The Golden Spirit Orb of the National Celebration Ceremony

Ji Yaotian's face turned ashen as he watched his daughter being discovered by someone.

"How are you, Xier?" Jun Lintian looked at his sister with concern.

"Brother, Xier is fine. Thanks to this child giving Xier a pill," Jun Yaoxi replied, pursing her cracked lips.

Looking at Su Qi, who smiled indifferently, Ji Yaotian couldn't believe it. As an elder of two dynasties, he was well aware of everything that had happened in recent years. With just a vague statement, Su Qi wanted to wash away the fact that he wasn't Su Weichen's wife in front of Ji Yaotian. How could that be possible?

Jun Lintian lifted his gaze and glanced at Su Zimo not far away. Was it her who discovered Xier?

"Bring them here!" Emperor Haoyue roared angrily.

Two imperial guards approached respectfully, ready to receive orders.

"Ji Rui has committed a grave offense by impersonating the princess. She deserves death! Lock her up in the heavenly dungeon and give her a poisoned pill."

With just a sentence, Ji Rui's fate was sealed.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The two guards went forward, escorting the stunned Ji Rui away.

The Empress sat silently on the side, not daring to utter a word. It was clear that Emperor Haoyue intended to punish only Ji Rui.

Ji Yaotian, with a gloomy expression, was willing to give up his daughter Ji Rui at this moment to secure his position as the Empress's husband and the Duke of the State.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, have failed in educating her properly. Please punish this rebellious daughter and let her atone for her heinous crime," Ji Yaotian knelt down, his face filled with sorrow.

Su Zimo watched coldly. The Empress and the Duke of the State couldn't possibly be unaware of Ji Rui's impersonation of Jun Yaoxi. Moreover, based on what happened today, without the Empress's permission, it would have been impossible for Ji Rui alone to mobilize so many archers. Most importantly, it allowed Jun Lintian to escape unscathed.

"Thank you, Father, for standing up for me," Jun Yaoxi said, looking at Ji Rui being dragged away without a trace of sympathy on her weak face. There was no bond left between them since the moment Ji Rui laid hands on her.

"Xier, you've suffered. It's all because of me! I failed to uncover Ji Rui's plot," Emperor Haoyue, who always cherished his children, disregarded the kneeling Duke of the State. Even though Jun Yaoxi was not his beloved woman's child, he still loved her.

"It's not your fault, Father. Ji Rui grew up with me since we were children, so she knew my every move. But I can't understand how she managed to escape from the road to the nunnery and cause trouble in the palace. Today, if it weren't for Su Zimo's people, I wouldn't have seen the light of day again."

As Jun Yaoxi spoke, she glared at the Empress with a dark expression. She didn't need to say it; her father would know who was responsible. However...

Hearing this, the Empress tightened her grip on the edge of the bed, her palms sweaty. She had suffered heavy losses today. Over a hundred secret guards were all killed by Su Li brothers.

Jun Yuchen turned his head and glanced at the Empress, but he remained silent throughout.

When Ji Yu entered and heard Jun Yaoxi's words, he cast a fleeting angry glance at Mu Yunxuan's position. If it weren't for Mu Yunxuan personally taking action, how could they have rescued Jun Yaoxi? How did they even find out?

"Xier, you should go back and rest for now. Father will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly," Emperor Haoyue said, casting a sidelong glance at the Empress. In an instant, the Empress trembled with fear. Even if he didn't investigate, he knew it was her doing. She had always managed to escape easily because the Emperor considered the Crown Prince.

"Thank you, Father!" Jun Yaoxi knew she should stop now. After all, it was a celebration of the Four Kingdoms.

Jun Lintian entrusted Jun Yaoxi to two palace maids to support her and instructed her to rest well.

"Apologies for the embarrassment caused on this auspicious day of the Four Kingdoms' alliance. It is deeply regrettable. Let us raise our cups and toast to the everlasting alliance of the Four Kingdoms, may we never engage in warfare again," Emperor Haoyue raised his cup, his resounding voice echoing throughout the grand hall.

People from various kingdoms raised their cups and loudly said, "May Emperor Haoyue live a long life, and may his imperial rule be eternal."

Everyone knelt in unison, chanting loudly, "Long live our Emperor! Long live! Long live!"

With a seemingly insignificant toast, the entire incident involving Jun Yaoxi was suppressed. At this moment, no one dared to mention Ji Rui.

Ji Yaotian wisely retreated to his position, understanding Emperor Haoyue's intentions.

As the celebration began, palace maids moved back and forth under the guidance of the chief steward, bringing in exquisite food and drinks into the grand hall.

Su Qi watched various delicacies being placed in front of him, his eyes darting around. As soon as the palace maid turned away, he immediately started eating.

After a day of fighting, he was exhausted and hungry.

Mu Yufeng looked at his gluttonous appearance and pulled off a chicken leg for him.

Su Qi instantly smiled, his eyes squinting into slits. Grandfather understood him so well.

In the luxurious palace, amidst the clinking of cups and the harmony of music and dance on stage, Emperor Haoyue smiled as he watched everything before him, as if the events that had just unfolded had never happened.

