Seeing how Cong Lu wasnât willing to help herself, Qing Bi could only go red in her eyes while she glared at Ling Yue on the other end.
If not for this girl then I wouldnât have had to lose face in front of Hou Qi.
âLet me clarify my meaning before we go further. What I meant is that Iâve found the way to heal the ladyâs face. Also, as compensation for the trouble, Iâve also informed Miss Ling Yue here about the method to solving the crisis around the black fog plaguing the Northwestern Plains. I believe that would be adequate enough as compensation, wouldnât everyone agree?â leisurely retracting his gaze from the group, Yan Jiuâs explanation instantly brought everyone back to attention.
Ye Ling Yue knows how to solve the crisis with the black fog?
Naturally the prince would be ecstatic over this wondrous news, but the same couldnât be said for Hong Ming Yue whose dreadfully worried about her future.
If Ling Yue does cure the black fog then it would undeniably be a major blow to the Hong House, thereâs no fault in that logic. However, what this girl was most worried about was her own reputation than her familyâs. Sheâs also called Princess Yue in Da Xia. If this plague does get solved by someone else other than herself, it would mean the name âHong Ming Yueâ would forever become second fiddle to her half-sister Ye Ling Yue in the eyes of the populous.
Understanding what his junior sister was fretting about, Luo Song promptly took this opportunity to seize the girlâs hand for his own self indulgence while also trying to help calm that heart. He knows, the only way to gain this ice beautyâs favor was to take aim at her enemy.
Sure enough, just when Hong Ming Yue wanted to rid herself of that lecherous hand, the boyâs next whispering comment had stopped her on the spot.
âYour Highness (Xia Hou Qi), if the news provided by Lord Yan Jiu is correct then its imperative that we change our course and head to North Qing. Furthermore, itâs likely we will have to bother Princess Qing Bi and Captain Cong Lu to make a round trip with us as well.â Out of consideration for the relationship between Yan Jiu and Feng Shen, Ye Ling Yue doesnât believe there would be any reason for the other party to be deceptive here.
And again, the reaction from the group varied greatly upon hearing Ling Yue intent to head to North Qing. However, this time around it was Hong Ming Yueâs reaction that was on the bright side with a tinge of sarcasm in that face.
âLing Yue, the truth is, one of the reasoning for my coming is to tell you that I intend to head to North Qing with Ming Yue and Luo Song as well. We are attending the Star Cave Venture as the representatives of Da Xia.â When the prince was saying that, he specifically omitted Ling Yueâs name, meaning sheâs not a part of it.
The reasoning for the arrangement actually had to go back to the capital in the palace. It wasnât too long after the group left for the Northwest, thatâs when another messenger arrived in Da Xia carrying the message from the king of North Qing. The content of the letter wasnât anything of exceptional importance, merely an invitation letter for the kingdom to send some representatives for the annual three-year Star Cave Venture.
Regarding this venture that only occurs every three years, Ling Yue has already heard of it from Alchemist Mei of the Royal Hospital.
According to the ladyâs explanation, only those who have managed to create a Reincarnation Dan pill are qualified to enter; therefore, to hear the candidates are already selected was a tad surprising for her.
Chapter 472 âThe Invitation from North Qing (p2)â
âThe ten candidates for the Star Cave Venture has already been elected. I, my brother and my sister are also part of the list.â Hong Ming Yueâs words were particularly eerie to Ling Yueâs ear.
If she herself who participated in the creation of Da Xiaâs Reincarnation Dan pill couldnât get a spot, why should uninvolved people like Hong Yu Ying and Hong Yu Long deserve a spot?
The self-interests within the decision making couldnât be anymore obvious.
Fine, very good. They are using my achievements to explore the Star Cave, she sneers inside, very much displeased over the fact that she just got robbed.
âLing Yue, things are not what you think, Father he⦠he believes this is the ideal arrangement since you are preoccupied with the black fog in the Northwestâ¦.â Xia Hou Qi still wanted to explain himself for not bringing something this important up earlier, but that swiftly came to a blundering halt under the glaring contact of Ling Yueâs iris.
Itâs not like the king truly didnât consider Ling Yueâs candidacy for the venture, just that a secret letter that he got aside from the invitation left him with no room for refusal. It was a message indicating that Princess Qing Bi and Xia Hou Qi are a match made in heaven, meaning the lad must participate in the Star Cave Venture.
As a father, as a ruler of a nation, thereâs no way the King of Da Xia would willingly want to risk his main heir on such superficial adventures. Sadly, this was already out of his hands and involved the relationship of both nations.
âSo be it then, we can just not participate in it. What is so great about it anyways? Ling Yue, forget about them, we can cross over to North Qing by ourselves instead. Aâboneâs old home is along the way anyways so it would be easy.â Unable to hold back, Lan Caier finally breaks her silence after arriving with Yan Jiu earlier.
âWithout official document, none of you are qualified to enter North Qing.â Coming back to her sense after being frightened earlier, Princess Qing Bi reverts back to her spoiled self and starts yapping that foul mouth again.
She simply didnât want to let the competition go to North Qing with them because she could see the care Xia Hou Qi showed when learning of the girlâs injury.
âCaptain Cong Lu, I like to know if this identity token is enough to let me into North Qing,â she sneers, bringing out the Phoenix Edict from her pocket.
According to Ling Yueâs memory, Cong Lu mentioned something about this badge being able to grant her free passage across any territory controlled by that nation.
âHow come you have the Phoenix Manorâs identification badge! Very good Ye Ling Yue, you damn thief, how dare you steal something so precious. Watch how I will cut off that hand of yours!â Without thinking it through, the princess immediately went on the offensive and drew her sword for the attack.
She may not be the brightest individual out there but she does have prior knowledge of what the Phoenix Manorâs identification badge looks like. The reasoning? Itâs because during her childhood, this spoiled girl had specifically requested Feng Shen to gift the gorgeous thing to herself, just that the lad completely ignored her at the end.
However, just when sheâs about to slash down with her blade at Ling Yueâs hand, three compelling hollers instantly shook her out of the moment and made Qing Bi back off.
âYou dare!â It was Cong Lu, Xia Hou Qi and Yan Jiu screaming in unison.
âAll of you! Cong Lu, even you would yell at me?â As a royal princess, when have Qing Bi experience such indignation?