Chapter 83: The Imperial Princess

The servant at the courtyard gate spotted Li Hao and immediately bowed, well aware that this Young Master was deeply favored by the Elder Lady.

The moon had just emerged above the horizon, its silvery light dappling the ground in scattered patterns. Lanterns had just been lit within the compound, and in the main hall, warm golden light seeped through the sheer window curtains, accompanied by soft, melodic laughter—clearly, a joyful gathering was underway.

Zhao Bo and Qingzhi followed Li Hao to the threshold of the main hall, stopping at the steps. They stood with hands clasped respectfully, waiting quietly for the banquet to conclude. Only upon being summoned would they enter.

The Li Clan upheld strict discipline. The servants dared not so much as step out of line.

Inside the hall, as soon as Li Hao stepped in, he noticed a strikingly captivating figure—an unfamiliar young girl.

She appeared to be around sixteen, at the prime of blossoming youth. Yet she stood at nearly 1.7 meters tall, her figure slender and graceful, poised like a willow in the breeze. Her eyes were as clear and calm as a frost-covered lake, radiating a serenity far beyond her years.

Though faint traces of her childhood’s round, pebble-like cheeks still lingered in her face, her features had now matured into a refined elegance—like a flower just beginning to unfurl.

She wore a flowing oyster-white dress, pristine and elegant. Delicate folds of fabric shimmered with tiny embedded crystals, catching the light like dewdrops. Though the design was casual and relaxed, its exquisite craftsmanship bespoke immense wealth. Combined with her icy, crystalline Qi aura, she seemed to have stepped out of a misty dream—a true fairy from legend.

This, clearly, was Li Wushuang.

To her side sat Li Yun and Li Zhinin, the brother and sister pair, both quietly lowering their eyes, hands neatly folded in their laps. Their faces wore identical, blissfully dopey grins, their gazes flickering toward the older sister with quiet awe and admiration.

That radiant figure—like a pearl glowing in the dark—had sparked something bright and hopeful in their eyes, a mixture of envy and joy.

The sight stirred memories in Li Hao. It reminded him of five years ago, when they had first arrived at Mountain and River Courtyard, and the two of them, small and quiet, had sat beside him, hands resting on their chins as they listened to stories. The same innocence. The same charm.

“Unsurprising, really,” murmured Ninth Lady Jiang Xian’er, seated at the far end of the table. Her hair was loosely tied in a clouded bun, her voice soft and delicate. “Even at such a young age, she’s already reached the Divine Travel Realm. At fifteen, she’s already capable of astral projection. With such potential, it’s not far-fetched to believe she’ll one day achieve the Three Immortalities.”

Jiang Xian’er was the Ninth Young Master of the Li Clan—Li Junye’s promised bride—and also a princess of the Imperial Clan.

Li Hao glanced at her, his eyes instantly sharpening with quiet respect.

Though the youngest among the Ladies, she was only thirty-two. According to Second Uncle, she had once stayed at the Li Clan during her early years, residing in the First Level for some time. It was then she’d first met the Ninth Uncle.

They’d grown up together—almost like childhood sweethearts. Though they’d parted as they grew older, fate had brought them back into each other’s lives when the Ninth Uncle was wandering the mortal world, training and testing himself.

Their bond had rekindled. They’d secretly pledged their hearts.

And since the Ninth Uncle was a prodigy of extraordinary talent—indeed, the True Dragon of the previous generation—Emperor Yu had not opposed their union. He formally blessed the match.

But tragedy struck. The Ninth Uncle, determined to achieve great merit before his wedding, joined the army. Only two years later, he died on the battlefield. The wedding, so close, was abruptly cut short—heartbreaking, indeed.

With him gone, the engagement should have been dissolved. After all, could the Imperial Clan allow its princess to become a living widow?

Yet Jiang Xian’er remained steadfast. She declared she would marry no one but the Ninth Young Master of the Li Clan.

In a bold defiance of the Emperor himself, she stormed the palace, arguing until the imperial court relented. Then, she came to Qingzhou—carrying the Ninth Uncle’s ceremonial armor and robes—fulfilling the wedding vows he could not.

