"I appreciate your offer, but I do not intend to leave my husband's home. Although I have failed to fulfill my marital duties, that does not mean I will abandon the family that has sheltered me for over three years." — Qinghan suppressed her emotions and clasped her hands together respectfully, declining Yuechan's offer as politely as possible.
"I see..." — Yuechan nodded, and although she was reluctant to give up on such a talented girl, she could see the determination in Qinghan's eyes.
"If your husband's family agrees, will you accept the offer?" — Xichen's voice rang out as he landed beside Yuechan, startling Qinghan with how close he stood, for she knew that the women of Asgard did not approach men, yet before her, Yuechan stood next to a man, seemingly unbothered by the nearly non-existent distance between them.
"Well..." — Qinghan hesitated for a moment, staring into Xichen's eyes, trying to read behind his words, but all she saw was a deep, confident calm, as if everything was proceeding according to his own plan.
"If they agree... I will seriously consider it, but..." — Despite her confusion, Qinghan nodded decisively.
Although her husband had died before the wedding and she had stubbornly completed the marriage ceremony anyway, the Jun Family had never restrained her or imposed anything upon her. In truth, she felt that this place was her true home, and for that reason, she did not wish to abandon them.
"But I need you to agree to my condition, or I will not join Asgard, even if the elders and grandfather agree to let me join." — Qinghan said, biting her lower lip, for this was a suitable opportunity for them.
"A condition?" — Yuechan raised her left eyebrow slightly, a flicker of curiosity passing through her blue eyes, while Xichen remained silent, but his faint smile widened slightly, as if he had expected this exact sentence.
Qinghan took a deep breath, then raised her head steadily:
"If I join Asgard, I want you to help heal the Third Elder of the Jun Family, and also take them under Asgard's protection."
Silence fell over the courtyard for a moment, until even the breeze that had been gently passing through the tree branches seemed to stop and listen to her words.
"Do you mean..." — Yuechan murmured — "that you want me to heal this Third Elder and take the Jun Family into the Blue Wind Empire, placing them under Asgard's protection?"
"Yes, because the Jun Family is in a very bad situation right now, and the Imperial Palace could attack them at any moment to destroy them." — Guan Qinghan said seriously, for although she was usually reclusive, she cared about the Jun Family and knew of their dire situation.
Xichen and Yuechan exchanged glances for a brief moment, before the latter moved her hand lightly behind her back and said in a calm yet icy tone:
"Your requests are heavy, Qinghan. Asgard does not interfere in family affairs, nor does it protect anyone without strong justification. We are not a political refuge."
But before she could finish her sentence, Xichen raised his hand again, interrupting her calmly.
"In fact, it's not impossible."
Yuechan looked at him sharply, but he ignored her gaze, knowing that she would ultimately agree to Qinghan's request, but as a personal promise from her, not from Asgard.
"I believe you mean Jun Wuyi when you mention the Third Elder, correct?" — Xichen asked in his irresistibly charming voice, and Qinghan nodded in confirmation. — "Then in that case, there is no need to worry, for this prince promises that he will help heal them and relocate them to the Divine Phoenix Empire, where under this prince's protection, no one would dare move against them."
Qinghan's eyes widened slightly, as if she could not believe what she was hearing. Even Yuechan, who rarely appeared surprised, blinked once as her gaze shifted between Xichen and Qinghan.
"Prince...?" — Qinghan murmured softly, then stared intently at Xichen's face, as if seeing him for the first time.
Xichen smiled faintly, then said in his deep voice:
"Feng Xichen, the Thirteenth Prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire and the coming Crown Prince. No further introduction is needed."
A heavy silence fell for a moment, then Qinghan bowed in deep respect.
"I did not know... Please forgive me, Your Highness..."
"No need for all that, Qinghan." — Xichen interrupted her gently, looking up at the sky above them. — "Your request was sincere, rooted in loyalty and gratitude. Those qualities are rare in this world... and that is precisely why I value them."
"As for Jun Wuyi, I will task Grand Alchemist Shen Mu with his treatment. They shall become my close attendants, and they will be granted noble titles even within the Divine Phoenix Empire. The Jun Family is known across the continent for producing iron-blooded generals, and no one will object. And if anyone does object to this prince's arrangements, this prince will ensure they are sent to the afterlife." — Xichen said calmly, for he intended to acquire the old man Jun as well as Jun Wuyi, as their strength was not insignificant, and they possessed the awe-inspiring presence and experience to lead armies.
Xichen's words fell like a quiet thunderclap upon the ears of Yuechan and Qinghan, but the former hid her shock behind her usual composure, while the latter seemed momentarily speechless. It was not merely a promise of protection... but an official declaration to elevate the Jun Family and restore them to the place they deserved at the continent's summit.
However, Yuechan could not suppress her inner voice; she stepped forward and whispered coldly, carrying a veiled warning:
"Your Highness... if you do this, there will be no turning back. You will incite the wrath of the six great families and open a new front for yourself, on top of those already hidden beneath the table."
But Xichen did not back down. Instead, he smiled with quiet sarcasm and said:
"Do you think this prince has reached his current position by bowing to fears of decrepit families? If I must confront them for a girl more loyal than a thousand commanders, and a family that has not broken despite the stabs in their backs... then I will do so without hesitation."
Qinghan's heart moved in that moment. It was not because of Xichen's status, but because of his stance. She, who had always been merely a faint shadow in the corners of this great house, felt for the first time that her name now carried weight.
[Ding! The host has portrayed himself as a valiant, proud, and compassionate prince, moving the heart of the heroine Guan Qinghan, and has gained 400 Fortune Value and 2,000 Destiny Points.]
"..." — Xichen glanced briefly at the system notification and ignored it, for he needed to negotiate with Jun Wuyi and Jun Zhantian. He was certain they would accept becoming his followers, especially if he promised them the power to avenge every drop of Jun Family blood that had been treacherously and deceitfully spilled.
The Jun Family had been extremely powerful, producing many strong generals with a charisma that drew others to follow them. But for that very reason, they were a threat to the Emperor, who had colluded with enemies and the Silver Blizzard City to eliminate the sons of the Jun Family, leaving behind only an old man, a cripple, and scoundrels who thought only of their lower halves.
...
To get more chapters please visit my p@treon :
[email protected]/Akasaki_Ryujin
For support :
https://ko-fi.com/akasaki_ryujin
_
Note: A new chapter will be released every 300 Power Stones.