Chapter 60: I Already Have Someone in My Heart!

Now that the Prince of Xiang has come to Mo Bamboo Mountain seeking his daughter, it is exactly what Qin Xuanxi had hoped for.

Qin Xuanxi had already planned to descend the mountain to find Song Ye. Of course, this time she would appear before Song Ye as "Su Qingyu." All she needed to do was explain to him that her real name was Su Qingyu, not Qin Xiyi. With someone as honest as Song Ye, there wouldn’t be any complicated suspicions; whatever she told him, he would surely believe.

When Qin Xuanxi learned that Su Qingyu’s father was the Prince of Xiang, she had secretly sent her trusted aides to investigate the prince’s recent circumstances. Thus, she knew that after being released from the capital, Luocheng, the Prince of Xiang would settle in Yan City.

His purpose in coming to Mo Bamboo Mountain now was, naturally, to bring Su Yunhe and her daughter, whom he had not seen for many years, to live together in Yan City. Coincidentally, the former Qiu Yu Qiu district had now become two neighborhoods within Yan City, meaning Song Ye and Su Yan were also living there.

For Qin Xuanxi, this was perfect. Her original plans would now unfold smoothly.

At this moment, at the foot of Mo Bamboo Mountain, three figures stood. The middle-aged man in the center was Li Bin, the Prince of Xiang. To his right was Commander Guo Lezhang, responsible for escorting him. On his left stood a tall woman, dressed in a violet ceremonial robe with a long sword at her waist.

She was Qi Shuyi, a two-star Violet Guard from the Grand Yu Temple. The temple answered directly to the emperor of Li Kingdom and was outside the usual bureaucratic structure, so internally, the status of Violet Guards was denoted by “stars”—the fewer the stars, the higher the rank. A two-star Violet Guard was already at the captain level.

Of course, for a woman to attain such a rank in the Grand Yu Temple, she must possess true ability, but her background was also extraordinary—her father was the current Minister of Justice in Li Kingdom.

At this time, Li Bin was loudly calling Su Yunhe’s name up the mountain, but there was no reply. Seeing this, Qi Shuyi spoke to him, “Your Highness, the barrier of the Solitary Jade Sect is nearly impossible to break. If Su Yunhe does not appear, waiting here is futile!”

Li Bin replied, “No matter how long it takes, I will wait. Also, you should not address her so casually; she is my princess consort!”

Qi Shuyi immediately realized her mistake and responded, “I have overstepped. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Just then, the barrier suddenly split open from within, and a slender woman in a blue gown stepped out.

The three at the foot of the mountain were astonished, as if witnessing a beauty beyond anything this world could offer.

“May I ask... are you...?” Li Bin stumbled over his words, for the woman had descended from Mo Bamboo Mountain and might well be his daughter. The thought that his daughter was so ethereally beautiful filled him with overwhelming emotion.

This woman was Qin Xuanxi. Her expression was calm as she said, “My name is Su Qingyu. I am a disciple of the Solitary Jade Sect. This is a secluded place; please do not make a disturbance here.”

“Qingyu… indeed, you are Qingyu, my daughter!” The Prince of Xiang exclaimed, his eyes growing moist.

The daughter taken from him at birth was now finally before him, and possessing such unmatched beauty. He could not help but feel proud—he, Li Bin, must have good blood to father such a stunning child. He even wished to bring Su Qingyu back to court immediately, to let all of Luocheng see her—what so-called greatest beauty of Luocheng, what Saintess of the Palace of the Void, all would pale beside his daughter.

After all, a father suddenly blessed with such a beautiful daughter would naturally want to show her off.

In contrast to the prince’s excitement, Qin Xuanxi remained composed. She knew she was now playing the role of Su Qingyu, and reasoned that Su Qingyu, having lived long in Mo Bamboo Mountain with only her mother and music for company, would have a cold and solitary nature. Were she lively, staying here for fifteen years would surely have driven her mad.

Thus, Qin Xuanxi continued in a calm tone, “My mother told me my father is Li Bin, Prince of Xiang of Li Kingdom. Are you that man?”

“I am, I am Li Bin, Prince of Xiang,” he replied, now joyfully childlike, turning to Qi Shuyi and Guo Lezhang, “Qi Shuyi, Guo Lezhang, hurry, tell her—I am the Prince of Xiang!”

Qi Shuyi and Guo Lezhang obeyed in unison, “Indeed, this is His Highness, the Prince of Xiang of Li Kingdom!”

Qin Xuanxi continued, “My mother instructed me that if the Prince of Xiang should come, he may ascend the mountain. Please follow me.”

Qin Xuanxi then led Li Bin and his companions up Mo Bamboo Mountain.

Arriving at the small courtyard in the mountains, the prince looked around but saw no trace of Su Yunhe and asked, “Where is your mother?”

Qin Xuanxi had already prepared her answer. She said slowly, “Mother has gone to a certain celestial mountain cave to cultivate in seclusion. In fact, she knew you would come to seek her, so she deliberately avoided you.”

The prince sighed, “Yunhe, why do you still hide from me…”

He had no doubt about Qin Xuanxi’s explanation, simply believing that Su Yunhe either did not wish to see him or felt guilty and dared not face him—for it was Su Yunhe who had secretly taken their daughter away all those years ago.

“Did your mother leave any message before departing?” Li Bin asked.

Qin Xuanxi nodded, “She did, and asked me to pass it on to you, Prince of Xiang. Are you truly him?”

“I am, I truly am,” the prince insisted, then said to Qi Shuyi, “Quick, bring my royal seal!”

“Your Highness, your seal is in the carriage at the foot of the mountain,” Qi Shuyi replied.

“Then hurry and fetch it!” the prince urged.

“Yes!” Qi Shuyi obeyed.

When Qi Shuyi returned from the foot of the mountain with the prince’s seal and showed it to Qin Xuanxi, she said to the prince, “Father, mother instructed me to tell you to arrange my marriage.”

Hearing her finally call him father, he was overwhelmed. After a long pause, he said, “Yes, your mother is right. You have reached marriageable age, and as your father, I must find you a good match.”

“Don’t worry, my daughter, I will ensure you have the finest husband in the world!”

“Father, in fact, when I went down the mountain under an alias for training, I already found the one I love,” Qin Xuanxi said.

“Oh? You already have someone in mind? That makes things easier. Tell me, who is he?” the prince asked eagerly.

Qin Xuanxi replied with calm indifference, “His name is—Song Ye.”