Chapter 328: Words from the Heart

*Hoo.

Li Luo slowly exhaled a breath, and the surging Resonance Power within his body gradually calmed down. He opened his eyes and looked at the small King's thin back before him; the green lotus formed by the intertwining green meridians on it seemed to have a wisp of black energy dissipating along with it.

"It really is somewhat effective..."

Li Luo muttered, then said to the drowsy small King, "Your Majesty, it is finished."

The small King was startled awake. Seeing his bare upper body, he hurriedly pulled over the clothes nearby to put them on, then said to Li Luo with some surprise, "Li Luo, you are truly amazing. Every time after you treat me, I feel much more relaxed."

"You are much more amazing than those Marquis-realm experts."

Li Luo couldn't help but smile. This small King was indeed still just a child. If I were more amazing than a Marquis-realm expert, would I still be here playing with you? I would have gone to the academy to slap that dog Shen Jinxiao to death already.

And Pei Hao cannot be let off either; it would be better to just stomp him to death.

While Li Luo was fantasizing here, the Princess walked in gracefully. Looking at the small King, whose expression was clearly much more relaxed, a joyful smile couldn't help but emerge on her cheeks.

Clearly, Li Luo's treatment continued to have some effect.

"Sister," the small King called out.

The Princess gently helped the small King button his clothes, then said to Li Luo, "Student Li Luo, thank you very much."

That voice actually sounded somewhat soft, which was slightly different from the Princess's usual composure and elegance. It was evident that Li Luo treating the small King had indeed touched the Princess somewhat.

It was not romantic love, but rather the heartfelt gratitude that arises in the heart of someone dying of thirst in a desert when they see an oasis appear before them.

The small King's congenital defect had always been the Princess's greatest worry, which caused his condition to never be very good on a daily basis. His health would also affect the power transition in the Great Xia in half a year's time; if someone were to make an issue of the King's health then, it would inevitably lead to some complications.

Even if Li Luo could not completely cure the King in these six months, being able to ensure he remained stable and without incident was already enough to put the Princess at ease.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Li Luo smiled and said, "Luolan Mansion also needs a friend like Your Highness."

The Princess nodded slightly. She understood Li Luo's meaning and gestured to lead him out of the main hall. As the two walked side by side, she smiled, "Speaking of which, we and your Luolan Mansion are somewhat in the same boat."

Li Luo laughed, "Your Highness is too modest. You know what the situation is like with our Luolan Mansion, being exposed to the wind from all four sides, don't you? With so many people eyeing us like tigers, it's impossible to guard against them all."

"Is there any less tiger-like eyeing on my side?" The Princess smiled.

Li Luo was slightly stunned. This was the first time the Princess had spoken to him about these secrets within the royal family. Although he was slightly aware of some, the fact that the Princess brought it up herself proved that she valued the relationship between the two sides more. At the very least, in the past, she would never have mentioned these things to an outsider.

"In half a year, it will be an extremely important point in time for both your Luolan Mansion and for me and the King."

"Luolan Mansion possesses a great treasure and is surrounded by wolves. Once you cannot hold them off, it will mean the destruction of the mansion and the death of its people. In this Great Xia, there will be no more Luolan Mansion."

The Princess looked at Li Luo, whose expression was gradually turning cold, and said, "And also in half a year, the Royal Court will hold the enthronement ceremony. The King will truly ascend the throne and take control of the Royal Court's power."

"According to the agreement, my royal uncle will retire. However, no one knows if he will be willing to do so. After all, power is something that those who have tasted its flavor are unlikely to easily discard."

Her eyes were deep, but her voice was as calm as an ancient well.

Li Luo felt a bit heart-palpitating hearing this. After all, he was an outsider, and Luolan Mansion had never participated in the Royal Court's infighting, so he hadn't expected that the two seemingly harmonious factions within the Royal Court had already gradually reached the point of imminent collision.

His expression turned serious, for he understood that once it truly reached that point, the Great Xia would inevitably undergo a drastic change.

After all, the Regent had held power for many years, and his influence in the Great Xia was already somewhat deep-rooted. If there were any disharmony during the power transition, that great change would sweep across the entire Great Xia.

It was no wonder the Princess was so anxious about the small King's congenital defect. After all, once any mishap occurred with the small King, the enthronement ceremony in half a year would also be affected. And after losing this legitimate opportunity, as the Regent continued to grow in power, the Princess's side would lose all chances.

"Li Luo, I am telling you this not because I want your Luolan Mansion to pick a side, because to put it bluntly, the current Luolan Mansion doesn't even have the qualifications to pick a side," the Princess said with a smile at Li Luo.

Li Luo nodded upon hearing this. Although these words were unpleasant, they were very true. In this level of struggle, a force without a Marquis-realm expert to hold the fort is merely cannon fodder to be consumed.

The two sides would have deeper contact, firstly because the Princess was optimistic about Jiang Qing'e's potential, and secondly because Li Luo had suddenly displayed a special ability to treat the small King.

That is why the Princess was saying these things to him now.

However, although no side had been picked, both parties knew clearly that after this series of contacts, they each had a foundation for a relationship. Therefore, from a personal perspective, Li Luo was of course more inclined toward the Princess's side winning.

As for that awe-inspiring Regent, Li Luo had always harbored some wariness. Such a formidable figure was too troublesome and dangerous. If the current Luolan Mansion were to have contact with him, Li Luo suspected they might be eaten until not even their bones were left.

"The tribulation your Luolan Mansion faces in half a year will likely be more difficult than you imagine. Although I don't know what contingencies Mansion Masters Li Taixuan and Tantai Lan left behind, Luolan Mansion's great treasure is too attractive. At that time, you will likely face more than one Marquis-realm expert," the Princess said slowly.

"At that juncture, although you and Jiang Qing'e are both highly valued students at the Astral Sage College, the wolves are already famished and will likely not easily give up such an opportunity to break into Luolan Mansion's headquarters. Furthermore, with Dean Pang not having stepped out of the Dark Cave for many years, the prestige of the Astral Sage College has been somewhat weakened, so the protection you have will be greatly reduced."

Li Luo's eyes were stern as he nodded lightly.

"Can Your Highness guess which forces will make a move against Luolan Mansion at that time?" he asked.

The Princess shook her head and said, "That depends on how many forces are tempted by Luolan Mansion's great treasure."

Li Luo sighed. Beyond the five great mansions of the Great Xia, there were many noble families. These families were deep-rooted and had profound foundations, so it was truly not easy to guess how many wolves there would be at that time.

The Princess did not continue this topic and directly changed the subject, chatting with Li Luo about interesting things in the academy, and the atmosphere suddenly became relaxed and cheerful.

Afterwards, the Princess personally sent Li Luo out of the palace and thoughtfully provided a carriage.

"Your Highness."

Before boarding the carriage, Li Luo smiled at the Princess, "Although the situation of Luolan Mansion is very difficult, this is the foundation left by my parents, and I will not let it be easily destroyed by others."

A moving and bright smile appeared on the Princess's beautiful cheeks. Li Luo's words seemed to speak to her heart, making her gaze toward him become even softer.

She nodded lightly.

"Mm, me too."