NOVEL NEXT Chapter 174: Illness and Destiny
Chapter 174: Illness and Destiny
The next morning, Xu Lian checked the favorability level.
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Rank: Grandmaster, 7th Stage]
[Skills: Sacred Spirit Record (Immortal Technique Supplement), Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volumes 1-3), Seven Styles of Primal Gang (Complete Edition), Short Strike – Shadow Chase…]
[Items: Sword of Destruction (Not equipped)]
[Note: Tantai Youxuan’s favorability towards you is 50/100]
Only 50?
Xu Lian was astonished. He hadn’t expected it to be so low, barely meeting the threshold to be displayed.
Thinking about it, it made sense. First, they were practically strangers, having married without even meeting each other. A favorability of 50 was actually quite good under the circumstances. Second, he had forgotten to be gentle and considerate.
When he saw Tantai Youxuan wake up, Xu Lian apologized, “I’m sorry. I got a little carried away last night.”
Tantai Youxuan replied, “Husband, why are you apologizing? It is my duty to serve you. Besides, it shows how much you care for me. How could I blame you?”
She is so understanding… Xu Lian held her gently and began to speak sweetly, aiming to increase her favorability.
When he felt that the time was right, they went back to sleep.
When he checked the favorability again, it had jumped to 70/100.
Xu Lian was pleasantly surprised. A 20 point increase in one go! It seemed that the emotional connection was indeed the basis of the favorability.
After getting up, washing and dressing, they held hands and went to the dining hall for lunch.
The dining standards for a princess were extraordinary. The large round table was laden with dozens of dishes, and rows of palace maids stood by with trays of additional dishes, each covered. If the dishes on the table didn’t suit their tastes, they could be changed at any time.
Besides, these weren’t ordinary dishes. Most of them were made of exotic animals with tender and tasty meat. For cultivators, eating such dishes on a regular basis would bring immense benefits to their cultivation.
While they were eating, Xu Lian chatted with Tantai Youxuan.
He could clearly sense the affection in every glance she gave him, which filled him with joy.
After lunch, they strolled through the imperial garden of the princess’s residence. Xu Lian brought up the matter of Xiya, “His Majesty… father-in-law has a daughter outside the palace who is a few years older than you. She was brought back to the capital over half a year ago. Did you know about her?”
Tantai Youxuan nodded gently, “Father told me about you and Sister Xiya. I heard that Sister Xiya had a very hard life before. She struggled to even have enough to eat and had to bleed daily to satisfy the demands of the Ghost Soul Sect’s descendants. It wasn’t until you became the overseer of the mine that her life improved.”
Xu Lian said, “It’s been over half a year since I last saw her. I miss her dearly. Can you take me into the palace to see her, or bring her out to meet me?”
Tantai Youxuan shook her head, “Sister Xiya isn’t in the palace right now. She’s been sent to the ancestral land for cultivation.”
Xu Lian was puzzled, “The ancestral land of the Yin Dynasty royal family?”
Tantai Youxuan looked around. The nearby eunuchs and palace maids lowered their heads, stepped back, and then left.
Only then did Tantai Youxuan whisper, “The ancestral land is a secret of our Yin Dynasty royal family. Beneath this capital, there is another city known as the Nether Capital. That is our ancestral land.”
The Nether Capital? The city of the underworld?
Xu Lian began to understand. The Yin Dynasty, the Yin Dynasty, it was probably named after the underworld. The ancestors of the Yin Dynasty royal family probably weren’t “ordinary” people. Could they be from the underworld?
Tantai Youxuan continued, “Sister Xiya has perfectly inherited the royal bloodline and is currently receiving the ancestral inheritance in the Nether Capital. She might be included in the first rank of the younger generation of the Yin Dynasty royal family.”
From the Blood Sea’s Sovereign, Xu Lian had learned the meaning of the first rank. It referred to the peerless geniuses that were secretly cultivated by major factions as hidden assets. They were not publicly disclosed and did not participate in conflicts between factions unless it was a matter of life and death.
This made Xu Lian frown, “Does this mean it will be difficult for me to see Sister Xiya in the future?”
Tantai Youxuan reassured him, “You won’t be able to see her while she’s receiving the inheritance, but don’t worry. Father feels guilty about Sister Xiya and won’t restrict her freedom. You’ll meet again eventually. Once Sister Xiya becomes part of the first rank, she won’t be bound by the constraints of the royal family. She’ll have a lot of freedom, and if she wants to see you, she’ll come to you.”
This eased Xu Lian’s worries. Then he thought of Yang Chan’er, “There was a young girl who came to the capital with Sister Xiya. She’s like a concubine to me. Do you know where she is?”
Tantai Youxuan thought for a moment, “She is probably staying at Sister Xiya’s residence. She wouldn’t have been taken to the ancestral land.”
Xu Lian hesitated, wanting to ask if she could take him to see Yang Chan’er, but he felt it might be inappropriate. They were newlyweds, and constantly bringing up other women might affect Tantai Youxuan’s favor.
