Chapter 6
“That kid doesn’t know if he’s truly foolish or just pretending. Not only did he offend me, but more importantly, the entire Jiang Clan.”
“Seeing as he still has potential, let’s help shield him when they make their covert moves.”
Zhu Huntian’s thoughts gradually drifted out the window amidst the swirling mist and dust.
It had been many years since a youth last affected his emotions so profoundly.
As an eighteen-year-old, Yun Mochen couldn’t possibly comprehend this world’s operating principles.
What he considered straightforward actions had unwittingly offended many people.
The Jiang Clan, as one of the Cultivation Emperor Clans, should have celebrated their arranged marriage with another imperial family.
The problem arose when the bride hadn’t even arrived before rumors of infidelity surfaced. Who could accept such humiliation?
This was a blatant slap to the Jiang Clan’s face!
In the back row, Zhu Qing’an remained silent with arms crossed, refusing to acknowledge Zhu Huntian in the slightest.
Her face flushed crimson with anger, tears shimmering in her pupils.
She didn’t want to hurt Yun Mochen, nor did she wish to break up with him.
But this was the best solution she could devise.
Her father wasn’t wrong – their family backgrounds and talents placed them in completely different worlds.
If she stubbornly stayed with Yun Mochen, she dreaded imagining what methods her father might employ against him.
This incident had already subjected Yun Mochen to nationwide ridicule and mockery.
She worried whether his heart could withstand the next blow.
What Zhu Qing’an didn’t realize was that in Yun Mochen’s world, she was his entire universe.
Yet she had chosen the most foolish method to break his heart.
…
Capital City, Jiang Clan.
Council Hall.
BANG!
An ear-splitting noise erupted, sending eavesdropping disciples outside scurrying for cover.
“Esteemed elders, how should we handle this Yun Mochen incident from Misty Rain City?”
“Hmph! How dare he! Does he not understand what an Emperor Clan represents? Stealing our Young Emperor’s woman!”
Great Elder Jiang Mo smashed the table to splinters, veins bulging on his forehead as he glared at the assembled elders.
Second Elder Jiang Xiaoyao leisurely sipped wine before remarking:
“Great Elder, even Emperor Jiang isn’t anxious. Why the urgency?”
Jiang Mo shot him a glare: “Xiaoyao! How can you drink at a time like this?”
“If this Yun Mochen incident gets sensationalized, it shames not just our Jiang Clan but Emperor Jiang himself!”
“I don’t understand Emperor Zhu’s thinking either! After all this time, he suddenly makes demands publicly instead of settling privately!”
“He’s turned this into a national scandal!”
Jiang Xiaoyao took another sip, his previously bleary eyes suddenly turning sharp:
“Then what would you suggest, Great Elder?”
“Should I kill that youth? Or perhaps… slaughter all the nation’s media? Hahaha…”
“You!”
Jiang Mo knew Jiang Xiaoyao was mocking him but couldn’t retort.
Even Emperor Clans couldn’t kill indiscriminately within Huaxia’s borders.
Footsteps echoed outside – steady, measured. Soon a middle-aged man appeared at the entrance.
The elders immediately bowed in unison:
“Emperor Jiang!”
Nodding, Emperor Jiang calmly took the head seat and scanned the room with a smile:
“This table’s quality seems rather poor – reduced to powder already.”
Great Elder Jiang Mo broke into cold sweat and prostrated himself:
“Emperor Jiang, I destroyed it in a moment of anger. I beg forgiveness!”
Emperor Jiang waved a hand, and a gentle breeze lifted Jiang Mo up:
“Great Elder, why such fury?”
“I’ve heard about the Misty Rain City incident. Children don’t understand romance – just puppy love between youngsters.”
“In some ways, we’re the villains separating them.”
His lighthearted remarks slightly eased the tense atmosphere.
Then his expression turned serious:
“Our priority is managing the media. Those swift-footed reporters will likely come knocking soon.”
Second Elder Jiang Xiaoyao suddenly spoke:
“Emperor Jiang, I believe this isn’t entirely unfortunate.”
“Oh? Speak freely, Xiaoyao.”
Xiaoyao bowed slightly:
“Emperor Jiang, while our Jiang Clan’s fortune has risen yearly…”
“Surprisingly, the Yun Clan’s fortune grows even faster!”
“Although prosperity approaches and all families’ fortunes increase, we have Young Emperor Jiang Nantian – what does the Yun Clan have?”
“Emperor Yun only has a daughter who’ll marry out eventually, yet their clan’s fortune inexplicably surges.”
“I find this highly abnormal.”
Emperor Jiang pondered before responding:
“Continue. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”
“Nineteen years ago, the Heaven’s Insight Pavilion issued a prophecy: ‘The millennium prosperity begins next year, all clans face future calamity.'”
“Thus the following year, our five Cultivation Emperor Clans simultaneously bore heirs to seize this era’s fortune and prepare for the coming disaster.”
“Ours produced Young Emperor Jiang Nantian, the Zhu Clan had Imperial Daughter Zhu Qing’an, the Luo Clan had Young Emperor Luo Zihan, the Meng Clan had Imperial Daughter Meng Muwan, and the Yun Clan had Imperial Daughter Chu Xialing.”
“But… does Emperor Jiang recall the second half?”
Without hesitation, Emperor Jiang recited:
“‘Misty rain falls as immortals descend, hazy clouds obscure fated paths.'”
Jiang Xiaoyao nodded:
“Initially, we believed the prophecy’s halves were unrelated.”
“But over time, we’ve seen three imperial heirs – including our Jiang Nantian – become connected to Misty Rain City.”
“I believe this is no coincidence.”
Great Elder Jiang Mo interrupted:
“Only two imperial heirs are involved. Who’s the third?”
Jiang Xiaoyao produced his phone and displayed a photograph:
“Great Elder, do you recognize this maiden?”
