Chapter 188: No One Dared to Stop Her

In the Imperial Palace of the Demon Capital in the Demon Race World, the civil and military officials of the Demon Nation successively attended the morning court.

Standing at the very front of the civil and military officials were the five princes and one princess of the Demon Race World’s Imperial Family.

The rules and etiquette of the Demon Race World were almost aligned with the Mortal Dynasties of the Myriad Laws World.

It was normal for princes to attend court.

However, the attendance of a princess in court was only seen in the previous Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox Imperial Family.

But the situation was different from the present.

The previous Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox Clan had only two princesses and no princes in the Imperial Family, so both princesses were trained as princes and were practically designated as future Empresses.

But now, the Heavenly Frost White Snake Clan had five princes, so by rights, it should not be a princess’s turn to attend court.

Nevertheless, that is exactly what happened.

Moreover, no one questioned the princess attending court; they even felt it was entirely proper.

“The court is in session.”

The Ruler of the Demon Nation, dressed in a white imperial robe, ascended the throne, and the Crown Prince of the Demon Nation announced solemnly.

“Long live our Emperor!”

The civil and military officials bowed in respect.

Whether in the Demon Race World or the Myriad Laws World, kneeling was not required upon seeing the sovereign.

“You may rise.” The Demon Emperor waved his sleeve.

“Qiqi, you have returned.”

Seeing his daughter, dressed in a magnificent gown, standing before the civil and military officials, the Demon Emperor nodded.

“Father Emperor, your daughter has returned.”

She Qiqi smiled, her eyes curving.

Unlike her usual attire, She Qiqi was currently wearing the Demon Nation’s court dress.

A light-colored silk skirt was trimmed with silver thread, a water-hibiscus-colored silk ribbon draped around her waist, and she wore a long, violet-colored robe adorned with hibiscus patterns, featuring a trailing hem, a front opening, a cinched waist, and wide sleeves. The elegant orchids embroidered on the cuffs further accentuated her slender fingers, like freshly peeled scallions.

Her rosy lips shone with a crystalline color, curving into a beautiful arc.

Her jade-like earlobes wore light blue tassel earrings, which were so light they seemed to sway gently with the slightest breeze.

The Demon Nation’s court dress emphasized magnificence, a splendor difficult for ordinary women to carry, often giving off a sense of “bulkiness,” as if on a display mannequin.

Ultimately, people would notice the clothing rather than the person, as if the clothes were wearing the person instead of the person wearing the clothes.

But none of this happened with She Qiqi.

Her tall, graceful figure, flawless face, a pair of mesmerizing vertical pupils, and delicate skin all glowed faintly.

For the young woman, no matter how magnificent the clothing, it merely served as an accessory; it could only further display her subtle charm without overpowering her brilliance.

“It’s good that you’re back.” The Demon Emperor nodded, withdrawing his gaze from his daughter. “Ministers, what matters do you have to discuss?”

In the court, the civil and military officials exchanged glances, but no one dared to speak, seemingly waiting for someone to take the lead.

“If there is nothing, then the court is adjourned.”

“Father Emperor, your subject has a matter to report!”

Just as the Demon Emperor made a gesture to leave, the Crown Prince gave a look to his second younger brother, and the Second Prince immediately understood and stepped forward to report.

“What is it?” The Demon Emperor’s voice echoed leisurely throughout the great hall, causing some officials to break out in a light sweat on their foreheads.

“Your subject wishes to impeach the Seventh Sister regarding a certain matter,” the Second Prince said gravely.

A collective gasp swept through the court as the civil and military officials involuntarily looked toward the graceful figure standing in front.

“Oh?” The Demon Emperor looked at his composed Seventh Daughter, then at the Second Prince, and finally at the Crown Prince beside him. “On what grounds are you impeaching her?”

“Reporting to Father Emperor, Seventh Sister traveled to the Desolate Region bordering the Demon Race World and the Myriad Laws World, attempting to seize the ancient Divine Beast, the Dream-Eating Tapir. She mobilized a total of two hundred thousand Demon Troops for escort, accompanied by two Immortal Realm Envoys, seven Jade Purity Realm Envoys, and twenty-five Nascent Soul Realm followers.

