I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 174 Chen Zhian, you will be honored to be the first sheep he herds
The vermilion lacquer gate of the Duanque Palace glowed coral in the morning light. Nine gilded bronze bells on the eaves hummed softly in the wind, startling two green-feathered birds resting on the golden seal characters on the door plaque that read "Built by Imperial Order, the Duanque Palace."

At this time, the main gate of the palace with vermilion lacquer and copper nails had been opened, and various carriages were parked under the nine-level stone steps.

Several stewards stood under the porch holding gilded lists, welcoming the visitors at the door.

Chen Zhian had already been to Prince Duanque's mansion once, and one of the stewards had also seen Chen Zhian before.

When the old steward saw Chen Zhian and Lu Zhujun coming from afar, a smile appeared on his face and he quickly walked towards them.

"Mr. Chen." The steward saluted Chen Zhian.

Chen Zhian recognized this steward. The last time he came to Prince Duanque's residence because of the matter of the Lin family's father and daughter, it was this person who brought him to the prince's study.

“The prince has ordered that a noble person wants to see Mr. Chen today, so he will not be with the host.

General Lu and General Zheng will be led by someone to the main banquet to drink, and I would like to trouble Mr. Chen to go with me."

The man spoke quite politely.

Lu Zhujun nodded to Chen Zhian and followed another manager.

Chen Zhian followed the old man, turned around the screen wall with five blessings holding longevity, walked through the long private alley, and was greeted by a faint fragrance.

Outside the nine-curve corridor in the front yard, there are sweet osmanthus trees planted all over, and golden osmanthus flowers are dotted on the branches, which shine brightly with the ink characters on the Xiangfei bamboo curtain hanging under the corridor.

"This is the courtyard that the prince recently built for listening to the snow in winter. It is called Tingxuexuan."

The old steward walked in front, bowing his body. "There is wind and bamboo here, and there is also the mirror lake with running water. It must be very beautiful in winter... This is where the prince entertains guests."

Distinguished guest?

Who can be considered as the distinguished guest of Prince Duanque?
Chen Zhian thought so in his heart.

Prince Duanque has extraordinary cultivation. Although he considers himself to be an idle prince, he is actually a member of the royal family and has a very noble status in the royal bloodline.

Apart from the heads and clan leaders of the six surnames in Dayu and the leaders of the three mountains and two sects, there are probably not many people in the entire Xuantianjing who can be called a noble by Prince Duanque?

"Maybe one of the six surnamed family heads?"

Chen Zhian thought in his heart.

The last time he came, he only went to the calligraphy and painting room behind the ceremonial gate.

It was not until today, when he walked thoroughly into the Duanque Palace, that he realized how vast this mansion was.

“I’m afraid there are thousands of people living here.”

Chen Zhian sighed in his heart.

At this moment, the scene before him was already extremely luxurious and grand.

The railings of the Nine-Turn Bridge are decorated with lotus patterns, and there are even egrets flapping their wings in the reeds beside the bridge, startling the clouds reflected on the lake.

In some small pavilions, there were even girls playing the zither, plucking the strings, and the melodious sound of the zither spread throughout the Tingxue Pavilion.

The maple forest on the other side of Mirror Lake rustled, and more than a dozen red leaves were blown into Tingxue Pavilion by the wind, falling on the mirror-like surface of the lake, creating ripples.

When Chen Zhian saw this luxurious palace, he couldn't help but think of the Rongguo Mansion in his memory.

"This Tingxue Pavilion alone is probably even bigger than the Grand View Garden."

"The royal family is the largest family in the world... this is true."

Chen Zhian thought this in his mind until he stepped into an independent courtyard.

Not to mention the twelve sandalwood lattice windows in the courtyard, the dragon incense burning in the gilded enamel stove in the corner, and the nanmu plaque with the words "Ten Thousand Hus Facing the Sky" curling up from the beams...

Chen Zhian walked into the hall and saw a person wearing silver clothes, with long hair hanging behind his head, his hands behind his back, looking up at a painting on the wall.

The painting shows a dragon.

This dragon is painted in an extremely dangerous manner, with its five claws reaching up to grab the clouds in the sky, while the tip of its tail turns into a waterfall flowing into the blank space. The scales are drawn with a blunt brush dipped in thick ink, and the scales stand up like swords and halberds, as if the dragon's soul is struggling out of its skin.

"This painting is very well done, but... why does this dragon have no eyes?"

Chen Zhian was confused.

The dragon's eye sockets are empty, and between the two white areas, there are rolling clouds flowing out, making it look lifelike.

"Such a good painting is like branding a real dragon into the painting."

Chen Zhian sighed in his heart.

Just at this moment, the old steward who brought him to Tingxuexuan bowed respectfully.

"Seven Star Princess..."

Princess?

Chen Zhian was a little surprised, but he bowed as well.

And the man in silver clothes also turned around slowly.

"Are you Chen Zhian?" the man asked, his voice calm but full of heroism: "No need to be polite, just raise your head."

