Imperial Palace.
Inside Central Palace, Emperor Xia sat behind the dragon desk, reviewing memorials.
A young eunuch ran in from outside the hall and bowed.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Ninth Princess requests an audience."
A trace of curiosity appeared on Emperor Xia's face. He had only just returned from Jinghai Kingdom, where he had extracted a hefty ransom.
A Divine Sea Seventh Level Realm martial artist was worth no small sum...
Now that the Ninth Princess sought an audience, could it be... that she wanted a share as well?
Emperor Xia did not continue speculating and said:
"Summon her!"
"By His Majesty's decree, summon the Ninth Princess for an audience!"
The young eunuch's shrill, ringing voice reached Xiao Minghuang's ears.
She raised her head slightly, cupped her hands, and stepped into the great hall.
"Your daughter greets Imperial Father!"
Emperor Xia's face was solemn and imposing. He glanced at the young girl standing in the hall, his eyes full of emotion.
The girl wore a bright yellow dress. Her beauty was peerless, her features exquisite, her skin fair, and her black hair cascaded like a waterfall. Elegant and refined, noble and otherworldly, she looked less like an imperial princess and more like an immortal exiled to the mortal realm, standing apart from the world.
At that moment, a surge of pride rose in Emperor Xia's heart.
Xiao Minghuang was his daughter!
"What does Little Nine need?"
Xiao Minghuang's eyes were calm as water as she respectfully replied:
"I heard there is a mid-grade Yellow-rank pill furnace in the palace. I would like to borrow it for a look and return it within a few days."
Hearing this, Emperor Xia immediately let out a sigh of relief. He had thought Xiao Minghuang had come for Jinghai Kingdom's ransom.
But the