Chương 33: 21.2. The Fourth Princess

Faust travelled back towards the Faram estate, passing back through the gates of central Zentrum. The sun was still in the sky, but it was rapidly approaching evening. Idly, Faust scanned the surrounding estates. There were a few unmarked ones, but there was also a massive one with 'Han Clan' in bold golden letters above its main gate. Having an estate in central Zentrum would be any clan's dream, right? Maybe when I reach Nascent Soul I can ask Faram about how he got an estate here?

The emperor would probably let an Essence Unity cultivator wanting to settle down find a space. Faust shook his head at the daydream. He hoped his sister, Foria, was doing alright back in the sect. Even if it cost some gold he decided he would take a trip back to the sect every 6 months. Outside of the Faram estate, on the wide roads, Faust saw a large carriage with golden decorations being prepared by several servants and imperial soldiers.

Four royal guards stood around the carriage and Faust saw one of the princess's attendants overseeing everything. Knocking on the main gate of the Faram estate, Faust was greeted by the old butler, who let him inside.

"Do you know where lord Faram is?" Faust asked, cupping a fist.

"Hmmm… he should be in his office." The old butler responded. Faust nodded and headed for the main building, letting a maid guide him to Faram's office. Knock. Knock.

"Enter." Faust opened the sliding door and entered, closing it behind him. He immediately paused and had to watch his step.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who scatters their notes across the floor at times."

"Haizz…" Faram shook his head, putting his quill down while Faust navigated the room covered in books, scrolls, loose pages and even some jade tokens.

"There's been too much happening recently. Her highness is still as…. Uh…" Faram stopped himself. Faust raised an eyebrow, but didn't press. Faram cleared his throat.

"Anyways. What is it?" Faust bowed and cupped a fist.

"I was just letting you know that I've found a place to stay near the Grand Archive." Faram nodded.

"A shame. There was plenty to talk about. But very well."

"The address is East Westoria, Block 49, crossroads 7, estate 14."

"Let the butler know." Faram turned back to the documents in front of him. It must be serious. Faust thought. For a Nascent Soul realm powerhouse to be so exhausted. Then again. With multiple Essence Unity and Deity Transformation powerhouses, the royal family was generally stressful to deal with. Faust turned and carefully stepped out of the room, opening then closing the door behind him. He took a deep breath. Then went to find the old butler.

After letting the old butler know of his new address, Faust went to his room and threw all his notes and chicken scratch from the dream technique into his spatial bag. From there, he made his quiet escape out of the estate. Finally… Freedom! Ten years ago.

"That's right big sis!" A young kid with long silver hair bounced up and down excitedly. A golden butterfly hairpin swaying wildly in her hair— glittering with power. A defensive artifact personally forged by the first prince.

"Your high—" An attendant stepped forward, but Shuyue raised a hand, stopping them and smiling down at her little sister.

"That's incredible. I'm sure even our father would be proud." Shuyue complimented, smiling and picking up her little sister and walking out of the pavilion. Though she wasn't entirely sure if their father, the lofty emperor, would actually care about his youngest direct descendant's cultivation. He would just say something like, "so long as she doesn't disappoint the royal line."

"Your highness?" Ning asked.

"I'm just taking her to the east palace. Our eldest brother will want to see her before he goes into seclusion for his Deity Transformation breakthrough." Shuyue waved her attendant off. Ning hesitated a few steps behind, then bowed.

"As you wish your highness." … That night. …

"Don't approach! It's a spiritual fire!" Someone shouted, the voice reverberating even throughout the central palace.

"ARRGHGHHH!!!!" Someone howled in pain, their figure being consumed by golden flames.

"Dammit! There's Fire Spirits mixed into the fire! Bastards! Prepare for combat!"

"Where are the elders!"

"The first prince and the fifth princess are still in there! We need to make a path!"

"How!?"

"Summon every array, formation, technique master and alchemist in the palace! I don't know! We must ensure their highnesses safety!" Smoke filled the air. The whole eastern wing of the royal palace was covered in raging flames of a myriad of colours. From white and gold, orange and red, to green and blue, violet and purple. Lights danced across the palace, blindingly bright against the black backdrop of midnight.

Shuyue shot through the palace, shoving, practically throwing one of the royal guards out of the way as she passed through the gate that separated the eastern and central palace.

"BIG BROTHER! BIG SIS!" A voice cried, barely discernible from the noises and flames.

