Lin Yu and Chu Chu stepped out of the stone chamber to see a palace eunuch dismounting from a horse.
"This one greets Third Prince and Princess Ning Bing!" The eunuch hurriedly saluted both, then looked at Chu Chu anxiously. "Princess Ning Bing, His Majesty has ordered you to return to the palace immediately!"
"So urgent—has something happened?" Lin Yu frowned, pressing the eunuch.
"Reply to Third Prince: The envoy group from Great Qi and Supreme Sword Sect has entered the capital. They request an audience with Princess Ning Bing, so His Majesty sent me to fetch you back." Though Lin Yu was confined to the imperial mausoleum, as royal blood, the eunuch respectfully explained.
"What? So soon?" Chu Chu's face changed. She hadn't expected the Great Qi envoy group they'd just discussed to arrive so quickly.
"Princess Ning Bing, please return quickly! The envoy group is about to enter the palace." The eunuch nodded repeatedly, urging her.
"Third Uncle...?" Chu Chu turned to Lin Yu.
"Go back first—don't keep Father waiting too long." Lin Yu smiled at Chu Chu, giving her a reassuring look that said, *Leave it to me*.
Chu Chu understood, nodded gently, and returned to the imperial city with the eunuch.
...
In the Imperial Garden, the Han Emperor and the Chief Minister hosted the Great Qi envoy group.
"Your Majesty, why is Princess Ning Bing absent? I've long heard she's a peerless prodigy and admire her greatly. I humbly request an audience." A tall, handsome young man in a brocade robe with a sinister glint in his eyes rose to offer a toast.
The Han Emperor chuckled. "Coincidentally, Chu Chu went out to cultivate today. I've sent someone to call her back."
"Oh! I hope so. Best if Princess Ning Bing isn't deliberately avoiding me, or it might affect relations between Great Han and Great Qi, and my sect might form a poor impression of the Han royal family." Li He smiled, threatening the Han Emperor with Great Qi and Supreme Sword Sect behind him.
The Han Emperor's eyes turned cold. "Doesn't Great Qi lack Myriad Transformations realm experts?"
"Great Qi may not, but Supreme Sword Sect does." Li He met the Han Emperor's gaze unflinchingly, relying on the sect as his strongest backing.
"Grandfather..." Chu Chu rushed into the Imperial Garden, instantly disgusted by Li He's arrogant, condescending demeanor.
The Han Emperor smiled, beckoning Chu Chu to sit beside him. "This is His Highness Li He, Ninth Prince of Great Qi. Beside him is Elder Feng of Supreme Sword Sect."
Chu Chu's gaze swept over Li He, her distaste obvious.
"Junior Brother Li..." Elder Feng, seated beside Li He, lit up at the sight of Chu Chu. He whispered in Li He's ear, "Princess Ning Bing of Great Han has a Natural Profound Yin Body—a peerless prodigy. We must not miss this."
"Profound Yin Body, Senior Brother Feng—are you certain?" Li He looked at Elder Feng in surprise. He knew Chu Chu was a prodigy but hadn't expected a Profound Yin Body.
Elder Feng smiled proudly. "The Profound Yin Body differs from ordinary constitutions. Our sect has secret methods to identify it—I can't be wrong."
"Excellent!" Li He's face lit up with excitement. He turned to Chu Chu, greed flashing in his eyes. Then he addressed the Han Emperor loudly, "Your Majesty, I am Li He, Ninth Prince of Great Qi—of imperial blood, noble lineage. As a Third Rank Innate warrior and Inner Sect Saint Son of Supreme Sword Sect, my status, position, and talent all match Princess Ning Bing. I am smitten with her and wish to marry her. Please grant your approval!"
The Han Emperor's face darkened. "Princess Ning Bing will not marry outside Great Han. If she weds, her consort will be chosen from within Great Han. Ninth Prince, unless you're willing to become a consort here, I cannot agree to this marriage."
"Your Majesty, if I marry Princess Ning Bing, Great Han and Great Qi will become in-laws, ensuring eternal peace. Otherwise, war may break out between our nations. Don't Your Majesty and Princess Ning Bing care for the common people?" Li He laughed wildly, fixing his gaze on Chu Chu. "Moreover, I hear Great Han and Great Zhou are in constant conflict. If Great Qi allies with Great Zhou, how will Great Han respond?"
"Arrogant! Are all Great Qi princes this arrogant?"
"If Great Qi dares ally with Great Zhou, it will become Great Han's enemy!"
"Your Majesty, this man is unbearably arrogant—expel him from Great Han!"
The ministers at the banquet turned铁青 (livid), rebuking Li He.
The Han Emperor looked coldly at Li He. "I think you've forgotten that Great Han has a Myriad Transformations realm expert. If Great Qi allies with Great Zhou today, our Myriad Transformations expert will march on Great Qi's capital tomorrow to show you their might."
"What if Great Qi allies with Great Zhou? Prince Su is a Myriad Transformations expert—he alone with his sword can massacre Great Qi's capital!"
"Living in peace for too long, Great Qi's royals have forgotten the power of a Myriad Transformations expert!"
"Perhaps we should summon Prince Su to show them Great Han's foundation!"
The Han Emperor's words rallied the ministers. Mentioning Prince Su inspired absolute confidence.
"I am the Inner Sect Saint Son of Supreme Sword Sect,有望 (poised to) inherit the sect. Supreme Sword Sect's Myriad Transformations experts are Great Qi's Myriad Transformations experts. Your Majesty, if Great Qi's capital can't withstand a Myriad Transformations expert, can Great Han's?" Li He嚣张无比 (extremely arrogant), shouting, "Moreover, this Prince Su of Great Han is elusive—rumored to have done many things, but no one has seen him act. Is he just a fabrication to scare people? Supreme Sword Sect truly has Myriad Transformations experts!"
"Outrageous! Prince Su quelled the beast tide—everyone witnessed it. Great Han doesn't invent fables!" The Han Emperor snorted. It seemed not only Great Qi but also Great Zhou doubted Prince Su's existence.
"If this Prince Su is real, why not summon him? I've long wanted to see a Myriad Transformations expert's might. I request Prince Su's guidance!" Li He stepped to the center of the Imperial Garden, looking up at the Han Emperor and Chu Chu. "Your Majesty, if Prince Su doesn't appear to teach me, please betroth Princess Ning Bing to me. Marrying her will make Great Qi and Great Han as close as brothers!"
The Imperial Garden fell silent, all eyes on the Han Emperor. He looked阴沉 (gloomy)—Prince Su was elusive. Where could he find him to punish this obnoxious brat?
Only Chu Chu remained calm, enjoying wine and food. Since Third Uncle said he had a plan, he surely did. She trusted Lin Yu completely.