The next morning, at Princess Claire’s Manor.
"How are your injuries?" Princess Claire was gently polishing her sword, and glanced coolly at the old servant standing before her.
"There’s no need for Your Highness to worry. This old servant’s injuries have fully healed." The old servant bowed again.
"Oh, that’s good."
The old servant’s eyes flickered. He said gravely, "Your Highness, I’ve gathered all the detailed information on that young man."
"Mm. Speak!"
Princess Claire had finished polishing her sword once, and immediately started a second round. She had maintained this ritual every morning for decades without interruption.
With every polish, she felt her connection with the sword grow a little deeper.
"Yes, Your Highness. That young man is called Ian Song. He appeared in the Imperial Capital just over two months ago..."
Princess Claire listened calmly to the old servant’s account. Even when she heard that Vergil Northcourt’s personal guards had been killed, she showed no emotion. But when the old servant spoke of the Prince Meadowfield Estate’s entire staff being slaughtered, a cold light flashed in her eyes. Suddenly, she said, "Thirteen may be unruly, but he’s still my elder brother, and Soren is his only son. I can’t ignore this. Send someone to the inn and bring Soren here."
"Yes!" The old servant nodded and continued his report on Ian Song: "Two months ago, Ian Song was exceptionally accepted as a Phoenix Heaven Church Core Disciple."
"No wonder he dared refuse me—he’s a Phoenix Heaven Church Core Disciple!" Princess Claire raised an eyebrow. "But so what? I’ll give the church some face, but it changes nothing. Send someone to deliver him a formal invitation—tell him to come to my manor for a banquet!"
……
By the next morning, news that Ian Song had offended Princess Claire had spread among the elite—everyone knew about it.
Northcourt Manor.
"Retribution, ah, retribution!"
Vergil Northcourt laughed loudly, "Ian Song, even if you’re a Phoenix Heaven Church Core Disciple, so what? If you’ve offended Princess Claire, you’re still..."
But as he spoke, his brows suddenly furrowed. Last time, he’d thought Ian Song was doomed, but the result was Ian slaughtering everyone in the Prince Meadowfield Estate. Now, he was sure Ian would die again, but that guy was strange—he just might survive.
"No, I have to do something!"
With that thought, his eyes flashed quickly. Finally, he summoned a subordinate and gave quiet instructions.
Highgate Manor.
Inside Camellia Highgate’s boudoir, she had just woken up, dressed only in silk sleepwear. Her alluring figure was on full display, especially her chest, which was half exposed—round and full.
"Miss, you’re awake!"
Two maids entered, carrying toiletries.
"Mm!"
Camellia Highgate stretched out her arms, enjoying the service of her two beautiful maids.
Once she was dressed, one maid said, "Miss, last night the chief steward sent over a jade slip with information. It was very late, so I decided not to disturb you."
"Mm, bring it here." Camellia showed no sign of displeasure, which made the two maids breathe a sigh of relief.
Soon, the information jade slip sent by the chief steward was placed in Camellia’s hand. With a sweep of her spiritual sense, its contents were imprinted directly into her mind.
"Pfft!"
After reading the jade slip’s message, Camellia couldn’t help but laugh softly: "Ian Song really is a trouble magnet. He’s only just returned, and already he’s managed to offend Princess Claire."
Starpicker Loft.
On her bed, Mooncaller lounged lazily in sheer gauze, her alluring figure half-hidden and incredibly tempting. She also held a jade slip, and after reading its message, she couldn’t help but rub her forehead and mutter, "That guy really doesn’t know how to keep quiet. It’s only been a short while, and he’s already managed to offend Princess Claire again!"
The morning passed in a flash.
What had started as elite gossip, thanks to some interested parties, quickly spread until everyone on the street knew about it.
"Heh, Ian Song’s in big trouble now. Princess Claire is a Tribulation-realm powerhouse!" Some cultivators gloated.
"So what? Ian Song is a Phoenix Heaven Church Core Disciple now. Would Princess Claire really dare kill him?"
"You don’t know the half of it. Princess Claire is famous for her ruthless sense of justice. Back when she was infatuated with the Azureglass Immortal, Prime Minister Highgate’s younger sister also pursued him. Princess Claire killed her with a single sword strike!"
"No way!" someone exclaimed.
"Why not? Several of the girls killed were daughters of top officials, and nothing happened to Princess Claire!"
"So that means Ian Song is basically doomed!"
"Heh, serves him right for being so arrogant—even Princess Claire couldn’t escape being offended!"
Conversations like this echoed throughout tea houses, taverns, and street corners across the Imperial Capital.
Most people didn’t think Ian Song stood a chance.
Just then, another piece of news broke: Princess Claire had sent people to bring Young Prince Meadowfield from his inn to her manor.
Immediately, someone jumped in: "Princess Claire and Prince Meadowfield are deeply attached as siblings, and Young Prince Meadowfield is his only son. As his aunt, Princess Claire will definitely stand up for him over the last incident!"
"Yeah, if it weren’t for that incident, there might still be a chance for Ian Song and Princess Claire to reconcile. But now, it’s clearly a no-rest-until-death situation!"
In one of the Song Residence gardens, Ian Song was playing Dou Dizhu with Lila Li and Wendy Lin when Raina Quinn hurried over.
After the hand ended, Ian asked, "What’s wrong?"
Raina Quinn solemnly presented an invitation and said, "It’s from Princess Claire."
"Oh, just set it over there." Ian nodded lightly.
"Young Master, you absolutely can’t go—this is obviously a Hongmen-style ambush banquet!" Raina said anxiously. "And I heard Princess Claire has already brought Young Prince Meadowfield Soren Wu to her manor!"
Hearing this, both Lila Li and Wendy Lin grew tense.
Ian fell silent for a moment, then said, "This is something I can’t avoid no matter what."
"How about you retreat to the Phoenix Heaven Church for a while, Young Master? No matter how bold Princess Claire is, she wouldn’t dare storm the church!" Raina suggested.
"Heh."
Ian smiled, "Princess Claire isn’t as terrifying as people imagine, and I’m not as weak as they think."
"Husband, maybe you should avoid the sharp edge this time," Lila Li suddenly spoke up.
"Don’t worry. I never do anything I’m not sure of!" Ian turned to Raina. "Send word to the messenger who brought the invitation—I’ll attend the banquet on time."
"Alright." Raina said helplessly. But knowing her Young Master’s unyielding personality, she realized no amount of persuasion would turn him into a turtle hiding in its shell.
Somehow, word leaked that Ian Song would attend Princess Claire’s banquet that very night. The news spread quickly.