Ling Luo Yi did not leave the Feng Xi Realm. She was refining medicine. The consumption of pills in the past few days had been rather high, and she hadn't refined such low-level pills in a long time, relying on her existing stock.
Her stock was not abundant anymore, so it was time to replenish it.
The medicinal ingredients Ling Luo Qian had bought back yesterday were just what she needed.
Ling Luo Yi continued refining until the next day.
During this time, Zhu Xue knocked on her door, but there was no response. Without her master's permission, she dared not enter the room herself.
No one else came to disturb her either.
When Ling Luo Yi left the Feng Xi Realm, it was already close to the hour of Wei (1-3 PM).
She had not eaten for nearly fifteen hours, yet she felt no hunger.
At her cultivation level, she no longer needed to eat.
Ling Luo Yi stretched lazily, glanced at the sky, and realized it was time for the royal banquet.
As Ling Luo Yi pushed open the door, she saw Ling Luo Qian in the courtyard.
"Qian'er, why are you here?" Ling Luo Yi asked as she went downstairs.
"It's time for the banquet. Father sent me to find you."
"Who else is going?"
"Mother and Father are going, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother are also going, and then it's you and me."
"Let's go."
The sisters walked towards the entrance together, in silence.
"Greetings, Second Uncle, Second Aunt," Ling Luo Yi said as she reached the doorway, greeting Ling Qi and his wife.
"Luo'er is here. Then let's go."
Ling Qi and his wife didn't ask further questions. They believed the children should resolve their own matters, and as elders, their role was to manage the household.
"Mm," Ling Luo Yi replied, handing a medicine bottle to Ling Qi.
Ling Qi was surprised for a moment, then he understood.
The Ling Manor had prepared three carriages. Ling Qi and his wife, being the elders, rode in the first carriage. Ling Luo Chen and his two brothers, being the men, rode in the second carriage. Ling Luo Yi and Ling Luo Qian, being the female dependents, rode in the third carriage.
The sisters got into the carriage and remained silent.
Ling Luo Qian closed her eyes to rest. Seeing that Ling Luo Qian was not speaking, Ling Luo Yi did not wish to disturb her.
In this quiet atmosphere, they arrived at the imperial palace.
According to the palace regulations, no outside carriages or horses were allowed to enter the imperial palace, so they all alighted.
After presenting their invitations, the guards let them pass.
As Ling Luo Yi and her group just entered the palace gates, a eunuch approached them.
"Are you the esteemed members of the Ling family?" the eunuch asked respectfully after performing a bow. "The Emperor has ordered this servant to prepare sedan chairs for you. Please board them."
Ling Luo Yi was a little slow to react to what was happening, but the others understood. This was a special arrangement due to Ling Luo Yi's status as a fourth-grade alchemist. Otherwise, any family entering the palace would have to walk themselves.
"Luo'er, banquets are usually divided by gender. You will follow your Second Aunt later, and she will introduce you to those you don't know. Qian'er, you will follow your mother and Eldest Sister," Ling Qi instructed, feeling uneasy.
"Understood, Second Aunt."
"Got it, Father."
The seven of them boarded the sedan chairs, which then proceeded towards the Ning Hui Hall where the banquet was to be held.
*
Inside the Ning Hui Hall, by the time the Ling family arrived, the other major families had already been present for some time.
As Ling Luo Yi's group entered the grand hall, disciples from various families looked at them with peculiar expressions.
Ling Luo Yi ignored them directly, followed Bai Jing Zhi, and led Ling Luo Qian to the designated seats for the Ling family's female dependents, guided by a palace attendant. She then scanned her surroundings.
The grand hall was resplendent with gold and jade, adorned with intricate dragon and phoenix carvings, exuding a magnificent and luxurious aura.
Countless sculptures and decorative items were displayed within the hall. The sculptures were carved from jade, and the decorative items were made from rare treasures.
All of this undoubtedly showcased the nobility of the royal family.
However, as Ling Luo Yi looked at it, she still felt it was somewhat meager.
While these items appeared noble to ordinary people, to cultivators, things without spiritual energy held no value.
Ling Luo Yi disappointedly withdrew her gaze, with no intention of conversing with anyone. She propped her head up and closed her eyes.
Among the other female dependents, apart from those who were friendly with Bai Jing Zhi and Ling Luo Qian, no one approached to speak with them.
