Vina ultimately didn't ask further.
As royalty, she was always more sensible than ordinary people. She also knew that achieving great things would always involve some unsavory elements. She feared that what her Imperial Father was planning was precisely such a thing.
And not letting her know was either because he was afraid she would mess things up, or it would cause her distress.
If that were the case, her not knowing might actually be for the best.
Vina then took Xiao Xiao and Yuwen Tuo to the Imperial Palace's guest quarters to rest.
As night gradually fell, Yuwen Tuo sat with Xiao Xiao in a pavilion, holding tea, waiting for something.
In the middle of the night, Jiang Peng's grandfather, Jiang Yuan, suddenly appeared beside him. "Little Friend Yuwen, how leisurely. Today in court, three countries caused such a commotion over you, yet you still have the leisure to drink tea and admire the moon with your girlfriend?"
"I couldn't help it. What happened today made it difficult for me to sleep. I could only meet with my beloved to relieve my anxiety," Yuwen Tuo chuckled. "Does Crown Zhengtian come here to drink tea with me, or has someone invited me to drink tea?"
"Little Friend Yuwen is indeed intelligent. His Majesty and the Empress have invited you," Crown Zhengtian said.
To be personally invited by a Titled Douluo meant it was absolutely no small matter.
Yuwen Tuo nodded. "Then let's go, Xiao Xiao. We'll go meet His Majesty and the Empress."
After speaking, he took Xiao Xiao's hand and stood up. Crown Zhengtian was startled. "Is this little girl also coming? Why don't you let her rest first?"
He knew what His Majesty was going to say to Yuwen Tuo. The fewer people who knew, the better, especially a little girl like Xiao Xiao.
"No need to worry. Xiao Xiao and I are one. We are inseparable. Please, Crown, lead the way." Yuwen Tuo cupped his hands. He didn't intend to hide this from Xiao Xiao.
After all, among lovers, if one always hides things from the other when doing things outside, it's not only easy to cause misunderstandings but also very worrying.
The things Yuwen Tuo was going to do, although dangerous, would not be rushed at this moment. By the time they truly began, perhaps Xiao Xiao would have also grown to be able to exert her own strength, and letting her know early would make her prepare more fully for his sake.
Xiao Xiao's heart was overflowing with joy when she heard Yuwen Tuo's words.
Only by truly treating her as his future wife would he trust her so much.
Crown Zhengtian nodded. "Very well, you may do as you please. Follow me."
After speaking, he led Yuwen Tuo to the Imperial Palace's rear garden. Along the way, he continuously spread his soul power to scan the surroundings.
This was the most important reason the Emperor specifically sent him, a Titled Douluo, to invite Yuwen Tuo.
Now, all eyes in the Imperial Palace were on Yuwen Tuo. Someone might secretly monitor him. But this conversation had to be secret.
Only a Titled Douluo could take action to reduce the risk of being secretly followed.
In the rear garden, the Emperor and Empress were already quietly waiting.
Seeing Yuwen Tuo bring Xiao Xiao along, the two were slightly surprised.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Empress!" Yuwen Tuo and Xiao Xiao bowed.
"Hmm, Little Friend Yuwen, please sit." Emperor Xiexin pointed to a nearby seat. He hadn't expected Xiao Xiao to come along and had only prepared one seat.
For a little girl like Xiao Xiao to stand, while not a problem in terms of status, was not good in terms of etiquette.
Fortunately, he had a good Empress. The silver-haired beauty waved at Xiao Xiao. "You must be Little Sister Xiao Xiao. Come here and let me see you. My Nana always talks about you at home, saying you're very cute. Today, seeing you, you're indeed radiant."
Xiao Xiao's small face turned red. She had been fine in court today, being far away, but now, it was her first time getting close to a Queen.
Out of awe for royalty, when the Empress waved, she immediately walked over timidly and said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, you flatter me."
"Would you like to come have some pastries with me? Nana loves the pastries I make the most," the Empress chuckled.
"Hmm, thank you, Empress!" Xiao Xiao nodded obediently and followed the Empress to the side to enjoy the delicacies.
Yuwen Tuo sat opposite Emperor Xiexin. The Emperor said, "It seems Little Friend Yuwen truly likes your little girlfriend. You brought her today for such a big occasion. I was originally thinking of betrothing my precious daughter to you. It seems you two are fated not to be."
Yuwen Tuo chuckled, "Your Majesty, you jest. Would you abandon the Body Sect to choose me? You know Senior Brother Long Aotian is the Body Sect's successor."
"But you are also a Body Sect disciple. If you were to contend, Aotian might not necessarily win against you. I have already heard about your battle with Aotian at the Body Sect a few days ago.
I never expected that in less than five months since the academy tournament ended, you would have risen from Soul Venerable to Soul King in one go.
It seems you had some fortuitous encounter. What's even more astonishing to me is that you can fight Aotian to a draw with the strength of a Soul King. I am very clear about Aotian's actual combat power," Emperor Xiexin said.
"However, I know that must be your secret. If you don't want to tell me, I won't press you. But one thing, I have made a judgment about you."
Yuwen Tuo asked curiously, "What judgment?"
"You possess a twin martial spirit, don't you?" Emperor Xiexin deduced. "Others might not understand Duxiu, but how can I not understand him? For cooperation with the Body Sect, who else has dealt with Duxiu more than I have?"
"They all say that Duxiu only took you into the sect because of your grudge with Shrek, using you as an excuse to find a legitimate reason to trouble Shrek. But how can Duxiu have such cunning? He hates schemes the most. This person always does what he wants, regardless of others' opinions, and needs no reason."
"Therefore, the only reason I can think of for him taking you into the sect is that you possess a Body Martial Spirit."
Emperor Xiexin's words were all based on his own understanding of Duxiu. It seemed Vina had not told Emperor Xiexin the biggest secret of Yuwen Tuo's Xuanyuan Sword Soul.
She had done a good job in her transformation of identity between royalty and sect disciple. As a sect disciple, she would not casually reveal sect secrets.
"Heh heh, Your Majesty's insight is sharp. Yuwen Tuo admires you." Yuwen Tuo did not deny it. Since the other party had already guessed, he had nothing to hide.
"You admit it? Then you don't plan to contend with Aotian for the position of Sect Master?" Emperor Xiexin was a little confused.
This Yuwen Tuo was truly strange. He possessed the best aptitude in the world, yet he neither wanted to return to the Sun and Moon or Star Luo to seek the opportunity to inherit the throne, nor did he want to contend with Long Aotian to become the Sect Master of the Body Sect, one of the three great powers.
This person, was he truly so devoid of desires?
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