The old woman ignored Yin Zhengqi's shouting. Her gaze was fixed intently on Zhang Lexuan as she asked again, "Child, what's your name? Which branch of the Moon Lineage are you from?"
Zhang Lexuan looked at the visibly emotional old woman. A strange sense of familiarity welled up inside her as she answered, "My name is Zhang Lexuan. As for which branch of the Moon Lineage I come from… I'm not sure. My clan was wiped out by enemies when I was very young."
"This—" The old woman's expression flickered with anger. She then looked at Zhang Lexuan with heartache and said, "Child, you've suffered. Your ancestors' failure brought this disaster upon you."
"Honestly, I haven't suffered much. After my clan was destroyed, I was taken in by Shrek Academy. I've lived there ever since." Zhang Lexuan responded calmly. Based on the old woman's reaction, she had a strong guess that this was likely one of the surviving elders of the Moon Lineage.
"I see." The old woman nodded, then turned to Elder Song and respectfully performed a courtly salute. "Elder Sister, I am Xu Jianwei. I apologize for the offense."
"Don't!" Elder Song leaned away, avoiding the gesture. "You're likely older than I am. I can't bear being called Elder Sister by you."
"Ah… well…" Xu Jianwei revealed a slightly embarrassed look, then said, "Regardless, I'm grateful to Shrek Academy for raising and caring for this child."
"So, aren't you going to officially reveal your identity?" Elder Song asked.
"Judging by your name, you'd be the current Sun Moon Emperor's great-aunt."
"Hm. Looks like you've done your homework." Xu Jianwei gave a bitter smile and said, "That's right. In terms of seniority, I am indeed Xu Jiusong's great-aunt—whether he acknowledges me is another matter."
"My name is Xu Jianwei. My father was Xu Yiqiu, the emperor who was beheaded by his cousin during the Moon Devouring Palace coup. I was outside the palace at the time and managed to survive."
"!" Zhu Ziyang, Zhang Lexuan, and Elder Song all widened their eyes in shock. They stared at the aged woman before them—whose youthful features were long faded. They never imagined they'd meet someone who had personally lived through the Moon Devouring Palace coup of 150 years ago—and someone of such a high rank, no less.
Xu Yiqiu had been the Moon Lineage emperor who died in that coup. Xu Jianwei was his daughter, which meant she had once been a princess of the former Sun Moon Empire. Encountering someone like her could either be a boon or a complication for Shrek Academy's plans.
While her attitude was not yet clear, one thing was—Xu Jianwei was older than Elder Song. She was at least 150 years old, while Elder Song was only around 140, the youngest of the four grand elders of Xuanlin Manor.
"So you're the direct line of the direct line." Elder Song was visibly stunned, then asked curiously, "How did you avoid the Sun Lineage's purge and even reach the rank of Titled Douluo?"
"Perhaps fate wasn't ready to take me yet. I was only fifteen when the Moon Devouring Palace coup took place. I happened to be away from the palace, here on the Moon Southern Archipelago, so I escaped the calamity," Xu Jianwei said.
"By the time I learned of the incident, half a year had passed since the coup ended. Everything was already over. I wanted to take revenge, but I lacked the strength."
"The Sun Lineage didn't know I was hiding here, so I survived the most dangerous decade. Later, their internal strife gave me a chance to breathe. I started searching for other survivors, but sadly, they were all from distant branches."
"I once thought I was the only surviving core member of the Moon Lineage… I never imagined I'd meet this child."
"So you've stayed on the Moon Southern Archipelago for more than 150 years?" Elder Song asked.
"Yes. My martial soul is also a Moon martial soul. The old patriarch of the Yin Clan arranged for me to take up the role of Silver Moon Priestess. Since then, I've remained on the archipelago," Xu Jianwei said with visible gratitude and relief.
"You're about Rank 93 now. Did you never consider taking revenge on the Sun Lineage?" Elder Song continued.
"Heh. Maybe if I were forty or fifty years younger, I would've had the energy and will," Xu Jianwei replied with a bitter smile.
