Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Saintess Pavilion.

Fang Qingzhu was carefully wiping the wounds on her maid Xiao Xue's face.

Just now, Chen Longxiang's slap had shown no mercy. Though it hadn't threatened Xiao Xue's life, it left a glaring mark on her face that wouldn't easily fade.

Xiao Xue, her face filled with grievance, looked at Fang Qingzhu, who was meticulously tending to her wounds, and said indignantly, "Miss, that Chen Longxiang is simply too outrageous. The Saint Lord had already decreed that he wasn't allowed in the Saintess Pavilion until after the selection banquet, yet he keeps barging in over and over without any regard for the Saint Lord or you. Miss, let's go to the Saint Lord and tell him about Chen Longxiang's behavior. He is sure to seek justice for you..."

A trace of bitterness and helplessness flashed across Fang Qingzhu's eyes.

With her father's status and position as the Saint Lord of Baiyu Sacred Land, how could he not be aware of Chen Longxiang's recent actions?

Fang Qingzhu had indeed thought of seeking out her father.

But…

When she remembered the power Chen Longxiang currently wielded, the fact that over seventy percent of the Baiyu Council of Elders stood on his side, and the rumor that Chen Longxiang had officially stepped into the Saint Respect Realm…

Even as the Saint Lord of Baiyu Sacred Land, her father's ability to restrain Chen Longxiang was virtually non-existent.

To ask her father to intervene now…

Not only would it fail to check Chen Longxiang, but it would also put her father in a difficult position.

Thus, Fang Qingzhu ultimately decided to give up and never sought her father's help.

"Miss..."

Seeing Fang Qingzhu remain silent, Xiao Xue felt as though an invisible hand clenched her heart tightly, suffocating her, and she vented her frustration, "It's all Xiao Yi's fault! If he had even one-tenth of Chen Longxiang's capabilities, with the Saint Lord's favor toward you, he would never oppose your union. But..."

"Silence!"

Fang Qingzhu glared sternly at Xiao Xue.

Gentle as water all her life, Fang Qingzhu had never before reprimanded someone so sternly.

This startled Xiao Xue, whose expression shifted. Seeing the anger and displeasure in Fang Qingzhu's eyes, she quickly realized her mistake and hurriedly said, "Miss, it's all my fault. Xiao Xue spoke out of turn. Please don't be angry with me..."

As she spoke.

In her panic, Xiao Xue raised her hand and slapped herself twice across the face.

The crisp sound echoed through the pavilion.

"Miss, please don't ignore me..." Xiao Xue was prepared to strike herself a few more times to appease Fang Qingzhu's anger.

But this time, her hand did not fall.

Fang Qingzhu grabbed her hand and gently pulled it down, chiding her, "Silly girl, who told you to hit yourself? I just finished applying medicine to your face, and now you've ruined it again..."

"Miss, you're not mad at me anymore?" Xiao Xue cautiously asked.

Fang Qingzhu rolled her eyes at her. "In this cold, unfeeling Sacred Land, besides my father, you're my only family. Do you really think I'd be angry with you?"

"Miss..."

Xiao Xue's eyes instantly reddened.

All this time.

Fang Qingzhu had never treated her as just a servant.

At first…

Xiao Xue had deeply envied Fang Qingzhu. As the Saint Lord's daughter, she was showered with abundant resources upon her return to Baiyu Sacred Land, cherished and revered as the center of attention.

But…

As time went on.

Especially after the arrangement of the selection banquet.

Xiao Xue's envy gradually turned into sympathy, and even pity.

What was so grand about being the Saint Lord's daughter?

She couldn't even make decisions about her own marriage.

Even though she had someone she deeply loved, she couldn't be with him.

She couldn't even tell him about the selection banquet.

Now, with only three days remaining until the banquet concluded, regardless of whether Chen Longxiang, Dongfang Qinglong, or the Saint Heir emerged victorious, Fang Qingzhu would have to marry one of them, cutting off all ties with Xiao Yi forever.

"Your Highness, Lan Ruoxi requests an audience!" A guard's voice suddenly came from outside the pavilion.

"Ruoxi? Why is she here?"

Fang Qingzhu was slightly taken aback.

She had few acquaintances within Baiyu Sacred Land. Lan Ruoxi, due to her connection with Elder Lan—a staunch supporter of the Saint Lord faction—was one of the few she interacted with.

But…

Ever since the selection banquet was decided upon.

The two had stopped interacting. Lan Ruoxi's sudden appearance now naturally puzzled Fang Qingzhu. Nevertheless, as one of her few friends, Fang Qingzhu said, "Let her in!"

"Understood!"

The guard responded briefly before retreating into silence.

His movements were so imperceptible that his cultivation level was evidently not to be underestimated.

Xiao Xue gritted her teeth in anger. "These guards are truly despicable… Standing watch outside, yet when Chen Longxiang barged in earlier, they didn't even try to stop him!"

"All right, don't be angry anymore!"

Fang Qingzhu gently patted Xiao Xue on the shoulder, her face showing a faint mix of bitterness and sorrow.

Stop him?

In the current Baiyu Sacred Land, who would dare oppose Chen Longxiang?

At the entrance of the Saintess Pavilion's side courtyard.

Two Earth Venerate Realm experts guarded the area, their cold gazes scrutinizing Lan Ruoxi. "You may enter, but leave the items behind. The Saint Heir has instructed that no one may carry anything to the Saintess. Were it not for your grandfather, we wouldn't even allow you inside!"

"Gentlemen, the Baiyu Sacred Land still bears the surname Fang, not Chen—for now. Is your allegiance so easily offered?"

Lan Ruoxi cast a disdainful glance at the two guards before opening the food container in her hand. Inside were three small dishes and a flask of fine wine. Shaking the container slightly, she said, "The Saintess is about to marry. After that, it'll be nearly impossible for us to meet. I simply wish to share one last drink with her. Can't you even let me bring these dishes in? Or must I call upon my grandfather to make you reconsider?"

"Ruoxi, don't make things difficult for us!"

The two guards frowned.

Though Lan Ruoxi didn't seem to notice, she guessed that the guards were carefully inspecting the container inside and out with their spiritual senses.

Her heart raced with panic.

One of the three dishes, the steamed fish, was made personally by Xiao Yi and contained a letter crafted with his unique Secret Technique, hidden within the fish's belly.

Only by slicing open the fish could the letter be discovered.

But these were Earth Venerate Realm guards. Lan Ruoxi couldn't be certain their inspection might not uncover it.

Fortunately, their investigation detected nothing abnormal.

The two exchanged glances.

Although annoyed by Lan Ruoxi's taunts, they dared not push her too far, as the elder she was backed by was a powerful Heaven Venerate Realm figure. At the moment, crossing her would be unwise.

With that in mind.

One of the guards said gruffly, "Go in, but you're only allowed to stay for an hour. You must leave afterward!"

"Hmph, fine, I understand!"

Lan Ruoxi snorted coldly and walked into the Saintess Pavilion, carrying the food container.

Moments later.

She arrived before Fang Qingzhu.

Knowing the guards were likely still monitoring her, Lan Ruoxi raised her voice and said, "Saintess, I've come to see you! Look what I brought—your favorite fish, and some wine..."

"????" Fang Qingzhu looked utterly confused.

What on earth had gotten into Lan Ruoxi?

Didn't she know drinking was the furthest thing from her mind right now?

Fang Qingzhu was about to speak, but Lan Ruoxi, setting the dishes on the table, mouthed silently, "Xiao Yi sent me!"