It was true he was lazy. It was a habit he had picked up after years of pretending to be weak. The Four King Palace was the reason the Hei Shen Sect could thrive this far. What Zhao Li Xin did was to provide them with capital, support, and secret knowledge to increased one cultivation.
He didn't give them guidelines on how they had to grow. All he did was to give them what was needed and demanded good results as exchanged. In the end, how far they could go The King Palace had to rely on themselves.
?
Lory had yet to learn she had picked up another lazy bum who was like her brother.
Everyone rolled their eyes with impatience as they saw him move like a turtle. Lory quickly got bored of watching him as her worry gradually disappeared. She nonchalantly started eating fruits to waste her time.
Lory was peeling a banana when Zhao Li Xin finally stopped before the Emperor. He kneeled on the floor...slowly... and cupped his fist respectfully.
"This Sixth son greets His Majesty," He said in a monotonous voice.
The Emperor and the others heaved in relief when he eventually managed to perform the greeting. Some had been scared as they thought he might faint on the way. It wasn't like they felt bad for him, they just thought it would be a nuisance if it happened.
The Emperor rubbed his forehead to suppress his anger at what he deemed to be humiliating. He wished he knew of another ruler who liked pretty boys so that he could send his useless son to them.
"Sixth Prince, how is your heart today?" The Emperor hardly maintained his calm demeanor.
"It's…still the same, Your Majesty," Zhao Li Xin answered with a quiet voice. Although he was sneering deep down. He knew the palace had mountains of treasure that could have been used to help suppress his poison or even prolong his life, but the Emperor didn't think of sparing anything for him. The Emperor didn't want to waste his resources on what he considered a useless pawn.
"Send an elixir and the one thousand years old ginseng to the Sixth Prince!" The Emperor hid his scowl as he ordered his eunuch. His words touched the hearts of the people in the room.
The Emperor was kind and generous even to the unfavored child. Mong Yi almost fell on the floor at this order. If the people knew the amount of ginseng that was thrown out of the White Dragon Palace, they would be speechless. The White Dragon King Palace despised it because he deemed it useless for Zhao Li Xin's constitution.
Lory thought it was weird for the Emperor to offer such rewards all of the sudden. She gazed at Mong Yi who shook his head and secretly put his thumb down. Lory easily understood the ginseng was useless. However, Lory couldn't help but admire the Emperor who seemed to be experienced in good 'PR' (Public Relation) despite everything else he lacks.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Zhao Li Xin bowed gratefully. Although he knew it was useless to him, he was thinking he could have the servants make Ri Yi some tea using the ginseng. If those present knew Zhao Li Xin treated the precious ginseng like normal herbs, they would die.
"Sixth Prince I heard your relationship with Miss Xiang Feng Ran is not bad. She is a beautiful and talented woman and it is your fortunate to have a woman like her willing to marry you," The Emperor's words shocked everyone including the three princes who were present. Zhao Qin Feng's eyes filled with hatred and disbelief.
Zhao Qin Feng was Zhao Li Xin's older brother separated by a year. He despised Zhao Li Xin like their mother. He found it humiliating that he shared the same blood with Zhao Li Xin. In his eyes, Zhao Li Xin was useless, weak, and a coward. The only good thing about him was his pretty face.
"Miss Xiang, are you really willing to marry my son? You know his condition, right?" The Emperor shifted his gaze to Xiang Feng Ran.
The woman blushed and looked down shyly. Her voice soft as she said, "This one is willing, Your Majesty…"
Her response also shocked them. They envied Zhao Li Xin's luck for getting a beautiful fiancé as Xiang Feng Ran despite his weak condition. There were many rumors circulating about Xiang Feng Ran and Zhao Li Xin but they were all met with disbelief. However, Xiang Feng Ran's response put credence to the rumors.
"I'm not willing..." Zhao Li Xin's reply abruptly which instantly quietened the room.
"I won't marry her…" he said again to stated his stance.
Xiang Wu Ci's face turned red with anger while Xiang Feng Ran turned pale as her eyes bulged in disbelief. The Emperor almost fell off his golden chair.
"Xin'er... What did u say? Don't joke around... you are scaring Miss Xiang," Royal Consort Ying tried to salvage the situation. The engagement was initiated by her and she could be implicated if something went wrong. She glared at Zhao Li Xin in a threatening manner, daring him to not mess up. Zhao Li Xin sneered as he casually rose from the floor. He flicked his dusted robes indifferently.