Seemingly reading his thoughts, Tantai Youxuan frowned, “Sister Xiya is one thing. After all, she has inherited the royal bloodline perfectly and is a match for a top-tier genius like you. But a mere ordinary girl who isn’t even a cultivator, why bother with her?
“If you think I’m not enough, there are many young and beautiful maids, singers, and dancers in the palace. At least they’re cultivators. Isn’t that better than an ordinary girl?”
“…” Xu Lian could tell that she was a bit upset, but he couldn’t blame her. As the legitimate princess of the Yin Dynasty, she viewed ordinary girls as insignificant. Naturally, the thought of her husband caring for such a girl displeased her.
Xu Lian smiled and hugged her, “You’re right. An ordinary girl… is not worth my attention.”
In his heart, however, Xu Lian decided that he would have to find a way to see Chan’er in secret.
Tantai Youxuan’s beautiful face softened, and she leaned against him, gazing at the blooming imperial garden. She whispered, “Husband, don’t misunderstand me. I am not a jealous woman.
“But as a top-tier genius of the younger generation and now my husband, your status is no longer what it used to be.
“I have no objection to you associating with women of status. In fact, it would help you expand your connections, and I would support it.
“But ordinary girls are out of the question.”
“Associating with ordinary girls would not only make you a laughing stock among other geniuses, but also damage my dignity and even the prestige of the royal family.”
Xu Lian didn’t know what to say. There was a saying: “Without the life of a princess, but with the temperament of one.” Tantai Youxuan clearly had the temper of a princess, but she was indeed a princess – a legitimate one at that. Who could say anything about her behavior?
Xu Lian nodded, “You’re looking out for me. I understand.”
And so he spent the entire day in the princess’s residence, keeping Tantai Youxuan happy before making any other plans.
As a newlywed, Tantai Youxuan was very clingy and stayed by his side every moment.
The next morning, Xu Lian saw that her favorability had reached 80/100. He was both surprised and pleased. The rapid increase in favorability was definitely worth it.
Tantai Youxuan led Xu Lian out of the princess’s residence and into the palace.
First, they paid their respects to the Empress Dowager.
Then they visited the Emperor and Empress.
After that, they met with the royal relatives, especially the various princes.
Finally, they went to the residence of the Empress Dowager’s family, the Duke of State.
By the time they returned to the princess’s residence, it was already night.
Xu Lian looked at the various rare treasures they had brought back and felt that it was well worth it. A single trip had brought him treasures worth tens of millions, even hundreds of millions of Spirit Stones.
Tantai Youxuan let him take some for his personal use and stored the rest in the Residence’s treasury.
She said, “If you ever need cultivation resources in the future, you can take them from the residence’s treasury. If we don’t have what you need, I’ll take you to the royal treasury. They should have it there.”
Living off of his wife’s wealth was truly delightful… Xu Lian felt ecstatic.
That night, they had another heartfelt talk…
On the third day, after breakfast, a palace maid reported that visitors had come to see the princess and her husband.
A stream of visitors arrived one after another, as if by prior arrangement. The court officials and nobles all came to pay their respects today, bringing gifts but not staying long so as not to disturb the newlyweds.
Looking at the mountain of rare treasures, Xu Lian felt that he had reached the pinnacle of life. He finally understood the weight of being the legitimate princess.
The Empress only had one son and one daughter, the Crown Prince and the legitimate princess. It was clear that the Emperor doted on Tantai Youxuan far more than on any of his other children. Even Xiya, despite her perfect bloodline, couldn’t compare.
Tantai Youxuan waved her hand, and the treasures were sent to the Imperial Treasury. Then, she took him out for a tour of the capital city.
Xu Lian sat in the princess’s carriage as they rode through the streets, receiving the blessings of the capital’s citizens.
Seeing every household preparing flower baskets and cheering as they scattered petals, Tantai Youxuan was delighted, “The people seem to adore you, husband.”
“Probably,” Xu Lian replied. He knew it was mainly because he had risen from the bottom to become the royal son-in-law, fulfilling the common people’s dreams.
They toured 3,764 streets, spending an entire day on the parade.
Of course, they couldn’t cover every street, only the more famous ones.
That night… they had another heartfelt conversation.
By the fourth morning, Tantai Youxuan’s favorability had broken the 90/100 mark, earning Xu Lian a progression point.
This delighted Xu Lian. Not only was he receiving rare treasures, but he was also gaining progression points. Living off his wife’s wealth was truly a blessing, as if the heavens were spoon-feeding him success.
Tantai Youxuan meticulously helped him adjust his official robes. According to protocol, he had to attend the court meeting today – just this once. As the royal son-in-law, he wouldn’t need to participate in political affairs in the future.
Leaving the princess’s residence, Xu Lian mounted a magnificent exotic beast and rode to the main hall of the palace.