"Li Xuan, Ankang's current value largely depends on you."Chief Steward Shang said seriously to Li Xuan.Li Xuan was stunned, and immediately understood the meaning of this sentence.For the current Emperor Yongyuan, Princess Ankang's value was far less than that of Li Xuan, a cat.Only by Li Xuan demonstrating more and more value could the Emperor Yongyuan care more about Princess Ankang's safety.Li Xuan couldn't help but swallow, suddenly feeling extremely nervous.He hadn't expected the situation in the palace to suddenly become like this.Moreover, he himself was very clear that what the Emperor Yongyuan valued more was his own potential, not his current strength.If one day the Emperor Yongyuan felt it was no longer worth it, he might abandon him and Princess Ankang at any time.The Imperial family had no kinship.For these politicians, only the word "interest" was most important in the world.Therefore, as long as Li Xuan's strength was not enough to overturn this world, he had to first attach himself to these powerful figures who only sought profit.This kind of thing was the same everywhere."What exactly is Empress Wu's conflict with Jingyang Palace? Why does she have to put Ankang to death?"Li Xuan asked his question.Chief Steward Shang sighed, but still replied:"Back then, the candidates for Empress were the current Empress Wu and Consort Xiao."Just hearing this, Li Xuan's brows were already deeply furrowed.But these were all past events, Empress Wu had already achieved her wish and ascended to the position of mistress of the inner palace, so why did she have to be so ruthless now, making things difficult for Princess Ankang?Was it really worth it?To get rid of Ankang, and go against the Emperor Yongyuan, giving others a handle.If anyone wanted to deal with Empress Wu in the future, this would obviously be an excellent point of attack.Li Xuan knew deeply that Empress Wu couldn't possibly not understand these issues.In other words, Empress Wu believed that even if such a price was paid, being able to get rid of Princess Ankang was worth it."How exactly did Ankang offend this Empress Wu?"Li Xuan continued to press, but this time Chief Steward Shang did not speak clearly."She probably feels that the current Princess Ankang has become a threat."It could be heard that Chief Steward Shang's tone was also full of helplessness."That's right, wasn't everything fine before?"If Empress Wu had really been dealing with Princess Ankang like this, there would be no reason for the Three Little Ones of Jingyang Palace to have lived until now.The root of the problem was simple: a conflict of interests had arisen between the two sides.Li Xuan wanted to see if there was a chance to resolve the conflict at this time.When interests conflict, the best solution is to align the interests of both parties, becoming a community of shared interests where one prospers, all prosper, and one suffers, all suffer."What kind of threat did Empress Wu feel?""Ankang has no intention of contending with anyone.""Perhaps we can reach an agreement with Empress Wu?"Li Xuan's tail wagged eagerly.Seeing the words Li Xuan wrote, Chief Steward Shang smiled with relief and stroked Li Xuan's fur."Li Xuan, it's very good that you have such thoughts.""The word 'interest' is always the best motivator for people.""For both friends and enemies, you must control them well with interests.""But some things are not that simple.""The best way to eliminate a threat is always to eradicate it.""No matter what method is used, only by eradicating the threat can one feel at ease."Chief Steward Shang's words gradually made Li Xuan give up hope.It seemed Empress Wu's attitude towards Jingyang Palace was resolute.Then, Chief Steward Shang suddenly asked:"Li Xuan, when you face an unbeatable enemy, would you sever your own claws and wag your tail in supplication?"Li Xuan was silent."Suppose you do this, perhaps there's a slim chance that Princess Ankang might be spared a disaster?"Chief Steward Shang continued to ask.Li Xuan frowned, thought for a long time, then shook his head.And seeing Li Xuan shake his head, Chief Steward Shang first smiled slightly, and then asked:"Why not?"Li Xuan wagged his tail, slowly writing in mid-air:"Ankang would be sad."If one day Princess Ankang were to sever her own limbs for Li Xuan's safety, or even just sit back in that wheelchair, he would feel heartbroken.And would Princess Ankang be willing to let Li Xuan make such a sacrifice for her sake?Li Xuan was sure Princess Ankang would not.Such a sacrifice would only be to move oneself.The one being saved would only be forced to endure endless pain.At this moment, Chief Steward Shang actually clapped his hands, praising Li Xuan's choice."Li Xuan, there is only one answer.""Keep sharpening your claws, let them become sharper and sharper."After Chief Steward Shang finished speaking, he touched Li Xuan's ear with his finger, and then disappeared from the spot.He had said everything that needed to be said.Li Xuan remained on the rooftop, not getting up to leave for a long time.Tonight's night was exceptionally dark.Li Xuan looked up, only to see a sky covered by dark