At this moment, even Xu Chuan was extremely nervous.
Having lived two lives, this was his first time, like a young bride stepping into a sedan chair, with no experience whatsoever.
A full quarter of an hour passed, and Ning Cangtian did not respond to his request.
Xu Chuan grew more anxious, holding Ning Youci's hand tightly, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Ning Youci also looked at Ning Cangtian with a nervous expression.
Although Xu Chuan's action was sudden, she felt no discomfort; her heart already belonged to Xu Chuan.
All that was needed was Ning Cangtian's consent, and their relationship would receive parental support, making it legitimate.
Another incense stick's worth of time passed.
At this moment, Ning Cangtian suddenly exuded an unparalleled aura, pressing down heavily on Xu Chuan, making it difficult for him to breathe, and he directly knelt on the ground.
"You want me to agree to you being together?"
Ning Cangtian asked from above.
"Yes!"
Even though he was oppressed by Ning Cangtian's aura and could not lift his head, Xu Chuan's tone remained firm and neither servile nor overbearing!
What he decided, no one could change!
Not even Ning Cangtian!
However, Ning Cangtian's attitude at this moment still made Xu Chuan a little nervous.
"Good, I agree!"
Xu Chuan had expected Ning Cangtian to make things difficult, and he had already prepared himself for it.
But he never expected Ning Cangtian to agree so easily.
The so-called difficulty was merely suppressing him with his aura!
As Ning Cangtian's words fell, the boundless aura quietly vanished, and Xu Chuan immediately stood up.
Holding the beauty's jade-like hand, their eyes met, filled with excitement and joy.
Ning Cangtian looked at them, a smile appearing on his face.
He was completely satisfied with Xu Chuan.
In terms of status, the prospective holy son of the Eastern Domain's foremost holy land was a good match for the princess of his Great Wei Dynasty.
In terms of merit, Xu Chuan had resolved an ancient hidden danger for his Great Wei Dynasty, freeing it completely. This was an immense contribution to the entire Great Wei Dynasty.
Based on these two points alone, Xu Chuan was qualified to marry his daughter.
However, if the two were not truly in love, Ning Cangtian would not have agreed to Xu Chuan's request.
He had agreed precisely because he saw the deep affection in their eyes.
He would give the utmost respect to whatever his daughter wished!
"Xu Chuan, from today onwards, my daughter is yours!"
"If Ci'er ever suffers even the slightest grievance, I will not let you off lightly!"
"Do you hear me?"
Ning Cangtian said sternly.
Although he had agreed to their being together, Ning Youci was, after all, his beloved treasure and could not endure any hardship!
"I will not fail Your Majesty Ning's trust!"
"From now on, I will protect Youci with my life!"
"If I go against this, I shall be struck by heavenly retribution!"
Xu Chuan solemnly made his promise, his expression solemn!
This was a man's promise!
"Good!"
"I have heard your words!"
Ning Cangtian nodded, fully accepting Xu Chuan.
"You may leave now. I need to be alone for a while."
"In three days, someone will escort you to the spirit spring."
Ning Cangtian waved his hand, signaling Xu Chuan and Ning Youci to leave.
His beloved treasure had been taken away by another man, and he, the Emperor Ning, needed time to himself.
Xu Chuan, with his usual discretion, took Ning Youci's hand and left the palace, not disturbing Ning Cangtian.
Outside the imperial palace, the two embraced tightly.
"Youci, I will definitely make you happy!"
Xu Chuan promised.
"Mmm, I believe you!"
Ning Youci replied softly.
She could also see Xu Chuan's sincerity towards her!
Otherwise, Xu Chuan would not have wasted that condition Ning Cangtian had promised for her.
Ning Youci knew very well how precious that condition was.
Anyone else would have gone mad for it!
But Xu Chuan did not!
That was enough!
Love that ran in both directions was this simple and direct.
Meanwhile, in the sleeping quarters, Ning Cangtian opened a mechanism behind them after they left.
Behind the mechanism was a secret chamber.
Ning Cangtian walked into it. The temperature inside was extremely low; the mist scattered throughout the chamber had the effect of freezing everything.
In the center of the chamber lay an ice coffin.
The mist emanated from this ice coffin.
One could imagine how low the temperature was.
In the coffin lay a stunning woman who bore an eight-tenths resemblance to Ning Youci.
She lay there quietly, and it was unclear whether she was alive or dead.
Ning Cangtian slowly approached the ice coffin and gently caressed the woman's cheek.
"Yan'er, our daughter has grown up!"
"She has found her destined husband!"
"I have seen the child, and I am very satisfied!"
"I have agreed to them being together..."
Ning Cangtian spoke softly to the woman in the coffin, his face filled with tenderness.
If anyone else saw him like this, they would be utterly astonished!
When had the Emperor Ning of the Great Wei Dynasty, the ruler of a vast territory, ever shown such an expression!
Ning Cangtian's words were destined to go unanswered.
A single tear trickled down his cheek.
It is said that men do not shed tears easily, unless they are deeply grieved.
No one knew if his tears were of joy or sorrow.
All of this remained unknown.
...
On the other side, in the Zhenyuan Prince's mansion, Liu Qi sat with a grim expression in the main hall, lost in thought, the atmosphere unusually oppressive.
Whether it was the maids, attendants, or the Zhenyuan Prince's family, they all stood trembling in their respective positions, heads bowed deeply, not daring to make the slightest move.
They all knew that Liu Qi was enraged to the extreme, and no one dared to provoke him at this time.
The scene was deathly silent.
However, this silent scene was soon broken by the arrival of someone.
A woman dressed in opulent attire, accompanied by a group of people, stormed into the Zhenyuan Prince's mansion from outside, completely disregarding the guards' obstruction.
As she approached the main hall, she questioned Liu Qi, who sat in the main seat.
"Liu Qi, where is my Sheng'er?"
Facing the woman's questioning, Liu Qi's grim expression darkened even further.
"Dead!"
He uttered the two words coldly.
"What?"
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing Liu Qi's answer, the woman was first shocked, then disbelieving.
Finally, she finally grasped what Liu Qi had said.
"Sheng'er is dead? Dead!"
"Sheng'er, my Sheng'er!"
Upon hearing the news of her son's death, the woman was plunged into endless grief and began to weep uncontrollably.
This woman was Yang Sheng's mother, Liu Qi's sister.
"Who, who killed my Sheng'er!?"
"Where is the murderer? I will kill him and avenge my son!"
"Liu Qi, you useless wretch, your nephew has been murdered, and you're still sitting here!"
After a brief period of grief, the woman erupted into fury, her killing intent surging.
She wanted to tear the murderer of her son to shreds!
"Enough!"
"I will avenge Sheng'er's death, but not now!"
"This matter requires careful planning!"
Liu Qi directly interrupted his sister's outburst.
Did he not want to kill Xu Chuan?
His only son had died at Xu Chuan's hands, and his remains were not yet cold.
He would definitely avenge this!
But within the capital, he could not act.
This made him incredibly stifled!