"YOUR MAJESTY, he's here," answered Prime Minister Carna. His eyes gazed at the entrance of the hall. And as if like a cue, a man with a white beard entered the hall. He was holding a majestic-looking staff and his eyes were spurting coldness. Beside him was Prime Minister Carna's eldest daughter, Olivia.
Regarding this eldest daughter, they never thought she was the kind of woman who would go around and seduce a man. In their mind, she was a kind and humble woman. She was a model that every woman should copy. So, in the eyes of the men, the crown prince was just unconsciously drawn to her, resulting in the scandal. But for the womenfolk, Olivia was just a pretentious bitch. There was nothing good about her except that face of hers.
"Your Majesty," Olivia greeted softly, bowing her head to show her respect. She gave the crown prince a quick glance before saying, "This is my elder brother's master, Elder Leo of the Medicine Sect."
Before Emperor Jun could say a word, Elder Leo reprimanded, "What 'elder brother's master'? Didn't we say that you are already my disciple as well?"
Olivia blushed. Then, she replied helplessly, "Yes, master."
Elder Leo finally nodded in satisfaction.
'They could really act,' Lily thought to herself. She felt disgusted. Right now, Hugo was peeling a bunch of shrimp for her to eat.
Hmmm...
Being served like this by the fifth imperial uncle, she wasn't embarrassed. In fact, she was even relishing the feeling. She liked the thought of being served by a handsome man.
"Little Olivia is going to be Elder Leo's disciple?" Emperor Jun remarked in astonishment. The way he looked at Olivia right now was like a treasure fished out from the ocean.
"Yes," he answered while sitting on a vacant seat next to the prime minister. His tone was arrogant. "Olivia is just like her brother. She has a talent for magic, hence, I decided to take her as my disciple as well."
He didn't further explain to them the concept of magic since none of them would understand anyway.
"How amazing!" Emperor Jun exclaimed, clapping his hand. He also liked this elder. Although the elder was arrogant, at least, he was respecting him. His eyes, then, turned to the prime minister as he said softly, "Why didn't you tell us this matter? Your eldest son became the elder's disciple, and now your daughter is also one. This kind of event should be celebrated by the empire!"
"How could we bother the empire for this kind of small matter?" said Prime Minister Carna shyly.
"How could you not?" Emperor Jun rebuked. Then, he waved his hand as he said, "We will celebrate the discipleship of your children after two days. In the Secular World, how many are there who were lucky enough to be accepted as a disciple in the sects from the Earth realm? Not to mention, your two children were accepted in the Medicine Sect!" He looked at the elder and said, "I hope Elder Leo won't mind?"
"How could I? Your Majesty is happy for my disciples, so how could I not feel happy as well? It should be me thanking Your Majesty for your care to my disciples."
Emperor Jun was happy by those words. If it was the Pei family, they would either ignore him or give him displeased looks. However, this elder from the Medicine Sect was still respectful.
Then, he suddenly noticed Olivia and his son giving each other a look. Because he was afraid of offending the Pei family and his desire to obtain the millions of armies under them, he thought of making Olivia just a lowly concubine. However, with tonight's event, if he did as he initially planned, Elder Leo would certainly get angry.
But between the Pei family and the elder, Emperor Jun would rather choose Elder Leo. Having the Medicine Sect as his backer was better than the Pei family who only knew how to disrespect him again and again.
"LITTLE OLIVIA," Emperor Jun called out.
Olivia was surprised by the sudden call, but she immediately stood up and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"This emperor heard about you and the crown prince's relationship."
Olivia paled. Her hands clenched the side of her dress as she timidly said, "Your—your Majesty... This subject's daughter is at fault. This subject daughter knew that the crown prince is already engaged yet I... this---"
Seeing her acting like this, Emperor Jun sighed helplessly. He also saw Elder Leo's face getting uglier, so he immediately said, "You girl. This emperor is not finding fault at you. You and the crown prince have a loving relationship. This Emperor could understand. However," he hesitated, looking at Lily with a helpless look, "my Imperial Father has given this engagement. Although this emperor didn't mind, I don't know if the Pei family wouldn't mind your relationship as well."
