I am Guhuoniao, not an umbrella demon, please do not disturb me.

Bai Qingyu felt a little worried when Xiaoya was mentioned.

In seven or eight years at most, she will have to take this girl to the capital, find an opportunity, and then make her the empress.

She has royal blood, so she's a princess after all. With Xu Yuanqing's help, there shouldn't be any major problems. However, she can't be sure what kind of trouble she'll encounter along the way. What she is certain of is that becoming empress won't be easy; killing people is inevitable, and she might even kill many people, most of whom are her brothers and sisters.

Bai Qingyu wasn't worried about the other two children at all.

With Cha Cha's status and position, she can live a comfortable life no matter what.

As for Yingcao, she doesn't have a high status, but she doesn't have any missions that she must complete. If she stays in Tongzhou, as long as nothing happens in Tongzhou, she will definitely be able to live a peaceful life, just like Taohua Yao and Yuzhan Jin.

Speaking of Miketsu and Peach Blossom Fairy, these two little demons have grown up. They are no longer so playful or carefree, and are becoming more and more like "ladys". Recently, they have been either cultivating or going out to help the people farm.

Seeing the changes in them, Bai Qingyu felt very good. Her previous efforts had not been in vain. At least they learned that even when helping others, there should be limits.

As demons, they help not only humans, but also other demons.

To be precise, they are using their power to help all living beings in the world, and only then can they be considered worthy Inari gods.

Not long after, Bai Qingyu saw Changsheng and Ji Xuan come out.

Changsheng changed his clothes, carrying the Demon Sword on his back. He looked somewhat weathered, but overall still quite handsome, with an indescribable aura.

He didn't dress up much when he came to see his daughter this time, mainly because he didn't have time to.

When Bai Qingyu saw him come out, she went over and pulled Cha Cha, who was still playing around, over. The little girl was three years old and looked more like her mother. Only her eyes were inexplicably similar to Chang Sheng's, as if they were carved from the same mold.

“This is your daughter. She hasn’t come back to visit in three years. I’m going to help you, but you’re not willing.”

Bai Qingyu placed the expressionless Chacha in Changsheng's arms, her tone helpless.

No one expected that Changsheng would only return after three years.

My daughter is three years old and can already babble. This guy just came back, and she doesn't even recognize her own father. It's just that Chacha's personality is inherited from him. She's not interested in anything, and her little face usually doesn't show any extra expression, like a living doll.

Otherwise, if Changsheng hugs her, she'll definitely cry her eyes out.

Changsheng held Chacha in his arms, and the two stared at each other.

I know this is her biological daughter, but for some reason I just feel something is strange, though I can't quite put my finger on it.

Ji Xuan stepped forward and took Cha Cha from her. She could tell that the child was a little scared; her face was expressionless and her body was trembling.

The ensuing conversation was strangely amusing.

Ji Xuan told Cha Cha very seriously that this person was her father. Then Cha Cha hugged Ji Xuan's neck tightly, not daring to speak or look at Chang Sheng, and was very scared.

Changsheng, who was not very good at speaking to begin with, stood there hesitant to speak, wanting to say something but swallowing the words back down.

Let him engage in verbal sparring with a group of cultivators; he can talk for three days and three nights without any problem.

But this situation really put him in a difficult position.

After struggling for a while, he finally said, "I am your father."

Changsheng did prepare a gift for the girl: a sea-blue jade pendant. It was not only beautiful but also had a calming and mind-soothing effect, which could ward off some ghosts and monsters. In critical moments, it could also automatically sense attacks and deploy an internal barrier to protect the little girl.

There are many treasures of this type, but the one Changsheng brought out this time is definitely top-tier.

Even the most powerful treasures require the wearer to infuse them with magical power to activate them, and Cha Cha has no magical power, so this jade pendant can still be used because it is automatically sensed.

That alone is enough to fetch a pretty good price.

The item was nice, but the little girl didn't appreciate it; her big eyes were full of wariness.

She was still young and couldn't discern much; she only knew that the man was a stranger whom she had never seen before.

There's no rush. There's plenty of time. You'll get used to it gradually.

“Your daughter doesn’t even know you. You need to work hard and make up for the past three years. Don’t go out during this time. Wait two years. When you go back, go to the Heavenly Sect and get married to Ji Xuan. You can’t have a child this big and still not have a wedding ceremony. You have to give her a proper status.”

In this world, there is no such thing as a marriage certificate. Getting married and bowing in the wedding ceremony is not just a simple formality, but also a way of telling God and the people around them that the two of them have officially become husband and wife.

