Chapter 65: The Princess's Maid

At this point, as long as Young Master Chen agreed to return the Heavenly Execution Sword Formation, even if he truly made that kind of request, she would have no choice but to accept.

The scene was deathly silent.

Everyone stared at Chen Changsheng with wide eyes, tension causing their hands to clench into fists.

Nalan Ruoshui, Mu Wanqing, and Huangfu Meng, the three women, already had cheeks tinged with a shy blush.

They were simply too nervous, palms slick with sweat.

Yet, strangely, amidst the anxiety, there was a trace of inexplicable anticipation.

Chen Changsheng looked at Donggong Qianxue, stroked his chin, and said, “Then… be with me, become my—”

“I’m willing!” Donggong Qianxue nodded without the slightest hesitation, though her heart still held a hint of bitterness. Although Young Master Chen was a reclusive master, young and handsome, after all, she was a princess of the Holy Spring and Autumn Nation.

The expressions of those present became exceedingly odd all at once.

“I haven’t even finished speaking, and you’re willing already?”

“I already said, whatever request Young Master Chen makes, I will accept it.”

“All right then.” Chen Changsheng smiled helplessly. “Then become my maid for a month.”

“Ah!” Gasps of disbelief erupted. They could hardly trust their own ears.

They had thought…

Chen Changsheng glanced at them with a faint smile, knowing full well what they were imagining. He was a man of pure heart!

“It’s settled, then. Starting today, you’ll be my maid here for a month.”

He affectionately ruffled Chen Die’er’s little head and said, “Of course, I don’t actually need a maid. The main thing is to help take care of my daughter—wash her clothes, but no need to bathe her, she can do that herself. Bring her tea and water, and at night, tell her stories to help her sleep. No pay, all free of charge.”

Chen Die’er looked up at her father’s handsome face, her bright eyes sparkling with stars.

Ah, my father truly is the most handsome in the world. He even found such a beautiful young lady to be my maid!

So admirable!

Nalan Ruoshui, Mu Wanqing, and the others were utterly dumbfounded, their jaws nearly hitting the floor as waves of shock surged in their hearts.

Heavens, the palace lord of the Holy Spring and Autumn Nation was going to be Young Master Chen’s daughter’s maid!

Could this really be true?

“Thank you, Young Master Chen, for giving me the opportunity to look after Die’er!” Donggong Qianxue hurriedly cupped her hands in respect, her face radiant with joy. To be able to stay with Young Master Chen, a sage among men, was truly a stroke of great fortune.

As for being a maid, she cared not at all.

Seeing Donggong Qianxue’s delighted expression, Chen Changsheng was slightly taken aback. This official’s privileged daughter actually seemed quite happy to be Die’er’s maid.

Not bad, well brought up—not like those entitled children of officials in his previous life, always putting on airs.

“All right, Little Princess, Elder Hua, you might as well stay here for now. With such major events having taken place at the Southern Domain prefecture lord’s mansion, you need to sort things out and decide what to do next.”

He continued, “As for Miss Nalan and Miss Mu, you are welcome to leave or stay, as you wish.”

“Of course we’d be delighted to stay with Young Master Chen!” they exclaimed in joy.

After all the good fortune they’d found here, only a fool would want to leave!

…

Holy Spring and Autumn Nation.

The Imperial Court.

The Sacred Emperor Donggong Fu had finally finished healing. As soon as his secluded cultivation ended, he immediately frowned. “The Southern Domain Prince still hasn’t returned the Heavenly Execution Sword Formation—what is the meaning of this?”

He sensed at once that the entire nation’s destiny had subtly shifted.

Even the fate of the nation was changing; it meant the national treasure had already left the imperial court for some time.

“Your Majesty, a great event has occurred in the Southern Domain. This humble minister did not dare disturb you during your convalescence and so has not reported it until now.”

An elderly man in official robes hurried to the grand hall, bowing in fear and respect before Donggong Fu.

“Minister Jiang, what exactly happened in the Southern Domain? Speak.”

When Bing Changtian borrowed the Heavenly Execution Sword Formation, he had yet to return it, and now the nation’s fate was shifting. Donggong Fu was greatly displeased.

“Your Majesty, the celebration held by the Southern Domain Prince was in fact a deadly trap,” the old minister straightened his robes and said. “Using the Sword Formation, the Prince not only killed the Little Princess but also slaughtered all the representatives of the major Southern Domain powers.”

“What did you say?” Donggong Fu’s body shook violently. “Does this mean the power structure of the Southern Domain has undergone a dramatic change? Why would the Southern Domain Prince orchestrate such a massacre?

That scoundrel dared to deceive even me—such brazen audacity!”

His chest heaved with fury, clearly enraged to the extreme.

Rage also flickered across the old minister’s face as he respectfully answered, “Your Majesty, the Prince’s intent is clear: to weaken the strength of the other major powers so that the prefecture can stand alone and he alone can dominate the Southern Domain!”

“The Southern Domain Prince seeks sole dominion?”

Donggong Fu was stunned by this, then a sudden realization struck him. “No, his ambition is not limited to the Southern Domain. He aims to rule the entire Holy Spring and Autumn Nation and usurp my throne.

I know the power of the Sword Formation—now that he holds it, I am no match for him.

If I am not mistaken, it won’t be long before he storms the imperial court with the Sword Formation.”

“Ah!” Minister Jiang trembled, his face turning ashen. “Then, Your Majesty, what should we do?”

Though he did not know the full power of the Sword Formation, as the nation’s treasure, its might could only be imagined.

Donggong Fu’s face shifted through many expressions before he finally gritted his teeth. “It’s all my fault for being too careless—how could I have lent the national treasure to that wretch from the Southern Domain? I’ve brought disaster upon myself.”

“Your Majesty, the Southern Domain Prince has always acted like a loyal dog in your presence and indeed made great contributions to the nation’s cause,” Minister Jiang said, shaking his head. “Such a man would fool anyone’s guard for a time.

Besides, no one else would dare lay claim to the Sword Formation.”

Donggong Fu fell silent.

He knew well that the reason he had lent the Sword Formation to Bing Changtian in the first place was because Bing had mentioned a certain man—Young Master Chen.

Back then, in the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains, when the Demon Emperor’s tomb erupted, the Little Princess of the Southern Domain had sealed the resurrected Demon Emperor with nothing but a painting by Young Master Chen. It was too terrifying.

He could not help but feel wary.

He had lent the Sword Formation to Bing Changtian in hopes that he would use it to kill Young Master Chen and eliminate future trouble.

And now…