clouds, not a single ray of starlight or moonlight could pierce through.But it was precisely such a thick night that better highlighted the bustling night view of the capital.Looking at the illuminated lights, Li Xuan's mind was filled with complex thoughts."Even if Empress Wu is willing to give us a chance, would you be willing to let Ankang and Yuer live the hard life they had before?"Li Xuan knew very well that his answer was no.But he also knew very well who was pushing all of this.The Emperor Yongyuan's reward this time brought a huge reaction to the inner palace.Even if Chief Steward Shang hadn't mentioned it earlier, Li Xuan was very clear about the role the Emperor Yongyuan played in it.It was the Emperor Yongyuan who pushed Princess Ankang into her current predicament."Is he urging us to make a decision?"Chief Steward Shang's earlier words also enlightened Li Xuan.Whether it was Empress Wu or the Emperor Yongyuan, only interests could make them friends or enemies.But given the current situation, Li Xuan didn't have many choices; he could only cling to the Emperor Yongyuan.Otherwise, if they lost this only support, the Three Little Ones' fate would be very tragic.Li Xuan closed his eyes and checked his current progress.Yang Deficiency Qi Induction Method: 80%Yin Weak Qi Gathering Technique: 80%The effects of the pills refined by Imperial Physician Xue were almost completely digested by Li Xuan.His daily progress had been decreasing, starting to approach the initial speed.According to his estimation, in another month, he would be able to perfect these two Qi Induction cultivation methods, and then he would be able to cultivate true qi with yin and yang attributes.Because of his extraordinary talent, Li Xuan had no bottlenecks at all; he only needed to push the progress, and he would naturally reach perfection.Thanks to this, the threshold that stumped countless human prodigies was almost non-existent for him.But even so, Li Xuan now felt it was too slow."No, I can't just rely on the Emperor Yongyuan.""I need to establish connections with more people.""Interest connections!"Li Xuan overlooked the brightly lit capital under the dark and dim night sky.His eyes flickered, and his thoughts were myriad....The next morning.Princess Ankang woke up early with the help of Yuer.Li Xuan lay by the window, watching Princess Ankang wash and dress, preparing to go out.Last night, he had listened to Chief Steward Shang's advice and did not go out for a stroll, but returned to Princess Ankang's bedside, holding her head and falling asleep peacefully as usual.Today, Princess Ankang planned to go to West Market to visit Xiao Cui, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.Although Princess Ankang hadn't mentioned it during this time, she was still very worried about Xiao Cui and her grandfather in her heart.However, being deep within the palace, they were beyond the reach of external affairs and could only hope that the Money Gang would be sensible.Soon, the Three Little Ones were ready and prepared to go out.Chief Steward Shang personally accompanied them, harnessing the horses for them.The carriage was the same one the Three Little Ones had previously taken to Thousand Stars Pavilion.Their current outing was minimalist in terms of personnel; besides the Three Little Ones, only Chief Steward Shang accompanied them.But Li Xuan could sense that there were also many Flower-Clothed Eunuchs in the shadows responsible for their protection.It seemed Chief Steward Shang simply wanted to avoid making a grand display publicly, preferring to keep a low profile.Since Chief Steward Shang was personally accompanying them, Li Xuan felt much more at ease.No matter how crazy Empress Wu was, she wouldn't go so far as to attack Ankang Princess on the street, would she?Moreover, Chief Steward Shang was an Upper Three Ranks master, so it wouldn't be easy for Empress Wu to succeed.Yesterday, when Chief Steward Shang said that, Li Xuan hadn't thought much of it.But last night, when he returned to his room and pondered, he felt that something wasn't quite right.Even if Empress Wu truly felt Ankang Princess had become a threat, what methods would she use to deal with her?As for assassination, Li Xuan always felt it was a bit too far-fetched.But Chief Steward Shang's attitude was clear, and it didn't seem like he was faking it.This left Li Xuan unsure what methods Empress Wu might employ."Alas, I can only take it one step at a time."Besides diligently cultivating, Li Xuan could only try to find as much assistance as possible.He believed that a powerful figure like Empress Wu would certainly have enemies.The enemy of an enemy is a friend.Perhaps Li Xuan could even befriend Empress Wu's enemies.But the current problem was, who were Empress Wu's enemies, and who among them would be willing to help them?It was also difficult for Li Xuan, as a cat, to use such a small brain capacity to ponder these complex issues.And while he was thinking, time evidently flew by quickly.By the time Li Xuan came back to his senses, Ankang Princess was already preparing to carry him out of the carriage."Li Xuan, we've arrived.""I