"YOUR MAJESTY, he has arrived," Prime Minister Carna said, his voice calm yet laced with restrained pride. His eyes shifted meaningfully toward the grand entrance of the hall. As though summoned by his words, a tall figure clad in pale robes stepped into view. The man had a long white beard that nearly reached his chest, and he walked with quiet authority, leaning lightly on an ornate staff inlaid with dark jade and silver runes. Coldness radiated from his sharp eyes, making everyone instinctively lower their gaze.
Beside the elder stood Prime Minister Carna's eldest daughter, Olivia. Her head was slightly bowed, expression humble, and she looked every bit the perfect noble lady. To many, Olivia had always been the embodiment of grace—meek, well-mannered, and appropriately soft-spoken. Men praised her as the ideal wife candidate. They liked to believe that the scandal with the crown prince had been nothing more than an accident—an inevitable result of two young people drawn to each other by fate.
But among the women in court, a different consensus had long formed. They knew better. To them, Olivia was nothing more than a scheming temptress hiding behind a porcelain smile. Her "innocence" was the most finely crafted illusion of all.
"Your Majesty," Olivia greeted, her voice delicate like a feather floating on wind. She bowed gracefully, giving the crown prince a fleeting glance, her expression seemingly filled with quiet affection.
"This is my elder brother's master, Elder Leo of the Medicine Sect," she said softly.
Before Emperor Jun could respond, the elder scolded, "What do you mean, 'elder brother's master'? Didn't I already tell you that you're also my disciple now?"
Olivia blinked, feigning bashfulness. She lowered her head as if shyly chastised and replied, "Yes, Master."
Elder Leo nodded approvingly, seemingly satisfied with her obedience.
Lily, seated with a cup of tea in one hand, watched the entire display unfold with veiled disdain. Her lips curled ever so slightly as she thought, What a performance. They could win awards if this world handed out trophies for hypocrisy.
Meanwhile, beside her, Hugo was quietly peeling shrimp—perfectly, one by one—and placing the plump meat into her bowl. Each movement was precise, practiced, and carried a subtle gentleness that contrasted with his normally aloof demeanor. Lily glanced at him, amused. She wasn't embarrassed by the gesture at all. In fact, she rather enjoyed being pampered like this by a handsome, influential man.
"Little Olivia is going to become Elder Leo's disciple?" Emperor Jun asked in surprise, the delight in his voice barely concealed. His gaze landed on Olivia with newfound appreciation, as if she were a rare pearl he had just fished from the sea.
"Yes," Elder Leo replied, settling himself beside Prime Minister Carna. His tone was heavy with pride. "Just like her brother, she possesses an innate aptitude for magic. It would be a waste not to guide her."
He didn't bother to explain further. There was no need—the mortals here wouldn't grasp the true nature of the cultivation arts he was referring to.
"How remarkable!" Emperor Jun exclaimed. He clapped once, thoroughly pleased. He hadn't expected such fortune to befall his empire tonight.
He looked at the prime minister with a mixture of admiration and envy. "You should have informed us earlier. One of your children being accepted into a major sect from the Earth Realm is already worthy of celebration. But both?" He laughed heartily. "This is a momentous event."
Prime Minister Carna lowered his gaze in mock humility. "How could this subject dare to disturb the empire with such a personal matter?"
"You mustn't say that." Emperor Jun shook his head. "This is not merely a family matter; this is a glory that belongs to the entire empire! We shall celebrate this great fortune in two days' time. It is not every day that the Medicine Sect accepts disciples from the secular world."
He turned to Elder Leo. "Would that be acceptable to you, Elder?"
"Of course," Elder Leo said graciously. "Your Majesty's goodwill toward my disciples is something I will always remember."
The emperor was clearly delighted by the exchange. Elder Leo, despite his arrogance, had shown him more courtesy than the Pei family ever had. That alone was enough to elevate the elder in his eyes. Unlike that infuriating girl who wouldn't even bow...
Then, Emperor Jun noticed something. A glance. A subtle exchange between Olivia and the crown prince.
He hesitated.
Originally, he had planned to announce Olivia as a concubine for the crown prince, placating the Pei family by keeping Lily in the empress seat. But now... if he demoted Olivia to mere concubine status after she was publicly accepted as a Medicine Sect disciple, he risked offending Elder Leo.
He looked at Lily, seated comfortably, nibbling on her shrimp without the slightest concern for royal proceedings.
"Little Olivia," Emperor Jun called.
Surprised by the sudden summons, Olivia stepped forward with a demure smile. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"I have heard of the situation between you and the crown prince," he began.