Thus, she became the Li Clan’s Ninth Lady.

This tale had become legend across Qingzhou.

Within the family, all the Ladies held Jiang Xian’er in high regard. Even Second Uncle and Fifth Elder spoke of her with affection—no matter her status, it was the depth of her loyalty that earned their respect.

When Li Hao first heard the story from Second Uncle, he had been moved to silence.

In their time, travel was slow. A lifetime was enough for only one love. One person to remember.

Not like in his era, where a single swipe of a fingertip could change hearts eighty times in one night.

“Ninth Lady has arrived,” Li Wushuang said with a faint smile toward Jiang Xian’er.

To others, she gave no warmth. But to this woman—the beloved of her late brother—she held genuine reverence.

“Hao’er has come,” said He Jianlan, seated at the head of the hall. Her smile deepened as she caught sight of Li Hao. “Come here, sit by me.”

At her words, the others finally turned to notice him. Jiang Xian’er glanced over, offering Li Hao a gentle, kind smile.

Li Hao returned it. Over the years, he’d met many of the Ladies across the courtyards—but only Madam Da and this Ninth Lady made him feel truly at ease.

As he approached the table, he saw two dishes already placed there—delicacies he’d personally asked Yuanzhao to purchase earlier. He smiled, then handed over the gift box to his cousin.

“I heard you’d returned, so I brought a small gift. Hope you like it.”

Li Wushuang’s gaze flickered over the box, then took it with a neutral expression. “Thank you.”

She began to pass it to the back table, where gifts were being collected.

Liu Yuerong, seated beside He Jianlan, noticed and chuckled. “Double, don’t you want to see what Hao’er brought? He’s never given anything to anyone but food.”

He Jianlan added calmly, “We don’t lack for anything. What Hao’er brings is his own cooking—nothing is more precious than that.”

“That’s true,” Liu Yuerong nodded, smiling.

Jiang Xian’er turned to Li Hao. “Hao’er, come sit. I haven’t had your pastries in ages.”

“If the Ninth Lady likes them, I’ll make some tomorrow,” Li Hao said, settling into his seat with a grin.

As they spoke, Li Wushuang narrowed her brows slightly. She hadn’t been interested at first, but since Second Lady had spoken, refusing to open it would seem dismissive.

She lifted the lid. Inside lay a porcelain bottle and a dragon horn comb.

Typical trinkets, she thought, shaking her head inwardly. No real interest. She began to close it again.

But Liu Yuerong laughed lightly. “Hao’er truly has thought of you. That comb’s craftsmanship is exquisite—clearly, he put real effort into it. But what’s in the bottle?”

“Zhu Shen Elixir,” Li Hao replied with a warm smile.

Li Wushuang raised an eyebrow. She snapped the box shut, placed it on the side table, and said coolly, “Do you really think I need such an elixir?”

Her voice was soft, but the atmosphere instantly chilled.

The question was unanswerable.

Need it? That implied her cultivation potential was weak—so she needed external aid.

Don’t need it? Then why give it at all?

Li Hao paused, then sighed inwardly.

Gift-giving really is complicated.

“Double,” said Fifth Lady Gao Qingqing, sensing the tension. “It’s just a family banquet to welcome you back. Hao’er meant well. You don’t know what you like—this comb is already lovely. As for the elixir, just keep it if you don’t want it.”

The once-still Li Yun, who had been sitting stiffly obedient since Li Hao’s arrival, suddenly shifted. His posture loosened—almost defiant. He felt shame in appearing too meek before Li Hao.

Now that his sister had his back, he felt emboldened.

“Li Hao,” he said, leaning back with a smug smirk, mimicking Li Hao’s usual calm. “Do you even know my sister is a Ninth-Rank Combat Body? A top-tier prodigy! She doesn’t need elixirs—taking them would actually harm her. Are you mocking her?”

He glared at Li Hao, triumphant. With his sister’s status behind him, he felt untouchable.

Some backwater landlord’s spoiled brat… Li Hao sighed, glancing at him. This was her celebration. If he made a scene now, it’d be her reputation that suffered—not his.

Sure enough, Gao Qingqing’s expression darkened. She quickly flicked Li Yun’s back—hard.

