Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Inside the Zhengyang Hall, the sect leader of the Zixia Sect, Daoist Qingxuan, and Qi Yinshang, the sect leader of the Xuanyu Sect, sat on either side of the main seat, discussing the engagement arrangements for the day.

"Sect Leader Qi, Jing Yan is a proud and aloof person. If he offends you in any way in the future, please forgive him."

"Fellow Daoist, what are you saying? I also like Jingyan very much. It's really not easy for him and Youwei to get to where they are today."

After a few meaningless pleasantries, Daoist Qingxuan poured Qi Yinshang a cup of tea and continued, "Today is the engagement ceremony for those two children. I'd like to set the wedding date as well. What do you think, Sect Leader Qi?"

Qi Yinshang took the teacup and nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking. Although people in the martial arts world aren't so particular, this concerns the child's lifelong happiness."

We, who are both teachers and parents to them, cannot allow them to suffer in poverty, even if we have the means.

Qingxuan Daoist nun: "Perfect timing, I went to the lantern festival a few days ago."

Coincidentally, she met Elder Shi Hanyue of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion at the Kowloon venue and mentioned the marriage of her two children to him.

He said that the third day of the third lunar month next year would be an auspicious day, so why not hold their wedding on that day?

Qi Yinshang nodded: "Alright, since it was Elder Shi who made the prediction, it must be correct."

"The wedding will be organized by my Xuanyu Sect. Please be sure to bring your disciples to attend."

"Well, that's natural."

Upon hearing this, the Daoist nun Qingxuan sighed.

"Seeing these two children finally become a couple, I, as their master, can finally put my mind at ease."

Qi Yinshang also nodded slightly with a kind expression.

At this moment, Chu Youwei and Xu Jingyan entered Zhengyang Palace.

"Meet the Master."

"Greetings, Senior Master."

Upon seeing the two sect leaders, Chu Youwei and Xu Jingyan knelt down and performed the traditional greeting of paying respects to their masters.

"No courtesy, please get up."

Qi Yinshang smiled, raised his hand, and then beckoned Xu Jingyan to come to him.

"Jingyan, I'm entrusting my most precious disciple to you. Youwei has never suffered much since she was little, so you must never bully her."

Xu Jingyan replied, "Uncle-Master, please rest assured, I will spend the rest of my life treating Youwei well and doing everything I can to make her happy."

Qingxuan Daoist nun: "Jingyan, remember what you said today. You must not let people down, or I will be the first to not forgive you."

Seeing this, Chu Youwei quickly said to Daoist Qingxuan, "Master Aunt, Jingyan has always been very good to me, please don't scare him."

"Hahaha, look, they've protected it now..."

"Sigh, this girl, I've raised her for nothing. She's got a lover now and doesn't want her master anymore. She's never been this enthusiastic towards me before."

Seeing the loving couple, the two elders, while joking, were filled with joy.

"Daoist Qingxuan, Sect Master Qi, has this junior arrived at the right time?"

Just then, Yao Meizhen's seductive voice rang out in the Zhengyang Palace.

Upon hearing this, the two elders' faces immediately darkened.

A short while later, Yao Meizhen appeared in the hall dressed in extremely revealing clothing.

"Jingyan, don't look."

Chu Youwei immediately stood in front of Xu Jingyan to prevent Yao Meizhen from affecting his Dao heart.

"Oh, Miss Chu, you look exceptionally beautiful today. If we didn't know better, we'd think it was a wedding, hehehe..."

Seeing Chu Youwei's expression, Yao Meizhen couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Chu Youwei frowned slightly: "Miss Yao, it's been a long time."

Yao Meizhen intentionally or unintentionally swayed the slit in her skirt, revealing a pair of well-maintained, fair, long legs.

Upon seeing this, Chu Youwei couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Pah, they really have no shame."

The nun Qingxuan spoke up, "Junior Nephew Yao, is Sect Leader Du well?"

Yao Meizhen bowed slightly, her breasts appearing and disappearing in the distance.

