On the Engagement Day, Visiting with Gifts

"Have you heard? The Fifth Prince's engagement banquet this time is being held with extraordinary extravagance."

"I've heard. The scale is so grand, one might mistake it for the Lord's own wedding."

"Indeed. Who would have thought the Lord would place such importance on the Fifth Prince's engagement banquet? Every notable family has sent representatives."

"Not just that—I heard even the two Supreme Elders of the Supreme Purity Sect have come in person with their entourage."

"Do you know why? Rumor has it the Fifth Prince is the heir to the throne, hence the grand treatment."

"The Liu Family is truly fortunate to have tied themselves to the Fifth Prince. The position of the Great Zhou Kingdom's foremost family will undoubtedly be theirs from now on."

"Indeed. To think that back in the day, the Liu Family was merely..."

"Shh! Do you have a death wish? How dare you speak such words?"

"Ahem, my apologies—just drunken rambling."

In a tavern in the capital, the chatter among the patrons revolved around the engagement banquet of the Fifth Prince and Liu Mengyan.

This event had become a grand occasion not just for the capital but for the entire Great Zhou Kingdom. The sheer scale of it left many bewildered.

"Are you afraid?" Chen Chang'an glanced at Chen Yunxuan with a faint smile.

"No." Chen Yunxuan shook his head, his demeanor calm and composed.

The experiences of the past days had wrought a profound change in Chen Yunxuan. He had grown more steady and collected, finally understanding why one must venture beyond the confines of home.

Had he remained cooped up in Swallow Return City, he would never have matured.

"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow is your stage."

"Yes, Ancestor."

After returning to his room, Chen Chang'an turned to Da Huang. "Da Huang, can you sense the aura of the fetal pearl?"

"You’ve seen the fetal pearl in the Chen Family before."

"Your connection to it is deeper—can’t you sense it?" Da Huang asked curiously.

"For some reason, back at the Chen Family, I couldn’t detect its aura unless the jade case was opened."

"After merging with that fetal pearl, I do feel a faint resonance, but it’s weak. Perhaps distance affects it."

"With your abilities, can you sense it? Just the aura of the fetal pearl?" Chen Chang'an pressed.

"Not a damn thing. That fetal pearl of yours emits no aura whatsoever. Even your master wouldn’t be able to detect it," Da Huang grumbled.

No aura at all?

How was that possible?

Every object carried its own unique presence—why did the fetal pearl lack one?

"When you were at the Chen Family, did you detect any trace of its aura?"

"Nope. You’re the anomaly—anything related to you defies logic."

"This thing? You’re on your own."

Hearing Da Huang’s words, Chen Chang'an sighed in resignation. He had hoped Da Huang could locate it.

If it was indeed in the capital, in the hands of the royal family, he could have had Da Huang steal it back.

Now, it seemed he would have to personally inquire with the royal family to track down the fetal pearl.

The night passed without incident.

The next day arrived—the day of the Fifth Prince and Liu Mengyan’s engagement.

The Lord of the Great Zhou Kingdom had arranged for the ceremony to be held within the royal palace itself.

"Congratulations, Liu Family Head!"

"Liu Family Head, our sincerest felicitations!"

"Hahaha, many thanks, many thanks to you all!"

The Liu Family Head was beaming with joy. The scale of this engagement banquet had far exceeded his expectations.

Such grandeur brought honor not just to the royal family but to the Liu Family as well.

"Family Head, our men have just returned from Swallow Return City. The Chen Family’s whereabouts are unknown."

"Could it be that the Fifth Prince’s uncle has already succeeded?" Liu Chengfeng whispered.

"Oh? Missing?" The Liu Family Head frowned slightly—this news was less than ideal.

He glanced toward the Lord of the Great Zhou Kingdom, considering whether to inquire but ultimately deciding against it.

"Ah, the Third Elder!"

As the Fifth Prince’s uncle, the Third Elder naturally attended the occasion.

The Liu Family Head discreetly approached him. "Might you be the Supreme Purity Sect’s Third Elder? I am Liu Mengyan’s father, the Liu Family Head."

The Third Elder turned to him with a faint smile. "Ah, it’s you. We’re practically family now—no need for formalities."

"What brings you to me?"

Then, as if struck by a thought, he added, "Is this about the Chen Family?"

"Indeed. My men just reported that the Chen Family has vanished. I was wondering if..."

"Hahaha! Then my men must have succeeded."

"Rest easy—a minor family like the Chens is hardly worth mentioning."

Hearing this, the Liu Family Head finally relaxed. If the Third Elder said so, then the Chen Family must have been eradicated.

With a long exhale, he returned to his seat, his smile now even brighter.

"The hour has arrived!"

At the eunuch’s announcement, the Fifth Prince gazed tenderly at Liu Mengyan.

Liu Mengyan, equally radiant with happiness, met his eyes. Hand in hand, they stepped onto the ceremonial platform.

"What a perfect pair—a match made in heaven!"

"Indeed, the Fifth Prince is noble and dignified, while the Liu Family’s young mistress is as beautiful as a celestial maiden."

"A union blessed by the heavens themselves!"

"To witness such an occasion is truly our fortune!"

The guests, ever eager to flatter, chimed in with praises, each louder than the last, as if competing to be heard.

"Mengyan, believe me—I will make you the happiest woman in the world."

"Everything you desire, I will give you."

"Including my life," the Fifth Prince vowed with deep affection.

"I believe you."

"In all the world, no one has ever treated me as well as you."

Though Liu Mengyan held genuine affection for the Fifth Prince, she was no fool lost in romance.

She knew exactly what to say and when to say it to win his favor.

Those three words—"no one but you"—sent the Fifth Prince’s heart soaring, filling him with the urge to lay the world’s treasures at her feet.

"Your Highness, perhaps we should proceed with the formalities first?"

The eunuch’s reminder came with a poorly concealed giggle, though his amusement was clearly at the couple’s sweet exchange.

The Fifth Prince took no offense.

"Right, the formalities."

"Mengyan, from this day forth, you are my betrothed."

"No one will ever take you from me."

"You belong to me alone," the Fifth Prince declared with possessive fervor.

"Don’t worry. I will always be yours," Liu Mengyan murmured, her eyes locked onto his.

Thunderous applause erupted—whether from genuine emotion or mere courtesy, the guests clapped enthusiastically, driving the atmosphere to its peak.

"In that case!"

"How could our Chen Clan possibly let the two of you down?"

"This grand gift was specially prepared just for you!"