A Sudden Test

The Great Sheng Capital City, deep in the night, when all was still.

After the Third Princess left Wude Hall, this palace, used to receive distinguished guests and handle state affairs, returned to silence as well.

The Eldest Princess watched the swaying palace doors, a faint gleam flickering in her deep eyes. "..."

With her intelligence network, she had naturally received news of Ye Li's movements long ago. She knew that after bidding farewell to the Xuanming Sword Sect, the youth was now on his way to the Capital City.

Since that was the case, there was no need to go to Dragon Pool.

She only needed to wait for him to arrive in the Capital City, then offer him her heartfelt sincerity. Presumably, she would earn some measure of favor from this prodigy.

That alone would make it worthwhile.

As thoughts swirled through her mind, she picked up her teacup again, her fingertips lightly stroking its warm, smooth porcelain.

Just then, a respectful announcement came from outside the hall:

"Reporting to Your Highness the Eldest Princess, the Second Prince requests an audience outside the hall."

The Eldest Princess swiftly gathered her thoughts, her expression unchanged as she said blandly:

"Let him in."

Creak—

The hall doors opened once more, but unlike before, there was none of that violent fury. This visitor clearly carried no anger.

The Second Prince, Li Xuanyu, walked in at an unhurried pace.

He wore casual robes, a gentle smile on his face and an elegant, scholarly air about him, entirely unlike the Third Princess's earlier impulsiveness. In one hand, he habitually rolled a string of dark-purple Buddhist beads, faint sanskrit characters flowing across them.

"Greetings, elder sister." Li Xuanyu approached and bowed. His courteous bearing was beyond reproach.

"What brings you here so late at