Chapter 107: The Crown Prince Arrives! Lin Qi’an Resting on Su Xueni’s Lap?
How is this possible?! Ji Bai thought in disbelief.
This poem was written by Emperor Wenqu himself! It had never been shared with the world, so only he should know about it. Yet, they dared to accuse him of plagiarizing—and from that debauched Crown Prince?
Outrage surged through Ji Bai, his body trembling, hands and feet cold. Instead of receiving praise and admiration, he was met with sneers and mockery.
“Is that true?” Lu Miaoyin asked the elder.
“It is absolutely true. The Crown Prince recited that poem shortly after entering,” the elder confirmed.
Hearing this, Lu Miaoyin cast a disdainful glance at Ji Bai. Plagiarists were the most despised of all. Having someone like him from Qinglian Holy Island would not only bring shame to himself but also tarnish her own reputation.
“Miaoyin, Miaoyin!” Ji Bai called out desperately, his face pale, but Lu Miaoyin ignored him and continued into the sect.
Ding! Ji Bai has been ridiculed and despised by the crowd, Luck Points -100, Villain Points +1000 to the host.
Lin Qi’an chuckled at the turn of events. He hadn’t even made a move, and Ji Bai had already lost 100 destiny points on his own. At this rate, he’ll be too easy to deal with.
It was clear that pretending to be a literary master came with risks. However, since Ji Bai was the Destined Child, he was sure to find another way into the event. Otherwise, he wouldn’t live up to his title.
Inside Yunmo Dao Palace, Mo Shuiqiu greeted Lu Miaoyin. The two were kindred spirits and close friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time, so naturally, they had plenty to discuss.
Once they reached the guest chamber, Mo Shuiqiu lowered her voice. “Miaoyin, you’ve heard about the Crown Prince’s announcement, haven’t you? He’s looking for talented women to discuss wind, flowers, snow, and moon.”
“I’ve heard,” Lu Miaoyin replied calmly, clearly uninterested in the matter.
“You don’t need to concern yourself with it. Let the others fight for that spot while we enjoy a private gathering of the cultured. Turning the literary meet into such a vulgar competition is beneath us,” Lu Miaoyin said, shaking her head in disdain.
In her eyes, those women desperately competing to serve Lin Qi’an, even burning the midnight oil to study, were nothing but commoners. Only Mo Shuiqiu could match her refined nature, untouched by the distractions of wealth and power.
“I’m glad to hear you say that,” Mo Shuiqiu smiled, taking Lu Miaoyin’s hand. “I was going to ask you not to compete with me for this spot.”
“What…?” Even the ever-composed Saintess of Qinglian couldn’t hide her shock at those words.
Mo Shuiqiu was not an ordinary woman. As the Saintess of Yunmo Dao Palace, she spent her days in solitude, consumed by her love for calligraphy and painting. She could go an entire month without food or water, fully dedicated to completing a single painting. That’s why they had become such close friends.
But now, even she wanted to win the favor of the Crown Prince? It was hard to believe!
“Miaoyin, during the Beiyang Great Hunt, I had the fortune of getting to know the Crown Prince. He even saved my life. It’s rare to meet a man as remarkable as him in this world. I’m not trying to curry favor with his power; I’ve simply been charmed by his personality. Serving His Highness would be an honor for me.”
Hearing Mo Shuiqiu’s earnest confession, Lu Miaoyin felt like her worldview had been shaken. Could someone really change this much?
“Alright, I won’t interfere with your decision,” Lu Miaoyin said, trying to regain her composure.
“Good! Just make sure you don’t outshine me during the literary meet. As for the others, they don’t stand a chance against me!” Mo Shuiqiu teased.
“Don’t worry.” Lu Miaoyin’s goal was to follow in Emperor Wenqu’s footsteps and prove her Dao through literature.
To achieve that, she needed to cast aside all worldly distractions. No matter how outstanding the Crown Prince was, he couldn’t stir even the slightest ripple in her heart.
—
Outside the sect, the assessments were still ongoing. Ji Bai eventually managed to enter, thanks to the remaining poems from Emperor Wenqu’s Manuscripts. He had several others up his sleeve, ready to shock the audience.
One of them was “Shui Diao Ge Tou: When Will the Moon Be Clear and Bright?”, a masterpiece he’d been saving for the perfect moment at the literary meet.
However, there was one problem—the manuscript was partially damaged, leaving the last line of the poem incomplete. The original had ended with the lines:
“Men have sorrow and joy; they part and reunite. The moon is bright and dim; it waxes and wanes. This has been so since ancient times.”
Unfortunately, the poem stopped abruptly, missing the final, most critical line. Ji Bai had no choice but to add one himself. While it wasn’t perfect, it was good enough to stun the crowd.
Suddenly, the air was filled with the sound of thunderous hoofbeats!
A luxurious carriage appeared in the sky, made of white jade and crystal, pulled by mythical qilin beasts, with golden-armored soldiers clearing the way. In an instant, radiant light filled the sky, making the scene nothing short of spectacular.
“Whose carriage is that? It’s so extravagant!”
“That’s the Crown Prince! Haven’t you heard? The Crown Prince is attending the literary meet as well!”
“What a grand display… though, compared to the ferocious beast pulling the Crown Prince of Beiyang’s carriage, it’s still lacking.”
“Shh! Are you insane? Criticizing the Crown Prince could get you killed!”
Dressed in royal yellow robes, Zhao Ziyu stepped out of the carriage as waves of voices rose in greeting.
“Welcome, Your Highness!”
“Welcome, Your Highness!”