"SISTER!" Shuyue shouted back, then she called out, "ELDEST BROTHER! WHERE ARE YOU!" A voice responded weakly. Not a physical one. A whispered transmission.

"I'm sorry… I did my best…" The transmission trailed off. Shuyue gritted her teeth. She looked at the fire in front of her. Royal and Palace guards were swarming around the fire. Their figures visible as black shadows prancing around the blinding flames in front of them. Instructions were being shouted from all directions. Subordinates shouted back. They couldn't get close to the flames. The eastern palace, a five story monolith, trembled and cracked.

"BROTHER!" Shuyue shouted.

"YOUNGEST SISTER!" She didn't believe a peak Essence Unity realm cultivator like her eldest brother couldn't save one person from a fire. But there was no response.

"... Sorry…" She thought she heard something, but with a loud thwack! Something snapped and a massive portion of the eastern palace leaned to the side, before falling down.

"MOVE!"

"OUT OF THE WAY!" BRSSHHT! The section of exotic stones and far away wood smashed and shattered against the ground. The flames jumped and bounced from the impact, landing on several more guards who swore and wailed in pain as they turned to ash. Shuyue bit her lip, her heart beating a million miles an hour. She stepped forward, activating her strongest defensive techniques.

She withdrew the gourd of 7 seas from her spatial ring, infusing her Innate Qi into it as she took one step, then another, closer towards the flames. With a final tightening of the fists on the simple iron fan she held in her other hand, Shuyue leapt forward.

"Your highness!" Ning's voice sounded and Shuyue felt herself grabbed from behind.

"You can't!"

"GET OFF OF ME!" Shuyue roared, spinning and kicking Ning in the gut. How did she even get here so fast? Attendant Ning reeled, spitting blood as she took the hit in her chest, right above her heart. But she still held Shuyue tightly by the waist.

"DID YOU NOT HERE ME YOU— YOU WENCH!" Shuyue cursed, smashing her fan against Ning's head, causing blood to pour down her face.

"Please! Your highness!" Shuyue's other attendant, Jing, who had fallen behind earlier, latched onto her and together the two began dragging her away from the flames. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Shuye tried to resist them both, but with the twins working together, she flailed uselessly, with the two attendants bearing the wounds.

"Ensure the fourth princesses safety." A calm and level voice spoke. Shuyue paused and looked up. A young seeming man with thick silver hair in yin yang robes walked grimly towards the flames. With a wave of his hand, countless arrays and formations appeared around him as he pressed forward into the flames. There was a loud shriek as the flames seemed to twist and turn, going out of their way to attack and slam against the silver haired man's barriers.

Guards barked out curses interwoven with orders as the flames began attacking those outside of the inferno. Shuyue watched as the yin-yang robed man disappeared into the flames. For a few moments, she calmed down, breathing heavily. Another guard wailed as they were bitten by a snake made of flames that jumped out of the fire. A few moments later they were burned to ashes. Their profound armour doing nothing against what must have been an attack imbued with the Qi of Heaven and Earth.

Slowly, Shuyue's two attendants, Ning and Jing let her go, standing to the side with blood and bruises. She shivered, vibrating in anger. Even if their father didn't particularly care. She would never forgive this atrocity. Soon. The yin-yang robed man with silver hair stepped out of the flames. He was covered in soot and ash, with his clothes burnt in some places. There was nobody with him. Shuyue strode forward once more towards the flames. The yin-yang robed man fell to his knees, breathing heavily.

"Stop." Shuyue froze in place. Not because she wanted to, but because there was a force that seemed to lock her joints. Nascent Soul realm! Shuyue thought. The yin-yang robed man looked at her wearily, kneeling on the ground close enough to reach out to. He looked at Shuyue, then slowly raised his hand, holding something. Shuyue held her hand out unconsciously and felt something cold and metallic land in it. As the Nascent Soul realm elders hand retreated, Shuyue saw a golden butterfly hairpin in her hands.

It had lost its glimmer, appearing as ordinary scorched gold.

"..." Shuyue froze. Then she looked back at the fire. The guards' shouts were still echoing across the palace, but they felt muffled. Shuyue clutched the hair pin. Even an artifact able to take a hit from a Deity Transformation cultivator couldn't survive? WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED IN THERE!?

"Your highness!"

