Qing Feng and Qing Lei carried Bai Yu Chan to her own courtyard in one breath before letting her go.
"You..."
Bai Yu Chan was furious but didn't know what to accuse them of. After all, the order had come from Ye Ling Yuan, and they were merely the enforcers.
Qing Feng clasped his fist and said, "We sincerely apologize for any offense we caused, Miss Bai! Please forgive us!"
"From today onwards, please try not to leave this courtyard, Miss Bai, to avoid making things difficult for everyone."
After he finished speaking, he turned and left without regard for Bai Yu Chan's ashen face. Qing Lei also gave a perfunctory clasp of his fist and followed Qing Feng.
"Bang!"
Bai Yu Chan struck the stone table in the courtyard with a burst of spiritual energy. Even if her spiritual cultivation was poor, a stone table was no match for it. Thus, the stone table instantly shattered into pieces.
"Zi, Lin, Ling! I, will, kill, you!"
Bai Yu Chan's teeth-gritting voice echoed in the courtyard. However, this place was almost the most secluded part of the Underworld King's estate, so no one paid any attention to her except the frantic woman herself.
...
The next morning, the duty attendant of the Elder Council rushed to the outside of the Purple Gold Pavilion and announced loudly, "Reporting to the Family Head, the five elders request the Family Head to attend a meeting in the deliberation hall!"
After Zi Wen Chang was dealt with, Zi Ji Tian disappeared for a month and upon his return, requested to join the Elder Council. Therefore, the Elder Council now had five elders.
A moment later, Zi Lin Ling's people were already seated in the deliberation hall.
"What did you say? The Emperor summoned me to the palace?"
Zi Yang Shang nodded and replied, "Yes, the eunuch who delivered the decree is still waiting in the reception hall!"
Zi Lin Ling frowned and asked, "Did the eunuch say what it was about?"
Zi Yang Shang shook his head and said, "He didn't say, but he seemed quite urgent!"
Zi Yang Chun said worriedly, "Family Head, could it be about pursuing the matter of your broken engagement with the Crown Prince?"
Zi Ji Tian shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be! After all, it's been over three months since the engagement was broken. If the royal family intended to pursue it, they wouldn't have waited until now."
"Fifth brother is right!" Zi Yang Bei nodded in agreement.
Zi Yang Chun said, "Then if it's not about this matter, why would the Emperor suddenly summon the Family Head to the palace, and so urgently?"
The five elders fell silent, pondering with furrowed brows.
"Alright, five elders, go back to your duties. I'll go and meet our Tian Qi's Emperor!"
Zi Lin Ling said, standing up and preparing to leave the deliberation hall. After all, the eunuch who delivered the decree was still waiting in the reception hall, and they shouldn't keep him waiting too long.
Zi Yang Chun said with concern, "Family Head, are you really going?"
Zi Yang Shang and Zi Yang Bei remained silent, but their eyes betrayed no less concern. Zi Yang Qiu, being taciturn and a bit of a simpleton, naturally didn't say much. However, his tightly clenched fists on the armrests of his chair revealed his worry. Zi Ji Tian remained silent, head bowed, lost in thought.
Zi Lin Ling's eyes glinted as she smiled faintly, "Blessings or misfortunes are predestined; if it's a disaster, it cannot be avoided! I want to see what Ye Mo Yuan is planning!"
As she finished speaking, she had already reached the entrance of the deliberation hall.
"Wait!"
Zi Ji Tian suddenly stood up and said, "Family Head, let me accompany you!" He dared not call himself grandfather, for he knew that Zi Lin Ling had not yet overcome that hurdle in her heart.
A complex look flashed in Zi Lin Ling's eyes. She knew that Zi Ji Tian was worried about her, afraid that Ye Mo Yuan would harm her once she entered the palace. But twelve years of neglect were a hurdle she could not overcome. Therefore, she paused for a moment and said coldly, "No need! If there's danger, your presence will be of no use!"
It was the truth. If she herself were in danger with her abilities, then others going would only be a distraction. Of course, she subconsciously didn't want to be alone with Zi Ji Tian.
"Rejected?" Zi Ji Tian's eyes dimmed, and he slowly sat down. The four elders, Shang Chun and Bei Qiu, were willing but powerless. Some matters required the one who tied the bell to untie it.
After Zi Lin Ling spoke, she didn't hesitate further. The deliberation hall and the reception hall were not far apart; it took only two turns to reach it.
In the reception hall, a eunuch with an effeminate aura sat quietly drinking tea, seemingly not in a hurry at all. This eunuch was known as Eunuch Xue, with the given name Lang. Do not underestimate Eunuch Xue Lang, for he was favored by the Emperor and the Empress.
At this moment, Xue Lang, who appeared unhurried, was already feeling a hint of dissatisfaction. However, he dared not act rashly, as the person he was to summon was not only the Underworld King's consort but also a ruthless individual no less formidable than the Underworld King. Hadn't the Palace Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Palace, Xie Lian Hua, been beheaded by her? Hadn't the Saintess of the Flowing Clouds Sect, Mo Qing Cheng, disappeared after the battle at Nine Extremes Peak? Therefore, no matter how urgent Xue Lang felt, he could only wait patiently.
The moment Zi Lin Ling entered, Xue Lang looked up. Then, he quickly stood up and knelt on the ground, saying, "This old servant greets the Zi family head, greetings to the Underworld King's consort!" As his voice fell, Xue Lang's head touched the ground. Don't ask how he recognized Zi Lin Ling. Twelve or thirteen years old, imposing aura, powerful presence, neither humble nor arrogant... these words described Zi Lin Ling quite clearly.
Zi Lin Ling accepted Eunuch Xue's bow, and this time, she slowly helped Eunuch Xue up, saying, "Eunuch, please rise. It is this family head who has kept you waiting!"
Xue Lang stood up and said obsequiously, "Not at all! It is this old servant's honor to wait for you for a while!"
Zi Lin Ling smiled and said, "Thank you for waiting, Eunuch. Let us go!" With that, she led the way outside. However, the moment she turned her head, the smile on her face vanished. This Xue Lang was indeed skilled at navigating the palace. His patience, his ability to conceal his emotions, and his sweet talk made him successful. But just now, Zi Lin Ling had caught a fleeting glint of ruthlessness in his eyes. It seemed this Xue Lang was not simple!
Xue Lang paused for a moment, then followed Zi Lin Ling's steps. Soon, the two arrived at the palace gate. Xue Lang showed a token and led Zi Lin Ling directly to the Imperial Study. Along the way, he kept secretly observing Zi Lin Ling. However, Zi Lin Ling was neither proud nor impatient, walking leisurely as if strolling through her own backyard. This composure made Xue Lang regard Zi Lin Ling with even more respect.
After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, the two finally stood at the entrance of the Imperial Study. Zi Lin Ling couldn't help but sigh at the extravagance of the Ye family. The entire palace occupied a vast area, with yellow as the main color, green tiles and red walls, and upturned eaves, all exuding nobility. Xue Lang stopped outside the Imperial Study and respectfully said to Zi Lin Ling, "Zi family head, please wait a moment. This old servant will go in and announce you!"