The woman in the white dress wore her long hair down, with only a wooden hairpin in it, giving her a strikingly free and unrestrained appearance.

Her skin, like mutton-fat jade, seemed to emit a faint glow from afar.

Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, yet also like sword brows, exuding a heroic spirit.

She had a high nose bridge, bright eyes, and pearly teeth; strands of her long hair swayed with the wind, and the white dress on her body moved gently as well.

Such a scene was akin to a landscape painting—both tranquil and exquisite.

And Chen Yuan caught sight of the woman in the white dress, feeling slightly surprised.

For this woman was unmistakably the current Princess Pingyang!

Judging by today's events, she seemed to be bidding him farewell.

After the tune ended, Princess Pingyang stood up, looked from afar at the halted figure in the void, raised her hand, and bowed.

It seemed she was saying, "Safe travels."

She didn't know that Chen Yuan would leave today, but she could deduce it from his movements, so she waited here today. Yet she didn't know what she was waiting for.

But in the end, she came.

Just like going to Lin'an Prefecture.

They exchanged a glance, and the atmosphere froze.

Neither Chen Yuan nor Pingyang spoke further, merely gazing at each other calmly. After about ten breaths, Chen Yuan nodded slightly, clenched his fists in salute, and leapt away into the distance.

Princess Pingyang stood on the mountain peak, gazing southward, like a statue of a loyal wife longing for her husband, motionless for a long time.

That day was the ninth year of Jin Jingtai, June 26.

...

...

Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden.

Jingtai, wearing a simple robe, held a jade scroll, looking at its contents indifferently.

A few eunuchs and palace maids were attending him.

The garden was filled with the fragrance of flowers.

"Your Majesty, Cao Eunuch has arrived."

A young eunuch bowed and said.

"Let him in."

Jingtai casually placed the jade scroll on the stone table. Before long, Cao Zhengxian walked from the entrance to the Emperor, slightly bowing:

"Old minister greets Your Majesty."

"Sit down."

Jingtai gestured to the side.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengxian sat familiarly beside the Emperor.

"Chen Yuan has left?"

"He is no longer visible within the capital, likely he has departed." The Imperial Supervision Bureau has spies throughout the capital, making it easy to track someone even if they have high cultivation.

Finding someone is simple.

But if they cannot be found, it proves two things: either they have escaped the pervasive spy network of the capital, or they have completely left the capital.

"Your Majesty, my men have sent another piece of news." Cao Zhengxian smiled faintly, as the Emperor showed neither urgency nor anger, he spoke more relaxedly.

"What news?"

Jingtai glanced at him.

"A spy found that around midnight today, a buxom beautiful woman secretly left the Duke Wu'an Mansion. Initially planning to investigate who she was, the spy refrained due to fear of Chen Yuan."

Cao Zhengxian reported.

Jingtai chuckled:

"You old fellow are still watching such matters. Chen Yuan hasn't married, being close to a woman is quite normal. It seems the rumors are true; he likes married women, different from ordinary men, truly a young man flourishing with charm."

"This person may have deep connections with Chen Yuan. If found, they could be used as leverage, perhaps making Chen Yuan cautious," Cao Zhengxian said earnestly.

It could be considered a leverage that's not exactly leverage.

"What do you think of Chen Yuan's character?" Jingtai didn't answer but instead posed a counter question.

Cao Zhengxian pondered for a moment and said softly:

"Fierce and cold-hearted, decisive and emotionless, he values profit above all and proceeds cautiously."

"Do you think a person of such character would ruin matters over a woman?"

"Your Majesty is right, I was a bit…"

Jingtai waved his hand: "I somewhat understand Chen Yuan's character. A mere woman means nothing to him, he would never risk himself for her, and hence, he hasn't dared to break off relations with me yet. Such trivial matters need not be discussed.

As long as Chen Yuan does not commit acts of betrayal or rebellion, liking a few women doesn't count for much."

"Your Majesty's lesson is noted, old minister will bear it in mind."

Cao Zhengxian nodded earnestly.

"How is the investigation of those matters progressing?"

Jingtai asked casually.

Cao Zhengxian understood what Jingtai was referring to and said in a low voice:

"Matters in Lanzhou are unclear, but latest news from Youzhou indicates something amiss, perhaps related to remnants of the Xiang Family previously appearing in the North.

As for Shuzhou, a definitive conclusion cannot yet be reached. There are signs of No-Life Sect activity, traces of Heavenly Demon Hall, and also…

"And what else?"

"There are also signs of demon activity. Lu Renjia's death may not be that simple."

"The South is getting unstable."

Jingtai's expression was serious.

"Indeed, so many matters coinciding suggest instability in the South, better to dispatch Chen Yuan elsewhere, otherwise given his character and innate potential, he may not survive to return."

"The lad has been lucky, surviving many dangerous situations before; this time is no different. He is uninterested in marriage, aspiring for the world.

I don't know if it's true, but I can fulfill it. If within a year he doesn't meet my demands, he must return to marry and be tethered by it.

His talent is too frightening, cannot be kept long, and next time, even if Duke Wei and Duke Zhen plead, not to mention the State Preceptor and Wei Jinfeng,

I will not compromise again!"

"Your Majesty is right."

"However, should he truly perish in the South, ensure his corpse returns to the capital. I am curious about what allows him to surpass what ordinary people achieve in decades within just a few years."

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