Heaven, Earth, Me Chapter 1571. Caged...? Bird.

Within the vast expanse of the Scarlet Sun Empire, a prince was deep in thought within his private chambers. His recent acquisition of a wife presented a peculiar dilemma: she was unaware of her marital status, a complex arrangement orchestrated by her sect and his own empire.

A trusted maid, Saira, beside him, voiced her bewilderment. "My Lord, why not employ mental influence? That woman seems quite… suggestible."

"Is jealousy clouding your judgment, Saira?"

Saira flinched at the accusation, prompting a sigh from the prince as he leaned back. "While she has ostensibly joined me for superior cultivation resources, I find myself uncertain how to truly approach her."

Saira's brow furrowed. "…Your Highness Xinghong, would you permit my impertinence if I speak my mind?"

Xinghong Wang cast a glance at Saira, noting her strained expression, and relented with a sigh. "It is only because you have been at my side since childhood. Proceed."

Saira inclined her head stiffly. "The agreement between you and that sect was to facilitate the relocation of this woman."

"Princess Cecile."

"…Princess Cecile to a secluded residence, ensuring her unawareness of her betrothal. You intended to utilize superior resource allocation and valuable treasures to enhance her individual strength, thereby ensnaring her interest. Subsequently, under the guise of bestowing these resources, you would foster a gradual deepening of affection, ultimately culminating in a genuine union."

Xinghong Wang nodded in confirmation. "That aligns with the original intent. She cultivates an exceptionally potent Yin-attributed technique, hence her emotional responses are typically muted. For individuals of her disposition, patience is paramount. I anticipate that a millennium or two may be required for her affections to reciprocate."

"...And what if that expectation remains unfulfilled? Is Your Highness prepared to have squandered two millennia of resources on a fruitless pursuit of love? That woman possesses a volatile temperament, and her acts of ruthless elimination are not uncommon. Your Highness may unknowingly be nurturing a predator in your own home, rather than a docile companion."

"Saira." The prince's gaze turned frigid. "Never again shall you liken her to a mere animal in my presence, lest I incur genuine wrath. She is to be your future mistress."

Saira harbored unspoken reluctance. Although the Prince accepted various concubines, the esteemed position of Main Wife had remained conspicuously vacant. This vacancy was not due to a scarcity of qualified candidates, but rather stemming from the Prince's own discerning pride.

As one of the realm's most gifted individuals and the Crown Prince of the Scarlet Sun Empire, he had never encountered a woman who fully satisfied his criteria to be elevated to the status of future Empress.

Thus, in her private musings, Saira had harbored the secret hope that this ultimate position might one day be hers. After all, she had been the Prince's initial companion, steadfastly by his side for countless years. Their bond, she believed, was far from superficial.

However, this cherished illusion had been shattered not too long ago.

Approximately thirty to forty years prior, the Prince embarked on a journey to a Secret Realm to procure a rare metal essential for forging. During this expedition, he encountered a woman.

To adequately describe this woman, Saira could only employ a single term, albeit with considerable reservation: "peerless.".

In her extensive lifetime, she had never before witnessed a woman whose beauty surpassed all others. Cascading platinum blonde hair, piercing icy-blue phoenix eyes, flawless alabaster skin, magnificent phoenix wings, and facial features defying any conventional description of perfection.

This woman, much like the solitary full moon gracing a clear night sky, commanded attention effortlessly, eclipsing all else simply by her presence. She embodied the very image of an ideal, peerless Empress.

Saira could only abstractly conceive of how such exquisite features might appear when graced by a smile, and even that mere contemplation sent a flutter through her own heart. Despite her profound jealousy, Saira could not deny that in comparison to Cecile, she herself was but a humble stone by the roadside.

Worse still, at that time, Saira had harbored a desire to tarnish such immaculate beauty by enlisting several formidable cultivators to challenge her for her treasures.

What was the outcome?

The woman summoned an awe-inspiring feathered bow, and with movements as graceful as a butterfly flitting between blossoms, she dispatched every one of the hired powerhouses, leaving them mere sieves. Her attire remained pristine, unstained, and her impassive, perfect countenance never wavered, neither during the brief conflict nor in its aftermath.

As her silvery phoenix wings unfurled and Cecile engaged in combat, Saira understood. 'This woman has irrevocably captured His Highness's heart.'

She didn't even require a glimpse of Xinghong Wang to ascertain his infatuation; even Saira, who loathed Cecile, had almost succumbed to the woman's captivating beauty during that very confrontation.

Fortuitously for Saira, a sliver of hope persisted. That woman's emotional capacity seemed… nonexistent. Furthermore, her singular focus on cultivation rendered the prospect of her accepting marriage or becoming a Dao Companion virtually impossible.

It was foolish of her to have entertained such a thought.

Given her singular focus, deceiving Cecile proved simple, provided the true objective remained unmentioned. Consequently, that woman’s sect brokered a pact with Prince Xinghong. He pledged to subsidize Cecile’s cultivation resources and marry her, in return for the Scarlet Sun Empire’s backing of the sect.

