Chapter 4, Hidden Needles in the Softness (Part 2)

Ling Yuexing finds the clothing here cumbersome to wear, especially in the dead of winter, as the feeling of being wrapped in layers upon layers makes one appear particularly bulky. Therefore, she still opts for a modern and glamorous outfit.

From a distance, one can see the court where the civil and military officials are engaged in discussions about literature and martial arts. The fluctuating sounds of their debates faintly reach the ears, and the topic of contention seems to revolve around Ling Yuexingli, the disciple of the enigmatic old man who appeared over a month ago but has shown no signs of action during this past month.

However, Ling Yuexing did notice a person, as he was standing to the left of Ling Yuezhengkang, while the Crown Prince Ling Yuexingfeng stood to his right

Regarding her attire, many in the palace were envious and disdainful. However, Ling Yue Xing Li did not care, to the extent that this peculiar yet undeniably attractive outfit became a significant marker for others to recognize her as Ling Yue Xing Li, sigh...

The once tumultuous court fell silent, so quiet that it seemed even the sound of a needle dropping to the ground would startle everyone

In the corners of the court, some ornamental plants were arranged. Regardless of the world, the phrase "grass and trees are all soldiers" applies to the perverse woman, Ling Yue Xing Li, and this idiom can be understood literally. The moment Ling Yue Xing Li entered the court, she understood the whole story from the plants.

To stand like a bell and sit like a pine is probably what it means to be an emperor. With such a wide dragon throne, one cannot even lean back comfortably. Rising earlier than a rooster and sleeping later than a dog is already pitiful enough, yet they still have to deal with such a troublesome dragon throne. Ling Yuexing feels that her nominal father is quite pitiful. She genuinely wishes to kindly suggest that he abdicate early, of course, provided that she would not be accused of harboring ambitions to usurp the throne.

The closer one gets to the grand hall, the more spacious it becomes, with buildings that are increasingly tall, magnificent, and ornate. The guards are stationed in layers both inside and outside, while the imperial guards patrol back and forth, creating an appearance of strict security that is, in fact, riddled with flaws. For a master of the middle blue class, moving about in such a place is as easy as strolling through a courtyard. However, for a small vassal state, this is already quite commendable.

There exists a kind of aura that can, imperceptibly, compel submission from others

Such a beautiful daughter, like a fairy, is the result of the union with his beloved. Ling Yuezhengkang could not be more pleased and proud. Whose daughter is more beautiful and noble than his? Even that high priest Xiao Yujing cannot compare. Hmph, Ling Yuezhengkang smugly snorted in his heart, yet maintained a serious demeanor on the surface

Dressed in black, she approached slowly, her back illuminated by light, drawing the attention and quiet admiration of everyone around her. What a celestial beauty she was, unparalleled in the world; even the first beauty of the Eastern Continent, the High Priestess of the Fengxiao Empire, Xiao Yujing, could not compare to her in the slightest.

A faint smile appeared, her gaze gentle; evidently, she is in a good mood now

Li Er, today in front of the civil and military officials, you clearly state how you have learned from the Elder Xuanji over the past ten years. The voice was authoritative, yet the eyes unmistakably revealed a sense of pride in his daughter and anger at others for insulting her.

The little pear-like eyes widened in surprise, feeling somewhat dissatisfied that Ling Yuexing had ignored her. Just as she was about to say something, a lazy and cool voice emerged from beneath the covers.

Ling Yue Xing Li is certainly not alive, as he and the Crown Prince have long been aware. However, why does he not directly suspect that she is not Ling Yue Xing Li? This is because it was they who claimed that Ling Yue Xing Li was taken away by the Elder Xuan Ji.

Factional divisions in the court have existed since ancient times, and her royal uncle, Ling Yuezheng, the half-brother of her father... Ling Yuezheng and his faction actually jointly petitioned the emperor, stating that this princess has been so low-key for many days and has not shown the slightest bit of fighting spirit, raising doubts about whether she has passed the test of the Elder Xuanji and has truly succeeded in becoming his disciple. Those who support Ling Yuezheng's faction claim that they are talking nonsense. The two factions are at odds, naturally leading to a clash, resulting in a loud and chaotic argument.

