“You should know, your Imperial Brothers had a hand in sending people to hunt you.” Chen Ye glanced at the silent Ji Qianfan beside him, lightly tapping the table, his tone calm.

Ji Qianfan’s bright eyes flickered uncertainly. She nodded, then shook her head, “Master, I know it’s my Imperial Brothers, but there are eight of them, I don’t know which one is behind this.”

Since her birth, the first eight Imperial Brothers had all been decent to her, each with a different personality. She hadn’t interacted with many of them, as most of her time was spent cultivating diligently.

Who had harmed her? She could never guess.

The palace was complex. She did not compete for the throne, nor involve herself in struggles for power. Her mother, the Mother Consort Ling, also kept to herself and did not intervene in conflicts among other consorts.

Everything she suffered was sheer misfortune.

This was the thing she could never understand: why would an Imperial Brother want to harm her?

“Your talent has brought you a lot of trouble as well.”

“I only have a Blue Spirit Sea… what kind of talent is that?”

Ji Qianfan pouted. Compared to geniuses like Li Yanhan or Yu Qingxuan with Purple Spirit Seas, she was nothing.

Although Blue Spirit Sea geniuses were rare even in the Human Emperor World.

Not all sects produced Purple Spirit Seas; Blue Spirit Seas existed as well. Talent was only one aspect, while effort was also crucial.

Seeing her like this, Chen Ye shook his head, “Blue Spirit Sea may not be much, but you work hard and you are favored by your Father Emperor. That alone is enough.”

“But I don’t participate in power struggles. I have no interest in the throne. My Mother Consort is indifferent and never competes with other consorts.”

Ji Qianfan sighed, her tone full of bitterness and helplessness.

“Do you think the calmer you are, the less others will worry about you?” Chen Ye asked.

Tilting her head, Ji Qianfan didn’t understand, “Isn’t that so?”

“The less you compete, the more your Father Emperor naturally favors you and trusts you. And with talent and progressing strength, in this world, power stems from ability. Without strength, what power do you have? The strongest in ability naturally has a higher chance of succession, even if uninterested in politics.”

Chen Ye paused, then continued, “With strength, your position is secure. With advisors, it’s naturally no problem.”

Ji Qianfan was silent. Her Master’s meaning was clear.

Even if she did not compete, she had the opportunity to inherit the throne. Her Imperial Brothers, seeing her disinterest, her extraordinary talent and her Father Emperor’s favor, would naturally feel jealousy…

But who was behind the harm was still unknown.

People are complex; you might guess one step correctly, but not every step.

True intentions cannot be judged at a glance.

Sometimes having too many brothers is not a good thing… especially being born into royalty.

Growing more irritated, Ji Qianfan placed her teacup on the table, crossed her arms and snorted coldly, “If I catch the one who framed me, I’ll kill him!”

Chen Ye watched with quiet pleasure, sipping his tea, a hint of a smile on his lips.

‘Yes, that’s it—just a hint of the future Woman Emperor’s temperament.’

“White Jade Capital!”

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out. Chen Ye and Ji Qianfan looked up to see the Third Imperial Brother step forward, eyes fixed on the Black-Clad Assassins of White Jade Capital.

His expression cold, killing intent intense, no attempt to conceal it. Spiritual energy rippled around him, as if he would strike the next moment.

The inn fell silent, everyone watching this sudden scene.

Most eyes carried gleeful malice.

If the two sides fought, they’d likely be expelled from Human Emperor City and barred from the upcoming Human Emperor Tomb, removing two major competitors.

The assassins of White Jade Capital drew their long swords instantly, the cold blades gleaming, the icy light seeming to drop the inn’s temperature.

The intense murderous aura carried a sharp metallic scent of blood, all eyes focusing on the man in the golden robe, killing intent unmasked.

The Third Imperial Brother’s Black-Clad Knights were unafraid. Stepping forward, armor clinking, their faces grim, eyes locked on the assassins.

Battle-hardened aura exuded from them, invisible yet threatening, neither side yielding!

“Tsk tsk tsk…”

Some gasped, enjoying the spectacle.

Major forces allied with the Xuanyuan Imperial Court did not intervene, waiting for the real conflict. Others simply watched.

White Jade Capital’s influence spread across the Human Emperor World. Xuanyuan Imperial Court’s territory was less than a third of the world, yet filled with experts and scouts.

The two sides’ power was difficult to compare. The conflicting energy surged violently, the weaker feeling goosebumps.

“No idea what the Third Imperial Prince wants? Shouting the moment you arrive. We of White Jade Capital really don’t know what offense we committed.” The black brocade man snapped open his iron fan, his mask revealing a deliberately coquettish, soft voice.

Clearly, he wanted to annoy his opponent.

“What did you White Jade Capital do? Sending people to hunt my Imperial Sister, now she is missing—that’s on you! And you dare ask what I did?”

The Third Imperial Prince’s face dark, voice icy like a thousand-year frost, wishing to kill them all.

The black brocade man remained calm, smiling, “We White Jade Capital are an assassin organization, not the ones seeking trouble with your princess. We take money to handle problems for others. You, Third Imperial Prince, understand the rules, right?”

He glanced at the Third Imperial Prince with fox-like eyes, half-smiling, “You don’t pursue the real mastermind, yet come after us doing someone’s work. How unfair to us.”

“Master… Third Imperial Brother shouldn’t be a suspect, right?” Ji Qianfan frowned, asking Chen Ye softly.

Chen Ye smiled, “What do you think?”

Seeing her Master’s teasing smile, Ji Qianfan frowned further, her brain overwhelmed.

The more she thought, the angrier she became.

“What are you all doing!?”

Suddenly, a figure descended from the second floor, shouting at the standoff.