Upon learning that Yun Sheng was a traveling physician, the city guards did not interrogate her further and respectfully let her in.
Right behind Yun Sheng, there happened to be a Summoner.
Several city guards stopped him.
"I am a Summoner from Penglai, here to travel through Tangyuan. What’s the matter, can’t I do that?" The Summoner was quite arrogant, deliberately fiddling with the Summoner’s Ring on his hand, making it very conspicuous.
A Summoner from Penglai?
Two of the city guards were frightened by his identity.
Located to the north of Tangyuan, Summoners from Penglai are mostly arrogant and rude, often summoning Demon Beasts at the slightest provocation. However, as most of them have the backing of the Summoning Court, ordinary nations are virtually powerless against them.
Such a troublesome figure could cause quite a headache if provoked.
The city guards shivered and dared not ask any more questions, allowing him to enter directly.
It seems that a Summoner’s identity is indeed useful. Yun Sheng watched from the side and walked into Biantang City.
After entering the city, Yun Sheng decided to stay overnight and try to find Yuan Bupo and the others. She found an inn at random and checked in.
A day passed, and Yun Sheng had not heard any news of Yuan Bupo, which made her wonder if they had already returned to Dihong City.
It was indeed impossible for Yun Sheng to locate Yuan Bupo, because not long after the night attack, Yuan Bupo had made contact with Crown Prince Li Cheng. Under Li Cheng’s protection, Yuan Bupo and Xuan Meimei had already safely arrived at the Crown Prince Mansion.
"Mr. Yuan, Lady Xuan, I am very sorry for this incident," Crown Prince Li Cheng said, his face full of tension within his residence in Tangyuan.
Li Cheng, older brother to Li Shao, was a son of Empress Min from Tangyuan. His features - bushy eyebrows, a flat nose, and short stature - gave him a somewhat simple and honest look, unlike his brother, renowned as one of the Wuji Five Treasures on the continent.
Unlike his illustrious brother, Li Cheng had average talents.
Although he was also a Mage, he was over twenty and had only reached the rank of Magic Master. For this reason, Emperor Tangyuan paid him little attention. However, his mother’s family was influential, and he was diligent and dedicated, which kept him secure on the position of Crown Prince without being singled out for any flaws.
Inside Dihong City, the two Yuan families supported different Princes. Yuan Wuqu was very supportive of Crown Prince Li Cheng, and for many years, he had provided covert assistance to Li Cheng.
Early in the morning, Li Cheng learned that Yuan Bupo and others had been ambushed outside the city by unidentified assailants and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Fortunately, he quickly settled down and secretly ordered people to bring the furious Yuan Bupo and Xuan Meimei into his residence.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, there’s no need to say more. This matter will definitely be thoroughly investigated by Emperor Hong City. Right now, I have a more important matter for which I need Your Highness’s help," Yuan Bupo’s primary concern at the moment was not who ambushed them, but Yun Sheng.
Thinking of the Demon Beasts that were slain without remains during last night’s Mage attack, Yuan Bupo was filled with alarm.
His biggest fear was receiving bad news about Yun Sheng.
It was only after last night’s incident that Yuan Bupo suddenly realized how much Yun Sheng had unknowingly come to occupy in his heart.
Towards her, his feelings had taken deep root.
Only then did Yuan Bupo understand why his elder sister was so hopelessly devoted to Yun Canglang.
Yuan Bupo’s anxiety was apparent to Xuan Meimei, which struck her as especially ironic. The most update n0vels are published on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁
She couldn’t wait for Yun Sheng to be dead, preferably in the most miserable way possible.
Although she didn’t know who the person plotting against them was, Xuan Meimei felt grateful to her.
Xuan Meimei was wearing a veil, but her bright eyes were like water, and her figure was graceful, clearly a stunning beauty.
Her look of petulance and anger on the side was all the more eye-catching.
To Crown Prince Li Cheng, who was watching her from the side, her demureness was quite alluring, and he couldn’t help but reveal a hint of adoration in his eyes.
"Mr. Yuan, Miss Xuan, being newcomers to Tangyuan, the Empress Dowager has specifically arranged a banquet in the palace to welcome you both," said Crown Prince Li Cheng, who had married his Crown Princess Consort at the age of fourteen.
The couple had been affectionate and respectful to each other, but tragically, the Crown Princess Consort had a short life. She encountered difficulties during childbirth after ten months of pregnancy, and both mother and child did not survive.
Crown Prince Li Cheng, a man of sentiment, had remained unwed since the death of his Crown Princess Consort. However, as a crown prince without offspring, the situation was indeed problematic. After being persuaded by Empress Min numerous times, he began to relent.
Having not taken a wife for years, Crown Prince Li Cheng, upon seeing Xuan Meimei today and finding her beautiful, and also recognizing her as the daughter of the City Lord of Emperor Hong City - a match for his own status - couldn’t help but feel fondness for her. He intended to use this palace banquet as an opportunity to let the Empress Dowager take a look, and if suitable, he planned to take Xuan Meimei as his wife.
Of course, neither Yuan Bupo nor Xuan Meimei knew the thoughts of Crown Prince Li Cheng.
Now both of them were relying on others and had to entrust the Crown Prince to help them find someone. Seeing the Crown Prince’s passionate and courteous invitation, they felt it improper to decline, so they accepted.
Little did they know that as soon as the Crown Prince had invited the honored guests, the news of Empress Min’s banquet in the palace for the distinguished guests from Emperor Hong City quickly reached the ears of Second Prince Li Shao.
"Who has come from Emperor Hong City this time?" Li Shao knew that the Yuan Family of Emperor Hong City had always had a good relationship with the Crown Prince.
The letter from Madam Bi only mentioned that a female Mage from Great Zhou was among those who arrived; the specifics of who from Emperor Hong City had come were not detailed.
"Second Prince, the spies from Crown Prince Mansion reported that it is the daughter of the City Lord of Emperor Hong City and the leading figure of the Yuan Family’s generation, Yuan Bupo," reported the Guard Commander, to Li Shao’s surprise.
"Damn that Madam Bi," thought Li Shao. Had he known that these were the visitors, he would have never acted rashly.
Yuan Bupo and Xuan Meimei were both leading figures among the younger generation. Should either of them be harmed, the City Lord of Emperor Hong City, in his rage, would surely not let the matter rest easily.
It was a moment of folly on his part that almost led to a grave mistake.
Li Shao understood that with Xuan Wuji dead, Madam Bi had lost her usefulness. The real power of Emperor Hong City in the future would either fall into the hands of Xuan Meimei and her future husband or the most outstanding figure among the Yuan generation, Yuan Bupo.
Fortunately, both individuals were unharmed. Now that they were in Tangyuan, he must engage them earnestly.
It was rumored that Xuan Meimei was young and beautiful, and Li Cheng had lost his Crown Princess Consort for many years. Should he wish to remarry, Xuan Meimei would undoubtedly be the most suitable candidate.
But how could Li Shao allow Li Cheng to get his wish so easily?
Thinking of Li Cheng’s unremarkable appearance, Li Shao looked disdainful.
As long as Li Shao appeared, Li Cheng was of no importance. As for Xuan Meimei, she was destined to be his.
Immediately, Li Shao ordered his men to find out about the arrangements for today’s palace banquet.
On the evening of Empress Min’s banquet, Yuan Bupo and Xuan Meimei entered the Tangyuan Imperial Palace under the escort of the Crown Prince.
*Thank you everyone for your rewards and various votes; I’m back from my business trip and feeling a little bit under the weather. Seeing everyone’s support has warmed my heart.*