Gongsun Liuying furrowed her brows: "What do you mean?"
Meng Qianqian curved her lips into a faint smile.
Gongsun Liuying was about to ask more questions when hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall, followed by a little eunuch’s excited announcement: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! A Witch from Witch Mountain has arrived, claiming to be the Wushan Envoy! She bears gifts to present to Your Majesty!"
Emperor Liang’s gaze flickered sharply. "Quickly invite them..."
He was just about to instruct them to be led to the Imperial Study Room when his vision turned dark, and he collapsed back into his bamboo chair.
Consort Hu hurriedly stepped forward to steady him: "Your Majesty!"
Meng Qianqian said, "Your Majesty, you’ve just undergone acupuncture treatment—please rest for a while longer."
Though Emperor Liang did not get along with Miaojiang, Witch Mountain held unparalleled reverence within Miaojiang and was regarded as divine even throughout the Southwest.
Emperor Liang did not want to slight the envoy and personally instructed Eunuch Yu to lead them to Princess Consort Hui’s chambers.
The two envoys consisted of Za Muduo, a Witch from the temple.
Za Muduo saluted Emperor Liang and the Empress: "Greetings, Your Majesty of Liang Country, and Your Majesty the Empress."
Emperor Liang raised his hand. "Rise."
Za Muduo kept her gaze steady without turning to Lu Yuan or Meng Qianqian, addressing only Emperor Liang: "We, by the decree of the Goddess, come to offer congratulations on the marriage of the Commandery Prince from the Crown Prince Mansion and the young lady from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."
Lu Qi cleared his throat.
Prince Jin spoke softly: "Esteemed Divine Envoy, I must admit—there have been complications regarding Qi’er’s identity. He is, in fact, my son."
Za Muduo asked: "You are—?"
Prince Jin clasped his hands: "Prince Jin, Lu Zhaohua."
Za Muduo returned a Miaojiang-style salute: "I see. We were unaware of this matter upon departure. On the way, we were delayed by a few days and worried about missing the wedding date. By the way, the wedding—"
Prince Jin replied: "Has been postponed."
Za Muduo visibly relaxed at the news: "That’s good. Then our task hasn’t been a failure."
Having said this, she retrieved a long box from the other Witch present and turned to Emperor Liang: "Your Majesty of Liang Country, the Goddess, upon hearing of Your grandson’s wedding, specially retrieved the Green Simurgh Sword from the temple. Also known as the Phoenix Girl Sword, it is a treasure of Witch Mountain Divine Hall. The Goddess has entrusted me to present it personally to the Phoenix Girl."
"The Goddess is considerate."
Emperor Liang nodded and said to Gongsun Liuying, "Liuying, step forward."
After causing such an embarrassing mix-up earlier, Gongsun Liuying was eager for an opportunity to salvage her dignity. Witch Mountain’s delivery of the Phoenix Girl Sword was almost like a timely gift.
She was indeed the Phoenix Girl, guided by celestial fortune.
She stepped forward towards Za Muduo.
"Please," Za Muduo said.
Gongsun Liuying opened the box, revealing a long sword glimmering with cold light, exuding an ancient, weighty aura.
"What an extraordinary sword."
Her eyes gleamed with admiration.
Za Muduo said, "The Phoenix Girl is invited to draw the sword and seal the bond with her blood."
Gongsun Liuying grasped the Green Simurgh Sword and found it exceptionally heavy!
She held the icy hilt and attempted to draw it.
Then, something unexpected occurred.
The sword did not budge an inch.
Gongsun Liuying furrowed her brows again.
She had never wielded such a heavy sword—it must have been a matter of insufficient force during the first attempt.
She tried a second time.
This time, she employed some Inner Strength.
Yet still, the Green Simurgh Sword remained motionless.
She parted her lips slightly: "This sword..."
Za Muduo said, "The Phoenix Girl is requested to draw the sword."
Gongsun Liuying certainly wanted to.
But no matter how many times she tried, she couldn’t make the Green Simurgh Sword emerge from its scabbard.
King Qi asked: "Could it be defective?"
Prince Jin signaled to a eunuch with his eyes.
The eunuch—strong and stocky, clearly an Imperial Guard—stepped forward and said to Gongsun Liuying, "Miss Gongsun, may this servant have a look?"
Gongsun Liuying handed the Green Simurgh Sword to him.
The Imperial Guard tried, shook his head, and said: "Was it welded shut?"
King Qi muttered: "It’s fake! Welded shut!"
Emperor Liang’s brows furrowed deeply.
"Third Brother, Fourth Brother."
Prince Jin signaled at King Qi and Prince Rui.
The two nodded in understanding and stepped forward to try.
King Qi declared confidently: "It’s fake! Definitely welded shut!"
Prince Jin turned to Za Muduo: "Witch, Witch Mountain sends an undrawable sword. What is your intent?"
Za Muduo said firmly: "The Goddess observed the heavens last night. The Heavenly Mansion star moved, and the calamity of Gou Chen can only be resolved by the Green Simurgh. The Phoenix Girl must draw the sword."
Lu Zhaoyan said to Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan’s glare was sharp as knives. "This father of mine—do you truly wish to abandon all dignity?"
Lu Zhaoyan: Dignity matters little. All that really matters is whether Xiao Bai would accept me as a suitor.
Meng Qianqian spoke: "May I be permitted to try?"
Consort Hu mocked her coldly: "Little girl, you may have the luck to understand some medicine, but do you think you can compete with Liuying? Liuying is the Phoenix Girl, yet even she cannot draw this sword. You—a lowly commoner—are simply courting humiliation, oblivious to—"
Meng Qianqian drew the Green Simurgh Sword.
A phoenix’s cry, as though from ancient times, resounded in everyone’s ears—like a long-sealed divine bird finally breaking its cage and soaring into the heavens.