Chapter 722

Just then, one of the women dressed plainly cried out in a heart-wrenching voice.

Zhao Xu heard the sound and turned to look.

Instantly, his face showed disbelief.

"You're Rou'er!"

"It's me, Your Majesty!" Rou Fei rushed forward, running like a child, and embraced Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu looked bewildered and asked, "Rou'er, weren't you already dead in that fire?"

"No," Rou Fei sighed softly. "Back then, because the Empress targeted me, my personal maid Huarui devised a substitution plan and died in my place in the fire."

"So that's how it was," Zhao Xu said, his heart burning with rage. "Empress—what a vile thing she did!"

"By the way, why didn't you return to the palace all these years?"

Rou Fei sighed. "After leaving the palace, I fell off a cliff and lost my memory. Fortunately, a temple took me in, and only recently did I regain my memories. Ah… Your Majesty, after so many years apart, I never imagined you still look as youthful as ever."

"Old, old," Zhao Xu sighed, glancing at Ningxiang. "Who is this? Could she be my daughter?"

Rou Fei nodded. "Ningxiang, come and pay your respects to your father. What happened back then had nothing to do with your father—don't hold a grudge against him."

"Ningxiang bows to Father," Ningxiang stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands.

Zhao Xu, seeing his daughter standing tall and graceful, was overjoyed and exclaimed "Good!" three times in succession as he helped her rise.

"By the way, you both just descended from the sky—could it be that Rou'er, you've already become an immortal?"

Rou Fei shook her head, her expression proud. "Not me—Ningxiang. She recently gained a divine connection, and it was precisely because of that divine connection that I regained my memories."

"A divine connection?" Though still middle-aged, Zhao Xu had long felt the decline of his physical condition. Hearing this, he immediately became interested, inviting the two to sit in the pavilion and chat casually.

The Imperial Guards exchanged glances.

They had thought it was an enemy attack, but it turned out to be the Emperor's divine kin.

For a moment, their hearts were filled with strange emotions.

Seeing the Emperor reunite with his family, the Imperial Guards tactfully withdrew, leaving the space to the three of them.

Facing her father's curiosity, Ningxiang recounted everything in detail, leaving Zhao Xu stunned and bewildered.

"The myriad worlds?"

"Pantao immortal fruit?"

"Immortal cultivation techniques?"

These were things Zhao Xu had only ever daydreamed about—he never imagined they actually existed.

"Father, the founding emperor of the other world wishes to sign a treaty with you, forming the Great Song Alliance to stand together in unity. He said that if you agree, he will provide all subsequent cultivation techniques and resources."

Zhao Xu exclaimed excitedly, "The founding emperor really said that?"

Ningxiang nodded. "Yes. This matter can be formalized through a chat group—there's still guaranteed benefit."

Zhao Xu nodded, falling into deep thought.

After a moment, he said, "I agree. Since we are both Great Song, standing together is natural. Also, Tianlong—that child, though not my son, his mother died protecting Rou'er. Grant him a noble title, let him enjoy wealth and comfort for life."

"Rou'er, what do you think?"

Rou Fei smiled gently. "I leave it entirely to Your Majesty's judgment."

"As for the Empress—strip her of her title, demote her to commoner, and investigate the events of that time. Rou'er, I will surely restore your justice." Zhao Xu spoke decisively, making his ruling on the spot. "Ningxiang, what do you think?"

"I follow Father's words," Ningxiang had no objection.

She was calm by nature; even knowing what had happened, she had never rushed to Bianliang to seek revenge.

She hated the Empress.

But not with a bone-deep hatred.

After all, the events of that time were not something she had personally experienced.

The one who had experienced them was her mother.

If her mother had no objection, she naturally had none either.

"Someone! Summon the Empress and the Crown Prince!"

Moments later.

The Empress arrived with the Crown Prince, her heart filled with strange emotions. Seeing Rou Fei seated beside the Emperor, she turned as pale as if she had seen a ghost.

"Empress, I now know everything about what happened back then. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Your Majesty, I don't know what you're talking about!" the Empress stubbornly denied everything.

Zhao Xu snorted coldly. "Whether you admit it or not doesn't matter. Proclaim the decree: henceforth, strip the Empress of her title, demote her to commoner, investigate the events of that time, and when the evidence is confirmed, execute her according to law—no leniency."

"Father!" The Crown Prince's face changed, and he immediately pleaded.

Zhao Xu snorted coldly. "Enough. Crown Prince, the events of that time involve far more than you realize. I have already investigated thoroughly—you are not my blood. You are the son of the maid Huarui. However, out of respect for Huarui's loyalty in protecting Rou Fei's safety, I hereby grant you the title of Founding Marquis."

Founding Marquis?

The Crown Prince heard this and felt as if struck by Lei Ting—his entire body went numb.

Noble titles were divided into six ranks: King, Duke, Marquis, Earl, Marquis, and Viscount.

To be granted the rank of Marquis—the second-lowest—though not insignificant—was a drop of four ranks compared to the Crown Prince's exalted status.

Moreover, once this title was publicly announced, it meant he was forever cut off from the throne.

"No, Father, I am your true son!"

"Someone, take him away to cool down."

Zhao Xu showed no hesitation.

Since he was not his own blood, his affection for the Crown Prince vanished almost instantly.

"Father, since you are unkind, then don't blame me for being unrighteous!"

As the Imperial Guards surged forward, the Crown Prince's eyes turned bloodshot, and he unleashed his lightness skill, charging straight at Zhao Xu.

In the Crown Prince's mind, the two weak women before him, plus the aging Zhao Xu, were certainly no match for him.

As long as he took the Emperor hostage and then forged an edict to proclaim himself emperor, everything could still be salvaged.

Boom!

The next moment, the Crown Prince was blasted backward, slammed into the ground, and rendered immobile.

"This…"

With difficulty, he lifted his head and saw the woman sitting beside the Emperor clapping her hands lightly, as if she had done something trivial.

"Guards! Seize him and throw him into the Heavenly Prison!"

He had originally intended to treat him well, but this adopted son had dared to attack him—Zhao Xu was instantly enraged.

Imperial Guards advanced and bound the former Crown Prince tightly before dragging him away.