Zhao Ziyu barely glanced at the respectful crowd, immediately preparing to enter the sect.
“Wait, the Crown Prince isn’t taking the test?” someone muttered.
“Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting? The Crown Prince doesn’t need to take a test!”
“But the Crown Prince of Beiyang took the test…”
That remark, whispered in the crowd, didn’t escape Zhao Ziyu’s ears. His brow furrowed.
“A test? What test?” he asked.
“Your Highness, it’s the entrance requirement for this literary meet. All participants must first pass the Flying Flower Order,” a servant explained.
“Then set the topic,” Zhao Ziyu said confidently, showing no hesitation.
Zhao Ziyu’s confidence was unshaken. After all, behind him stood the Grand Preceptor of the Tianlang Immortal Dynasty, a man who had studied countless books and was now quietly guiding him through the challenges via secret transmissions.
With such support, what could possibly stand in his way? Unsurprisingly, Zhao Ziyu passed the test effortlessly.
As he entered Yunmo Dao Palace, everyone lowered their heads in respect, paying homage to the Crown Prince. Even the renowned Saintesses, Mo Shuiqiu and Lu Miaoyin, had to bow in greeting. Lu Miaoyin, in her elegant green gown, stood as the epitome of beauty, like a lotus in full bloom. She was Zhao Ziyu’s ultimate target.
Yet, there was another matter to handle first—Lin Qi’an. He needed to put that Crown Prince of Beiyang in his place. How dare he take what belongs to me? Zhao Ziyu thought. Giving you the woman is only a gesture of respect to your father, Sword Emperor, not to you!
“I heard the Crown Prince of Beiyang is also here. Why hasn’t he come to greet me?” Zhao Ziyu asked coldly.
Mo Shuiqiu responded cautiously, “The Crown Prince… seems to be resting in the courtyard. He wasn’t aware of your arrival, Your Highness.”
“Take me to him!” Zhao Ziyu commanded, his hands clasped behind his back as he followed Mo Shuiqiu through the pavilions and courtyards until they reached a secluded, quiet garden.
There, a shocking sight greeted him.
Dressed in a moon-white gown, her delicate features framed by cascading black hair, was the Saintess of Tianchi, Su Xueni! She was the woman Zhao Ziyu had long desired but never managed to win over. The moment he laid eyes on her, a flash of heated desire filled his gaze.
But as he took another step closer, it felt like a bolt of lightning struck him. Lin Qi’an was lounging on Su Xueni’s lap!
Completely at ease, he rested his head on her legs, while she gently played with his hair, her fingers brushing across his face, a soft smile lingering on her lips. The scene was so intimate, so serene—it filled Zhao Ziyu with an unbearable envy and rage.
“Ah-hem!” Zhao Ziyu coughed deliberately, trying to draw attention.
He fully expected Su Xueni to panic and kneel in respect upon seeing him. After all, she was just a Saintess from Tianchi, nothing of significant importance.
But instead, Su Xueni simply gave him an apologetic glance, “Your Highness, I’m afraid I cannot bow right now. I’m busy cleaning the Crown Prince’s ears.”
Zhao Ziyu nearly exploded with fury on the spot. What kind of Crown Prince am I if I command no respect? Even a mere maid dares to ignore me!
“How dare you!” Zhao Ziyu thundered, his voice booming like a clap of thunder. “Su Xueni, who gave you the audacity to disregard me, the Crown Prince of Tianlang?!”
If it were the past, Su Xueni would never have dared to speak this way. But now, she only listened to Lin Qi’an.
“Who’s making all that noise?” Lin Qi’an murmured lazily, stretching as he sat up, squinting at the intruder.
When he realized who it was, a smile spread across his face. “Ah, it’s the Crown Prince of Tianlang! Such an honor to have you here!”
“Ha, I was sleeping so well, I didn’t feel like getting up,” Lin Qi’an yawned, then, without a care, leaned back onto Su Xueni’s fragrant shoulder, inhaling deeply as if savoring the scent. His behavior was as roguish as one could imagine.
“Your Highness is so mischievous…” Su Xueni blushed, casting a teasing glance at him.
Zhao Ziyu: …
This was clearly intentional. They were mocking him!
Unbelievable! As the Crown Prince of an immortal dynasty, he had always stood above others, looking down on everyone from his elevated status. Yet today, he was humiliated like this.
And the worst part? He had no choice but to swallow this insult. He couldn’t beat Lin Qi’an in a fight, and the power behind him was only equal to the backing Lin Qi’an had. There was no advantage to be had.
‘But if I can find a legitimate reason to make trouble for him…’ Zhao Ziyu thought.
At that moment, Zhao Qingmeng, dressed in a frosty-colored gown, appeared. The little princess, delicate and adorable, drew the attention of those around her.
“Sister!” Zhao Ziyu called out. “Has Lin Qi’an mistreated you during these past days? If he has, your brother will make things right for you!”
But Zhao Qingmeng’s expression was cold as she walked past him without sparing a glance. In her future as the Empress of the Immortal Dynasty, she would rule with an iron hand.
Zhao Ziyu, however, was nothing more than worthless trash, a constant source of frustration. Lin Qi’an might be a womanizer, but he was far more capable than Zhao Ziyu, who couldn’t even measure up to a single toe of Lin Qi’an.
“Zhao Ziyu, stop spewing nonsense!” Zhao Qingmeng scolded him sharply. “Brother Lin treats me very well. He protects me at every turn. What are you shouting for?”
“If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all. No one’s going to mistake you for a mute!”
Zhao Ziyu stood there, frozen for a long moment, completely dumbfounded.
“…”