Chapter 568: The Grand Princess Requests an Audience |
"Master, it seems we won't see Princess Xiangxiang today."
The Pill Spirit looked ahead and remarked.
"Right, she'll be very busy from now on."
"We'll just wander around ourselves."
Ning Qi nodded, then focused his attention forward.
By now, the sky had gradually dimmed.
"Master, look, is someone coming up ahead?"
At that moment the Pill Spirit suddenly pointed forward and said to Ning Qi.
Ning Qi frowned slightly, looked ahead, then smiled and said, "There really is someone coming. It's the Grand Princess."
Upon hearing him, the Pill Spirit instantly showed curiosity,
then hopped onto Ning Qi's shoulder and peered out.
"Why worry about it?"
"Let her come if she wants to!"
Ning Qi didn't care, he spoke lightly,
then walked directly over to a nearby pavilion.
"Immortal, the Grand Princess requests an audience."
Before long, the Imperial Guards came to report.
"Bring her in."
Ning Qi did not refuse, he simply instructed the guards to bring the visitor in.
"Yes!"
The guards responded, then hurried away.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Fengrou arrived at the pavilion accompanied by the guards.
"Paying respects, Immortal."
Li Fengrou no longer had her former heroic air; in front of Ning Qi she appeared exceptionally deferential.
"Grand Princess, have you come to see This Lord for some matter?"
Ning Qi glanced at her and asked calmly.
"Immortal, we acted presumptuously today and failed to properly receive you."
"Now that evening is approaching, we would like to invite you to our residence for a few drinks,"
"to show our respect to you."
Li Fengrou lifted her head slightly and looked at Ning Qi as she spoke.
"Oh? You want to host a banquet for This Lord?"
Ning Qi feigned surprise,
and even pretended to think about it seriously.
"Yes, please honor us with your presence, Immortal."
Li Fengrou nodded and showed an expression of respect,
waiting for Ning Qi's approval.
"Since the Grand Princess invited me, I will accompany you."
Ning Qi nodded in agreement
instead of refusing outright.
"Master, are you really going?"
The Pill Spirit immediately became anxious.
"Yes, I happen to want to sort out some matters concerning Li Xiangrou."
Ning Qi used his divine sense to reassure the Pill Spirit.
"Immortal, please!"
Li Fengrou stepped aside to lead the way and escorted him out.
"Alright!"
Ning Qi nodded, then left with Li Fengrou.
When they reached outside the palace, a carriage was already waiting.
This carriage was more luxurious than Li Xiangrou's, made from spirit-stone materials and supported by formations.
Ning Qi boarded the carriage.
Inside he discovered there was a hidden pocket dimension, with beautiful mountains and waters, and a circulating flow of refined spiritual energy.
"Immortal, we'll arrive soon!"
Li Fengrou climbed in after him,
not forgetting to tell Ning Qi the destination was not far.
"Good!"
Ning Qi responded without hesitation, then sat at a stone table.
There was no sense of jostling inside.
After half an incense stick's time, the carriage stopped.
"Immortal, please!"
Li Fengrou invited him down once more.
Ning Qi nodded and followed her out.
Soon they arrived in front of a residential gate.
It was a vermilion gate flanked by two stone lions.
Stone steps were guarded on both sides by armed escorts.
Above the central lintel, the characters Feng Prince Manor were clearly written,
and Ning Qi realized this was Li Fengrou's manor.
Near the hitching posts a few carriages were parked, evidently some officials Li Fengrou had mentioned.
As Ning Qi walked forward, the guards greeted him with respect.
He accompanied Li Fengrou further inside and soon reached the main courtyard.
The layout gave off a tranquil atmosphere.
There were artificial rockeries and a man-made lake; not as grand as the Imperial Capital's lakes, but overall pleasant.
It was suitable for cultivating calm and refinement.
"Immortal, it's in the backyard."
Li Fengrou focused on guiding Ning Qi.
They had not walked far before reaching the backyard.
As they passed through a crescent moon gate, the smell of food wafted out.
"Master, it smells so good!"
The Pill Spirit also caught the scent.
"Hmm, and these dishes are enhanced with spiritual energy. It seems this lavish dinner has some special meaning!"
Ning Qi grew alert,
but his face remained nonchalant as he followed Li Fengrou to the main hall's doorway.
At the center stood two or three dining tables, many officials already sitting in Grand Master Chairs on either side.
When they saw Ning Qi and Li Fengrou arrive, they stood up.
"Your servants pay respects to Her Highness, we pay respects to the Immortal!"
"We pay respects to the Immortal..."
Everyone bowed respectfully.
"No need for formalities, please sit."
Li Fengrou waved and signaled for everyone to sit.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
...
They replied in unison, then sat down beside the prepared dishes.
"Immortal, please."
Li Fengrou proactively invited Ning Qi to the table.
Ning Qi walked forward and took a seat.
Seeing this, the others also sat down.
"Immortal, on behalf of everyone, I first offer you a cup."
"Thank you for gracing us by joining us."
Li Fengrou raised a cup of wine and toasted Ning Qi.
"Don't be polite."
Ning Qi said little, lifted his cup as well,
then they clinked and drained their glasses.
"Immortal, we also dare to offer you a cup!"
"Immortal, please!"
...
Once she made the first move, the others grew bolder and one by one raised their cups to toast.
While they toasted Ning Qi, he responded to each of them.
The Pill Spirit couldn't care less and began feasting at the table.
The guests were toasting his master; he had nothing to do with it.
Yet he clearly hadn't wanted to be here in the first place.
Why was his master dining with people who had opposed Princess Xiangxiang?
Could it be because the dishes were all high-grade spiritual-energy cuisine?
He couldn't figure it out, but in the end he stopped overthinking and resumed his banquet.