Paying homage to Heaven and Earth, and bowing to one's elders are all indispensable steps.

Even poor families who can't afford to hire someone know to burn incense for heaven and earth.

Chang Sheng nodded as he watched Ji Xuan take the child away.

"I understand, Auntie."

"It's good that you know. Anyway, there's still time. The great calamity is still far away. Let's raise the child first and leave no regrets."

Volume Two: Journey Through the Demon Chronicles: Chapter Forty-Six - The Human Emperor's Serious Illness, The Ten-Year Promise

Bai Qingyu hadn't been to the capital for several years. Ever since she and Xu Yuanqing had tricked and killed a group of cultivators, she hadn't made any contact. She only knew that the fortune in the capital was rising every day, not by much, but it was relatively stable.

As it turns out, Xu Yuanqing's reforms were correct. As long as some inactive officials were removed and replaced with people who were truly willing to work for the people and were constantly supervised, even the capital city could gradually improve. The most direct manifestation of this, besides the improvement in the city's fortunes, was the improvement in the lives of the people.

The people's quality of life improved visibly. The money originally allocated by the imperial court was gradually siphoned off, leaving very little or nothing for the people. In order to appease the imperial court, local officials would resort to a series of measures such as increasing taxes and forcibly seizing grain.

As far as Bai Qingyu knows, this situation is becoming increasingly rare.

People's lives are still difficult, but fortunately, overall they are improving.

"Mother, where are we going?"

In the air, Bai Xiaoya held Bai Qingyu's hand tightly, looking down nervously.

This wasn't the first time Bai Qingyu had taken her flying. She used to love the feeling of flying in the sky, feeling that she had never felt so free and unrestrained, like a bird in the sky.

This time was different. Bai Qingyu didn't hug her, but held her hand and let her stand on this layer of clouds that could break apart at any moment.

This was indeed too exciting for Xiaoya, who was a little afraid of heights. She was afraid that she would fall if she didn't make a mistake. She kept telling herself that even if she fell, her mother would catch her, but her legs just wouldn't stop trembling.

"We're going to the capital."

"The capital?"

"Yes." Bai Qingyu said with a smile, and even tried to let go of Bai Xiaoya, which startled the little girl so much that she almost jumped on her.

The reason I brought Xiaoya out this time is because I received a letter yesterday.

This letter was delivered by Xu Yuanqing. No one knows how he managed to deliver it to Shenhuang Residence without attracting any attention from outsiders, and the envelope was completely intact.

It doesn't really matter if someone sees the contents of this letter.

The content was simple: Xu Yuanqing wanted to talk to her, but then said that he was too busy with affairs in the capital to come in person to ask for her forgiveness.

Bai Qingyu didn't care about that. Given Xu Yuanqing's current status, if he dared to leave the capital, he would definitely attract waves of assassins. And it wasn't just the Demonic Sect that wanted to assassinate him; there were also many people from the righteous sects who wanted him dead, since Xu Yuanqing had threatened their interests.

Most of the corrupt officials in Beijing have powerful backers, and the previous "chosen one" incident caused the two sides to completely break off relations. It would be unreasonable for Xu Yuanqing not to be targeted.

As for why Xiaoya was brought along, the reason is simple: to let her get used to the environment in Beijing so that she won't be so confused when she learns the truth later.

The capital city was reached in the blink of an eye. Bai Qingyu, holding the little girl's hand, descended towards Xu Yuanqing's Imperial Preceptor's residence. During this time, a cultivator rose into the air. Upon recognizing her, he bowed respectfully from afar and then withdrew.

This person is from Tianyang Palace. After the last incident, Tianyang Palace has taken this seriously. No other cultivators are allowed to interfere in the capital. They can come in, but they are absolutely not allowed to participate in any court affairs, especially to contact officials. If they are found to be involved, no matter which sect they belong to, they will be killed without mercy.

Bai Qingyu is clearly not in this category; her identity and abilities are too special.

Xu Yuanqing was at home that day, having prepared wine and dishes, waiting for Bai Qingyu to arrive.

Sitting next to him was a beautiful woman, stunningly beautiful and with a perfect temperament. If you looked closely, you would find that this beautiful woman was not human; she had a pair of fox ears on her head.

The fox demon Xiaolan and Xu Yuanqing are already married. As a demon, she married a high-ranking official of the court and even went through the wedding ceremony. The fact that the heavens did not send down a tribulation lightning means that the heavens approve of the newlyweds. No one can say anything, at most they can gossip behind their backs.

