The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Engaged to Yun Yan Tian?"

Hearing the report from her maid, the Empress of the Eastern Palace furrowed her brows deeply, her expression darkening.

"Yes, Your Grace. The family has confirmed this in secret," the maid replied respectfully.

"And who is this Yun Yan Tian?"

"Your Grace, he is a spiritual root descendant of the Yun Cang Yun Clan, said to possess notable cultivation talent.

Currently, his cultivation has reached the peak of the seventh level of the Embryo Breath stage, rivaling or surpassing many spiritual root descendants of the Three Great Families and Seven Clans," the maid explained.

"The Yun Cang Yun Clan? I've heard of them," the Empress mused.

"Indeed, Your Grace. The Yun Cang Yun Clan is a small cultivation family based in Yunzhang County. Their rapid growth over the past seven years has been remarkable.

They've even established a cultivation marketplace in Yunzhang County, which has attracted numerous rogue cultivators.

Additionally, several other cultivation families across Yue Kingdom have rented shops in their marketplace," the maid elaborated.

"Hmph! Compared to the Yulin Wang Clan, the Yun Cang Yun Clan is still far inferior. And Yun Yan Tian is no match for Wang Li Yuan.

What could His Majesty be thinking, arranging for Xue'er to marry a spiritual root descendant of the Yun Cang Yun Clan?"

The Empress scoffed, the chill in her eyes deepening.

"The family suspects that His Majesty intends to use the Seventh Princess's marriage to secretly support the Yun Cang Yun Clan.

Once Xue'er marries into their family, His Majesty would have ample reason to help the Yun Cang Yun Clan rise," the maid continued.

"Marry my daughter to bolster their family? Not a chance!" the Empress said coldly.

The Three Great Families and Seven Clans were already enough of a burden in Yue Kingdom. She had no desire to see another cultivation family rise and potentially challenge her own Summer Clan in the future.

"What are the patriarch's plans?"

"The patriarch has arranged for Young Master Changqing to eliminate Yun Yan Tian during the trials of the Hundred Clans Assembly.

Once Yun Yan Tian is dead, the Seventh Princess will no longer be bound by the engagement, and she won't have to marry into the Yun Cang Yun Clan.

This would also thwart His Majesty's plans to aid the Yun Cang Yun Clan's rise.

In such a scenario, His Majesty would have no grounds to object," the maid reported.

"The patriarch's plan is well thought out," the Empress nodded in agreement.

She understood why the family had chosen to act during the trials rather than through covert means.

If Yun Yan Tian were assassinated outside the assembly, His Majesty might investigate the matter.

After all, Yun Yan Tian was engaged to her daughter. If their actions were exposed, it would not only further estrange her from the Emperor but also damage the Summer Clan's standing, giving the other factions within the palace an opportunity to exploit the situation.

However, if Yun Yan Tian perished during the assembly trials, it would simply be attributed to the dangers of the competition.

It was common knowledge that the Hundred Clans Assembly was fraught with peril. Each year, the event claimed the lives of several young cultivators.

While the assembly was ostensibly meant to provide opportunities for spiritual root descendants to improve their skills and understanding, many knew it was also a means for the court to quietly weaken the younger generations of the major families and deplete their resources.

"Has the Wang Clan been informed?"

"The patriarch has already sent word to the Wang Clan. However..."

"However, what?"

"The Wang Clan seems reluctant to take action against Yun Yan Tian during the assembly," the maid admitted hesitantly.

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Your servant does not know," the maid said, lowering her gaze.

"Hmph! Useless fools! The Yun Cang Yun Clan has the audacity to take their daughter-in-law, and they do nothing?"

The Empress had assumed that upon learning of the engagement, the Wang Clan's patriarch and Wang Li Yuan would be enraged and eager to join forces with the Summer Clan to eliminate Yun Yan Tian during the trials.

To her dismay, the Wang Clan appeared disinterested in pursuing the matter.

"Your servant also finds the Wang Clan's behavior puzzling," the maid added.

"Forget it! If the Wang Clan won't act, the Summer Clan will.

As for whether Xue'er will marry into their family afterward—that will depend on my mood.

A family as spineless as theirs doesn't deserve my daughter," the Empress declared, her tone dripping with disdain.

The Wang Clan's inaction only added to her frustration.

Had it not been for the patriarch's intention to strengthen ties with the Wang Clan and solidify relations between the two families, the Empress of the Eastern Palace might not have considered this match for her daughter at all.