Chen Zhian stood up and looked up.

He saw a woman with a scar between her eyebrows, a heroic look between her brows, and a nose as straight and hard as the back of a bronze sword, staring at him.

This Seven Star Princess was dressed in men's clothes and had been injured on her right eyebrow for some unknown reason, leaving a hideous scar.

Logically, there should be countless alchemists in Xuantian Palace, and there should be countless people with profound medical skills in the Imperial Hospital.

The Seven Star Princess was injured and even left with a scar, which was really unbelievable to Chen Zhian.

But no matter what, this Seven-Star Princess is indeed different from Princess Shangqiu and Princess Linglong.

There is not a trace of gentleness in her, instead she is like a man with strong blood.

She put her hands behind her back and looked at Chen Zhian as if she was examining a famous sword.

"You killed Lu Shengxuan, and even defeated Lu Haihui in a fight of the same level?"

Princess Qixing spoke in a stiff tone: "The reason why I came to Uncle Wang's house today is to take a look at you on behalf of my fourth brother."

Chen Zhian was confused.

Fourth brother... the Prince of Dayu who was number twenty-one on the Tiger Cub Monument, did not seem to come to the banquet at the Duanque Palace.

The identity of the Seven Star Princess is about to be revealed.

"She is a genius of the royal family, the seventh princess who is number twenty-five on the Tiger Cub Monument."

Chen Zhian's thoughts were racing in his mind, but his expression remained unchanged.

He had been in Xuantianjing for almost five months and met many royal figures.

But like Princess Linglong and Princess Shangqiu, they don't seem to be interested in spiritual practice, but prefer music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

On the contrary, the true genius of the royal family has never shown up. I don’t know if he is busy with practice or he is deliberately not showing up.

Until today, in this Tingxuexuan.

Chen Zhian finally met a princess from the younger generation of the royal family who had extremely high cultivation levels.

She stood in front of the painting with her hands behind her back.

The real dragon in the painting is lifelike and looks unpredictable.

The same was true for the Seven Star Princess. Her aura was like an abyss, bottomless. It seemed as if there were extremely ferocious beasts hiding in the abyss, ready to eat anyone they could.

"Do you know why I came to see you?" The scar on Princess Qixing's eyebrow moved slightly, and she said, "My fourth brother is not in Xuantianjing. He knows that you are alone and weak in Xuantianjing. Prime Minister Song is very old and holds a high position. He can't help you with many trivial matters.

But I am different from my fourth brother... In this Xuantian Capital, I can still be considered to have some dignity."

Chen Zhi listened quietly.

The Seven Star Princess turned around, paced back and forth, and looked at the painting: "If you really want to hold the seal, it will be extremely difficult with your current background.

Even if the Emperor and Prime Minister Song favor you and let you hold the seal by chance, you will naturally have the help of the court in forming a team after holding the seal. However, after that, you will still need a lot of expenses and a lot of resources for practice. You cannot always turn to the court for help.

When the time comes, my fourth brother and I will take care of it for you, so you don’t have to worry.”

Chen Zhian looked at Princess Qixing's back, still wondering about the intentions of these two young geniuses from the royal family.

In fact, there is no need to speculate too much.

“The Fourth Prince and the Seven-Star Princess cannot hold the seal directly, and those people from the noble families may not be under their control.

So you set your sights on me?"

Chen Zhian understood in his heart.

How could an ordinary prince have the courage to interfere in this matter?
“It is rumored that Emperor Zhaofu has questioned the Crown Prince several times… and even considered deposing him.

This fourth prince is so high-profile, could it be that he is thinking of seizing the throne?"

Chen Zhian remained silent.

The Seven Star Princess frowned and suddenly asked, "Do you know the character and ambition of my fourth brother?"

Chen Zhian finally responded, and said respectfully: "Reporting to the princess, Chen Zhian has just arrived in Xuan Tianjing and has been busy studying poetry and painting, and practicing. Although I have heard of the ranking of the Fourth Prince on the Young Tiger Monument, I don't know what the Fourth Prince's ambitions are."

Princess Qixing's gaze fell on Chen Zhian, her pupils were so dark that they seemed to be able to absorb all the candlelight.

She raised her head slightly and said, "The strength of our Great Yu nation is declining day by day, and among the younger generation, there are few who can rival the world's geniuses.

Not to mention Daqian, even in the old Three Kingdoms of Dali, Daxi, there are still many peerless figures.

On the Young Tiger Monument, these characters firmly suppress Dayu. Did you know that there was once a ranger who traveled all over the world and ranked third on the Young Tiger Monument who came to Dayu and called me Dayu a [sick tiger] and the young people of Dayu a [carp]! "

"A carp cannot cross the Dragon Gate. After all, it is just a mortal creature. It is extremely difficult to transform into a real dragon or a celestial dragon, or even a dragon.

Now, although the Fourth Prince is not the most powerful person under the age of 30 in Dayu, he is the one with the greatest talent and the most extraordinary understanding.

