Grand Wedding Sets the Date, Old Ancestor's Revelation, Unexpected Joy!

Inside the palace, within Qianqing Palace.

Xiao Bing and many Ye Family elders recounted everything that had happened today.

The Old Ancestor had manifested, reshaping the Incense Deity Statue and rebuilding a body!

It was a miracle!

Coupled with the rising fortune of the Ye Family and the surging fortune of the dynasty, this was an auspicious omen!

"It's just a pity that the Spirit Testing Platform in the Ye Family Holy Land was destroyed for some unknown reason—a tremendous loss..."

Ye Xuan finished speaking with excitement, then looked toward the woman seated at the head. But he could not fathom what Ye Qinglian was thinking and quickly lowered his head again.

Regardless, this was all great news!

What was a lousy Spirit Testing Platform compared to the Old Ancestor's blessing?

With fortune's blessing, even cultivation could advance!

Within a hundred years, it wasn't impossible for several more Sages to emerge!

At this moment, Ye Qinglian sensed the changes in the fortune around her.

Indeed, she was now enveloped by a far stronger fortune.

Once the Ye Family Old Ancestor ascended, as long as he did not die, his fortune would bless his descendants.

Though he could not return to the Lower Realm, the bloodline connection meant the Ye Family could receive his blessing and protection.

Now, with the Old Ancestor manifesting, he must have broken through to a higher realm, and with this fortune's blessing...

Great news!

This matter would soon spread, and countless people would come to offer congratulations.

Ye Qinglian pondered briefly.

"Since the Old Ancestor's blessing has descended, it shows that Heaven favors our Great Gan Dynasty and our Ye Family."

"As for the Spirit Testing Platform, let's set aside the fault for now. Just find a better one, and I will not hold you accountable."

Everyone clasped their hands and bowed: "We obey Your Majesty's will!"

"You may go."

The many elders departed excitedly, brimming with elation!

What tremendous good fortune!

Though the Old Ancestor could not help them directly, this fortune would bring them improvement—that was the best outcome!

At this point, Xiao Bing finally recounted today's events to Ye Qinglian.

"You're saying that all these strange things happened only after you took Chu Ning into the Holy Land?"

Ye Qinglian smiled and shook her head upon hearing this.

"No matter how outstanding Chu Ning is, he's still just a mortal. There's nothing to say about it, and he certainly couldn't affect the entire Ye Family's fortune."

"It's probably all because the Old Ancestor's statue was reshaped. What level is his talent?"

"I'm not sure, but before the Spirit Testing Platform exploded, it showed a Red-Orange Color, so it should be quite high..."

Ye Qinglian thought for a moment.

"But the platform still shattered in the end, so we can't truly judge. For now, give him a basic cultivation method and let him cultivate quietly. We can assess his progress from there."

Xiao Bing had no objections, but she was curious about Ye Qinglian's words.

Outstanding?

Mister Chu had actually earned such praise from Her Majesty?

Xiao Bing didn't fully understand, but she felt this was an opportunity.

She would definitely find an excuse to mooch a meal and then tell Mister Chu that Her Majesty was in a good mood today—he could try to get closer or something!

"Xiao Bing understands. I'll go now."

"Wait."

Ye Qinglian suddenly called Xiao Bing back, her beautiful face carrying only a cold, aloof expression.

Xiao Bing looked puzzled.

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

"Go to the Ministry of Rites and tell the Minister of Rites to arrange an announcement to the world: I am selecting an Emperor Consort."

"Now that the Ye Family has encountered this surge in fortune, it's the perfect opportunity."

Xiao Bing was stunned for a moment, then burst into joy!

"Understood, Your Majesty! Xiao Bing will go at once!"

Ye Qinglian watched Xiao Bing's retreating figure, a faint blush creeping onto her face.

She still had to marry, after all...

There was no way around it—she couldn't abandon the child, it was her own flesh and blood, and there were two of them.

Although she wasn't familiar with Chu Ning, his character was passable, and he treated her well enough.

True or false, he was now the father of her child. The matter of appointing him Emperor Consort should be handled as quickly and grandly as possible; otherwise, as time passed, the changes in her body would become impossible to hide.

By then, there would be fewer concerns to worry about...

Originally, Ye Qinglian had planned to wait a while longer, but the Grand Wedding preparations would take a long time—at least a month. The court's ritual protocols were extremely complex, and if she delayed any further, her belly would truly grow too large.

As it happened, the Ye Family Old Ancestor had manifested, blessing the Ye clan members.

Perhaps Chu Ning had been sent by the Ye Family Old Ancestor; otherwise, how else could she explain him inexplicably appearing in her secluded meditation chamber, and her becoming pregnant?

