Chapter 50: The List of the Seven Princes

Prince Xiang was once the most esteemed and virtuous noble of the Li Kingdom, but for reasons unknown, he incurred the displeasure of the previous emperor, Li Chen, and had since been kept under house arrest. Fifteen years had now passed in confinement. Throughout this time, Princess Yi'an, Li Xiuling, maintained a close relationship with her uncle Prince Xiang. While Li Chen still reigned, Li Xiuling had pleaded with her father many times to release Prince Xiang, but her requests were always denied.

Now, however, the throne belonged to Li Qianshi, who listened to his elder sister Li Xiuling above all others. Recently, Li Xiuling had achieved yet another great merit. Upon her triumphant return to the capital, she requested her brother the emperor to grant Prince Xiang his freedom. Li Qianshi, without much hesitation, agreed to her appeal.

Yet, Prince Xiang commanded many loyal supporters in his former fief. Li Qianshi feared that after so many years of unjust imprisonment, Prince Xiang might bear a grudge against the court. To send him back to his old domain might one day pose a threat to the dynasty. He confided this worry to his sister, and Li Xiuling at once proposed settling Prince Xiang in the newly established city of Yancheng, with a grand new princely estate built for him, allowing him to enjoy his twilight years in peace.

Li Qianshi swiftly accepted her suggestion. When the construction of Yancheng and the prince’s residence was complete, Prince Xiang was permitted to leave the capital and take up residence in his new home.

Li Xiuling entrusted the construction of Prince Xiang’s new residence to the Huanfu family. Moreover, she gave them full authority over the largest commercial street in Yancheng.

As the royal eldest daughter, Li Xiuling was well-versed in the art of imperial balance. She would never allow the Murong family to become the sole power in Yancheng. Hence, she privately approached the Huanfu family, inviting them to establish a foothold in Yancheng as a counterweight to the Murongs.

When Murong Jingtian saw the Huanfu family members appear, he instantly understood the court’s maneuver: allowing the Huanfu family into Yancheng to keep the Murongs in check.

“So this will be Prince Xiang’s new residence,” Murong Jingtian said with an air of ease, a smile on his lips. “I have long admired Prince Xiang. With him presiding over Yancheng, the city’s fortune can only rise!”

Huanfu Xiaoyun replied, “Brother Jingtian, my admiration for Prince Xiang matches yours. In fact, I have just returned from Luocheng, where I had the honor of visiting the prince himself.

“To be frank, he was most impressed with me. He said, ‘Xiaoyun, you are truly a man of talent and bearing. If you could become my son-in-law, it would be a splendid match indeed.’

“These were his very words—I have not embellished a bit. Ah, and it occurs to me, you might not know that Prince Xiang actually has a daughter! Ha!”

With that, Huanfu Xiaoyun burst into unrestrained laughter.

Indeed, none of the Murong party knew Prince Xiang had a daughter. The world believed Prince Xiang had never married and was without heir.

“Prince Xiang also said he would be moving to Yancheng with the princess, which means I shall have plenty of opportunities to meet her. Oh, and I nearly forgot one more thing,” Huanfu Xiaoyun stepped forward and stopped before another mansion under construction. “This will be my own new residence in Yancheng!”

His new home was right next to the prince’s estate—clearly an attempt to seize every possible advantage.

Murong Jingtian laughed in response, “Brother Xiaoyun, even if the prince favors you, it does not guarantee the princess will choose you. I fear all your efforts may be in vain!”

“Brother Jingtian,” Huanfu Xiaoyun replied, lightly shaking his folding fan, “it seems you have little faith in my talents or looks.”

“Indeed,” Murong Jingtian shot back. “I have always considered you rather ordinary in both appearance and intellect!”

Huanfu Xiaoyun's expression darkened for a moment, but he quickly resumed his smile. “Brother Jingtian, have you been following the ‘Young Lords of the Seven Kingdoms’ ranking? I, Huanfu Xiaoyun, have recently risen to fifteenth place.

“You, Murong Jingtian, are only ranked twenty-seventh. How can someone so far behind presume to judge those ahead?”

“Hmph! What is this Seven Kingdoms ranking? Is fifteenth place really so remarkable?” Murong Jing, who had thus far remained silent, could not restrain herself. “I suspect you simply bribed your way to a higher spot!”

Huanfu Xiaoyun snapped his fan shut and laughed heartily. “I will not stoop to bickering with a woman. You should take a lesson from the lovely lady beside you: when men are speaking, women ought to keep silent!”

His gaze fell upon Murong Qingyi, whose beauty far surpassed that of the outspoken Murong Jing. But Qingyi was shy by nature; feeling Huanfu Xiaoyun’s eyes upon her, her face flushed scarlet and she bowed her head even lower.

“Well then, I take my leave. Once Yancheng is fully built, we shall have plenty of dealings!” With that, Huanfu Xiaoyun swept away with his retinue of maids.

No sooner had he left than Murong Jing turned her ire on Murong Qingyi. “Murong Qingyi, why were you acting so demure just now? Why didn’t you help me scold that Huanfu Xiaoyun? Don’t tell me you’ve already fallen for him. Hmph, you’re just like your mother!”

Murong Qingyi dared not talk back, but instead apologized meekly, “I’m sorry, Sister Jing.”

Murong Jingliu quickly pulled Murong Jing aside and urged, “Enough, let’s not quarrel here. Whatever needs saying can wait until we’re home.”

From his seat at a nearby tea stall, Song Ye, who had been quietly observing all along, saw clearly that among the Murongs, Murong Qingyi’s status was indeed low—lower even than a maid.

...

Meanwhile, in the Netherworld Domain—

The Netherworld Domain was vast and boundless, containing three thousand lesser worlds within. To seek one person in such an expanse was like searching for a needle in the sea. Qin Xuanxi dared not alert her quarry with too much disturbance, lest the Flute Immortal catch wind and flee. Thus, she forbade her disciples to follow her in; she entered the Netherworld Domain alone.

For months, Qin Xuanxi wandered in vain, finding not the slightest trace of the Flute Immortal.

Today, she entered one of the lesser worlds within the domain. Before her stretched an endless sea. She walked upon the water as if it were solid ground.

She conjured a sword from her true energy, cast it upon the waves, and stepped onto the blade, riding it across the infinite sea.

Days passed in this fashion, with Qin Xuanxi standing atop her sword, drifting across the endless ocean. She did not know if the Flute Immortal was in this world at all, but she pressed on, hoping against hope.

Suddenly, a melody reached her ears—a tune she knew well, played on a flute. Her eyes widened in shock. It was the Flute Immortal!

Only the Flute Immortal could play such music.