Such a grand mobilization resulted in the Dream-Eating Tapir being seized by Ruo Wangchen of the Myriad Laws World. Seventh Sister not only returned empty-handed but also suffered the loss of four Nascent Soul Cultivators and one Jade Purity Cultivator.

She had fault but no merit. If she is not punished and disciplined, I fear it will be difficult to satisfy the masses.”

“Your subject seconds this.” Soon after, the Third Prince also stepped out. “Seventh Sister mobilized such a force only to return empty-handed, disgracing our Imperial Family. If she is not cautioned, it… it will be unjustifiable”

“It is already an exception for a woman of the Demon Race World to attend court. Your Majesty’s indulgence of the Seventh Princess leaves your subjects speechless, but Her Highness the Seventh Princess is no longer young; it is time for her to marry.”

“The Northern Bear Tribe is known for its fierce people and dominant Bloodline. If the Seventh Princess can form a political marriage with the Northern Bear Clan, it would be entirely beneficial to our Demon Nation.”

With the princes having taken the lead, several ministers also stepped forward.

“Nonsense!” A civil official stepped out. “The Northern Bear Clan is a barbarian tribe. What does it matter if their Bloodline is noble? How can a daughter of our Demon Nation marry down to them?!”

“That’s right!” Another minister stepped out. “Fault but no merit? What does ‘fault but no merit’ mean? Her Highness the Seventh Princess personally ventured into danger and did her utmost. If she had no merit, she at least put in the effort. If we enforce this so-called ‘fault but no merit’ standard, who will dare venture into the Desolate Region for our Demon Nation in the future?!”

“If we are talking about genuine fault without merit…”

An elder stepped forward.

“A thousand years ago, during the war against the previous Imperial Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox Clan, the Seventh Princess captured thirty-six cities in half a year. By the time Your Majesty ascended the throne, of the previous Dynasty’s thirty-six provinces and one hundred and eight commanderies, the Seventh Princess had conquered thirty-six commanderies, defeating a million enemy troops with an army of one hundred thousand. The former Imperial Family trembled at her name. How should this merit be calculated?

In comparison, have the Princes collectively captured even ten commanderies?

Fault but no merit?

Should the debts from a thousand years ago be settled now?”

The elder’s words rang out forcefully in the court. The Crown Prince, who stood beside the Demon Emperor, went from having a slight smile to a locked brow, clearly showing his displeasure.

The problem was that the elder was highly respected, an Immortal Realm expert, and furthermore, a close friend of the Demon Emperor’s own grandfather.

Never mind verbally slapping their faces.

Even if the elder were to physically hit them, these princes probably wouldn’t dare dodge, and would instead worry that the old man’s hand might hurt.

“Uncle Yan, there is no need to bring up past merits and faults,” She Qiqi said softly.

After speaking, She Qiqi clasped her hands in front of her, bowed her head, and curtsied:

“Qiqi did indeed mobilize a large force this time and failed to capture the Dream-Eating Tapir. I ask Father Emperor for punishment. If Father Emperor wishes to marry Qiqi to the Northern Bear Clan, Qiqi will accept.”

“Your Majesty! This absolutely must not happen!”

In the next moment, nearly half of the civil and military officials in the court spoke in unison, bowing deeply in request.

The Demon Emperor looked at the nearly half of the officials who spoke up for She Qiqi, then looked at his daughter, who stood calmly at the very front. The Demon Emperor frowned slightly.

“Regarding the matter of the Heiwu Secret Realm, although the Seventh Princess failed to obtain the Dream-Eating Tapir, she was ultimately acting for our Demon Nation. She is neither credited nor faulted. Let this matter be dropped.”

The Demon Emperor waved his sleeve, turned, and left.

“Court adjourned!”

“Thank you for your grace, Father Emperor.”

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

After the Demon Emperor departed the court, She Qiqi straightened up, did not spare a glance for the Crown Prince or the other Princes, turned, and left the court. No one dared to stop her.