Bai Xiaosheng’s gaze landed on Yan Jiuchao’s face without blinking, not missing a single expression. However, Yan Jiuchao’s expression was very calm from beginning to end, as if Bai Xiaosheng was talking about someone else’s business.

“Sigh.” Bai Xiaosheng was defeated and put away his folding fan. The little fox was basking in the cool wind when the wind suddenly disappeared. It jumped up and started to grab Bai Xiaosheng’s folding fan.

Bai Xiaosheng teased it with his folding fan. “Speaking of that Prince Consort, he’s really a legendary figure. He’s originally the son of a chieftain of a small tribe in Southern Xinjiang. During the Little Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, the various tribes came to congratulate her. For some reason, the Prince Consort attracted the Little Princess’ attention. The Princely Heir knows more about men and women than a layman like me. In short, the two of them are together, but the Emperor is not satisfied with this marriage. He thinks that the son of a little chieftain is not worthy of his beloved daughter.”

At this point, Bai Xiaosheng suddenly paused. “The Emperor of Nanzhao Nation has two daughters. The Eldest Princess was born to Consort Yun, whom the Emperor hates the most. The Little Princess is the legitimate daughter of his most precious Empress. As early as when the two concubines were pregnant, the State Preceptor had already made a divination for the royal family—Consort Yun was pregnant with a jinx, and the Empress was pregnant with a lucky star. As expected, on the night the two of them gave birth, there was a natural phenomenon. Half of it was a purple light, which was an extremely auspicious sign, and the other half was a black cloud. The Emperor was very glad that the ominous child was born out of Consort Yun’s stomach. He didn’t like Consort Yun to begin with, so he didn’t even blink when he sent the child away.”

“These… are related to the Little Princess’s husband?” Yan Jiuchao asked indifferently.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled. “Otherwise, how can you understand the Emperor’s love for that Little Princess? Do you know what the Emperor did after he didn’t agree to their marriage?”

Yan Jiuchao gestured for him to continue.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled mysteriously and said, “She eloped.”

Yan Jiuchao paused.

Bai Xiaosheng said, “She only returned to the palace in Nanzhao after a few years. She brought back a young child. It was her and the Prince Consort’s child.”

“On account of his grandson, the Emperor agreed to this marriage?” Yan Jiuchao asked.

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head. “The imperial grandson is only one of the reasons. The other reason is that the Little Princess helped the Emperor obtain the Holy Artifact of the Ghost Clan.”

“Heh, by selling her own sister?” Yan Jiuchao said sarcastically.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled bitterly. “That’s right. A jinx in exchange for the holy artifact of the Ghost Clan. It’s a very good deal no matter how you look at it. The Emperor has long forgiven the Little Princess in his heart, but he needs a reason to convince the world. Not long after, the Little Princess married the Prince Consort openly.”

Yan Jiuchao paused. “When did they get married?”

Bai Xiaosheng smiled. “The year Prince Yan passed away.”

… .

The next day, something big happened in the Capital—the envoy of Nanzhao, Helian Qi, was seriously injured and could not be treated. He took his last breath at fifteen minutes past midnight. As such, the envoy of Nanzhao had no choice but to return to the country as soon as possible. After all, the weather was quite hot, and no matter how good the coffin was, the corpse could not wait.

When the State Preceptor of Nanzhao woke up, he was already on his way back. He opened his swollen eyes, sat up, and lifted the curtain to look out.

“Stop looking.” In the carriage, a man who looked the same as the State Preceptor spoke.

The State Preceptor gave him a strange look.

Bai Xiaosheng, who was disguised as the State Preceptor, said, “We’re already out of the Capital.”

“You…”

“You’re welcome,” Bai Xiaosheng said with his arms crossed.

Bai Xiaosheng disguised himself as the State Preceptor, bade farewell to the Great Zhou Emperor, and left the Capital with his team.

“We can’t leave without the holy artifact,” the State Preceptor said.

Bai Xiaosheng said indifferently, “I’m not with you. Don’t tell me everything. I just don’t have a way to save your life. Take care of yourselves after I send you to Nanzhao. Also, I’ll take Xiao Zhenting’s armor.”

Xiao Manor

Xiao Zhenting had just finished practicing and returned to the courtyard. Just as he was about to wash up, the butler ran over excitedly with a big box in his hand. “Old-old… Master!”

“What is it?” Xiao Zhenting asked domineeringly.

The butler opened the box with a smile. “Look what this is?”

A cold silver light entered Xiao Zhenting’s vision, and his pupils constricted.

His armor!

Xiao Zhenting’s heart pounded. “Who sent it?”

“I don’t know,” the butler said. “I don’t know him. He left after handing it over to the guards.”

Xiao Zhenting raised his trembling hand and touched the cold and hard armor. A rare gentleness appeared on his serious face. “It’s Cong’er.”