I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 194: 195: Then Just Marry the Eldest Princess

“Indeed, we sisters may not compare to our elder sister, but we’re also willing to dedicate ourselves to the prosperity of Zhenyuan Country,” they said with a unified intent.

“After sister leaves, I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the development of Zhenyuan Country. When elder sister returns next time, she will surely be astonished,” they promised.

“Elder sister need not worry about anything. We sisters will manage all the affairs of the Imperial City on your behalf,” they affirmed eagerly.

Before Ouyang Di could speak, the other princesses rushed to express their thoughts. The prospect of the Eldest Princess marrying off was a dream come true for them.

With the Eldest Princess out of the picture, the power dynamics among the princesses could return to an equilibrium where each could wield power, rather than one dominating over the others.

“Hehe, King, your princesses really put one’s mind at ease, a testament to your excellent upbringing,” Elder Yun Yan said with a chuckle.

“Elder Yun Yan flatters me too much. The princesses supporting each other has become the norm. With the Eldest Princess’s marriage, they only have advise in their hearts. Yue’er, you can leave with peace of mind. The matters big and small in Zhenyuan Country will be personally managed by me,” King Ouyang Di declared.

Ouyang Yue’er felt ashen-faced. Within the royal household, where covert battles never ceased, no one would speak on her behalf; they all were wishing for some misfortune to befall her!

Previously, she had scorned Ouyang Shuanger as nothing but a royal tool for marriage alliances. Yet within just a day’s time, the situation turned on its head, and Shuanger had transformed into a high-and-mighty figure. In contrast, she was abruptly cast aside by her father, becoming the royal tool for marriage alliance she once mocked.

Now, she truly understood Ouyang Shuanger’s feelings. The irony was not lost on her.

“Very well, today, I, Wang Wei, disciple of Fire Qilin Cave, formally take Ouyang Yue’er, the young princess of Zhenyuan Country, as my bride. From this day forward, our families will be united in marriage, supporting each other and advancing together,” Elder Yun Yan announced solemnly, his gaze flicking towards Li Xiaobai.

Li Xiaobai clearly understood the intricacies at play. The Elder of Fire Qilin Cave was cunning indeed, knowing full well the close relationship he had with Ouyang Shuanger, hence the attempt to court favor in return.

Unfortunately, the elder had miscalculated, overlooking the one figure he continually underestimated—King Ouyang Di, who harbored no intentions of peaceful coexistence. At this moment, the king only wished for the Fire Qilin Cave contingent to swiftly take Ouyang Yue’er away from Zhenyuan Country, so as to carve out room for his own agenda.

Four million five hundred thousand top-grade Spirit Stones was not an insignificant sum, even for Zhenyuan Country, especially considering that Li Xiaobai also controlled the secret recipe of the Premium Soup Product.

Of all those present, Wang Wei was the most clueless, being but a menial disciple. He understood nothing of the situation, blindly following orders, and inexplicably found himself with a new wife, which felt oddly surreal.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty, on this doubly joyous occasion. Not only have you acquired so many precious Spiritual Medicines, but you have also successfully formed a marital alliance with Fire Qilin Cave. Such a cause for celebration!”

“Indeed, the Eldest Princess is not only dignified and virtuous but also well-versed in knowledge. She will surely make an excellent daughter-in-law for Fire Qilin Cave!”

“Hereafter, Zhenyuan Country shall only grow stronger.”

“Wang Wei and Princess Yue’er are truly a match made in heaven, both talented and beautiful—naturally a perfect pair!”

Only now did the other dignitaries dare to speak up, offering their polite congratulations one by one.

With the matter settled and the Eldest Princess married off, their interests might have been slightly compromised. However, compared to the marital alliance with Fire Qilin Cave, it was a small sacrifice.

Watching these high officials and nobles offering perfunctory congratulations, Ouyang Yue’er felt her anger ready to burst. Damn your congratulations, she thought, could they not at least show some sincerity? These very words were used for Ouyang Shuanger just half an hour ago, and now they blandly recycled them for her, too casually by far.

