But then she remembered what the first elder just said...{Does that mean I and my sister are princesses?}

"It is such a pity that the sect leader is in seclusion," the third elder remarked as he stood up from his seat then he walked out of the hall while the other two followed.

​​

"Now that you all know what you have to do, you should do your best to train hard so as not to bring disgrace upon the sect," Huo Qiang warned with a strict expression on his face, the four of them cupped their hands together then bowed as they chorused 'Understood'.

The four of them then left the hall leaving only the guardians and Huo Ying in the hall, they all took their seat then faced each other for a serious discussion.

"I have fought with Lin Bohai before, his strength is definitely not to be underestimated, you all might not-"

"Are you going to say we might not be able to beat him, if you can win over him then what makes you think we can't," Huo Lian interjected as her envious side triggered once again, the others turned to her with a cautioning look in their eyes.

"You must have forgotten your respect because she asked us to treat her the same as others," Huo Qiang scolded with a stern look in his eyes, she glanced at her sister to see whose side she is on and as expected, she is also on Huo Ying side just like she has always been.

She clenched her fist tightly as she bowed her head to apologise.

"I am not trying to say you don't have the ability to beat him, back then, I was only able to beat him easily because of my rage but I am not sure if I would be able to beat him in my normal state," she explained

"From what I could see, you certainly have a higher cultivation compared to him but in a fight, what matters the most is not the cultivation but the mind and strategy," Huo Qiang added but Huo Mei's mind was occupied with thoughts of tthe change in her sister's behaviour towards Huo Ying, in fact, the envy in her eyes worries her.

"More than anything, we should be worried about the second young mistress, sect madam must not have mentioned it but she is deeply worried, if by any chance she doesn't pass the test..." Bingchen had to stop as he didn't want to state their fear.

"If it comes to that then I will certainly get my sister out even if it means revolting," Huo Ying declared, this time, they could see that she really means it and for the first time, they all agree with her recklessness.

"As long as you want to revolt then we will also join in," Huo Mei added with a warm smile which Huo Ying reciprocated.

But in her heart, she just can't help feeling uneasy.

- -- - - -

In the palace

The queen and the first prince, Li Changying were taking a walk in the imperial garden.

She had a Phoenix coronet on her head and a long red robe with a red scarf around her shoulder as she placed her hand on his for support.

"Mother, you seem to be in deep thought, is there anything bothering you?" the first prince asked but the empress smiled warmly as she turned to his side.

"Why do you think so? I am fine," she responded but the head attendant behind her couldn't bear to see her keeping her worries hidden on her heart so she decided to butt in.

"First prince, her majesty has been losing sleep lately and her appetite has greatly decreased,"

she tattled.

"Head attendant..." the empress scolded.

"Seems like I am really a useless son, father wouldn't share his worries and responsibilities with me and my mother also doesn't trust me with her worries, what then is my worth," a look of sadness of enveloped his face, she stopped then she held his hand tighter.

"My son, you shouldn't think that way, you are most certainly not useless, it is just that I am worried about the emperor's birthday," she confessed then continued walking.

"Father's birthday is a joyful occasion, what is the cause of your worries?"

"I am sure you have also noticed this but every year, your father sends out guards to look for the fourth prince in the capital, even though the fourth prince left the palace years ago, he is still yearning for him in his heart," the sadness and envy in her voice was clearly obvious.

He sighed as a knot formed in his heart but he didn't want her to know he also feels the same as her.

"It is normal that father misses fourth brother,"

"If it were you or Chengguan, do you think he will do the same, you are clearly his firstborn and yet he refuses to let you get involved in politics, this just shows that he is stalling time,"

She responded with her voice raised, she really hates his indifference towards her children while he pours out his love for the son of a harlot who doesn't even care about him.

"Stalling time...everyone knows that father has always been wary of all the princes for fear that we might use our power wrongly but why does mother say he is stalling time?" He has always avoided interfering in politics because he tries to understand the concern of his father but if his mother really thinks there is a reason behind it then...

"That is true but he surely plans to make Li Ruansong the crown prince, his purpose of making all the prince not get involved with the court is to prevent you all from having any achievement, that way, he can easily make the fourth prince the crown prince,"

"I never thought that far but now that you say it, it does sound plausible" He gritted his teeth at the thought of his mother's deduction, all these years, he has tried to justify his father's actions and his coldness towards them but as time goes by, he finds himself unable to understand his father.

She stopped once again then held his hands tightly.

"I have convinced your grandfather to support you and your brother, I will certainly give you what belongs to you but you have to be careful, I am worried that Li Ruansong might return and if he does return, it would not go well for is,"

"Mother, don't worry, even if he does return, I am confident that I will be able to take my place as the rightful heir to the throne," he forced a smile on his lips to give her hope.

She sighed then smiled.

Meanwhile the Noble consort is with the third and fifth and sixth princes in her palace, discussing over snacks and tea.

"Have you prepared your father's birthday gift?"

She asked as she placed the tea cup on the table.

"Yes mother, we have all taken special care to choose the gift" the third prince answered to which she nodded satisfactorily.

"The first and second prince will surely take special care so the three of you should make sure your gifts are not inferior to theirs,"

"Mother needn't worry about that,"

"Strangely, I don't have a good feeling about this," she remarked as she lifted the teacup to her lips, the princes glanced at each other before turning back to her.

"Why so?" the fifth prince asked

"I am not sure but I have a bad feeling about this, I hope one of you can become the crown prince but the custom requires the first born of the emperor to become the king, I am hoping the ministers can bring up the issue of appointing a crown prince,"

"If there is anyone father despises amongst his children then it should be the first and second prince because of their grandfather, father will surely not pass his throne to them," the third prince assured.

"Even without the first and second prince, there is still the fourth prince,"

"Li Ruansong?"