"You mean?" After hearing Nan Fengyun deliberately skirt around the issue to explain his conjecture, Luo Xiaofeng’s brow furrowed deeply.

"Your Majesty should grant Lord Ye and Princess Yongle their wish. This way, Lord Ye and Your Majesty become family. If the day comes when Your Majesty’s great army forces out those old monsters, with his help, Your Majesty won't have to fear anyone!"

Hearing Eunuch Yun's words, Luo Xiaofeng's eyes instantly lit up. Right, he would be Ye Jingyu's father-in-law, and Ye Jingyu was his master. If his family truly ran into trouble, how could he possibly stand idly by?

With him around, the Emperor possessed sufficient strength to contend against the Tianyuan Empire. What was there to fear then?

"I know what to do. However, these two little rascals have caused me such immense trouble this time; how can I not discipline them properly? Issue an imperial decree: annul the engagement between Ling'er and Xiao Geng. Confine Ling'er within the palace for one month; she is not permitted to step outside the palace gates for that duration. As for young Ye, once his injuries have healed, find something substantial for him to do. And tell him directly that marrying my daughter isn't achieved with just a couple of flashy maneuvers," Luo Xiaofeng said calmly.

"This old servant understands!" Eunuch Yun bowed deeply.

"This matter is concluded. Let the Crown Prince continue handling state affairs; I shall continue my seclusion!" Having spoken, Luo Xiaofeng rose from the Dragon Throne and swept out of the hall.

A faint smile touched Nan Fengyun’s lips as he closely followed the Emperor out.

The dissolution of Xiao Geng and Luo Ling'er’s engagement sent shockwaves through Yunjing City. Many storytellers even wove the incident into a tragically beautiful love saga, and the exploits of Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling'er became widely recounted.

In this world that prized the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues,' Luo Ling'er’s actions were nothing short of challenging the entire established order, yet her courage in matters of love touched the hearts of many women.

Meanwhile, Ye Jingyu’s unwavering defense and his willingness to risk death in the duel became a celebrated tale.

The older generation naturally adopted a critical stance toward the affair, but the younger generation viewed it with admiration and profound respect.

Ye Jingyu instantly became an idol in the minds of many men and the idealized prince charming for young maidens, completely overshadowing the contemptible and shameless Xiao Geng.

Poor Xiao Geng, not only did he lose his fiancée, but his reputation had also suffered considerable damage.

At the Marquis of Wei Wu’s residence, Xiao Geng lay quietly in the back garden, gazing at the white clouds drifting across the sky. His once handsome face was set in a cold, sinister grin.

"Ye Jingyu, what I, Xiao Geng, cannot possess, you shall never have. I will not let you live easily, I swear it!" Savage words escaped Xiao Geng’s lips. The Reverse Soul Sword, which had always accompanied him, let out a soft moan, as if echoing his solemn vow.

At Ye Jingyu’s residence, the mansion of the Earl of Zhongyong, Ye Jingyu was also sprawled on a lounge chair, his eyes fixed on the white clouds above. However, compared to Xiao Geng’s gloom, his face was etched with frustration.

"What exactly is your old man trying to pull? Since the engagement is broken, why not just marry Ling'er to me?" Ye Jingyu grumbled discontentedly to Luo Ruofeng, who was opposite him playing chess with Zhuge Yi Shi. It was likely that he was the only person in the entire Nanyun Empire who dared to address a Prince’s father as 'old man.'

"Everything you did disregarded the dignity of the Royal Family. Although Father has dissolved the engagement with the Xiao family, he still needs to teach you a lesson. Stop complaining. Eunuch Yun already told me that Ling'er will marry you sooner or later, but you scamp need to show some sincerity first," Luo Ruofeng said, moving a chess piece without looking up at Ye Jingyu.

"Sincerity? Haven't I shown enough sincerity? I’ve racked my brain just to be with Ling'er!" Ye Jingyu protested, clearly dissatisfied.

"What you showed was passion, which only proves your love for Ling'er. But for Father, he needs more than just that! At the very least, you need to prove you possess sufficient status and strength to rightfully welcome Ling'er," Luo Ruofeng stated coolly, not sparing Ye Jingyu a single glance.

"..." Ye Jingyu inwardly cursed, thinking how inscrutable the Emperor’s mind truly was.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside, and then Lin Xiaoyi’s figure rushed in with great haste. Having reached the Martial Master realm, his steps were now steady and powerful, a far cry from the frail, thin book-page boy of the past.

"Young Master, they’ve returned!" Though Ye Jingyu was now a First-Rank Earl, Lin Xiaoyi still habitually addressed him as Young Master.

"Who has returned?" Ye Jingyu lifted his head.

"Chi Yixiu..." Excitement bloomed on Lin Xiaoyi’s face.

After Ye Jingyu's disappearance, those around him had gradually left. Now, with his return, they were gathering once more, a sight that naturally thrilled him.

Upon hearing that Chi Yixiu and the others were back, excitement also flashed across Ye Jingyu's face.

"Quick, hurry, hurry and let them in!"

"Mhm..."

Soon, Chi Yixiu, nearly ten feet tall, strode in with powerful steps. He remained bare-chested, wearing only animal hide below the waist, his muscles bulging beneath his skin. A heavy aura washed over them; the man was like a mountain.

Behind him followed the slender Hu Yanqi. He was no longer dressed as before, now sporting a long, cyan robe and carrying his jet-black longbow on his back. His facial structure hadn't changed, but a flicker of profound joy danced in his eyes.

As for Hu Yanmeng, she wore a tight white outfit that highlighted her perfect figure. Although her skin had tanned slightly—perhaps from time spent hunting in the wilderness—it failed to diminish her beauty.

"Xiu..." Ye Jingyu sprang directly from the lounge chair and launched himself toward Chi Yixiu. However, a faint smile touched Chi Yixiu's lips as he instead threw a punch toward the charging Ye Jingyu...

In that instant, Ye Jingyu felt as if he wasn't facing a fist, but a falling star, imbued with endless might and pressure...

Even the very void around them seemed to crack under the force of that single blow.

"Good heavens, the physical strength has reached Level Six!" Ye Jingyu roared with laughter, simultaneously throwing out a punch of his own.

Instantly, a burst of Chi (energy) erupted from his arm. The speed of his strike was blinding, leaving only afterimages in the air.

"Rumble..." With a colossal collision, the two fists, one large and one small, smashed together, generating an immense sound. Chi Yixiu’s massive frame was visibly shaken, forced to stumble backward several steps; clearly, he was at a disadvantage in raw strength. Yet, Ye Jingyu's own fist and arm instantly shattered, leaving him momentarily stunned...

(Three chapters today!)