Ningxiang Palace, Central City, Central Plains

Ningxiang Palace stood as a testament to the grandeur of the Central Plains. Its architecture, a blend of ancient and intricate designs, showcased the essence of the artistry. The palace was adorned with golden dragon motifs and red lacquered wood, symbolizing power and prosperity. Tall, elegantly carved columns supported the expansive roof, which was covered in glazed tiles that glistened in the sunlight. The grand entrance, flanked by stone lions, led to a vast courtyard filled with meticulously maintained gardens, koi ponds, and cherry blossom trees that added a touch of serenity to the regal atmosphere. Inside, the halls were adorned with silk tapestries depicting historical battles and mythological scenes, while lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors.

As the court settled, all the ministers and important figures took their seats. A man in his mid-50s walked up to the throne, wearing an imperial silk robe of purple silk. His black hair shimmered with vitality, and his face held a solemn expression as he seated himself. This was Emperor Zhou Yongil, the sovereign of the Central Plains, whose presence commanded respect and reverence from all who were present. The hall fell silent, awaiting his words with bated breath.

Emperor Yongli looked to his right at the right minister’s faction, where his firstborn son, Zhou Wan, was seated. Zhou Wan had the same characteristic dark black hair reaching to his shoulders, and he wore a martial arts uniform. He was seated right next to Right Minister Qin Gang, who had been a staunch supporter of Zhou Wei’s claim to the throne. Emperor Yongli then looked to his left towards the left minister faction, only to see his second-born son, Zhou Liang, seated right in front alongside Left Minister Han Choi. Zhou Liang had a more scholarly appearance, with neatly tied hair and wearing an elegant silk robe, reflecting his interest in governance and diplomacy.

This sight made Emperor Yongli furious. Under his breath, he seethed at the fact that despite his being alive and well, the court had already started taking sides in their choice of successor. The factions’ blatant support for his sons’ rival claims to the throne was a clear affront to his authority. He looked at his wife, Empress Zhou Ming, seated right next to him. She had an ethereal beauty, with her elegantly styled hair adorned with jade hairpins, and her serene yet disappointed expression mirrored his own. Her presence, always composed and dignified, seemed to underscore the discord and ambition that now tainted the court.

In a very monotonous voice, Emperor Yongli said, “Let’s begin the court proceedings. Bring up the first issue, Right Minister.” No sooner had Emperor Yongli finished his sentence than Qin Gang spoke, “As per your instructions, today’s first proceeding is about the request for expansion by the Mount Hua Sect. They have requested to expand into the northern lands to cultivate and establish a just order.”

This issue was the reason Emperor Yongli had called the court to session so early in the morning. The Mount Hua Sect was one of the few sects that knew the exact location of Blood Valley City, the stronghold of the demonic sect in the northern mountains. It had always been forbidden for Mount Hua Sect to expand into these northern mountains to prevent them from potentially allying with the demonic sect and starting a rebellion. However, in the past few years, Mount Hua Sect had gradually grown its power by buying up all the blacksmiths and iron workshops in the Central Plains. This strategic move had given them a near-monopoly on iron production in the region, making it almost impossible for the imperial family to now decline their request.

Emperor Yongli understood the gravity of the situation. Denying the Mount Hua Sect could lead to significant disruptions in iron supply, which was crucial for both the military and the economy. Allowing them to expand, however, posed a significant risk of them forming alliances with the demonic sect, a threat that could destabilize the entire region. This dilemma weighed heavily on him as he prepared to address the court.“Mount Hua is one of the pillars of our great empire. I will not deny them their right to bring peace and order to the northern region. However, I propose that we grant them this reward after the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament concludes. We wouldn't want the demonic sect attacking our guests visiting for the tournament , would we?” Emperor Yongli offered this as a strategic excuse to delay the sect's expansion for the time being.

At the same time, Jinwei Mansion, Blazing Dawn Sect

Once class finished, Senior Edina went straight to her room. After dinner, she began writing a letter to Junior Edina, detailing the escape route and highlighting everything she needed to be cautious about during the banquet in four days. She included words of encouragement to boost Junior Edina's confidence. After finishing, she muttered to herself, “Hopefully I didn’t overestimate you, Junior Edina.” With some stress, she lay down on the bed.

She couldn’t sleep at all. Through the broken window, she saw the moon at its highest point in the sky, indicating it was midnight. Edina suddenly wondered, 'What would happen if I don’t sleep? Will I get to stay for Wednesday?' Just as that thought occurred to her, with a single blink, her demeanor changed, becoming a bit meek and shy. Junior Edina took over in a second.

Junior Edina looked around, confused. It was still night. With a bit of thought, she understood that Senior Edina must have stayed up late. This answered Junior Edina's question: sleep was not the trigger for the switch; it happened automatically at midnight on Tuesday. Junior Edina felt her body exhausted from whatever Senior Edina had been doing throughout the day and staying awake until midnight, so she just went to bed.

Early in the morning, Junior Edina read the letter from Senior Edina. It detailed the actions she needed to take during the banquet and included more lines to memorize. On the last page, Senior Edina wrote about the secret passage through the Shun Mansion’s Library. It was protected by a strong Qi aura that could only be unlocked by performing a particular martial arts technique with the right frequency of Qi flow. However, this was irrelevant for Junior Edina because, according to Senior Edina, due to Edina’s Isolation Body Constitution, the Qi protecting the wall would be insulated by her body, allowing her to easily pass through it.

Senior Edina very strictly instructed that Junior Edina should use this passage only if the banquet didn’t go as planned and Aunt Li Mei came for her. Surviving in the town and escaping the province would be very difficult, and she would most likely die, so she must do everything in her power to convince her grandfather to give her control of Jinwei Mansion’s finances. Then There was an extra letter that said, "Only open when you are granted control over Jinwei Mansion’s finances," written in Leonese.