Princess Ling'an could hardly believe her ears!
She wasn't a clueless naiveté; she knew this matter involved the supreme throne, and no one would stand idly by and watch their enemy grow stronger.
Therefore, she had actually considered that the Eldest Princess might retaliate against her actions.
However, even though I had been somewhat mentally prepared beforehand.
The fury welling up from the bottom of her heart had not diminished in the slightest!
The reason is simple: we haven't been mentally prepared enough!
Princess Ling'an realized she had completely underestimated the other party's... shamelessness!
The dignified Eldest Princess of the current dynasty, and the long-term regent of the Great Sheng!
Li Huaian made absolutely no attempt to hide his actions in snatching people! He didn't even intend to conceal anything from his own sister!!
Is this simply issuing an imperial edict?
It's clear she wants to Arena with her on the issue of promoting her cronies!
"This is outrageous!"
After Baiyue recounted all the events that had occurred, Princess Ling'an could no longer contain her raging anger!
She slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly, her eyes flashing with Cold Glint, piercing light, almost spitting fire as she said:
"It's rare for me to find such talent outside the Capital City. We've only just made some progress in this area, and she's already so impatient!"
"They're willing to use their power as regent to try and undermine me!"
"This is outrageous!!"
The illusory figure of Baiyue knelt below the stage, and upon hearing this, gritted his teeth and reminded him:
"Your Highness, now is not the time to dwell on these things. General Ye, as a subordinate general of Longtan, has no reason to disobey the king's orders. What about the Eldest Princess...?"
"I will personally confront her!" Princess Ling'an coldly interrupted the illusory Communication Transmission, her chest heaving violently.
"I have countless Imperial Court under my command, yet I have never contacted even one of them without my permission!"
"She's eating what's in her bowl while eyeing what's in the pot. I'll personally ask this Regent Eldest Princess whether this edict was issued to meritorious officials of the Imperial Court or to her personal concubine, Zhaoyang!"
Before she could finish speaking, her clear, slightly angry shout pierced through the palace:
"Prepare the carriage! I intend to make a night visit to the Wude Hall!"
The night was deep, but the Wude Hall was brightly lit and heavily guarded.
Under normal circumstances, no one should be able to easily approach this place and disturb the Eldest Princess's quiet cultivation.
But today's guests are clearly an exception.
Bang!
The palace doors were violently pushed open with brute force, slamming against the wall with a dull thud that shattered the solemnity within.
Princess Ling'an, accompanied by the chill of the night wind and boundless rage, stormed into the palace, looking like a ruffled calico cat.
The palace guards tried to stop her, but they were all forced back by the overwhelming anger emanating from her.
The princess's weight was terrifying; no servant dared to truly provoke her.
Behind the imperial desk, Eldest Princess Zhaoyang, Li Huaian, sat upright. She did not deal with the memorials, but held an ancient book in her hands, her expression serene.
The golden phoenix on her Black robe shone brightly in the candlelight, making her incredibly dignified face appear even more majestic and serene.
Call!
A strong gust of wind rushed in from the smashed palace door, making the scrolls in her hands rustle.
The Eldest Princess didn't even lift her eyelids at the intrusion of her Imperial Sister. A cup of tea on the table steamed gently, as if she had anticipated the turmoil that was about to happen.
Just in time.
She also needed to use the other person's temperament to verify some of her guesses.
"My elder sister truly has remarkable skills!"
Princess Ling'an stood at the palace gate, her phoenix eyes flashing with murderous intent, pointing directly at the dignified woman behind the table, and coldly said:
"Ye Li had just distinguished himself, and you immediately promoted him to Deputy Commander of the Dragon Seal Guard!"
"Nothing within the Great Sheng territory can be hidden from your eyes and ears. You know perfectly well that I also intend to promote him! What exactly are your intentions in doing this?!"
The Imperial Dragon Guard were a key position in the palace directly under the Eldest Princess.
Even the commander was a trusted confidant whom she personally promoted, and the position of deputy commander had been vacant for many years.
Now, the fact that the Eldest Princess has promoted Ye Li, who has little experience, to a position clearly reveals her wolfish ambitions!
Upon hearing this...
The Eldest Princess finally put down her book and raised her eyelids.
Her gaze was calm and still, like a bottomless ancient well, taking in Li Xiyue's raging anger without changing her expression in the slightest.