Interestingly, Saira was privy to the fact that it wasn’t Sect Master Bai, but rather the Grand Elder named Bing Chen, who finalized this agreement.

Through a series of calculated maneuvers and subtle manipulations from both parties, Cecile was expertly relocated from her sect and situated in an optimal cultivation locale within the Scarlet Sun Empire – the Prince’s opulent residence.

Yet, ‘residence’ hardly suffices, as the estate sprawled across countless square kilometers.

"In any case, Saira," Prince Xinghong inquired. "Have the latest resources arrived?"

Saira’s lips tightened, but she responded dutifully. "Yes, Your Highness."

A wide grin spread across the Prince’s face. "Excellent! Let us proceed to visit the Crown Princess!"

As they departed, they remained oblivious to an exceptionally discreet maid, bow in hand, who detached herself from a concealed vantage point and swiftly returned to Cecile’s chambers. Her silver eyes, sun-kissed skin, and flowing silver tresses lent her an air of exotic allure.

Agilely, Clara re-entered Cecile’s quarters, observing the cultivating woman at the center with a complex expression. Clara had been aware of Bing Chen’s machinations from the outset. Had she revealed the truth to Cecile, she was certain it would trigger a profound transformation, potentially unleashing a world-consuming inferno for the first time.

Nevertheless, she held back, recognizing that Cecile’s current predicament offered undeniable advantages. How so? The resources furnished by Prince Xinghong were, to put it mildly, extraordinarily lavish. The lowest-tier items were mid-level Transcendence Rank, while the more potent offerings included One or Two-Star Supreme Ranked pills and comparable elixirs.

In stark contrast to her former sect, the difference was as night and day. Therefore, if Cecile desired to cultivate in peace with access to the finest resources, her present circumstances were indeed optimal.

Fylia, Cecile’s spirit companion, was also aware and concurred with Clara. ‘As long as the other party refrains from any peculiar actions, we can exploit this situation.’

Thus, Clara divulged nothing, continuing her steadfast vigil by Cecile’s side.

Cecile, who had been immersed in cultivation, slowly unsealed her eyes and directed her transcendent gaze toward Clara. "Is all well?"

Clara offered a smile in response to the clear, cool tone that others often perceived as devoid of emotion. "Indeed, Madam Cecile. His Highness is en route to deliver further resources."

Cecile inclined her head. Clara had informed her that the prince was providing these resources in exchange for her safeguarding his estate. Consequently, Cecile had instructed Clara to periodically monitor the surrounding vicinity.

Clara, in turn, utilized this opportunity to discreetly observe the prince, his consorts, and Saira, ensuring no unforeseen incidents occurred.

As Clara finished speaking, a gentle knock sounded. "Cecile, new provisions have arrived. May I enter?"

Cecile harbored no intention of obstructing the path of the individual she was tasked with protecting, and thus spoke softly. "Yes."

The Prince, radiating contentment, entered with Saira flanking him. Upon entering, Saira’s gaze fell upon Cecile, her brow furrowing deeply. Detecting the undercurrent of animosity, Cecile’s icy blue eyes subtly shifted to regard her.

As Cecile’s gaze met Saira’s, a terrifying chill permeated Saira’s spine, compelling her to involuntarily avert her eyes.

Cecile mused internally. ‘That woman is suspect. The malevolent glances she directs towards me incessantly suggest a profound irritation. What are your thoughts on this, Clara? Do you believe she is an enemy spy requiring consideration? Perhaps she perceives me as a hindrance to their scheme to assassinate the prince.’

Clara’s lips twitched as she suppressed a chuckle. ‘No need for concern, Madam Cecile. I shall maintain my vigilance over her.’

Cecile nodded, seemingly satisfied. In the interim, the Prince had already approached Cecile. His eyes conveyed a mixture of affection and delight at Cecile’s apparent openness. Based on what Bing Chen had conveyed, Cecile typically exhibited annoyance when her cultivation was interrupted, yet she had never displayed such a reaction towards him.

Therefore, he felt considerable joy and satisfaction, even when Cecile employed phrasing that likened them to Supreme Ranked consumables.

"Observe this. My subordinates discovered a Three-Star Supreme Ranked Tundra Phoenix blood pool. I wager it will prove immensely beneficial to you, correct? Furthermore, we procured an [Ice Mountain Clear Ying Lotus], a potent treasure for augmenting ice-based skills. The remainder consist of standard provisions."

Cecile examined the items, a flicker of happiness discernible in her icy blue eyes. It was only upon receiving such rare gifts that a subtle radiance illuminated Cecile’s gaze, despite her otherwise impassive demeanor.

Witnessing her evident delight, the man’s heart swelled with happiness.

Cecile stored the treasures within her ring and looked upward at him. "Thank you."

Though this patron was merely compensating her for his protection, his generosity was undeniable. Thus, Cecile, in kind, offered her gratitude.