Emperor Jun's Birthday Banquet

DUKE PEI WAS silent for a moment. After some time, he finally said, "It's just the Medicine Sect, why are you afraid?"

"It's too much trouble," Lily sighed exasperatedly.

"They would never touch us since you are not engaged with the crown prince anymore. It's just what the fifth prince said earlier, the elder came to back up Young Miss Carna to become the future empress. Since we are not obstructing their goal, why should they create trouble for us? However, it's not bad to be vigilant and observe."

Lily thinks for seconds before nodding, "That makes sense."

Duke Pei sighed. "The mortal ways of living are too complicated. It's best if we avoid entangling with their business."

Lily tsked. "Who wants to have something to do with them?" she looked at her grandfather in contempt as she added, "You're the only one who wanted to stay here. Great-grandfather said that we have no obligation to stay, yet you were persistent. Say, grandfather, why are you too sentimental?"

Duke Pei opened his mouth to rebuke but his granddaughter cut him off.

"Mortals have little years to live. Why bother exchanging friendship with them? Once they die, aren't you the one losing?" Lily sip on her teacup.

Duke Pei closed his mouth. His granddaughter's words were true. After Lily left his room, he was still thinking about it. Then, his thoughts wandered about Lily.

His granddaughter was old enough to take care of herself. Although Lily was arrogant, lazy, and temperamental, the girl was smart and reasonable. She could take care of herself.

He sighed.

Maybe, it was already time. He had already reached over eighty years of living in this world. It's truly the right time.

----

The emperor's birthday banquet has arrived. Several envoys from countries who had a good relationship with the Immortal Dragon Empire came to wish him a good and long life. Since their arrival, the palace has been busy.

On the other hand, the nobles and officials who were invited carefully took care of their outfits and gifts. Each family has thoughts of showing off their loyalty and care for the monarch.

As for the Pei family, they were leisurely as usual. Aside from five maidservants, Ji Mei and Ji Lei included, there were a total of twenty guards protecting the estate. There were not many people in the Duke's Estate, however, their number was enough for the Duke. Also, these people were born and raised under his care and rules. So, they were extremely loyal.

The previous emperors tried to give him more people but he declined. He's not comfortable having outsiders in his home.

"Are you sure you don't want to attend the nonsensical banquet?" Lily asked his grandfather.

Duke Pei's mouth twitched. Nonetheless, he answered with a wave of his hand, "I'm not. I'm too old for that. My bones and health won't be able to endure the travel and excitement in the palace."

Lily gave the so-called old man a profound look before nodding her head. Afterwards, she called Ji Mei and Ji Lei and the three of them went to the palace on horseback.

As soon as they arrived, they saw the fifth imperial uncle who was about to enter the gate. Hugo noticed the girl as well. He stopped walking and smiled at the girl.

"Young Miss Pei, shall we go inside together?"

Lily nodded.

The two of them quickly bypassed the long queue and entered the gate. The other was a prince while the other was a special entity in the empire, so, there was no need to line up just to enter the palace.

"How is Duke Pei? I heard that the emperor requested for him to attend his birthday banquet multiple times but the duke declined due to health issues. Is he alright?" Hugo asked worriedly. One, he was really worried. Two, he was concerned about the outcome once Duke Pei's health deteriorated. What would happen to Lily, then?

He will be leaving two days from now. His heart was full of worry as he thought of Lily and Duke Pei left in this empire with a powerful sect lurking around.

Should he take Lily back to Earth Realm with him?

"He's just too lazy to attend," Lily answered honestly. She didn't mind telling such truth to the fifth imperial uncle. Anyway, the Pei family kept offending this monarch, so what was adding another insult?

Hearing this, Hugo finally sighed in relief.

In the hall, several officials were already gathering around. The princes and princesses were also present associating with others.

The emperor has a total of ten imperial sons and three imperial daughters. All of which were already older than fifteen.

"Fifth Imperial Uncle, Young Miss Pei!" They greeted. They know that their fifth imperial uncle has a good relationship with the Duke Estate, so they weren't surprised to see the two together.

