NOVEL WEB Chapter 18 – Princess Chang Le
Fan Li had seen many shameless people before, but someone this shameless was still his first time encountering. Slightly worried, Fan Li secretly glanced at his little sister Fan Yuehua.
If his sister had even a billionth of a chance of looking at this man favorably, Fan Li didn't mind becoming a true villain for once. He would personally send this number one talent of Jiangbei off for reincarnation. Fortunately, Fan Yuehua's attention was no longer on Dong Zhong.
The scenery around Luo Lake was pleasant, and since it was the literary gathering today, even just a cursory glance revealed endless sights.
"Erm...ahem." Seeing that he had failed to attract Fan Yuehua's interest, Dong Zhong was quite embarrassed. He took out a waist tag, holding it with both hands as he presented it before Fan Yuehua. "Miss Fan, this is the pass for the literary gathering. With it, you can freely roam the event."
Fan Yuehua looked at the waist tag, but wondered: "There's only one? What about my companions?"
"This..." Dong Zhong actually had spare waist tags, but he was saving them to curry favor. He was too lazy to waste a tag on these two 'no-name nobodies'.
"You go on ahead, I'll stroll around first," Fan Li suddenly said.
The literary gathering at Luo Lake only occupied a small part of the scenic garden. Fan Li was in no hurry to visit. He had little interest in the gathering itself, and was more interested in the scenery of Luo Lake.
"Yes, yes, of course!" Seeing Fan Li's tact, Dong Zhong also hurriedly echoed in agreement.
"Even without attending the literary gathering, just touring Luo Lake's scenery is still excellent." Fan Yuehua always listened most to Fan Li, so hearing him say this, she would naturally obey.
After parting from his little sister, Fan Li leisurely strolled around. With his handsome looks, plus the aloof beauty Wu Gang accompanying him, no matter where they went, they inevitably became the center of attention. But Fan Li didn't care at all about the attention. His memory was still good. As far as his eyes could see, there were no court officials present, so he figured no one would be able to recognize him.
As Fan Li arrogantly walked along, his path was suddenly blocked. A maid-dressed, charming young girl quietly came before Fan Li and gave him a deep curtsey.
Fan Li was secretly shocked! With his 3rd grade Body Refinement Realm cultivation, how could he have not noticed the girl approaching?
Moreover, Fan Li could tell at a glance this girl was extraordinary. Her every gesture contained a refinement that definitely couldn't be taught in even the richest noble households. This girl was like someone from the imperial palace!
"She has 1st grade Golden Core Realm cultivation," Wu Gang suddenly said softly.
Fan Li couldn't help widening his eyes. The standard for imperial guards in Great Chu's palace was 1st grade Golden Core Realm.
Which family was so extravagant?
To willingly have a 1st grade Golden Core Realm cultivator act as a maid?
The girl whose cultivation was seen through also revealed a fleeting look of terror in her eyes. It was the kind of fear from being completely seen through.
The girl quickly collected herself, displaying excellent composure. She gently said, "Master Fan, my mistress wishes to meet with you alone." As she spoke, the girl tilted to one side, vaguely indicating a waterside pavilion not far away.
The pavilion's location was very special, actually inside the literary gathering area, and moreover high up with a view overlooking the gathering stage. It was an excellent vantage point.
Fan Li was secretly shocked: "Who is your mistress?"
The other party was clearly extraordinary, not only immediately seeing through his identity with a single line, but even daring to address him as 'Master Fan'. Although it helped conceal his identity, it still required a certain status!
As for obtaining such a good spot at the Luo Lake literary gathering, Fan Li wasn't surprised at all. After all, if it were him, he could also easily accomplish it.
"My mistress is titled Princess Chang Le," the girl softly said.
"What!?" Fan Li was finally truly moved.
Princess Chang Le?
Great Chu had no Princess Chang Le, but the girl's identity was absolutely real and trustworthy!
