The Demon Lords

The Yan Emperor this time has been exceptionally courteous.

The earliest title of Lord Pingye was also an extraordinary bestowal by the Yan Emperor.

"He is a subject of Yan, loyal to the father, and rightly so."

"You’re not one to care for what’s right, Zheng Fan, nor am I."

"Second Prince, you are the nation’s foundation; speaking of a subject like this will chill the heart of those who have served the country."

"At the time, he castrated the Third Prince right in front of me."

In front of the Crown Prince,

using the sword sheath,

aiming at the Third Prince’s groin,

"Pa!"

At that time,

the Crown Prince was still just a prince,

and the Third Prince was also a prince.

Zheng Fan castrated one royal member in front of another; to say there wasn’t jealousy or sorrow is unrealistic.

At that time, Lord Jingnan first visited the Crown Prince, and then went to the Third Prince’s residence, since the Crown Prince and other princes lived in the prince’s quarters, so after Lord Jingnan went over, the Crown Prince and Li Yinglian also went along to see.

The Crown Prince also breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head.

"You weren’t present then, but I was; I clearly saw that when he ruined the Third Prince, what he revealed in his eyes was... excitement."

"I would be excited too if breaking an expensive vase doesn’t require compensation."

"In his eyes, our royal bloodline is nothing worthy."

"In Lord Jingnan’s eyes, the royal family, even less so."

"Oh, Sixth Prince, do you think I’m sowing discord between you?"

"No, Second Prince, I am sure of what kind of person he is, and clearer than you are; also, did you see, it was father’s own son that Zheng Fan personally ruined back then."

The Crown Prince’s expression suddenly became solemn.

"No one is made of silver in this world, nor can it ever be loved by all. Just like us, Ji Clan offspring, even within Yan, many oppose, let alone beyond the vast countries outside Yan.

The Emperor of Jin is legitimate too, yet now he and the Empress Dowager reside here in Yanjing?"

"Do you mean that now the only thing I have also holds no value?"

Ji Chengjue turned his face and seriously looked at his Second Prince, noticing the Crown Prince’s face not of anger, but calm.

"Second Prince, find an opportunity tomorrow, invite Zheng Fan to the East Palace for a meal, chat with him; it’ll be much comforting for you."

"Do you mind?"

"I’ve never seen him as a mere family minion."

"Indeed, as the Crown Prince now, he’s beyond my reach."

"Excessive depression is not good for health."

"I thought you’d wish I’d step down sooner."

"No, you must continue to hold on; without the Second Prince in front, I’d be finished."

The Crown Prince took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled,

and said:

"Will he come?"

"I will tell him."

"Will you come with him?"

"I, just won’t; to avoid outsiders thinking I’m flaunting with Lord Pingye to the East Palace, crossing the line."

The Crown Prince smiled,

and suddenly said;

"Do you resent, Sixth Prince?"

The Sixth Prince then tugged the reins,

and said:

"Zheng Fan is ascending the imperial steps, let’s go wait at Chunfang Hall for the feast."

...

At this time,

Lord Zheng led Xiong Liqing by the hand, ascending the steps.

The Yan Palace is far less magnificent than the Qian Palace, but perhaps because the power of Yan State is thriving, this palace exudes grandeur.

Lord Zheng had been to the Qian Palace, and the Jin Palace, but never the Ing Capital City of Chu. He then whispered:

"Compared to the Chu Palace?"

Xiong Liqing spat out two words: "Meager."

"Hahaha."

Lord Zheng laughed heartily.

Xiong Liqing was puzzled, whispering why he suddenly laughed so exaggeratedly?

But Xiong Liqing believed surely her husband had his motives and arrangements.

Eventually,

the two of them reached the final step,

ahead,

underneath a Golden Dragon Banner,

the Yan Emperor sat upright;

beside him stood Wei Zhonghe.

Eunuch Wei had already led Sword Saint to a tea drinking place, where two barely adequate persons could accompany Sword Saint for amusement;

afterwards, Eunuch Wei promptly returned beside the Emperor, as the Emperor’s close attendant he must immediately return even when handling affairs.

"Servant, salutes to Your Majesty wishing you longevity!"

"Liqing, salutes to Your Majesty wishing you longevity!"

"Liqing girl, rise, let me have a look."

The Yan Emperor first called for Xiong Liqing instead of Zheng Fan.

Xiong Liqing stood up.

"Indeed a girl from the Xiong Family, poised, majestic, Zheng Fan."

"Servant here."

"Treat her well."

"Servant obeys."

"Liqing girl, if this boy ever mistreats you, let me know, I’ll deal with him."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

This conversation isn’t wholly insincere politeness nor purely perfunctory.

Because for Ji Family to consider equals living next door, only Chu’s Xiong Clan can fit the bill.

The Jin State is annihilated, royal members fled to Yanjing;

The Qian State has existed for about a hundred and fifty years, although Qian’s Emperor Zhao continually ordered civil officials to fabricate connections between their ancestor and Xia Emperor, forcing themselves to be equals with Marquis of Yan, Lord Jin, and Duke of Chu, but the other three looked down upon him.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lord Zheng stood up.

"Earlier ascending the imperial steps, why did you laugh?"

Asked the Yan Emperor.

Earlier Zheng Fan laughed remarkably loud, with uninhibited vigor.

"Responding to Your Majesty, this servant just asked the princess how our Yan Palace compares to Chu Palace?"

The Yan Emperor became interested,

and said:

"Oh? What did Liqing girl reply?"

Xiong Liqing standing nearby finally understood the reason behind her husband’s previous laughter at this moment,

but how would her husband respond?

He couldn’t possibly repeat her exact words.

But then came a scene that astonished Xiong Liqing,

Lord Pingye directly smilingly replied:

"The princess said, compared to their Chu Palace, our Yan Palace is but two words."

"Tell me."

"Meager."

The Yan Emperor fell silent.

Xiong Liqing’s heart suddenly tightened.

Eunuch Wei looked somewhat surprised at Lord Pingye.

Zheng Fan’s face still held a gentle smile, as though speaking well wishes.

Shortly,

The Yan Emperor smacked the dragon throne handrail with his palm,

and laughed loudly:

"Hahahahahaha, a fine meager, brilliant, hahaha, excellent!"

Lord Zheng followed suit, laughing together.

Eunuch Wei, not understanding why to laugh, also joined in.

Meanwhile,

Xiong Liqing suddenly realized,

Saying Yan Palace is meager would not anger this Yan Emperor.

Because since this Yan Emperor ascended the throne, he prohibited all extravagance and even directly allocated some palace buildings for external governmental offices, while princes lived in prince’s quarters until they nearly came of age.

Being an emperor, he demanded strictness of himself and was diligent in governance.

Currently,

Chu was defeated by Yan Army at Wang River, and Chu’s princess was taken by his own general as a wife.

Yan,

State power is prosperous,

forcing Qian and Chu to join forces to dare contend against Yan.

The palace’s meager,

is not mockery and disdain for this emperor,

but rather an endorsement and recognition!

Behold,

this is my labor,

Behold,

this is my dedication,

My Yan, wherever its armies point, all nations must quake.

This was flattering to the point of turning decay into a miracle, hitting the itchy spot of Yan Emperor’s heart just right.

Xiong Liqing involuntarily raised her head,

watching her husband who was laughing with Yan Emperor,

feeling a sudden reverence for him,

No wonder Lord Jingnan treated him as his own nephew,

No wonder her royal brother jokingly conversed with him in the carriage,

If not him,

Who else would step forward?