From Cold Palace Princess to Heavenly Court Empress

The two girls snuggled together in the quiet camp. The campfire gradually died down, and all sounds faded away, leaving only the gentle sound of the wind, telling a lonely and peaceful song.

But in a tent not far from them, a pair of ears perked up, hearing every word of their conversation.

In the dark forest, two girls, one big and one small, huddled together, leaning against a boulder.

Xiao Minghuang held Ye Ruoshui's soft, delicate body, and seeing the little girl's sweet sleeping face, she couldn't help but smile warmly.

But cultivation cannot be neglected.

"System, has my compensation arrived?"

[Ding!]

[Detecting...]

[Congratulations, Host, triggering a 5x...]

Xiao Minghuang accepted the Spirit Medicine returned by the System, but she was slightly disappointed. The previous compensations had been high, at least a hundredfold, but this time it was only fivefold, which was really a bit small.

Xiao Minghuang seriously suspected that this was all the System's routine, giving her high compensation rates in the early stages, and then reducing the rate once the transition period was over.

It seemed similar to some of the card games she had played in her previous life.

Xiao Minghuang calmed herself down, banished the strange thoughts from her mind, and began to take stock of the remaining resources on her body.

But just at this moment.

The System's voice sounded in her mind again.

[Ding]

[Ding! Detecting that the Host has met the gift-giving condition, opening the second Contractor slot!]

[Triggering Quest: Bind a second Contractor, limited to the same gender as the Host.]

[Quest Reward: The first gift to the second Contractor will trigger a 10,000x compensation, and the final reward will be doubled again!]

10,000x compensation?

Doubled again?

Xiao Minghuang was puzzled. Since there was already a guaranteed 10,000x compensation, wouldn't doubling it just be 20,000x? Why would the System go to the trouble of adding "the final reward will be doubled"?

"System, explain in detail what you mean by 'the final reward will be doubled'."

[Ding! Doubling the final reward means that when the Host receives the compensation settlement, the compensation received will be doubled again based on the item received. This probability is calculated independently and is not affected by the compensation rate.]

After the System's explanation, Xiao Minghuang roughly understood.

The gift compensation rate and the final reward rate are calculated independently of each other and do not affect each other. The rewards she receives will be stacked.

In other words, no matter how many times the critical strike is triggered, she can only get one compensation, but now she can get two compensations.

After figuring out the System's functions, Xiao Minghuang fell into confusion again.

The System made it very clear that she had to bind a second Contractor in order to receive the quest reward, but in the current situation, where could she find a second Contractor?

Once a Contractor is bound, it cannot be undone unless the Contractor dies, so she must ensure that the Contractor is someone trustworthy.

Moreover, this person must be reliable, not have evil intentions, and must not part ways with her in the future, otherwise, there would be no way to get compensation by giving gifts.

Originally, Xiao Minghuang's plan was to find honest and well-behaved girls from the common people, raise them by her side from a young age, and cultivate their relationship, but now she was far away in Beiyang City and didn't have time to do these things.

After a day's journey and a great battle with the Evil Cultivator at night, Xiao Minghuang was already exhausted, and unconsciously, she fell asleep to the sound of the wind.

The next morning.

Xiao Minghuang woke up early and saw Ye Ruoshui. The little girl had somehow untied her collar, her little face pressed tightly against the fullness of her chest, with a sweet smile on her face.

"Mmm... so soft... big white steamed bun... delicious..."

Ye Ruoshui muttered in her sleep, not being honest at all. She turned her face and lay on top of the full peak, taking a bite.

"Ah!"

The next moment.

Ye Ruoshui fell heavily to the ground, opened her eyes blankly, and looked around in a daze, as if she had no idea what had happened.

Xiao Minghuang tightened her collar, her pretty face slightly red, and put on a natural posture, saying lightly:

"It's dawn, we should get on the road."

Ye Ruoshui got up from the ground, still not understanding, but she obediently went to pack her luggage.

Ye Ruoshui opened the tent and saw Lin Wanqiu fully dressed, about to come out.

After a night's rest, Lin Wanqiu had heavy dark circles under her eyes, seemed preoccupied, and looked listless and utterly dispirited.

Ye Ruoshui frowned, not thinking much about it, and guessed that the woman might be a light sleeper, so she didn't sleep well.

"Miss Lin, didn't you rest well last night?"

"It's okay..."

Lin Wanqiu's lips curled into a smile, but her face showed no joy. Her mind was in a mess, and she was in no mood to exchange pleasantries with Ye Ruoshui, so she went on her way.

Watching her back, Ye Ruoshui didn't think much of it and began to pack her luggage.

Before long, all the sundries were packed neatly into her storage bag.

Xiao Minghuang and the others headed towards Beiyang City.

Initially, Xiao Minghuang had planned to explore the forest for a longer period, trying to find traces of opportunities.

But after three days of searching, she found nothing, and had no choice but to give up and head to Beiyang City instead.

27. Arrival at Beiyang City

Beiyang City is nestled among mountains, surrounded by rivers on three sides, and backed by cliffs, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

After a long journey, Xiao Minghuang and the others finally arrived outside the city.

In the past three days, besides looking for opportunities and teasing Ye Ruoshui, Xiao Minghuang had been chatting with Lin Wanqiu.

During this time, she learned a lot about the situation in Beiyang City.

In Beiyang City, apart from the Beiyang City Lord, who was at the peak of the Spring Gushing Realm, there were also four major families, whose heads were between the Spring Gushing Realm Fifth Level and the Spring Gushing Realm Eighth Level.

In addition, Lin Wanqiu also revealed a rather concerning matter.

