569: Cang Qingyue's marriage alliance

In the palace of the Cangyun Empire.

A middle-aged man wearing a resplendent golden dragon robe, exuding an incomparably majestic aura of a superior, was sitting quietly in a wheelchair, comfortably enjoying a gentle massage from a woman with a voluptuous, graceful figure and an ethereal temperament.

This middle-aged man in the magnificent dragon robe was none other than Cang Qingtian, the all-powerful Emperor of the Cangyun Empire, and the woman with the graceful figure and elegant temperament was the noble Empress of the Cangyun Empire, Ji Xueyun.

"Your Majesty, subordinates have sent word that Princess Qingyue has returned."

Just then, a middle-aged man wearing eunuch robes, with a feminine face and a fawning expression, walked in respectfully.

"Issue an imperial decree. Tell Yue'er to come see Me tonight."

Cang Qingtian said softly, his voice filled with unquestionable majesty.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The middle-aged eunuch responded extremely respectfully, then carefully and slowly retreated.

"Your Majesty, Yang Zhaojue is coming to propose marriage in a few days. Do you really intend to betroth Yue'er to him?"

Ji Xueyun's voice carried a hint of charm and tenderness.

"As the Haotian Immortal Kingdom is the suzerain state of our Cangyun Empire, if Yue'er can become Yang Zhaojue's princess consort, it will be of immense significance to our Cangyun Empire."

"Although Yang Zhaojue is only the Fourteenth Prince of the Haotian Immortal Kingdom, his talent is quite good, and he is deeply favored by the Emperor of the Haotian Immortal Kingdom. Even if he cannot become the heir to the Haotian Immortal Kingdom in the future, he will surely become a powerful prince who can summon the wind and rain."

Cang Qingtian said slowly, his eyes flashing with shrewd calculation.

"As far as I know, Yue'er seems to be very resistant to this marriage."

Ji Xueyun frowned slightly, speaking with worry.

"This marriage alliance is not up to her. As a princess of our Cangyun Empire, she must have the resolve to sacrifice for the Empire. Moreover, Yang Zhaojue is a prince of the Haotian Immortal Kingdom; being able to marry him is a great blessing for Yue'er."

Cang Qingtian said with a serious expression and a firm tone: "Yang Zhaojue will be arriving in a few days. At that time, we can have Yue'er spend some time with him first."

"What Your Majesty says makes sense. They are both young; perhaps they will spark something when they meet. It is not impossible." Ji Xueyun nodded slightly and said softly.

Cang Qingyue's Residence.

At this moment, Yang Lingchen and Cang Qingyue were engaged in an incredibly intense sparring match.

Yang Lingchen attacked fiercely with palm strike after palm strike, while Cang Qingyue defended somewhat passively; after all, the gap in their cultivation levels was quite significant.

With Yang Lingchen's current profound strength, without Mu Qingcheng's assistance, it was indeed impossible for Cang Qingyue to be his match.

After the two exchanged hundreds of blows like a storm, Cang Qingyue, exhausted, finally stopped the intense contest, panting for breath.

Two hours later.

"Lingchen, has my skin improved?" Cang Qingyue called out coquettishly, touching her own skin, which was as smooth as jade, with great anticipation.

"Of course. My exclusive secret recipe has excellent beauty effects," Yang Lingchen said with a serious face.

"You're not trying to fool me, are you..." A look of doubt flashed across Cang Qingyue's face, her beautiful eyes filled with suspicion.

"Would I lie to you? Just touch your skin; you can clearly feel it," Yang Lingchen said with a serious expression and a firm gaze.

"My skin does seem to be much smoother..." Cang Qingyue said indignantly, though the corners of her mouth lifted involuntarily.

"Of course, this is my exclusive secret recipe," Yang Lingchen said triumphantly.

Just then, a crisp knocking sound suddenly rang out from outside the door: "Your Highness, the Emperor has summoned you to the palace tonight."

"Understood, you may leave!"

After saying this, Cang Qingyue turned to look at Yang Lingchen and said: "We will go together tonight."

"Is it convenient for me to go?" Yang Lingchen asked with some hesitation.

"What's inconvenient about it? I want them to know that I already have a man," Cang Qingyue said decisively, her eyes filled with determination.

"Alright then!" Yang Lingchen nodded, pondering to himself.

At dusk, Yang Lingchen and Cang Qingyue tidied themselves up carefully, then boarded an incredibly luxurious beast carriage and headed towards the imperial palace in a grand procession.

The palace of the Cangyun Empire covered an extremely vast area. The towering walls of the palace were built from mysterious extraterrestrial meteorites. Looking from afar, it gave a strong sense of sacred inviolability. The palace gates were meticulously crafted from top-grade divine wood, which not only provided excellent fire and water resistance but also emitted an ancient and majestic aura.

