Luo Yi ran quickly to Nan Tianyi, Xiao Liyan, and Xiao Shida, glancing nervously at Nan Tianyi and then at Xiao Liyan.

"Miss Xiao, Uncle Xiao's men have come to take you back."

"Didn't I just come out with Manman?"

Xiao Liyan was a little puzzled, after all, her father hadn't urged her when she came to the Southern Mansion before.

Upon hearing Xiao Liyan's question, Luo Yi looked at Nan Tianyi. Nan Tianyi immediately realized something and glared coldly at Luo Yi.

Under Nan Tianyi's gaze, Luo Yi spoke, "An imperial decree has arrived from the palace, for Miss Xiao..."

"?"

Xiao Liyan was puzzled, but she didn't say anything. She walked quickly towards the entrance of the South Mansion. Xiao Shida saw Xiao Liyan leave and hurriedly followed.

After everyone left, Nan Tianyi looked at Luo Yi, signaling him to continue.

"I heard it's to make Miss Xiao the successor to the high priestess position."

"Heh~", Nan Tian laughed out loud.

Xiao Mansion

Xiao Liyan returned to the manor and, seeing the emperor's chief eunuch sitting in the seat, quickly went into the room.

"Father, Eunuch Li has been waiting for a long time."

Xiao Shida and Xiao Liyan bowed to each other.

"It's alright," Eunuch Li waved his hand, then stood up and looked at Xiao Liyan with a smile.

"Now that Miss Xiao is back, let's get down to business."

When Eunuch Li stood up, Xiao's father also stood up. Hearing Eunuch Li's words, he quickly went to Xiao Liyan and Xiao Shida's side.

Then they saw Eunuch Li take out the imperial edict from a tray and open it. Xiao's father quickly led Xiao Liyan and Xiao Shida to kneel down.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Xiao Liyan, daughter of Ganenal Rongyu, shall bear the name Ganenal Liyan and shall begin studying the affairs of the High Priestess from this day forward. On her tenth birthday, she shall be formally granted the title of High Priestess. So be it."

"Your subject/daughter receives the imperial decree."

After Eunuch Li finished reading, Xiao's father and the others stood up.

"Congratulations, Lord Xiao! Congratulations, Miss Xiao!" With a smile, Eunuch Li looked at Xiao's father and the others, and handed the imperial edict to Xiao's father.

"I have to thank you, Father-in-law."

"Alright, it's time for this humble servant to return to the palace."

"Uncle Hong, quickly see Eunuch Li off."

Eunuch Li walked in front, and Uncle Hong followed behind. As they walked, Uncle Hong discreetly handed Eunuch Li a money pouch.

After everyone left, Xiao Shida was dumbfounded and looked at his father in confusion, "Father, what... is going on?"

"Dad, Manman should be able to avoid it, right..."

Mr. Xiao slumped into his chair, shaking his head repeatedly after hearing this, "Judging from the current situation, it seems it's not going to work."

"???" Xiao Shida was completely bewildered, looking at Xiao Liyan and her father with confusion.

"father?"

"well…"

Mr. Xiao sighed, and after a while, slowly opened his mouth.

"This mansion wasn't originally the Xiao family mansion; its original name was Jiananal, and your mother was the previous high priest. Later, I married your mother and moved into the mansion."

"When your mother was pregnant with you, she prayed for the Emperor's grace and changed the name of the mansion to Xiao Mansion, so that you could take my surname."

This was intended to make the Emperor gradually forget about it, but... unexpectedly, he didn't forget; instead, he kept it in his heart.

Xiao Shida asked in confusion, "Father, what does the High Priest do? Why did the Emperor agree when Mother went to plead with him?"

Father Xiao glanced at Xiao Liyan and said, "Legend has it that the High Priest is the master of all beasts. Whoever possesses him will rule the world."

"So you married Mother...???"

Xiao Shida was shocked

"But that requires a specific opportunity; it's been three generations since a true high priest has emerged."

"And that sorcerer even claimed that your mother's daughter or granddaughter would definitely be the true High Priestess, and the emperor believed him. Your mother used the babies in her womb to threaten the emperor into agreeing to the name of the residence."

Xiao Shida's mouth was now big enough to fit an egg.

"Father, will Manman also be given the surname Ganenara and be appointed as the head of the family?"

"Sister, can you understand animal language?"

Xiao Liyan and Xiao Shida spoke at the same time, with Xiao's father answering Xiao Liyan first, "It's hard to say, there's a high possibility."

After speaking, Mr. Xiao looked very dejected. He waved to the two men, and they left the hall. Outside, Xiao Liyan answered Xiao Shida's question.

"I don't understand animal language; my father asked me when I was very young."

Before Xiao Shida could ask further questions, Xiao Liyan spoke first.

"The ability to understand animal language is innate."

"Oh, but sister...aren't you in some danger???"

Xiao Liyan smiled but didn't say anything.