Chapter 12: Wavering.

“Chu Yunlan greets you. May I ask who you are?”

As soon as Liu Biqin’s words fell, Ji Xuanyuan waved her jade hand. The window swung open at once.

Sunlight poured down from the window, and a captivating figure appeared at the sill.

Her long hair was tied high, the white jade phoenix hairpin sparkling brilliantly among her crimson locks.

Wind blew in through the window, lifting a few loose strands beside her temples.

She stood at the window looking down, like a goddess standing atop the clouds, gazing upon the mortal realm.

The moment her appearance was clearly seen, the entire street fell deathly silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Even Chu Yunlan, far away in the Chu family residence, was struck speechless with amazement.

He looked at her like a collector who had discovered a rare treasure. His gaze slid across her high-pinned long hair, her peerlessly charming face, and finally settled on her graceful, alluring figure.

Chu Yunlan’s throat bobbed as the other party parted her red lips slightly.

“Xuanyuan Immortal Dynasty’s Crown Princess, Ji Xuanyuan, greets Young Master Yunlan.”

Ji Xuanyuan gave a slight nod. Her voice was as clear and cold as ice beads falling onto a jade plate, with every word ringing distinctly in the ears.

It was merely a courteous gesture, yet to onlookers it appeared as though a goddess was bowing her head.

Chu Yunlan felt his heartbeat skip a beat.

He had naturally heard of Ji Xuanyuan’s name.

The most dazzling genius of the Immortal Dynasty and its most noble Crown Princess. It was said that:

This woman was born with the omen of a phoenix’s cry. She had read through the Daoist canon by age three, drawn qi into her body by age seven, and stepped into the Clear Brightness realm by age eighteen.

In the younger generation of the True Emotion Realm, her name stood as an existence that could rival his own.

Chu Yunlan had never expected her to be here.

He had even less expected that she would proactively greet him from the window. He immediately regretted not being present in person and could only dispatch Liu Biqin to make the connection.

Liu Biqin, having received the order, did not dare slack off. She quickly cupped her hands in return.

“So it is Her Highness the Crown Princess. I have long admired Your Highness’s great name. Meeting you today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes. Why has Your Highness come to Xuanji City? If there is anything Yunlan can assist with, please do not hesitate to command.”

As she spoke, she secretly observed this legendary Crown Princess of the Immortal Dynasty.

Those brows and eyes, those slightly pursed lips, and that graceful, curvaceous figure outlined by her fitted luxurious robes…

Even as a woman, Liu Biqin couldn’t help swallowing secretly. Not to mention Chu Yunlan far away in the Chu family, whose heart surged with unprecedented emotions.

In contrast, Ji Xuanyuan’s expression remained calm and indifferent.

“Young Master Yunlan is too courteous. Xuanji City is not only prosperous in trade, but its scenery also holds unique charm. Since Young Master has come here, you are most likely here for the Divine Grade Auction. There are still quite a few days until the auction begins. Feel free to wander around. If you have spare time, you may visit the Ice Lake outside the city. It is currently the season when the ice melts, and the scenery is rather pleasant.”

Her tone was extremely cold, yet to Chu Yunlan’s ears it sounded like immortal music.

The Crown Princess of the Immortal Dynasty was proactively exchanging pleasantries with him.

She was even inviting him to admire the scenery together.

What did this mean?

It meant she valued him.

It meant she wanted to befriend him.

Chu Yunlan’s heart surged with excitement. He quickly transmitted orders to Liu Biqin.

“Your Highness’s kindness is too much for Yunlan to refuse. We were just about to go on a spring outing. If Your Highness does not mind, how about we travel together?”

As he spoke, he had already forgotten about Gu Qingwan beside him. His mind was fully occupied with how Liu Biqin could perform well on his behalf in front of the future Female Emperor.

Hearing this proposal, discussions on the street erupted once more.

“No way? The heirs of the two future superpowers want to have a private chat? What kind of signal is this? Alliance? Coalition? Marriage?”

“If it’s really a marriage alliance, or even just a close alliance, the entire structure of the True Emotion Realm will change drastically!”

“Marriage alliance? That can’t be, right? What about the Fairy Gu beside him?”

Upon hearing these words, Gu Qingwan inside the phoenix carriage showed no trace of embarrassment.

After all, she and the cross-dressed Liu Biqin were merely acting.