If you give my fourth brother and I a few more years, our rankings on the Tiger Cub Monument will surely move up.

The magical powers of the Taoists must be more noble... and the young people from the aristocratic families have been comfortable for too long. Except for Li Guiwan, Yan Hemian, Xie Beitu, Wang Long, and Pei Nanshu, there are few other capable people.

This is a mixed blessing for Dayu...So the fourth brother should be a whip-wielding shepherd, driving the heroes of Dayu to look at the world and make progress bravely. "

"And Chen Zhian... you will have the honor of becoming the first sheep he herds, and from then on become the leader among the young people in Dayu!"

Princess Qixing stopped here.

As he waved his sleeves, three more things appeared in the void.

These three things are suspended in mid-air, emitting a surging aura and look extremely precious.

A sword, a piece of armor, and a heavenly pill.

Chen Zhian knew the regularity of these three treasures without even touching them.

"A twenty thousand forged sword, a first-grade spiritual treasure armor, and a fifth-grade heavenly pill!"

Princess Qixing raised her head and said, "Your cultivation is still too weak. These things are enough for you to use for a while. When you reach the innate perfection, I will come to see you again."

Having said this, she turned around and looked at the painting without even waiting for Chen Zhian to speak.

It was as if he was saying to Chen Zhian... just take your things and leave, don't disturb me from looking at the paintings.

Chen Zhian looked at the three treasures floating in the air, and he truly marveled at how precious these three treasures were.

Especially the fifth-grade heavenly elixir and the first-grade spiritual treasure-level armor, which had a mysterious aura and bursts of precious energy.

only……

"If the Fourth Prince wanted to recruit me, why would he send this arrogant-looking Seven Star Princess?"

Princess Qixing was full of pride in her words and expression.

Chen Zhian didn't believe that the person who could be inscribed on the Young Tiger Monument didn't even understand the principle of respecting the wise and humble.

But he didn't want to speculate too much. The forces in the capital were complicated and there might be power struggles within the royal family. It was not wise to take sides so early.

He shook his head slightly, clasped his fists and saluted, saying: "Chen Zhian thanks the two princes for their appreciation.

Nowadays, there are many talented people in Xuantianjing, including some of the six great surnames of Dayu. Chen Zhian’s cultivation is weak, so I’m afraid there is no sign of success in holding the seal.”

Chen Zhian politely declined.

Princess Qixing said without even turning her head, "Just take it if I give it to you. Are you afraid that the Crown Prince will question you? Even if he does, you don't have to be afraid. I will protect you."

As the princess spoke, her eyes were always on the painting on the wall, on the eye sockets of the real dragon in the painting where the eyeballs were missing.

"You are indeed gifted, but in the path of cultivation, talent is secondary. You still need to seize fleeting opportunities to go further."

Chen Zhian didn't know what was so beautiful about this painting that could make Princess Qixing so obsessed with it.

He casually looked at the empty eye sockets of the real dragon and was about to answer Princess Qixing's words.

But the clouds in the painting were floating, and there were waves of breath flowing from the eye sockets. The movement of that breath was like the beating of true essence. Countless scales had distinct light and shadow, and the brighter ones seemed like the acupuncture points connecting the human body to the Yuanguan...

Chen Zhian was suddenly surprised. The Purple Purity Mysterious Micro-Chanzhen in his body began to circulate. He even asked rudely, "This painting... is from the Daoxuan Sect?"

Princess Qixing finally frowned and turned to look at Chen Zhian.

Then, her expression changed slightly.

Even though Chen Zhian practiced the Changri Anyin Sutra, the fact that he openly practiced the Ziqing Xuanwei Chanzhen, which was the same as that of the Xuan Sect's, at such a close distance still made Princess Qixing notice that something was wrong with Chen Zhian.

She frowned, nodded and said, “This painting was painted by the contemporary [Dao Xuanzi] and presented to Prince Duanque.

The prince once hung this painting high in front of the palace gate for young people from all over the world to see.

If someone can add eyes to the real dragon in this painting, he will promise to give him this painting...

Princess Chil-Shin began to explain.

But Chen Zhian seemed not to have heard her words.

Chen Zhian was standing there, carefully watching the clouds in the painting, watching the real dragon's scales, five claws, dragon whiskers, dragon horns...

Everything seems mysterious, and everything seems to have a reason.

Until the clouds fell into the empty eye sockets and stopped abruptly.

Chen Zhian frowned, and a wisp of spiritual energy fell into Baiyujing and Kaiyangque.

The purple air and yellow air in the Kaiyang Palace swept over and fell into his spiritual aura.

Chen Zhian's eyes suddenly shone with light and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Ziqing Xuanwei Chanzhen is actually one of the entry-level skills of this [Xuanwei Longbian Sutra]!"

The scar on Princess Qixing's brow moved slightly, and her eyes shone brightly: "Chen Zhian, have you seen through this painting?"

ps: There are two more chapters today.

(End of this chapter)