"I said it before, mother… I don't want to marry her yet you are still trying to force me…" Zhao Li Xin sighed. His words gave the audience another shock. They all stared at Royal Consort Ying for an explanation.
Royal Consort Ying's face switched from red to white before turning red again. Lory watched in shock and amazement. Her face looked like a disco lamp.
[I didn't know humans could do that!] Girsha couldn't help but speak. He was hiding inside Lory's soul as usual. Unseen by others.
[I didn't know either...] Lory responded in shock.
Xiang Wu Yang stared furiously at Royal Consort Ying. This wasn't part of their deal. He felt embarrassed and humiliated. How could he marry off his daughter again after being rejected by a weak prince? If the news got out, both he and his daughter would become a joke.
"Royal Consort Ying, didn't you tell me Zhao Li Xin was fond of my daughter? If not, why would I let my daughter marry a crippled man?" Xiang Wu Yang threw a curveball at Royal Consort Ying while mocking Zhao Li Xin.
Zhao Li Xin sneered, 'Well play'.
Royal Consort Ying felt she was pushed into a corner, "Master Xiang, are you slandering this Royal Consort? You were the one who said your daughter was head over heels in love with the Sixth Prince. Didn't the rumors say she used to chase after the Sixth Prince a few years back? She even tried to force her way into the Sixth Prince's manor..."
Xiang Feng Ran's face turned deep red. She didn't dare lift her head. Everyone heard the rumors but they all thought it was baseless. Who knew Royal Concubine Ying would confirm the rumor herself?
Their opinion of Xiang Feng Ran instantly plunge to the ground. Only a loose woman could chase a man so shamelessly without regard for her or her family dignity. Obviously, no one wanted to marry someone like that.
Xiang Wu Yang had to make the marriage happen. It was the only way he could save his face and his daughter's reputation, "Your Majesty, the past happenings between the Sixth Prince and my daughter have come to this… Your Majesty, please save this old face and my daughter's reputation…"
"You are right. It doesn't matter what happened in the past. It is still a blessing for the Sixth Prince to marry your daughter. This Emperor will issue a decree announcing the Sixth Prince and Miss Xiang's engagement," The Emperor also wanted to use this opportunity to control Xiang Wu Yang and the Ming Hua Sect by using their reputation. His weak son had some use for once.
"No…" Zhao Li Xin said once again. "I won't marry her…"
Xiang Feng Ran whose face had returned to normal was shocked again. She didn't understand why Zhao Li Xin was really against it. Was it so bad to marry her? What was wrong with her?
"You dare to go against my ORDER?!" The emperor hit his palm on the throne. The loud bang quietened the room. Zhao Yi Chen stared at Zhao Li Xin in disbelief while the other princes gave him mocking looks.
"I dare…" Zhao Li Xin hissed with indifference. His behavior puzzled everyone. Some thought Zhao Li Xin had either lost his mind or had become suicidal.
"Good-good... I have no son like you. If you dare go against me one more time, then I will disown you," The Emperor shook with rage. He felt like Zhao Li Xin was belittling him. How could he dare go against him in public?
"You can disown me. I'd rather be a commoner than marry that crazy woman…" Zhao Li Xin threw an icy glare at Xiang Feng Ran.
Xiang Feng Ran's eyes turned moist with tears. She couldn't believe Zhao Li Xin hated her so much. She didn't know what she had done for him to treat her the way he did. She never hurt him before and all she ever wanted was to love him.
"Why...?" Xiang Feng Ran choked up in tears.
"I just don't like you," Zhao Li Xin shrugged his shoulder as he said with indifference.
His simple explanation hurt her more. It was like she had been stubbed by a piercing knife which then got twisted inside her heart. She couldn't stop tears from dripping down her face. Those who saw her tears pitied her. They didn't understand why Zhao Li Xin would strongly reject a beautiful woman. They glared at Zhao Li Xin for being ungrateful.
"There would be no Sixth Prince in the Jiang Wei Kingdom from now on. Every record about you would be erased. The next generation would not know about you!" The Emperor pointed his finger at Zhao Li Xin. "Confiscate his wealth and manor. Let him be a commoner from now on!"
Xiang Wu Yang sneered at Zhao Li Xin. Rejoicing at Zhao Li Xin's misfortune for daring to fight him. They all mocked Zhao Li Xin for being stupid. Although he was a useless prince, he should have been glad that he was still a prince.
His title gave him privilege and prestige and his marriage to Xiang Feng Ran would have made him a young master of the Ming Hua Sect. However, he rejected greatness and turned into nothing.
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