Attending the Banquet

Divine Lady Lucia: "He doesn't seem to come back often?"

Adrian Drake replied, "He's usually in the Lower Realm, doing good deeds, you know?"

Divine Lady Lucia's eyes flickered and she nodded.

The First Prince has already ascended to High God. If he keeps accumulating merits, he might reach the Divine Emperor realm and become the Emperor’s successor—the Crown Prince.

"His Majesty the Divine Emperor’s birthday is coming up," Adrian Drake added. "All the princes will probably return one by one. When that happens, you’ll get to meet the Second Prince too."

"What kind of person is the Second Prince?" Divine Lady Lucia asked.

Adrian Drake said, "To sum it up in four words: Quiet, ruthless."

Divine Lady Lucia laughed, "Ha!"

"Who knows, maybe Qilin Divine Lord Soren Lann—" Adrian Drake stuck out his tongue. "Our own Divine Lord Soren Lann might show up! And Master could come too!"

"Hmm... I haven’t seen them in so long. I really miss them." For the first time, Divine Lady Lucia realized she’d been away from them for quite a while.

Adrian Drake ruffled her hair. "Still just a kid..."

...

Divine Lady Lucia hadn’t expected that before the Divine Emperor’s birthday, she’d already meet all the imperial princes.

That day, the Divine Empress sent someone to invite her to a banquet.

Divine Lady Lucia couldn’t refuse, so she went.

Only after arriving did she realize—it was actually their family dinner.

All the Divine Empress’s children were present.

The First and Second Princes were already married, each sitting with their wives and children on either side.

The Third and Fourth Princes sat together.

Princess Quinn Xiao nestled beside the Divine Empress, sweet and charming, just like a spoiled little kitten.

There was also Darren Xuan, sitting alone, though there were two sets of tableware in front of him—one must have been Princess Quinn Xiao’s.

Divine Lady Lucia stepped forward and greeted everyone politely.

The Divine Empress personally left her seat, took Divine Lady Lucia’s hand, and introduced her to the First and Second Princes herself.

The First Prince was just as before—gentle, courteous, and as refreshing as a spring breeze.

The Second Prince was also just as Adrian Drake described: quiet and ruthless. But he was actually quite polite to Divine Lady Lucia.

After the introductions, the Divine Empress pulled Divine Lady Lucia to sit beside her.

She even shooed Princess Quinn Xiao away: "Go sit with your husband!"

Princess Quinn Xiao pouted but obediently went over.

"Divine Lady Lucia! I called you here today to apologize!" The Divine Empress looked sincerely regretful. "Darren Xuan has already explained everything from that day! My two nephews from the Xuanchen Clan were truly out of line! And my daughter..."

She glanced at Princess Quinn Xiao, her face darkening. "Come here!"

Princess Quinn Xiao walked over, pouting: "What now? First you tell me to go over there, now you want me back here?"

"The reason I called Divine Lady Lucia today is so you can apologize to her!" said the Divine Empress. "Well, hurry up!"

"No need!" Divine Lady Lucia quickly said. "Your Majesty, it was just a misunderstanding. My mother always told me, brides are usually nervous before the wedding. The princess was just anxious about Darren Xuan, that’s why she was so upset."

"See how understanding she is!" The Divine Empress scolded Princess Quinn Xiao. "Unlike you! Always so unruly!"

Divine Lady Lucia worried she might lose her temper again.

But to her surprise, Princess Quinn Xiao actually behaved and apologized to Divine Lady Lucia, bowing and saying, "It was my misunderstanding, Divine Lady Lucia. Please forgive this little goddess and don’t hold it against me!"

Divine Lady Lucia was surprised and quickly stood up to return the gesture. "Princess, don’t say that! I was at fault too. Please don’t hold it against me."

Princess Quinn Xiao grinned, "So we’re good now, right?"

Divine Lady Lucia nodded.

"That’s more like it!" The Divine Empress said happily. "You’re the same age, you should be having fun together! From now on, be good friends and grow into Divine Generals side by side—that’s how it should be!"

"Don’t worry, Mother!" Princess Quinn Xiao giggled at Divine Lady Lucia. "We’ll definitely be ‘good’ friends! Right, Divine Lady Lucia?"