Chapter 276: Emperor, Emperor, and Emperor

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Lady Dai Jie flows into the room.

Unlike the Wandering Wind, who always seems to be floating one or two inches above the ground, Lady Dai Jie’s stride holds no unnatural quality. Her elegance is one that has been refined through countless hours of practice to the point each of her steps seamlessly flows into the next, enhancing what is already an impressive sight.

Much like Big Sister Bai Wen, Lady Dai Jie wears a veil to hide her face. However, no heavy cloak or rags covers her body. Instead, she is dressed in blue robes with white snowflake patterns. The robes are made of a thick yet soft-looking material and do not expose Lady Dai Jie’s skin. It is a decidedly conservative outfit, yet it somehow manages to cling to Lady Dai Jie’s body in just the right ways to accentuate her figure.

Liu Jin makes a conscious effort not to stare.

Lord Feng Gui does not.

“I greet Emperor Qing Jin and Lord Feng Gui, next Patriarch of the Eternal Flame Clan.” Lady Dai Jie’s bow is without flaw, neither too deep nor too shallow. Her voice has a melodic quality that makes it easy to listen to. “I thank you for welcoming me under your roof.”

“I am never one to turn away a beautiful woman, Lady Dai Jie,” Lord Feng Gui says, smiling as he underplays the magnitude of his actions.

For a member of the Divine Frozen Palace to be allowed inside the Eternal Flame Clan is no small thing, especially one of the Five Fairies. Officially, Lady Dai Jie is the first outsider to set foot in the Eternal Flame Clan in nearly a century. People will be talking about this nonstop in the weeks and months to come.

And yet, it could not have been any other way. Had Lord Feng Gui turned Lady Dai Jie away, she would have simply waited until Liu Jin left the compound. Only by welcoming her can he moderate her interactions with Liu Jin.

“Sit with us,” Lord Feng Gui says, gesturing at the food. “Eat. Drink. This feast is far too much for the two of us, and food always tastes better when accompanied by a beautiful woman.”

A group of servants enters as Lord Feng Gui speaks. They set up a chair, plates, and eating utensils for Lady Dai Jie. Though they are all female, likely because all the males are too stunned by Lady Dai Jie’s presence, they still end up staring and blushing around the woman. Only fear of what might happen if they mess up keeps them from dropping any plates.

“I believe the last time we met was five Crimson Cloud Tournaments ago. My Divine Frozen Palace came just a tad short during that one,” Lady Dai Jie says, sitting at the table. Her gaze, hidden by her veil, moves over to Liu Jin. “However, this is my first time meeting you, Emperor Qing Jin. It is a pleasure.”

“Likewise, Lady Dai Jie,” Liu Jin replies, inclining his head lightly. “The reputation of the Five Fairies of the Divine Frozen Palace is known far and wide.”

“Considering your youth, your reputation is not lacking compared to ours. I have heard many things about you before today,” Lady Dai Jie says before adding, “Little Xiao Shuang sends her regards. She is quite anxious to see you.”

Liu Jin reflexively smiles.

“I considered visiting her several times, but I was unsure whether I would be welcomed in the Divine Frozen Palace.”

“A sensible assumption,” Lord Feng Gui says, dipping a slice of duck in some sauce. “The Divine Frozen Palace tends not to welcome many people, and Lady Meng Yue, in particular, is the furthest thing from welcoming.”

Lady Dai Jie does not answer right away. Though he cannot see her face, Liu Jin can easily picture her delicately grimacing.

“Sister Meng Yue is not particularly… approachable,” Lady Dai Jie says diplomatically. “I understand how meeting her first might have colored your impression of us.”

“Oh?” Lord Feng Gui smirks. “Are you saying you would have welcomed him with open arms had he gone to you before he was Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire? Truly?”

“Hard as this might be to believe, yes,” Lady Dai Jie replies, some steel entering her voice. “Meng Yue insisted that Xiao Shuang’s marriage to Emperor Qing Jin be respected, even before his background was known. The rest of the Divine Frozen Palace agreed.”

Liu Jin blinks. “Lady Meng Yue did?”

“My sister is not the best at communicating her thoughts, feelings, or ideas,” Lady Dai Jie says, somehow managing to make such a damning defect sound like a minor flaw. “She is often misunderstood because of it, but she means well.”

