He trusted the Fox Venerable’s judgment and strength. Grand Elder deliberated.
Su Xuanxuan then asked curiously:
[By the way, how is the Second Princess getting along with that fake young master?]
Grand Elder replied:
[We have your intelligence to thank for that—]
[The Second Princess has successfully formed an alliance with Young Master Chu Yunlan.]
[Once we succeed in seizing the Crown Prince position, our plans within the Immortal Dynasty will proceed smoothly.]
[Speaking of which, since Chu Yunlan is a fake young master, who is the real one?]
Grand Elder Ziya knew well that the code name “Daji” concealed the Fox Venerable, who was also the Supreme Guardian of the Taixu Sacred Domain. She had “fallen to the Demonic Path” using the pretext of “annexing the Taixu Sacred Domain” to join the Demon Path Alliance.
Now that he knew Chu Yunlan was a fake, who the real young master was invited much speculation.
Seeing that he was trying to get information about her Holy Son, Su Xuanxuan grew wary but maintained a light smile on the surface:
[Heh! You don’t need to worry about that, Grand Elder. Everything within the Sacred Domain is under my control.]
Grand Elder didn’t press further:
[Of course. When the time is ripe, our Demon Path Alliance will surely help you annex the entire Taixu Sacred Domain and make you its Sacred Lord!]
Su Xuanxuan smiled charmingly:
[Hehehe! Then I’ll rely on your help, Grand Elder!]
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two ended the conversation.
When the token dimmed again, Su Xuanxuan let out a soft sigh. Looking down, she saw the young dragon in her arms secretly peeking at her.
Gu Su Die hadn’t really slept well. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the weariness hiding beneath Chu Yuan’s smile.
The Fox Venerable was troubled: ‘What happened between my chef and that ugly block of wood wrapped in a pretty skin?’
Every time she thought about it, Gu Su Die itched with curiosity.
But due to pride, she couldn’t bring herself to ask. She could only keep it bottled up, growing more irritated by the moment.
Now that she saw Fox Venerable contacting the Demon Path Alliance, Gu Su Die huffed:
“You sneaky fox, what are you planning to do to my chef?”
As she spoke, her little claws kept tapping the soft cushion, causing the smooth skin to ripple.
The Fox Venerable frowned, now puzzled:
“Little one, you just hatched. How can you speak?”
Normally, newborn demon beasts didn’t possess intelligence, let alone the ability to speak human language.
Gu Su Die’s heart leaped, obvious panic in her eyes.
Recalling her past life, this fox hadn’t treated her or her chef well. Now that she was weak, if the fox learned she had been reborn, who knew what she might do.
The heart of another was as unfathomable as the belly of a fox—this sly yao race was not to be trusted.
Her eyes darted wildly, and finally she bluffed nervously:
“What’s wrong with talking? I’m a dragon! Being born able to speak just shows I’m gifted, right? I’m warning you, if you dare do anything to my chef, I won’t let you off!”
Su Xuanxuan was astonished:
‘Chef?’
‘Is she referring to Yuan’er?’
‘What’s going on with this little one? On the surface she’s so hostile to Yuan’er, but behind his back she’s this protective?’
Seeing her hissing in a babyish voice, Su Xuanxuan couldn’t help but smile:
“You’re quite loyal, little one. Don’t worry. I won’t do anything to Yuan’er.”
With that, she extended a jade hand and gently stroked the young dragon’s fur.
For those loyal to her Holy Son, Su Xuanxuan always showed great goodwill:
“It’s late. Get a good night’s sleep.”
So saying, she waved her hand to summon a soft cushion and carried the little dragon over, sighing to herself:
‘Next up is the selection for the Chu Family’s Divine Hunt Grand Ceremony!’
‘I must take this opportunity to thoroughly train His Highness the Holy Son.’
Using this chance to train the Holy Son, Su Xuanxuan was determined to establish her identity as “Imperial Tutor” and regain the initiative.
A night without words.
The next day.
Early morning, thin mist draped like a veil over the soaring eaves of Xuanji City.
At the Gu Family’s gate, the honor guard stood in perfect order.
Golden-armored guards lined up in two rows. The imperial carriage was parked at the foot of the steps, golden phoenix patterns gleaming in the morning light.
Ji Xuanyuan, with her hair tied high in a bun and dressed in a dark imperial robe, stepped out of the residence.
The Gu Family Matron, accompanied by several clan elders, saw her off outside the gate, a fawning smile plastered on her face:
“Your Highness, aren’t you going to preside over the Divine Hunt Grand Ceremony? Why not stay a little longer? Or is it that our humble residence has been too crude and neglected Your Highness?”
Ji Xuanyuan shook her head slightly, her tone warm but distant:
“You misunderstand, Matron. I heard that Fairy Gu has gone into seclusion for cultivation. I wouldn’t want to impose further. When the day comes that she becomes the Saintess, I will personally come to congratulate her.”
These words were polite, yet carried an air of “this is where it ends.”
“Very well! We gratefully accept Your Highness’s kind words. We will do our utmost to help Wan’er become the Saintess!”
At this, the Matron raised her brows, tactfully said no more, and bowed.
Ji Xuanyuan gave a slight nod, turned, and boarded the imperial carriage.
Seeing the Crown Prince inside the carriage, General Yin—several months pregnant—led her horse ahead and ordered the convoy to move.
Golden-armored guards flanked both sides, and the procession left the Gu residence in full force, heading toward the Chu Family.
The carriage curtains swayed gently with the motion of the horses, and the morning light streaming through the gaps cast flickering shadows on her beautiful profile.
Ji Xuanyuan sat alone on the soft couch, her fingers absently tracing the phoenix patterns carved into the armrest.
The scent of agarwood lingered at the tip of her nose, carrying a comforting bitterness.
Yet her heart could not settle. She thought to herself:
‘I wonder how junior brother will react when he learns I’m here.’
‘Probably not a pleasant expression, right?’
Ji Xuanyuan’s smile turned bitter.
But to stay by her junior brother’s side a little longer, she didn’t mind using a little cunning.
Besides, this was also to help Fairy Gu keep an eye on junior brother, so no other woman could snatch him away!
Remembering her agreement with Fairy Gu, Ji Xuanyuan regained her confidence.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed the complicated feelings in her heart—along with the smoke of the agarwood—deep into her chest.
Along the way, the horses’ hooves struck the stones, armor clanked. Before long, General Yin reined in her horse and raised her hand, slowing the convoy.
“Halt!!!”
At her command, the golden-armored guards stopped in unison, the clatter of armor plates rising and then fading like a wave.
Ji Xuanyuan lifted the curtain and saw a tall, wide gate not far off, flanked by stone lions, glowing with a dignified sheen. The two characters “Chu Mansion” were bold and powerful, shining in the sunlight.
At that moment, the guards at the door were leaning idly against the gateposts, yawning. When they saw that golden gleam approaching, both were startled:
‘Th-that’s…?’
‘Looks like… the Crown Prince’s carriage? Right! It’s the Crown Prince’s carriage!!’
The two Chu guards exchanged a glance, their faces turning pale.
A sudden visit from the Crown Prince was no small matter.
One of them scrambled inside the mansion, his voice cracking:
“I-I-I’ll go report to the Grand Elder at once!”
In an instant, the news of the Crown Prince’s arrival exploded within the Chu Family mansion.