Protect Our Chief

"Shouzhe, have a taste of the Spiritual Flesh I’ve roasted. This grill was a gift from Liyao to me." Emperor Longchang acted as if he was right at home on the Wang family’s territory, truly not treating himself as an outsider.

Wang Shouzhe wore a speechless expression, symbolically ate a few bites of the roast meat, and said, "Your Majesty visiting my Wang family, Shouzhe failing to welcome you properly, is truly unsettling and worrisome."

The implication being, naturally questioning the Great Emperor, couldn’t you inform me of your visit in advance?

Emperor Longchang secretly rolled his eyes.

If I notified you, wouldn’t that give you the chance to hide your tail? How could I then catch your weakness, create a dramatic reversal, and slap your face resoundingly?

Unfortunately, this rascal Wang Shouzhe has managed his territory with impenetrable strength, water can’t even get in. Before he could act, he was detected by the Wang family’s minions.

If he hadn’t quickly escaped upon realizing it, unless he resorted to using martial power in opposition, he would have been captured into the Wang family’s "Private Prison."

Hmph~

On this small piece of land, managing the territory so carefully, he indeed considers himself the "local emperor."

Emperor Longchang muttered inwardly, but outwardly remained calm and changed the topic, commenting, "Shouzhe, your Wang Family’s Main Residence is truly magnificently planned. Such a Spirit Gathering Array, once established, will over time make this Wang Family’s Main Residence a place of true prosperity, assuring the Wang family’s foundation for ten thousand years."

"Even I find myself reluctant to leave this place."

As Emperor Lingxu, his insight is far beyond ordinary people, almost at a glance recognizing that the Spirit Gathering Array prepared for the Wang Family’s Main Residence is extraordinary, one that can’t be arranged by an ordinary Array Master.

Wang Shouzhe’s expression froze momentarily, then he said politely, "If Your Majesty likes, you could reside briefly at the Wang family as a vacation."

In this world, there is no strict saying like "all land under heaven belongs to the emperor." The Wang family’s current private land has been officially registered, so as long as they pay taxes according to the rules and do not commit certain particularly severe crimes, it naturally belongs to the Wang family for generations, and no one can arbitrarily deprive them of it.

Just like when the Wang family defeated the Liu and Zhao Clans and pushed them out of Ping’an Town, they had no right to arbitrarily annex their land into the Wang family’s name. Proper procedures for purchase and transfer had to be followed.

Hence, the Wang Family’s Main Residence (originally Ping’an Town) naturally belongs to the Wang family’s ancestral property. When the Great Emperor arrives, he is merely a guest.

However, when Wang Shouzhe spoke, he was merely being polite.

Compared to the environment of the Imperial Palace, although the Wang family’s territory isn’t entirely without merit, it does fall short in terms of luxury by numerous levels.

Predictably.

Emperor Longchang’s eyes lit up, then he stroked his beard and pondered in a showy manner: "Since it was Shouzhe inviting, I can’t refuse you. Just now, I recognized Xian’Er as a nominal granddaughter, I can stay to nurture some feelings."

"What?" Wang Shouzhe broke out in a cold sweat, "Your Majesty, when did this happen?"

"Just before you arrived, Shouzhe," Emperor Longchang waved his hand and said, "You don’t need to worry about this matter. It’s out of respect for you, Wang Shouzhe, for your exceptional service to the Daqian Kingdom. You don’t need to worry that there will be criticism from Chao Ye. At my age, recognizing a nominal granddaughter doesn’t require their approval."

His words conveyed that acknowledging Lixian as a nominal granddaughter was a great favor to the Wang family.

Wang Shouzhe’s facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, finally managing to maintain his composure.

You’re blatantly wanting to leech from the Immortal Plant, what are you pretending for?

Your Majesty’s skin... It can only be said that the Great Emperor truly lives up to his name; ordinary people can’t compare.

Yet there’s still a concern...

Wang Shouzhe felt somewhat conflicted, glancing at Emperor Longchang cautiously, he inquired, "Your Majesty, in acknowledging Xian’Er as a nominal granddaughter, Shouzhe is certainly honored. It’s just the matter of our seniority..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Longchang rolled his eyes, crossed his arms behind his back, and adopted a proud expression: "Shouzhe, don’t overthink things. I don’t have such intentions. We’ll continue our respective roles~~ we’ll maintain our pure monarch-subject relationship. Don’t entertain any inappropriate thoughts."

His words and expressions seemed to convey a sense of disdain towards Wang Shouzhe.

"Phew!"

Wang Shouzhe also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

No such intentions are indeed better, otherwise, he truly would have struggled to serve such a capricious Great Emperor.

However, upon seeing Wang Shouzhe’s relieved expression, Emperor Longchang instead became irritable, his face darkening: "Wang Shouzhe, what is with your expression? Are you being disdainful of me?"

"Minister, I had no such intentions."

Wang Shouzhe bowed, though inwardly it felt as though a thousand horses were galloping past.

This truly is "only officials are allowed to set fires, but citizens aren’t allowed to light lamps", do you think I didn’t notice the Great Emperor’s recent disdain?

"No such intention is for the best." Emperor Longchang then smiled contentedly, waving his hand, "I will stay a while at your Wang family, and conveniently tutor Xian’Er. I’m not a hypocritical person, you don’t need to attend me closely, just go about your business."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wang Shouzhe bowed in consent, appearing extremely respectful and compliant, yet inwardly feeling utterly exhausted.

Alas~ With him being Emperor Lingxu, with large fists and sturdy arms, he can only go along with him.

Fortunately, this is but a brief stay.