"In response to Daoist Qingxuan, my master is doing as usual. She specifically instructed me to come and apologize to the two sect leaders."

I am unable to offer my congratulations in person due to the busy affairs of the sect. I hope the sect leader will understand.

"Very well, since the Hehuan Sect is willing to give this old nun the honor, it is already an honor for my humble abode. Please take a seat, my nephew."

"Thank you, Daoist Qingxuan."

Yao Meizhen rose gracefully, gave Xu Jingyan a flirtatious wink, and then swayed her hips as she elegantly sat down in the guest seat.

Xu Jingyan touched his nose, his expression calm and unmoved.

Just then, Jiang Mengxuan, Shen Lang, and Jiang Shangxian and Liu Qinghuan entered Zhengyang Palace together.

Seeing Jiang Mengxuan and Shen Lang holding hands, Xu Jingyan's face turned ashen.

My junior sister's delicate hand was touched by this scoundrel and even held in his hand. It's simply unforgivable!

Qingxuan Daoist nun was also taken aback, her eyes fixed on Shen Lang, seemingly pondering the identities of the two.

"Disciple greets Master and Senior Uncle Qi."

Jiang Mengxuan released Shen Lang and bowed to the two elders.

Qi Yinshang's eyes lit up, and he immediately asked Qingxuan Daogu, "Fellow Daoist, who is this?"

Only then did Qingxuan Daoist nun shift her gaze from Shen Lang and say to Qi Yinshang, "This is my fifth disciple, Jiang Mengxuan."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yinshang immediately stood up and carefully examined Jiang Mengxuan, repeatedly praising her:

"So it's the Empress of Great Chu! I never expected her to grow up to be so graceful and elegant. She even has more poise than my Youwei."

When Chu Youwei heard her master compare her to Jiang Mengxuan and say that she was inferior to her, she felt very uncomfortable, even though she knew it might be just polite talk.

She glanced at Jiang Mengxuan discreetly.

Her skin was as smooth as cream, as white as snow, and her face was as exquisite and refined as jade. Standing there, she exuded an aura of proud plum blossoms in the cold snow, making people dare not have the slightest thought of disrespecting her.

Even though she was unwilling, Chu Youwei had to admit that Jiang Mengxuan was superior to her in both beauty and temperament.

Moreover, in terms of status, she is the current empress, while I am currently just a prodigy relying on my sect; the two are not comparable at all.

After comparing herself to others, Chu Youwei suddenly felt somewhat ashamed of herself.

This was the first time she had felt inferior to a woman, which made her very uncomfortable.

"What are you saying, Uncle Qi? How could I possibly be compared to Chu Tianjiao?"

As she spoke, Jiang Mengxuan turned to Chu Youwei, cupped her hands, and bowed slightly: "Senior Sister Chu, it's been a long time. I'd like to congratulate you and Senior Brother on your upcoming marriage."

His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant; he handled it perfectly.

This is not something that just anyone in the martial arts world can imitate.

"Junior sister, you're too kind. I never imagined that the little girl from back then would become the ruler of a country. It's quite amazing."

Chu Youwei returned the greeting, trying her best to project an air of nobility and not be outdone.

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly, then pointed behind her: "Master, Senior Uncle Qi, let me introduce you two, this is..."

But in the instant she turned around, her expression changed drastically.

Shen Lang and Jiang Shangxian had somehow managed to sit on either side of Yao Meizhen, staring intently at her.

“Miss Yao, we meet again? Since we parted at the foot of the mountain, I have felt as if a year has passed in an instant.”

"What a coincidence, Miss Yao. Do you still stand by what you said before? When will you keep your promise and continue playing?"

Shen Lang and Jiang Shangxian, oblivious to their surroundings, began flirting with Yao Meizhen.

This scene instantly lowered the atmosphere in Zhengyang Palace.

Xu Jingyan felt a surge of disdain, even elation: "Junior sister, you see? This is the husband you chose. He was so easily seduced. Does he deserve you?"