"Hm?" Shuyue looked up from the golden butterfly pendant in her hand. Shuyue's attendant, Jing, was standing nearby, looking at her worriedly. Knock. Knock. Shuye returned the hairpin to her spatial ring, then looked in the mirror. Seeing her own expression. She looked like she wanted to kill someone. Which she did. Shuyue poked her face a bit, fixing her expression.

"Enter." Shuyue ordered, returning to her normal smug smile, befitting an arrogant and domineering princess. Ning opened the door. Shuyue felt her left eye twitch violently. Her fist clenching slightly at the sight of her. But the next moment, trailing behind Ning like a frightened chick was Miu, cleaned up with her hair straightened and styled. Shuyue froze for a moment. Did they look this similar? She wondered. She took a second look at Miu. Miu trembled under her gaze and looked down.

"Hmm?" Shuyue glared at Ning. Miu hadn't been this scared of her earlier. Ning bowed, looking at the ground without saying a word. What did you do now? Shuyue thought. Almost every action this attendant of hers had taken that was,'For her own benefit,' had done nothing but pissed her off. If not for her far more competent sister and her family background… Shuyue cut her thoughts short. She turned back to Miu, taking a step forward.

"Well, you do look beautiful after a cleanup."

"Hik!" Miu shivered and Shuyue paused in her step, before taking a step back. If looks could harm, Shuyue wouldn't even need to have Ning whipped with the look she gave her. Shuyue took a deep breath, her hand trembling slightly as she calmed herself. Even Jing gave her twin a look, as if asking,'What did you do?'

"Well, you seem a bit panicked right now. How about you rest for this afternoon, I won't force you to see the duke."

"N—No! It— It's fine— Shuy— Your— Your highness!" Miu spoke frantically, in a high pitched voice. This is annoying. It had taken several days to coerce Miu into saying her name. She had just sent Ning to get some new clothes for her. How could you possibly stuff it up? And this badly as well. She sighed. Back to square 1 it was. It was fine. Shuyue had failed in countless plans and schemes. She would probably fail many more. The point was that she would win in the end.

She could afford to lose the things she used as practice. So she had experience for the things she cared about. She didn't try to approach Miu again. At least not until they boarded the carriage.

"I just need to change into some more formal attire. So spend this time how you wish. We shall leave in about… Half an hour?" Shuyue glanced at Jing, who nodded.

"Half an hour." Shuyue repeated, nodding to herself while looking in the mirror. Good. I don't think my expression changed from this at all. She had to work on her body shaking in rage sometimes and her eyes twitching. But she had made good progress compared to those carefree days 10 or so years ago. She should also look into the technique master that Faram had been hosting. Uncle Mo should also be returning soon.

Since those distractions called assassins had given such a perfect excuse, she had him go out and do a few things on the side.

"Hmp." Shuyue scoffed. Her second brother would probably interfere with her domination of the duke of Han today. It would be a pathetic resistance, but he would do it anyway, utterly naive of how he was being manipulated by others so easily. If only my eldest brother was still alive. No. The reason he had been assassinated in the first place was because his mere presence made the palace too harmonious.

Powerful in cultivation, learned in all areas, charismatic enough to convince others to defy their father, the emperor almighty's orders… The perfect royal, who could never be manipulated. Who no sibling could hate. Now it was just the second prince, the sixth prince and some nosy cousins from the royal line's branch families.

"..." Even as the thoughts swirled around in her mind, Shuyue's smug smile in the mirror didn't waver. She listened to Miu for a while, hearing her slowly leave the room. Then, she turned to the letter on top of her desk, floating it towards herself.

'Update on the wall breach in Green Terrace province. Western Tribes have approached within 5000 km to the provincial capital. 543 towns destroyed. Still gathering information on total villages destroyed. Agreement has been reached for none above the Nascent Soul realm to engage in combat.' The letter began rapidly deteriorating at the edges, before turning to dust that dissipated into the air. Shuyue turned to get changed.

After seeing nobody was paying attention to her anymore, Miu had inched towards the exit, before grasping it with a hand behind her and slowly opening it. The sound of the wood scraping echoed across the room, making Miu wince. Still, in a bid to escape, Miu continued, closing the door behind her and taking a step away. She let out a breath she didn't even notice she was holding, letting the tension leave her body. Even the royal guards and soldiers standing around didn't scare her much right now. That smug smile.

It was unnerving. But her highness Shuyue had seemed more focused on Ning than her. She wished she knew what the princess was thinking. Whether she would get to go home to her village in Green Terrace Province. Or if she was soon going to be dressed up as a cat or dog in the palace. Miu walked back to her room across the estate, head hung low, dragging her new shoes across the pavement. On the way, she saw Faust say something to the old butler, before leaving through the front gate.

