Bang!
The doors of Taihe Hall were violently blown open by a fierce wind.
The people inside were instantly blinded by the gale.
When their vision cleared again, they saw a veiled immortal lady standing beside Yun Chunfeng.
The immortal lady wore a robe of cyan and purple, with a crown of dark jade lotus flowers binding up her black hair.
A horsetail whisk shimmering with iridescent light hung casually over her arm, and she stood atop a cloud that shifted and changed endlessly. Anyone who looked at her would think she was a true immortal who had attained the Dao.
“My disciple, even if she has become a mortal, must never be bullied by anyone at will!”
As she spoke, her eyes flashed like lightning, piercing straight through Xiao Ao’s disguise.
Xiao Ao steeled himself and replied, his tone unconsciously carrying deep respect: “Immortal Lady, the nation has its laws, and the family has its rules. I was merely clarifying the law.
I had no intention of insulting the State Preceptor.”
Master Buer snorted coldly: “Whether you were clarifying the law or venting personal spite, you know the truth yourself!”
Xiao Ao choked on his words, his face flushing red and turning pale by turns, unable to say anything more.
It seemed the immortal lady’s powers allowed her to know even what was in a mortal’s heart.
Old Madam Huo, kneeling in the hall, trembled like a leaf in the wind.
She seemed to have provoked someone she should never have provoked.
But things had come to this point. Whether it was one blade or another, there was no turning back now.
“Since we are to verify, why not do it quickly?!”
At Immortal Lady Buer’s command, Xiao Ao hurriedly shot a look at Physician Sun.
Physician Sun had lived long enough to see many things, but he never expected an immortal lady to descend to the mortal realm in person to preside over a blood-dripping paternity test.
“Please, General Huo, bring the little girl forward.”
At this moment, Jiang Xingyan’s heart settled slightly back into her chest.
Since her master had spoken, this matter would not harm her. Let them verify.
She carried Xiaoya forward a few steps and softly comforted her: “Xiaoya, in a moment they will prick your little finger.
It will hurt at first. You can cry, but it will be over soon.
Mother will be right here with you the whole time.”
Xiaoya nodded innocently.
She did not know why they wanted to prick her little finger, but as long as Mother was here, it was fine.
Physician Sun swallowed the saliva that was no longer in his mouth. The hand holding the silver needle felt as heavy as a thousand catties.
He was just about to prick “Huo Ci” when a voice came from outside the doors: “Report!
The Second Prince and Third Prince have finished reorganizing military affairs and request an audience with His Majesty!”
Xiao Ao had wanted to send them away.
But suddenly a flash of inspiration came to him—now that the immortal lady was here,
if one of these two good-for-nothing sons caught her eye, would that not be an incredible stroke of fortune?
“Summon them!”
“Summon the Second Prince and Third Prince to an audience!”
Immortal Lady Buer was an impatient person by nature, but at this moment she raised no objection. Her eyes were fixed on the water bowl for the blood test, and she turned her head to give Yun Chunfeng a complicated look.
The reason the two of them could arrive so quickly was that Yun Chunfeng had sent Xia Feng to the military camp with a message.
The two had hastily settled military affairs and rushed over immediately.
Since today’s matter was going to blow up, let it blow up big.
The young lady had nothing to hide anyway. Whoever wanted to harm her would get a taste of what bone-deep agony felt like.
“Your sons pay respects to Father Emperor. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live.”
Immortal Lady Buer let out a cold scoff. The two of them, sensing they had been rude, quickly turned and bowed to the immortal lady.
“Junior ones greet the Immortal Lady.”
The moment Xiao Zhenhuai entered the hall, he felt that everything around him was strange.
He swiftly swept his gaze over the people and objects in the hall, and already had his own judgment.
These people were probably all here to target Miss Jiang.
“The Empress has arrived!”
Before he could think further, the Empress, who had heard that Xiao Chonghua had rushed into the palace, hurried over with Princess Shi’an.
She was afraid that Xiao Chonghua, not understanding the situation, might say something he should not.
In fact, while they were still at the military camp, the people Xiao Chonghua had left in the capital had already reported everything that had recently happened to the two princes in exhaustive detail.
What shocked them most was that Xiao Chonghua’s cousin, Mu Shi’an, had somehow transformed into his own full sister—Xiao Shi’an.
Father Emperor and Mother Empress were personally going to grant her and Huo Ci a marriage.
