One hour later.
Qin Hengyu arrived at the Jiang family residence. Before he could step through the gate, rows of guards blocked his path.
Only the Jiang family would dare show so little regard for his status as Royal Prince.
It was understandable. The former him had been far too foolish.
Still, the Jiang family could not truly leave a Royal Prince standing outside indefinitely. That would look bad as well.
The first person to step out was Jiang Yizhan.
“Royal Prince, our Jiang family’s place is small. We cannot receive such an honored guest,” Jiang Yizhan said in a mocking tone.
The current Jiang family Patriarch, Jiang Zhan, had twelve sons and one daughter. The sons were named in order, Yizhan, Erzhan, and so on, all the way to Shierzhan.
Twelve older brothers and one younger sister.
All twelve were doting brothers.
The Jiang family truly had something special.
After Jiang Yizhan appeared, several more figures emerged behind him.
Qin Hengyu spoke directly, “I came to see Rouxue.”
That single sentence made the brothers anxious, and they all began speaking at once.
“Rouxue has gone out to cultivate.”
“She is not here. Our Rouxue cannot compare to Fairy Liu. Do not come looking for her.”
“Royal Prince, you should leave. Otherwise, my hands are itching for a fight.”
Each of them rejected him outright, clearly unwilling to let him approach Jiang Rouxue, fearing he would ruin her as well.
“Brother Qin, why have you come to see me?”
Just as Qin Hengyu was thinking about how to break through this wall of overprotective brothers, a naturally beautiful young woman appeared before him.
Her brows were delicate as a painting, her skin like jade, her eyes gentle as spring water.
She wore a pale crescent-colored gauze dress. Her long hair reached her waist. She was like a night-blooming flower, carrying a unique charm.
Girls truly change at eighteen.
Looking at Jiang Rouxue now, Qin Hengyu could not help but sigh.
Back then, when she had followed him around, she had been thin and delicate. Now she was taller and graceful, her figure fully developed.
Unlike Liu Ruyan, she wore little adornment and retained a trace of pure innocence.
That one phrase, “Brother Qin,” sounded like celestial music.
“Rouxue, this has nothing to do with you.”
“It has been a long time since we saw the Royal Prince. We are delighted. Let us drink with him first.”
“Little sister, the Royal Prince came to see us. You misheard.”
The Jiang brothers panicked when their sister appeared. They tried to shield Qin Hengyu from her, unwilling to let him interact with her.
“Brothers…”
Jiang Rouxue called out helplessly.
At her voice, their hearts melted. They immediately stepped aside, forming two rows.
Even so, their eyes remained fixed on Qin Hengyu.
If he made even the slightest improper move, he would receive a severe beating.
“Brother Qin, shall I ask my brothers to leave first?” Jiang Rouxue asked considerately, worried that some matters might not be suitable for discussion in front of them.
“Let us speak here.”
“Today I have severed ties with Liu Ruyan. I have reclaimed the sacred artifact and intend to return it to you. Tomorrow, I will go to the Liu family to annul the engagement.”
“I also hope the Jiang family will return to the Great Qin Empire.”
Qin Hengyu spoke with some embarrassment.
To be honest, taking a gift once given to another woman and presenting it to someone else seemed somewhat scoundrel-like.
Even if the sacred artifact concealed a great inheritance, comparable to gold or diamonds in another world, it still felt strange.
But it was the most valuable gift he could offer now. He believed the Jiang family would be satisfied.
Jiang Rouxue froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.
The Jiang brothers, however, were already restless. In their eyes, Qin Hengyu was clearly trying to curry favor with their sister for improper reasons.
No one offers courtesy without intent.
He had been rejected by Liu Ruyan and now shifted his target to their sister.
Unacceptable.
“Our Jiang family is doing fine here. There is no need to return to the Great Qin Empire.”
“That’s right. We already have sacred artifacts. We do not need the Azure Primordial Profound Ice Sword that another woman has used.”
“Your engagement with Liu Ruyan has nothing to do with our Jiang family.”
They surrounded Qin Hengyu instantly, blocking further contact.
Qin Hengyu coughed lightly.
It seemed his reputation as Royal Prince was not well received.
“Brothers!”