Especially since Xiao Lan was holding a little girl in her arms, who also had fox ears like her. She had both demonic and human aura. Bai Qingyu was surprised to see this. Xu Yuanqing had a lot of tricks up his sleeve. Humans and demons could have children, let alone him, who was just an ordinary person.

Bai Qingyu had to admit that this couple was quite good, and the fox demon Xiaolan probably never imagined that she would have such a day.

"Your Majesty's presence is an honor. Please forgive me for not greeting you properly. I wonder how Your Majesty has been lately?"

Xu Yuanqing still had that same smiling face. Unlike some people whose smiles looked fake and insincere, making people feel disgusted, his smile was quite natural and refreshing.

Compared to a few years ago, Xu Yuanqing hasn't changed much. It's not that he's gotten better in recent years, but rather that his condition has worsened considerably. His once black hair is now mostly gone, and his weathered face makes him look more like a kind old man than a young man in his twenties or thirties.

"Your Majesty has brought the eldest young lady as well. Your Majesty, you should have said so earlier. Such a lovely girl, I didn't prepare any decent gift for her."

As soon as Bai Qingyu landed, Xu Yuanqing hurriedly got up to greet her.

"Alright, Master Xu, there's no need to be so polite. We're all old friends."

"That's not what Your Highness said. This is just basic respect and etiquette for Your Highness. Given Your Highness's status, I would never dare to treat you as a peer or friend," Xu Yuanqing said with a smile, gesturing towards the wine table set up in the courtyard.

"Your Majesty has helped me a lot, but I have never had the chance to properly entertain you. Today I have prepared some wine and dishes and am waiting for Your Majesty to arrive."

Xu Yuanqing had barely finished speaking when Bai Qingyu glared at him. He smiled awkwardly, shrugged slightly, and said nothing more.

He knew that Bai Qingyu didn't like formalities and preferred to speak her mind, but he couldn't just go up to her as soon as she arrived and say, "Oh, Bai-jie, you've finally come! I have something I'd like to talk to you about today. Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on."

"God, Goddess Phoenix."

Seeing Bai Qingyu approach, Xiao Lan quickly stood up, and Bai Qingyu instantly switched to a smile, "Xiao Lan, it's been a long time."

He took out a talisman and handed it to Xiaolan, saying, "I've been too busy to visit you these past few years. Please accept this; it's for the child. It's not easy to have a child, and this should be of some help to you."

"This... thank you, Your Majesty."

"No, no need."

Bai Qingyu sat down, and immediately a maid came over to pour her and Xiaoya a cup of tea.

Xu Yuanqing had deliberately not poured any wine, as he knew Bai Qingyu preferred tea to wine.

Xiaoya looked left and right, clearly feeling uneasy.

She had been to the outside world, but this was her first time eating at someone else's house. It was fine as long as she was eating, but as soon as she sat down, Xu Yuanqing started praising her endlessly, saying how cute she was, how gentle and elegant she was, and how great she would be in the future.

He showered her with compliments, making her dizzy and unsure of what to do next.

Bai Qingyu realized that Xu Yuanqing had guessed Xiaoya's identity to a large extent, so he was deliberately trying to leave a better impression on Xiaoya so that they could get along better when they cooperated in the future.

He was on the same side as Bai Qingyu, so who else could he help if not Xiaoya? In his eyes, the other princes and princesses were no different from trash, so he might as well gamble on Xiaoya.

Besides, Xiaoya is the chosen one, so she should be better than others no matter what.

"Alright, tell me why you called me here this time." Bai Qingyu waved her hand and set up a barrier to isolate the surrounding area. She believed that Xu Yuanqing's next words absolutely could not be leaked out, otherwise, given his current status and position, he might very well get into trouble.

Seeing that Bai Qingyu had set up a barrier, Xu Yuanqing stopped praising Xiaoya and said, "Your Majesty is much smarter than me. I'm sure Your Majesty already knows what I want to say this time."

"Your Majesty is straightforward, so I won't waste any more words or keep you in suspense. Actually, it's like this: since the middle of last year, His Majesty has been suffering from a strange illness. He doesn't feel any pain, but his health is getting worse every day. He has consulted countless doctors and imperial physicians, and even invited cultivators from Tianyang Palace, but none of them can cure him."

"His Majesty's health is now visibly weakened, and he can only hold on for a few more years at most, no more than ten years."

At this point, Xu Yuanqing gave Bai Qingyu a meaningful look and then glanced at Bai Xiaoya, who was eating next to Bai Qingyu, without making a sound. The implication was very, very obvious.