The age of the Supreme Emperor and Supreme Empress had indeed advanced. After the festivities, they chose not to stay in the bustling Crown Prince’s Palace.
With a retinue of maids and eunuchs, the two gradually returned to their bedchamber.
Of course, they were accompanied by several young nobles in noble robes and elegantly dressed young maidens.
These young men and women were born from Zhang Yi and Qi Ruolan over the past two or three decades.
Thanks to the nourishment of spirit medicines and immortal elixirs, the couple remained healthy, hearty, and found themselves gravitating in this direction. These were still the children of Zhang Yi and Madam Zhang Qi.
Zhang Yi had even more princes born from other concubines and beauties.
Meanwhile, Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi, along with other distant Qi Family relatives, upon witnessing this scene, also smiled and stepped out of the hall, leaving it to the younger generation who loved a lively atmosphere.
Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi had both surpassed sixty, even reaching their seventies.
Although the Qi Family was a military family, neither of them was particularly known for martial arts cultivation. If Zhang Jian hadn’t frequently bestowed nourishing spirit medicines, they might not have withstood the ravages of time and been plagued by illnesses.
Besides, Princess Qingfeng and Madam Qi Wan appeared even more youthful.
The two exuded regal grace, chatting and laughing with a group of female attendants and elder women in attendance.
Then there were several young women.
These young women were mostly granddaughters of the Qi Family.
Most of them had charming features, and some were as outstanding in appearance as the five daughters of the Qi Family back in the day.
In the distance, Yu Hua noticed this scene. Standing with Zhang Jian, her eyes reflected a faint smile. However, seeing the staggering steps of Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi, there was still a hint of time’s passage in the depths of Yu Hua’s eyes.
She couldn’t help but clutch Zhang Jian’s hand, and he gently patted her hand.
He deeply shared Yu Hua’s feelings.
Time had left a profound mark on others.
Fortunately, he was left with Yu Hua and those around him.
"Mother!"
At this moment, Zhang Chang’an’s eyes followed Yu Hua’s gaze, landing on Qi Yuansi and Madam Qi Wan.
Her figure was tall, bearing a resemblance to Yu Hua, her features exquisitely detailed. Standing together with Yu Hua, they seemed more like sisters than mother and daughter.
Yu Hua’s noble face showed a hint of emotion as she looked at Zhang Chang’an and said.
"Chang’an, when you were young, your grandparents once held you. Their time might not be long, and you have limited opportunities to visit them. Make sure to see them properly!"
Zhang Chang’an nodded and said.
"Mother, I understand!"
Behind, within the Crown Prince’s Palace, Zhang Zhao was entertaining the guests, seemingly unaffected by countless drinks, his demeanor composed, a spring-like smile gracing his face.
It was rare for him to display his own emotions.
This was his rare display of joy.
Evidently, he was very satisfied with Si Li’Er.
Zhang Jian and Yu Hua stepped out of the palace, and Yu Hua, reluctant to part with Zhang Chang’an and Zhang Xian, called them to Fengzhi Palace, where the three prepared to share some private words.
Zhang Jian then strode toward the Imperial Palace to personally greet special guests.
...
Yiyuan Hall
This grand hall was specifically built as a Reception Palace for the Crown Prince’s wedding.
The Immortal Palace was magnificent and imposing.
At this moment, over a dozen figures awaited inside, discussing Zhang Jian’s suppression of four True Immortals from the Ji Family.
From afar, Zhang Jian heard the voices of Wu Liang True Monarch and True Monarch Bone Burning. Wu Liang True Monarch was saying at this moment.
"The Ji Family has overstepped this time, mustering so many immortals. Such actions clearly disregard the dignity of our Tongshan Dao lineage. If we don’t retaliate, they will think our Tongshan Dao lineage is easy to bully, and how can we protect the sect’s cultivators?"
Another voice sounded.
"Retaliation is indeed necessary. I’ve heard that the Ji Family’s True Seed Ji Cang is to marry the Ji Family’s eldest daughter in a few years. Perhaps we should crash the wedding and give them a taste of their own medicine!"
This voice was not unfamiliar to Zhang Jian, belonging to True Monarch Zijing.
Zhang Jian entered the hall, observing the many sect cultivators who had come to celebrate on behalf of the Tongshan Dao lineage. Many familiar faces were present, including True Monarch Qingyun, Wu Liang True Monarch, True Monarch Bone Burning, Pursuing Star True Monarch, True Monarch Zijing, and naturally True Monarch Zhanmo and Tie Xin Daoist. Besides them, several sect elders were also present, including the Preaching Elders and Dharma Transmission Elders.
Sect Leader Fuyou True Monarch had also arrived.
Along with Zidian Ancestor and Qing Yuan Ancestor of the Second Generation Ancestors.
Everyone greeted Zhang Jian with smiles upon seeing his arrival.
The atmosphere in the hall grew lively.
Zhang Jian turned his gaze toward Zidian Ancestor and Qing Yuan Ancestor and said.
"Master Qing Yuan, Uncle Zidian, if it weren’t for your full support, Great Xia wouldn’t have weathered the crisis so smoothly. I thank you in advance here!"
Zhang Jian promptly rose, lifting the wine cups from the table, and toasted the two of them.
Zidian Ancestor waved his hand, indicating that Zhang Jian need not go through these formalities. He smiled and said.
"I’ve already heard the specifics from your master. With your Dao practice, there’s actually no need for the sect to intervene. You alone are sufficient to handle the Ji Family, Yun Family, and even the strong from the Barbaric Region!"
Zhang Jian smiled and replied.
"Elder Qing Yuan praises me too much. If it weren’t for your intervention to thwart the Ji Family’s strong, it would have been difficult for me to contend against many adversaries with a few!"
Qing Yuan Ancestor chuckled upon hearing this.
With the Divine Dao authority Zhang Jian displayed, not to mention Ji Ning, even if several more appeared, they likely wouldn’t be an issue.