A single sentence shattered the silence within the palace.
Seeing the undisguised excitement and joy in Ling Xueyao's eyes, Chu Yunfei breathed a sigh of relief.
Ling Zhantian's awakening means that the Blood Baleful Intent Tower's plans have been completely disrupted, at least in the short term, and the situation in the imperial city will also undergo new changes.
"Quick, get dressed!"
Ling Xueyao, disregarding her exposed state, frantically searched for her palace dress on the messy bed.
Chu Yunfei looked at the varying shades of ambiguous marks on her smooth back, and her fragrant shoulders trembling slightly with excitement, and smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"Your Highness, please don't worry, I'll help you."
"No, don't even try that."
Ling Xueyao gave a coquettish remark, grabbed a piece of undergarment haphazardly to cover her chest, and then quickly put on her long skirt.
She was moving too fast and almost tripped over her skirt several times.
This flustered appearance was completely different from the aloof and dignified princess of the Great Qian Dynasty.
Chu Yunfei stopped teasing her and got up to put on his black robe.
After the two quickly tidied up, Ling Xueyao grabbed his hand, pushed open the stone door, and rushed towards Ling Zhantian's secluded palace.
When the two arrived outside the palace, the area in front of it was already filled with golden-armored guards.
Compared to usual, the aura emanating from these imperial guards was even more somber, and even the sound of the wind on the palace road seemed to be suppressed.
Shen Qianyue stood guard at the palace gate.
Seeing the two of them arrive together, he paused for a moment on their clasped hands before bowing in greeting.
"Your Highness, Young Master Chu."
Ling Xueyao asked anxiously, "How is Father?"
Shen Qianyue replied, "His Majesty has been awake for an hour, and the clan elders are currently in the hall working on his meridians."
The clan elders have ordered that no one should disturb them.
"His Majesty will be summoned once his breathing has stabilized."
Upon hearing this, Ling Xueyao could only suppress her eagerness and wait outside the hall.
She stared at the tightly closed palace doors, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
Chu Yunfei stood beside her and could feel her body trembling slightly.
He didn't say much, but simply reached out and took her slightly cool hand in his.
Ling Xueyao's body stiffened, and she subconsciously tried to pull away.
But Chu Yunfei held it very firmly.
She turned her head and glared at him.
This is outside the Emperor's palace, with guards and servants present. How dare this fellow be so audacious!
Chu Yunfei seemed not to notice, and simply cupped her hand in his palm.
The warmth from her palm gradually calmed Ling Xueyao's tense emotions.
She struggled a couple of times, but ultimately gave up.
But beneath the veil, her cheeks were subtly flushed.
Shen Qianyue kept his eyes down, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.
But he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Your Highness, you're truly in love.
The princess who used to be aloof and unapproachable now allows a man to hold her hand in front of the imperial palace.
Was Chu Yunfei's appearance a blessing or a curse for her?
Time passed little by little.
About half an hour later, the tightly closed palace doors finally opened slowly.
Ling Changkong walked out of the hall.
His hair and beard were all white, and his complexion was better than it had been a few days ago, but there was still a hint of fatigue between his brows.
"Grandpa of the clan."
Ling Xueyao quickly stepped forward to greet her.
Ling Changkong nodded, his gaze sweeping over her clasped hands with Chu Yunfei, his expression turning complicated for a moment.
He didn't ask any further questions, but simply stepped aside to make way.
"Go in."
" The Zhantian await you."
Ling Xueyao took a deep breath and quickly pulled Chu Yunfei into the hall.
The hall was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance, and the air still lingered with pure spiritual energy fluctuations.
Ling Xueyao spotted the figure in the main seat at a glance.
It was a middle-aged man wearing a black dragon robe.
His face was thin, and his complexion was still somewhat pale and sickly, but when he sat there, the entire hall seemed to quiet down.
Those eyes were calm yet sharp, carrying the oppressive aura of someone who had long held the throne.
Emperor Great Qian, Ling Zhantian.
"Father!"
Ling Xueyao's eyes reddened, she let go of Chu Yunfei's hand, and quickly walked to Ling Zhantian.
"Your daughter is unfilial, causing your father to suffer."
Looking at his daughter, Ling Zhantian finally smiled.
He raised his hand and gently patted Ling Xueyao's shoulder.
"Silly child, this has nothing to do with you."
His voice was somewhat hoarse, yet it still carried an undeniable air of authority.
"You've worked hard all these years."
Ling Xueyao's pent-up grievances and worries, which she had suppressed for many years, almost all surged up at this moment.
She lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
Ling Zhantian's gaze, however, passed over her and landed on Chu Yunfei.
In that instant, Chu Yunfei felt an invisible pressure coming towards him.
That wasn't a deliberately released pressure, but rather the aura that an emperor had accumulated over many years.
An ordinary Heavenly Origin Realm martial artist would probably have difficulty even standing still under this gaze.
Chu Yunfei remained calm and respectfully bowed with his hands clasped.
"Junior Chu Yunfei greets Your Majesty."
Ling Zhantian did not speak immediately.
He simply observed Chu Yunfei quietly.
The atmosphere inside the hall immediately became somber.
Ling Xueyao noticed the scrutiny in her father's eyes, her heart tightened, and she quickly spoke.
"Father, this is Chu Yunfei."
"If it weren't for his help, Father Emperor would probably..."
" Yao'er."
Ling Zhantian interrupted her.
He looked at Chu Yunfei and spoke slowly.
"The clan elders have already explained the whole story to me."
"Your battle at the Jingyuan Hall has also reached my ears."
He paused for a moment.
You are really good.
"Both their courage and their strength have exceeded my expectations."
Chu Yunfei didn't respond, but listened quietly.
Ling Zhantian leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his gaze falling on the two of them again.
His gaze swept back and forth between Ling Xueyao's still reddened eyes and Chu Yunfei's calm face.
As a father, he noticed the changes in his daughter at a glance.
That was not just a breakthrough in cultivation, but a transformation from a girl to a woman.
The moment he noticed this change, a dark glint seemed to flash across his eyes.
"You and Yao'er are already..."
Ling Zhantian didn't finish his sentence.
The meaning couldn't be clearer.
Ling Xueyao's cheeks flushed instantly, and she didn't even dare to lift her head.
Chu Yunfei nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Not a single word, not a single excuse or pretext.
Ling Zhantian's gaze narrowed slightly.
His fingertips paused on the armrest, then fell back down as if nothing had happened.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Ling Xueyao glanced at her father, fearing he would blame Chu Yunfei, and quickly changed the subject.
"Father, do you know who was responsible for your poisoning?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Zhantian's eyes flickered slightly.
He then shook his head and said, "I don't know who did it either."
This was said very calmly.
So calm that you couldn't detect a trace of emotion.
Chu Yunfei, however, noticed a detail.
As Ling Zhantian said this, he lightly tapped the armrest with the tip of his right hand, then stopped.
The movement was extremely brief.
If Chu Yunfei hadn't been keeping a close eye on him, he wouldn't have noticed at all.
Ling Zhantian knew who had poisoned him.
At least, he knew some clues related to this.
He just didn't want to say.
Chu Yunfei did not expose him, and his expression remained calm.
A hint of disappointment flashed in Ling Xueyao's eyes, but she did not press the matter further.
Ling Zhantian's gaze fell on Chu Yunfei again.
"Young friend Chu, I wonder if the antidote you used for me was... the Myriad Poison Tyrant Body?"