Jiang Rouxue called out again.
She stepped forward and took the Azure Primordial Profound Ice Sword herself.
“Thank you, Brother Qin. I like it very much.”
She smiled gently. Though she did not elaborate, she showed emotional intelligence by not embarrassing Qin Hengyu.
Compared to Liu Ruyan, the difference was clear.
One was a feast of delicacies, the other rice mixed with sand.
And yet the former him had chosen the latter without hesitation.
Was he blind?
Qin Hengyu could not help but criticize his past self inwardly.
“Is Uncle Jiang here?”
After Jiang Rouxue accepted the sword, Qin Hengyu moved to the next step.
The younger generation could not decide the Jiang family’s direction. Ultimately, it depended on the Patriarch.
The current Jiang family Patriarch, Jiang Zhan, was not as formidable as the Jiang family’s elder patriarchs or the slumbering ancestors, but his talent was remarkable. He was currently at the 7th stage Saint Realm.
A figure capable of dominating an entire planet.
Within the empire he might not seem exceptional, but outside, few could rival him.
Had Jiang Zhan not died fighting enemies beyond the domains, the Great Qin Empire would never have been easily destroyed.
After the empire’s destruction, Jiang Zhan and others had been slandered by Liu Ruyan and Ye Xingchen as traitors allied with foreign enemies.
They had even taken the blame for Ye Xingchen’s true schemes.
“Hmph. You did not come with good intentions. Speak. What does the Jiang family need to do for you?”
Jiang Zhan stepped out from within the residence.
In truth, he had arrived earlier and had been observing Qin Hengyu.
As Royal Prince, Qin Hengyu could not be completely ignored. A meeting was inevitable.
He had already heard of what transpired on the martial arena and learned of the oaths. As an elder, he felt a trace of satisfaction.
Watching the Royal Prince be toyed with like a dog by a woman had been unpleasant.
Intervening directly had been difficult.
Sending Jiang Rouxue to serve him had not been without intention.
Unfortunately, the former Qin Hengyu had been oblivious.
Jiang Zhan was experienced enough to see that Qin Hengyu’s visit involved more than simply returning a sword.
“As Uncle Jiang has guessed, I have come to request your presence tomorrow. The Liu family does not deserve to remain in the Great Qin Empire.”
Qin Hengyu knew reasoning alone would not drive the Liu family out. It was better to rely on strength.
“Young man, are you not afraid people will accuse the empire of being ruthless? A dispute between juniors escalates to expelling a family?”
Jiang Zhan considered the broader implications.
“There is nothing improper. The true coldness was the empire neglecting the first great general’s family.”
“Treating a former Royal Consort’s undisciplined family generously would only make others think the blade of Great Qin has grown dull.”
Qin Hengyu spoke logically.
For an empire to remain stable, strength was paramount. Everything else was secondary. Those who formed the core of that strength must be valued.
“You have grown wiser. I can barely see through you now,” Jiang Zhan said, suspecting momentarily that the Royal Prince had been possessed.
But the Great Emperor still lived and had safeguards against possession. Such a thing was impossible.
“Uncle Jiang, I was once clouded and caused you to laugh. Now I have awakened.”
“I ask for your help tomorrow and for the Jiang family’s return to the empire. As for the gift to Sister Rouxue, that is sincere.”
“The Azure Primordial Profound Ice Sword contains a hidden treasure map leading to Saintess Qingyuan’s inheritance. It can grant Sister Rouxue a broad path ahead.”
Qin Hengyu explained clearly.
He admitted his former foolishness and framed his transformation as awakening.
Ordinary people could change overnight. A Royal Prince could as well.
His past mistakes did not need repeating. What mattered was rebuilding ties.
He knew well that the most important gift for the Jiang family was not the sword itself, but the benefit to Jiang Rouxue.
“Is that true? If so, I will accompany you tomorrow.”
Jiang Zhan’s expression shifted with surprise.
If it was indeed Saintess Qingyuan’s inheritance, it would suit Jiang Rouxue perfectly.
The sacred artifact’s value would change entirely.
Without hesitation, Jiang Zhan took the sword from Jiang Rouxue and began to destroy the Azure Primordial Profound Ice Sword with all his strength.