The Seven Princesses' Journey Across Time

Li Changsheng took in all of this and realized that Xiao Ruofeng hadn't found the right candidate yet, so he offered another suggestion: "Lu Yi mentioned before leaving that your brother's newborn son is a good candidate."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruofeng's previously dull eyes suddenly lit up. He turned sharply to look at Li Changsheng, his eyes filled with anticipation and inquiry. Li Changsheng smiled and waved his hand, signaling him to remain calm. "Alright, go ahead. Once your junior brother and Master Xie are done with their competition, we'll set off."

Xiao Ruofeng bowed and said, "Yes, disciple, I'll take my leave."

At this time, when Baili Dongjun returned to the yard, he saw Ye Dingzhi with a sad face and sweating profusely. Some of the sweat dripped down his cheeks, and some flowed across his Adam's apple and into his collar. Seeing this scene, Baili Dongjun swallowed unconsciously and felt a little hot in the face.

Baili Dongjun quickly looked away, secretly regretting how he could have such a strange reaction to his friend. He cleared his throat and said calmly, "Brother Yun, you are too hardworking." Ye Dingzhi stopped what he was doing and said thoughtfully, "The root of everything is that I am not strong enough."

Baili Dongjun stepped forward, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped the sweat from Ye Dingzhi's forehead. As their eyes met, the atmosphere became tense. Baili Dongjun's face turned even redder, and his heart beat uncontrollably faster. Ye Dingzhi looked at the reddened tips of his ears, and something in his heart moved, a strange emotion welling up in his heart.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside. It turned out to be his fellow disciples asking for some wine. Baili Dongjun, as if grasping a lifeline, turned and hurried out. Ye Dingzhi watched him hurriedly leave, his eyes filled with inquiry. Baili Dongjun rubbed his chest as he walked, trying to calm his pounding heart, but the same blushing, heart-pounding panic still lingered inside.

Baili Dongjun arrived at the door, feigning composure as he greeted his fellow apprentices. Lei Mengsha jokingly said, "Dongba, did you brew some more of that Seven Stars Night wine? You're going to compete in a few days, so give us a taste first. In my dream, you broke Old Seven's mirror." Baili Dongjun smiled as he agreed, but his mind was completely elsewhere.

Ye Dingzhi straightened his clothes and came out. Seeing Baili Dongjun with the others, his expression returned to normal. But when his eyes occasionally glanced at Baili Dongjun, there was still a hint of a different feeling.

Everyone sat around drinking and chatting. Baili Dongjun would occasionally glance at Ye Dingzhi, and each time their eyes met, he would hastily look away. Ye Dingzhi noticed his gaze, smiled inwardly, and deliberately looked for an opportunity to sit next to Baili Dongjun.

Baili Dongjun suddenly tensed, his body stiffening slightly. Ye Dingzhi leaned in close and whispered, "Why were you so flustered just now in the courtyard?" Baili Dongjun's face flushed crimson, and he stammered, "No...no." Ye Dingzhi smiled faintly and didn't ask any more questions. Yet, the air around them seemed to heat up with the subtle atmosphere between them. Baili Dongjun just wanted this gathering to end quickly so he could hide away and calm down.

The day before their drinking competition, Zhuoqing was trying to guess what Emperor Tai'an was thinking, so he thought of sending someone to keep Baili Dongjun and Ye Dingzhi in Tianqi City forever. Now that the crazy woman was gone, he wanted to see who else could protect Ye Dingzhi. But Li Changsheng was still there, and he couldn't do anything about Baili Dongjun, otherwise that old fellow Baili Luochen would not let it go. But now that the useless Prince Qing was crippled, Prince Jinyu still hadn't given up on the throne even though he was bedridden, so he could be of use. Thinking of this, he sent someone to pass on the message to Prince Jinyu's mansion.

At the Jinyu Palace, Xiao Ruojin coughed excitedly after receiving the news from Zhuoqing, but he still insisted on arranging everything, especially for Ye Dingzhi. He transferred all the love he thought he had for Mo Luyi over the years into hatred and put it on Ye Dingzhi.

The next day was the competition between Baili Dongjun and Master Xie. This time, Baili Dongjun still let his senior brothers go first. At this time, Xiao Ruojin arrived early in the carved building. Looking at the glorious Eighth Young Master of Beili below and his own brother, he was filled with insatiable resentment. He was obviously his elder brother, but Xie was closer to his fellow brothers. Ever since he fell ill, they no longer told him about the court's movements, which led to him losing his understanding of the court. Xiao Ruofeng glanced thoughtfully in the direction of Xiao Ruojin.

Emperor Tai'an also asked Zhuoqing, "Is today the day that Baili Dongjun and Master Xie agreed to have a drinking contest?"

Zhuoqing: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Tai'an: "Which prince went?"

Zhuoqing: "His Royal Highness the Third Prince and His Royal Highness the Ninth Prince."

Emperor Tai'an: "Ruofeng is Baili Dongjun's senior brother, so it's only natural for him to go. Why did the third brother go too? Didn't I hear he's sick again?"

Zhuoqing: "Your Highness the Third Prince, I wish to share His Majesty's worries."

Emperor Tai'an: "Zhuoqing, Zhuoqing, otherwise why are you the chief eunuch of mine?"

-

Baili Dongjun, Ye Dingzhi, and Sikong Changfeng waited until Diaolou Xiaozhu urged them to leave and said they would only have half an hour to go. Baili Dongjun also said, "The important people should be the last to appear."

But when the three of them were halfway there, someone blocked their way. The person who blocked their way was actually a killer from Dark River. It seemed that they had specially investigated Ye Dingzhi's realm. The person who came was just one level higher than Ye Dingzhi. The most important thing was that there were three of them.

Ye Dingzhi's face darkened, and he gripped his sword tightly. He whispered, "It seems someone doesn't want us to reach the Diaolou Cottage safely." Sikong Changfeng also became alert and stood beside Ye Dingzhi. "The Dark River Killer has always been difficult to deal with. I'm afraid this time he will be difficult to deal with."

Baili Dongjun smiled, took a step forward, and said loudly, "Aren't you afraid of offending my master by acting like this, Anhe?" The three assassins remained unmoved. One of them sneered, "Stop talking nonsense. Don't even think about getting through today."

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, a melodious flute sound suddenly came. As the sound of the flute got closer, the Eight Young Masters of Beili slowly approached, and even Xie Xuan came. Luo Xuan was holding a jade flute, looking very elegant.

"Brother?" Baili Dongjun shouted in surprise. It turned out that his brothers had come to help after hearing the subordinates report that they were in danger.

The three Dark River assassins hesitated when they saw the large number of people coming. However, they did not want to give up the mission easily, so they exchanged glances and prepared to fight to the death.