# Chapter 1028: Bai Su
An old woman dressed very plainly, appearing extraordinarily aged. Her skin was the color of mud, her entire body covered in wrinkles, with only a few sparse white hairs remaining on her head, almost completely fallen out.
The old woman was extremely emotional. Breaking free from Bai Xuanyu and Bai Xuanshuang's grasp, she rushed in front of Zhang Ruochen, tremblingly grabbing his hands, her eyes brimming with tears as she asked, "Crown Prince... Crown Prince... Are you really the Crown Prince? Have you returned?"
The old woman's cultivation was unfathomably profound. The moment she stepped into this area, the entire space seemed to separate itself.
Although they stood on a bustling, lively street, no one could see them, nor could anyone touch them.
Zhang Ruochen stared at the old woman before him, feeling both familiar and unfamiliar. At the same time, he could discern that her emotions were genuine.
Otherwise, with her level of cultivation and state of mind, how could she be so moved as to cry?
Affected by that emotional surge, Zhang Ruochen did not deliberately conceal his identity and asked, "Elderly one, do you recognize me?"
The old woman's voice trembled, "I am Bai Su, Bai Su! Back then, there were two young palace maids by the Crown Prince's side, and I was one of them! Your Highness no longer remembers me?"
Zhang Ruochen was slightly taken aback. He carefully examined the old woman who seemed on the verge of death, finding it hard to believe. "You are Bai Su, Little Su'er of the Bai family? I remember, when you entered the palace, you were only nine years old. That day, heavy snow fell in the palace, and your little face was frozen red. Old Ancestor Bai Qi of the Bai family personally delivered you to the Eastern Palace, asking you to stay by my side, take care of my daily needs, and study together with me. At that time, you were only this tall... How have you now become so..."
The word "aged" ultimately remained unspoken.
Eight hundred years had passed. Many old acquaintances had already died of old age. The fact that she was still alive was already a miracle.
Granny Bai Su was already in tears, her face streaked with old sorrow. Zhang Ruochen's words awakened many distant memories. She knelt directly on the ground: "Crown Prince... You really are the Crown Prince. Bai Su can see Your Highness once more before dying... It's worth it... This life has been worth it."
Qin Yutong, Bai Xuanyu, and Bai Xuanshuang were also greatly shaken. They immediately knelt in unison, paying their respects to Zhang Ruochen. "We pay our respects to the Crown Prince."
"The Holy Bright Central Empire has long since fallen. What Crown Prince is there? Rise! All of you, rise."
Zhang Ruochen let out a long sigh. Reaching out with both hands, he first helped Granny Bai Su to her feet.
"As long as Your Highness has returned, the Holy Bright Central Empire is not considered destroyed."
Granny Bai Su, after all, had the life experience of eight hundred years and possessed a profound state of mind. Gradually, she suppressed the excitement in her heart and asked, "Your Highness, has the Great Emperor returned with you?"
Qin Yutong, Bai Xuanyu, and Bai Xuanshuang remained kneeling on the ground, not yet rising. At this moment, however, they also wore expectant expressions.
If the Ming Emperor were to return, it would be an even more heart-stirring and exciting news.
"No, I have been searching for him as well."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze once again fixed on Granny Bai Su. "Bai Su, regarding the palace coup eight hundred years ago, I have many questions I wish to ask you privately."
"Mm." Granny Bai Su nodded deeply.
Returning to the Phoenix Dance Palace, they entered a deep cultivation cave dwelling.
Qin Yutong, Bai Xuanyu, and Bai Xuanshuang all waited outside the cave dwelling, while Zhang Ruochen and Granny Bai Su walked deeper inside.
Bai Xuanshuang was extremely excited, overjoyed. "He is actually the Crown Prince! We must be among the first to make contact with His Highness. What if... by some chance, I become the Crown Princess? What then?"
