Haitang Shangguan of the Four Beauties of the Capital

High Zhou Imperium, Imperial Palace, Thousand-Night Palace.

Ever since the Silver Fox Princess entered the palace, the Empress granted her the Thousand-Night Palace as her personal residence. This was an unprecedented honor and a sign of the Empress’s favor, since she was the first commandery princess ever to have her own sleeping palace in the Imperial Palace—even many princes and princesses don’t qualify to live there.

Naturally, this made countless princes and princesses resent the Silver Fox Princess, and some frequently came to cause her trouble.

Sandy stomped angrily into the Thousand-Night Palace, only to find her mistress gazing out the window in a daze. She couldn’t help but worry—a habit the Silver Fox Princess had developed ever since returning from Immortal Maple City.

After a long while, the Silver Fox Princess snapped back to herself and asked Sandy, whose face looked troubled, "What’s wrong? Who upset you again, little girl?"

"It was one of Princess Xinyang’s nasty subordinates!" Sandy grumbled.

"Don’t be disrespectful."

The Silver Fox Princess’s expression turned cold. By seniority, she had to call Princess Xinyang 'Aunt.' Her aunt was quite ambitious—always scheming to become the next Empress.

Naturally, she couldn’t help but look down on her. Although Princess Xinyang never targeted her directly, she often sent her underlings to make things difficult for her people.

The Silver Fox Princess didn’t take it to heart, and even thought Princess Xinyang lacked vision.

To rule the vast High Zhou Imperium, it takes more than just strength and cunning—you need vision. The current Empress, for example, is someone with truly grand vision.

"Oh, got it!"

Sandy nodded gloomily, then suddenly looked at the Silver Fox Princess with some concern and hesitated, "Princess, you haven’t seemed quite yourself since coming back from Immortal Maple City. Are you feeling sick?"

At those words, a certain figure flashed through the Silver Fox Princess’s mind. She shook her head to drive the image away and replied irritably, "I’m fine, don’t worry about me."

Suddenly, she changed the subject: "Where is he now?"

"According to our spies, he’s already reached Sky Ruins Upper City. I’m sure he’ll be in the capital soon," Sandy answered smoothly.

"Really?"

A flash of joy showed on the Silver Fox Princess’s face before she could hide it.

Seeing this, Sandy blurted out, "Princess, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for that guy?"

"What did you say?" The Silver Fox Princess’s face instantly chilled. "I want some quiet—leave me!"

"Yes, Princess!" Sandy bowed and left, her face still full of worry.

Once the Silver Fox Princess was alone, she couldn’t help touching her flawless cheek and murmuring, "Have I really fallen for him? No, I can’t get caught up in romance—I still have so much to do!"

Thinking this, a flash of resolve appeared in her pale blue eyes, and the phrase 'sever emotional ties with a sword' crossed her mind!

A few days later.

Ian Song and his group officially stepped into the Imperial Capital of the High Zhou Imperium—the strongest dynasty on the continent.

Looking up, they saw palaces shrouded in clouds floating in the sky—like the heavenly courts of immortals.

That was where the Imperial Palace stood.

That’s right—the Imperial Palace of the High Zhou Imperium was built in the sky.

Just then, a spirit-beast carriage stopped not far from Ian Song and his companions.

A blue-robed middle-aged man stepped down from the carriage, walked over, and cupped his fists to Ian Song: "Are you Young Master Ian Song?"

Ian Song narrowed his eyes and stared at the blue-robed man. "I am Ian Song. And you are?"

This blue-robed man seemed ordinary, his energy perfectly restrained—but he was actually a true Fusion-stage powerhouse.

"Oh my god, look! Isn’t that Honor Shangguan, the chief steward of the Shangguan Clan?"

At that moment, a passerby saw the scene and gasped in astonishment, covering their mouth in shock.

"Is Honor Shangguan here to welcome someone?" A diner at a street-side restaurant happened to witness the scene, surprise flickering across his face.

An old cultivator paused and remarked meaningfully, "Anyone worthy of Honor Shangguan personally greeting them at the city gate must be extraordinary. But that group looks unfamiliar. I’ve heard the Shangguan Clan is close with Sword King Palace—could they be from Sword King Palace?"

"Impossible!" someone immediately retorted. "Sword King Palace disciples are all sword cultivators, and they usually carry their swords on their backs. None of these people have swords, so they aren’t sword cultivators or from Sword King Palace. But if not Sword King Palace, who else could Honor Shangguan personally greet?"

Honor Shangguan smiled at Ian Song. "Young Master Ian, I am Honor Shangguan. I’ve been sent by Miss Shangguan to welcome you."

"And your Miss is...?" Ian Song asked in puzzlement.

"Wow, where is this country bumpkin from—he doesn’t even recognize Miss Shangguan?" someone sneered after overhearing Ian Song.

"That’s right—Miss Shangguan is one of the Four Beauties of the Capital, and someone doesn’t even know her name? Honestly..."

"My lady is Haitang Shangguan. She’s long admired your reputation, Young Master Ian, and has already prepared a banquet at the manor. Please, follow me!" Honor Shangguan said.

"Haitang Shangguan? One of the Four Beauties of the Capital?"

A playful smile tugged at the corner of Ian Song’s mouth. He cupped his fists to Honor Shangguan and said, "Please lead the way, Mr. Shangguan."

"This way, please!"

"This way, please!"

Led by Honor Shangguan, the group passed smoothly through the city. After a quarter of an hour, they arrived before the sprawling Shangguan Manor, which covered hundreds of acres.

"These are Miss Shangguan’s guests. Let them through!"

Honor Shangguan addressed the guards at the entrance to the manor.

"Greetings, Chief Steward!"

The guards quickly saluted, then opened a gate to let the spirit-beast carriage pass through.

The cultivators trailing behind were astonished to see Ian Song actually enter Shangguan Manor. Who was this person, to warrant Honor Shangguan personally welcoming him on Miss Shangguan’s orders?

Soon, word of the event spread rapidly through the Imperial City—especially since one of the main figures was one of the Four Beauties of the Capital.

The Four Beauties of the Capital were: Sherry Rivers, the Saintess of Phoenix Heaven Church known as the Heavenly Maiden; Haitang Shangguan, granddaughter of the Prime Minister and a key strategist of the Empress; the Silver Fox Princess, beloved daughter of the Gaoyang Prince, personally named by the Empress; and lastly, Princess Zoey, the Empress’s youngest daughter.

The Shangguan Clan’s ancestor was a founding hero of the High Zhou Imperium and was highly valued by the first Empress, serving as Prime Minister.

Over the years, the Shangguan Clan has produced nine Prime Ministers, earning its reputation as a Prime Ministerial Family.

The current head of the Shangguan Clan, Shangguan Wuwei, is the sitting Prime Minister—a first-rank official deeply trusted by the Empress.

The spirit-beast carriage rolled through Shangguan Manor, passing countless gardens and pavilions before finally arriving at an elegant courtyard. The air was fresh and brimming with spiritual energy, with blooming spirit-flowers and a small bridge over flowing water.

Just then, a young woman in a white dress adorned with blooming haitang flowers drifted gracefully into view.

She looked to be just over twenty, breathtakingly beautiful, with a gentle and dignified air. A faint, warm smile played at her lips.

"Greetings, my lady."

Honor Shangguan bowed respectfully.

"No need for such formalities, Chief Steward." Haitang Shangguan waved him off, her gaze settling on Ian Song and his companions as they stepped out of the spirit-beast carriage.