Moreover, the trial she was about to face was extremely dangerous.

Even if the two were to develop feelings in the future, Gu Qingwan would most likely not live long enough to see any marriage.

Meanwhile, Chu Yunlan far away in the Chu family residence listened to the discussions, the arc of his lips deepening further.

Marriage alliance?

He didn’t dare dream of it.

After all, their statuses were far too noble.

Even if mutual feelings existed, the powers behind them would consider it with extreme caution.

However, becoming “closely allied friends” was highly possible.

If such a relationship could truly develop…

Just thinking about it made Chu Yunlan’s throat feel dry.

Facing his invitation, Ji Xuanyuan’s originally indifferent face suddenly bloomed into a charming smile.

Chu Yunlan finally understood what it meant when they said “a beauty’s smile can enchant a hundred.” His conviction in forming an alliance grew even stronger.

In the next moment, Ji Xuanyuan laughed softly.

“Heh! Young Master Yunlan has misunderstood. The words I spoke earlier… were not directed at you. Rather…”

Her gaze shifted away from his face, sweeping past the crowd filling the street, and landed on a youth standing at the edge of the crowd.

“Young Master Chu Yuan, regarding the business you mentioned earlier, would you be willing to come upstairs for a private discussion?”

The smiles on Chu Yunlan’s and Liu Biqin’s faces froze simultaneously.

Their gazes shifted from Ji Xuanyuan’s face back to Chu Yuan.

Why would the dignified Crown Princess of the Immortal Dynasty proactively invite such a waste?

Why him? A mere orphaned descendant with scarce resources and inferior spiritual roots???

“…”

Silence!

In an instant, the entire street fell into deathly stillness once more.

It was even quieter than when the Crown Princess had first appeared.

Inside the phoenix carriage, the dragon saliva incense in the censer had burned out, leaving only a faint wisp of lingering smoke slowly dissipating in the narrow space.

Gu Qingwan unconsciously widened her eyes. Her hands were clasped on her knees, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the fabric of her sleeves.

The force was so strong that her sleeves were wrinkled from being gripped so tightly.

The deathly silence outside allowed her to hear her own clear heartbeat.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

It was too loud.

So loud it felt like someone was beating a drum beside her ear, so loud she could barely hear anything else.

The Crown Princess of the Immortal Dynasty was inviting A-Yuan upstairs for a talk?

To discuss business?

Why?

Gu Qingwan’s mind went completely blank. Then—

“Ah???”

The entire street exploded with uproar.

“Chu Yuan? Which Chu Yuan?”

“The waste who was just dumped by Fairy Gu?”

“No way? The Crown Princess wants to discuss business with him? What qualifications does he have?”

“Did I mishear? I must have misheard…”

The crowd whispered among themselves, mirroring the countless thoughts surging in her heart.

Gu Qingwan subconsciously lifted the carriage curtain and stared blankly at the figure at the edge of the crowd.

Under the gaze of thousands, Chu Yuan raised his head. His eyes crossed over everyone and landed on the window on the third floor.

Chu Yuan was also surprised by Ji Xuanyuan’s invitation.

Thinking of his money-making plan, he suppressed the doubt in his heart, cupped his hands toward Ji Xuanyuan, and said:

“Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness. I will come up right away!”

Chu Yuan’s response caused the crowd to explode even further.

Far away in the Chu family residence, Chu Yunlan’s nails dug into his palms. Liu Biqin’s expression on site also looked unpleasant.

As the young master’s most loyal servant, she could not stand seeing her young master slapped in the face. However, to maintain the young master’s public image, she suppressed her surging emotions and forced a gentle smile back onto her face.

Yet that smile was somewhat stiffer than before. No matter how one looked at the curve of her lips, something felt off.

It was like being slapped across the face yet still having to smile and pretend nothing happened.

“So that’s how it is.”

Liu Biqin’s voice remained gentle and polite, showing no abnormality.

“Yuan弟 is acquainted with Her Highness? Yunlan was unaware… Yuan弟 truly has good fortune.”

As she spoke, she turned to look at Chu Yuan.

A flash of unconcealable killing intent appeared in her eyes.

But Chu Yuan saw it and met that gaze without hesitation.

Their eyes clashed like two swords—one sword of fury, one sword of righteousness—clashing fiercely for an instant.