As the maid's announcement settled, all eyes turned to Jason Ji, each face reflecting different emotions. Livia Dong had a faint smile playing on her lips, her thoughts unreadable, while Raymond Dong's expression grew wary. He wondered if his powerful son-in-law's recent exploits in Chang'an had caught the eye of Princess Changle, and if she now sought to compete with his daughter for Jason's affection. This could spell trouble.
"She wants to see me?" Jason was genuinely surprised. Although he'd met Sarah Long before, they weren't exactly close.
"Let her in," Livia instructed the maid with a wave of her hand.
"Yes, my lady!" The maid hurried out of the hall, and shortly after, returned, escorting Sarah Long into the room.
"Uncle Dong, Sister Livia," Sarah greeted respectfully, bowing first to Raymond Dong and then to Livia Dong. Raymond Dong personally stood to welcome her, leading her to a seat in the hall.
"Princess, may I ask what brings you here to see my son-in-law at this hour?" Raymond Dong's tone was direct, wasting no time on pleasantries.
"Uncle Dong," Sarah began, her voice calm and dignified, "I know it's rather late to come seeking Jason, but when we met outside Chang'an, we shared a rapport that I can't easily forget. Tomorrow is my birthday, so I've come personally to invite him. It would be an honor if he could attend."
A graceful smile adorned Sarah's face, although she hadn't missed how heavily Raymond Dong emphasized the term "son-in-law." However, she had resolved to form a bond with Jason and feigned ignorance of his possessive tone.
"I see," Raymond Dong replied, nodding, mentally preparing his excuse to turn down the invitation on Jason's behalf.
But Livia interjected smoothly, "Since Sister Sarah has gone out of her way to come here, I'll agree on Jason's behalf."
"What!!" Raymond Dong's face twisted in shock. He mentally berated himself, wondering what he'd done to deserve such a thoughtless daughter. Sarah was clearly interested in Jason, yet Livia was practically pushing him into her hands!
Jason himself felt a pang of caution. He had intended to decline the invitation, yet Livia had already accepted on his behalf. It was clear that Livia had a purpose behind this decision, and she rarely acted without a plan.
"Sister Livia agrees?" Sarah blinked, visibly taken aback by the unexpected approval.
"Of course, Sister Sarah. Since you came all this way, how could I refuse?" Livia replied with a serene smile, casting a subtle glance at Jason, as if to say she had her own reasons.
Jason met her gaze, realizing she was indeed acting with intention. She has a plan, he mused inwardly.
"Then thank you, Sister Livia," Sarah said, her tone grateful. "You're as kind-hearted as ever, just like three years ago!"
Kind-hearted… she couldn't have been further from the truth. Even Sarah, who admired Livia's beauty, knew her reputation was anything but gentle. There were few, if any, who could command the empty streets of Chang'an with their presence alone, as Livia could.
Livia chuckled lightly, the corners of her mouth curling as she replied, "Sister, you overpraise me. My looks are nothing extraordinary."
Raymond Dong nearly choked on his tea, astonished that his daughter was showing a modicum of humility.
"But…" Livia added, her eyes gleaming mischievously, "if there were a ranking, I'd barely make it to second place in the world, for my strength lies in my compassion."
Raymond Dong sprayed his tea, taken aback by her unexpected self-flattery. Sarah's cheeks turned faintly red, unable to suppress a small scoff. In all of the Sacred Tang Empire, no one else would have the audacity to call themselves both the most beautiful and the most compassionate.
Sarah's gaze shifted to Jason. The thought of this brilliant man marrying Livia pricked at her heart. She even began to entertain a notion of rescuing him from such a "predicament."
Jason, naturally, saw through Livia's performance. Suppressing a chuckle, he thought, This woman is putting on quite the act again.
Taking a steadying breath, Sarah approached Jason, her tone more formal now. "Mr. Ji, please join us tomorrow at noon in the Imperial Palace's Purple Smoke Pavilion. I'll be awaiting your presence."
She extended a gilded invitation card, which Jason accepted with a polite smile. "Of course. I'll be there."
Relieved by his acceptance, Sarah prepared to depart. As she turned, a glint of light caught Jason's eye—a dragon-shaped jade pendant hanging from her waist. In that instant, a name surfaced in his mind: Ivy Ning.
Yes, Ivy Ning, the mentor of the Defying the Evil God protagonist, Ethan Ye. If he recalled correctly, Ivy Ning bore a phoenix-shaped jade pendant, and together with this dragon pendant, they formed a matched pair. In the original story, Ivy Ning had journeyed from the upper realms to locate the bearer of the dragon jade, destined to be her future husband. Yet in the story, this pendant had belonged to Night Wuxia of Misty Peak, not Sarah Long.
The question loomed before him: should he take it or leave it? Ivy Ning's backing was substantial, coming from the prestigious Longevity Family in the upper realms.
Jason thought it over for a split second before reaching out, gently grasping Sarah's arm. "Wait, Princess."
As he spoke, he activated Dragon's Reach with his left hand.
Ding! Attempt failed, Host has not been detected by Sarah Long.
Ding! Success! Host has successfully stolen the Divine Dragon Jade without being detected.
"What… what is it?" Sarah's heart raced as she found herself mere inches from Jason. She couldn't quite meet his gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Nothing important, just wanted to ask for directions to the palace. I'm new to Chang'an, after all," Jason said casually, retracting his hand.
Meanwhile, in his palm lay the translucent dragon-shaped jade.
"Oh!" Sarah quickly composed herself, explaining the route from the Dong Residence to the palace with patience. Then, she bid farewell and departed.
As Jason watched her leave, he exhaled a sigh of relief, not realizing that Livia had observed his every move from the start.
A soft chuckle echoed through the hall. Both Jason and Raymond Dong turned to see Livia, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"What are you laughing about?" Jason asked, unable to read her intentions.
Livia smiled slyly, her tone carrying a trace of mockery. "Oh, Jason, you truly live up to the title of Immortal Slayer Sword Master."
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