Chapter 80: The Princess's Invitation

When Ye Feng returned to the Ye residence, Huan Qingwu, clad in a black dress, had already been waiting for him for a long time.

She watched Ye Feng’s gloomy expression without uttering a word, sitting quietly on the grand chair in the midst of the grass, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness and affection.

She was very pleased with Ye Feng’s performance during his time in the capital.

Perhaps, in the eyes of many who knew nothing, Ye Feng was merely a reckless fool bold enough to raise his blade against a prince; but to those who understood the true circumstances, the young master of the Ye family possessed an extraordinary nature, bordering on the demonic.

The servants in the separate courtyard had wisely chosen to avoid them. On the vast expanse of grass, only Ye Feng and Huan Qingwu remained. At that moment, the atmosphere was tinged with awkwardness.

Ye Feng looked up and examined Huan Qingwu carefully. Still dressed in black, her stunning beauty was suffused with concern. As he gazed at her, he found himself entranced, and slowly walked to stand before her. He gently cupped her face, now flushed as red as an apple, and kissed her lips.

The fragrance was intoxicating—not the cheap scent of perfume, but a subtle, alluring aroma, the kind of feminine scent that could captivate and completely ensnare a man.

Time seemed to stand still.

Though it was a first for both, if one has never eaten pork, at least one has heard the pigs squeal, he thought. Soon, the two lost themselves in passion.

“Mmm!” After a while, Huan Qingwu gave a soft, charming moan, her cheeks blazing.

Ye Feng grinned mischievously, “Are you feeling shy?”

“Shy? Nonsense! You’re suffocating me!” Huan Qingwu reached out her delicate hand and pinched Ye Feng’s waist with surprising strength, her voice fierce.

Ye Feng staggered, nearly falling to the ground. In that instant, his world was turned upside down. How could this be? Wasn’t she a fairy descended into the mortal world? How could she be so formidable?

But after this little episode, the atmosphere relaxed considerably, and Ye Feng emerged from his gloom. He gazed at the beauty before him, feeling as if he were struck dumb.

Ye Feng had never believed in love at first sight. But now, he did. Perhaps, somewhere in the unseen threads of fate, the two were destined to be together.

The scene he had witnessed in the Immortal Realm returned to his mind every time he saw Huan Qingwu.

The lord wields his blade across the world, while his beloved plays the zither, her destiny rising and falling with him...

Even now, Ye Feng could not comprehend the depth of such love.

Yet with Huan Qingwu’s presence, Ye Feng understood much. Love needs no reason. Love knows no bounds of life and death.

“Princess Anran will invite you to the palace, most likely to host a banquet in gratitude for saving her life last time,” Huan Qingwu murmured, nestled in Ye Feng’s arms, as if savoring the moment.

Ye Feng was momentarily surprised by her words. “The royal family really knows how to set aside its pride, giving the Ye family such respect!”

Clearly, things were not as simple as Princess Anran thanking him.

“And besides, the ancient ruins are about to open. Some of the true nobility will surely make their moves. The real test for you is about to begin. Don’t let your sister down!” Qingwu smiled playfully and gently tweaked Ye Feng’s hawkish nose.

Ye Feng nodded with a smile, enjoying the feel of her soft hands, and teased, “So even the legendary Huan Clan, terrifying to the sacred lands, has entered the mortal world?”

He had already guessed Huan Qingwu’s identity when she mentioned her clan. He was no naive youth; such a beauty wouldn’t help him out of nowhere.

Second Brother Ye counted himself lucky: not only had he met such a celestial woman, but he had also won her heart.

“I knew I couldn’t hide it from you. After decades of recuperation, it’s time we collected some debts.” Huan Qingwu smiled sweetly, gazing up at the sky, lost in thought.

After a moment, she lowered her gaze and continued, “With the opening of the ruins, the remaining two great eastern empires will also send their younger generation to the Tianwu Empire. Given the sheer number of competitors, Emperor Tang Hen has expanded the entry slots to fifty.”

“Are you going as well?” Second Brother Ye never worried about competition. Without it, any weakling could enter. Only the truly strong would be recognized.

“Yes!” Huan Qingwu nodded lightly.

The princess’s invitation was not to be refused. It was likely that Xiao Chong and the others had already happily departed for the banquet. With nothing urgent in the Ye residence, Ye Feng changed clothes and set off with Qingwu.

Such a banquet would certainly attract the capital’s most promising youths. Second Brother Ye was eager to see the top talents of the younger generation.

Arriving once more at the grand imperial palace, Ye Feng found its opulence unimpressive. He had seen far grander palaces in his previous life.

Yet, only days ago, he had slain a prince at the palace gates, and now he arrived boldly to attend a banquet. Wasn’t this a bit too brazen?

Entering the palace awkwardly, they were met by maids who had been waiting. Upon seeing Ye Feng and Huan Qingwu, the maid led them directly toward the princess’s hall.

Near their destination, guided by the maid, they walked toward an elegant pavilion.

Hand in hand with Huan Qingwu, under the maid’s curious gaze, the two approached the princess’s hall with smiles.

Despite the winter, the garden was vibrant. Led by a profusion of red and green blossoms, they naturally found themselves amid the flowers.

The garden was in full bloom, Anran Princess’s favorite place. During the peak of winter, only the palace could boast such a sea of flowers, gathering nearly every variety of the Tianwu continent, including rare blooms from the distant southern deserts.

They settled in a quiet spot, watching as a crowd of young talents surrounded Princess Anran, vying for her favor.

Nearby, in a pavilion, several elegant musicians played the zither, the languid melody blending with the riot of flowers. With his beloved by his side, Ye Feng felt as if he could die beneath the peonies and still be a romantic ghost.

Though such feelings seemed inappropriate.

Soon, Princess Anran rose and walked to the pavilion, intent on performing herself.

Moments later, the sound of her zither drifted through the air. She played with total concentration, while the young hopefuls nearby sat amidst the blossoms, listening just as intently. Though who among them truly understood the music was anyone’s guess.

The flowers in the garden seemed to bloom in response, as if seduced by the melody, striving to display their charm.

What was this feeling? Ye Feng listened quietly, as if every cell in his body were dancing to the music. It was the breath of life, as though the princess's zither bestowed vitality itself.

In Princess Anran’s melody, there was a vibrant force. Ye Feng’s heart surged with waves—was this a subtle hint from the royal family? Or was it the princess’s dissatisfaction with him for killing two princes?

Such an obvious signal soon drew several unfriendly gazes toward Ye Feng, and more began to realize and join in. Clearly, Ye Feng was not the only one who understood the music.

“Well! It seems you’re in trouble again…” Qingwu smiled and lowered her head, her voice gleeful with mischief.