Lu Xingzhou returned home to find the Lu Manor already adorned with red silk, a clear sign that a joyous occasion was fast approaching.

Shen Tang was in the courtyard, directing servants as they arranged various items, exuding the air of a madam.

Half of the servants now came from the Pei family, and most of the guards were still Sheng Yuanyao’s people. Each of them eyed this “madam” with a hint of suspicion, fearing she might make things difficult for them.

In common belief, titles like “Grand Princess” and “King of Xia” were still quite intimidating.

Shen Tang, however, won everyone over with a single move: she gave each of them a welcoming hongbao.

Within half an hour, the rear courtyard was operating smoothly, at least on the surface; no one dared to act disingenuously.

Lu Xingzhou watched the lively scene at home, a warmth spreading through his heart. He went inside and handed a calligraphy model to Shen Tang. “Here, your father’s final gift.”

Shen Tang looked at the completely disjointed characters, bewildered. “What is this?”

Lu Xingzhou explained, “It’s a calligraphy model for practicing. The characters themselves have no particular meaning. The main thing is the power of Daqian’s qi-mai contained within it. You, not being a practitioner of this path, can’t perceive it, so just keep it for now.”

Shen Tang was surprised. “He… gave this to me?”

“Yes, he said he hopes you’ll be safe and happy in the future. You can use this if you want, or let it dissipate if you don’t.”

Shen Tang pursed her lips, saying nothing.

“He does have affection for you, but he was too obsessed in the past. Now that he knows it’s hopeless, with the obsession gone, he sees things more clearly. Besides, he knows he can’t keep this item; Gu Yiheng will surely kill him, and that so-called qi-mai would naturally dissipate or be plundered. It’s better for him to act as a loving father and leave it to you.”

Shen Tang hummed in acknowledgment.

Indeed, that was the meaning behind leaving it to her, but to say “let it dissipate if you don’t” truly showed a father’s love, wishing for his daughter’s well-being.

Lu Xingzhou knew what she was thinking and ruffled Shen Tang’s head. “I don’t think his affection is particularly touching; it’s harmful when needed, and belated when not, cheaper than grass… You don’t need to dwell on it too much.”

Shen Tang murmured, “I know… but I can’t help feeling a bit conflicted.”

Lu Xingzhou understood; he was her father, after all.

Actually, someone else had been feeling equally conflicted these past two days: Pei Chuyun.

A biological father, a biological mother—a pair of臥龍鳳雛 (wolong fengchu, brilliant individuals).

Pei Chuyun had never felt any maternal love from Xuan Nü since childhood, but at least she was pampered with good food and drink, nurtured to debut as a fourth-rank practitioner at a young age. At least her development wasn’t hindered, and there was a master-disciple bond. But that was all for the purpose of body snatching… her feelings were truly indescribable.

Shen Tang, on the other hand, had genuinely experienced father-daughter affection from an early age. When she was born, Gu Zhanting was ecstatic and immediately named her Princess Chaohuang, once holding her in the palm of his hand. But later, a single thought led to obsession, turning him into such a mess, leaving her equally complex emotions.

Shen Tang ultimately received some remorse from Gu Zhanting, but Pei Chuyun hadn’t yet. She had been hiding at home for the past two days, not venturing out. Aside from not wanting to confront Shen Tang face-to-face, the main reason was that she was in a very bad mood over Xuan Nü’s matter and had no enthusiasm for anything.

Seeing Pei Qingyan and Feng Ziliu sitting opposite each other, drinking silently, only made her mood even more muddled.

That’s why a healthy family environment is so important. The most cheerful and carefree person, Sheng Yuanyao, was enjoying a harmonious family. She was currently at home celebrating the New Year with her mother, which would surely make Shen Tang and Pei Chuyun green with envy.

Shen Tang buried her face in Lu Xingzhou’s embrace for a while, then suddenly pushed the calligraphy model back to him. “I don’t understand the path of qi-mai, so this thing is useless to me. You who practice this path can use it for protection in daily life, keeping evil spirits at bay. Why don’t you keep it? If you ever want me to use it in the future, you can help me then.”

