The Ling family had no objections to Ling Luoyi's decision. They had all heard clearly what Ling Luoyi had said earlier. Anyway, if the Wei family dared to harbor any improper thoughts in the future, they would still perish, and there was no need for them to dirty their hands now.
The moment Ling Luoyi stepped out of the Wei manor, the sky, which had suddenly turned gloomy when Ling Luoyi entered the Yuan manor, gradually brightened. The dark clouds receded, revealing the setting sun. The afterglow illuminated everything in the world, a picturesque scene etched into the minds of the Ling family members.
They could finally begin a new life.
When Ling Luoyi and the others returned to the Ling manor, they arrived almost at the same time as Qiu Yuanxi and her group.
The three madams had been waiting for them in the front hall. Seeing them return safe and sound, they finally put down their worried hearts. They stepped forward and asked, "Luò'er, Miss Qiu, have things been resolved?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Luoyi and Qiu Yuanxi exchanged a glance. Seeing her nod, Ling Luoyi then said, "Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, everything is resolved. The Ling family can live a good life from now on."
"That's good." The three madams were very emotional. They had thought that the Ling family's revenge could never be avenged in this lifetime, but they never expected that in less than four months since Luò'er's return, the powerful Wei family would fall.
Sensing what they were thinking, Ling Luoyi smiled and said, "Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, the Wei family was exceptionally arrogant. Many people already feared them. Their confidence stemmed merely from having an ancestor who was a second-tier Spirit Master and the Grand Elder of the Beast Taming Guild. As long as these two were crippled, the Wei family would collapse without us lifting a finger. They didn't kill people simply because they were wary of us."
The three madams understood this logic, but they also knew that crippling those two was no small matter. Moreover, those two met their misfortune after Ling Luoyi's departure. Although they didn't know how Ling Luoyi managed it, they felt that she was definitely involved.
Thinking of the strength Ling Luoyi had currently displayed, the three madams couldn't help but feel fortunate that Ling Luoyi was their clanswoman and not their enemy.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore," Li Ziya said. "When Father and the others come out of seclusion, they will surely hold a grand banquet. Let's use this time to prepare. Also, now that things are over, those distinguished guests will be arriving."
"That's right, we must start preparing."
"Alright, it's almost time for dinner. Let's go eat first. I wonder when Father and the others will come out of seclusion."
The three madams led Ling Luoyi and Qiu Yuanxi to the flower hall for dinner.
Inside the Imperial Palace.
News of Ling Luoyi's affairs today had already spread, and the masters in the palace were all discussing the recent events concerning the Ling family.
Inside the Hall of Thousand Mechanisms.
The Emperor, several elders, and the Crown Prince were discussing matters. However, the person sitting on the right of the main seat was not the Imperial Family's Grand Elder, but an old man with a full head of white hair and a white beard. The old man's aura was contained, and his eyes held the calm and placidity of someone who had seen all things in the world, as if nothing could pique his interest.
Watching the Emperor and the elders discuss affairs, the old man was listening quietly. When he heard the Emperor and the Crown Prince disagree on their views of the Ling family, he frowned.
"Father, your son believes that the Ling family is no longer the Ling family of the Tianwu Kingdom, but the Ling family of the entire continent. Although they are not as powerful as the families of super-powers, judging by their development speed, it is only a matter of time."
The Emperor looked at his son, who was expressing his views, and nodded in agreement. He said, "Su Qi, you are right. The Ling family's current status is indeed as you described, that of the entire continent. But have you considered what they are thinking?"
"The Ling family's thoughts?" The Crown Prince frowned, somewhat puzzled. The Ling family, because of Ling Luoyi, had been pushed to a precipice by the world. A slight misstep could easily lead to utter destruction. Did their thoughts still matter?
"The Ling family's ancestral home is still within Yunyuan City. Your father also bestowed titles upon the Ling family head and the direct descendants of the Ling family, signifying to the world that the Tianwu Imperial family stands with the Ling family. The Ling family head accepted the titles, indicating his agreement to be bound with the Tianwu Imperial family. As long as the Imperial family does not do anything that harms the Ling family, the Ling family will not detach itself from the Tianwu Kingdom. The words Ling Luoyi spoke in the Longqing Kingdom also indicate this."
The one who answered the Crown Prince was the white-bearded old man, and this old man was the ancestor of the Tianwu Imperial family.
The Emperor continued, "As for the Ling family's thoughts, they are essentially Ling Luoyi's thoughts. Su Qi, do you think Ling Luoyi would be controlled by others?"
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince also understood. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Father, for clarifying. Your son understands."
Although the Crown Prince had only met Ling Luoyi a few times, based on these encounters, he could guess about eighty percent of Ling Luoyi's personality. Ling Luoyi was not the type of person to be controlled by others. With her power, how could she be held in check?
Moreover, the Crown Prince had a premonition that what Ling Luoyi had shown so far was just the tip of the iceberg. Such a person, why would she care about others' opinions?
"Then, Your Majesty, what should we do? Should we form a marriage alliance with the Ling family? This would be more conducive to maintaining the connection between the Ling family and the Imperial family," asked the Tenth Elder.
Hearing this, the Emperor did not answer but instead asked for the Crown Prince's opinion.
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment and said, "Your son believes it is not appropriate. Ling Luoyi does not seem like someone who would accept something she does not wish to accept. If the Ling family were to proactively mention it to the Imperial family, it might be feasible. However, if the Imperial family directly issued a decree, it might damage this relationship."
"Hmm." Seeing that the Crown Prince could understand the implications, the Emperor nodded with satisfaction. He then looked at the Tenth Elder and said, "Tenth Elder, the Imperial family and the Ling family are now on equal footing. We cannot interact with the Ling family through coercive means. Do you remember this?"
"Yes, it was this old man who was shortsighted." The Tenth Elder felt somewhat regretful. How could he have forgotten that the Ling family was now incomparable to its past? The Emperor said they were on equal footing, but in reality, the Ling family's status on the continent might even be higher than that of the Tianwu Imperial family.
"Your Majesty, what do you want to do?" Seeing that no one was speaking, the Ancestor suddenly asked the Tianwu Emperor.
Seeing that the Ancestor had guessed, and since there were no outsiders present, the Tianwu Emperor spoke directly, "Reporting to Grandfather Emperor, your grandson does not wish for the Tianwu Kingdom to remain a lower-tier country forever. Your grandson wants to elevate the Tianwu Kingdom to a higher level!"
Upon hearing the Tianwu Emperor's words, everyone except the Ancestor and the Crown Prince found it unbelievable.
The Ancestor looked at the Tianwu Emperor, whose eyes were full of determination, but he did not intend to stop him. He said, "If you want to do it, then do it, but don't be overly ambitious. Learn to seize opportunities."
"Your grandson knows." The Tianwu Emperor knew that the Ancestor would not stop him because when the Ancestor was Emperor, he had the same idea. It was not just the Ancestor, but everyone, who had this aspiration, but they never had the opportunity. And now, the opportunity had arrived!
Based on Ling Luoyi's words spoken in public, the Tianwu Emperor could guarantee that she was helping him. Since the opportunity itself was helping, if he didn't seize it, he might as well die.
"Father, then what should we do?"
"We currently do not have the strength to break away from the Longqing Kingdom, so let nature take its course. Let's see what Miss Ling Luoyi intends to do next. We can leverage her actions to achieve our goals."
Ling Luoyi had caused a great stir since her return to the Ling family, and each time the commotion was even greater. Her purpose was definitely not as simple as seeking revenge. Let's wait a bit longer, and we will soon know what Ling Luoyi intends to do.