"The Imperial Palace?" Ling Luo Yi was not surprised at all and asked, "Who has arrived?"
"It's the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess. Second Master has already invited them to the main hall. This old servant is here to invite Eldest Miss."
"The Eldest Princess?" Ling Luo Yi asked curiously.
She could understand the Crown Prince's visit, but why would the Eldest Princess come?
"The Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess are here to deliver invitations."
"They could have just found Second Uncle to deliver the invitations. Why look for me?"
"The Eldest Princess said the Crown Prince is here to deliver an invitation to the Ling family, and she is here to deliver one to you."
"What invitation are you delivering to me?"
"Luo'er, this is customary. The Imperial Palace holds a banquet a month before the genius selection, inviting all the major families of Yun Yuan City. All these families are participants."
Ling Luo Yi let out a long 'Oh.'
She understood!
The genius selection was a grand event for all disciples of the Heavenly Martial Kingdom of eligible age. Yun Yuan City, as the capital of the Heavenly Martial Kingdom, would be out of place if it were weaker than other cities, so a reminder was needed.
In previous years, the Ling family did not participate in the genius selection, so they had not attended.
This time, it was also a declaration of the royal family's stance to the world.
"Let's go together. When the Crown Prince and the Princess visit, the whole family should naturally greet them."
*
The Main Hall.
Ling Qi and his wife sat in the head seats. The Third Madam, Fourth Madam, and Ling Jin sat on the right. The Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess sat opposite them.
"Greetings, Crown Prince, Eldest Princess."
Ling Luo Chen led them in greeting, but Ling Luo Yi merely nodded.
As an alchemist, she did not need to bow even to the Emperor, let alone to the heir apparent and a princess.
"Eldest Young Master, no need for such formalities," the Crown Prince said.
Ling Luo Chen and Ling Luo Yi sat opposite them, while others sat behind them.
Ling Luo Chen, as the eldest son, spoke, "May I ask why the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess have come to the Ling family?"
The Crown Prince put down his teacup and said, "I am here to deliver an invitation to the Ling family. In two days, there will be a banquet in the Ninghui Hall of the Imperial Palace, and everyone is invited to attend."
The Crown Prince waved his hand, and a servant stepped forward with a box.
Butler Liang respectfully accepted it.
After Butler Liang retreated, the Eldest Princess stood up and walked to Ling Luo Yi, saying respectfully, "I am here to deliver an invitation to you. I hope you can attend."
With that, she took out a box containing an invitation from her storage bag and presented it to Ling Luo Yi with both hands, bowing.
No one present was surprised by the Eldest Princess's actions, as Ling Luo Yi's displayed identity was that of a fourth-grade alchemist.
Ling Luo Yi did not get up and directly reached out to take the box, placing it on the table casually. "Thank you, Eldest Princess."
"It's no trouble. Your invitation was personally written by His Majesty. His Majesty also asked me to convey a message to you."
The Eldest Princess looked around, hesitating.
"Please speak freely, Eldest Princess."
"His Majesty said: The ancestor of the Wei family is nearing the end of his lifespan." The Eldest Princess bowed and returned to her seat.
"Is this true?"
"Absolutely true."
Ling Luo Yi's mind raced, and she had a good idea.
She took out two porcelain bottles and handed them over, saying, "This is for you as a token of my gratitude."
The Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess exchanged glances, not daring to take them.
"I don't have much else, but I have plenty of these."
The Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess accepted them with both hands, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Eldest Miss Ling."
"You are too kind."
"Since the items have been delivered, my imperial sister and I shall take our leave."
"I will escort you," Ling Qi said, standing up to see the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess out.
After the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess left, Ling Luo Yi said, "It seems we need to add another item to the auction list."
"Luo'er, what item are you adding?"
"The Azure Nether Longevity Pill. Its effect is to increase lifespan."
"What?!"
The words exploded like thunder from a clear sky.
Ling Luo Chen said calmly, "What idea do you have now?"
"They took Ling family's things, so I'll make them spit it all back."
"What if they just snatch it?"
"They wouldn't dare, nor could they."
"What if they don't get it at the auction?"
"Then let them get it."
"What if they don't fall for the trap?"
"The Wei family became the head of the five great families because of the会长 of the Beast Tamer Guild and the ancestor of the strongest person in the Heavenly Martial Kingdom. Would they dare to lose him?"
"But, Elder Sister, are you really going to sell such a good thing to them?"
"A good thing?" Ling Luo Yi asked word by word, "Do you think what I'm selling them is a good thing?"
"Are you planning to trick them?"
"How could that be? Business requires sincerity." Ling Luo Yi stood up. "Alright, let's focus on today's matters first. There's quite a lot to do today."
The others dispersed to attend to their own tasks.
"Fu'er, let's start with our uncle."
Since Ling Jin was already there, there was no need to make another trip.
Ling Luo Yi squatted down and said, "Uncle, let me examine you first."
After a careful examination, Ling Luo Yi said, "Uncle, your leg bones were fractured and not treated properly. Coupled with years of inactivity, your muscles have atrophied."
Ling Jin was calm and said, "Luo'er, I am mentally prepared."
"Uncle, I didn't say it couldn't be treated. It's just a bit troublesome."
Ling Jin's heart stirred and he said, "So, I can still stand up."
"Yes, as long as you cooperate with the treatment, you can stand up."
"Good, Uncle will definitely cooperate with the treatment."
Ling Jin was overjoyed at this moment. He could actually stand up again!
Ling Luo Yi took out a bottle of pills and handed it to An Yi, saying, "An Yi, heat a bucket of water every day, add one pill to it, and soak Uncle's feet for half an hour. Come back to me after the pills are finished."
"Yes!" An Yi took the medicine bottle, his excitement evident.
This was his master's hope! The hope of standing up again!
"Luo'er..." Ling Jin said blankly.
"Uncle, your dantian is fine. It's just blocked by toxins. After your leg is healed, I will address the problem with your dantian."
"Luo'er..." Ling Jin's eyes welled up with tears.
"Alright, there's no need for thanks. You've waited for me for so many years, so I naturally have to take good care of you."
"Luo'er..."
"Uncle, I know," Ling Jin was interrupted by Ling Luo Yi. "Uncle, I have already placed the Ling family in a precarious situation. Whether you can leave depends on you now."
Ling Jin recalled the Ling family's current crisis and said, "Luo'er, Uncle will recover quickly."
"Mm. Uncle, Fu'er and I will go and see the others."
"Okay, you go ahead."
*
Meanwhile, after seeing the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess leave the Ling family, other families outside already knew the royal family's stance.
In the Heavenly Martial Kingdom, no other family had the reigning Crown Prince personally deliver an invitation.
This time, the current situation in Yun Yuan City was thoroughly shattered.
The Wei family. When the head of the Wei family learned of this news, he was not enraged; he likely already knew.
"Father, it seems the royal family has also sided with the Ling family."
"Isn't that normal? How could they allow the five great families to continue developing? If they did, the Heavenly Martial Kingdom would no longer be controlled by them."
"The royal family has taken a side, and those families that are still hesitating should also be quick to decide."
The head of the Wei family sighed and said, "They probably won't side with us."
"Father, the Wei family is already in a dead end. The only way to break through this situation is..."
Yes, if their guesses were correct, no matter what actions the Ling family took in the future, they would be mortal enemies.
And their only way to break through was to hope that their guesses were wrong, thus angering those people and causing the Ling family to play with fire and get burned.
However...
Wei Chu Tian lowered his head, concealing his inner emotions.
If Miss Ling dares to do this, does she not have other backing?
He couldn't think of any other possibility.