"I was born with blocked meridians and cannot break through to the Qi Refining Realm. My father spent countless Spirit Stones and elixirs, but only helped me to reach the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Level..."

When Lin Wanqiu spoke of these things, her expression was dim and dejected.

Knowing this also changed Xiao Minghuang's view of Lin Wanqiu.

Perhaps contracting Lin Wanqiu wouldn't be bad. If I can help her clear her meridians so she can continue to cultivate, she will be extremely grateful to me.

As for how to clear the meridians, it couldn't be simpler. Just find some basic elixirs and keep giving them to Lin Wanqiu, then just wait for the compensation.

Even if basic elixirs with corresponding effects were hard to find, Xiao Minghuang still had Ye Ruoshui, a little alchemy genius, so elixirs were not a problem at all.

Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but focus her gaze on Lin Wanqiu, her lips slightly curved, and a hint of a smile appeared in the corner of her eyes.

Noticing that Xiao Minghuang was looking at her, Lin Wanqiu showed a gentle smile on her fair face, her eyes seemingly carrying a hint of reluctance.

But she quickly turned her gaze away.

Xiao Minghuang and Lin Wanqiu walked in front, smiling at each other, exchanging glances, and flirting in secret.

This scene was seen by Ye Ruoshui, who was walking behind, and she remained silent, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

"Your Highness, she is..."

Xiao Minghuang was unaware of Ye Ruoshui's sensitive thoughts.

Noticing the strange look on Lin Wanqiu's face, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly, realizing that this matter was not simple.

She had only known Lin Wanqiu for three days, even if there was an old engagement.

When they first met, Lin Wanqiu didn't even know her name. To say that she had been deeply in love with her since childhood was too far-fetched, wasn't it?

However, since they met, Lin Wanqiu had been frequently showing her goodwill, so how could this be explained?

After thinking it over, Xiao Minghuang muttered to herself:

"Could it be that she fell in love with me at first sight?"

But on second thought, she found it incredible.

"Love at first sight? There's no such thing in the world. It's just something that some boring scholars make up to comfort themselves."

After thinking for a long time, Xiao Minghuang couldn't figure it out, so she stopped dwelling on it.

Xiao Minghuang and the others arrived at the city gate, where the City Lord's Guards were already waiting, especially for the Ninth Princess.

As soon as she entered the city, Xiao Minghuang received a grand reception from Beiyang City.

"Beiyang City Lord Lin Zhengquan, leading all the officials and soldiers of the city, respectfully welcomes the arrival of the Ninth Highness!"

Lin Zhengquan led a large number of officials and soldiers, all kneeling before her, extremely respectful.

Behind them, there were also many commoners, who also performed a great salute.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Minghuang was a little puzzled. Although she was a princess, Great Xia was, after all, a dynasty dominated by martial artists, and did not care much about formalities. Even when meeting the emperor, there was no need to kneel.

The scene before her eyes was beyond her expectations.

After helping the Beiyang City Lord up, Xiao Minghuang said loudly, "Such a grand ceremony, I cannot bear it. Please, everyone, rise!"

The officials and commoners rose, looking at Xiao Minghuang with admiration and gratitude.

Xiao Minghuang looked at Lin Zhengquan, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Lin Zhengquan explained with a smile:

"Ninth Highness, have you forgotten? Three days ago, you killed the Evil Cultivator who was causing trouble nearby and rescued the abducted commoners. This was a great deed for the people of our Beiyang City!"

"After hearing about it, everyone spontaneously wanted to thank the Ninth Highness, so this official arranged today's welcoming ceremony. Please don't take offense, Ninth Highness."

After hearing the whole story, Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but smile, looking at the bustling crowd, she said clearly:

"I appreciate everyone's gratitude, but as a princess of Great Xia, I have the duty to protect the land and its people. Killing the Evil Cultivator who was causing harm to one side is my duty. Everyone, there is no need to be too grateful, please go home!"

Everyone present was moved by these words.

One soldier sighed:

"I used to serve in the capital, but because I was a moment late in opening the gate, I was beaten by the Second Prince's groom, leaving me with internal injuries that have prevented my cultivation from improving for life. Only after seeing the Ninth Princess today did I realize that there are such kind, forgiving, respectful, and frugal people in the Royal Family."

A weathered and worn burly man showed a look of gratitude:

"My daughter went missing a few days ago. After reporting it to the authorities, the City Lord only told me to wait. Anyone knows that if I really waited like that, my daughter would never be found... If it weren't for Ninth Princess Your Highness, my daughter would really never have been found!"

And so, a noble and refined, stunningly beautiful, world-class girl, under the gaze of all, walked all the way into the Beiyang City Lord's Mansion.

Beiyang City Lord's Mansion, main hall.

Xiao Minghuang sat in the seat of honor, Ye Ruoshui stood beside her, as for Lin Wanqiu, she disappeared after entering the City Lord's Mansion, probably having gone back to her room to rest.

Lin Zhengquan and other high-ranking officials of Beiyang City sat on both sides.

After some polite greetings, the people from the City Lord's Mansion withdrew, leaving only Lin Zhengquan in the hall.

Lin Zhengquan stood up and glanced at Ye Ruoshui standing to the side, as if he had something difficult to say.

Xiao Minghuang glanced at him and said calmly:

"Ruoshui is my sister, and we are inseparable. Please speak frankly."

Hearing the words "inseparable," Ye Ruoshui's face turned slightly red, and her heart felt a burst of sweetness.

Lin Zhengquan saw that Ye Ruoshui's appearance was outstanding, not at all like a mere Maidservant, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart for his own daughter.

After a moment, he gathered his thoughts and said respectfully: