Chapter 142: Sword Discussion Invitation
That maidservant was somewhat astonished. Wasn't he just a prince here for a marriage interview? Why would Commandery Princess Huang Yanchen laugh like that?
Recently, countless princes had come to Qianshui Commandery for marriage interviews, and that maidservant had long grown accustomed to it.
She had heard that Commandery Princess Huang Yanchen was an aloof and noble woman who looked down on everyone. How could she laugh so happily because of a prince from a lower commandery?
It was truly hard to understand.
Huang Yanchen reached the top of the tower and saw the two maidservants with their meridians sealed, along with the Thirteenth Commandery Princess Huang Yanran and the Tenth Prince Huang Jing.
Neither Huang Yanran nor Huang Jing had cultivation levels as high as Zhang Ruochen's, so they were completely unable to unseal the two maidservants' blocked meridians.
"Bang! Bang!"
Huang Yanchen quickly struck out two fingers, hitting the maidservants' brows.
Two surges of powerful true qi flew from her fingertips, shaking open the sealed meridians within them. Gradually, the two maidservants recovered.
They knelt on the ground and bowed to Huang Yanchen, saying, "Greetings, Commandery Princess Huang Yanchen."
Huang Yanchen nodded, her blue robes fluttering as she walked toward Huang Yanran and Huang Jing. She stared at the injuries on Huang Jing's body and said coldly, "Tenth Brother, have you been out causing trouble again?"
Seeing Huang Yanchen, the Tenth Prince Huang Jing immediately rushed over, threw himself at her feet, grabbed her leg, and wailed, "Sixth Sister, you're finally back! That Ninth Prince of Yunwu Commandery is utterly outrageous. He doesn't put our Qianshui Commandery in his eyes at all—lawless and arrogant. All my injuries are from his beating. You must avenge me!"
Huang Yanchen understood Zhang Ruochen and knew he wouldn't beat Huang Jing without reason.
Of course, she also knew what kind of person her tenth brother was. Though she didn't know exactly what had happened, she could guess a fair bit.
"For Tenth Brother to actually manage to anger that fellow Zhang Ruochen... that's no small feat." Huang Yanchen had never seen Zhang Ruochen angry before, and she couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration for her tenth brother.
Huang Yanchen put on a look of anger and said coldly, "That Ninth Prince of Yunwu Commandery came to court the Thirteenth Sister, so how could he be so arrogant?"
The Thirteenth Commandery Princess said indignantly, "Him? He doesn't know any manners at all. I don't think highly of him. I must have Father issue an order to lock him and the Yunwu Commandery King up in prison."
Huang Yanchen nodded, a strange smile appearing on her face, and said, "You're right. That fellow really doesn't know any manners and deserves a lesson. But locking him up would be too boring! Since he wants to marry you, let him participate in the Sword Discussion Assembly the day after tomorrow. Then, at the assembly, you can humiliate him slowly. With your status, you only need to drop a hint, and many people will naturally help you deal with him."
"Alright! I'll do as Sixth Sister says." The Thirteenth Commandery Princess greatly admired Huang Yanchen and followed her words without question.
A hint of amusement flickered in Huang Yanchen's eyes. She saw the sword case on the table and asked, "Is this the gift from that Ninth Prince?"
The Thirteenth Commandery Princess's eyes showed disgust, and she immediately said, "Cai Xia, throw away that bastard's gift. Just looking at it annoys me."
Huang Yanchen opened the sword case and looked at the icy jade sword lying inside.
She picked up the jade sword, infused it with true qi, and sensed the inscriptions within.
"A seventh-rank True Martial Treasure. That fellow really spared no expense for the marriage interview." Huang Yanchen put away the jade sword and said, "It would be a pity to throw it away! This sword matches my constitution perfectly, so I'll take it for you."
...
Zhang Ruochen walked out of the manor and let out a long sigh, smiling bitterly. "This trip to Qianshui Commandery to seek help has ultimately failed."
