Qian Lingtian bowed his head and thought for a moment, "Imperial Sister, actually nothing has changed. I didn't want to say it before because it was a form of protection. But if I didn't say it, Imperial Sister would be very pained, leading to some undesirable changes in her personality. After Father Emperor left, I considered abdicating the throne to Imperial Sister. But on that very day, as I was about to gather the Sect Elders and ministers to announce it, I was assassinated. At that moment, I felt that if Imperial Sister became the Qian Emperor, she would be the one facing assassination. That's why I contended with you. When Father Emperor was here, he could support a sky for Imperial Sister. Now that Father is gone, someone else will support the sky above Imperial Sister's head."
After speaking, Qian Lingtian pulled open his robe, revealing a scar on his chest.
Listening to Qian Lingtian's words and seeing the scar on his chest, Qian Lingwu's hand trembled. She didn't need to doubt the truth because she understood her Imperial Brother; he disdained sophistry and even more, lying.
"This position of Qian Emperor, whenever Imperial Sister wants it, I will yield it without the slightest hesitation!" Looking at the silent Qian Lingwu, Qian Lingtian made a promise.
"Why are you telling me all this today? Why did you hide it before, and why aren't you continuing to hide it now?" Qian Lingwu was a little confused.
"Some people die, but they still live, living in our hearts, just like Father Emperor. Some people live, but they might be no different from the dead. I don't want you to live with a dead heart," Qian Lingtian said with a sigh.
Qian Lingwu fell silent, feeling a little guilty because she had misunderstood. Her Imperial Brother was still the same as he was before becoming the Qian Emperor; his concern for her was meticulous, just expressed in a different way.
"I'm sorry!" After a period of silence, Qian Lingwu spoke.
"You have nothing to apologize for. Even when you believed I had changed, you still didn't mobilize the Sect Elders to shake my throne, and you still protected the Qian Dynasty. So, you owe me no apology," Qian Lingtian said with a smile.
"Imperial Brother should have told me earlier. Even if I were to die in battle the next moment, I would have lived a more fulfilling life. Before, although I lived safely, I lived in a daze, living in sorrow," Qian Lingwu said.
"It's because I've come to a realization that I decided to tell you. I'm leaving now, be happy, nothing has changed!" Qian Lingtian nodded at Qian Lingwu and left his seat.
However, as he reached the entrance of the main hall, Qian Lingtian stopped. "Qian Qing lacks the backbone of the Qian clan. From this day forward, he is expelled from the Qian clan. Qian clan members must live with Domineering."
Looking at the departing Qian Lingtian, Qian Lingwu was shocked because the Qian Lingtian who had just spoken was not a fifth-stage Cultivator at all; he was a sixth-stage King Realm expert, just like her, and his cultivation was even higher than hers!
Why? Why did Qian Lingtian conceal his cultivation? Because it would attract attacks and assassinations from hostile forces, and it was also for protection.
Thinking of this, Qian Lingwu's nose tingled with emotion. She realized that what she thought she had lost was still there. In the past, she believed that she could take the position of Qian Emperor whenever she wanted, but the current reality made her understand that unless Qian Lingtian yielded, she couldn't take it. The reason why the Sect Elders who supported her had always been safe was because Qian Lingtian tolerated it.
Exhaling a breath, Qian Lingwu suddenly felt a lot less pressure on her shoulders because the sky above her head was not only supported by her, but also by someone else.
After thinking for a while, Qian Lingwu felt she needed to talk to Qian Lingtian. Firstly, she had promised not to touch the Qingyun Sect. Secondly, she felt it was also inappropriate to touch Zilan in Tianxiang Valley. Before, she wasn't worried because she thought Qian Lingtian was incapable, but now the facts proved that it wasn't the case at all; it just depended on whether Qian Lingtian wanted to or not. Everyone in this world had underestimated Qian Lingtian.
When Qian Lingwu arrived at the imperial palace, Qian Lingtian was painting, with many ministers standing below, including Cao Tian.
"Imperial Sister, how do you think my 'Snow Rhyme' painting turned out?" After the last stroke, Qian Lingtian looked at Qian Lingwu and asked.
"Imperial Brother's painting skills are still not great, but I want this painting," Qian Lingwu said.
"Haha! Someone, frame it and send it to Lingwu Palace. Imperial Sister, let's have tea in the Imperial Garden." Qian Lingtian instructed a servant and then left the main hall of the imperial palace, with Qian Lingwu following behind.
At this time, Qian Lingtian had restrained his cultivation and Qi, but many people felt that both Qian Lingtian and Qian Lingwu had undergone some changes.
"Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister has something to say." After arriving at the Imperial Garden, Qian Lingwu spoke.
"Speak, Imperial Sister." Qian Lingtian stopped walking.
"A few days ago, Imperial Sister went to the Qingyun Sect and made a promise to one of their Disciples, saying that I would not act against the Qingyun Sect. There was a personal reason for this, but the main reason is that the Qingyun Sect is different from the other three Sects; they don't seek to seize control or overthrow our Qian Dynasty," Qian Lingwu said.
"If the Qingyun Sect doesn't ally with the Blood Saber Gate, Wolf King Hall, and Morning Star Pavilion to oppose our Qian Dynasty, we can leave them be. Within the Qian Dynasty's borders, we still need some Sects that don't interfere with governance but only Cultivate practitioners, and the Qingyun Sect is relatively suitable," Qian Lingtian said after some thought.
"Imperial Sister makes a good point. Then, Imperial Sister, you can handle these two matters. If they succeed, I'll give you another painting. I remember back then, Imperial Sister loved my paintings, even though, as Imperial Sister said, my painting skills aren't great," Qian Lingtian said.
"Imperial Brother hasn't painted for many years, has he?" Qian Lingwu asked.
"Yes, I haven't painted since I ascended the throne because I'm not good at it. Besides you, Imperial Sister, no one thinks my paintings are good. Actually, I know they're not good. You said you liked them to humor me, but that feeling was very nice," Qian Lingtian said.
Qian Lingwu smiled, remembering her childhood. Qian Lingtian had painted a picture, and their Father Emperor said it looked like dung. It was she who said it wasn't bad, which eased Qian Lingtian's embarrassment.
After Qin Chu stayed in Tianxiang Valley for a month, he decided to leave for a while. He wanted to meet Qian Lingwu. With Zilan convinced, he didn't want the Qian Dynasty's forces to attack one day, as Zilan wouldn't tolerate it then.
"You're leaving?" Hearing that Qin Chu was leaving, Zilan's eyes were filled with reluctance.
"Yes, I'm going to take a trip to the Great Qian Imperial Capital. When you see me again, I'll be a fourth-stage Spirit Yuan Realm Cultivator," Qin Chu said.