"But I'm over one hundred sixty now. My talent wasn't great to begin with. I only reached the Titled Douluo level at one hundred years old with the help of my position as Silver Moon Priestess. There's no hope of advancing further. All I want now is to leave behind a sliver of hope for the Moon Lineage and the Silver Moon Priesthood. That's why I had the Yin Clan search for descendants."
"Oh?" Elder Song didn't fully understand the role of the Silver Moon Priestess, but one thing was clear—Xu Jianwei wasn't a threat. In fact, she might become a key ally.
She asked, "If Shrek Academy intends to help your Moon Lineage reclaim the throne, would you support that?"
"You want this child to become the Moon Lineage's emperor?" Xu Jianwei immediately caught the implication, her expression flickering with a complex emotion.
"That's right." Elder Song said bluntly. "Lexuan is twenty-seven years old, a Rank 87 Soul Douluo, and bears pure royal blood. With that level of talent, surely many would support her as Empress of the Sun Moon Empire."
"This… is that for real?" Yin Zhengqi looked shocked. He finally understood why Elder Song had confidently declared that Shrek Academy had no interest in controlling the imperial family—they had been planning this all along!
"Heh. With talent like that, not only would no one oppose her—she'd win the support of many," Xu Jianwei said with a faint smile.
"My father was over fifty and still only a Soul Emperor. That's why he was betrayed.
If you at Shrek really intend to help this child reclaim the Moon Lineage's throne, I won't object. But before that, I must speak with her privately."
"Of course." Elder Song nodded and calmly took a sip of tea.
"Child, you really don't know which branch of the Moon Lineage you're from?" Xu Jianwei looked at Zhang Lexuan with anticipation and asked again.
"I truly don't." Zhang Lexuan answered with sorrow.
"I was only eleven when my clan was destroyed—just an innocent child. I didn't even know who the enemy was until the Academy told me."
"I see," Xu Jianwei pondered, "Do you remember your parents' or grandfather's names?"
"Yes. My father's name was Zhang Jiuling, and my mother was Le Xinyi," Zhang Lexuan said with a nod.
"As for my grandfather, I never met him. I only saw my grandmother. Her surname was Zhang. I believe my grandfather married into her family."
"I see." Xu Jianwei's expression dimmed slightly. "Your father's name does fit the royal naming style, but without your grandfather's name, I can't confirm which branch you're from. Still, that's fine. You possess a Moon martial soul—there's no doubt you're part of the direct line."
"Child, are you willing to acknowledge your roots and return to the Moon Lineage?"
"Yes! I'm willing. I came back to the Sun Moon Empire for one reason—to return to the Moon Lineage and lead it in reclaiming its rightful throne!" Zhang Lexuan answered without hesitation.
"Good! Good! Thank you, child." Xu Jianwei gave her a long look, then glanced at Elder Song and Zhu Ziyang.
"The Yin Clan and I will help you."
Those words brought visible joy to Elder Song and Zhu Ziyang. Their goal had been achieved. With the Yin Clan's support, Zhang Lexuan would gain legitimate status in the empire. And with Xu Jianwei's backing, she would claim the moral authority to take the throne.
"Thank you, Elder Xu." Zhang Lexuan smiled warmly.
"No need for thanks. I can't determine your exact generation, but judging by your father's name, you're likely from the Tian generation. That means you should call me Great-Grand Aunt."
Xu Jianwei casually did the generational math.
"I understand—Great-Grand Aunt!" Zhang Lexuan responded smoothly, without hesitation.
Hearing her call out, Xu Jianwei beamed with joy. "Good. Very good. At last, I've fulfilled our ancestors' expectations. The Moon Lineage has a future again! Come, child, I'll take you to pay respects to our ancestors."
As she spoke, Xu Jianwei reached out to take Zhang Lexuan's hand. Zhang Lexuan looked to Elder Song in slight confusion. Upon seeing her nod, she understood and responded naturally—she didn't resist, but gently held Xu Jianwei's hand in return.
The gesture moved Xu Jianwei deeply. Smiling in comfort, she led Zhang Lexuan toward the back mountain of the marquis estate.
Zhu Ziyang and Elder Song followed closely behind.
(End of Chapter)
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