wonder how Xiao Cui and her grandfather are doing now?"Ankang Princess, holding Li Xuan, jumped directly out of the carriage.Compared to last time, when she was confined to a wheelchair and found movement difficult, this time Ankang Princess was able to run and jump on her own, making things much easier."Meow."Li Xuan meowed in response to Ankang Princess.After Chief Steward Shang had someone look after the carriage, he followed the Three Little Ones into West Market.It was still much the same as their last visit, shoulder to shoulder, with people packed everywhere.It was just that the weather was getting colder, and apart from the Western Region Girl dancing heatedly by the roadside, everyone else had added quite a bit of clothing.Last time, with Xu Lang and others clearing the way for the Three Little Ones, they hadn't experienced much trouble with the crowded streets.This time, although only Chief Steward Shang accompanied them, the Three Little Ones also walked easily and comfortably through the crowd.Within about three feet around them, for some reason, no one approached, as if an invisible hand was separating the crowd.Yet, this strange phenomenon went unnoticed by anyone except the Three Little Ones themselves.When people on the street were jostled, especially if they found the other person was a smelly man, they would inevitably curse their female relatives.But even in such circumstances, no one even glanced at the Three Little Ones."Chief Steward Shang, how did you do that?"Ankang Princess, holding Li Xuan, walked leisurely through the crowd, enjoying an almost transparent yet uncollided presence, feeling particularly amazed.Li Xuan also looked at this scene in surprise.He couldn't even detect any fluctuation of true qi from Chief Steward Shang's body."Is it a level too high for me to perceive, or is it some other power?"Li Xuan then recalled Elder Ye's method of controlling shadows in Thousand Stars Pavilion."Could it be a method of the Upper Three Ranks?""But what kind of ability does Chief Steward Shang possess?"Li Xuan couldn't discern any details at all, making it impossible to even guess.Chief Steward Shang smiled slightly, then respectfully replied to Ankang Princess:"Just a trivial little trick."Evidently, Chief Steward Shang didn't want to elaborate, so Ankang Princess was sensible enough not to press further.And the Three Little Ones quickly followed their memory and found Xiao Cui's stall.Compared to before, their business was surprisingly much more bustling.Many people crowded in front of the stall, Xiao Cui enthusiastically greeted customers, while Xiao Cui's grandfather worked tirelessly, without lifting his head, making all sorts of knots."Oh? Business is much better."Li Xuan felt a little surprised.It seemed Xiao Cui and her grandfather not only hadn't been bothered by the Money Gang but were even doing better than before.And just as they arrived near the stall, Xiao Cui actually spotted them."Miss Li, you're here!"Xiao Cui greeted them excitedly, abandoning the customers in front of the stall and heading straight for Ankang Princess.And seeing this, Li Xuan's eyes widened even further.Because, at this moment, the people around them were still automatically making way for them, and no one had yet noticed the anomaly around them.Originally, Li Xuan thought Chief Steward Shang's ability had the function of interfering with other people's perceptions.But now Xiao Cui could spot them in the crowded street at a glance.Xiao Cui was just an ordinary girl; Li Xuan could confirm that.In other words, Chief Steward Shang's ability might even be able to adjust for different people."What kind of ability is this?""If used well, could one become invisible?"Li Xuan stared intently at Chief Steward Shang, but he couldn't see anything unusual at all.And Chief Steward Shang, noticing Li Xuan's gaze, merely smiled profoundly.Li Xuan looked at Chief Steward Shang, then at the passersby, and then at Xiao Cui, who was heading straight for them.Immediately after, Li Xuan slowly noticed that more and more eyes were focusing on them.As Xiao Cui approached, Chief Steward Shang seemed to have withdrawn his "divine power."The customers in front of the stall all curiously turned their gaze towards them.Xiao Cui scurried to Ankang Princess's side, so excited that she was at a loss for words.Li Xuan had seen Xiao Cui's speed as she rushed over earlier and thought she was going to hug Ankang Princess.But reason must have prevailed, as Xiao Cui came before Ankang Princess and bowed, though her movements were a bit awkward, it was enough to show her current feelings."Miss, long time no see.""You…"Xiao Cui originally wanted to greet Ankang Princess, but her gaze couldn't help but fall on Ankang Princess's legs.She hadn't noticed when she excitedly ran over earlier, but now she realized that Ankang Princess was standing."Miss, your legs are healed?""Good deeds are truly rewarded, this is wonderful!"Xiao Cui was so excited that she was incoherent, but her joy for Ankang Princess was sincere.Ankang Princess smiled and didn't explain much, simply replying:"Xiao Cui, how have you been lately?"