Olivia paled slightly and lowered her head. Her hands trembled ever so slightly as she spoke, "This humble daughter of a subject was wrong. I knew His Highness was engaged, and yet... I couldn't help—"
Emperor Jun held up a hand to stop her. "Girl, this emperor is not here to scold you. Love is not so easily contained. I understand how such things can happen. However—" he paused, glancing at Lily, "—this engagement was given by the previous emperor. Although I, as the current sovereign, would not object to the match being broken, I cannot speak for the Pei family."
Lily chewed slowly and then swallowed a large piece of shrimp. She raised her brows ever so slightly and said flatly, "The crown prince is no longer chaste. Even if he were, I wouldn't want him. I've already conveyed this to Your Majesty."
The emperor stiffened. He was about to shift the conversation when Lily dropped another verbal dagger.
"I even sent ten yards of phoenix brocade and a luminous black pearl to the prime minister's estate," she added lightly, as though discussing the weather. "Consider it a token of thanks to Young Miss Carna for her noble sacrifice. Truly, thank you."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Everyone knew what that meant.
In this world, a woman giving herself to a man before marriage was shameful enough to destroy reputations. Now, Lily had framed Olivia as someone who sold herself for a broken engagement. Humiliation couldn't be more complete.
Olivia's face turned ghostly white. For a moment, she looked as if she would scream. But Elder Leo gave her a subtle glance, and she stilled. She reminded herself—she had the Medicine Sect now. The Pei family was nothing compared to that.
She inhaled deeply and appeared to compose herself.
"Olivia did nothing wrong," Crown Prince Ace said suddenly. His voice was filled with righteous indignation. "If there is anyone to blame, it is I. She simply fell in love with me. She never intended to harm anyone."
He turned to Olivia, eyes soft and full of affection.
"What a virtuous young man," Elder Leo commented approvingly. "Your Majesty has raised a crown prince who knows how to protect those dear to him."
"Elder Leo flatters us," Emperor Jun replied, pleased.
Then, Elder Leo turned toward Lily again.
"Little girl," he said, "this one received the luminous black pearl you so kindly gifted to my disciple. It is truly a remarkable treasure."
"If you like it, take it," Lily replied blandly. "We've got fifteen more boxes of those lying around."
His smile faltered.
Toy? She called it a toy?
The luminous black pearl was a legendary item that the Medicine Sect had sought for decades. Its healing powers were great, and when refined, it could accelerate spiritual development. Yet, this girl dismissed it as if it were a child's bauble.
He didn't believe her about the fifteen boxes, of course. Surely she was exaggerating to mock him.
Still, the slight stung.
"I've heard your family is quite influential in this world," Elder Leo said coldly. "Pei family, was it? I can't recall hearing of such a name in the Earth realm."
"Who said we came from there?" Lily arched an elegant brow.
The crowd murmured.
So the Pei family was truly a clan from the secular world. Not an ancient Earth realm family after all.
Elder Leo scoffed and chose not to respond. He no longer had interest in playing word games with her.
Instead, his gaze moved toward the man seated beside her—the fifth imperial uncle, Hugo.
"Master Hugo," Elder Leo said, this time respectfully, "this one has heard of your maternal family's situation. If there is anything the Medicine Sect can do to assist you, we are at your disposal."
Hugo didn't acknowledge him immediately. He continued carefully extracting crab meat and placing it on Lily's plate. Only when he was satisfied with her meal did he lift his gaze.
"This prince's family is well. No need to offer again," Hugo said coolly.
His words were like a door shutting in the elder's face.
Those watching were stunned. They had never seen the cold and aloof fifth imperial uncle behave like this. He had ignored kings and emperors before, but here he was—serving food to a young lady with complete devotion.
Clearly, his feelings for the Pei family's young miss were anything but simple.
Elder Leo masked his displeasure with a polite nod. "Apologies. This one spoke out of turn."
The rest of the hours were used for entertainment. There was dancing, singing, the playing of instruments, and dramatic playacting. The performances were lively, and many guests laughed and clapped with delight-- an act to show to His Majesty. But for Lily, it was all noise—noise that couldn't hold her attention. And she couldn't be bothered pretending.
She leaned back in her seat, her eyes half-lidded as she watched another group of dancers enter the stage. With a sigh of boredom, she stood up.
"I'm leaving," she said plainly, not bothering to lower her voice.
She didn't wait for permission or pleasantries. Her long sleeves swayed as she exited the hall, her steps unhurried but decisive. Behind her, Hugo silently stood and followed, matching her pace without a word. His quiet footsteps trailed her all the way out of the palace.
No one dared to stop them.
Outside, the night air was cooler, softer. The noise from the banquet faded with every step they took away from the hall.
After a while, as the two walked side by side under the palace lanterns, Hugo finally spoke.
"I am going back to my maternal family," he said quietly, his tone unreadable.