The Cangyun Empire's palace was heavily guarded. To enter the palace, one had to pass through several checkpoints for strict inspection. Especially for men, they were not allowed to stay in the palace for more than two hours, and every place they went was under close surveillance, as the Emperor's harem was entirely made up of women.

After several cumbersome inspections and detailed registrations, Yang Lingchen was finally able to enter the Inner Court of the palace.

"Just follow me later. If my father says anything unpleasant, try your best to endure it; do not talk back," Cang Qingyue reminded him solemnly, her expression full of worry.

"Don't worry! I don't want to die yet."

Yang Lingchen said with a forced, relaxed smile.

He had a very clear understanding of his own strength. In this Cangyun Empire, even if the Emperor of the Cangyun Empire spoke in a harsh and unpleasant manner, he would have to endure it silently.

If he dared to talk back, it would be no different from seeking death.

Afterwards, led by Cang Qingyue, Yang Lingchen arrived outside an extremely luxurious and resplendent palace.

At this moment, the eunuch at the palace entrance carefully confirmed Yang Lingchen's identity again before allowing them to enter.

Upon entering the palace, they saw that the entire great hall was filled with singing and dancing, bustling with excitement. In the center of the hall, a group of women with enchanting figures and graceful dance steps were dancing to their heart's content. Their lithe figures and light, agile movements were dazzling and overwhelming to the eye.

Around the dance floor, various delicacies were neatly arranged, dazzling and mouth-watering. Some princes and princesses were enjoying the song and dance with great interest, with laughter echoing continuously.

At the very top of the great hall sat a middle-aged man wearing a dragon robe, looking extraordinary and awe-inspiring.

This middle-aged man in the dragon robe was none other than the high-and-mighty Emperor of the Cangyun Empire, Cang Qingtian, and beside him was the graceful Empress, Ji Xueyun.

"Yue'er pays respects to Father, Empress."

Cang Qingyue bowed slightly to pay her respects, and gently tugged on Yang Lingchen beside her.

"Lingchen of Xuan Yin Palace pays respects to His Majesty, the Emperor of the Cangyun Empire, and Her Majesty, the Empress." Yang Lingchen bowed slightly.

The reason he stated his identity was mainly to let the other party know that he was not someone without a sect or faction. Although the strength of Xuan Yin Palace could not compare to the Cangyun Empire, it was, after all, one of the Four Great Powers of the East.

"Yue'er, what is going on here?"

Cang Qingtian frowned slightly, looked up at Cang Qingyue, his eyes full of doubt and dissatisfaction.

Today's banquet was a royal dinner. He did not expect his daughter to bring back a young man from another faction.

"Father, his name is Lingchen, from Xuan Yin Palace. He is the husband I have chosen for myself," Cang Qingyue said firmly, meeting Cang Qingtian's gaze without flinching.

"Bam...!"

"Bastard! How can you make decisions about your own marriage?"

Cang Qingtian slapped the armrest of the dragon throne, his face instantly turning incredibly ugly, as gloomy as if water could drip from it.

"Why can't I make decisions about my own marriage?"

Cang Qingyue was fearless and continued: "Wanting to sacrifice my happiness for a marriage alliance is impossible."

"Are you rebelling now? Do you still have any respect for your father in your eyes?"

Cang Qingtian's hand pointing at Cang Qingyue began to tremble with anger, and his voice rose a few notches.

"Father, I respect you and have always kept you in my heart, but if you insist on making me marry a man I don't like, then I would rather not acknowledge you as my father."

Cang Qingyue said with a firm attitude, her eyes red, yet she still stubbornly stared directly at Cang Qingtian.

"Yue'er, are you really going to sever ties with your father for this brat?"

Cang Qingtian said in a deep voice, his face full of disappointment and anger.

"Father, even without him, my marriage still cannot be decided by anyone else. If you insist on using my happiness for a marriage alliance, I would rather die."

Cang Qingyue's tone revealed a hint of resolution, and her beautiful face was full of unyielding expression.

She was inherently a person with a fierce character, daring to love and act. If it was something she didn't want to do, no one could force her.

"You bastard, are you trying to piss me off to death?"

Cang Qingtian's face was livid with anger, the veins on his forehead bulging. He immediately pointed to Yang Lingchen beside her and shouted angrily: "What kind of love potion did this brat feed you? To make you so infatuated with him?"

"Father, it's not that I want to anger you on purpose. You have so many daughters, why must I be the one for the marriage alliance?"

Cang Qingyue looked aggrieved, tears swirling in her eyes, her voice carrying a hint of a sob.

To be continued.