He had originally wanted to build a connection with the Thirteenth Commandery Princess, but instead, he had offended both her and the Tenth Prince.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen didn't regret it.
That Thirteenth Commandery Princess and Tenth Prince were both utterly unreasonable. If they were to be offended, then so be it.
"Senior Sister Huang seems to be a commandery princess of Qianshui Commandery as well. If it comes to it, I could go through her connections."
But unless absolutely necessary, Zhang Ruochen didn't want to seek out Huang Yanchen. In his view, she was even more unreasonable and unpredictable than the Thirteenth Commandery Princess and the Tenth Prince.
At that moment, Zuo Longlin walked out of the manor, glanced at Zhang Ruochen as if looking at a dead man, and shook his head with a sigh. "Fool! You've brought another great disaster upon Yunwu Commandery! Just wait—the Thirteenth Commandery Princess and the Tenth Prince won't let you off."
Zuo Longlin had already learned what had happened in the manor and knew that Zhang Ruochen had offended the Thirteenth Commandery Princess and the Tenth Prince.
Zhang Ruochen ignored Zuo Longlin, not even sparing him a glance.
Two servants from the Minister of State's residence drove two bell-horse ancient carriages to the outside of the manor, stopping in front of Zuo Longlin and Zhang Ruochen respectively.
"The Yunwu Commandery King and the Fire Dragon Commandery King are both waiting at the Minister of State's residence. Please get into the carriages, Your Highnesses."
Zhang Ruochen boarded the carriage, and about half an hour later, he arrived at the Minister of State's residence.
Zhang Ruochen and Zuo Longlin entered the main gate simultaneously and, under the old steward's guidance, headed toward the main hall.
At that moment, Minister Ning was seated at the head of the hall, with the Fire Dragon Commandery King and the Yunwu Commandery King sitting on either side.
Seeing Zuo Longlin enter, the Fire Dragon Commandery King immediately asked, "Lin'er, how was your impression of the Thirteenth Commandery Princess today?"
Zuo Longlin smiled and replied, "Reporting to Father, the Thirteenth Commandery Princess is stunningly beautiful, with a pure and refined heart and a face that could topple kingdoms. I hold great admiration for her in my heart. The Thirteenth Commandery Princess also thought highly of me and has already agreed to let me participate in the Sword Discussion Assembly the day after tomorrow."
The Fire Dragon Commandery King was overjoyed. "Did the Thirteenth Commandery Princess give you the Sword Discussion Invitation?"
"What Sword Discussion Invitation?" Zuo Longlin was taken aback.
The Fire Dragon Commandery King said, "Only talents favored by the Thirteenth Commandery Princess can receive a Sword Discussion Invitation. Only with that invitation can one participate in the Sword Discussion Assembly."
"The Thirteenth Commandery Princess... didn't give me a Sword Discussion Invitation..." Zuo Longlin said.
Minister Ning smiled and said, "Perhaps the Thirteenth Commandery Princess forgot for a moment. She might send the Sword Discussion Invitation over later."
Zuo Longlin also breathed a slight sigh of relief and nodded, thinking that must be the case.
Only Zhang Ruochen knew that Zuo Longlin had never met the real Thirteenth Commandery Princess.
The reason he knew Zhang Ruochen had offended the Thirteenth Commandery Princess and the Tenth Prince was likely from some maidservant's account.
But Zhang Ruochen didn't say anything. If he did, it would only make things awkward.
The Yunwu Commandery King looked at Zhang Ruochen with great concern and asked, "Ninth Child, what was your impression of the Thirteenth Commandery Princess?"
Before Zhang Ruochen could speak, Zuo Longlin sneered first. "Yunwu Commandery King, you should discipline your Ninth Prince. He killed Prince Huo Xing, bringing a great calamity upon Yunwu Commandery, and that's not enough. Today, he even offended the Thirteenth Commandery Princess and the Tenth Prince. I heard he even severely injured the Tenth Prince."
