Chapter 180: The Gate of Holy Light

"Following the teachings of the Holy Light envoy, please allow this old man... to take my leave first."

The Redwood patriarch, trembling, stood up and lifted his waxen old face, his eyes directly staring at the main seat's Phoenix Lady, "Phoenix Lady, thank you for speaking on behalf of this old man today. I will surely repay this favor in the future—"

"Lord Redwood is too polite. Someone, please escort Lord Redwood, lest he falls due to instability."

"Yes!" Imperius waved to the members of the Firebird guard, signaling them to escort the Redwood patriarch out.

"No need."

The Redwood patriarch gave a cold smile, "Although my body is not what it used to be, living another ten or twenty years will not be a problem. Phoenix Lady, I hope that by then, you can still be as radiant as today."

Twenty years later, Phoenix Lady would be fifty years old, her biggest enemy then—age—a foe no woman can conquer.

The words of the Redwood patriarch clearly stung Phoenix Lady, causing the smile she usually maintained to fade.

"Travel safely, Lord Redwood, forgive Kiana for not seeing you off."

Hearing this, the Redwood patriarch gave a slight smile, no longer paying attention to Phoenix Lady, and turned to walk out of the banquet hall. Passing the corner where Rayan was seated, he stopped, giving Rayan a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"Young friend Rayan, I look forward to your visit to our Redwood family."

Rayan immediately stood up and replied, "Lord Redwood, please take care of your health. If possible, I would be very pleased to meet Your Excellency, the crown prince."

His words were not out of guilt but to make it clear to Phoenix Lady that he was not without support. Should Phoenix Lady decide to strike against him, he could immediately ally with the Redwood family.

Naturally, the Redwood patriarch understood this. However, given the current situation where everyone avoided him, Rayan's willingness to speak to him was genuinely appreciated.

"Farewell." The Redwood patriarch nodded again.

"Take care." Rayan nodded calmly, unfazed.

The Redwood patriarch then left the banquet hall laughing heartily, muttering loudly to himself, "Worth it! Totally worth it!"

The guests in the banquet hall were all confused, but Phoenix Lady clearly understood what the Redwood patriarch meant by "worth it." She coldly glanced at Rayan, who pretended not to see her, and calmly sat back down.

Phoenix Lady then shifted her gaze away, preparing to announce the continuation of the banquet, but Holy Light envoy Eileen spoke before she could.

"Ladies and gentlemen of nobility, Eileen must also take her leave now."

As soon as they heard the Holy Light envoy was leaving, the guests began whispering amongst themselves. After all, the envoy was a person of status, and her departure from the banquet was a face-losing matter for the host. Ultimately, all eyes turned to Phoenix Lady.

"Miss Eileen is leaving?"

Phoenix Lady appeared surprised, "Is it Kiana's lack of hospitality?"

In fact, she had already known that Eileen would leave. Although this time Eileen's true identity was not exposed, seeing Eileen strike her own father pleased Phoenix Lady immensely. Moreover, after this punishment, the Redwood patriarch would be bedridden for a long time, and after the tournament ended, Eileen, as the Holy Light envoy, would have to leave. By then, the Redwood family, unsupported, could hardly stir any trouble.

The only thing she needed to worry about was the possibility of the Redwoods aligning with Rayan—however, proximity offered her advantages, and she already had a plan to win Rayan over...

Eileen said to Phoenix Lady with a cold smile, "After using Holy Light condemnation, I must pray to Holy Light to seek purification of the sinful hearts in the world."

Phoenix Lady blinked, "That's truly unfortunate, I was just about to replace these messy dishes with delicacies only found in royal courts for you, Miss Eileen."

"Thank you for your kindness, I will pray for you too—"

Eileen added, "Let's meet again at the tournament tomorrow."

Phoenix Lady knew Eileen was not going to pray but to look after her father. Phoenix Lady did not expose her, simply smiling warmly, "Then we'll see you tomorrow, and I hope Miss Eileen won't miss the great show tomorrow."

"Of course not."

Eileen walked out of the banquet hall, not looking back, "Your play, I will never miss..."

A meaningful smile crept across Phoenix Lady's lips, a smile only Rayan could understand, clearly that of a victor.

When Eileen passed by Rayan, she also bowed slightly, "Lord Rayan, don't forget our agreement."

"I won't forget." Rayan nodded.

Eileen's Holy Light robe fluttered as her hands emitted white light, tracing an elliptical halo in the air. The halo slowly opened, forming a gate of Holy Light. The other side of the gate was blurry, but it was obviously another location.

