Eager to Return

He glared at Qian Xunji, only to see the other man had already turned away, seemingly interested in a pastry on the table. He looked utterly innocent, as if to say, I merely mentioned it in passing. Don't take it seriously.

Qian Xunji sneered inwardly. Hah. You look down on your own son and think he disgraces you, yet after Yu Xiaogang's theories became famous, you regretted it a little.

And now, when an outsider like me brings it up, you get this angry? You're quite skilled at double standards.

In the end, under Xue Ye's clearly warning cough and Ning Youcai's second attempt to smooth things over, Yu Yuanzhen forcibly swallowed this resentment.

He downed a large cup of wine and no longer took the initiative to speak with Qian Xunji.

Before long, the banquet officially began.

The proceedings were nothing more than the same old routines that had remained unchanged for millennia.

Xue Ye delivered a speech thanking heaven, earth, and all the guests. Everyone raised their cups in congratulations, offering auspicious words such as "May Your Majesty live ten thousand years" and "May the empire prosper forever."

Next, the court musicians played soothing melodies, while court dancers in splendid gowns performed graceful dances.

Then came the long dining period.

Dish after dish was served. The guests sampled them with reserved manners, toasted one another, and exchanged hollow pleasantries.

Qian Xunji patiently maintained the bearing of the Pope. He raised his cup when he should, nodded when he should, but the food tasted like wax in his mouth.

From time to time, he looked outside the hall, calculating the angle of the sun's movement.

[System, what time is it? How long until sunset?]

[Based on the celestial phenomena of this plane, approximately one and a half shichen remain until sunset.]

[This is agony.]

After the meal, the guests were arranged to stroll through the royal gardens and admire the scenery.

The gardens were indeed exquisitely constructed, with rare flowers and exotic plants, pavilions and towers, little bridges and flowing water.

Many nobles took the opportunity to mingle and socialize, forming little circles of their own.

Naturally, there was no shortage of people around Qian Xunji trying to flatter him or probe him. He dealt with them as briefly as possible, his thoughts having long since drifted elsewhere.

As evening drew near, Xue Ye, acting as host, said with a beaming smile, "I am greatly pleased to celebrate with all of you today."

"It is already late. I have ordered comfortable accommodations prepared within the palace. I invite all honored guests to rest in the palace tonight, and we may continue our festivities tomorrow."

Many guests, especially the nobles and representatives of soul master clans who had come from afar, immediately looked delighted and voiced their thanks.

Being permitted to stay overnight in the imperial palace was itself a symbol of honor and closeness.

Tang Yin clapped his hands and laughed. "Your Majesty is most gracious. Then Tang will respectfully accept."

"It has been a long time since I last came to Heaven Dou City. This palace scenery deserves a few more days of appreciation."

Ning Youcai also smiled and agreed. "This old man had the same thought. Fengzhi, stay a few more days with your father so that we may seek more of His Majesty's guidance on governing and securing the realm."

Ning Fengzhi nodded in assent.

The other factions also expressed their willingness to stay.

Just then, Qian Xunji spoke.

"I appreciate Your Majesty's kind intentions."

"However, there are still urgent official matters in Spirit Hall that require my personal attention, so it would be inconvenient for me to remain long."

"It is already late. I should also depart and return."

The smile on Xue Ye's face faded. He had clearly not expected the Pope to refuse the offer so decisively, which was somewhat of a slight to him.

"Your Holiness manages countless affairs every day. I naturally understand."

"But no matter how urgent official business may be, it need not be handled tonight. Besides, it is already dark, and long-distance travel would surely be exhausting."

"Why not rest for the night and depart tomorrow? That would also allow me to fulfill my duties as host."

"Thank you for your concern. However, this matter concerns coordination between a border branch of Spirit Hall and the local soul master clans. It is rather troublesome and cannot be delayed."

"I have already come in person to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday, and my intentions have been conveyed. I trust Your Majesty can understand."

Xue Ye's eyes flickered.

He naturally knew this might merely be an excuse, but the Pope had already made up his mind. Forcing him to stay might only make things unpleasant.

He quickly put on a smile again. "In that case, I shall not insist. Your Holiness labors tirelessly over the affairs of soul masters across the continent, and I deeply admire you for it."

"Your Holiness's presence today has already brought me tremendous honor. Attend to the Pope on my behalf."

"Please remain, Your Majesty." Qian Xunji bade him farewell with impeccable courtesy, then nodded to Tang Yin, Ning Youcai, and the others.

Without another word, he turned and led the ever-silent Falling Devil Douluo out of the hall under the guidance of palace attendants.

Once outside Wanhua Hall, the cool evening breeze brushed against his face. Qian Xunji took a deep breath of the fresh air outside and felt as though he had come back to life.

Finally out. This was even more torturous than working overtime in meetings.

"Falling Devil, back to Yelin City!"

"Yes, Your Holiness."

At night, Yelin City's streets and alleys were filled with laughter and cheerful voices.

All kinds of lanterns hung from the eaves and branches.

Most eye-catching were the countless scattered lights upon the river's surface, each one a floating lantern drifting downstream.

Legend said that if a man and woman whose hearts were united released a lantern together and made a wish on the Lantern Festival, they would receive blessings and remain together for a long time.

Thus, there were especially many young couples strolling hand in hand through the streets that night.

A dragon dance procession beat gongs and drums as it moved along the main streets. The golden-red dragon twisted and leaped amid the lantern light, drawing wave after wave of applause.

Outside the hot spring inn, Bibi Dong wore a newly changed goose-yellow ruqun embroidered with scrolling lotus patterns, covered by a light-purple gauze robe. It made her skin appear as white as snow. Her purple hair was simply pinned up with a jade hairpin, with a few loose strands falling by her cheeks, making her look fresh and lovely.

She stood on tiptoe and repeatedly looked toward the street entrance, her small face filled with anticipation and anxiety.

"Ling Yuan, why hasn't Teacher come yet?"

"It's already completely dark. Shouldn't the banquet have ended by now?"

Ling Yuan gnawed on a freshly bought sugar painting and mumbled, "What's the rush? Coming from Heaven Dou City in the north, even if His Holiness flies, it'll still take some time."

"Maybe something delayed him on the way, or perhaps... some overly enthusiastic Heaven Dou noble has held him up?"

"It's no fun just waiting around. Why don't we go look around first?"

"Anyway, with His Holiness's spiritual power, once he reaches Yelin City, could he possibly fail to find us after a quick sweep?"

Bibi Dong thought it over and felt that made sense.

Standing foolishly at the entrance the whole time did seem rather silly.

Her teacher was so powerful. He would definitely be able to find her.

"Then... all right. Let's look around, but don't go too far."

"That's more like it!" Ling Yuan grinned as she took Bibi Dong's hand. "Come on, let's buy a lantern first."

The two held hands and merged into the crowd.

There were countless lantern vendors along the street, their wares dazzling to behold.

Bibi Dong immediately took a liking to a uniquely shaped hexagonal palace lantern. Its gauze was a light violet, painted with fluttering butterflies in meticulous brushwork. Once lit, the light shone through the gauze, making the butterflies seem as though they were about to flap their wings and fly away.

"You have a good eye, miss. This 'Butterfly Loves Flower' is the only one left."