Chapter 323 - 6: Foundation Establishment, the Wind and Clouds Change Color
Chapter 323: Chapter 6: Foundation Establishment, the Wind and Clouds Change Color
"Princess, you were looking for me?"
Shen Wanshang had summoned Chu Hanzhen by name, leaving her no choice but to appear. Her family lacked the courage to make an enemy of the Celestial Sea King.
Back when she supported the Celestial Sea King and the Child of Heaven’s Will, Lu Yuan, Chu Hanzhen had visited Shen Wanshang’s courtyard many times. She was not just familiar, but on friendly terms with many of the people there.
Now, however, upon her return, everyone looked at her as if she were a traitor. The crowd was furious, their eyes filled with contempt, indignation, and scorn. It made Chu Hanzhen quite awkward.
This was especially true when someone blocked her path to demand sorrowfully, "Aunt, why did you betray the Princess? Did your family order you to do it?"
The young woman blocking her path, Xie Jiao, bore a slight resemblance to Chu Hanzhen. She was the daughter of Chu Hanzhen’s younger sister, who had married into the Xie Family.
Her seemingly grief-stricken question was, in part, an attempt to offer her aunt an out.
If Chu Hanzhen took this excuse, her actions would be seen not as a personal betrayal, but as a family directive. In that case, Shen Wanshang would naturally find it difficult to blame her.
Unfortunately, Chu Hanzhen knew she couldn’t give that answer.
While doing so would absolve her of personal blame, it would also cause Shen Wanshang and the Celestial Sea King to turn their anger upon the Chu Family.
Besides, she had already decided to support Zhong Ming. If she agreed to this excuse now and Zhong Ming found out, she would end up alienating both sides.
And so, looking at the silent hope in Xie Jiao’s eyes, Chu Hanzhen could only apologize before stating flatly, "This was my own decision. No one forced me."
"Hmph! Surely you don’t think that Prince Qinghe is stronger than our Celestial Sea King?"
Unsurprisingly, speaking such treasonous words in the enemy’s stronghold, right in front of a crowd of die-hard loyalists, instantly ignited everyone’s fury.
"So short-sighted! Chu Hanzhen, you’ve made the worst possible choice."
"She’s not even short-sighted—she’s just blind! Even now, our Celestial Sea King’s faction has the power to crush Zhong Ming and Prince Qinghe to dust!"
Curses and accusations rose and fell, washing over Chu Hanzhen like a tide. The words made her subconsciously clench her slender hands, her knuckles turning white. Yet even then, she didn’t offer a single word in her own defense.
Just as the crowd’s fury was about to erupt, Shen Wanshang, from her seat of honor, finally spoke. Her voice was the same as always—as crisp and cool as the clinking of jade, holding not a trace of anger, yet it instantly silenced the uproar. "Enough. To each their own. Since Lady Chu feels things are better on Prince Qinghe’s side, then let her go. I am not so desperate as to force someone whose heart is elsewhere to stay. Nor is there any need."
Her words were met with a chorus of agreement.
"The Princess is right. What does it matter if a mere branch of the Chu Family leaves? It’s no great loss."
"The one who will come to regret this is Chu Hanzhen, not us..."
Ignoring the others’ remarks, Chu Hanzhen felt her tense nerves relax slightly at Princess Wanshang’s magnanimity. She secretly let out a sigh of relief.
But before she could fully exhale her relief, her heart leaped back into her throat. Having followed Shen Wanshang for some time, she had a certain understanding of her personality. The Princess might seem magnanimous, but she was domineering to the core and would never let this go so easily.
Just as she’d expected, after quelling her followers’ indignation, Shen Wanshang propped her chin on one hand. Her phoenix eyes narrowed, her gaze landing on Chu Hanzhen with a piercing intensity. Her tone was flat, yet it carried an invisible pressure. "That said, I am also quite curious. Why did you make such a choice?"
"Have I treated you poorly? Or do you truly believe that Prince Qinghe and that Zhong Ming are stronger than us?"
Chu Hanzhen dared not answer such a question lightly. Unwilling to offend either side, she could only force a bitter smile. "You jest, Princess. Your hospitality has been wonderful. However, my daughter, Yuling, has already lost her heart to Young Master Zhong Ming. As her mother, I can only follow my daughter’s wishes and support him."
With no other choice, she had pushed her daughter forward to act as a shield.
Shen Wanshang was quite astute. A single glance was all it took for her to see the lie in Chu Hanzhen’s words. But her evasiveness also told Shen Wanshang that she wouldn’t be getting any real answers.
Besides, her pride wouldn’t allow her to waste words trying to win back someone who had already betrayed her.
At that moment, only one thought occupied her mind: ’I’ll have my champion, Xiyue, defeat Zhong Ming. A crushing, decisive defeat right in front of this traitor, Chu Hanzhen. I’ll make her regret this.’
And so, upon hearing Chu Hanzhen’s excuse, Shen Wanshang said no more. She simply waved her hand and gave a quiet order to Xiyue.
"Xiyue, please accompany Lady Chu."
"Yes."
After a quiet acknowledgment, a Merfolk maiden with a cool, detached air and exquisite beauty stepped before Chu Hanzhen.
!!!
"Why her?"
Xiyue’s appearance made Chu Hanzhen’s pupils shrink. Her heart pounded as if struck by a heavy hammer!
She never imagined Shen Wanshang would be so decisive. Instead of cautiously probing a rival, she had sent out her strongest champion from the very beginning.
’It’s over... Young Master Zhong Ming’s Talent may be unparalleled, but he hasn’t even reached Foundation Establishment. He stands no chance against a Gang Condensation Cultivator like Xiyue.’
’Even if he achieved Foundation Establishment right this second, the gap of two whole realms—Cultivating Evil and Gang Condensation—is too vast. Young Master Zhong Ming would still be no match... This time, his defeat is certain.’