Lu Xingzhou accepted it without formality. “Alright.”

Shen Tang asked, “What is his opinion of the new emperor?”

Lu Xingzhou recounted their conversation in brief, and Shen Tang frowned in thought.

Lu Xingzhou said, “If we consider it body snatching, then the new emperor’s supposed fourth-rank cultivation is definitely not real. Even if it once was, he must have now cultivated to a realm we don’t understand. Furthermore, the guidance he gave Gu Zhanting couldn’t have been done by an individual; there must have been someone constantly inciting and guiding Gu Zhanting.”

Shen Tang asked, “Hai Ruyuan or Zhao En?”

“Probably both. Hai Ruyuan was Gu Zhanting’s trusted head eunuch, yet he didn’t participate in the altar ceremony at the time, and wasn’t purged afterward, still being retained by Gu Yiheng. This is problematic. As for something like ‘sacrificing mountains and rivers,’ it could only be instigated by Zhao En…” Lu Xingzhou said, “If that’s the case, can we assume that Zhao En is actually obeying Gu Yiheng?”

Shen Tang grew more alarmed the more she thought about it. “If so, the body snatcher is stronger than Zhao En. Could it be Qianyuan?”

Lu Xingzhou whispered, “I have a slight suspicion… it’s Mohe.”

As they had explored the Danxia secret realm together, Shen Tang was well aware of Mohe’s situation.

If it truly was Mohe, then it could be said that only now had they truly touched upon the core cause and effect.

And if it was Mohe, then Danxia Mountain might become an important point of contention in the future, with all sorts of overt and covert struggles revolving around Xia Province.

“Is the Imperial Preceptor interrogating Zhao En right now?” Shen Tang asked, somewhat puzzled. “Since you suspect Mohe, why don’t you go see Zhao En?”

Lu Xingzhou felt a little awkward.

These past few days, Yuan Muyu had also been at the National Observatory because of Zhao En’s matter, and he subconsciously wanted to avoid her.

Shen Tang understood, and with a smile, she straightened his collar. “She sacrificed a lot this time; she at least deserves a thank you, not even a kind face. Or are you planning to apply your ‘cheaper than grass’ theory to her too?”

“Yes and no,” Lu Xingzhou said, somewhat helplessly. “She opened by asking me not to get married. I couldn’t respond to that; if I did, it would turn into an argument. I don’t want to argue with her, so it’s better to avoid her.”

Shen Tang blinked. “What if she’s willing to join?”

“That’s impossible,” Lu Xingzhou said definitively. “I still don’t believe she has any affection; it’s mostly just unwillingness to accept… Besides, she’s so proud, even if there were a few traces of affection, she wouldn’t be willing to share a husband with others.”

“Hmph, so I’m not proud?” Shen Tang retorted, annoyed. “Didn’t I still agree?”

Lu Xingzhou offered a placating smile. “King of Xia, calm your anger. Would this prince’s consort like a shoulder rub?”

“Stop it, you should go be your Dragon Empress!” Lu Xingzhou didn’t expect his words to suddenly hit Shen Tang’s sore spot. She suddenly flared up, stomped her foot, and pulled the 阿糯 (A’nuo) who was watching the drama along. “A’nuo, come, let’s decorate the new room together. We should ignore scumbags, or we’ll turn bad.”

What could make Shen Tang lose her composure was ultimately the little dragon…

Actually, A’nuo was quite affected by the news too. At this moment, she didn’t follow her master, and decisively ran off with Shen Tang.

Before, there was a little white-haired person who always loved to snatch the wheelchair-pushing position. Now, there might be a little thing snatching the embrace. Does love disappear?

Having caused “everyone to betray him,” Lu Xingzhou, with his hands clasped, went to the National Observatory, feeling helpless.

He had forgotten that this was precisely the time for the new emperor’s spring sacrifice, and Ye Tinglan, as the Imperial Preceptor, symbolically had to be present at the new emperor’s first enthronement ceremony. When he arrived at the National Observatory, Ye Tinglan was not there at all, and even the little white-haired person was nowhere to be found.

