Volume One, Chapter 11: The Welcome Banquet

“Oh, mother, what are you saying? Everything I’ve done has been for the children. That matter happened eighteen years ago, and now Yan’er has returned. Please don’t say such things,” Feng Shuangling said, gently taking Zhao Yan’s hand and smiling, “Yan’er, this is your grandmother.”

“Grandmother, hello.”

“Oh, good child,” Zhu Qing, moved to tears upon seeing that Zhao Yan could speak, tenderly stroked her hair with eyes full of compassion. “From now on, if you ever suffer any grievances in the Yun family, come to your grandmother’s house. Grandmother will take care of you.”

“All right,” Zhao Yan smiled.

She could still sense the difference between someone who wished her dead and someone who genuinely cared for her.

Seeing this, Feng Shuangling sighed quietly within her heart. Who wouldn’t love their child? Yet, out of necessity, she had to choose to favor another.

She felt the pain and sorrow too, but there was nothing she could do.

Time swiftly passed until noon.

Ye Wuhen came to escort Zhao Yan to the ancestral hall to offer incense—a ritual symbolizing recognition of her lineage.

The Yun family’s ancestral hall was off-limits to outsiders, so everyone gathered in the square craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous girl who had been living in the countryside for eighteen years.

More and more guests arrived at the Yun residence.

“The Young Master of Baiyue City has arrived.”

At this announcement, all eyes shifted to the entrance. People had expected the Lord of Baiyue City, but it was the Young Master instead—a rare sight, as many had never seen his true face.

His background was powerful; many factions sought his favor. Even the Fengyu Kingdom had been courting Baiyue City in recent years.

Baiyue City had existed for a thousand years, always under the control of the Dugu family, never changing hands. Though within the Fengyu Kingdom’s borders, it was not subject to its rule.

Throughout the centuries, many emperors had attempted to seize Baiyue City but were all defeated, and no one dared challenge it thereafter.

The Yun family’s fate was closely tied to Baiyue City. Several centuries ago, when the Yun family was still a minor clan, the Yun patriarch had saved the Dugu ancestor. They quickly bonded and became sworn allies.

With this connection, the Yun family rose steadily to become the premier four-star noble house. Hundreds of years later, the two families still maintained close ties.

Inside the ancestral hall, Yun Wuhen and Zhao Yan were present. Seeing the Young Master, Yun Jihen, the second master of the Yun family, hurriedly took his wife forward to greet him.

“Please this way, Young Master.”

The young man, in his twenties, responded in a deep voice. Dressed in a black robe, his gaze was cold and sharp like a hawk piercing through the night—aloof, exhausted, yet domineering. With each step, he exuded an aura that kept others at a distance, making no one dare approach.

Everyone inwardly shuddered with awe. Truly befitting the Baiyue City Young Master—his presence was extraordinary.

“Jingyun.”

Feng Jingmo waved to the young man, Dugu Jingyun, who paused slightly but still approached.

“Cousin Jingyun,” Feng Zhiyue greeted softly before retreating to the women’s side. He had always been distant and intimidating since childhood. She was afraid of him and had never seen him smile in her life.

“Jingyun, why didn’t your uncle come with you?”

“Hm.”

Feng Jingmo twitched at the corner of his mouth. After all these years, he was still like this. How would he ever marry a wife?

“The National Master of Fengyu Kingdom has arrived!”

“The Emperor of Fengyu Kingdom has arrived!”

“The Crown Prince of Fengyu Kingdom has arrived!”

“The Dean of Jialan Academy has arrived!”

The announcements stirred the crowd into an uproar.

“Hiss, even the Emperor and Jialan Academy have been alerted.”

“Do you think the National Master came because of those strange phenomena from eighteen years ago...?”

As the announcements continued, four figures appeared in the crowd’s sight.

Leading them was a man in a bright yellow robe, about forty years old, with a dignified and oppressive aura. His deep black eyes were like cold pools, bottomless and unfathomable. This was the Emperor of Fengyu Kingdom.

Beside him walked a man in white robes, wearing a mask that did not diminish his noble presence and unspeakable authority—like a divine temple or a fearsome warrior. This was the revered National Master.

Behind them was a young man bearing a striking resemblance to the Emperor, with sharp brows and bright eyes, smiling gently. His elegant purple robe gave him an air of refined grace.

Everyone stood up to welcome and bow; such a gathering of great figures was rare.

Even Yun Wuhen and Feng Shuangling stepped out from the ancestral hall to greet them. In their brief exchanges, younger generations inevitably came up.

“Where is Miss Yun Er?”

“Yan’er is still in the ancestral hall, but she’ll be out soon. Please, you may take your seats first,” Feng Shuangling said with a smile.

The crowd, witnessing such a grand occasion, couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed the Yun family held this second young lady in high regard.

The eldest daughter, Yun Zhaojun, possessed four-element spiritual bones and had already achieved the peak of the Spirit Lord cultivation at a young age. This seclusion was likely for a breakthrough.

The second daughter was a twin of the eldest. If the eldest was so outstanding, the second surely would not be inferior.

“Master, you’re here too?”

Baili Beichen approached the Dean of Jialan Academy respectfully and asked.

Ye Lingxiao stroked his beard lightly, smiling as he looked toward the ancestral hall. “Of course, I’m here to take on a disciple.”

A flash of surprise crossed Baili Beichen’s eyes. Take on a disciple? Could it be his master wanted to take her?

“Master, you might be disappointed. Actually, Yun Zhaoyan is a worthless cripple who cannot cultivate.”

Ye Lingxiao turned back, frowning. “Are you serious?”

Baili Beichen relayed Yun Chu’s exact words. Upon hearing them, Ye Lingxiao could only shake his head regretfully and immediately abandoned the idea of taking her as a disciple.

At that moment, the Emperor noticed the aloof Dugu Jingyun nearby. Sharing a glance with the Crown Prince, he stepped forward.

“Young Master of Baiyue, I have long heard your name.”

“It’s been many years since I last saw Brother Dugu. Why is he not here today?”

Dugu Jingyun stood, clasped his fists toward the Emperor and Crown Prince, but his tone remained distant and cold. “I am enough.”

The Emperor was momentarily taken aback, thinking that Dugu Jingyun was just as cold and heartless as rumored.

Before he could speak, a voice interrupted. The two exchanged knowing nods and then departed.

“He’s here!”

Someone shouted, and all eyes in the square turned to the ancestral hall’s entrance.

A woman in stunning red robes appeared, escorted by Yun Wuhen and Feng Shuangling. Her exquisitely delicate face seemed like a fairy stepping down from a painting. A red floral mark adorned her brow like a blooming mandala—seductive and dangerous. Her peach blossom eyes flickered with a faint smile, as gentle as a spring breeze and a hundred flowers in bloom.

The crowd’s breath caught in their throats, utterly captivated. Though she shared the same face as Yun Zhaojun, her aura was different.

Yun Zhaojun was elegant and graceful, radiating endless kindness and charm in every gesture—this girl was quite the opposite.

She was no cursed child; she was clearly a celestial maiden descended to earth.

Yet, why was there not a trace of spiritual energy emanating from her?