In the end, Ye Nian left very disappointed.
Watching her departing figure, Ye Yu let out a long breath.
"Girl, it's not that your father is heartless, it's that your mother is too ruthless."
"I really don't want to confront her head-on. Once I have enough power, I'll definitely bring you to my side. I promise it won't be long."
Ye Yu withdrew his gaze and was about to leave when he noticed a woman leaning against the railing of the room opposite, drinking alone under the moonlight.
Her figure was quite graceful.
This woman was none other than Elder Liu Xinxiu of the Moonlock Pavilion.
She noticed Ye Yu's gaze and raised her wine jug, saying softly, "Interested in a drink?"
A smile appeared under Ye Yu's mask. "It would be rude to refuse the invitation of a fairy."
Although in his dream, all sensations felt very real, Ye Yu didn't mind having another go at it in reality with Liu Xinxiu.
He clearly remembered that this woman was quite... tender.
Meanwhile, Saintess Yun Roumu sat in her room, frowning at the extremely ugly drawing in her hand.
She could confirm that she had never seen this man before, which made her very curious. Why did he save her?
Back in the Forest of Creation, Yun Roumu had been completely trapped in the blood prison and couldn't see anything outside, but she could hear the wailing of spirits.
Controlling spirits was undoubtedly the work of a demonic cultivator. By all logic, the righteous and the demonic should never align.
So what reason did this demonic cultivator have to help her and Ye Yu?
This question puzzled Yun Roumu greatly.
As she pondered this seriously, inappropriate noises suddenly came from the room next door, causing Yun Roumu's face to flush with embarrassment.
How ridiculous. Coming to attend a birthday banquet and encountering such things.
Could they not be more restrained?
And the rooms arranged by the Great Qian Dynasty were really subpar; the soundproofing was so poor.
Hmph!
Yun Roumu was about to cast a soundproof barrier, but she stopped halfway.
How can such sounds be made? They made her feel hot all over.
Biting her lip lightly, Yun Roumu's body moved towards the wall involuntarily, and she began to listen carefully.
...
The next morning.
Under the guidance of the Great Qian Dynasty officials, cultivators from various sects started heading out to attend Empress Li Ruowang's birthday banquet.
This banquet was not held within the palace but on the Ascension Platform outside the city.
This place was extremely spacious, resembling a massive circular arena.
The officials orderly arranged the cultivators' seating.
Ye Yu noticed that Liu Xinxiu from the Moonlock Pavilion was seated not far from him. When their eyes met, she immediately sent him a seductive look.
Ye Yu's performance yesterday had left her very satisfied, and she even considered continuing their affair tonight if the opportunity arose.
Ye Yu smiled and then looked away, taking his seat next to Saintess Yun Roumu.
He suddenly noticed her face was slightly flushed and curiously asked, "What's wrong, Senior Sister? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, nothing," Yun Roumu forced a smile and shook her head slightly.
She would never tell Ye Yu that she had eavesdropped all night.
Those sounds seemed to open a door to a new world for Yun Roumu, and thinking about it now still made her blush.
Once all the cultivators were seated, a eunuch dressed in black robes slowly walked out and loudly announced, "Welcome Her Majesty the Empress!"
His voice, amplified by spiritual power, was highly penetrating.
Soon, dozens of white-robed cultivators stood in mid-air.
Below them, a thousand armored soldiers stood in two opposing rows, exuding a fierce aura.
Amidst this imposing entourage, six flood dragons pulled the dragon chariot forward.
Sitting on it were Empress Li Ruowang and Ye Nian.
This was Ye Yu's first time seeing Li Ruowang in reality. Noble, cold, and stunning, her imperial presence was overwhelming.
To be honest, this version of Li Ruowang felt somewhat unfamiliar to Ye Yu.
Because in the dream world, she had always presented herself as a gentle and obedient wife in front of him. Not clingy at all.
But no matter when you looked at her, you'd always find her quietly watching you with eyes full of love.
If only she didn't have that pathological possessiveness, she would undoubtedly be the best choice for a wife.
"Is that the Empress of Great Qian? She's stunning!"
"Isn't she? But who is that little girl next to her? I never heard of the Empress getting married."
"Yeah, I'm curious too."
"..."
Listening to the whispers of the nearby cultivators, Ye Yu felt a touch of pride.
I'm not telling you that the little girl is my biological daughter. And the Empress you see once spent many years by my side.
Moments later, Li Ruowang and Ye Nian arrived at the central high platform throne.
Li Ruowang slightly bowed and said, "Thank you, esteemed cultivators, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my birthday banquet. I appreciate it."
At this moment, all the cultivators attending the banquet stood up and cupped their hands, saying, "We wish the Great Qian Empress endless blessings and longevity."
"Thank you, esteemed cultivators." Li Ruowang made a gesture for them to sit.
Suddenly, her expression changed dramatically, her eyes fixed on where Ye Yu was standing.
Although his face was hidden behind a mask, Li Ruowang, having shared a bed with Ye Yu for so long, was very familiar with his physique.
Even in the crowd, she found it very familiar.
At this moment, the lady official Qingzhu behind her whispered, "Your Majesty, please sit."
Hearing this, Li Ruowang immediately calmed down, withdrew her gaze, and slowly sat down.
This action made Ye Yu in the crowd breathe a sigh of relief.
When he saw Li Ruowang staring at him, Ye Yu was incredibly nervous, constantly wondering if she had recognized him. He was even mentally prepared to run.
But fortunately, it seemed Li Ruowang had not recognized him.
Otherwise, given her temperament, she would have undoubtedly rushed over, disregarding everything.
Ye Yu kept calming his nerves, secretly deciding that he couldn't stay in the Great Qian Dynasty any longer. He planned to leave immediately after the banquet.
What Ye Yu didn't know was that Li Ruowang had already become suspicious of him.
"Who is that masked man? Go check it out."
Upon hearing the voice in her mind, Qingzhu immediately responded, "Your Majesty, that man is Zhao Wuji of the Azure Cloud Sect."
"He wears a mask because his face was stung by spirit bees. Yesterday, the Princess sneaked out to Haolin Villa and also saw this person, even mistaking him for..."
At this point, Qingzhu stopped, as she didn't dare to continue.
Ye Nian's father?
Wouldn't that make him Li Ruowang's husband?