Tang Zhuozhuo's words were also the core of Ye Kunlun's question.
He hadn't expected Kong Liuying from Mount Tai Prefecture to invite the Tang family to explore the Yellow Springs Secret Realm together.
Or rather, Kong Liuying had invited not just the Tang family, but the entire Seven Great Families of the capital.
But what was Kong Liuying's purpose in doing this?
Ye Kunlun furrowed his brows slightly, a potential reason coming to mind!
Destiny!
Kong Liuying was most likely after the destiny of the Seven Great Families of the capital.
Of course, this was merely Ye Kunlun's speculation.
"I'm not sure," Ye Kunlun replied indifferently. "Mount Tai Prefecture is a sacred land of Huaxia, and the place where the Son of Heaven performs his celestial sacrifices. Inviting the Tang family, or the Seven Great Families of the capital, to explore the Yellow Springs Secret Realm together is understandable."
"I just find this matter to be somewhat peculiar."
Although Tang Zhuozhuo was beautiful, she was no simple-minded vase. As the eldest daughter of the Tang family, she naturally thought of many things.
"The relationship between Mount Tai Prefecture and the Seven Great Families of the capital is very delicate. They rarely interact. Only when the Son of Heaven and the sages perform their celestial sacrifices do the royal families and the Seven Great Families send people to Mount Tai Prefecture."
"Apart from that, there is basically no significant contact."
"Furthermore, in the past, whenever the Yellow Springs Secret Realm opened, Mount Tai Prefecture had never invited the Seven Great Families of the capital. Therefore, there must be something fishy about this."
Ye Kunlun listened quietly to Tang Zhuozhuo's analysis, but found no particular insight. He retorted, "So, what do you think Mount Tai Prefecture's purpose is?"
Tang Zhuozhuo shook her head. "I haven't figured it out yet, that's why I came to ask you."
"Why would you think I know?" Ye Kunlun returned the invitation letter to Tang Zhuozhuo.
"What happened to you at the Zhou family in Jicheng, I know about it. Zhou Lingkun is a disciple of Kong Liuying, the current prefect of Mount Tai Prefecture. You must have learned about Mount Tai Prefecture."
Tang Zhuozhuo had a sly expression.
The affairs between Ye Kunlun and the Zhou family in Jicheng were not a secret.
He believed that many people in the capital had already investigated him, so Tang Zhuozhuo's words did not surprise him.
"You are correct," Ye Kunlun nodded. "If I said that Mount Tai Prefecture might be after the destiny of the Seven Great Families of the capital, would you believe me?"
Tang Zhuozhuo's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. "After the destiny of the Seven Great Families of the capital? Why do you think so?"
Ye Kunlun looked at the visibly changed Tang Zhuozhuo and shook his head. "It's just a guess."
Tang Zhuozhuo was silent for two seconds, glanced around, and then whispered to Ye Kunlun, "I heard something before. The person at Shanhe Terrace wants to revoke Mount Tai Prefecture's title as a sacred land."
"Hmm?"
Ye Kunlun was indeed slightly shocked by this news.
The name "Mount Tai Prefecture Sacred Land" had existed for a thousand years, and it was deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Chinese people.
He hadn't expected the person at Shanhe Terrace to want to revoke Mount Tai Prefecture's title as a sacred land.
If the rumors were true, Mount Tai Prefecture's destiny would surely drain away rapidly. Within a century, its accumulated destiny of a thousand years would be depleted.
Mount Tai Prefecture would inevitably seek ways to stabilize its destiny, and giving birth to a new sage, or stealing the destiny of others, would be the best course of action.
However, in today's world, it was incredibly difficult to give birth to a new sage.
"Where did you hear that from?" Ye Kunlun collected his thoughts and asked indifferently.
Tang Zhuozhuo shook her head. "I can't tell you that for now. I promised the other party to keep it a secret..."
