"Yes," said Sima Yingbo, who, as the disciple of the National Master and a top-ranking offering in Shangxuan Kingdom, held a special status. Unlike others, he showed only the simplest courtesy to Tang Ruowei and the Emperor of Shangxuan, bowing and clasping his hands without kneeling.
"I called you here today to discuss something with you. You see, you are currently unmarried, and Ruowei has reached the right age. How about I arrange a marriage for you, making you the prince consort of Shangxuan Kingdom? What do you think?"
"Mind your tone. I don't wish to discuss these matters with you now," replied the Emperor of Shangxuan, somewhat irritated.
Bai Qiuran retracted his spiritual sense, feeling astonished inside.
"Once it's settled, you can't go back on your word. Even if you are the disciple of the National Master, if Ruowei is wronged, I will hold you accountable with the National Master," the Emperor added.
"Father, why are you giving me away to Sima Yingbo?" Tang Ruowei grumbled with a darkened face. "Relying on children to achieve dreams—is that even a dream? And after so many generations, I haven't inherited any of my mother's good genes!"
As the saying goes, everything happens for a reason... Yeah, right!
Within him, Bai Qiuran's True Qi transformed into endless spiritual power. After a burst of brilliance, he stepped forward, leaving behind an identical tangible shadow of himself.
These past few days of observation, Bai Qiuran found Princess Tang Ruowei rather suspicious. Her development of secondary sexual characteristics was something he had personally measured. But, during his occasional observations, this young lady always appeared with a proud and towering figure when she went out. Bai Qiuran had even used his spiritual sense to see her fidgeting suspiciously in front of a bronze mirror in her bedroom, where a secret room was concealed behind that very mirror.
It's clear everything was prearranged. Before returning, the Emperor of Shangxuan had planned everything clearly for her.
The Crown Prince of the East Palace was still young, currently learning various skills and martial arts from the Grand Tutor appointed by the Emperor. His performance simply showed him as an intelligent child.
Alongside, Sima Yingbo and Fu Qianqiu had been acting like proper National Master and offerings for the past three days. Bai Qiuran watched them practice; Sima Yingbo used the most basic fire-based technique in the cultivation world, while Fu Qianqiu's technique somewhat resembled Qingming Sword Sect's breathing exercises.
Tang Ruowei glanced at Sima Yingbo, whose eyes subtly swept over her "towering" chest, before lowering his head and saying, "This minister is willing."
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, blessings to both of you."
In the imperial palace's rear garden, Tang Ruowei, dressed in splendid palace attire, hurriedly made her way to her father, the Emperor, who was enjoying tea and admiring flowers.
"Why did you suddenly change the traditions, and why are you bringing two hundred boys and girls to participate in the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony?" Tang Ruowei asked anxiously, as her father gently gestured her to sit.
"Ruowei, you're already a grown-up. Why are you still acting so reckless?" the Shangxuan Emperor sighed.
The Emperor continued, "With the calamities and demons plaguing Shangxuan, our national fortune has suffered setbacks. We need this method as a form of worship to change our fate."
"Relying on children to achieve dreams—is that even a dream? And after so many generations, I haven't inherited any of my mother's good genes!" Tang Ruowei retorted.
The Emperor laughed heartily, "After consulting with the National Master, this is a necessary adjustment."
"As if coincidence, fate, and destiny are real things," Bai Qiuran thought. If he had believed in such things, he would have met his end three thousand years ago and passed into the cycle of reincarnation.
Fu Qianqiu paused momentarily before saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor of Shangxuan cheerfully told her daughter, "Ruowei, ever since ancient times, our royal family of Shangxuan has strived to correct the fact that our female royals have small chests by marrying into families with more... ample genetic traits. Not only is this a personal embarrassment for you, but it is also shameful for the royal family in a land where fullness is considered beauty. Now, if you and Sima Yingbo marry, the children you bear might inherit favorable genes, ensuring your offspring do not follow in your footsteps."
Given that it was her father's decree, Tang Ruowei felt she couldn't directly oppose the Emperor of Shangxuan's arrangement. However much she disliked the idea, she was not free to decline the engagement with Sima Yingbo.
Still, with all said and done, Tang Ruowei had already made up her mind. After the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, she planned to escape from the palace, flee from Shangxuan's domain, and run far away.
Despite all appearances, Bai Qiuran refused to believe everything was mere coincidence. If this path was closed, he would just have to find another one. He quickly formed an intricate hand seal, executing a profound technique. With a step, he left his identical phantom behind and vanished from the room he had been using for his observations.