Yu Changkong stepped down from the carriage, his moon-white brocade robe glimmering with a hint of silver in the sunlight. His black hair was tied with a Green Jade Crown, his appearance strikingly beautiful, standing proudly like an Exiled Immortal, untouched by the mundane.

The unparalleled young master.

On the long street, some were struck dumb, colliding with others without noticing. Some girls blushed shyly but boldly kept their gaze fixed on him, their eyes unwavering.

In the face of these burning stares, Yu Changkong remained unperturbed, suddenly sensing something, he looked in a certain direction and met Yu Linglan’s gaze.

He nodded calmly, then followed Qi Qian into Jiuxuan, disappearing from view shortly after.

Sighs echoed on the long street, whether moved by this fleeting moment or feeling wistful for the departure of such an extraordinary man.

Prince Zhao’s pupils tightened identically, his heart pounding, uncertain if it was due to Yu Changkong or his presence beside Qi Qian, only feeling intensely that this person’s appearance would lead to his defeat.

"Who is he?" Prince Zhao hadn’t missed Yu Changkong’s nod in their direction, nor did Yu Linglan’s demeanor ease his anxiety.

Yu Linglan looked at the vermilion gates of Jiuxuan and said, "Yu Changkong, also the current Clan Leader of the Yu Family, my cousin."

"Oh...what?" Prince Zhao’s eyes widened in shock: "Is he Yu Changkong?"

He hadn’t seen Yu Changkong in person, but he had seen his portrait. Yu Changkong was also an exceptionally handsome young man then but not as ethereal as now, seeming ready to ascend as an immortal at any moment, gifted with a cloud beneath his feet.

No matter the case, the current Yu Changkong is more charming and unforgettable, and more threatening.

Just like his fleeting anxiety earlier, Yu Changkong’s emergence was a menace to him.

Prince Zhao declared: "Why is he appearing in Shengjing? No, why is he with that bastard Qi Qian?"

Yu Linglan narrowed his eyes: "Prince, I must retract my earlier words." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"What?"

"I assumed Qi Qian’s status wasn’t worth concern, but Yu Changkong’s arrival proves me wrong," Yu Linglan said dismissively.

Prince Zhao momentarily didn’t react, but then recalled the Yu Family’s principles, the Yu Family, only chooses a wise ruler to assist.

His expression changed drastically; was this implying Yu Changkong favored Qi Qian? Why?

Here he was, a legitimate descendant of the Dragon Sons, yet he hadn’t garnered the Yu Family’s foremost attention, but Qi Qian, a bastard, did?

Qi Qian: Because I’m fortunate, I have someone above feeding me!

Prince Zhao’s handsome face twisted in rage.

Since last year, his luck had been misfortunate, randomly crushed by a plaque at home, recuperated for months, then unexpectedly beaten and sent to Princess Si Yi’s bed. Originally thinking it not too bad, borrowing Prince Xinyang’s favor helped, but then Prince Xinyang betrayed him.

This betrayal by the old traitor was troubling enough, but he linked him with Si Yi, creating friction within the royal heart. He planned meticulously, providing disaster relief, gathering rare elixir recipes for the emperor, barely salvaging some favor, then suddenly, Yu Changkong appeared?

Why couldn’t Yu Changkong appear beside someone else, but instead with the least likely bastard?

Prince Zhao felt he might crack, unwillingly asked: "Could we have misunderstood? You said he was the Yu Family’s Clan Leader, so if Yu Family already has you, they wouldn’t choose another ruler, right? Could he be here on personal business?"

Yu Linglan lowered his gaze, hiding the mockery within his eyes, and said, "The Yu Family now isn’t what it once was, Yu Family now doesn’t isolate themselves from the world. As for Yu Changkong, whatever business requires his presence in Shengjing, I don’t know."

"Investigate, it must be investigated!" Prince Zhao was exceedingly agitated.

Yu Linglan added, "If he continues accompanying Prince Rui, Prince Rui would undoubtedly be the one he supports for the throne."

Prince Zhao’s pupils suddenly contracted, revealing some envy and reluctance.

Yu Linglan observed his expression and smiled, "Does Prince feel unwilling?"

Prince Zhao awkwardly twitched his lips and said, "No, just somewhat surprised. I thought the Yu Family chooses only one person to assist per generation."

Yu Linglan said coldly, "Wherever there are people, there’s the Martial World and competition, whether in the Imperial Family or large noble families. In recent generations, the Yu Family chooses only one young lord when entering the world, but in the Yu Family’s early days, intra-family opposition and competition were fierce, a wolf-like nature, attaining the goal by any means, as long as it didn’t harm the clan’s interest or infringe on family members, even resorting to taking each other’s lives."

Prince Zhao was a bit surprised but didn’t find it alarming, as similar occurrences were commonplace across families, battling over resources and inheritance, bloodied and bruised, akin to their Imperial Family, fighting for the top spot, what filial or fraternal affection is there?

"Does the Yu Family pursue a wise ruler’s reputation without being loyal to one individual?"

Yu Linglan looked over, his gaze carrying a mocking smile.

Do you deserve dual assistance?

Prince Zhao quickly understood the implication behind this look, his face flushed with embarrassment, anger rising, but dared not express it, so he stiffly said: "In Sir’s view, what are the chances of Yu Changkong assisting the bastard to a high position?"

"Nine out of ten."

Prince Zhao was stuck again, clenching his fists tightly.

Yu Changkong this blind man has blind eyes and heart too?

Not quite, that glimpse just now didn’t seem blind.

"Isn’t he blind?"

"Encountered a master, cured." Yu Linglan said indifferently, "Even if it couldn’t be cured, with his intelligence, no ordinary advisor can compare. His eyes can perceive, so he sees more. Thus, Qi Qian cannot be spared."

Prince Zhao inwardly cursed that meddlesome master, what business is this to heal him?

"He’s truly fortunate." He darkly gazed toward Jiuxuan: "However, this is the end."

Initially, he paid Qi Qian no mind, but now, with Yu Changkong valuing him, this person must be eliminated!

Prince Zhao’s eyes glinted with malice, taking a deep breath, he asked, "Sir, do you still follow ancestral teachings, wolf-like competition?"

"The Yu Family’s learned should naturally achieve self-fulfillment. Prince needn’t test me, having chosen you, I will wholeheartedly support you." Unless you misbehave and court disaster.

Prince Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Linglan added, "Since my brother’s here, I must pay respects both emotionally and logically. Prince, excuse me, Bo Yin."

"What if, Your Highness accompanies you? I’ve yet to formally meet your brother, especially now when he’s actually your family’s Clan Leader, Bo Yin introduce us?"

Yu Linglan steadily looked at him until Prince Zhao thought he would refuse, then he smiled, "If Prince wishes to come, then together."