Chapter 109: We’re Here for Prince Lin Qi’an, Who Do You Think You Are?

    The literary gathering had yet to officially begin, but already, betrayal brewed between the sisters. Mo Shuiqiu’s chest heaved with anger, her emotions surging uncontrollably.

    “Move! What are you all standing around for?” Zhao Qingmeng snapped, her frustration mounting, as she cursed Lin Qi’an under her breath.

    As a Princess of Tai’an, renowned for her devastating beauty, she couldn’t believe that all she got from Lin Qi’an was a smack on the bottom, while other women received poetry and compliments.

    “How is this fair?” she fumed inwardly.

    Mo Shuiqiu, trying to maintain some composure, said, “But the Crown Prince mentioned he went back to fetch something. Shouldn’t we wait for him?”

    “Wait for what? Forget it!” Zhao Qingmeng retorted angrily. “Does he deserve for me to wait? Let’s go!”

    Lin Qi’an chuckled softly and followed behind Zhao Qingmeng, with the maids naturally trailing close by.

    Mo Shuiqiu exchanged a glance with Lu Miaoyin.

    “Hmph!” Mo Shuiqiu huffed in frustration and stormed off, while Lu Miaoyin hurried to explain, “I just thought that since the Prince praised us, it’s only polite to return the compliment.”

    “Sure, sure. You’re so dignified,” Mo Shuiqiu muttered.

    —

    Meanwhile, in his chambers, Zhao Ziyu lay back, feeling incredibly pleased with himself. The thought of Lin Qi’an foolishly waiting outside for him made him chuckle.

    Suddenly, one of his maids burst through the door.

    “Your Highness!”

    “They couldn’t wait any longer, could they?” Zhao Ziyu asked, grinning smugly.

    “No... they’ve already left,” the maid replied nervously.

    “What?!” Zhao Ziyu shot up from his bed, his face a mixture of disbelief and rage.

    He rushed outside, only to find the courtyard completely empty. His expression immediately turned as sour as if he had swallowed something foul.

    “Damn it... They dared to leave without me? How could they?”

    “Your Highness, it seems that it was Princess Zhao Qingmeng who insisted on leaving,” the maid whispered, her head bowed.

    “Zhao Qingmeng? So she’s siding with that Lin Qi’an now? Very well! As her elder brother, I’ll make sure to teach her a lesson when the time comes.”

    “Let’s go!” he barked, storming out.

    —

    At the Wenqu Waterfall in the back mountains of Yunmo Dao Palace, the surrounding mountains were blanketed in mist.

    The moon hung high in the sky, and the stars shimmered brilliantly. The grand waterfall, over a hundred feet tall, cascaded down like a river from the heavens, sending countless droplets into the air.

    This was the place where the Wenqu Emperor had proven his Dao!

    Around the waterfall, countless lotus lanterns were lit, creating an ethereal, dream-like atmosphere. Many first-time visitors couldn’t help but stop and admire the breathtaking view.

    By now, hundreds of people had already gathered—all participants in the literary event, talented men and women from various sects and factions.

    “Who is that? How dare they write such a poem?”

    “Apparently, he’s from Qinglian Immortal Island, but he’s just an ordinary man with no spiritual power.”

    “What are you laughing at? Did I say anything wrong?” Ji Bai raised his voice, his tone indignant.

    At this, Lin Qi’an’s maids, faces now frosty, fought the urge to strike Ji Bai down. Sadly, the rules of the literary gathering forbade any form of physical violence. All disputes had to be settled through literature.

    “Shall I have him removed, Your Highness?” Mo Shuiqiu whispered, ready to act.

    “There’s no need.” Lin Qi’an stepped forward and calmly asked, “Tell me, in what way have I abused my power? Did I force anyone to attend this gathering?”

    Upon hearing this, the crowd quickly responded.

    “Your Highness has done nothing but add a little incentive! No one was forced to come, so how is that abusing power?”

    “Exactly! Participation was voluntary!”

    “In fact, it’s thanks to His Highness that this event is so lively! Don’t accuse him unjustly!”

    “Right, previous years never had such a turnout!”

    Ji Bai quickly retorted, “More people attending only brings disorder. I wonder how many here slipped in through sheer luck, reducing the quality of this once-prestigious event. It’s truly a shame.”

    His words instantly triggered a wave of outrage.

    “Who do you think you are, calling us unworthy?”

    “If it weren’t for the rules, I’d slap that smug look off your face right now!”

    “Trash! You really think you’re someone important?”

    An overwhelming storm of insults rained down on Ji Bai, drowning him in hostility. His earlier confidence began to waver. He hadn’t expected such an honest remark to offend so many people.

    “Quiet, everyone,” Lin Qi’an interjected, silencing the angry crowd. “Since he believes I’m spoiling the event, fine. I retract my earlier words. Let it be known, everyone is here simply for the pleasure of literature and nothing more.”

    It was as though a boulder the size of a mountain had been dropped into the sea.

    “No, Your Highness, please don’t say that!”

    “We’re all here because of you, Your Highness!”

    “Please reconsider! Don’t let this fool anger you!”

    “Where is the Palace of Yunmo Dao? How can you allow this man to remain here when he disgusts us all?”

    “I heard he’s from Qinglian Immortal Island. Saintess Lu, would you care to say something?”

    “This idiot doesn’t know his place! Your Highness, please don’t lower yourself to his level!”

    The crowd was panicking. They had journeyed from all corners of the land, and the sole reason for their efforts was to win Lin Qi’an’s favor.

    They had burned the midnight oil, improving their knowledge and refining their skills, all in hopes of catching His Highness’s eye. And yet, this fool, Ji Bai, had dared to suggest that Lin Qi’an was abusing his power?

    The truth was obvious to everyone present. They weren’t being pressured by Lin Qi’an—they were the ones eager to take advantage of him, hoping to climb the social ladder through him.

    At long last, Lu Miaoyin spoke.

    “Get down.” Her voice was cold as ice.

    The Saintess of Qinglian, Lu Miaoyin, was angry.

    How could this be happening?!

    Ji Bai’s chest tightened, and his heart sank. Just moments ago, Lu Miaoyin had shared his disdain for Lin Qi’an. But now, why was she angry with him instead?