the prince had always preferred peace and quiet, so he had not let the steward of Nether Heaven make a public announcement.
The prince had only just returned, yet the first thing he did was visit Empress Dowager to pay his respects, throwing the attendants, guards, and maids nearby into a brief panic.
It was said that Prince Tianxiang had firmly established himself in the Exotic Realm. The Storm Fortress he had built was one of the few major cities belonging to humanity there, and he also commanded powerful troops. His influence had become firmly established.
In earlier years, the prince and Empress Dowager had shared some unpleasantness. It was said that Princess Xiji, Empress Dowager's adopted daughter, had been involved, but few knew the truth behind it.
They only knew that, at some point, Prince Tianxiang and Princess Xiji had stopped appearing together in any situation.
"You... came back."
Within the courtyard, Yuan Shu was responsible for leading Prince Tianxiang in to pay his respects.
All of the prince's attendants and close guards could only wait outside the courtyard.
Prince Tianxiang glanced at Yuan Shu, dressed in black with a sword at her waist, and smiled faintly. "I had to come back eventually. I was born here. Storm Fortress can't truly be called home."
Yuan Shu looked at him with mixed emotions, slowed by half a step, then walked beside him and murmured, "You only say that to fool me."
Prince Tianxiang gave a bitter smile. He clearly understood the affection in Yuan Shu's eyes. After all, they had grown up together from childhood. Perhaps what they shared went beyond the feelings between adopted siblings.
The question was whether one could develop romantic feelings