Lord Feng Gui laughs loudly

“Those must be the kindest words anyone has ever spoken of Lady Meng Yue. The woman is a maniac.”

“You should not be so quick to speak ill of others when so many unkind things could be said about yourself,” Lady Dai Jie politely points out. “However, it’d be rude of me to speak of your reputation under your roof, so I will refrain from doing so.”

“You speak of rudeness after imposing your presence on us?” Lord Feng Gui challenges her. “Do you think I don’t know what you are doing here?”

Lady Dai Jie lightly tilts her head to the side. “I came here to seek an audience with Emperor Qing Jin. I have made no secret of that.”

“And yet there was no need to do it in such an overt way,” Lord Feng Gui points out. “Your mere presence here threatens to sow distrust between the Storm Dragon Empire and the Eternal Flame Clan.”

“Suppose I had approached the Emperor when he’s not under your roof? You would begin to fear the possibility of him having secret dealings with the Divine Frozen Palace,” Lady Dai Jie counters. “You might even suspect us of tampering with his mind somehow.”

The light note of derision in Lady Dai Jie’s voice shows precisely what she thinks of that possibility.

“Meeting the Emperor like this is a kindness to you and him, Lord Feng Gui,” Lady Dai Jie continues. “This way, you can be part of our conversation and offer whatever input you wish, and the Emperor will not be suspected of any treason or underhandedness.”

There is sense in what Lady Dai Jie is saying.

And yet, she could have been more subtle about this. Lady Dai Jie is in the Seventh Level of the Emperor Realm. While she is not deliberately raising her aura, it is impossible for an Emperor of her caliber to go unnoticed. Liu Jin felt her the moment she crossed the Ash Road, so it is safe to say various other people have as well. Had Lady Dai Jie really wanted to, she could have found a way to approach the Eternal Flame Clan without causing such a commotion. Lord Feng Gui’s accusations were likely made so Liu Jin would realize that.

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“I thank Lady Dai Jie for her consideration,” Liu Jin says, “and yet, pleased as I am by your words, I think it is fair to say you would not be here had I not become Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire.”

Lady Dai Jie inclines her head in acknowledgment.

“That is so,” she admits. “I will not insult you by pretending recent events haven’t significantly altered your importance in the eyes of the Divine Frozen Palace. However, just as the Divine Frozen Palace respected the marriage between you and Xiao Shuang when you were neither Emperor nor royal, I am here to ask that Emperor Qing Jin respect it now that he is both.”

“I could never pretend that Xiao Shuang is not my wife,” Liu Jin says, and his sincerity is plain to hear in his voice. “Though it has been years since we last saw each other, she remains very dear to me. However, you are not just asking me to affirm my marriage to her. You are asking me to make her Empress.”

“That would be the natural outcome of your respective positions,” Lady Dai Jie says. “You are the Emperor, and she is your wife. That makes her Empress of the Storm Dragon Empire.”

“People can have more than one spouse,” Lord Feng Gui cuts in. “Someone who knows Lady Shao Zhilan should be keenly aware of that.”

For once, Lord Feng Gui’s words actually seem to rattle Lady Dai Jie.

“It is true that Emperor Qing Jin only has one wife right now,” Lord Feng Gui continues, serving himself a leg of lamb, still steaming with heat. “However, it is foolish to assume that will not change. There is no reason to assume your disciple will be chosen by him to become Empress.”

“Do you really think there is anyone better than our Xiao Shuang in beauty, power, wisdom, and knowledge among those in her generation?” Lady Dai Jie counters. “Scour the entire Crimson Cloud Empire and beyond. You will find no one better.”

“I happen to know Emperor Qing Jin is quite close to one of my relatives, a girl gifted with the Eternal Flame who boasts considerable talents in many other areas,” Lord Feng Gui says, somehow managing to sound like a proud, doting uncle despite never having met Lu Mei.

If he knew of his true relationship to her, he probably wouldn’t be nearly affectionate.

“A connection to the Eternal Flame is not the vaunted prize you think it is,” Lady Dai Jie says. “Your flame is greedy and limits the potential of any future offspring too harshly.”