Yulin County, Wang Clan Ancestral Grounds.

"Engaged to Yun Yan Tian?"

Hearing the patriarch's words, Wang Li Yuan frowned deeply.

"Yes. Our clever Emperor quietly left the palace in disguise, accompanied by Immortal Master Li and the Seventh Princess.

He visited the Yun Cang Yun Clan recently and secretly arranged the engagement between the Seventh Princess and Yun Yan Tian.

And our Wang Clan received no word of this!" Wang Qing Shan's face was ashen, a mix of anger and begrudging admiration for Bai Li Xi's cunning.

Then again, it made sense. A ruler who had navigated endless schemes and treachery within the palace could easily outmaneuver those below him.

"Patriarch, what about the marriage between myself and the Seventh Princess?" Wang Li Yuan asked hesitantly.

"It's off."

"I understand," Wang Li Yuan replied, managing a bitter smile.

He was well aware of Yun Yan Tian's status as the disciple of a powerful master. With the engagement sealed, the Wang Clan could not afford to involve itself in such a volatile matter.

"Patriarch, His Majesty's decision to betroth the Seventh Princess to Yun Yan Tian likely stems from his awareness of the powerful figure behind the Yun Cang Yun Clan.

It seems His Majesty plans to covertly support the Yun Cang Yun Clan after the marriage.

Given their rapid growth, if they receive the court's backing, they'll soar to unimaginable heights.

Do you have any strategy to counter this?" Wang Zhong Tian asked, his tone heavy with frustration and resentment.

The idea that a daughter-in-law meant for his family was now bound to the Yun Cang Yun Clan filled him with indignation.

Yet the thought of the formidable master behind that family left him feeling powerless.

"Our Wang Clan cannot afford to act against Yun Yan Tian. For this reason, I rejected the Summer Clan patriarch's proposal to have Li Yuan and Xia Changqing eliminate Yun Yan Tian during the trials of the Hundred Clans Assembly," Wang Qing Shan said calmly.

"The Summer Clan wants to kill Yun Yan Tian?"

"Indeed."

"Then so be it. Let them take the risk.

If the Summer Clan dares provoke the master behind the Yun Cang Yun Clan, we can sit back and watch the fallout," Wang Zhong Tian said with a cold smile.

"Precisely. If the Summer Clan foolishly angers that master, their fate will either be severe damage to their strength or complete annihilation.

Let one family fall while another rises. The power dynamics of the Three Great Families and Seven Clans in Yue Kingdom will remain largely unchanged," Wang Qing Shan said with a faint smirk.

"Furthermore, allowing the Summer Clan to take action might slow the Yun Cang Yun Clan's rapid ascent, which benefits us either way.

At most, we lose the chance to marry into the royal family and become imperial in-laws," he added with a dry chuckle.

The patriarch had made up his mind the moment he received the Summer Clan's proposal.

"It's a pity for Li Yuan, though, to endure this humiliation," Wang Qing Shan said with a sigh, looking down at Wang Li Yuan.

"Patriarch, it's of no concern. I will manage," Wang Li Yuan said respectfully.

"In time, I will arrange another match for you—one far better than the Seventh Princess," Wang Qing Shan promised.

"Thank you, Patriarch."

"Enough. You may leave. The Hundred Clans Assembly is fast approaching, and spiritual root descendants and cultivators from all over will be attending.

I hear the patriarchs of the Canglan Ye Clan, Wangyue Lin Clan, and Chuanyin Lu Clan have also been invited."

"Patriarch, will you also attend?"

"The Emperor sent an invitation. Not attending isn't an option."

"Attending the assembly will allow me to observe His Majesty and gauge his health.

If his lifespan is nearing its end and he is close to ascending... hmph! Our Wang Clan will have a golden opportunity!"

"But what if the Emperor invited you with ill intentions?"

"No matter. I'll be prepared. Besides, the patriarchs of the Three Great Families will be present as well.

Even if the Emperor is Yue Kingdom's most powerful cultivator, he can't possibly face four Foundation Establishment cultivators at once."

"Since you've already considered every angle, I have nothing more to say," Wang Li Yuan replied.

"Patriarch, I will take my leave."

"Patriarch, I shall also withdraw," Wang Zhong Tian said, bowing.

The two figures exited, leaving Wang Qing Shan alone, deep in thought.