Since the ancestors were watching over them, why not take this opportunity to celebrate with the whole realm?

Holding the Grand Ceremony was perfect.

Once she got through this matter, and the child was born, everything would be settled.

Inside Chu Ning's palace.

On a courtyard lounge chair, Chu Ning was sleeping soundly.

There was nothing to do; Qinglian was busy, and it wasn't mealtime yet. Sleeping was the only option—what else was there?

A young girl came running from a distance, shaking Chu Ning awake in excitement!

"Master, Her Majesty has said she'll have the Ministry of Rites handle it immediately, announce it to the world, and begin selecting suitable candidates for Emperor Consort!"

Chu Ning was still groggy, but hearing this, he jolted upright in shock!

"Damn it!"

"Isn't there supposed to be only one Emperor Consort? Does she think I'm not suitable and wants to choose someone else?"

"That won't do—I have to talk to Qinglian myself. The Emperor Consort position is mine, and mine alone!"

He was the father of the child, after all. How could he let someone else play dad to his own son?

No way, absolutely not!

His wife was his, and his children were his!

Xiao Bing was startled for a moment, then quickly stopped Chu Ning to explain.

"Master, you've misunderstood. Her Majesty's intention is to go through the motions. After all, directly promoting you would be too conspicuous..."

"No matter how many candidates are submitted, the final decision will actually weed them all out, leaving only you. Anyway, this matter is in the hands of the Ministry of Rites and Her Majesty. You just wait for the Grand Wedding!"

Chu Ning paused, roughly understanding.

Going through the motions, not exposing anything, right?

That was a relief!

He knew it!

Qinglian still favored him!

Chu Ning was still a bit puzzled: "But why did Her Majesty suddenly decide to appoint an Emperor Consort so quickly?"

Hadn't she said before that she'd wait for the right moment? Why was she acting on it now?

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "Probably because of the Ye Family Holy Land matter. The Old Ancestor blessed the Ye family, so she plans to take this chance to establish the Emperor Consort and celebrate with the realm!"

"Maybe the Old Ancestor's breakthrough in the upper realm was thanks to you, Master? After you entered the palace, not only did Her Majesty break through, but Xiao Bing did too, and now we even have a boost in fortune!"

It was clear Xiao Bing was trying to reassure Chu Ning, to put his mind at ease.

They already had a child—how could Her Majesty choose someone else?

Besides, Master's appearance was good enough, and his looks were decent. Although Her Majesty seemed indifferent, the fact that she let Chu Ning get this close meant she was slowly opening her heart!

These things couldn't be rushed, but the Emperor Consort would never be anyone else.

At this moment, Chu Ning deeply agreed.

Why didn't she say so earlier!

If she had, he would have blessed the Ye family with fortune long ago!

Why suffer through all that waiting!

After the wedding, they'd sleep together, and their feelings would keep warming up!

Chu Ning chuckled to himself!

He couldn't even imagine how wonderful it would be to hold Ye Qinglian while sleeping...

Even though she was pregnant now and nothing could happen, wouldn't sleeping together still make their feelings skyrocket?

Once the child was born, wouldn't everything fall into place naturally?

Have ten more!

Just as Chu Ning was lost in his happy daydreams, Xiao Bing handed over a secret manual.

"This is the introductory text for the Royal Cultivation Method. Her Majesty said for you to study it first."

Chu Ning was taken aback.

"Didn't I fail the aptitude test? Why am I still supposed to learn?"

You want me, a full-fledged Immortal Emperor, to study an introductory method?

Can I even take this seriously?

This is like telling an academician to learn one plus one—what's the difference!

Xiao Bing giggled.

"Even though you didn't test any aptitude, Xiao Bing still told Her Majesty that you might have top-grade or even heaven-grade potential. It was only after hearing that that she allowed it."

"She even gave quite a few Spirit Stones!"

"If you cultivate this, sir, you'll achieve longevity. Isn't Xiao Bing clever?"

Chu Ning nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood!

So it was because of you!

With this, how am I supposed to sleep!

"Xiao Bing, actually, I'm a transcendent master from beyond this world—the really lofty kind..."

"Sir, Xiao Bing knows, but you still have to work hard at cultivation. If you cultivate faster, wouldn't you gain Her Majesty's favor even more?"

Chu Ning reconsidered.

It did seem to make some sense.

They wouldn't believe an Immortal Emperor was too high a realm, and he couldn't exactly show it off—that would invite suspicion.

So slowly cultivating wasn't such a bad idea, was it?

Besides, he could find Ye Qinglian for nighttime guidance and such...

"Xiao Bing! You're a genius!"

"I'll go seek advice tonight!"

Xiao Bing looked utterly bewildered.

"Huh?"