However, some who had deep thoughts were looking at Hugo with complicated gazes. He had no wife and concubines. He didn't even play around. Everyone knew that he was clean and had never touched a woman.

Now, he was close to the chaste-loving Pei family. They couldn't help but think that there was something more in their relationship. Although Lily was fifteen years younger than him, age was just a number.

If Lily and the fifth imperial uncle got married for real, then, the fifth imperial uncle's power would be unshaken. He was already more powerful than the emperor himself, what more if the Pei family's power merged with his? They didn't dare imagine it.

Lily and Hugo took their seats. None of them talked, but there was no awkwardness between them. They leisurely waited until a eunuch announced the arrival of the emperor, empress, and crown prince.

Emperor Jun looked at the two conspicuous entities in the middle of the kneeling crowds. Only the two of them were still sitting and ignoring his existence.

His face instantly darkened. But as usual, he could only swallow his anger and ignore the blatant disrespect towards him. The other was part of the imperial family who he was afraid of offending, while the other one was a great power. What else could he do?

"Rise!" the eunuch ordered once the emperor had taken his seat. And then, the banquet began.

The envoys, nobles, and officials went to present their gifts. Lily took out a box of brocades as a gift. These were not as good as the phoenix brocade, but it was still a treasure. However, Lily thought of giving it away since the brocade was not good-looking in her eyes. Regardless, the emperor was still satisfied.

"Today is this emperor's good day and is happy to see all of you gathering in the palace to celebrate it," Emperor Jun said, looking at everyone.

"Our Majesty is benevolent and kind. Celebrating your birthday banquet is your subjects' honour," said Prime Minister Carna. His eyes were looking at the emperor as if he was looking at his own father. He didn't wait for the emperor to say a word as he continued, "To celebrate this important day of our empire, this subject has invited an expert."

Emperor Jun instantly forgot about his plan to announce the crown prince's taking the prime minister's eldest daughter as a concubine. He immediately asked curiously, "An expert?"

Everyone looked at Prime Minister Carna. What kind of expert did this man invite? Who didn't know that the emperor looks at the prime minister like an eyesore recently? Now, the eyesore was using an expert to get the emperor's heart. They couldn't help but watch the event with interest.

Prime Minister Carna ignored the onlookers' eyes and nodded his head. "The expert this subject invited is one of the elders of the Medicine Sect," he announced.

Everyone gasped. Even the emperor was surprised. This prime minister had a connection with the medicine sect!

"This subject's son has good luck being able to meet this expert on his way to his maternal family's home. Seeing that this subject's son has an inner talent, the expert took him as a disciple."

"Something like this happened?"

"Apologies, your majesty," said the prime minister, looking shameful and regretful, "The expert told this subject not to share this matter with anyone. Even if this subject wanted to share this good news with Your Majesty, this subject could only hold my tongue as requested by the expert."

Emperor Jun nodded in understanding. "Then, where is he?" he asked excitedly. An expert who came from a distinguished sect from the earth realm, who wouldn't feel excited?

He peeked at the young lady who was still drinking tea as if nothing was happening, and his expression became complicated. Could this medicine sect kill off the Pei family? He was tired of the Pei family's arrogant personality. He really wanted them gone. If possible, just kill them to avoid unnecessary trouble. It's better to associate himself with the medicine sect than the Pei family. The strongest empire in the secular world wasn't crowned strongest through their own effort. They were held as such because they had the Spirit Sword Sect backing them. The medicine sect had yet to establish its power in the secular world. If they did it in his empire, then he wouldn't have to curry favour with the Pei family every day.

His eyes lit up. He wanted to have a talk with this expert immediately!

Looking at the joyful face of the emperor, Lily couldn't help but sneer in contempt. Nevertheless, she didn't interrupt their happiness. She was still kind enough to let them enjoy themselves. Then, trample their happiness later on. Being able to play like this, Lily thought that the early arrival of that elder was not that hateful, after all.