The farce of the annulment on the capital’s streets finally concluded with Li Zhen leading Wang Zhaoqing away, while Chen Fan silently disappeared into the crowd.
Only a field of sighs was left in their wake.
Fang Xuan and Ning Xian did not linger, acting as if they had merely watched a street play that had nothing to do with them.
Ning Xian took Fang Xuan's hand again, continuing to walk unhurriedly through the bustling crowd.
Neither of them made an effort to look for an inn; they simply wandered, passing through one prosperous street after another.
Fang Xuan was happy to relax, looking around and occasionally casting a few extra glances at the snack stalls.
Ning Xian seemed more like she was familiarizing herself with the roads, or perhaps simply enjoying this undisturbed time alone with him.
They turned onto a relatively quiet bluestone road, where two guards in embroidered attire stepped out from the intersection ahead.
Upon seeing Fang Xuan and Ning Xian, they knelt on one knee without hesitation, their posture respectful.
"Immortal lords, our master requests your presence," the lead guard said with his head lowered.
"He humbly begs you to move to the manor to rest."
......
They certainly moved fast, Fang Xuan thought.
It seemed that the third prince, who had been publicly humiliated and appeared quite cowardly, was actually quite efficient in his dealings.
Sure enough, it didn't take long.
Chen Fan, having changed into clean, luxurious robes and tidied his hair, rushed over in person.
He wore a somewhat apologetic smile, and the smell of alcohol on him had vanished.
One could hardly see any trace of the pathetic state he had been in half an hour ago.
"Immortal lords," Chen Fan said, clasping his hands and lowering his posture significantly.
"I hope the encounter on the street just now didn't make you laugh at me."
"My name is Chen Fan, the third prince of the Tianlan Kingdom."
"Since you both have such extraordinary bearings, you must have just arrived in Tianlan."
"If you do not mind, why not stay at my manor for a while?"
"It would allow me to show some hospitality as a host."
He spoke beautifully, and his reason was casual enough.
Making friends with immortals to gain some face.
For a "useless" prince who had just been publicly shamed, this seemed like a reasonable move to regain some dignity.
Fang Xuan held his sword and didn't agree immediately, instead asking directly, "Why?"
The smile on Chen Fan's face remained unchanged, becoming even more sincere.
"The immortals have keen eyes."
"Although I have a noble status, I have no spirit bone."
"In this Southern Wilderness where cultivators are numerous, I am truly... nothing."
"Meeting you two today is my good fortune."
"Although my manor cannot compare to an immortal paradise, it is quiet and elegant."
"It is better than the noise of an inn."
"I have no other intentions; I only wish to form a good connection with you both."
His words were half-true and half-false, and his posture was low enough.
Fang Xuan knew what was going on, but since the other party was offering a place to stay, he was happy to be comfortable.
Besides, with his senior sister around, he didn't want to think too much; she seemed to have her own plan.
"Fine," Fang Xuan agreed.
A flash of joy appeared in Chen Fan's eyes as he quickly stepped aside to lead the way: "Immortal lords, this way, please."
......
On the way to the Prince’s Manor, Chen Fan chatted casually, but his words were actually careful probes.
Although he lacked a spirit bone and could not cultivate, he was born into the imperial family, so his discernment was not poor.
Li Zhen's spiritual pressure at the early-stage Foundation Establishment had a great impact on the surrounding mortals, but these two seemed entirely unaffected.
Even their expressions hadn't changed at all.
This was enough to prove that they were at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, or perhaps... even higher.
He speculated silently, choosing his words carefully: "May I ask what realm... this immortal lady has reached?"
"To be honest, by a stroke of luck, I once obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill."
"Although it is useless to me, I have always kept it."
"If it is not beneath you, I shall gift this pill to you, so it may be put to good use."
Ning Xian did not stop her pace, nor did she turn her gaze toward him: "Void Core Realm."
The smile on Chen Fan's face froze instantly, his footsteps faltered, and a layer of cold sweat immediately soaked his back.
The... Void Core Realm?!
His heart shook violently.
In the entire Tianlan Kingdom, there were only two great cultivators of the Void Core Realm on the surface, and both were revered as state preceptors or ancestors by the imperial family and top clans.
They remained in secluded cultivation year-round, rarely seen by anyone.
