Within the palace, the faces of everyone from the Old Dragon King to the civil and military officials had all changed. On such a joyous day, to have someone crying and wailing outside the hall, and for it to be heard inside, was surely someone looking for trouble!
âWho is that woman outside the hall?â
âI donât know, it seems thereâs also the sound of a childâs crying.â
âI canât be hearing wrong, did she call our son-in-law a faithless scoundrel?â
âThat canât be right. Our son-in-law is just over twenty years old, how could he have stirred trouble outside and even have a child?â
âItâs hard to say. Our king also⦠when he was youngâ¦â
âHey! Donât spout nonsense, if the king hears you, you wonât keep your head!â
The ministers, overhearing the womanâs wails outside the hall, couldnât help but discuss among themselves.
The interruption of the wedding caused Long Xue to slightly furrow her brows. The happiness and sweetness in her heart were instantly diluted; a cold light flickered in her beautiful eyes. Someone actually had the audacity to disrupt her weddingâdid they really think she was made of clay?
Li Xiaobai was also astonished. He hadnât expected that someone would cause trouble just as he was about to reach a fruitful conclusion. Listening to the words, it seemed they were targeting him.
Did they really think the Old Dragon King didnât exist?
âWho is outside the hall, crying and wailing at a time when the Sea Clan is celebrating under the same sky? This is punishable by death!â
âTo disrupt the joyous occasion in the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea is to sever the fortune of our clan. Guards, drag that woman and child out and behead them!â
Seeing the whispering officials around him, the Old Dragon King was furious, slammed the table, and shouted angrily.
âWait, Your Majesty. On such a joyous day, shedding blood and taking lives might be unlucky. I suggest we allow the woman outside to come in and explain herself, which would also demonstrate the magnanimity of our Sea Clanâs royal family,â
the Tortoise Prime Minister quickly bowed and spoke, anticipating the Old Dragon Kingâs reaction but not expecting that he would call for the death of the outsiders without even asking a question.
If the mother and child were killed before entering the hall, his preparations for the day would be in vain.
âTortoise Prime Minister, it seems there is more to this matter. If you know something, just say it. The king wonât blame you,â
the Old Dragon King glanced at the Tortoise Prime Minister with a somewhat cold look.
The Tortoise Prime Minister was shocked and quickly knelt to the ground: âI dare not. It seems, what the person outside said might be related to our Prince Consort, so I did not dare to delay, leaving everything to Your Majestyâs orders.â
âPrince Consort, today is your wedding day. What do you think should be done?â the Old Dragon King turned to Li Xiaobai and asked.
âIf he stands upright, he does not fear a crooked shadow. Let her come in; since sheâs targeting me, letâs settle new grudges and old debts today, to also reassure my bride,â Li Xiaobai said with a faint smile, looking at Long Xue at his side.
âIâll follow whatever my husband decides.â
Long Xue gently lowered her head, a blush covering her cheeks, and spoke softly.
Watching this scene, Gui Xuanâs eyes at the banquet table grew colder, his last shred of hesitation and doubt completely vanished. It should have been him in that place, winning the beauty. Yet now, Li Xiaobai, who appeared out of nowhere, had stolen what was his. If he couldnât have it, then he would ruin Li Xiaobai!
âAnnounce, let that woman outside the hall enter!â
Outside the hall, two figures stepped into the center.
A woman dressed in mourning clothes, leading a child of a few years by the hand, slowly entered the hall. This woman had delicate features and a graceful figure, emitting an ethereal auraâshe too was a rare beauty. The child, who looked to be about four or five years old, had tear stains by the corners of his eyes, obviously having cried recently.
âWoman below, state your name,â
âThis humble girl Bai Lianhua, is a disciple of a small sect on the Immortal Spirit Continent, and this is my flesh and blood,â
the woman knelt down and answered respectfully. Li Xiaobai noticed that when she entered the hall, she could not help but glance at the Tortoise Prime Minister, clearly having some connection with him.
Todayâs spectacle must be a scheme crafted by the Tortoise Prime Minister and his grandson.
âWas it you mother and son wailing outside the hall just now? Whatâs the reason for this?â the Old Dragon King asked indifferently.
âYour Majesty, my daughterâs husband has abandoned her for a love affair with the Sea Clan royalty, leaving us, a widow and an orphan, to fend for ourselves. Today my daughter came, indifferent to life and death, with the sole purpose of exposing this manâs true nature in front of everyone!â
Bai Lianhuaâs beautiful eyes were filled with misery and melancholy as she spoke with indignation.
âMom, I donât want you to die, Daddy doesnât want us anymore, letâs go back,â the little boy beside her said, tugging at the hem of her clothes.
âAnd who is this heartless scoundrel? Do you know his name?â
âHis name is Li Xiaobai, the current Prince Consort of the Sea Clan. When he was wandering the Immortal Spirit Continent, he had a romantic night with my daughter and even made a vow of eternal love, only to change beyond recognition over time.â
âPrincess, such a man is not worthy of your lifelong commitment!â
Bai Lianhuaâs words were firm and convincing, as if they were true.
Li Xiaobai was almost amused by anger; this womanâs acting skills were quite remarkable. If he werenât the person involved, he might have believed her.
An orphan and a widow?
This womanâs beauty was exquisite, her figure slender and graceful. Her skin was like creamy jade, and she was alluring from every angle, with a hint of cool detachment in her eyes, showing no sign of ever having had a child.
Moreover, what kind of mother would bring her child to face death with her?
This child is definitely not her biological offspring; these two must have been hired to put on an act, most likely under the instructions of the Tortoise Prime Minister. Ordinary households could not raise such a woman; she must have been picked from the women in the Prime Ministerâs Mansion.
âIâll take those words of yours as your last,â Li Xiaobai said.
âIf you have anything else to say, say it now,â Long Xue said indifferently, without even giving her a glance, as if the woman was already dead to her.
âEvery word I said is true, all for the consideration of the Princess,â Bai Lianhua said, panic flashing in her eyes as she looked again towards the Tortoise Prime Minister seated on the side.
âHow dare you!â
âHow dare a mere commoner like you slander the Prince Consortâs innocence? What evidence do you have that the Prince Consort had an illicit relationship with you? If you cannot provide a valid explanation, you will die here today!â the Tortoise Prime Minister shouted furiously, slamming his hand on the table.
âYour Honor, it is common knowledge that cultivators absorb Spiritual Power for cultivation and possess unique Bloodline Power within their bodies. Between relatives of the sect, Bloodline Power can resonate. Whether itâs true or false can be known through a test,â Bai Lianhua said.
As soon as this statement was made, the hall fell into a moment of silence.
The Bloodline Power indeed could be tested; anyone who had cultivated could detect the Bloodline Power within, and it was not something that could be faked. But, if the test were to reveal something, could the marriage still go on? For the Sea Clan, this could be a huge disgrace.
Neither the military generals nor the civil officials knew much about Li Xiaobai, and they hesitated to respond in the moment.
A glint appeared in Gui Xuanâs eyes; this mother and son were arranged by his grandfather. The woman was one of their elder family members, willing to sacrifice her life for the greater good of the Prime Ministerâs Mansion. As for the child, he had been specially processed by them to become an obedient puppet.
Moreover, the puppetâs Bloodline Power had been specially treated to be highly compatible with anyone. A test would surely conclude that Li Xiaobai and the child were father and son.
Today, the other party could not escape this calamity!
âWhat do you think, Prince Consort?â asked the Old Dragon King.
Li Xiaobai, with a peculiar expression, said with interest, âThen, letâs test it!â