All of this was because of Li Xiaobai and Ouyang Shuanger. If it weren’t for their untimely return, stirring up trouble at this critical juncture, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a plight. If an opportunity ever presented itself, she vowed to ensure that they would never recover!

Overcome with indignation, her vision darkening, Ouyang Yue’er’s neck tilted, and she fainted away.

“Well, with the Eldest Princess in such a condition, I will take my leave with her now. The bridal gifts will be sent in a few days,” Elder Yun Yan said with a smile, bowing and preparing to leave with Ouyang Yue’er.

“Of course, of course. Elder Yun Yan need not go to any great expense,” King Ouyang Di responded amicably.

Ouyang Di was also all smiles as he spoke, “My daughter is now married off, finally fulfilling a major concern in my heart.”

“Young Master Li, I shall take my leave now,” Elder Yun Yan said.

“Elder Yun, please take care,” Li Xiaobai replied with a smile, appreciating Elder Yun Yan’s good performance today, which had given him full face.

Watching the people from Fire Qilin Cave depart into the distance, Ouyang Di clapped his hands and ordered, “Bring over the staff from Premium Soup Product for Young Master Li to verify.”

“Yes!”

The people from the Celestial Prison had already been waiting outside the grand hall, and within a few breaths, the servants brought Situ Yanyu and the others into the hall, including the family head of Ancient Moon City and his disciples, totaling over a hundred people—all captured.

In the crowd, Li Xiaobai’s gaze swept over all too familiar faces.

The family head of the Xia Family, Xia Jiuquan, knelt down with a thud, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, I too was threatened by Ye Liangchen; I know nothing about the Premium Soup Product, I beg for your mercy!”

“The ruler of Zhenyuan Country turns out to be a man of narrow-mindedness, I, Situ Yanyu, will never beg for mercy!”

At the moment, Situ Yanyu was covered in bloodstains, her body showing signs of whipping, her legs trembling, her lips pale, and her breath weak, with her eyes full of defiance and anger.

“That’s right, our Situ Household may be poor but our spirit is not; Young Master Liangchen has shown us kindness, and we can never betray him!”

Elder Situ Kong also said, similarly bearing scars all over his body.

“Hehe, do you see who that is beside you?” the King of Zhenyuan Country pointed towards Li Xiaobai and said.

“Young Master Liangchen!”

Situ Yanyu exclaimed with joy, she and Elder Situ Kong had seen Li Xiaobai’s true appearance and did not expect him to appear in the Imperial City now, unharmed.

“Young Master Liangchen, I did not betray you, and they have even whipped me; you must avenge me!” Elder Situ Kong cried out and threw himself into Li Xiaobai’s arms, sobbing loudly.

Li Xiaobai’s carefully mustered feelings of sorrow instantly vanished in that moment, as the plot took an unexpected turn—wasn’t it supposed to be Miss Yan Yu who would throw herself into his embrace?

Why was there now an old man in his arms?

“Ahem, Elder, Miss Yan Yu, now that I have returned, you are safe,” Li Xiaobai said somewhat awkwardly, trying to push the old man away from his embrace.

“Young Master, I knew you would come to save us. Zhenyuan Country, posing as a great faction of the Confucian Path, ordered Ancient Moon City to be sealed off after hearing about the wonders of Premium Soup Product; they captured all of us and threw us into Celestial Prison, where we have suffered daily beatings!” Situ Yanyu’s eyes also reddened.

The other family heads and disciples felt somewhat uneasy; in fact, to lighten their own sentences, they deliberately pinned all the blame on Situ Yanyu and Elder Situ Kong, who were the first to meet Li Xiaobai and certainly knew more.

As a result, they often received ‘special attention’ from the prison guards.

However, no matter how strong Ye Liangchen was, it was impossible for him to cause trouble within the Imperial City, so they all promptly and unanimously expressed their loyalty.

“Your Majesty, this man here is Ye Liangchen, the boss of Premium Soup Product; this is an opportunity for Zhenyuan Country, we suggest capturing him immediately!”