The Unreliable Celestial Emperor

"Exactly!" Mia said. "You all know that us Phoenix Clan have pointy beaks, right? If two people drink from the same cup, their heads get super close—it's really intimate! That's why only husband and wife can do it!"

She shot Ryan Lu a look. "If I drank the wine you already drank, wouldn't I be losing out?"

"Losing out?" Ryan Lu was so mad his molars showed. "How is that losing out? You think I'm not good enough for you?"

"When did you ever pass my standards? Try saying that again!" Mia snorted. "Besides, your looks are totally not my type!"

Adrian grinned, "So Mia, what kind of guy do you actually like?"

Mia thought for a moment, then glanced at Ryan Lu sideways. "As long as he's nothing like Ryan Lu, it's fine!"

"Tch!" Ryan Lu hissed in annoyance, pointing at his own face. "Are you saying I'm ugly?"

"So ugly!"

"You're the ugly one! Pointy beak, monkey cheeks, and a sharp tongue! You're like a walking lightning warning sign!"

"Ryan Lu!" Mia slammed her hand on the table.

"What, you wanna go?" Ryan Lu slammed the table too.

"If you two break my table, I'll make you eat the splinters!" Lucy Luan warned them with a glare.

They immediately quieted down.

Adrian joked, "Honestly, you two have major husband-and-wife vibes! Why not just get engaged already?"

"What did you just say!" they shouted in perfect unison.

"Whoa, whoa!" Adrian surrendered. "Just kidding, just kidding! Come on, everyone, raise your glasses—first toast! Welcome back, Fifth Highness!"

Everyone drank.

After drinking, Mia finally asked, "Fifth Highness, where did you go? You disappeared for a whole month and didn't send a single message!"

Sean Shaw looked surprised. "No news at all? My father didn't say anything? I've been cultivating in his private domain this whole time."

"Cultivating?" Adrian's eyes widened. "You vanished for a month just to go train?"

"My father didn't tell you?" Sean Shaw asked. "He said he'd explain everything to you."

"He just said... you were fine! Didn't give any details. We couldn't really pry, since it's all family drama, right?" Adrian said. "We knew nothing and couldn't get any news about you. We were really worried!"

Sean Shaw frowned and stayed silent.

Luna Lian asked, "How did Skye's case get solved? Did they use my sister's Divine Crimson Pill?"

"What Divine Crimson Pill?" Sean Shaw asked.

"You don't know?" Luna Lian raised an eyebrow. "My sister went through a ton of trouble to gather the ingredients, refined the pill herself, and gave it to His Majesty the Celestial Emperor—all to clear your name."

Sean glanced at Lucy Luan and said, "I'll go ask him about it."

"So you didn't use it to clear your name? Then what happened?" Adrian asked.

"Skye had a Clarity Charm on him," Sean Shaw said. "Father just went back to the palace, showed him the charm, and that was it."

"So you were actually fine that very day?" Lucy Luan couldn't help asking.

Sean Shaw nodded.

"So the Celestial Emperor still kept my Divine Crimson Pill!" Lucy Luan shot to her feet, furious. "I'm going to demand it back!"

Sean Shaw quickly grabbed her wrist.

Lucy Luan looked at him.

"He's not around right now," Sean Shaw said.

Lucy Luan pulled her hand free and sat down in silence.

Sean Shaw looked at her and said, "Sorry, I thought... Father explained everything. I didn't mean to make you all worry."