Since the conversation suddenly mentioned her family, Lily took a bite of the shrimp as big as her hand and nonchalantly answered, "The crown prince is not chaste. And even if he is, I don't want him. I think I already conveyed this to the emperor."
Emperor Jun was stunned. He was about to ignore the infuriating girl when he heard another irritating word.
"I even sent ten yards of phoenix brocade and a luminous black pearl to the prime minister's estate. I think those things were enough to thank Young Miss Carna for sacrificing her body just to cancel this marriage. Really, thank you!"
Everyone was silent. For a woman in this world, if they gave their body without entering a marriage first, they would be condemned.
This time, Olivia's pale face was real. She was even gritting her teeth hatefully, trying to control her temper from lashing out. This Pei girl was humiliating her in front of everyone. Only when Elder Leo gave her a look did she finally calm down. That's right, she already had a powerful backer. What Pei family? In the eyes of the Medicine Sect, they were nothing.
She took a deep breath and then acted as if she was being bullied.
"Olivia didn't do anything wrong. It's I who acted out of impulse and did her wrong," Crown Prince Ace instantly defended her lover. His gaze towards Lily was full of contempt. "She is kind and humble. She never did anything wrong except for liking me." When his eyes turned to Olivia, they softened.
"What a good kid," remarked Elder Leo. "Your Majesty raised the crown prince who knows how to protect his loved one."
"Elder Leo jests," Emperor Jun smiled softly.
"Little girl," Elder Leo suddenly said. He was pertaining to Lily. "This one received the luminous black pearl you gave to my disciple. It's such a good treasure."
"If you want that toy, then have it," Lily waved her hand indifferently. "We still have a total of fifteen boxes containing such a toy."
Elder Leo's eyes darkened.
Toy? The luminous black pearl was one of the treasures the Medicine Sect has been looking for for several decades. It was not only capable of healing minor illnesses; it could also turn into a ball of energy for consumption. Once consumed, a magic user would definitely level up. Yet, this girl was taking it as a toy!
As for the fifteen boxes that Lily mentioned, Elder Leo didn't believe it. It was already hard enough to find one, what more for a hundred? Lily might just be saying it to agitate him.
Elder Leo only harrumphed. "By the way, this one heard that your family is popular in this world. Pei family, isn't it? I never heard of this surname in the earth realm."
"Who said that we came there?" Lily retorted with her left brow raised.
'So, the Pei family was really just an ancient family from the secular world!' everyone thought.
After hearing what he wanted to hear, Elder Leo didn't bother himself with the girl anymore. In fact, he didn't want to bother with her from now on.
Instead, he put his attention to the man who was still serving Lily with attentiveness.
"Master Hugo, this one heard about your maternal family's current predicament. If Master Hugo needed something, please do not hesitate to inform the Medicine Sect," Elder Leo said respectfully.
Hugo didn't respond. He took a big crab, took out the meat, and then placed it on Lily's plate. After making sure that Lily's plate was full and the girl was enjoying it, he smiled in satisfaction. It was only then that he gave Elder Leo his attention.
Others, on the other hand, were stupefied at his behaviour. It was the first they saw this cold and heartless gentleman serving someone. And he was even showing a pleased expression. The previous emperor couldn't even get a single response from him, yet he was willing to serve the young miss of the Pei family. They couldn't help but think that the fifth imperial uncle was, indeed, interested in the girl.
"This prince's family is good. Do not mention this again," Hugo responded coldly.
The emperor and the rest were disappointed. They thought they could finally know the origin of Hugo's mother. They only knew that the previous empress came from the Earth realm. As for other matters, they have no idea. Unfortunately, Hugo's lips were tight and it seemed like nothing could make him share his origin. However, based on the elder's attitude, they could tell that Hugo's maternal family held power in the Earth realm.
Elder Leo smiled coolly. "Apologies, Master Hugo. This one acted rashly."
The rest of the hours were used for entertainment. There was dancing, singing, playing of instruments, and playacting. After the dancing troupes, however, Lily felt bored and decided to leave the palace. Hugo was tailing behind her.
"I am going back to my maternal family."