The protagonist committed numerous evil deeds.

Chapter 81 Past Life Chapter 8 Responsibility

Inside the Phoenix Palace, Shen Yingsi was drinking tea with Xie Wanning, while the palace maids and eunuchs stood quietly to the side.

"Si'er, you're seventeen this year, almost of marriageable age. I think the young lady from the Wen family is quite suitable for the position of Crown Princess. How about I bestow a marriage upon you, and you two can agree on a marriage contract first, and then get married directly after your coming-of-age ceremony? What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yingsi paused in his tea-drinking motion.

After the marriage, at the Wen family home, for some reason, Shen Yingsi thought of Wen Li.

But he immediately realized who his mother was talking about.

"Mother, please don't joke. Your son's cultivation has improved a lot recently. My uncle said that he may be able to become an immortal in a few years."

"Is this true?"

Xie Wanning seemed somewhat excited, her eyes fixed on Shen Yingsi.

"Does Mother not know how well I have cultivated?"

Xie Wanning thought about it and realized that it made sense. Her son was a genius that hadn't been seen in thousands of years, and it was only a matter of time before he cultivated himself into an immortal.

“But becoming an immortal won’t stop you from getting married. You two can get engaged first, and then get married as soon as you come of age. After that, before you become an immortal, let the Empress Dowager hold the imperial grandson. Mingzhu is a kind and innocent girl with a good family background. I think she is the most suitable for the position of Crown Princess.”

Shen Yingsi explained softly, "Mother, I have no interest in this. I only wish to cultivate myself into a god as soon as possible and save all living beings."

Xie Wanning had no idea how much good karma she had accumulated in her past life to have such a son.

"Your mother isn't pressuring you now, but once you come of age, you'll have to bring one back for me."

As soon as Xie Wanning finished speaking, Shen Yi came in carrying his birdcage.

"Ning'er, why are you saying all this? How old is our Si'er? Si'er, don't listen to your mother's nonsense. Do whatever you want."

Xie Wanning glanced at Shen Yi and pretended to be angry, saying, "You just like to spoil him! What kind of father are you? You never do anything right."

Shen Yi sat down next to Xie Wan Ning and coaxed, "Ning'er, don't be angry. I've been learning a few of your favorite dishes from the Imperial Kitchen these past few days. We'll try them together later."

"You just like teasing me. Do you even know what our son likes to eat?"

Shen Yi looked at Xie Wan Ning with affection and said, "Our son has never been a picky eater since he was little. He likes to eat whatever I make."

He had barely finished speaking when Xie Wan Ning slapped him hard. Shen Yi held his hand, which had been hit, looking completely innocent.

"Wan Ning, why did you hit me?"

Shen Yi's voice was innocent yet obsequious.

Shen Yingsi chuckled as he watched the interaction between the two.

"Do you even have the demeanor of a father? You don't even know what your son likes. Xie Xiao, tell the Emperor what the Crown Prince likes to eat."

Xie Xiao, who had been standing silently to the side, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, His Highness's favorite food is hibiscus cake, especially the kind with a molten center."

Shen Yi glanced at Xie Xiao and then at Shen Yingsi, who had a smile on his face.

"Si'er, when did you start liking this kind of thing? Alright, it was your father's fault. In a few days, your father will personally make some hibiscus cakes for you as an apology."

"My son, I would like to thank my father."

After having lunch at Fengluan Palace, Shen Yingsi took Xie Xiao out of the palace.

"Fourth Brother, sometimes I really envy you."

"Why do you envy me?"

"I envy you for having such loving and affectionate parents. You have no idea how many concubines my father had. My mother harbored more resentment towards my father than anything else, and my father, in turn, also disliked my mother."

Shen Yingsi smiled and said that he did feel very lucky.

Before they even stepped out of the palace gates, Shen Yannan, dressed in a black robe, walked towards them.

Shen Yannan was dressed in coarse cloth, without any expensive items on his person, and the exquisitely crafted sword in his hand seemed out of place. The sword, though unsheathed, was full of spiritual energy, and its hilt was carved with pear blossoms, the carving of which was so delicate that it showed the swordsmith's dedication.

Shen Yingsi's face turned cold, his eyes filled with ice, and Shen Yannan ignored him and brushed past him.