He ate simply for the flavor.
"Immortal, when we met on the road, if any of my men offended you, please don't take it to heart!"
Li Fengrou raised her cup again. "I apologize on their behalf!"
Saying so, she finished the cup.
"Oh? So you already knew about me earlier."
Ning Qi heard this and recalled something.
To be precise, they must have known of each other since the first attack on Li Xiangrou's convoy.
"Yes, this was the helplessness of our royal household."
Li Fengrou nodded and raised her cup again. "Immortal, the ignorant are not guilty, please do not hold it against us."
"Rest assured, I won't hold a grudge, but there is a condition!"
Ning Qi nodded, then looked around at them. "My demand is simple: from now on, no one is to mistreat Princess Xiangxiang."
"Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Immortal, rest assured, we did not know before, now that we know, we will never mistreat Princess Xiangxiang again!"
"Yes, we invited the Immortal to show our sincerity."
"Indeed, please help plead with Her Highness so that when she ascends, she will spare us!"
"As long as we are allowed to live, even if our families are confiscated, we will accept it!"
...
Everyone present chimed in.
Hearing them, Ning Qi finally understood their purpose.
They had invited him to intercede on their behalf.
"Master, I thought they wanted to win you over, but it turns out they want you to plead for them."
The Pill Spirit realized this and chuckled. "Well, that's a relief."
"Alright, since you all say that, I will help plead for you."
"However, I believe Princess Xiangxiang will not be so heartless as to utterly destroy you."
"As long as you remain loyal and continue to serve the Yue Kingdom, she will not exterminate you entirely!"
Ning Qi nodded slightly after listening. "You may rest assured."
"Thank you, Immortal!"
...
Their hearts eased upon hearing him.
With his words, their lives were likely secured.
"Immortal, then I..."
Li Fengrou suddenly started to speak,
but trailed off mid-sentence.
"I believe she will make reasonable arrangements for you!"
"She is not cruel by nature; all of this was forced upon her by you."
Ning Qi glanced toward Li Xiangrou and continued, "Just be sufficiently sincere so that she can trust you."
"Immortal, I understand!"
"Please tell my sister I'll hand over my military command token."
"I will also hand over everyone under me to her. Afterwards I will retire with Father."
After hearing Ning Qi, Li Fengrou understood his meaning.
After saying that, she visibly relaxed.
Her delicate face lost its earlier worry.
Clearly, Ning Qi had shown her an escape route.
If she did not comply, Li Xiangrou would not spare her.
So she had to comply and secure a way out.
"Immortal, we will hand over the military command!"
...
Several generals added.
"Don't be hasty, be cautious."
"If you make a major move, neighboring nations could notice and be tempted!"
Ning Qi shook his head and said, "Princess Xiangxiang will give you a chance."
"Thank you for the reminder, Immortal!"
"We will wholeheartedly support Princess Xiangxiang."
The generals understood after hearing him;
Ning Qi's words carried Li Xiangrou's authority.
That was why they had been so anxious to invite him.
"Alright, enough talk, let's eat."
Ning Qi picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to a dish.
"Eat!"
...
Everyone relaxed instantly.
They all started eating and drinking vigorously.
Their burdens eased, and they ate with gusto.
Li Fengrou no longer looked crestfallen.
Though she had lost to her sister, if her sister had an Immortal backing her, that made a difference.
It proved their family had deep opportunities, to be noticed by an Immortal.
That was something many people dreamed of.
So Li Fengrou had completely let it go.
"Unfortunately, I was short-sighted at first and failed to recognize that you are an Immortal."
"If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have been so reckless as to oppose you."
Li Fengrou suddenly said with feeling.
"It's not too late to know now!"
Ning Qi smiled and added, "In the future, perhaps your sisters will have opportunities to cooperate."
"Immortal, if my sister ever needs assistance, I will fully support her!"
Li Fengrou nodded and promised.
"Good! For that, I toast you on behalf of Princess Xiangxiang."
Ning Qi smiled and raised his cup.
He joined Li Fengrou in drinking.
"Immortal, I dare not accept."
Li Fengrou hastily raised her cup and protested.
"Why not."
Ning Qi waved a hand and told everyone, "Earlier you toasted me, now I will toast you!"
"Immortal, please!"
Everyone relaxed and raised their cups, then drank together.
When they had eaten and drunk their fill, the dishes on the table were cleared.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you may spread the word."
"Let everyone know not to panic, just continue to support Princess Xiangxiang!"
Having eaten his fill, Ning Qi stood and said, "I won't keep you. I'll return to check if the Princess needs anything else."
"Immortal, let me see you out!"
Li Fengrou rose proactively to accompany him.
"We respectfully send off the Immortal!"
Seeing this, the others stood as well and escorted Ning Qi to the gate.
Li Fengrou and Ning Qi got into a carriage,
which then sped away.
"Now we can rest assured."
"The Grand Princess is magnanimous; otherwise we'd be doomed."
"Mainly it's because this Immortal won't pursue the matter, otherwise none of us would be spared."
...
They began to chatter as they watched the carriage vanish.
"Right, let's go tell everyone the news."
"Yes, so no one worries."
"Let's hurry."
Once they reacted, they hurried off.
Others followed suit and left one after another.
Chen Yang and the others had already returned to the Imperial Capital with Li Fengrou.
After disembarking, they headed straight for the rear garden.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they arrived at the rear garden.
"Immortal, I'll take my leave now."
Li Fengrou paused and said goodbye to Ning Qi.
"Alright, you go ahead."
Ning Qi nodded and let her go.
After all, she still had to inform her confidants about this matter.
"Yes."
Li Fengrou agreed and prepared to depart.
"Your Highness!"
At that moment, Li Xiangrou's voice came from the doorway.