Xiao Chonghua slammed his hand on the table: “This is absurd!”
And now, look—it had caused such a huge commotion.
“Greetings to the Empress!”
“Your sons greet Mother Empress.”
In the entire hall, only Yun Chunfeng, Jiang Xingyan, and Master Buer remained standing.
The Empress gave a slight curtsy toward Immortal Lady Buer to show respect.
Then she pulled Xiao Shi’an, who was blushing and keeping her head down, to sit beside Xiao Ao.
“Taihe Hall is quite lively today.
It is only a marriage grant—why has even an immortal lady been alerted?”
She smiled at “Huo Ci” and said: “I wonder why Madam Jiang has not come?
This palace knows you are a young married couple, but General Huo now holds a high position and speaks with weight. Her status ultimately cannot be that of a principal wife.
This palace means only to help. You and Shi’an are a talented man and beautiful woman, a perfect match.
Shi’an is not the kind of mistress who cannot tolerate others. In the future, let Madam Jiang serve at your side as a noble concubine. Would that not be wonderful?”
Before Jiang Xingyan could speak, Huo Ci rushed ahead: “Empress, absolutely not!
I—my Huo family army has only ever had Miss Jiang in their hearts. Although we are divorced, I will never marry another in this life.”
“Insolence! The Empress is speaking with General Huo. What right do you have to interrupt? Drag him out!”
Three captains and Xin Zhui dragged Huo Ci out of the hall.
Jiang Xingyan cupped her hands in salute, her gaze icy as she looked straight at the Empress: “Your Majesty is too kind.
This subject and Madam Jiang divorced long ago and have no further ties.
Whom I marry is naturally none of his concern.
But you truly should not have involved my daughter.”
“Huo Ci” had always been respectful. This was the first time Xiao Ao had seen him so angry and rude.
He was displeased, but out of consideration for the immortal lady, he could not vent his anger. He could only remind him in a low voice:
“Minister Huo, the one who claimed the little girl is not your own flesh and blood and demanded the blood test was your mother, Madam Huo Li.”
Jiang Xingyan gave a dull glance at Old Madam Huo, who was cowering in the corner, and snorted coldly: “Since that is the case, then let us verify.”
As she spoke, she had already extended her hand, letting Physician Sun prick her fingertip.
At this moment in the great hall, the Empress, Xiao Shi’an, Xiao Zhenhuai, and Xiao Chonghua all froze, struggling to digest what “Huo Ci” had just said.
In just half an hour, just how absurd had things become?
“Huo Ci’s” fingertip was pricked, and a drop of blood welled up.
Drip.
The drop of blood fell into the water and had not yet dispersed.
Physician Sun did not dare delay. He quickly took Xiaoya’s little hand and, as gently as possible, pricked her with a needle.
Xiaoya let out a small whimper and held back her tears.
Drip.
Xiaoya’s blood also dripped into the water bowl.
Everyone held their breath, craning their necks, staring straight at the water bowl.
Physician Sun did not even dare blink. Several breaths passed, and the two drops of blood still spread separately, not merging.
What this result meant was already self-evident.
Boom!
Jiang Xingyan’s mind felt as if it had been bombarded by countless red cannons.
Her ears rang again and again, and she could hear nothing.
Immortal Lady Buer tightened her grip on her horsetail whisk and waved it through the air. Jiang Xingyan felt her mind clear somewhat and barely managed to steady herself.
The Xiao father and sons were all stunned on the spot.
The Empress and Xiao Shi’an widened their eyes and covered their red lips with handkerchiefs.
Physician Sun wanted to reach out and steady Jiang Xingyan, but she turned away and completely avoided him.
Jiang Xingyan endured the terror in her heart, gently handed Xiaoya to Yun Chunfeng, then turned back, grabbed Old Madam Huo by the collar, and lifted her up.
Xiao Ao wanted to rebuke “Huo Ci” for such a loss of composure, but after seeing the immortal lady’s warning gaze, he swallowed his words.
“Speak! What exactly is going on!”
Old Madam Huo was lifted into the air by her “son” and nearly could not catch her breath.
But when she saw the genuine killing intent in “his” eyes, as if he could strangle her the very next second,
she immediately gasped and said between breaths: “On your wedding night, you never consummated the marriage with anyone!
The one who consummated it with her was a beggar I dragged in from outside!”