After about fifteen minutes, Ling Luo Yi heard the sharp, high-pitched voice of a eunuch announce, "His Majesty the Emperor arrives! Her Majesty the Empress arrives! His Highness the Crown Prince arrives!"
Upon hearing this, everyone rose to pay their respects, and the younger generation knelt.
Ling Luo Yi stared intently at the entrance, curious about what the Emperor looked like.
The Emperor and his two companions soon entered. The Emperor led the way, followed by the Empress a step behind, and then the Crown Prince. The other princes had already arrived.
The current Emperor was only forty-five years old and had been on the throne for twenty years, his sharpness undiminished.
The Empress, Consort Kong, was the Emperor's original wife. She was forty years old this year. She had given birth to two sons and three daughters. The eldest son was the current Crown Prince, the youngest son was the sixth prince, the eldest daughter was the Eldest Princess, the second daughter had died young, and the youngest daughter was the Eighth Princess.
The Emperor and Empress had a harmonious relationship, and the Emperor greatly respected the Empress. No concubine dared to show disrespect to the Empress.
The Crown Prince was the Emperor's third son and the Empress's eldest son. He was twenty years old and bore a six-tenths resemblance to the Emperor in appearance.
The Emperor walked with his gaze fixed forward, stopping at the highest seat. He said, "Esteemed family heads, there is no need for excessive ceremony. Please rise."
Ling Luo Yi did not kneel nor pay her respects. She merely nodded at the Emperor and then sat down.
"In a month, the Genius Selection will commence. I wonder how well-prepared the esteemed family heads are."
"Replying to Your Majesty, my Wei family is prepared. This year, we will definitely secure the top spot and not disappoint Your Majesty," the Wei family head said with great confidence.
The Wei family head was forty-seven years old, with a proper appearance, but his eyes were filled with malicious schemes, which displeased Ling Luo Yi.
The other family heads said similarly.
After listening to the replies of the family heads, the Emperor remained noncommittal and suddenly asked, "Second Master Ling, I heard that the Eldest Miss Ling has returned not long ago. It seems the Ling family's long-held hopes have finally been fulfilled."
Upon hearing the Emperor address him, Ling Qi hurriedly stood up and replied, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. Luo'er has indeed returned. Before coming to the palace today, Luo'er also gave me a bottle of pills to present to Your Majesty."
With that, he took out the medicine bottle Ling Luo Yi had given him earlier and offered it.
The eunuch beside the Emperor took it and presented it to the Emperor.
The Emperor took it and asked with a smile, "These pills were given by the Eldest Miss Ling. May I know their effects?"
The Emperor was looking at Ling Luo Yi as he spoke, so only she could answer.
Ling Luo Yi did not stand and said, "Your Majesty will know once you use them. They won't be fatal, at least."
At this moment, Yuan Cheng Feng, the second young master of the Yuan family, suddenly reprimanded, "Eldest Miss Ling puts on quite a show! Speaking to His Majesty with such disrespect!"
Ling Luo Yi didn't even glance at him. She casually picked up a pastry, took a bite, and raised an eyebrow. It was quite sweet.
Because the Yuan family head was injured and unable to enter the palace, the Yuan family was represented by the Grand Elder, three direct descendants of the young masters, and three young ladies.
At this moment, seeing their young master's reckless behavior, the Grand Elder quickly stepped forward and knelt, saying, "Your Majesty, my second young master is young and spirited. He cannot bear to see anyone disrespect Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
The Emperor waved his hand and said, "Young Master Yuan is young, and I will not hold it against a child. However, Grand Elder Yuan, your second young master's temperament needs to be corrected, otherwise, it will be problematic if he offends someone important. You may rise."
"Yes," the Yuan family Grand Elder said, standing up with a shiver.
He understood the Emperor's meaning and also knew why the second young master had acted that way.
In any case, the relationship between the Yuan family and the Ling family could no longer be mended. The second young master merely wanted to cause some trouble for the Ling family.
However, his temperament was indeed prone to offending people.
At this moment, Yuan Cheng Mo, the eldest young master of the Yuan family, said, "Eldest Miss Ling, my second brother was impolite. I hope Eldest Miss Ling can overlook it."
"It's nothing, nothing," Ling Luo Yi waved her hand. "This young lady never quarrels with children."
This statement caused everyone to burst into laughter.
The Emperor had also said he wouldn't quarrel with children earlier, which was understandable given his age and status.
However, for the Eldest Miss Ling to say this was somewhat inappropriate, as the second young master of the Yuan family was a full five years older than her.