Yet this cold, young woman before him was actually in the Void Core Realm?!
He had originally guessed they might be in the middle or late-stage Foundation Establishment, which would have already been a pleasant surprise and a crucial part of his plan.
But the Void Core Realm... this had completely exceeded his initial expectations.
Setting aside whether a Void Core cultivator would be willing to help him.
He was also afraid of the game going out of control... he simply couldn't bear the consequences.
He had already used his facade as a useless prince to numb everyone while secretly accumulating strength.
This included thirty thousand well-trained, hidden private soldiers and the cultivation resources he had gathered through various means over the years.
He needed strong allies who could hold down the fort at critical moments, or at least resist the interference of cultivators from other factions.
He originally thought that if he could invite one or two late-stage Foundation Establishment experts, it would be a stroke of immense luck.
But the Void Core Realm... this power was too strong, so strong that it could potentially turn around and swallow him whole, making all his schemes look like a joke.
What did the chips he could offer even matter in the eyes of a Void Core cultivator?
But the arrow was on the string and had to be fired; he had no way back.
The humiliation and pressure from the Prime Minister's Manor today was just the beginning.
Dark undercurrents surged in the court, and his brothers, who had spirit bones and sect support, were already watching him like tigers.
If he didn't act now, what awaited him was not a peaceful life as a wealthy idle prince, but a grave without a burial site.
The thirty thousand private soldiers could no longer be hidden for much longer, and his various arrangements had reached a critical point.
If the uprising did not succeed, then...
......
Chen Fan forcibly suppressed the stormy waves in his heart and squeezed out a more respectful, almost humble smile: "So... so it is a senior of the Void Core Realm!"
"I was blind and showed disrespect. Please forgive me!"
He lowered his posture even further, no longer hiding the plea in his voice.
He knew that in front of someone in the Void Core Realm, playing too many mind games might backfire; it was better to show his sincerity directly.
Ning Xian did not respond immediately, only giving him a faint glance.
That gaze was calm and rippleless, yet it made Chen Fan feel an invisible pressure, as if all his thoughts were being seen through.
Fang Xuan found it interesting to listen from the side.
This prince was truly adaptable and quick-witted.
However, since his senior sister had agreed to come to the manor, she likely had other plans; he only needed to follow along and watch the show.
Before long, a grand and extraordinary manor appeared before them.
It had vermilion gates and high walls.
The stone lions at the entrance were majestic, fitting for a prince's status, and it seemed even more luxurious than an ordinary royal residence.
Inside the manor, it was even more impressive.
Pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and flowing water were scattered throughout, and the spiritual energy was actually slightly denser than outside.
Servants hurried about, bowing respectfully whenever they saw Chen Fan.
Chen Fan personally brought the two of them to a quiet, independent courtyard.
The courtyard was spacious, complete with a main hall and side rooms.
"Seniors, please rest here for the time being. If you have any needs, simply instruct the servants in the courtyard."
Chen Fan bowed and said, "I will come to disturb you again later."
He tactfully withdrew, leaving them plenty of space.
Fang Xuan scanned the room and thought it was quite good.
This sincerity was indeed sufficient; the courtyard was big and comfortable, and the spiritual energy was decent.
Servants soon brought tea and fruit, but Fang Xuan sent them all away.
He didn't have the habit of being waited on so closely, nor did he like strangers hovering around him.
However, he took a look at the room assignments.
Were there two spacious side rooms?
Chen Fan’s arrangement was clearly based on the assumption that they would stay in separate quarters.
Fang Xuan rubbed his chin, feeling that this prince was a bit tactless.
His discernment needed some improvement.
Ning Xian, however, pulled him directly toward one of the rooms: "The... feng shui over there is bad. Stay... in mine."
Fang Xuan: "Sure thing, Senior Sister."
Everything was going exactly as he had hoped.
......
Once they were settled, Fang Xuan began to calculate.
His senior sister had likely brought him to the Prince’s Manor to see what Chen Fan was up to and perhaps gain some benefits along the way.
After all, a prince who was secretly accumulating power for a grand scheme should have quite a few things to offer.
As for himself...
He was only thinking about how to successfully charm his senior sister tonight...
As he thought about it, a pure smile appeared on his face...
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