Bai Xuanyu appeared much calmer. "Sister, you don't need to worry about that. The position of Crown Princess would never fall to you anyway. I think Senior Sister Qin and His Highness are truly a perfect match—both talented and beautiful."
Bai Xuanshuang pretended to be angry, grinding her teeth incessantly.
Qin Yutong stood in the distance, exceptionally serene, like a fairy from a painting. However, a hint of a smile appeared in her starry eyes.
Regardless, the appearance of the Holy Bright Crown Prince was indeed a heart-stirring and exciting news, filling the three of them with great joy.
Inside the cave dwelling.
Granny Bai Su walked with a stooped back, moving very slowly, her voice extremely hoarse: "Eight hundred years ago, the Crown Prince was assassinated and died tragically in the Eastern Palace. The Great Emperor also disappeared on the same day. The entire Ming Emperor Palace, the entire imperial court, fell into chaos."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "On the day I was assassinated, do you know what exactly happened?"
Granny Bai Su shook her head and sighed. "I don't know the specific details either. That day, I happened to have returned to the Bai family. By the time I learned of the Crown Prince's assassination, it was already evening. Moreover, many different accounts of the palace coup emerged, rumors spreading everywhere. No one knew whom to believe."
"What rumors were there?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Granny Bai Su said, "Some claimed that when the Crown Prince died, only the eldest daughter of the Peacock Manor appeared in the Eastern Palace. The matter was a palace coup instigated by the Peacock Manor, aiming to seize the Holy Bright Central Empire's throne."
"But other news spread that the person who killed the Crown Prince was Princess Chi Yao of the Chi Qing Central Empire."
"There were even rumors linking it to the Undying Blood Clan, saying it was a revenge action by Xue Hou."
Zhang Ruochen's expression shifted. "How could this matter be connected to the Undying Blood Clan? Wasn't Xue Hou already cast into the Endless Abyss long ago?"
Granny Bai Su said, "I heard the Twelfth Master mention it once. He said that the Ming Emperor had some subtle relationship with Xue Hou. At that time, the Ming Emperor might have shown mercy to Xue Hou and not cast her into the Endless Abyss."
Zhang Ruochen fell silent, not speaking for a long time.
The palace coup from back then actually involved the shadow of the Undying Blood Clan, making Zhang Ruochen feel that the matter was becoming increasingly bewildering and complex.
Granny Bai Su continued, "Later, Commander Kong launched a coup, seizing control of the court, purging dissidents, causing bloodshed and storms in the Holy Bright City. I never entered the Ming Emperor Palace again."
"Even later, the Chi Qing Central Empire breached the Holy Bright City, followed by three months of mass slaughter. Some cultivators escaped, while others could not."
"Many families that refused to submit were brutally massacred. Our Bai family was also destroyed during that time. Many female family members were captured and subjected to inhuman treatment."
"I cultivated by the Crown Prince's side for five years. Your Highness bestowed upon me many spiritual pills and miraculous medicines. Therefore, my constitution and talent were considered superior, and my cultivation was also among the best. When I was auctioned off, a Saint from the Phoenix Dance Palace took a liking to me and bought me at a high price. Counting the years, I have been in the Phoenix Dance Palace for over seven hundred years."
Granny Bai Su talked with Zhang Ruochen for three full hours, recounting many things.
Including how she met the Twelfth Master, how she broke through to the Saint realm, how she became a high-ranking member of the Phoenix Dance Palace... and so on.
Some of these stories she told with heartache and sorrow, constantly wiping away tears, as if she had become that timid little palace maid from back then once more.
Granny Bai Su's tears carried a smile. "Two hundred years ago, I should have died. However, the Twelfth Master sent life-prolonging spiritual medicines every year, allowing me to cling to half a life and live until now."
"In recent years, even taking spiritual medicines has had minimal effect. Calculating the days, I have at most three months left before I completely fall. To be able to see the Crown Prince once more before dying—this life holds no regrets."
