The Demon Lords

This time, when Lord Pingye entered the city, it wasn’t as extravagant as the Sixth Prince’s grand wedding, but the pomp was evidently higher.

In the following years, whenever the citizens of the capital mentioned Lord Pingye, they couldn’t resist adding a comment about the grandeur of his entrance into the capital today.

And the Fifth Prince, having completed his tasks, no longer continued to lead the horse, but instead retreated into the carriage following behind.

Inside the carriage, the Fourth Prince sat there, peeling peanuts and eating them. Seeing the Fifth Prince board, he smiled and asked:

"How are your legs and feet?"

"I’m utterly exhausted." The Fifth Prince directly removed his boots.

The Fourth Prince waved his hand, somewhat disdainfully.

"Ah, the nostrils of that Pixiu kept spraying on my back, heating me as if I were in a steam basket; I almost got steamed through."

"Haha, well, you’re soon leaving the capital with Zheng Fan to the Jin land, so it’s not wrong to start building a good relationship with him now."

"Fourth Brother, we are royal princes."

"Then tell me, if hail falls from the sky and must kill someone, who would our father choose to die?"

"Wow, Fourth Brother, I know you’re upset about not getting the Nanwang City post, but do you have to speak so facetiously and mock your little brother?"

"You’re aware, our eldest brother at Nanwang City made a comeback by achieving merit over the Qian people."

The Fourth Prince had actually been working on this matter himself as well.

Among the Yan Emperor’s seven princes, only the eldest brother truly knew how to lead troops, and the Fourth could too, owing to his matriarchal clan, the Sanshi Deng Family, a lineage maintained through military achievements.

However, the Deng Family may have escaped the trampling of the clans but had their foundation and prestige burned at Wang River’s edge.

The Fourth Prince had thought that his eldest brother, having married a princess from the tribal nations, wouldn’t have a chance to lead troops again. Who knew the ambassadors from the tribes suddenly lowered their status, while Ji Chengjue maneuvered up and down, resulting in the eldest brother making a bold move in the court; he even threatened to serve the country or die by the pillar, ultimately wrestling the Nanwang City post from the Fourth Prince’s hands.

"In the end, our eldest brother is who he is, haha. I think, Fourth Brother, listen to your brother’s advice; let’s not dwell on those things right now, seize a chance to gain some favor with Chengjue, after all, we’re family, bones may break but the sinew stays connected."

Fourth Prince’s expression turned somber.

Some things,

he couldn’t say,

because when the third brother schemed against Zheng Fan, he had actually been fanning the flames behind the scenes, leading to the complete downfall of the third brother.

The Fourth Prince was uncertain whether Zheng Fan was aware of this matter.

The Fifth Prince continued, massaging his feet:

"Phew, whatever, I’ve come to terms with it. This position isn’t easy to fight for; I’ve stopped aiming for it. Though the Ministry of Works is tiring, at least I have something to do, and getting out to see the world is better than being perpetually caged in this capital city."

"You’ve got clarity." The Fourth Prince responded indifferently, "But can Chengjue let us go?"

"Whether he can or cannot, does it matter? The second brother still holds the East Palace title; regardless of appearing downtrodden now, still, he has prospects.

As for Chengjue, it’s needless to say, the eldest brother stands behind him.

What can the two of us do?"

"Fifth Brother, I refuse to accept this."

"If you don’t accept it, keep it to yourself."

The Fifth Prince put his boots back on and continued: "Why haven’t you changed into the python robe? There’s a chance Father will call for a banquet later."

"I have it with me. It’s too hot, I’m sweating in it, I’ll change into it later."

"By the way, don’t just eat peanuts, where’s the dish I asked you to bring?"

"We have to accompany Father at the banquet later, do you want me to bring a dish for that?"

"You didn’t bring it?"

"I forgot."

"You... alas, Zheng Fan is of the same generation as us. At the banquet, Father will certainly use Zheng Fan to reprimand us, say how we’re unambitious and lacking progress. By then, we’ll be too busy bowing and begging for forgiveness to focus on eating."

"Right, I’ll send someone to buy some food now."

...

Lord Zheng’s entourage arrived at the palace gates.

The procession came to a halt.

A silver-haired Chief of Clan Affairs stood before the palace gates, holding an imperial edict.

The Crown Prince turned around and looked at Lord Zheng, saying:

"This is for the princess’s conferral."

This was the first time the Crown Prince spoke to Lord Zheng during the entire journey.

Conferring a princess cannot be done by a government official; it must be done by the clan chief, namely the head of the Ji Family.

Over eight hundred years ago, the Marquis of Yan and Duke of Chu were ministers of the Xia emperor, ordered to open borders. Although the two nations had been at war recently, this likens to two neighbors having a fight; grown-ups don’t vent anger on a child visiting their home—such conduct would be disgraceful.