Ling Yue Xing Li was not asleep at all. She was aware of everything that Xiao Li had done. To say that there was no warmth in her heart would be a lie. This little spicy pepper, although a bit mischievous and daring to bargain with her master, was nonetheless understanding and loyal. To be honest, if today Xiao Li had behaved like other palace maids, completely servile and devoid of any spirit, Ling Yue Xing Li would not have wanted her. The reason she did not refuse Ling Yue Zheng Kang back then was precisely because she saw the spark of intelligence in this child's eyes.

There is a beauty that can enchant the heart in an intangible way

Little Pear followed closely behind Ling Yuexing, chattering incessantly, at times excited and at other times filled with worry

Chattering incessantly, Ling Yue Xing Li truly wanted to slap her away. Can't she just be quiet for a moment? Throughout her more than one hundred years of life, Ling Yue Xing Li had never been afraid of anything, but now she finally realized what she was afraid of—little Li's incessant chatter.

Ling Yuexing smiled at the corners of her lips, her eyes glistening as if filled with honey, her gaze fixed straight ahead, not even granting a glance to those ministers or even the princes.

There is no need for excessive embellishment or language. What is more formidable is that this intangible aspect will go unnoticed by anyone

Little Pear pouted and obediently turned to move the heater, feeling somewhat speechless and helpless towards this master with a peculiar temperament. On such a cold day, instead of staying in the warm house, he actually ran outside to sleep. No matter how many heaters there are, it is still cold in this vast snowy field.

Upon seeing the prince's displeased expression, Xiao Li immediately left the plum garden and rushed to Ling Yuexing with an extraordinary speed, as if she had been invigorated by a shot of adrenaline, her little mouth pouting, resembling a bullied young wife.

Father, it is quite unethical to summon someone so early in the morning. The voice, like a clear spring, is somewhat languid, yet more so it is a soft whisper that makes one feel as if they are about to melt away.

Weighing her options, Xiao Li raised an umbrella beside her to shield Ling Yuexing from the snowflakes that were falling onto her face and body.

Princess, may I ask what this is all about? The Emperor has never summoned you to the court, and it is still the time for the morning court session. With so many civil and military officials in the grand hall, what exactly does His Majesty intend to do? Could it be that he wishes to bestow upon you some titles or rewards? Ah! Could it be because of what you said yesterday..." At this point, she suddenly lowered her voice, looked around to ensure no one was listening, and mysteriously leaned closer to Ling Yuexing's ear, saying: "Is it because of disrespect towards the Crown Prince that he has said something to His Majesty? Oh dear! What should we do? The Crown Prince is the biological son of the Empress; what will happen now?" She suddenly lowered her voice again, looked around to confirm no one was present, and leaned in close to Ling Yuexing's ear, saying: "Is it because of disrespect towards the Crown Prince that he has said something to His Majesty? Oh dear! What should we do? The Crown Prince is the biological son of the Empress; what will happen now? Will the Empress also..."

The next day, the second wave of trouble arrived early in the morning

Before long, Xiao Li brought over a heater, and in her hands, she also had a snow-white fox fur blanket. After setting up the heater, she carefully covered Ling Yue Xing Li with it. In this way, eight heaters surrounded Ling Yue Xing Li in a circle, and with the addition of two fox fur blankets, it should be warm enough

It is indeed a court where hidden dangers lie beneath a facade of softness

The unadorned, slightly curled, waist-length black hair draped behind, the luxurious and extravagantly black fur coat, and the stylish high-heeled leather boots exuding a cool vibe—such a visually stunning and somewhat exaggerated outfit is something that can only be seen on the runway even in the twenty-first century, let alone in this ancient-feeling Xuantian Continent

Ling Yuexing cast a glance at her, pulled the thick fur blanket over herself, and lay down to sleep.

Add another heater, it is not warm enough

On the left side, is that a form of importance, or is it a matter of great importance? The level of attention given to a minister actually surpasses that of the Crown Prince Ling Yue Xing Feng? What intrigues Ling Yue Xing Li the most is that the man has been respectfully keeping his head down, unlike others who seem to have their eyes glued to her the moment she enters the court; he has not looked at her even once.