Granny Bai Su did not ask about Zhang Ruochen's experiences over the years. She only asked if Zhang Ruochen wanted to notify the Twelfth Master immediately.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "No, this matter must not be made public for now. The more people who know the truth, the more dangerous it is for me."
"That is true. Even within our own ranks, spies from various forces have infiltrated."
Clearly, Granny Bai Su also had some concerns, afraid that Zhang Ruochen might be assassinated again.
She added, "Especially the imperial court's personnel. Once they confirm the news of the Crown Prince's return, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Rumors and truth were entirely different situations, and the imperial court's level of attention would also differ.
So far, no matter how much people spread the word, there was no factual proof that Zhang Ruochen was the Holy Bright Crown Prince from eight hundred years ago.
Once everyone calmed down, some rational cultivators would not believe this rumor at all.
Because the rumor itself was too absurd, exceeding normal people's cognition.
"The fewer people who know, the better. For now, do not notify the Twelfth Imperial Uncle. When the time is right, I will visit him personally." Zhang Ruochen said.
Granny Bai Su asked, "What plans does the Crown Prince have next?"
Seeing an old acquaintance from the past, Zhang Ruochen was in an excellent mood and revealed a smile. "Of course, to cultivate diligently and strive to become a Saint as soon as possible. Otherwise, where in this world would I have a place to call my own? Of course, there is one more thing I need you to help me with."
"Whatever it is, Your Highness, please instruct."
Granny Bai Su bowed respectfully. Even after eight hundred years, she remained extremely deferential toward Zhang Ruochen.
A complex expression appeared in Zhang Ruochen's eyes. He paused for a moment, then said, "Help me investigate who exactly spread the news that I am the Holy Bright Crown Prince."
"I will handle it immediately."
Granny Bai Su took this matter very seriously and prepared to investigate personally. She immediately began walking outside.
"Wait." Zhang Ruochen called Granny Bai Su to a stop. From his Space Ring, he took out a black fruit the size of a fist and handed it to her.
"This is a Divine Stubborn Fruit I picked from the Underworld. I do not know how many years it has grown, but it has absorbed a large amount of Divine Qi from a Divine Corpse. Although it cannot be considered a Divine Medicine, it can still extend your life by several decades."
"Your Highness... You are still exactly the same as back then. Whenever there is any spiritual pill or miraculous medicine, you never forget to share a portion with us."
Granny Bai Su did not refuse, because she knew the Crown Prince's character. Once he decided to give something away, there was absolutely no possibility of taking it back.
Moreover, her lifespan was nearly exhausted, and she urgently needed the Divine Stubborn Fruit.
Not long after Granny Bai Su left the cave dwelling, Zhang Ruochen also walked out.
Outside the cave dwelling, only Qin Yutong was still waiting. Bai Xuanyu and Bai Xuanshuang had already left with Granny Bai Su.
"Greetings, Crown Prince."
Qin Yutong's demeanor was very gentle. She immediately bowed to Zhang Ruochen, every movement exceptionally graceful, carrying a unique beauty.
"In the future, do not call me Crown Prince. I do not wish to reveal my identity for now." Zhang Ruochen said.
"Understood."
Qin Yutong smiled faintly. "Granny has already instructed Yutong not to reveal Young Master Zhang's identity to anyone."
Zhang Ruochen glanced at her and nodded. "The commander of the Azure Dragon Army's Fourth Battalion, Liao Huacheng, should still be in the Seventh City Domain, right?"
"Young Master Zhang still intends to kill him?"
Qin Yutong wanted to stop Zhang Ruochen. After all, his status was too noble. If anything happened to him, no one could bear the responsibility.
Many former court officials would blame Qin Yutong as a sinner.
However, Zhang Ruochen had already rushed out first, leaving the Phoenix Dance Palace.
Qin Yutong let out a soft sigh. Activating her movement technique, she transformed into a graceful figure and immediately chased after him, unwilling to let Zhang Ruochen go alone to take risks.