Half a month later, Prince Qian was returning to his mansion from the lands of the three great powers.
He must have been slighted during his visit, for he stood on the prow of his spirit ark with a furious expression. But when he looked down and saw the orderly buildings of the city in the Duravia Trade Prefecture, and the common folk bustling about their lives, seemingly untouched by the world's chaos, a smile finally touched his lips.
He turned to an advisor at his side and asked, "Has there been any movement from the Li family?"
The advisor bowed. "Reporting to Your Highness, there has been no movement. However, you provoked Li Yaozu last time. Knowing the Li family's temperament, they will not let the matter rest. We must remain on our guard."
Prince Qian was noncommittal. His voice turned grave.
"I visited Eternal Sun Prefecture several years ago. After the Li family took control, its people lived in peace and contentment. It was truly a fine place. Given time, it would be in no way inferior to my Duravia Trade Prefecture. A pity," he added, "that they don't know what's good for them."
The advisor lowered his head, not daring to speak further.
Prince Qian continued, "The Li family is, in its own way, a clan born of suffering. They are destined to walk a different path from our Imperial Dynasty. Years ago, they were deceived by Feng Qingyang. The Wu Clan invaded Azure Cloud, yet the Imperial Dynasty offered no aid. On the contrary, they kicked them while they were down. Even if they were to become subjects of the Imperial Dynasty, this Prince doesn't believe they would ever truly submit in their hearts."
"They cultivate demonic techniques. Prefecture Lord Shang Mi submitted a memorial stating that the Li family has had their sharp edges worn down and could be of use to the Imperial Dynasty. Demonic cultivators, their edges worn down? Utterly laughable."
"Li Yaozu truly should have married a daughter of the Li family to this Prince that day. By doing so, they would have come under my command, and I would have been able to keep their clan in check. In this chaotic age, it would have offered them a true way out. A pity…"
Prince Qian's expression was ice-cold. "That Li Yaozu thought this Prince was provoking him, but he failed to realize I was offering his family a path to survival. They should have joined this Prince in working for the well-being of the common people."
The advisor agreed profoundly. "Your Highness is merciful!"
But as he watched the advisor bow, Prince Qian's own brow furrowed deeply.
No. This subordinate of his didn't understand, just like the Li family.
They understood neither his sovereign heart, which took the fate of the world as its own responsibility, nor his grand vision for an Imperial Dynasty that would endure for all eternity.
With a sneer, Prince Qian continued on his way, soon arriving back at his mansion.
But before his spirit ark had even docked, he was already gazing with confusion at the scene outside.
Outside Prince Qian's Mansion, gongs and drums sounded as a crowd of commoners gathered to watch. A long wedding procession had arrived at the gates, everyone dressed in festive red, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.
The bridal sedan chair was open-topped.
Seated within was a bride caked in garish makeup. The sheer amount of white powder made her look ghostly, and her rouge was so thick she resembled a clown from an opera troupe. One of her eyes was larger than the other, and her nostrils flared upward toward the sky. A row of crooked upper teeth, as if unwilling to be left out, jutted from beneath her upper lip.
The passersby outside the mansion pointed and murmured in astonishment, wondering which family could possibly be sending off such a bride. A woman this ugly was surely a rare sight in the world.
Prince Qian's face was grim.
As if sensing the prince's return, a man from the wedding procession floated into the air to face Prince Qian on the prow of his spirit ark. The man's expression was wooden, but he announced in a booming voice for the entire city to hear:
"I, Li Yaozu of the Eternal Sun Prefecture Li Clan, agree to the marriage alliance with Your Highness, Prince Qian!"
"As a sign of our respect, we have sent our adopted daughter to be married!"
"The dowry consists of: ten low-grade spirit stones."
"Eight low-grade spiritual artifacts, eight low-grade evil-warding talismans, eight peach-wood swords..."
"May Prince Qian live a hundred years, and may his halls be filled with children and grandchildren!"
It was a zombie!
Once it had delivered its congratulations, the zombie withdrew the dowry list.
It stared intently at Prince Qian on the prow of the spirit ark, whose face was as cold as frost.
"Your Highness, Prince Qian. In these chaotic times, our two families need something to bind us. Otherwise, how could our Li family ever trust you?"
It continued, "So why be so selective? Just put on whatever is at hand."
The zombie's words grew more mocking as it sneered, "This is the only woman our Li family has sent. Now listen closely: today, you will marry her. You have no choice!"
....
A long wind swept through the sky, making Prince Qian's banners snap loudly on the spirit ark.
The prince stared at the drooling, simple-mindedly grinning woman in the sedan chair, her makeup smeared. His expression remained unchanged, but his fists were clenched so tight they trembled uncontrollably.
The words the zombie had just spoken were the very same ones he himself had said to Li Yaozu half a month ago in this very mansion.
In that moment, he remembered the words Li Yaozu had whispered in his ear.
He remained speechless.
A cultivator arrived on a flying sword, his face a mask of fury.
He stopped before the spirit ark, his gaze flicking from the bride in the procession below to the zombie in front of the vessel, before he finally let out a cold snort.
He addressed Prince Qian coldly, "Your Highness. This one is an inner sect disciple from the Aeternus Sect. My master sent me to report that the three hundred thousand soldiers of the Azure Cloud Army have marched out of the Azure Cloud region.
Region Prince Jiang Chenghuan has ordered the cultivators of both Eternal Sun Prefecture and the Azure Cloud region to be ready to assemble their forces at a moment's notice.
Orders from the Region Prince are already before the gates of every sect in Azure Cloud; their cultivators are prepared to emerge from seclusion at any moment."
"My master says that within three months, the Eternal Sun Prefecture can raise an army a million strong, and no one knows where they will march. My master does not wish to have his tranquility disturbed over some trivial matter. He hopes Your Highness will not disappoint him."
As he spoke, he glanced down at the bridal sedan chair again. The bride raised her head, and though she likely couldn't see him from that distance, the messenger still couldn't help but whip his head away, not daring to look at the wedding procession a second time.
Prince Qian's continued silence prompted the inner sect disciple from the Aeternus Sect to depart in haste, leaving behind a single parting shot.
"Your Highness, it is time to welcome the bride. Do not miss the auspicious hour."
In an instant, A wave of dizziness washed over Prince Qian. He raised his head, staring into the vast sky, and it was as if he could see Li Yaozu looking down on him from above.
---
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