"The address I'll be staying at is East Westoria, Block 49, crossroads 7, estate 14." Faust spoke.

"I understand." The butler bowed while pulling out a notepad and pencil, scratching it down. Faust nodded, before leaving through the front gate under the butler's farewell. Miu watched, wondering what would happen if she ran out the door right now. Her arms twitched in response and her legs suddenly felt heavy. Just run through. The old butler won't stop you. Probably. Sweat began forming and Miu's body trembled. Her heart thumped against her chest. Miu shook her head. She couldn't do it.

Instead, Miu dragged herself back to her new room. She flopped over on the bed. Jung slithered from around her neck to roll around on the silk sheets. Miu looked blankly at the far wall. It seemed Faust had left, leaving her with no conversation partner. She didn't dare disturb the princess. Ning had made it abundantly clear that there could be no disrespect for her highness. Maybe she should have caught Faust before he left. Asked for a little bit more advice on how to deal with royalty. Then again.

He seemed intent on avoiding that situation in the first place. Miu wondered if it was too late for herself. She didn't know anyone in the capital. Faust walked back the way he had come. He was out of the princess's area. He left a way to contact him if Faram really wanted. He followed etiquette. In theory, everything should have been done with. I should start recording these unlucky incidents. Force Long Tao to make them all up to me— Faust paused near the Han Clan estate. Long Tao again?

Faust put a hand to his head. Why would he associate more with that person? Faust shook his head. It must have been his paranoia. He was just about to start walking forward again when he heard the sound of a wagon traveling the pavement nearby. Looking up, he saw bright orange and gold banners, with red roses. The Roze clan.

"..." Faust immediately turned the other way. More wheels against the pavement sounded out and Faust watched as the red and gold dragon flags were flown by mounted royal guards as they surrounded a carriage. Faust pivoted and turned back to the Roze clan. Then he saw Rozaline traveling with company. Tang Qingyu rode a dark green spirit horse alongside the Roza clan's fiery steeds with burning manes. Rozaline. A definite interaction. Princess. Most likely ignored and passed by.

Faust spun on his heel and walked back towards the princesses carriage. Another carriage turned down the road and caught up to the princess's procession. The new procession also had royal guards and carried red and gold banners. A few differences in markings were all that distinguished the 2nd Prince's procession from the princess's.

"Dear sister. Why the rush? We should be helping each other as siblings."

"I understand brother. That's why I'm going to arrange for the royal physician to attend to the duke's grandson." As far as Faust's knowledge went, the two started throwing empty words at each other as insults. The kind that sounded like compliments and agreements.

"..." Faust hesitated which way to go, which risk to take, looking around calmly. His eyes settled on the Han Estate gate. Inviting all kinds of doctors and offering a reward… Faust suddenly remembered the needles he had bought several months ago. The 2nd level artifact he had bought from a young Outer Sect disciple. The golden dragon ones, with small rubies embedded for eyes, which had a bit of flex, but returned to being ramrod straight when let go. I am a spirit doctor now.

Faust decided, confidently walking up to the Han estate gate and gently knocking twice. Ignoring his heartbeat as he heard the two groups either side of the road close in. He was technically a first level spirit doctor as well. Just as a consequence of technique craft. Just like how formation masters knew arrays and array masters knew formations. Or how talisman masters knew arrays and formations or artifact refiners knew a bit of alchemy and so on.

The estate doors were opened and a burly man in a yellow robe opened the gate.

"I am—""Another third rate doctor has come to try his luck?" The burly man cut Faust's introduction off.

"Correct." Faust agreed without hesitation.

"Bah. That's what they all— What?" The man started.

"I wish to document everything I can about rare ailments. So I can study them and improve my medical dao. Hopefully enough to join the ranks of Imperial Physicians."

"..." The burly man blinked a few times, then grunted.

"Whatever. So long as you keep in mind any injury to the young master will be met with… Judgment." The man stepped aside.

"I understand." Faust bowed, cupping a fist before he followed the burly man into the estate. There won't be any harm since I plan to explain my predicament to the young master, let them laugh at me for a bit and send me back on my way. Faust thought. Outside, he heard the princess and prince's bickering stop as Rozaline and Tang Qingyu paid their respects to the royal family. Crisis averted.