Therefore, having the Chief of Clan Affairs announce the decree and confer titles represents a familial connection between the Ji Clan and Xiong Clan.

"Princess Xiong Liqing of the Chu State, receive the decree."

Xiong Liqing descended from the carriage, garbed in lavish attire, and slowly knelt on the ground.

"By the mandate of heaven, the emperor decrees... "

The imperial edict regarding the princess’s arrival in Yan State was full of praises, not treating the princess as a captive or a mere trophy; Yan Emperor certainly didn’t lack grandeur.

It’s naturally a joyous affair, after all, it’s a matter of prestige, but one must have vision when dealing with affairs.

"As such, we bestow upon Xiong Liqing the title of our Yan’s Princess Zhaode, grant her the land of Cang County, and construct a Princess Mansion, thus proclaimed."

Princess Zhaode, what a nice title, much better than something like "Princess of Righteousness."

Of course, what caught Lord Zheng’s attention more was the princess’s feudal land, Cang County. This place is poor, desolate, and almost devoid of population.

Because Cang County is located just south of Snow Sea Pass, it is the county closest to Snow Sea Pass originally belonging to Cheng State.

By choosing the princess’s land to be in Cang County, the Yan Emperor indirectly gifted it to the princess’s husband, Lord Zheng.

It’s equivalent to handing over the governance of the area around Snow Sea Pass to Zheng Fan.

"I, thank the lord for the great favor, long live my emperor, long live, long live,"

Xiong Liqing receives the edict.

The Chief of Clan Affairs said kindly:

"Daughter, rise."

Thereupon,

The Chief of Clan Affairs glanced at Zheng Fan,

and from a attendant’s hand, received another imperial edict:

"Zheng Fan, General of Snow Sea Pass of Yan and Grand General of Cheng State, Lord Pingye, receive the edict."

This time, you weren’t made to dismount, so Lord Zheng dutifully stepped down and knelt to receive the edict.

"By the emperor’s command, with heaven’s assistance, I bestow marriage today. Princess Zhaode is wed to Lord Pingye Zheng Fan; may you both respect each other as honored guests and have a harmonious union for a hundred years."

It’s part of the procedure.

Although Lord Zheng hasn’t done anything yet,

in the eyes of outsiders,

it would seem that Lord Zheng and the princess have already done everything they should.

However, the princess has just been conferred a title in Yan, so naturally there’s a need to go through recognition again, complete the procedures, and marry Lord Pingye.

Moreover,

it also means Lord Zheng’s already lengthy official title needs another prefix:

General of Snow Sea Pass of Yan, Grand General of Cheng State, Master-in-law of Yan, Lord Pingye Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan thought that if he tried a little harder, he could catch up with Dragon Mother.

"I, thank the lord for the great favor."

While the edict is being proclaimed here,

over there,

at the rear of the group,

Wei Zhonghe proactively walks into Lord Zheng’s entourage, approaching a figure in white.

"Greetings, Sword Saint. Please follow me, there will be arrangements for your reception."

In truth, very shortly, only Zheng Fan and Xiong Liqing could enter the palace, while others would be settled elsewhere.

But the Sword Saint is different from others; he not only can’t be casually arranged, but must also be watched over by specialized personnel.

It’s only right; the Sword Saint did not refuse.

Because,

he has a history of regicide.

After Zheng Fan and Xiong Liqing received the edict and rose, the Chief of Clan Affairs stepped aside and said:

"Enter the palace, the emperor is waiting for you."

And at that moment,

inside the palace gates, Ji Chengjue’s figure appeared there. Behind him, there were two horses, and in his hand, also holding an edict.

The Chief of Clan Affairs laughed and said: "Seems like the palace riding edict is imminent."

Lord Zheng smiled at the Chief of Clan Affairs in acknowledgment, then, holding Xiong Liqing’s hand, he walked inside. At this time, the Crown Prince, Chief of Clan Affairs, and the group of officials and eunuchs waiting outside the palace gate, prepared to enter the palace together.

At the same time, everyone was also ready to receive the final palace riding edict of the day. They were all prepared to kneel in a few steps.

Who knew Ji Chengjue just held the edict without unfolding it, waiting until Lord Zheng led the princess to him without hastily proclaiming the edict.

Just as everyone was puzzled,

Ji Chengjue looked at Zheng Fan,

uttering two extremely crisp words;

Thereupon,

Lord Zheng also looked at the Sixth Prince, responding with the same crisp words,

for a moment, inside and outside the palace gates, everyone was stunned.

"Beast."

"Lowly."

————

Thanks to student ZZZ Xinmiao and reader 140508000452321 for becoming new leaders of "The Arrival of the Devil"!

Good night.