After putting Bai Yi’s medical books back in the pharmacy, Xiao Junling stood alone beneath the osmanthus tree, gazing into the distance.

…

“Yi, what kind of tree is this sapling?”

“It’s an osmanthus tree, dear. Once it grows up, it’ll bring us good fortune.”

“I don’t want good fortune…”

“Fair enough. A simple, peaceful life is what matters. But I still have to work hard and make money, so you can have new clothes to wear, dear.”

“Are they really for me to wear, or are you buying them to put on me and use me at night?”

“Hehe, both! I love seeing you wear them, too~”

“Hmph.”

…

As time slowly passed, the sundial’s shadow reached noon.

Xiao Junling’s cool gaze turned once more to the horizon. Just as Qian Bing had said, she could already sense an immensely powerful presence about a hundred li away. Though its owner had concealed most of their cultivation, Xiao Junling’s keen senses had still picked it up.

Another presence followed close behind. It wasn’t as powerful as the first, but it was still strong and vigorous.

Both presences were racing toward them at incredible speed…

Xiao Junling drew back her gaze and returned to the stone chair. Her beautiful, stern face showed no hint of emotion; she remained as cool and detached as ever. Then she spoke to Qian Bing behind her.

“Prepare the tea.”

“Yes.”

At once, Qian Bing stepped forward and summoned a fine tea set and some Xunzhi tea leaves from her storage ring. She began preparing the tea on the stone table behind her…

Before long, the two powerful presences had reached the gate. A clear, ethereal voice called from outside the courtyard.

“Your Highness, Ling Ying requests an audience.”

Xiao Junling answered softly. With a sweep of her fingertips, she sent a streak of light toward the courtyard entrance, and the wooden gate swung open by itself.

The first to enter was an exceptionally tall, handsome man. He wore a black phoenix robe, his red hair crowned with gold. His expression was stern, and the powerful aura surrounding him commanded respect without a word. One detail stood out: like Xiao Junling, he had dark red accents at the corners of his eyes—and his features bore a striking resemblance to hers…

A woman in simple white robes entered after him. Her figure and features were every bit as beautiful, and she wore a smile with a lively, playful air.

After entering the courtyard, the woman in white took a few small steps toward Xiao Junling and bowed. Then she stepped aside.

The man in the black phoenix robe, however, walked straight toward Xiao Junling. He stopped beneath the osmanthus tree, clasped his hands respectfully, and prepared to bow to her where she sat.

His expression natural, the man spoke softly.

“Your younger brother pays his respects to the Em—”

But before he could bend his knees and bow, a wave of spiritual pressure struck his legs.

Light shifted in the man’s eyes, but he kept his hands clasped. For a moment, he seemed completely at a loss…

Xiao Junling looked at him coldly, a trace of displeasure and anger in her beautiful eyes.

“You’re now the ruler of a nation. You represent the entire Wanming Dynasty.”

“Who are you bowing to?”

At her words, the man hurriedly lowered his hands, eyes downcast as he straightened up to answer.

“I… was wrong.”

Behind him, the woman in white couldn’t help letting a faint smile curl at the corners of her mouth.

It had been ages since she’d seen their emperor get put in his place by Her Highness.

Ever since Her Highness Junling left and handed the affairs of state over to His Majesty, Chao Lingxuan—already stern by nature—had become even more ruthless and decisive in court once he held the reins of power.

The image of a cold-blooded ruler was practically burned into the minds of every court official, a shadow they couldn’t escape…

But now, in front of Her Highness Junling, His Majesty was just like a child who’d done something wrong.

He looked completely lost, waiting to be punished…

So this is what they call bloodline suppression?

Hehe~

The woman in white raised a delicate hand to cover her mouth, about to laugh—when a bone-chilling stare fixed on her, leaving her drenched in cold sweat.

Trembling with fear, she glanced toward the osmanthus tree. Qian Bing, who had been preparing tea behind Xiao Junling, was now glaring at her with murderous intent.

The woman in white quickly straightened up and lowered her head, not daring to meet Qian Bing’s gaze again. Her lips quivering, she murmured,

“S-sorry, big sister.”

Now she was just like Chao Lingxuan, standing nearby and being scolded: a child who’d done something wrong and was waiting for punishment…

“Your Highness, Your Majesty, please have some tea.”

Seeing her own emperor being scolded, Qian Bing could only sigh helplessly. She used the tea as an excuse to speak up and ease the tension.

More than anything, it seemed Her Highness had no intention of letting His Majesty sit down and talk—not since he’d arrived.

Qian Bing had thought that after two years apart, the siblings would at least manage a less awkward reunion, even if their personalities meant they wouldn’t exactly have a heart-to-heart. But His Majesty hadn’t even gotten the chance to sit down…

Xiao Junling didn’t answer. She continued to stare coldly at Chao Lingxuan, who stood beside her with his head lowered and said nothing.

Only after a while did Xiao Junling speak.

“Come over and sit.”

“Yes.”

At her words, Chao Lingxuan didn’t dare delay. His hands instinctively lifted again, ready to bow, but he quickly realized his mistake and lowered them. Throughout the whole thing, he didn’t dare meet Xiao Junling’s eyes…

Xiao Junling naturally noticed his little movements. Her brows furrowed, and the displeasure and chill in her eyes deepened.

“Qian Bing, bring me the court scroll!”

Xiao Junling’s expression turned cold as she barked the order. She swept one hand, making the tea tremble and the leaves flutter. At that moment, her imperial authority was on full display—no less formidable than Chao Lingxuan’s, and perhaps even greater. Even the woman in white, standing some distance away, trembled in fear and kept her head bowed…

After finishing the tea, Qian Bing immediately took out the golden scroll from that morning and respectfully presented it to Xiao Junling with both hands.

Xiao Junling took the scroll and flicked it into the air. It unfurled completely, and lines of text summarizing the affairs of state appeared before her.

Chao Lingxuan sat quietly to one side, still perfectly composed. His handsome face showed no change; he remained stern and imposing.

But… the way his right hand was clenched in front of his leg showed that he wasn’t nearly as calm around Xiao Junling as he appeared…

After reading the scroll on state affairs, Xiao Junling’s furrowed brows finally eased a little. She casually tossed the scroll back to Qian Bing, then parted her red lips. At last, her tone had softened somewhat.

“Drink your tea.”

At her words, Chao Lingxuan quickly picked up the teacup before him and raised it toward Xiao Junling.

“Please, Elder Sister.”

Xiao Junling glanced at Chao Lingxuan.

“This has nothing to do with anything else. It’s simply the proper courtesy between an older sister and her younger brother.”

Only after Chao Lingxuan added that did Xiao Junling give a slight nod.

After taking the teacup, Xiao Junling looked toward the sundial in the courtyard. It was almost the hour of the goat…

Then she closed her eyes and savored the tea.