"Have you heard? The Fifth Prince's engagement banquet this time is going to be exceptionally lavish."
"I've heard. With a celebration on this scale, anyone who didn't know better would think it was the King's wedding."
"Exactly. I never expected the King to attach so much importance to a mere engagement banquet for the Fifth Prince. Every prominent family has sent someone."
"That's not all. I hear the two Grand Elders of the Shangqing Sect are coming in person, bringing people with them."
"Do you know why? They say the Fifth Prince is the heir to the throne, which is why the King is making such a fuss."
The Liu Family really is lucky. They've managed to climb into the Fifth Prince's good graces. From now on, the position of the Great Zhou Kingdom's foremost family is theirs for the taking."
"Yeah. Back in the day, the Liu Family was only..."
"Shh! Do you want to die? How dare you say something like that out loud?"
"Ahem. I spoke out of turn after a few drinks."
Inside a tavern in the capital, everyone was discussing the engagement banquet for the Fifth Prince and Liu Mengyan.
It had become a major event in the capital—and even throughout the entire Great Zhou Kingdom. The scale of the celebration was so vast that many people couldn't understand it.
"Are you afraid?"
Chen Changan glanced at Chen Yunxuan and asked with a smile.
"Not afraid."
Chen Yunxuan smiled and shook his head.
Chen Yunxuan had changed tremendously. His whole bearing had shifted, and he had grown increasingly composed and levelheaded.
The experiences he'd had during this time were invaluable to him. At last, he understood why people needed to go out and see the world.
If he stayed holed up in Yan Gui City, he would never grow.
"Get some good rest today. Tomorrow, you'll be the one in the spotlight."
"Yes, Ancestor."
After Chen Changan returned to his room, he asked Da Huang, "Da Huang, can you sense the Fetal Pearl's presence?"
"You've seen the Fetal Pearl at the Chen Family."
"You're more closely connected to the Fetal Pearl. Can't you sense it?" Da Huang asked curiously.
"I don't know why, but the last time I was at the Chen Family, I couldn't sense the Fetal Pearl's presence unless I opened the Jade Box."
"After fusing with the Fetal Pearl, I can feel it a little, but the sensation isn't strong. Maybe distance affects it."
"With your abilities, can you sense it? Just the Fetal Pearl's presence?" Chen Changan asked.
"Sense my ass. Your Fetal Pearl doesn't give off the slightest trace of energy. Even if your master came, it'd be no use," Da Huang said irritably.
Not the slightest trace of energy?
How was that possible?
Everything had its own aura. Why didn't the Fetal Pearl have one?
"When you were at the Chen Family, you couldn't detect any trace of the Fetal Pearl?"
"No. You're the one who's abnormal. Anything connected to you would be strange."
"This thing can only be found by you."
Hearing Da Huang's words, Chen Changan could only sigh helplessly. He'd been hoping Da Huang could sense it.
If it really was in the capital, in the Imperial Family's hands, he'd have Da Huang steal it.
But now, it seemed he'd have to ask someone from the Imperial Family himself and search for the Fetal Pearl's whereabouts.
The night passed without incident.
The next day was the engagement day for the Fifth Prince and Liu Mengyan.
The King of the Great Zhou Kingdom had specifically arranged for the engagement ceremony to take place in the palace.
"Congratulations, Family Head Liu."
"Congratulations, Family Head Liu!"
"Hahaha, thank you, thank you, everyone."
The Liu Family's Family Head was beaming. This engagement banquet had far surpassed his expectations.
With a celebration on this scale, the Imperial Family had reason to be proud, and the Liu Family even more so.
"Family Head, our people just returned from Yan Gui City. The Chen Family's whereabouts are unknown."
"Could the Fifth Prince's maternal uncle have already succeeded?" Liu Chengfeng asked quietly.
"Oh? Their whereabouts are unknown?"
The Liu Family's Family Head furrowed his brow slightly. This wasn't exactly good news.
He glanced at the King of the Great Zhou Kingdom nearby. He wanted to ask him about it, but decided it wasn't appropriate.
"By the way, Third Elder!"
As the Fifth Prince's maternal uncle, the Third Elder was naturally attending the occasion.
The Liu Family's Family Head quietly approached him and said with a smile, "May I ask if you are the Third Elder of the Shangqing Sect? I'm Liu Mengyan's father, the Liu Family's Family Head."
The Third Elder looked at the Liu Family's Family Head and smiled. "So it's you. We'll be family from now on. There's no need to be so formal."
"What brings you to me?"
As he spoke, the Third Elder suddenly had a thought and added, "Is it about the Chen Family?"
"Exactly. I just received word from my people that the Chen Family's whereabouts are unknown. I was wondering..."
"Hahaha, then the people I sent must have succeeded."
"Don't worry. The little Chen Family is nothing to worry about."
Only then did the Liu Family's Family Head breathe a sigh of relief. Since the Third Elder himself had said so, the Chen Family must already have been wiped out.
Heaving a long sigh of relief, the Liu Family's Family Head returned to his seat, his smile growing even brighter.
"The auspicious hour has arrived!"
At the eunuch's loud announcement, the Fifth Prince turned a tender gaze toward Liu Mengyan.
Liu Mengyan gazed back at the Fifth Prince with the same look of happiness. Hand in hand, they slowly walked up onto the ceremonial platform.
"Truly a fine match. They're made for each other."
"Indeed. The Fifth Prince is so noble and imposing, and the Liu Family's Eldest Young Lady is as beautiful as a celestial maiden."
"A match made in heaven!"
"We're fortunate to be invited to this engagement banquet. It's a blessing for us."
The guests began heaping on the flattery at just the right moment. Their voices grew louder and louder, each person afraid the others might not hear what they had said.
"Mengyan, believe me. I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."
"Everything you want, I'll give you."
"Even my life," the Fifth Prince said with tender devotion.
"I believe you."
"In all this world, you're the only one who treats me best."
Though Liu Mengyan was very fond of the Fifth Prince, she wasn't someone who would lose herself completely in romance.
She knew exactly what to say and when to say it, and how to win someone's heart.
Just those words—"you're the only one"—sent the Fifth Prince into raptures. He wished he could give Liu Mengyan every good thing in the world.
"Your Highness, perhaps we should get down to business first."
After the eunuch spoke, he couldn't help covering his mouth to stifle a laugh.
But it was obvious he was laughing at their sweet talk, and the Fifth Prince didn't take offense.
"Right. Let's get down to business first."
"Mengyan, from today onward, you'll officially be my fiancée."
"No one can take you away from me."
"You... belong to me alone," the Fifth Prince declared, boldly staking his claim to Liu Mengyan.
"Don't worry. I'll always be yours alone," Liu Mengyan said, gazing deeply into the Fifth Prince's eyes.
Thunderous applause erupted. Whether they were genuinely moved or had some other reason, everyone clapped enthusiastically, sending the atmosphere soaring!
"Since that's the case..."
"How could our Chen Family let the two of you down?"
"This grand gift was prepared especially for you!"
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