While Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan were still undergoing their assessments on June Island, Zhu Ziyang and Qian Lingyi had already arrived on April Island.
"Is this April Island? It doesn't look much different from February Island, does it?" The two walked out of the dock, and Qian Lingyi looked at the buildings on April Island, saying.
"They are all islands in the Yue Nan Islands, how much difference can there be?" Zhu Ziyang smiled and said, "Come on, let's go find Old Song!"
The "Empress's Advent" plan had been in motion for over a year. Although Zhang Lexuan hadn't been directly involved during this year, the plan's implementation had been exceptionally smooth. The aid from Shrek Academy greatly strengthened the Yin Clan, so within the first month, the Yin Clan completely eliminated the subordinate families on February Island, June Island, and July Island that listened to commands but not declarations, once again gaining control of six of the Yue Nan Islands, excluding January Island.
After this, Xu Jianwei began contacting the Moon Lineage nobles within the Sun Moon Empire. These Moon Lineage nobles had been suppressed for nearly a hundred years after the Sun Lineage monopolized the throne, so upon learning that the last princess of the Moon Lineage was still alive, they all agreed without hesitation to unite with the Yin Clan and began stirring up public opinion for the Moon Lineage's revival.
After forming an alliance with the Moon Lineage nobles, Xu Jianwei personally took action and found the commander of the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Moon Soul Engineer Legion, Xu Qianxuan.
Xu Qianxuan, a collateral descendant of the Moon Lineage, one of the three great Douluo of the Royal Family, a Level 97 attack system Titled Douluo with the title of Full Moon, is currently the head of the Moon Lineage within the Sun Moon Royal Family, a fig leaf used by the Sun Lineage to maintain the Empire's ancestral system, and also the protector of tens of thousands of collateral Moon Lineage clansmen still living within the Sun Moon Empire.
According to seniority, Xu Jianwei should address Xu Qianxuan as uncle. If they could get help from Xu Qianxuan, they could more quickly and easily bring Zhang Lexuan to the forefront, making her identity as the Moon Lineage princess public and gaining recognition.
The result did not disappoint Old Song and others from Shrek Academy. After Xu Jianwei's intervention, she immediately received Xu Qianxuan's loyalty and promise, and through the current Emperor's second son, Xu Tianci, secured a princess title for Zhang Lexuan.
Therefore, Zhang Lexuan is now the true Princess Xu Tianxuan of the Moon Lineage.
Everything went surprisingly smoothly. Why?
It's simple, because of interests. Public opinion within the Sun Moon Empire was very unfriendly towards the current Royal Family. The current Emperor, Xu Jiusong, wanted to reverse the public perception of royal discord and mutual slaughter, and thus chose to introduce a Moon Lineage princess. Nothing could be more convincing than introducing a direct descendant of the Moon Lineage. Look, we can even accommodate the Moon Lineage, so how could there be discord?
However, Xu Jiusong's approach felt somewhat like self-deception, because the Shi Yue Palace Coup was only one hundred and fifty years ago, yet it had already seen four generations and nine emperors. Such a rapid succession of emperors already explained everything.
It seemed that Xu Yitian, the first Emperor after the Shi Yue Palace Coup, set a bad precedent. After his death, his sons fought for the throne, almost causing the Sun Moon Empire to split into several small countries. Ultimately, his second son, Xu Jianxuan, killed his brothers and ascended the throne, becoming the second Emperor after Shi Yue.
After Xu Jianxuan's death, he passed the throne to his eldest son, Xu Bashan, who became the third Emperor after Shi Yue. Then, internal strife within the Royal Family began. Xu Jianxuan's third son, Xu Bahai, launched a coup, killed his brother, and became Emperor, becoming the fourth Emperor after Shi Yue. Xu Jianxuan's youngest son, Xu Batian, followed suit, also launched a coup, killed his elder brother, and ascended the throne, becoming the fifth Emperor after Shi Yue.
In Xu Batian's later years, Xu Bashan's eldest son, Xu Jiumu, assassinated Xu Batian and reclaimed the throne, becoming the sixth Emperor after the Shi Yue Palace Coup. After Xu Jiumu's death, he passed the throne to his eldest son, Xu Tianxing, who was the seventh Emperor. However, Xu Tianxing was assassinated by his uncle, Xu Jiumu's second younger brother, Xu Jiulin. Xu Jiulin ascended the throne, becoming the eighth Emperor.
And then, the current Emperor, Xu Jiusong, launched a coup, assassinated Xu Jiulin, and ascended the throne.
So many coups occurred within four generations, it's no wonder public opinion within the Sun Moon Empire was so tumultuous. Even if Xu Jiusong intended to reverse this situation, he was powerless, and it could be foreseen that after Xu Jiusong's death, the Royal Family would undoubtedly face another wave of bloody upheaval.