Princess Chang Le was the beloved daughter of the current Great Han Emperor Liu Xi, namely Great Han's Princess Chang Le!
Moreover, Fan Li clearly knew that Princess Chang Le was currently in Great Chu.
“Princess Chang Le had previously cultivated esoteric arts at the Pure Sound Paradise, and is acquainted with many of Great Chu's noble ladies. Thus, Princess Chang Le came to Great Chu under the pretext of meeting friends, and has already stayed for months.
But her true purpose can almost certainly be deduced as marrying the Chu Emperor! A Chu-Han marriage alliance, to deter Great Ming with this.”
Fan Li's mind swiftly sorted through the system intel. One reason he planned to facilitate a Chu-Han alliance at the [Three Emperors' Meeting] was that Great Han secretly was sending Princess Chang Le to Great Chu.
"Lead the way," Fan Li said in a deep voice.
The princess's maid turned and walked in front, while Fan Li secretly shot Wu Gang a questioning look.
"I'll wait outside the pavilion, and can ensure the mistress comes to no harm," Wu Gang softly said.
With Wu Gang's promise, Fan Li was naturally at ease. After all, earlier the maid had said her mistress wished to meet alone.
The Pure Sound Paradise was a top-tier cultivation sanctuary, and all its cultivators were women, furthermore elite talents with peerless aptitude.
Princess Chang Le was definitely not some weak woman. Her own strength might even be extremely strong!
At the very least, anyone qualified to cultivate at the Pure Sound Paradise could easily abuse a 3rd grade Body Refinement Realm fellow like Fan Li.
‘What does Princess Chang Le want with me? Speaking of which, Princess Chang Le has been in Peng City for months already, but seems to have never met Xiang Ning? If she knows Xiang Ning is a female emperor...damn!’ The more Fan Li thought about it, the bigger the headache he felt.
Unknowingly, he had arrived at the waterside pavilion. Wu Gang very tactfully stopped, letting Fan Li go meet the princess alone.
Fan Li entered the pavilion alone, originally thinking Princess Chang Le had waited for some time already. Who knew it was completely empty inside! Although the seats and tea were prepared, there wasn't a single person inside the pavilion.
"The Princess said to please wait for a moment after Duke Jin is rested, then meet after appreciating the talents of Great Chu's scholars," the maid respectfully said.
Fan Li felt somewhat unhappy, feeling like he had been schemed against.
But with Great Chu and Han's need for an alliance, plus he himself was Great Chu's actual ruler who also advocated their alliance, why would Princess Chang Le scheme against him?
"Could Princess Chang Le be unaware of the real situation, simply taking me for an ordinary powerful minister? Wanting to take the chance today to kill me as an introductory gift for her future husband Xiang Ning?" This notion was truly preposterous, almost making Fan Li laugh out loud.
Princess Chang Le wasn't some rebel on Liangshan Marsh, she didn't need any introductory gifts.
The pavilion really did have an excellent view. Looking down from above, Fan Li could even see Fan Yuehua had taken a seat.
"We scholars cultivate Lofty spirit Qi, harbor aspirations to benefit the world."
"Self-cultivation, family harmony, good governance, and only then world peace."
Voices slowly drifted through the sky, loud and clear, containing ardent momentum.
The scholars below were all Confucian and Daoist cultivators. What they nurtured within wasn't ordinary spirit power, but was collectively called [Lofty Spirit Qi].
Hearing the broadcasted voice from the sky, the Confucian scholars actually turned red-faced with excitement, repeatedly clapping and cheering!
But Fan Li felt somewhat confused. Were they cheering because the speaker had extremely high cultivation, praising his level of attainment? Or were they applauding his words?
"Ordinary, commonplace remarks, worth getting so excited over?" Fan Li couldn't help muttering softly to himself.
"Farmers cultivate the land, craftsmen practice their trades, scholars cultivate themselves, manage their families, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. Each has their role, is this really something to applaud?"