Emperor Haoyue waved his hand, and under the leadership of Jun Lintian, two guards carried a brocade box covered in red cloth into the grand hall.

Mu Yunxuan quietly whispered to Su Zimo, "Mo'er, he is Haoyue Emperor's strategist, Jun Lintian."

"Jun Lintian?" Su Zimo softly repeated, carefully observing Jun Lintian. She had heard some rumors about him. He was exceptionally intelligent, knowledgeable in various fields, and held a special position by Haoyue Emperor's side. Although he held no official position in the court, Haoyue Emperor often sought his advice on matters of governance. The Empress, despite her powerful background, dared not act presumptuously in front of Haoyue Emperor. The reasons behind all this were known only to a few.

"Jun Lintian, greet our Emperor!" Jun Lintian didn't kneel but instead bowed respectfully.

Everyone could tell from his noble demeanor that he held a prestigious position, as he was exempted from the usual ritual of kneeling. It was evident that he held a unique place in Haoyue Emperor's heart.

"Dispense with formalities, Lintian." Haoyue Emperor raised his hand, signaling Jun Lintian to uncover the red cloth.

When the brocade box was opened, a ray of brilliance shot out, making the hall even brighter. It was the golden Spirit Pearl representing the peace among the Four Kingdoms, a rare and precious treasure shaped like a lotus, divided into four parts.

Jun Lintian gently rotated one of the pearls, causing a colorful beam of light to radiate from it. In an instant, the other objects in the Qingshi Hall paled in comparison.

Gasps of surprise sounded from the seated crowd, and even Haoyue Emperor's eyes sparkled.

Su Zimo looked on in astonishment. It was truly magical. This Spirit Pearl could emit two different colors of light, a remarkable phenomenon.

Each kingdom possessed a unique treasure symbolizing the peaceful era among the Four Kingdoms. These treasures possessed a spiritual essence that, when infused with profound energy by the loyal, would act as an oath of allegiance.

"The annual celebration of the Four Kingdoms, the Qingshi Festival, showcases the sincere hearts of the representatives from each kingdom. I invite the representatives to come forward and extend their hands, infusing their most sincere profound energy into the sentient Spirit Pearl, allowing our Four Kingdoms to enjoy everlasting peace."

The Qingshi Festival's most crucial moment was when the profound energy was infused into the Spirit Pearl. If the person lacked sincerity, the Spirit Pearl would emit a reddish-brown light.

Representatives who stepped forward to symbolize peace must hold pure intentions in their hearts.

Soon, Murong Shaofeng, Yan Ping'an, Nalan Wenhao, and Jun Shaochen walked towards the stage from the four directions.

Meanwhile, on the picturesque official road outside the city, ten horses galloped, raising a cloud of dust behind them.

Upon reaching the city gate, the ten individuals dismounted and tied their horses to the trees on both sides, leaving one person to watch over them. The remaining nine, like phantoms, stealthily infiltrated the city.

"Bang!" A shop with the words "Mingyue" was forcefully entered, causing panic among the customers who fled.

The same scene unfolded in Murong Chengyi's Mingyue Clothing Store.

Upon hearing the noise and the screams of the customers, Murong Chengyi quickly emerged from the backyard.

He saw two experts in profound energy destroying things.

Murong Chengyi's eyes turned cold as he swiftly took action.

He ordered Hongxiang and Wu Jiang, who had come with him, to investigate the other shops.

Tianmen, located a hundred miles east of Haoyue Kingdom, in the demon-sealing mountains, boasted beautiful scenery and peculiar terrain.

Due to past emotional wounds, Yang Qingqing secluded herself in the Demon-Sealing Mountains. Over the years, she had built a massive underground palace in this place.

Inside Yang Qingqing's room, the decor was elegant, with predominant shades of red. In front of the dressing table, a beautiful yet cold face gazed into the bronze mirror without any emotion. She slowly raised her hand and inserted a red face towel adorned with beads behind her ear. Instantly, her beautiful face displayed only a pair of icy eyes.

A woman dressed in a white gown walked in. Observing the composed and confident expression of the woman, it was evident she held a distinguished position in Tianmen. After standing still, she respectfully said, "Master, the Palace Guardians have already set off. By now, they should have entered the city."

A strange smile appeared beneath Yang Qingqing's veil. Su Zimo, we are both women. Naturally, we must have a contest...

Inside the Qingshi Hall, the golden light emitted from the Spirit Pearl dazzled the eyes of the onlookers.

After each of the four individuals infused their sincere intentions into the Spirit Pearl, the brilliance became even more dazzling. Haoyue Emperor watched the radiance emitted by the Spirit Pearl and continuously nodded with a smile. The color of the golden light represented their sincerity, and Haoyue Emperor was delighted.

As the four individuals withdrew their hands, they exchanged smiles with each other.

"Long live our Emperor! Long live! Long live!"

The servants on the ground knelt and shouted in unison.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" Haoyue Emperor repeated three times.

"Your countries possess sincere hearts, which is commendable as it aligns with heaven and earth. This is the toil of the people under heaven."

Haoyue Emperor stood up, his dragon-like countenance filled with joy.

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