"What?"
The Yunwu Commandery King was greatly alarmed, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He hadn't expected Zhang Ruochen to cause such a huge disaster.
Even Minister Ning, who was usually unflappable, frowned slightly, his sharp eyes fixed on Zuo Longlin as he said in a deep voice, "Is this true?"
Zuo Longlin bowed to Minister Ning and said, "Before Your Excellency the Minister, how would I dare speak recklessly? This matter is absolutely true. I heard that the Thirteenth Commandery Princess has already declared she will have the Ninth Prince and the Yunwu Commandery King thrown into the heavenly prison."
The Fire Dragon Commandery King sat to the side, a gloating smile on his face. He lightly picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "Yunwu Commandery King, you've really raised a fine son. Ha! Those who bring disaster upon themselves cannot be saved."
Minister Ning suddenly stood up, his expression shifting unpredictably, and said coldly, "Yunwu Commandery King, take the Ninth Prince and go apologize to the Thirteenth Commandery Princess immediately! If the Thirteenth Commandery Princess becomes angry, even I won't be able to protect you."
The Yunwu Commandery King stared deeply at Zhang Ruochen and sighed, knowing that Minister Ning had completely abandoned them.
If it's a blessing, it's not a curse; if it's a curse, it can't be avoided.
Perhaps Yunwu Commandery was destined for this calamity, and no one could save it.
The Yunwu Commandery King's expression was desolate, his heart filled with despair. Just as he stood up to leave, a servant hurried in from outside, holding a silver-cast invitation in his hand, and said, "Your Excellency the Minister, this is the Sword Discussion Invitation sent by the Thirteenth Commandery Princess!"
Zuo Longlin's face lit up with joy, his heart surging with excitement. It must be the invitation the Thirteenth Commandery Princess had sent to make up for the earlier oversight.
The Yunwu Commandery King stared at the silver-cast Sword Discussion Invitation in the servant's hand, his emotions churning. If that Sword Discussion Invitation were for... ah...
"Ninth Child, let's go."
The Yunwu Commandery King led Zhang Ruochen toward the main gate.
Just as they stepped out, they heard Minister Ning's laughter. "Yunwu Commandery King, come back. This Sword Discussion Invitation was sent by the Thirteenth Commandery Princess for the Ninth Prince. She hopes the Ninth Prince will definitely attend the Sword Discussion Assembly the day after tomorrow."
The Yunwu Commandery King and Zhang Ruochen were both stunned, utterly astonished.
Returning to the main hall, Minister Ning had a smile on his face. He handed the Sword Discussion Invitation to Zhang Ruochen, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed. "Truly a young prodigy. No wonder you've caught the Thirteenth Commandery Princess's favor. Among the princes of the lower commanderies, you are the first to receive a Sword Discussion Invitation. It seems the Thirteenth Commandery Princess thinks quite highly of you."
"Impossible, impossible..."
Zuo Longlin stared fixedly at the Sword Discussion Invitation in Zhang Ruochen's hand and said, "He clearly offended the Thirteenth Commandery Princess. How could he possibly receive a Sword Discussion Invitation? The Thirteenth Commandery Princess must have written the wrong name. That Sword Discussion Invitation should be mine!"
As he spoke, Zuo Longlin took two quick steps forward, reaching out to snatch the Sword Discussion Invitation.
Minister Ning shot Zuo Longlin a cold glare and barked, "How dare you! Is a Sword Discussion Invitation something you can snatch? Do you have no regard for me at all?"
Just from Minister Ning's glare, Zuo Longlin's face turned pale. He stumbled back three steps and spat out a mouthful of blood.
A single glare had severely injured a Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Perfection expert.
If Minister Ning hadn't been mindful of the Fire Dragon Commandery King's face, that glare alone could have killed Zuo Longlin.