Chapter 422

Chapter 422: Your Majesty Has Already Awoken

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Ever since the Grand Ceremony of the Four Seas, the Dragon Empress hasn’t made an appearance.

Due to the prolonged absence of the Dragon Empress, some began to suspect if something had befallen her.

Otherwise, logically speaking, given the magnitude of the recent events, it was understandable for the Dragon Empress not to show up for a few days as there were matters that needed handling and aftermaths to settle.

But as time went on, regardless of whether the affairs were resolved or not, the Dragon Empress should have appeared by now to reassure the populace. Otherwise, without seeing their ruler, the common folk would inevitably feel uneasy.

Within the Dragon Capital, the citizens were already speculating—was the Dragon Empress gravely injured?

When will His Majesty recover from his wounds?

What if Zhongyan Mountain causes trouble during His Majesty’s recuperation? What then?

Despite their worries, deep down, they absolutely believed their sovereign still lived.

And after worrying for a while, life returned to normal.

As for other seas, I don’t know about them, but the North Sea Dragon Capital has fully restored its former glory.

With the protection of magic arrays, the North Sea Dragon Capital sustained little damage, so returning to normalcy was swift.

When people can live peacefully, this is the best proof of peace. Speculations about the Dragon Empress gradually diminished.

Many delegations from sects and kingdoms stopped waiting for the Dragon Empress’ appearance.

Not only was it uncertain if the Dragon Empress still lived, but even if she did, her injuries must be severe. Who knows when she would emerge? Perhaps not until the year of the monkey or horse.

Moreover, with such significant occurrences, they needed to return and report to their own majesties or sect leaders, truthfully informing them of these events.

The scholars of White Deer Academy originally intended to stay longer.

However, a letter arrived from White Deer Academy urging them to return promptly.

Thus, Zhu Cici and others had no choice but to head back to White Deer Academy.

On the day of departure, Ming personally saw off Zhu Cici and her group from the North Sea.

As they were leaving, Zhu Cici looked at Ming, hesitating as if wanting to say something.

But in the end, Zhu Cici closed her mouth, refrained from further words, and merely politely invited Ming to visit White Deer Academy.

Ming naturally gave a polite response.

Whether Ming would actually visit White Deer Academy was another matter entirely.

A few days later, the delegation from Wu Kingdom asked Ming when they would return.

To be honest, Ming also wanted to go back.

Previously, he always worried about not being able to return, especially since he was under the Dragon Empress’s scrutiny. But now, such concerns were gone, and he could escape while the opportunity presented itself.

After all, the current situation wasn’t his doing, nor did it concern him. He had done all he could, and what couldn’t be helped was beyond his control.

Being here as someone of low cultivation seemed futile.

Still, Ming hadn’t obtained the Linglong Pearl yet, and the Abyss was completely frozen over, making it inaccessible. He definitely needed to ask the Dragon Empress what to do.

Besides, last time he saved her. Logically, even if she knew he wasn’t the reincarnation of her lover, she shouldn’t harm him. Ming still believed the Dragon Empress wasn’t the type to repay kindness with enmity.

So, after careful deliberation, Ming decided to stay.

Otherwise, once he left the North Sea, he wouldn’t know when he could return to search for the Linglong Pearl.

He also needed to help Qingwan restore her foundations, and the sooner, the better; the longer it dragged on, the more troublesome it became.

Thus, Ming instructed the Wu Kingdom delegation to return and report to their kingdom while he waited here.

Others understood Ming’s decision.

The North Sea Dragon Palace still needed the Dragon Empress to officially address the events of the Grand Ceremony of the Four Seas.

But since the Dragon Empress hadn’t emerged, some speculated about the severity of her injuries or when she might recover.

Meanwhile, the presence of the Zhuangyuan Lang demonstrated Wu Kingdom’s respect for the North Sea Dragon Palace, fostering beneficial relations between the two nations.

Upon returning to Wu Kingdom, they could inform their emperor about the events of the Grand Ceremony of the Four Seas.

Therefore, the Wu Kingdom delegation followed Ming’s orders and returned to Wu Kingdom, while Ming stayed in the Imperial Palace awaiting the Dragon Empress’ appearance.

During this period, Ming frequently visited Ao Yiner, who was confined to a courtyard.

Actually, according to Eastern Sea protocol, Ao Yiner should have been imprisoned in a dungeon.

However, due to her innocence and Ming saving the Dragon Empress, under Ming’s guarantee, the North Sea Dragon Palace granted him this favor, placing her under house arrest instead.

Xia Zhu had already informed Ao Yiner about her brother’s betrayal and her father’s demise.

Though Ao Yiner refused to believe it, thinking they were framed, the overwhelming evidence left her no choice but to accept the truth.

Learning that her brother was imprisoned and her father deceased without a final goodbye, Ao Yiner suffered greatly, often sitting idly in the courtyard all day.

Every time Ming entered Ao Yiner’s courtyard, she appeared listless.

Even when Ming shared amusing tales of the land, Ao Yiner remained dispirited. However, knowing Ming’s good intentions, she managed to smile at him.

Yet, her smiles carried a tinge of sorrow.

In reality, Ming understood Ao Yiner’s feelings.

For Ao Yiner, her father and brother were her closest and proudest figures.

But her pride betrayed the Four Seas, bringing calamity upon them. Her father passed away, and she never got to see him one last time. The Eastern Sea was likely in chaos now.

It was on the fourth day after the Wu Kingdom delegation’s departure when Ming was cultivating in the courtyard. A knock came at the gate.

Opening the door, Ming saw Little Blue, the maidservant, standing before him.

“Servant pays respects to Master Xu,” Little Blue bowed respectfully.

“Little Blue, what brings you here?” Ming asked.

Little Blue smiled gently, relief evident in her eyes. “Master, His Majesty has awakened. Would Master like to meet him?”