From Cold Palace Princess to Heavenly Empress

"Your Highness has rendered great service to Beiyang City by eliminating the Evil Cultivator, and you even saved my daughter's life. Such immense kindness... I, your subordinate, have prepared a humble gift. I hope Your Highness will not find it wanting."

As he spoke, several Guards entered the hall, carrying several large chests.

After the Guards retreated, Lin Zhengquan opened the chests one by one. Immediately, rays of light shot out, and mist billowed forth, filling the entire hall with a dense spiritual energy.

"City Lord's grand gift, I fear I cannot accept it!"

The spiritual energy emanating from these chests likely far exceeded a thousand Spirit Stones.

Lin Zhengquan said solemnly, "Your Highness has shown great kindness to Beiyang City. Such a small amount of Spirit Stones is naturally something I can accept. These five chests of Spirit Stones, each containing five hundred, totaling two thousand five hundred, I implore Your Highness not to refuse."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang no longer declined and accepted the Spirit Stones.

Following this, Xiao Minghuang attended a welcoming banquet hosted by the City Lord's mansion.

28. Would you drink this cup for me?

The main hall of the City Lord's mansion was brightly lit, with the sound of zither music lingering in the air.

Cups were pushed, and plates were exchanged.

Xiao Minghuang sat at the head of the table, with Ye Ruoshui seated beside her.

"Where has Wanqiu gone..."

Xiao Minghuang scanned the guests at the banquet but only saw a sea of unfamiliar faces, with no sign of Lin Wanqiu.

Lin Zhengquan, sitting not far away, noticed her looking around and smiled.

"Is Your Highness looking for my daughter?"

Her thoughts having been read, Xiao Minghuang's expression remained calm, though she felt a touch of awkwardness. Lin Zhengquan was, after all, Lin Wanqiu's father, and even with her status as a princess, she could not disregard this relationship.

Unsure how to respond, Xiao Minghuang simply nodded faintly.

"Your Highness need not worry, my daughter will be here shortly."

As he spoke, Lin Zhengquan tapped the table three times. The sound was not loud but possessed a rhythm that seemed capable of traveling great distances.

Following the three sounds, the music in the banquet hall abruptly ceased, and all the lights went out.

The guests present, besides the officials of the City Lord's mansion, also included members of Beiyang City's prominent families, but they were all bewildered.

However, in the next moment.

A single point of light suddenly appeared in the center of the hall, rapidly expanding to illuminate an area of about ten feet.

Beneath that bright light, a vibrant splash of crimson was revealed.

The woman wore a striking red dress, her skin like congealed fat, her beauty as fiery as a burning flame, her eyes like autumn waters, and her smile captivating. She was breathtakingly beautiful, unforgettable at first glance.

Her bright eyes were fixed directly on Xiao Minghuang, who sat at the head of the table.

Perhaps because everyone else was shrouded in darkness, Lin Wanqiu's subtle glance went unnoticed.

Moreover, her entrance was so stunning that everyone's attention was focused on her peerless beauty and unparalleled grace, making it difficult to notice such a small shift in her gaze.

The guests present were almost all influential figures in Beiyang City, with close ties to the City Lord's mansion. They had, in essence, watched Lin Wanqiu grow up.

They suddenly realized that the once quiet and reserved young girl had now blossomed into such an unparalleled beauty.

An elder with white hair sighed, "If I had a son, I would spare no expense to betroth Miss Lin as my daughter-in-law."

A noblewoman glanced at her own daughter, knowing she couldn't compare, and lamented, "If my daughter had even half of Miss Lin's looks, she wouldn't still be unmarried at over thirty."

After the elders' sighs, the younger generation couldn't help but start discussing.

"After not seeing her for a few months, how did Miss Lin suddenly become so beautiful?"

"Could she have taken a beauty pill? The Lin family is wealthy; buying their daughter a beauty pill wouldn't cost much."

"Brother Liu, you jest. Beauty pills don't have such powerful effects; she looks like a completely different person."

"Everyone, is it possible, I say, possible, that Miss Lin was always this exceptionally graceful, and we simply didn't notice before?"

