Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

"Xiao Yi sent me here!"

Lan Ruoxi mouthed the words silently, while dipping her fingers in a few drops of wine and drawing a symbol on the table.

It was the crest of the Tianqing Kingdom's military banner.

Fang Qingzhu's mind buzzed loudly, her entire brain blanking out as disbelief flooded her expression.

Xiao Yi?

Tianqing Kingdom?

This… this…

Fang Qingzhu's eyes were filled with excitement and incredulity. She was about to speak, but Lan Ruoxi gestured for silence and quickly wrote a few words on the table: "Walls have ears!"

Without giving Fang Qingzhu any more time to react, Lan Ruoxi swept the words away with her palm.

She started placing dishes and drinks on the table.

Lan Ruoxi smiled and said, "Xiao Xue, open the windows and doors, so some disrespectful old geezers can quit secretly spying on us young girls having a drink. Might as well open the doors wide and let them watch openly…"

"Got it!"

Xiao Xue nodded and ran to open all the windows and doors.

She poked her little head out the window and shouted loudly, "Honored elders, why don't you join us for a drink?"

"…"

The void fell silent.

The two elders guarding the courtyard entrance flushed red with embarrassment.

"Fine, fine, what trouble can three young girls possibly cause?"

"Let them gather as they like."

The two were too ashamed to continue spying with their divine senses.

Inside the Saintess Pavilion.

The three of them waited a moment.

Lan Ruoxi let out a breath of relief and said, "It should be fine now!"

"Ruoxi…"

Fang Qingzhu's excitement hadn't faded from her face. Nervously, she looked at Lan Ruoxi, with a mixture of anticipation, restlessness, and a hint of unease. "How… how do you know Xiao Yi? How… how is he doing now?"

"Hmph, your dear sister here risked her life for your business, and you don't care about me at all? All you worry about is your beloved Xiao Yi!" Lan Ruoxi feigned anger, placing her hands on her hips as she spoke with mock displeasure.

"I… I…"

Fang Qingzhu looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Xiao Xue rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Miss, you're truly blinded by concern. Can't you see that Miss Ruoxi is teasing you?" Turning toward Lan Ruoxi, she added, "Miss Ruoxi, please stop keeping her in suspense and tell her already."

"Alright, alright!"

Lan Ruoxi laughed heartily before pointing at the fish in front of them. "He asked me to bring you a letter—it's hidden inside the fish's belly. Read it yourself!"

"Mm!"

Fang Qingzhu quickly cut open the fish's stomach.

Thick, fragrant broth streamed out and, on the plate, formed words—an unexpected miracle.

Seeing the familiar handwriting.

Fang Qingzhu's eyes instantly reddened. As the full contents emerged and the broth solidified into a sheet of paper.

She picked up the paper.

Tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes as she read its contents.

The letter contained few words.

But each one hit like the sharpest knife in the world, carving stroke by stroke into Fang Qingzhu's heart—each emotion, each chord struck, causing her tears to overflow as if a dam had burst.

Through nine reincarnations, I come for you.

Through fire and blade, I fight for you.

Even if the world turns against me for loving you, I shall press forward without hesitation!

"Xiao Yi…"

Fang Qingzhu clutched the letter desperately in her hands, holding it close to her heart.

Tears dripped, one after another, down onto the floor.

Xiao Xue and Lan Ruoxi exchanged a glance, their eyes heavy with sympathy and pain. They knew too well the immense pressure Fang Qingzhu had been enduring these days.

Though she was the exalted Saintess of Baiyu.

Still…

She couldn't even make her own choice in love.

Not even her father, the Master of Baiyu Sanctuary, could protect her entirely. All he could do was secure the marriage tournament for her. She didn't want to cause her father difficulties, so she had agreed to the tournament.

However, she didn't dare let anyone notify Xiao Yi of the event, for she knew how powerful Chen Longxiang was.

She feared Xiao Yi would die the moment he stepped foot into Baiyu.

She bore everything on her own shoulders.

This burden was enough to crush even the strongest of men.

Let alone a young woman?

"Xiao Xue, drink!"

"The Saintess will soon be married, so let us celebrate properly..."

Lan Ruoxi raised her cup high and shouted.

Xiao Xue blinked before realizing Lan Ruoxi was using this to drown out the sound of Fang Qingzhu's sobs. She quickly followed suit, her voice tinged with emotion. "Alright, tonight we'll drink until we drop!"

The sound of clinking cups and laughter echoed out into the courtyard.

The two elders shook their heads, reassured. "It seems the Saintess has finally come to terms..."

"Let them drink, such moments will grow ever rarer."

"The Saintess truly has a tough life!"

The two promptly abandoned their surveillance of the Saintess Pavilion entirely.

Inside the Pavilion.

Fang Qingzhu gradually calmed herself, looking toward Lan Ruoxi with a solemn expression. She asked, "Ruoxi, how is Xiao Yi doing now?"

The letter itself hadn't said much.

After all.

Hiding a message within a fish's belly was already a risky move.

If the letter contained too much, the fish would attract suspicion, revealing its secret. Xiao Yi had refrained from writing too much, leaving Fang Qingzhu with little insight into his situation.

Lan Ruoxi gestured for Xiao Xue to pretend to be playing games, then said, "Your Xiao Yi is an exceptional talent. During the marriage tournament in Plum City, he stood against the world, single-handedly slaying hundreds of elites. Even Zhang Yi fell by his sword…"

Lan Ruoxi recapped Xiao Yi's journey for Fang Qingzhu.

Fang Qingzhu frowned at times.

Cheered at others.

Felt sorrowful at moments.

And worried frequently…

Although Lan Ruoxi narrated lightheartedly, Fang Qingzhu could imagine the suffering and dangers Xiao Yi had endured on his path.

At the same time.

She understood even more deeply just how steadfast Xiao Yi's love and resolve for her truly was.

Lan Ruoxi said gravely, "Oh, one more thing—Xiao Yi wanted me to tell you that he'll fight with all his might to win the marriage tournament. But right now, Chen Longxiang's influence within Baiyu is far too strong. To prevent any mishap, Xiao Yi asked me to ask you this… If things truly come to the worst, he's prepared to forcefully take you and escape from Baiyu—returning to the Southern State with you. He asked for your answer…"

This question was actually testing Fang Qingzhu's determination.

If Fang Qingzhu also had the resolve to risk everything.

Xiao Yi would prepare for the worst-case scenario.

If Fang Qingzhu hesitated, Xiao Yi would have to come up with other plans.

Without a moment's hesitation, Fang Qingzhu's gaze burned with unwavering determination. All the worries she'd harbored—about the guilt her escape would bring to her father—disappeared the instant she learned Xiao Yi had risked everything to come to Baiyu for the tournament.

Fang Qingzhu no longer hesitated.

She stared into Lan Ruoxi's eyes, speaking with resolute clarity: "Tell Xiao Yi that I—Fang Qingzhu—live for him, die for him. My love for him is eternal and unyielding!"

However…

Just as the words left her lips.

A cold, furious shout erupted outside the Saintess Pavilion: "Eternal and unyielding? Fang Qingzhu, you truly have a death wish!"