"Brother, you've become increasingly rude. How come you don't even bow to me now that you've been out of the palace for several years?"

Shen Yingsi suddenly stopped and spoke, startling Xie Xiao.

Shen Yannan stopped in his tracks, his eyes filled with gloom. He clenched his fist and then quickly relaxed it.

Shen Yannan slowly turned around, knelt down, and bowed: "Shen Yannan greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Shen Yingsi did not immediately wake him up. Instead of looking at him, he stared at the sword in his hand and said after a long while, "This sword is not good enough for you, it's a pity."

After saying that, he turned and left. Xie Xiao frowned and quickly followed behind Shen Yingsi, not daring to say a word.

Shen Yingsi had a very good temper, and Xie Xiao had never seen him use his status to intimidate anyone. He remembered that His Highness had been quite friendly to the First Prince when they were young. In recent years, he had simply ignored the First Prince. What was wrong with him today?

After Shen Yingsi walked away, Shen Yannan stood up and touched the pear blossom sword in his hand.

I'm not worthy? Shen Yingsi, don't worry, it won't be long before you're the one who's unworthy.

Shen Yannan smiled, sheathed his sword, turned around, and walked forward.

*

Xie Xiao thought about it for a long time but still couldn't understand why Shen Yingsi was angry.

Back at the East Palace, he cautiously asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

"fine."

Shen Yingsi's voice returned to its usual gentle tone, and Xie Xiao felt relieved.

After returning to the Eastern Palace, Shen Yingsi locked himself in his study, where his desk was piled high with memorials sent from the palace and secret letters from various places.

He sat in a chair, an open letter spread out in front of him, delivered by fast horse from Ghost Valley in Danli. The letter said that more and more demons had recently escaped from Ghost Valley.

Shen Yingsi opened the drawer under the desk. Inside the empty drawer were a few pieces of osmanthus cake and a pile of blueprints.

The topmost drawing depicts the sword that Shen Yannan is holding today.

There was a knock on the door, and Shen Yingsi slammed the drawer shut.

"Enter."

Xie Wanzhou walked in slowly and sat down in the chair to Shen Yingsi's left.

Shen Yingsi stood up from the main seat and sat opposite Xie Wanzhou.

"Ying Si, news has come from the Liang family in Danli that more and more demons are escaping from Ghost Valley! I plan to go with your uncles to investigate and do my best to make amends. While I'm gone, the Xie family and Xie Wansheng will have to rely on you."

Shen Yingsi asked with worry, "Uncle, is there any danger?"

Xie Wanzhou didn't answer, but only said, "Keep an eye on Xie Wansheng. As long as he doesn't do anything serious, just turn a blind eye. Consider this your uncle's request."

"Uncle! You're still going to indulge him!"

Xie Wanzhou stood up and walked behind Shen Yingsi, patting his back and saying, "I just don't want you to have a conflict with your mother. Si'er, the capital depends on you to watch over it, and the world depends on you to protect it. More and more people are dying at the hands of demons, and the responsibility on your shoulders is getting bigger and bigger. You can't be distracted."

"Ying Si understands."

Xie Wansheng sighed: "Ying Si, you have an extraordinary destiny, but it is almost impossible for you to save the world on your own. But don't worry, your uncle will always stand behind you and help you!"

Shen Yingsi stood up, his gaze resolute: "Uncle, I won't let you down."

Xie Wansheng smiled with satisfaction and got up to leave: "Time is of the essence, Uncle must leave now. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

As Xie Wanzhou stepped out of the room, Shen Yingsi said again, "Uncle, you must stay safe!"

Xie Wanzhou turned to look at him and saw the usually composed young man with a worried expression. He smiled and waved goodbye.

"I know, I'll treat you to a drink when your uncle comes back!"

After Xie Wanzhou left, Shen Yingsi became increasingly uneasy. He instructed Xie Xiao, "Send someone to keep a close eye on Xie Wansheng and make sure he doesn't cause me any trouble."

After saying that, Shen Yingsi returned to his study. He sat down at his desk and took out the drawing from the drawer.

He stared at it for a long time, and finally the drawing in his hand suddenly burst into flames and slowly turned to ashes.

He is the green lamp, and the green lamp is him.

Centuries ago, a god named Qingdeng sacrificed himself to bring us these past few centuries of peace. What will become of Shen Yingsi?