“Indeed!”
Feng Yinshan nodded. “This prince comes on the emperor’s orders to specially invite Brother Ling to the palace.”
“The emperor invites me? But I do not believe I know him?”
Ling Xiao frowned. The inner palace was no good place. As the saying goes, accompanying a monarch is like accompanying a tiger. If someone sought trouble, it would be problematic.
Back in the holy city, with Yue Nu at his side, he feared nothing.
But now, he truly hesitated a little.
This emperor was Ice Phoenix clan, clearly backing Divine Phoenix Academy. Who could guarantee this was not a Hongmen banquet?
Hearing Ling Xiao, Feng Yinshan felt awkward.
Did the emperor need personal acquaintance to invite someone?
This Ling Xiao was truly arrogant, giving no face to the emperor?
Seeing Feng Yinshan silent, Ling Xiao suddenly smiled and asked, “If I refuse, what will the emperor do?”
Feng Yinshan was about to reply, but Ling Xiao waved. “Never mind, no need to answer. You would not dare speak truth anyway. Thus, I am rather dishevelled now. Let me return to the academy, change clothes, wash properly, then go. Lest accused of disrespect to the emperor. That would be bad.”
“No matter. The banquet starts tonight. This prince will personally fetch you at Qingxu Academy then.”
Feng Yinshan smiled.
Ling Xiao was puzzled. Why so courteous? Did he fancy him?
The thought chilled his spine. He fled back to Qingxu Academy.
Changing clothes was pretext. Consulting Feng Qingyan was real.
With Yue Nu absent, Feng Qingyan was his reliance. He must hug this thigh tight.
Back at the academy, Ling Xiao detailed the matter to Feng Qingyan, who shared the worry and offered to attend with him.
Only then did Ling Xiao relax.
With Feng Qingyan, escape would be easier if needed.
He would not go without him.
Caution against others was essential.
That evening, Feng Yinshan indeed came personally. Seeing Feng Qingyan join, he said nothing.
“Your Highness, do you know why the emperor summons me?”
Ling Xiao asked curiously.
“Truthfully, this prince is unclear, but likely one of three matters.”
In the palanquin, Feng Yinshan speculated. “First, youths from both academies head to the border for combat trials. You will likely go, so the emperor may offer encouragement. I checked. Tonight’s guests are not just you. Divine Phoenix Academy and royal youths too.
Second, the expert behind you. Not just the emperor, even this prince wishes to befriend. Probably a reason.
Third, many unwed young women in Ice Phoenix clan. This prince suspects they may seek marriage alliance.”
“Good heavens, why do royals always pull people this way?”
Ling Xiao shook his head with a wry smile. In Tianlong Continent, the holy emperor tried the same, wanting to control him via Ji Mingkong.
Now again.
He felt some disgust.
Feng Yinshan smiled awkwardly, noncommittal.
He had considered picking an outstanding Fire Phoenix woman for alliance with Ling Xiao. Glad he had not spoken, or today would be embarrassing.
Clearly Ling Xiao disliked such things.
…
“This does not seem the palace direction?”
Halfway, Ling Xiao keenly noticed they veered farther from the palace and asked.
“Correct. Not the palace, but Lingyue Villa.”
Feng Yinshan nodded. “Brother Ling may not know. Lingyue Villa is a rare leisure spot in the imperial city, royal retreat for summer. Stay long, all know it.”
“Lingyue Villa? I have heard of it. Dishes and wine most expensive in the city. Music surpasses even court musicians?”
Ling Xiao asked curiously.
“Exactly. Originally built by Ji Fuling and Yu Xuanyue couple. Once their residence, no outsiders allowed.”
Feng Yinshan sighed. “Later they left Divine Phoenix Continent. Righteous Alliance remodelled it for royal leisure. Prices rose, but tone fell. This prince visited several times. Food and wine live up to fame, but ostentation too heavy.”
Speaking, Feng Yinshan watched Ling Xiao, gauging reaction to Ji Fuling and Yu Xuanyue.
But disappointed.
Ling Xiao had heard of them, wondered if their child, but only speculated, uncertain.
The palanquin soon reached Lingyue Villa.
Upon entry, they alighted. Many lavish palanquins at the gate.
Some worth tens of millions low-grade spirit stones.
Cheapest, hundreds of thousands.
Clearly, all inside were wealthy and powerful.
“Per Lingyue Villa rules, carriages and palanquins stay out. We walk.”
Feng Yinshan explained.
“No matter.”
Ling Xiao was no spoiled young master.
Raised in hardship, walking was fine, even backwards.
Inside, truly scenic hills and waters, another world.
Space seemed larger than outside, holding mountains and rivers. Quite special.
Air filled with mist and floral scent, instantly refreshing, invigorating.
“Truly a fine place. Live here long, perhaps never fall ill.”
Ling Xiao marvelled, but observed the villa’s layout closely.
Perhaps due to array mastery, he spotted at first glance the unusual design.
It was the “Green Hills, Clear Waters, Vast Return Array”.
More feng shui oriented, gathering heaven-earth spiritual energy and vast righteous qi.
Long residence brought comfort and sensed worldly righteous qi.
But deeper in, his brow furrowed tighter.
The array seemed damaged.
Hills and waters remained, but righteous qi weaker. Air mixed with decadent tones, displeasing.
