Chapter 47

"Xian Li, do you believe in the concept of destiny? So-called destiny means that some people are born to be wealthy and noble, while others are destined to be poor and miserable.

Among all things in heaven and earth, the lowest destiny is that of grass and trees, and the highest destiny is that of the celestial deities."

"This..." Li Xian hesitated for a moment before seriously answering, "Your Majesty, I do not entirely believe it, but I do not entirely deny it either."

"I believe what you say," the Empress's expression suddenly turned somewhat melancholic. "I now have three children. You have met the Crown Prince; I also have two daughters, one named Xia Yuhua, and the other is her, Xia Qingqing.

When the Crown Prince was born, a diviner said that his destiny was unstable. He had the fate of a crown prince but was not fit to be a ruler of a country.

At that time, no one believed it.

Three years later, Xia Yuhua was born. The diviner said that her destiny was marked by the Star of Destruction, indicating that she would bring misfortune to her husband and die young.

Naturally, we did not believe it.

Eight years later, Xia Qingqing was born. The diviner said that her destiny was marked by the Star of Greed, indicating that she would bring misfortune to her husband and cause financial ruin.

We still did not believe it. Since the quality of diviners varies greatly, and their ideas are often chaotic, we simply dismissed the diviner.

But... sigh..."

The Empress suddenly turned to look at Xia Qingqing, gently stroking her head with a mix of pity, love, and a sense of helplessness and resignation. "But nine years ago, the eldest princess, Xia Yuhua, married the Western Border General, Zhao Zhang. Just a year later, the invincible Zhao Zhang was mysteriously killed by an arrow in a battle with the Chen Kingdom, leaving behind a pregnant Xia Yuhua.

Three months after giving birth to Zhao Fei, Xia Yuhua died by severing her own meridians."

By this point, the Empress was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Li Xian remained silent. The Empress's words were simple, but Li Xian could see the countless sorrows and struggles behind them. The death of the Western Border General must have caused a significant impact on the Great Xia Kingdom. Unfortunately, the Li Xian of the past was unlearned and only vaguely remembered a crisis in the Great Xia Kingdom during his childhood.

At this moment, Li Xian did not feel it was appropriate to speak, so he could only wait quietly. After a while, the Empress wiped her tears and continued, "After this incident, we had no choice but to invite the diviner back. The diviner provided a solution.

As long as the Crown Prince remains a crown prince or never becomes one, he will not face mortal danger. As for Qingqing... the best course is for her to live a simple life, wearing plain clothes and eating vegetarian food, avoiding all luxuries."

Li Xian looked at Xia Qingqing, dressed in simple clothes and wearing a wooden hairpin, and felt a sudden pain in his heart. A princess of the royal family, yet she could only wear simple clothes and eat vegetarian food, and likely had limited contact with the outside world.

However, despite knowing this, Li Xian did not give up. "Is there no complete solution?"

"There is, and there are two!"

"Two? How can they be resolved?" Li Xian's face lit up with joy.

The Empress smiled bitterly. "One is to cultivate to the realm of a terrestrial immortal, which is the Transformation of the Spirit stage."

Li Xian was instantly dumbfounded. The Golden Core stage is already considered a master, the Nascent Soul stage is revered as an ancestor, and the Transformation of the Spirit stage is legendary.

Yes, cultivation techniques are abundant, but without the aid of treasures, human potential and talent are limited. Why have there been the emergence of scholars, strategists, warriors, and diviners, all practicing 'worldly cultivation methods'? Simply put, there is no other way!

Traditional cultivation methods are good, but many stages require treasures like Foundation Establishment Pills, Nascent Soul Pills, and Spirit Pills. With so many cultivators now, where can one find such treasures?

Without treasures, traditional cultivation methods are discounted, and the Nascent Soul stage is basically the peak. Hence, the concept of 'worldly cultivation methods' was born.

Therefore, for Xia Qingqing to cultivate to the realm of a terrestrial immortal is simply a pipe dream!

Li Xian was stunned for a long time before cautiously asking, "What about the second method?"

"The second method is..." The Empress glanced at Li Xian. "To find a husband with a stronger destiny. This way, not only can it neutralize Qingqing's misfortune, but it can also turn the extreme into the opposite, transforming the Greed Star destiny into the 'Wealth and Fortune' destiny, bringing great wealth and long-lasting good fortune.

However..."

At this point, the Empress's expression turned bitter. "Destiny is not a stone; one cannot easily tell which is stronger. To verify the strength of destiny, there is only one method: marriage.

But, a princess is a princess. She cannot be married repeatedly. What would that do to the royal family's dignity?"

Li Xian was instantly conflicted.

Loving a beauty more than the kingdom is romantic; loving a beauty more than one's life is a loss. If one gives up their life, the beauty will naturally not belong to them anymore.

Seeing Li Xian's hesitation, the Empress sighed. "Li Xian, I will give you three days to consider."

Li Xian looked at Xia Qingqing, who was still playing with the nightlight, bit his lip, and suddenly strode over to her. In the astonished and disbelieving gazes of everyone present, he took Xia Qingqing's hand and said, word by word, "Marry me."

Li Xian's sudden action stunned everyone, including Xia Qingqing, who lifted her beautiful face in surprise, unsure of how to respond.

The Empress was also surprised for a long time before finally smiling. "Qingqing, see Li Xian out. I will first have the diviner test Li Xian's destiny."

"Okay." Xia Qingqing, with a mix of anticipation and nervousness, saw Li Xian off. As they were about to leave, Xia Qingqing suddenly whispered, "Thank you."

"Words of gratitude should be followed by actions," Li Xian said, leaning his lecherous face close to Xia Qingqing's...

"Ouch... gently, gently..." Xia Qingqing's action was the "Nine Yin White Bone Claw."

"Ha ha... You really are a rogue," Xia Qingqing laughed, and Li Xian immediately leaned in to kiss her.

"Hmph, I haven't agreed yet," Xia Qingqing pushed Li Xian away and turned back inside. But it was clear that Xia Qingqing's mood was now light, at least for the moment.

Li Xian touched his still sore cheek, feeling proud as he left.

To be clear, Li Xian was not truly someone who loved a beauty more than his life. Li Xian considered himself a person who feared death. The reason he dared to accept Xia Qingqing was not only because of his genuine affection but also because he believed his destiny was very strong! After all, one cannot transcend without a strong destiny!

With this consideration, Li Xian ultimately decided to take a gamble!

As for financial ruin, that would be others' financial ruin. From what he could see, it would be extremely difficult for anyone to cause him financial ruin!

Li Xian hummed a tuneless popular song and walked back to the grand hall with a happy step. The hall was bustling with activity. Whether they were corrupt officials or capable ministers, whether they were enemies or not, everyone was now laughing and exchanging pleasantries, drinking celebratory toasts, and pretending to have buried their past grievances.

Li Xian looked around and noticed that the fewest people were gathered around Chancellor Ouyang Wubing, who was with Ouyang Qing and a few deputy ministers; no other officials were present.

Li Xian thought for a moment and walked over to the Chancellor. Feeling very proud, he said, "Chancellor, you said you would have time to visit your residence.

But after calculating, I will be very busy after the New Year, so I have time now. I came specially to offer you a toast."

Ouyang Wubing was furious when he heard Li Xian's words, pointing at him and shouting, "You... you... you rascal, how can you act like this!"

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