Chun Fei was a very stubborn person. Once she set her mind on something, she could investigate a matter for countless decades and not let go or give up halfway.

However, she was not a narrow-minded person.

She was very gratified that Xia Qiyu, the ninth prince, had such a big heart that was able to accommodate the world.

A big-hearted and honest person was usually better than a sinister person who shamelessly sought personal gain.

And thus.

Chun Fei explicitly rejected Xia Qiyu's request without any room for negotiation!

She had no choice.

If the Changmen Palace truly had a hidden grade-9 master, just like what the rumors outside said, perhaps she would have thought about it.

However, she knew the affairs of Changmen Palace well.

She didn't even know who exactly had killed Black and White Impermanence that night, so how could she agree to invite the master to come out of seclusion?

How could she be so shameless to do so?

When Xia Qiyu saw Chun Fei's determined attitude, he was smart and knew that no matter how he advised her, it could not possibly change the outcome. Thus, he was tactful and fell silent.

It was obvious that he had other thoughts in the depth of his gaze. However, he had hidden them.

After a brief moment.

The ninth prince asked seemingly nonchalantly, "Auntie, there are now a total of three people in Changmen Palace. Apart from you and Auntie Yun Su, there is only that eunuch, right? What is that eunuch called?"

Chun Fei looked at him and seemed to have guessed that there was some meaning behind his words. She responded, "His name is Lin Ping. Why?"

As expected, Xia Qiyu very quickly tried to ask, "Could it be that this Lin Ping is the hidden grade-9 master in Changmen Palace?"

Chun Fei laughed.

It seemed that not only was her nephew big-hearted, his thoughts were not simple either. How meticulous.

"Of course not."

Chun Fei shook her head.

Since Xia Qiyu was her sister's son, she felt a close relationship between them. Thus, she did not completely hide the truth and spoke a bit more. "I know what you are guessing. However, Lin Ping is not the grade-9 master that you speak of. In reality, there's no need for me to say this, but look at how young Lin Ping is. Are there any grade-9 masters in this world who are so young?"

When Xia Qiyu heard this, he furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

This was the truth.

Indeed, this eunuch seemed too young and was at most 30 years old. He did not seem like a grade-9 master at all.

Becoming a grade-9 master before the age of 30 was simply too terrifying!

However, if this was not the case, then what happened just now?

Why would his aunt be so respectful and cautious towards a eunuch?

Very quickly, Chun Fei said, "However, even though Lin Ping is not a grade-9 master, he is indeed a very impressive expert and a friend. Thus, you cannot be impolite towards him."

Xia Qiyu was aware of the situation.

It looked as if Lin Ping was not the mysterious grade-9 master hiding in Changmen Palace. However, at the very least, he was probably a grade-7 master. Otherwise, his aunt would not think so highly of him.

A sweeping eunuch at Changmen Palace was actually a grade-7 master?

If this news was spread, it would be hard to believe.

However, it was nothing much compared to the rumor that there was still a grade-9 master hiding in Changmen Palace.

After chatting for a while, the ninth prince took his sister and left.

After they left Changmen Palace, Xia Qiyu asked the thirteenth princess to return to her palace. Meanwhile, he changed directions and walked towards the Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor had been waiting for him for a long time there.

…

…

"How was it? Could you get the grade-9 master at Changmen Palace to come out of hiding?"

The Emperor was sitting at a high position in the Imperial Study Room. He did not even raise his head when he asked this question.

With an expression of regret on his face, Xia Qiyu said, "I was useless. I used up all my methods, but I was unable to invite the mysterious grade-9 master in Changmen Palace to help in resisting the barbarian envoys. In fact, I was not even able to inquire who exactly the mysterious master was. I only found out that the seemingly ordinary eunuch who sweeps the floor in Changmen Palace is also a combat expert. According to my predictions, he should have the cultivation base of a grade-7 master."

"That eunuch called Lin Ping?" the Emperor asked with some surprise.

The ninth prince nodded his head and said, "Yes, the eunuch called Lin Ping."

The Emperor was slightly shocked.

He remembered that Lin Ping was once Little Guizi's good friend. It was said that he was an ordinary eunuch.

He never thought that Lin Ping was actually a combat expert!

Very quickly, he set aside this matter and no longer talked about it. With their current circumstances, a grade-7 master was of no use.

After asking the ninth prince about some matters, the Emperor finally sighed. "It seems like Chun Fei is determined to oppose me!"

The ninth prince was silent and did not speak.

The emperor raised his head and cheerily asked, "Little Yu, Chun Fei is your mother's sister. I want to deal with her. Do you have nothing else to say?"

The ninth prince said without any hesitation, "Chun Fei brought it upon herself. No one else can be blamed for this."

The Emperor did not express his opinion and continued asking, "Then, do you not have any resentment towards me for your mother's death back then?"

This time, the ninth prince paused. Then, he raised his head and looked at his father before saying in a serious tone, "Even though I am my mother's son, I am also your son, Father. More importantly, I am also the ninth prince of the Grand Xia Dynasty!"

A smile finally appeared on the Emperor's face. Then, he said with satisfaction, "Not bad! No matter when and no matter what happens, you must remember that your surname is Xia, not Li! You are part of the Grand Xia imperial family. You must think about the dynasty, not your personal grievances!

"Even though you were unable to invite the mysterious grade-9 master in Changmen Palace, you were able to offer yourself for this assignment to investigate the situation there. I am very satisfied with this awareness. I am very happy, just like how you were able to earn military achievements on the northern battlefield!

"As a prince, you are destined to be different from ordinary people. The emotions and love that ordinary people experience are of no importance to us! After all, what we need to focus on is the entire world and all the common people!

"Little Yu, you must remember this. Compared to our vast territory, how significant are your personal grievances? You can only achieve great things if you are big-hearted enough to accommodate this world!"

The ninth prince's expression was solemn and respectful. He nodded and said, "I will abide by your teachings!"

The Emperor nodded his head and said, "Good, you may leave. Even though we were unable to invite the mysterious grade-9 master in Changmen Palace, you don't have to concern yourself much with the barbarian envoys. Dugu Xiong of the Bashan Sword Masters has already arrived in the capital and is willing to help with fending off the barbarian envoys. Furthermore, Invincible Iron Fist Shi Chengtian has also finally arrived.

"With two grade-9 masters on duty, especially Shi Chengtian, even if the barbarian envoys are bearing down menacingly on us, it is not much of a problem. In the near future, you should rest well and not worry too much. After some time, I will have something important for you to do."

"Yes!" The ninth prince nodded in agreement.

After a brief moment.

Father and son ended their conversation, and the ninth prince withdrew from the Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor looked at his son as he left and silently sighed in his heart. The ninth prince was most similar to him in terms of personality out of his many sons, and he had once intended to make the ninth prince the crown prince.

But it was a pity…

Ah, what a pity!

…

…

The ninth prince left the Imperial Study Room and looked up at the blue skies and white clouds above the imperial compound. Then, he narrowed his eyes as he thought, Auntie, please don't blame me. I have no choice now. If I have the opportunity to do so in the future, I will avenge you and my mother.

He was Xia Qiyu. Indeed, his surname was Xia, not Li. He was part of the Grand Xia imperial family.

However, the woman with the surname Li was the person who had treated him the best in the world.

Furthermore, as a member of the Grand Xia imperial family, would he ever find anyone who would treat him as well in this enormous imperial compound?

However, he first had to survive…