He yelped, then looked up. His mother’s eyes flashed with mild fury.

Oh… He understood. He’d messed up.

But… why? He’d only said the truth.

In that moment, Li Hao smiled faintly—no anger, no nervousness.

“Cousin Sister may not need this elixir,” he said calmly, “but my younger cousin does. You can give it to him.”

Then, with a half-smile, he added, “And if you don’t like the comb… it can go to Zhinin sister instead.”

Li Wushuang’s face hardened. She didn’t miss the implication—you think your brother isn’t good enough?

“What do you mean?” she demanded, blunt and direct. She didn’t care for subtlety or face.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Li Hao feigned surprise. These two really are a pair of thickheads.

Her eyes narrowed. She was about to snap back—

But Gao Qingqing coughed sharply. “Double, Hao’er’s young. He doesn’t know your situation. The elixir was just a kind gesture. Don’t take it personally.”

Jiang Xian’er smiled gently. “Double, if you don’t like it, I’ll make up for it myself.”

“Yes, yes,” Liu Yuerong chimed in. “Hao’er meant well.”

Li Wushuang stared at Li Hao for a long moment—then said nothing. She simply picked up the gift box and placed it on the side shelf.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from outside.

Then came Li Yuanzhao’s voice: “Hao Ge!”

Li Hao turned. Fourth Lady and Yuanzhao had arrived.

Xiao Yujing, who had just been regaining her composure, bristled again. That boy—first thing he says is “Hao Ge”? Who does he think he’s greeting first?

She wanted to scold him on the spot, but the hall was full. So she strode forward with a smile.

“Everyone, I’m late! This must be Double? Wow—years have passed, and you’ve grown so tall. So beautiful, Qingqing! You truly raised a fine daughter.”

Her words lightened the mood instantly, drawing everyone’s attention away from the earlier slip.

Li Hao sat calmly, smiling. These women—each one a firebrand.

Li Yuanzhao exchanged a glance with him. They both knew the earlier misunderstanding had passed. Relief washed over Li Yuanzhao as he handed the gift to Li Wushuang.

“What’s inside?” Liu Yuerong asked curiously.

“Open and see,” Li Yuanzhao said with a knowing grin. He didn’t know what was in the box—but he wasn’t stupid.

Li Wushuang frowned, annoyed but obliged. She opened it—revealing a sleek, sharp short dagger.

“Wait—Hanxiang!” Gao Qingqing gasped, eyes wide. She turned to Xiao Yujing. “This is a famed blade! They say it can pierce through the body of a Three Immortality Demon King!”

Xiao Yujing smiled. “It’s Yuanzhao’s gift. As long as Double likes it, that’s all that matters.”

Gao Qingqing snapped back to herself. “Double, thank your cousin!”

Li Wushuang’s eyes lit up. She liked the dagger. Though she preferred swords, a dagger in her off-hand was invaluable—especially in close combat, where a sword couldn’t be wielded.

“Thank you, cousin,” she said softly, her tone warm.

Li Yuanzhao waved it off, then sat beside Li Hao.

Soon after, the remaining Ladies—Third, Seventh, and Eighth—arrived. The gathering was complete.

He Jianlan, knowing Li Wushuang preferred quiet, had not invited the concubines from the other courtyards. So only the main branch of the family was present—few in number, but precisely what Li Wushuang preferred.

Beyond the Ladies, Li Wushuang’s father, Li Xuanli, also returned from the inner depths of the Meditation Mountain.

He looked in his forties, radiating a refined, scholarly Qi aura. Years ago, he’d survived a near-fatal injury on the battlefield. Compared to his brothers, he was among the few who’d escaped unscathed.

Surviving a Spirit Beast’s attack was no small feat—especially for the Li Clan, whose sons were often targeted as prime prey by Great Demons.

Once wounded, they became prime targets—pursued relentlessly by demonic beasts.

After all, the Li Clan had long guarded the frontier, slaying countless demons. Their name was hated across the Demon Clan.

To the Demon Clan, the homes of the Four Divine Generals—aside from the Royal Family—were sworn enemies. They’d kill for their flesh, drink their blood, and sleep on their skins.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end