"May Holy Light be with you all."

Eileen dropped these words and stepped into the light gate, the halo then contracted, disappearing along with her into the banquet hall.

After the departure of Redwood patriarch and Holy Light envoy Eileen, no one in the banquet hall dared oppose Phoenix Lady anymore.

Phoenix Lady announced the continuation of the banquet, replacing the previous dishes with royal court-level delicacies, relieving the guests who had been on edge.

Just as the new dishes were served, Phoenix Lady loudly inquired, "Where is my beautiful Lady Spring Rain?"

Rayan's heart sank, knowing the cunning and treacherous woman had no good intentions in calling for Lady Spring Rain. He quickly held back Lady Spring Rain, who was about to stand up and speak, whispering urgently, "I need your stance—"

He had given Lady Spring Rain enough time to think, and now he needed to know her answer. If Lady Spring Rain agreed to accept him as her Oath Knight, then all was well. If not, he needed to quickly think of a countermeasure—previously, while the Redwood patriarch was there, he might have been able to negotiate an Oath Knight agreement with him, but Phoenix Lady had clearly outmaneuvered him by sending away Redwood patriarch and Eileen early.

Lady Spring Rain bit her lip, just as she was about to speak, Phoenix Lady called out again, "Spring Rain? Spring Rain? Where are you?"

Lady Spring Rain, not daring to delay, stood up and bowed slightly to Phoenix Lady, "Phoenix Lady, Spring Rain is here."

Phoenix Lady, pretending to see her for the first time, waved her over, "Come, my dearest, please sit by my side."

Lady Spring Rain immediately moved from her seat.

Rayan's brows furrowed, thinking Lady Spring Rain had rejected him, but as Lady Spring Rain passed by Rayan, she whispered softly, "I am willing."

These three words reinvigorated Rayan completely. Gratefully, he looked at Spring Rain, who avoided his gaze, hurrying towards Phoenix Lady.

With Lady Spring Rain's words, Rayan felt reassured. Even if Phoenix Lady was cunning, she could no longer trouble him.

His greatest concern had been being controlled by Phoenix Lady, who had painstakingly driven away her adversaries, Redwood patriarch and Holy Light envoy, making the banquet hall devoid of any nobles who dared oppose her. If she proposed making Rayan her Oath Knight, naturally, no one would compete with her for him.

The only one who could compete with her yet also make her wary was Lady Spring Rain. Lady Spring Rain's own family power was Phoenix Lady's weak spot; she viewed Lady Spring Rain as the strongest external support for her son's succession to the throne, so she absolutely would not risk offending Lady Spring Rain to compete for her.

Rayan had foreseen this, which is why he wanted Lady Spring Rain to accept him as her Oath Knight. And while Lady Spring Rain hesitated, fearing that Rayan regarded his protective oath as mere playacting, which would upset her, Rayan grew increasingly anxious, causing her heart to ache as she struggled to discern whether Rayan truly intended to protect her as a friend for life or merely saw her as a tool to win the tournament.

Ultimately, she chose to trust Rayan, believing he would not merely use her to win.

Under everyone's gaze, Lady Spring Rain gracefully walked to Phoenix Lady's side and sat down.

This seat was previously Holy Light envoy Eileen's. As she sat down, Phoenix Lady stared at her with a quasi-smile, and she immediately felt an invisible pressure, quickly making a courteous remark, "Phoenix Lady, I heard you were ill, is it serious?"

Phoenix Lady took Lady Spring Rain's hand, examining her closely, and said with a smile, "Ah, every time I see my Spring Rain, I feel refreshed, and all my ailments disappear. Spring Rain, for my health, you must meet with me more often."

Lady Spring Rain smiled appropriately, "Spring Rain fears she may disturb you."

"How could that be?"

Phoenix Lady feigned annoyance, "I think about you every day. In the Firebird family, it's just us two women; other servants and slaves don't count. If we are not close, who else should we be close to?"

Lady Spring Rain immediately thought of her dance with Rayan, a blush creeping up unbidden, "Yes, madam, Spring Rain will keep your words in mind."

Seeing her goal nearly achieved, Phoenix Lady said no more and simply invited the other guests to eat and drink.

Throughout the banquet, she never once looked towards Rayan, as if she did not know him at all.

After three rounds of drinks, the guests were all satisfied, those who had previously cursed Phoenix Lady now changed their tune to flatter her. Phoenix Lady just smiled, knowing they would curse again once they turned away, so she didn't care about their praise. She fixed her gaze on a serious-faced person other than Rayan.

"Commander—"