Amidst the hushed whispers, the pearl-like light gradually brightened, expanding to fill the entire hall, restoring visibility.

The gazes of the crowd remained fixed on Lin Wanqiu, seemingly still pondering why the seemingly ordinary Miss Lin from before had suddenly become so beautiful.

Lin Zhengquan glanced at the head of the table and saw Xiao Minghuang's admiring gaze, a hint of satisfaction appearing in his pupils.

"Wanqiu, go pour a drink for Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu nodded slightly and walked with small steps to Xiao Minghuang's side.

Seeing Lin Wanqiu, adorned in a stunning, vibrant outfit, approach her, even Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but show a hint of astonishment.

In all her life, apart from herself, she had never seen such a peerlessly beautiful woman.

Lin Wanqiu, in her red attire, her peerless beauty, was now indelibly etched into Xiao Minghuang's mind, a sight she would never forget.

At this moment, such a captivating beauty, her eyes filled with tenderness, gazed unblinkingly at Xiao Minghuang.

Under such a gaze, even Xiao Minghuang, who had weathered many storms and fought countless battles, couldn't help but blush, a strange sensation rising in her heart.

"Strange, why do I feel so hot all over?"

She calmed the heat in her heart and thought:

"Perhaps it wouldn't be bad to form a contract with Lin Wanqiu. Her meridians are blocked from birth, it's too pitiful. I must help her."

As she pondered, a gentle smile appeared on Xiao Minghuang's face, her eyes curving, and her fair, rosy cheeks no longer held their usual coldness.

Perhaps it was this gaze that encouraged Lin Wanqiu, giving her the courage to continue raising her cup and bowing forward.

At this moment, Ye Ruoshui, standing behind Xiao Minghuang, had a face full of confusion and panic, as if saying:

"Your Highness said I'm the most important person in her heart... it must be like this... it must be..."

Lin Wanqiu bowed slightly and poured half a cup of wine for Xiao Minghuang.

Xiao Minghuang did not drink the wine. Instead, she picked up the cup and said gently:

"Wanqiu, would you drink this cup for me?"

For some reason, she particularly wanted to see a slightly tipsy peerless beauty right now.

Lin Wanqiu's cheeks flushed slightly. She reached out with her small hand, took the cup, and drank it down in one go.

As the warm wine entered her belly, Lin Wanqiu's fair, delicate face became even more rosy, appearing alluring and delectable, a feast for the eyes.

Not far away, Lin Zhengquan smiled slightly. Comparing Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu, he secretly rejoiced:

"How can a mere maidservant compare to my daughter? I believe it won't be long before Your Highness's heart is firmly held by Wanqiu. At that time, our Beiyang City will have a backer."

Ever since the old Beiyang City Lord passed away, he had been suffering from an hidden illness and could not break through to the Divine Sea Realm. The imperial court had long intended to recall the Lin family to the capital. If they could not find a backer in the court, the downfall of the vast Lin family would not be far off.

"Wanqiu, you can sit next to Your Highness!"

As he spoke, Lin Zhengquan looked at Xiao Minghuang, as if seeking her opinion.

Xiao Minghuang naturally had no objections and nodded.

A fragrant breeze wafted, and a beautiful figure swayed.

Lin Wanqiu gracefully walked over and sat beside Xiao Minghuang, her gaze filled with tenderness.

After thinking all afternoon, she had made her decision.

Even though the little maidservant beside Xiao Minghuang looked difficult to deal with, she would never give up!

This was not only for the benefit of her family but also for her own feelings.

Perhaps it was in that dark cave, when she first met Xiao Minghuang, that she had already fallen in love with her.

The world might not believe in love at first sight, but Lin Wanqiu knew it was because they had not met someone as peerlessly beautiful as Xiao Minghuang.

"We were betrothed before birth, and then we met without knowing each other. This is a match made in heaven, a destined pair!"

Lin Wanqiu thought to herself.

Afterward, Lin Wanqiu continuously poured wine for Xiao Minghuang. Xiao Minghuang did not refuse and drank it all, occasionally pouring wine for her in return.