"Ling'an, how dare you trespass into the Wude Hall in the dead of night, shouting and behaving inappropriately? What kind of behavior is this?" Her voice was not loud, but it carried a natural authority that instantly suppressed the restless atmosphere in the hall.
"Discretion?" Ling An sneered, "When my elder sister was trying to steal my man, did she ever think about decorum?"
"Trying to steal your man?" The Eldest Princess's lips seemed to curve into a very faint smile, which vanished in an instant.
The other party's reaction gradually confirmed her previous guess.
But she remained calm and spoke in a composed voice:
"Ye Li slew the Vajra Buddhist Disciple and killed the Sword Sect's Old Ancestor, quelling two major scourges of the Xianjing Continent in one fell swoop. He is a model for court officials."
"My promotion to Deputy Commander of the Imperial Dragon Guard, the granting of a residence, permission to enter the Heavenly Pavilion, and the increase in his resources are all due rewards from the Imperial Court for his merits, and are also necessary measures to stabilize the court and deter villains."
"Tell me, how can this be considered 'poaching'?"
As she spoke, she picked up the steaming jade teacup in front of her, took a sip, and continued with a half-smile:
Therefore, both morally and logically, this promotion is a matter of national importance, not personal favor.
"Ye Li is Retainer General of the Imperial Court, not a private soldier supported by your Third Princess's residence."
"His achievements deserve recognition from the Imperial Court, and his contributions deserve a reward from the Great Sheng Dynasty. Regent's Seal, will issue the relevant edicts in accordance with the established rules."
What exactly is wrong with this action?
"That's sophistry!" Ling'an trembled with anger, pointing at the Eldest Princess and saying:
"You clearly have so many trusted subordinates, yet you still try to steal the talent I've set my sights on! You're clearly deliberately trying to make things difficult for me!"
"What Imperial Court? It's nothing but your own selfish desires!!"
"Silly sister, how can those people compare to your Ye Li..." the Eldest Princess sighed inwardly.
But at the same time, her tense nerves quietly relaxed.
The reason is simple—Ling An, standing before him, clearly doesn't know Ye Li's true abilities!
Otherwise, there wouldn't have been so little noise.
She had already prepared herself for the Wude Hall to be turned upside down by the other party, but now it seems that she had overestimated this Imperial Sister.
Ling An was just incredibly lucky to have encountered Martial Dao prodigy like Ye Li!
The Eldest Princess chuckled inwardly, then set down her teacup and said calmly:
"My heart is the heart of the Great Sheng Dynasty; there is no selfishness involved."
"The greatest loss to the Imperial Court is to leave a talent like Ye Li in a remote corner of the country, or to let him become a pawn in the power struggles of certain individuals."
"Sending him to the capital to assume an important position, allowing him to utilize his talents and command respect from all sides, is the true way to recommend virtuous officials for the country."
"Hypocrisy! I originally intended for him to study in the capital!" Ling An said through gritted teeth.
"You spout moral high ground, but I'm too lazy to argue with you. As for Ye Li's fate, even if he becomes Imperial Dragon Guard, I will not let him fall into your camp!"
"What you give him, I will give him back! And I will give him double!"
"I don't believe Ye Li would betray us at the last minute. You'd better watch yourself!"
After saying this, Ling An abruptly turned and left the place in a huff.
Staying any longer would only bring her humiliation; she needed to use concrete actions to retain Ye Li, this great general!
Even setting aside Ye Li's value, she simply couldn't possibly please the Eldest Princess!
"..."
The Eldest Princess watched her departing figure, her brows furrowing slightly.
Although with the other party's resources, it's impossible for them to give whatever they want like she does.
But the princess, who was willing to risk everything, still had to be taken seriously.
This time... could it be that things have backfired?
She let out a soft breath, and then quickly regained her spirits.
I never thought I could win over Ye Li so easily.
Such an astonishing and extraordinary talent can only win favor by allocating resources to him.
To win over allies, we need to work together more closely and address their specific needs.
This promotion was merely to create an opportunity for contact, and also to let the other party know that the Capital City was not just the Third Princess, but that even she, the Eldest Princess, was extremely interested in him.
"Ling'an, we... have a long future ahead of us."
The Eldest Princess's eyes flickered, and after a moment, she picked up the ancient book again.
The entire Wude Hall returned to silence.