As Su Yuan led him into Zhao En’s cell, he saw only Yuan Muyu sitting there alone, her face stern, performing soul-searching on Zhao En.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou enter, Yuan Muyu immediately abandoned her soul-searching technique and stood up with a rather delighted expression. “Xingzhou!”

Lu Xingzhou was somewhat in a trance.

That soft, delicate “Xingzhou,” that soft, lingering tone—how many years had it been since he last heard it?

Yet, his face showed no particular reaction, only an impeccable smile. “Has Elder Sister gained anything from soul-searching Zhao En?”

Yuan Muyu didn’t think much of it; in fact, even the “Xingzhou” was merely instinctive, without any deeper thought.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou ask, she said, “For extremely core and hidden information, there’s often a self-destructive method to resist soul-searching. This is common even in the cultivation of Tianyao Sacred Land. It’s naturally the same with Zhao En, but there will always be some clues. We repeatedly soul-searched and found one piece of information: ‘Master,’ which proves he was ordered to cause trouble in this realm, and it wasn’t his personal act.”

Master… Zhao En practices Buddhism.

The idea that it might be Mohe became more defined, and Lu Xingzhou nodded. “Anything else?”

“The rest is a further development of previously obtained information. If we compare this realm and the ancient realm to the same building, then this realm is a normal floor, while the ancient realm, though on a higher level, is just a half-story attic on the roof, with a very harsh environment. More specifically, it’s like the ancient plane ruins we often explore; the so-called ancient realm is just the largest and most complete of these types of ruins, simply put, a super-large secret realm.”

“So a prison or place of exile is just their own metaphor, not an actual jailer? What about the pursuers?”

“In reality, there’s a Heavenly Dao law restricting ascended beings from descending to the lower realms, not a specific ruler. And for things like Heavenly Dao laws, some people agree with them, while others resist. Zhao En, including Jiang Duxu, are resistors. Another group of adherents and maintainers voluntarily formed this alliance to pursue those who descend to the lower realms.”

Lu Xingzhou frowned in contemplation. “Voluntarily…”

Yuan Muyu also said, “I also find ‘voluntarily’ a bit strange, but Zhao En’s information indeed says so.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “More than a bit strange. If the Heavenly Tribulation of ascended beings has been artificially interfered with, then there must be top-tier immortals in the ancient realm doing such things. Don’t tell me that’s also ‘voluntarily.'”

Yuan Muyu’s eyes sparkled. “Xingzhou, do you have any ideas?”

“More information is needed. Currently, based on integrated intelligence, it’s inextricably linked to the new emperor. After his spring sacrifice ends, I’ll find an excuse to meet the new emperor and observe him directly.”

“Excuse…” Yuan Muyu pursed her lips. “To discuss the wedding?”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

“I was thinking about how you’re going to marry three at once. You’ll probably borrow the imperial palace to serve as their shared ‘maternal home,’ which gives face and avoids any seniority issues.”

“…Why are you so smart at a time like this?”

“Because I don’t want you to get married! All I’ve been thinking about these past few days is this!” Yuan Muyu said, then suddenly hugged him. “Xingzhou, I’ve done everything I can, and now I don’t know what to do… How can you go back to the past with me, just us, and A’nuo…”

Su Yuan, who had led Lu Xingzhou in, was so scared that he vanished without a trace. Zhao En, still groggy from the soul-searching, broke out in a cold sweat on his bald head.

You were talking about such serious and proper matters, how did the tone suddenly shift and collapse into this mess?

Lu Xingzhou was also drenched in sweat. The tragic part was that he couldn’t break free from Yuan Muyu’s grip; she was holding him tightly.

“When you walk in like this, discussing serious matters with me, I always feel like we’re back in the old days, and you never left… Xingzhou, I don’t believe you don’t feel it too…”

Lu Xingzhou finally sighed. “No, because back then, I was sitting.”