Before long, both of them had slightly flushed cheeks, were tipsy, and their eyes were moist and hazy.

Unknowingly, the bright moon hung high in the sky, and the night was more than half over.

Perhaps it was because they had drunk too much, but even the bodies of martial artists could not bear it. Many guests staggered to their feet and took their leave.

Xiao Minghuang, seated at the head of the table, had also drunk a lot. Her body leaned softly against Lin Wanqiu, her eyes slightly narrowed, as if she were half-asleep.

Behind them, Ye Ruoshui kept casting glances at the two leaning together, her eyes filled with confusion, and a inexplicable sense of irritation arose in her heart.

"Your Highness said I'm the most important person in her heart. I should believe Your Highness! Believe Your Highness!"

29. A Public Proposal, the Chen Family's Treason!

Below the stage, Lin Zhengquan was seeing off the drunken guests.

Just as most of the guests had left.

An old man with white hair suddenly walked out from the banquet, his face ruddy and reeking of alcohol.

"Brother... Brother Lin!"

The old man raised his hand, pointed at Lin Zhengquan, and swayed his head, saying:

"We've been friends for decades, and today, brother is asking you for a favor. You must agree. If you don't, you're looking down on your brother!"

The old man's voice was extremely loud, waking up the dazed crowd. Even Xiao Minghuang, seated at the head of the table, gradually sobered up and looked over.

Lin Zhengquan frowned, feeling a little displeased.

The old man acting drunk was the head of the Chen family, one of the four great families of Beiyang City. The family head was at the eighth level of the Spring Gushing Realm, second only to him in strength.

Normally, he respected the Chen family head and called him brother.

"With His Ninth Highness present today, I hope this fellow doesn't cause trouble for me."

As he thought, Lin Zhengquan circulated his spiritual energy to expel the alcohol from his body, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and stood up with a smile.

"All you brothers are a bit tired today. Brother Chen, can you discuss your matter tomorrow? As long as I can do it, I will agree!"

"What tomorrow?!" The Chen family head slammed the table, his neck turning red, and shouted, "I need your word today! Brother is asking you for something, will you do it or not?!"

Everyone present gasped upon hearing this, whispering amongst themselves:

"What's gotten into the Chen Family Head? How dare he be so presumptuous with the Ninth Princess right here?"

"Liquor emboldens the timid. Let's see what the Chen Family Head says next. I hope it's not too much, or today's events might be hard to resolve."

Lin Zhengquan remained silent, his expression shifting between worry and uncertainty as he debated whether to kick this drunken lunatic out of the banquet.

At the head of the table, Xiao Minghuang was roused by the commotion and looked towards the person shouting in the center of the hall.

"Is this the Chen Family Head?"

She recalled that within the Evil Cultivator's storage bag, there was a stack of letters detailing the dealings between the Evil Cultivator and the Chen Family Head.

The Evil Cultivator, on behalf of the Chen Family Head, had plundered and killed mortals to extract their vital energy for the Chen Family Head's cultivation of evil arts. Furthermore, the Evil Cultivator acted as an intermediary between the Chen Family Head and the Golden Elephant Kingdom, facilitating the Chen Family Head's treason for personal gain.

As Xiao Minghuang pondered this.

The Chen Family Head waved his hand and called out:

"Yu'er, bring out that pill and let your Uncle Lin have a look."

As his voice fell.

A young man emerged from behind him. He appeared to be in his thirties, with a large head, big ears, and an ugly face. His gaze frequently drifted towards Lin Wanqiu, who was seated at the head of the table, a hint of greed in his eyes.

Lin Zhengquan looked at the young man and asked:

"I know you. You're the Chen Family Head's son, Chen Yu. Is there something you need?"

Hearing that Lin Zhengquan recognized him, Chen Yu's face lit up with joy. Like he was presenting a treasure, he took out a brocade box from his sleeve and presented it before him.

"Nephew has heard that the eldest daughter of the Lin family has blocked meridians since birth, making cultivation difficult. Nephew and the eldest daughter of the Lin family have been childhood sweethearts since we were young, so nephew feels great sorrow."