All we can say is that she and Doctor Heng got separated.
Whether the current emperor of the Great Xiao Kingdom believed it or not was irrelevant. As long as it was acceptable on the surface, that was all that mattered.
Soon, the aircraft stopped in front of the palace gate.
Xiao Jiyuan had Shangguan Jing and Feng Qing brought to his residence. He then took Xiao Qingran and Imperial Physician Heng with him into the palace.
The emperor of the Great Xiao Kingdom was called Xiao Zun, a man in his fifties with a dignified appearance.
The first time he saw Xiao Qingran, he was shocked by the similar appearance of Xiao Qingran and Xiao Jiyuan. Such appearance immediately dispelled the 10% doubt in his heart.
After seeing Doctor Heng again, Xiao Zun's doubts were dispelled by another 10%.
"I didn't expect that after twenty years, I would still be able to see Ying Er."
Xiao Ying'er is the name of the eighteenth princess.
As for the name Xiao Qingran, Doctor Heng told Xiao Zun that it was Xiao Qingran who changed it herself.
Xiao Zun did not blame Xiao Qingran for changing his name without his permission. Instead, he happily said that it was a good change.
Xiao Zun originally thought that Xiao Qingran was just a nice girl with a talent for alchemy. After living in the countryside for so many years, she would definitely be timid when suddenly meeting him, an emperor.
But Xiao Qingran just stood there, gave her a look, and her whole aura was completely different from what he had imagined.
Even without speaking, Xiao Qingran gave people the feeling that no one dared to approach him. His aura was even more powerful than that of an emperor.
Thinking of the word "emperor", Xiao Zun's heart couldn't help but jump. He couldn't understand why he was so suspicious of Xiao Qingran.
Throughout the four great empires over thousands of years, there has never been a female emperor.
He couldn't understand why he thought that way at that moment.
Shaking his head secretly, Xiao Zun looked at Xiao Qingran with a smile, and first spoke in an official tone, explaining Xiao Qingran's current situation. He then used gentle means to appease her with family affection.
As a former emperor, Xiao Qingran was well aware of this routine.
Fortunately, the four great empires had an unwritten rule: regardless of one's status, cultivators who had reached the Golden Core stage only had to pay their respects to the emperor, not kneel down.
Otherwise, Xiao Jiyuan would never let Xiao Qingran take the risk of entering the palace.
Xiao Zun talked for a long time before finally getting to the point.
"I have asked the Imperial Observatory to select an auspicious day to officially confer the title of princess upon my younger sister. All members of the royal family, princes, and ministers will be present to witness the event. Accommodation has been arranged for you in the palace. If you are not accustomed to living in the palace, you can temporarily reside in Yuan'er's residence. After the consecration, a princess residence will be arranged for you outside the palace."
Xiao Qingran nodded without any objection.
Anyway, she had an idea in mind before coming here.
Xiao Zun was very satisfied to see Xiao Qingran's cooperation.
"Okay, tonight, all the clansmen in the palace will have a dinner together. Let Yuan'er take you there to meet them."
Xiao Qingran nodded.
Xiao Zun signaled her and Xiao Jiyuan to leave first, and asked Doctor Heng to stay.
Xiao Qingran and Xiao Jiyuan were not surprised by this.
He also understood Xiao Zun's intention of keeping Doctor Heng.
However, neither of them took it seriously.
After leaving the palace, Xiao Qingran followed Xiao Jiyuan back to his prince's residence.
"What does Auntie think of him?"
This "he" of course refers to Xiao Zun.
Xiao Qingran naturally understood. Although this was her first time meeting Xiao Zun, their time together was short, and their conversations were few and far between, Xiao Qingran, even without her clairvoyance, could tell what kind of person he was: "He's fine as an emperor defending a city. Expanding the territories depends on the next generation."
Xiao Jiyuan didn't expect his aunt to think so highly of Xiao Zun. He smiled slightly and said, "Aunt is right. The four great empires are now restraining and exploiting each other. No one dares to act rashly, and no one dares to break this situation. If we really want to expand our territory, it depends on the courage and ability of the next generation."
The aunt and niece smiled at each other.
"Aunt, tonight's banquet might not go smoothly. You should be careful. Especially the Third Princess, Xiao Yu, who is twenty-six years old and a high-level alchemist. She was particularly favored by the royal family before you returned. She has a bad temper and a high opinion of herself, sometimes even looking down on me, her younger brother. Her mother is the current Empress, and she and the eldest prince share the same mother. Most of the princes and princesses in the palace are of their faction. They could very well become weapons in their hands to use against you."
Xiao Jiyuan briefly told Xiao Qingran about the situation in the palace.
"Since ancient times, the imperial family has been the most ruthless, especially those with many children. Your father is actually better than most emperors in this respect. Including you, there are only seven children in total. One queen, two concubines, and three concubines."
Xiao Qingran actually had a new respect for Xiao Zun.
Xiao Jiyuan didn't have any extra comments on this.
"Aunt, I've arranged for your two friends to stay in the east wing. Do you want to bring them to the banquet tonight?"
Xiao Jiyuan was worried that his aunt would be soft-hearted, so he asked this question. Whether Xiao Qingran wanted to take the child or not, he would make arrangements in advance.
"No."
If she was attacked alone, she could handle it and fight back. If she really had to bring Guan Qing and Feng Qing with her, it would mean they would be the ones to take the blame for her. She didn't want anything to happen to her friends.
"Yuan'er, I forgot to tell you. Your aunt is in modern society and is the current Palace Master of Xuan Palace. I am proficient in fortune-telling, physiognomy, and drawing talismans. Tell me who your enemies are. I will help you find out tonight if there is anyone who will become a stumbling block on your road to success."
Xiao Qingran treats Xiao Jiyuan, who is the same age as her, just like in her previous life, protecting him like a child.
Xiao Jiyuan was slightly startled, then overjoyed. "The Palace Master of Xuan Palace? Aunt, you're truly amazing. Back in the day, the people of Tianxuan Palace were extremely mysterious. It was easy to find them, but getting them to help with fortune-telling and feng shui required a lot of luck. I never thought that Aunt would become the person I once envied."
Xiao Qingran looked at Xiao Jiyuan, as if she had returned to her previous life. She couldn't help but laugh: "Kid, I didn't know you envied people who could tell fortunes and read faces."
The aunt and niece talked and laughed, and had a very happy chat.
Before dark, the two of them entered the imperial palace with Doctor Heng.
As soon as the three of them walked into the banquet hall, everyone's eyes turned to them.
Xiao Jiyuan brought Xiao Qingran with him and introduced the eldest prince, the second prince, the third princess, the fourth princess, as well as the sixth and seventh princes to Xiao Qingran.
On the surface, everyone seemed to welcome Xiao Qingran, but only they themselves knew what they were thinking.
Especially the third princess, who looked at Xiao Qingran with provocation and disdain in her eyes.
"It is a great honor for our Great Xiao Nation to have Aunt Eighteen come back."
The eldest prince spoke in high-sounding words, but there was a dark light in his eyes.
After Xiao Zun and the Empress arrived, they exchanged pleasantries with Xiao Qingran. The entire hall was filled with laughter and joy, a scene of great joy.
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