Ye Kunlun almost laughed out loud. "You promised someone to keep it a secret, and then you tell me?"
"Oh dear," Tang Zhuozhuo rolled her eyes at Ye Kunlun. "Isn't there a reason for this? If you hadn't mentioned destiny, I wouldn't have brought this up."
Ye Kunlun gave her a "heh" and continued, "It's just a guess. As for what Mount Tai Prefecture intends to do, I think it's better to play along with their scheme."
Tang Zhuozhuo seriously considered Ye Kunlun's words.
After a few breaths, she said to Ye Kunlun, "Playing along with their scheme is not impossible, but are you going to cooperate with our Tang family?"
This time, Ye Kunlun chuckled twice, speechless. "This is your Tang family's business, why should I get involved?"
Tang Zhuozhuo smiled slyly, leaned forward, and looked at Ye Kunlun's radiant eyes. "I don't believe you and Mount Tai Prefecture are on such peaceful terms! Nor do I believe you don't want to know the secret behind it!"
Ye Kunlun looked at the approaching Tang Zhuozhuo, even catching the faint scent of orchids as she spoke. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and he also leaned forward. The pure Yang energy radiating from him instantly made Tang Zhuozhuo's cheeks feel a little hot.
Tang Zhuozhuo did not want to retreat half a step, otherwise, wouldn't she have lost a round to Ye Kunlun?
She met Ye Kunlun's gaze.
Ye Kunlun's dark eyes seemed to pierce through her thoughts. Within a few breaths, her heart inexplicably began to race.
"It's not good for women to be too clever sometimes."
Ye Kunlun spoke at this moment, his breath spraying hot air onto Tang Zhuozhuo's face.
This made Tang Zhuozhuo, whose cheeks were already a little flushed, feel the blood surging towards her face.
Ye Kunlun's aura put immense pressure on her.
"Just say yes or no!" Tang Zhuozhuo took a deep breath and asked somewhat playfully.
Ye Kunlun chuckled, "Alright, but what's in it for me?"
Tang Zhuozhuo was stunned for a moment, then quickly kissed Ye Kunlun's cheek and withdrew, blushing. "You took advantage of me. Now you have no reason to refuse, right?"
Ye Kunlun: ...
"What? Are you going back on your word?" Tang Zhuozhuo, with a red face, provocatively looked at Ye Kunlun.
Ye Kunlun was dumbfounded and laughed. "Miss Tang, I'm the one who's at a disadvantage, you know?"
"How are you at a disadvantage? That was my first kiss!"
Tang Zhuozhuo was somewhat exasperated. She had given away her first kiss, and Ye Kunlun claimed he was at a disadvantage.
"Fine!"
Ye Kunlun showed a look of helplessness and shrugged. "I won't argue with you. I can only tell you that I will go to the Yellow Springs Secret Realm, but perhaps not with your Tang family."
"I will represent the Tang family," Tang Zhuozhuo added, her large, alluring eyes blinking.
"I understand!" Ye Kunlun appeared quite helpless.
He genuinely hadn't expected to be forcibly kissed by Tang Zhuozhuo!
In fact, even if Tang Zhuozhuo hadn't come to find him, Ye Kunlun would have gone to the Yellow Springs Secret Realm anyway.
After all, this was his plan before coming to the capital.
Another reason was the untitled book, and of course, to help Nangong Yunshao resolve his residual soul syndrome.
Tang Zhuozhuo was unaware of these matters.
"Is there anything else?" Ye Kunlun looked at the empty teacup, feeling a bit displeased. "If not, I'm leaving!"
"Let's have lunch together."
Tang Zhuozhuo looked at Ye Kunlun, who seemed eager to leave, and felt a pang of sourness in her heart.
She was, after all, the eldest daughter of the Tang family. Did she bother him that much?
Fearing that Ye Kunlun would slip away, Tang Zhuozhuo quickly said, "I've booked a table at Pangu Pavilion."