Xu Jiusong's eldest son, the current Crown Prince of the Empire, Xu Tianran, rendered great service in Xu Jiusong's coup, and was therefore assassinated by the former Emperor's remnants. Although he survived, he lost both his legs and, it is said, also lost his manhood, destined to be childless. This stirred up the ambitions of Xu Jiusong's other sons, with the second prince, Xu Tianci, naturally being the first to act.
This second prince was very adept at building connections and accumulating power, so when Xu Qianxuan approached him, he agreed without hesitation. In his view, he could take the opportunity to win over this Royal Family expert, curry favor with the Moon Lineage nobles, and also help his imperial father resolve difficulties. It was simply a win-win situation, so how could he refuse?
"Old Song!" Zhu Ziyang met Old Song at the Moon Southern Marquis's Residence.
"Ziyang, why are you here?" Old Song was surprised, looked at Zhu Ziyang, and then a shocked expression appeared on her face, saying, "Ziyang, you... have reached the Spirit Douluo realm?"
"En! I got lucky and had a few minor opportunities." Zhu Ziyang said with a chuckle, "Old Song, where are Nannan and Sister Lexuan?"
"Nannan and Le Xuan went to June Island, but they should be back in the next two days." Old Song replied, but her gaze fell on Qian Lingyi behind Zhu Ziyang, with a look of scrutiny and appraisal, "Ziyang, who is this?"
"She is Qian Lingyi, a new disciple recruited into our Inner Courtyard." Zhu Ziyang smiled as he introduced Qian Lingyi to Old Song, and then said to Qian Lingyi, "Yi Yi, this is Old Song, an elder of the Tian Yuan Pavilion, a Level 97 Super Douluo, with the title Divine Eagle."
"Hello, Old Song!" Qian Lingyi immediately called out obediently upon hearing this.
"En! A good girl, already a Spirit Emperor at such a young age, not bad." Old Song had a good impression of Qian Lingyi. It would have been even better if Qian Lingyi hadn't been clutching Zhu Ziyang's sleeve.
Zhu Ziyang and Old Song discussed their experiences during this period and learned that Old Zhu was currently accompanying Xu Jianwei on a tour of January Island, preparing to subdue the Sun Moon Empire's South Sea Fleet.
Just as Zhu Ziyang and Old Song were chatting, Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan returned to April Island and entered the Moon Southern Marquis's Residence. The first thing they saw upon returning was Zhu Ziyang in front of Old Song, and they immediately cried out excitedly: "Brother (Ziyang)!"
Zhu Ziyang heard their shouts, looked over, and then saw Jiang Nannan, her pretty face flushed with excitement, running towards him, and immediately rushing into his arms, hugging him excitedly.
"Nannan, long time no see!" Zhu Ziyang embraced Jiang Nannan, his face filled with the joy of reunion, and said.
"En! Long time no see, Brother, I missed you so much!" Jiang Nannan did not hide her longing, speaking with a hint of coquetry and dependence in her voice.
"Ziyang, long time no see." Zhang Lexuan also walked gracefully, her pretty face adorned with a gentle and charming smile, and said.
"Sister Lexuan, long time no see." Zhu Ziyang, holding Jiang Nannan's delicate body, smiled at Zhang Lexuan and said, "Old Song told me that your spirit power has reached Level 90, which is truly gratifying!"
"It's all thanks to the Silver Moon Trial!" Zhang Lexuan said modestly.
"Brother, Brother, I've also reached Level 70!" Jiang Nannan also said to Zhu Ziyang, as if seeking praise.
"Really?" Zhu Ziyang smiled upon hearing this, and said, "You truly are my Nannan!"
Saying that, Zhu Ziyang picked up Jiang Nannan and spun her around. Jiang Nannan pressed her head against Zhu Ziyang's chest, continuously letting out bell-like laughter, which made everyone who heard it feel a sense of joy, except for Qian Lingyi, of course.
She stood aside. From the moment Jiang Nannan walked in and hugged Zhu Ziyang, she felt a slight discomfort. This discomfort grew larger with Jiang Nannan's laughter, eventually causing a hint of jealousy and displeasure to appear on the girl's face, because Zhu Ziyang had never made such intimate gestures with her.
If she hadn't been mentally prepared, Qian Lingyi would probably have stormed off in a huff by now.
"Brother, did you specifically come to see me and Sister Lexuan?" The joy of reunion gradually faded into her heart, and Jiang Nannan calmed down, her pretty face still smiling, and asked.
"That's right!" Zhu Ziyang said, "I plan to go to Donghai City in the Star Luo Empire. The Yue Nan Islands are a necessary route, so I specifically came to see you all. I didn't expect you both to have already reached a bottleneck, so we'll need to change our itinerary and return to the Academy first."
"Donghai City?" Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan exchanged glances, then quietly asked, "Brother, are you going to Donghai City to complete the God of Death's Seventh Trial?"
"Hmm!?" Zhu Ziyang first nodded, then showed a surprised expression, and asked in confusion, "How do you know I'm on the God of Death's Seventh Trial?"
Seeing Zhu Ziyang's surprised expression, Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan exchanged smiles.