# Chapter 153: Cloud Martial Commandery Prince's Joy
In the Flying Heaven Pavilion, the atmosphere was tense, as if even the air had frozen.
Zhang Ruochen took a step forward and said, "Reporting to the Commandery Prince, actually, my purpose in coming to Thousand Water Royal City this time was not only to request reinforcements, but also for another matter."
Thousand Water Commandery Prince's expression shifted. "What matter?"
"I beg the Commandery Prince to grant me the hand of Smoke Dust Commandery Princess in marriage." Zhang Ruochen's voice rang out clearly, reaching the ears of everyone in the hall.
Thousand Water Commandery Prince had already prepared himself—once Zhang Ruochen refused to marry the Thirteenth Commandery Princess, he would immediately have Zhang Ruochen dragged out and beheaded.
Disrupting the Sword Discussion Assembly and showing contempt for the royal clan—wasn't that a capital offense?
But Thousand Water Commandery Prince never expected that Zhang Ruochen would actually want to marry Smoke Dust Commandery Princess.
Not to mention Thousand Water Commandery Prince, everyone in the entire Flying Heaven Pavilion was stunned, including the ten powerful ministers seated on the left and right.
Thousand Water Commandery Prince's gaze turned toward Huang Yanchen, sending her a questioning look.
Huang Yanchen's lips pressed together slightly. "Reporting to Father, actually, Zhang Ruochen and I are both outer palace disciples of the Martial Market Academy. We have always had an excellent relationship, often training martial techniques alone together, and our feelings have grown deeper day by day. When Zhang Ruochen came to Thousand Water Commandery to propose marriage, we had already discussed it in advance. I hope Father will grant your blessing."
As she spoke these words, a maidenly shyness even appeared on Huang Yanchen's beautiful face.
That's right—shyness.
Anyway, Zhang Ruochen didn't believe Huang Yanchen would be shy, but Thousand Water Commandery Prince believed it, and the ten powerful ministers believed it too.
The Thirteenth Commandery Princess, kneeling on the ground, was completely stunned, staring at Huang Yanchen standing to the side with an incredulous expression.
Elder Sister actually likes him?
The Right Prime Minister stood up, smiled, and said, "Great King, what should we do now?"
What should we do now?
Cloud Martial Commandery Prince also wanted to know what to do now.
Should he have Zhang Ruochen dragged out and killed?
Naturally, that wouldn't work.
After all, Zhang Ruochen had only accidentally become the first place in the Sword Discussion Assembly; the person he truly loved was Smoke Dust Commandery Princess.
More importantly, they were mutually in love.
Should he then approve of Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen?
Of course, that wouldn't work either.
Now everyone knew Zhang Ruochen was the first place in the Sword Discussion Assembly and should be the Thirteenth Commandery Princess's consort. If they now told everyone that Zhang Ruochen had become the consort of the Thirteenth Commandery Princess's elder sister, Smoke Dust Commandery Princess, wouldn't the royal clan become a laughingstock to the world?
Just as Thousand Water Commandery Prince was getting a headache, Huang Yanchen spoke the words she had prepared long ago, revealing a somewhat pleading expression. "Father, I know this is difficult for you, but can you bear to see both your daughters' happiness destroyed like this?"
Thousand Water Commandery Prince looked at Smoke Dust Commandery Princess with her sorrowful face, then at the Thirteenth Commandery Princess kneeling on the ground, hesitating in his heart.
At this moment, Minister Ning, seated in the third position on the right, stood up and smiled. "Great King, Smoke Dust Commandery Princess's cultivation talent ranks first among all the commandery princesses, and she has a deep emotional foundation with Zhang Ruochen. If you could grant their union, it would be a perfect match of talent and beauty, and would surely become a celebrated story in the future."
"As long as the process and reasons are clearly explained to the world, I believe everyone can understand the Great King's decision. If the Great King is at ease with it, this old minister will handle this matter!"
"Very well! I am not an inflexible person either." Thousand Water Commandery Prince's eyes turned stern. "Zhang Ruochen, can you guarantee that you will treat Smoke Dust Commandery Princess sincerely in the future?"
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Huang Yanchen. "This junior will certainly not disappoint the Commandery Princess."
"Good! I will remember these words of yours. If you ever dare to disappoint Smoke Dust Commandery Princess in the future, I will certainly not let you off. Since that's settled, let it be decided. Minister Ning, go invite Cloud Martial Commandery Prince to the palace to discuss the marriage of Zhang Ruochen and Smoke Dust Commandery Princess with me. We must first negotiate a date and finalize their marriage."
"This old minister receives the decree." Minister Ning said.
Afterward, Thousand Water Commandery Prince waved his hand. "All of you may withdraw!"
Zhang Ruochen walked out of the Flying Heaven Pavilion, standing on the purple-gold steps, and let out a long breath. He had finally walked out from the gates of hell.
Just then, Zhang Ruochen saw Xun Guihai standing outside the Flying Heaven Pavilion. He seemed to also want to seek an audience with Thousand Water Commandery Prince.
What did he want to see Thousand Water Commandery Prince about?
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen remembered the conversation between Xun Guihai and Huang Yanchen that night in the Western Courtyard. With a bang, he suddenly understood and finally grasped Huang Yanchen's purpose.
"What are you standing there in a daze for? Having married such a beautiful commandery princess like me, you don't seem happy at all?" Huang Yanchen caught up from behind, standing to Zhang Ruochen's left, her eyes cold, the corner of her mouth slightly curved into an arc. "Don't forget, if it weren't for this commandery princess helping you, you would already be separated from your head. How do you plan to repay this commandery princess?"
"Is that so? Aren't we just helping each other?" Zhang Ruochen's face wore a smile as he glanced slightly toward Xun Guihai in the distance.
Having said this, Zhang Ruochen quickly departed, walking out of the palace, preparing to return to the manor.
Huang Yanchen stared at Zhang Ruochen's back, her sapphire-blue eyes narrowing slightly as she murmured to herself, "Could he already know?"
In fact, Huang Yanchen had personally rushed back to Thousand Water Royal City for another purpose—to stop Xun Guihai from proposing to Thousand Water Commandery Prince.
She didn't want to marry Xun Guihai.
So, by helping Zhang Ruochen, she was actually helping herself.
As long as Thousand Water Commandery Prince agreed to Zhang Ruochen first, Xun Guihai naturally wouldn't have a chance.
As for Zhang Ruochen... anyway, he didn't want to marry her, and she didn't want to marry him. In the future, they could simply find some excuse to call off the marriage.
The only thing Huang Yanchen couldn't figure out was how Zhang Ruochen knew Xun Guihai was coming to propose.
Since she couldn't figure it out, she wouldn't think about it anymore. Anyway, the matter was settled now, and Xun Guihai had no chance at all.
...
...
Cloud Martial Commandery Prince waited in the manor, pacing back and forth incessantly, extremely anxious in his heart.
The Sword Discussion Assembly had gathered the top talents from all the kingdoms, each one a dragon among men. Although Jiu'er's talent was very high, winning first place would be extremely difficult.
If he couldn't win first place in the Sword Discussion Assembly, he couldn't marry the Thirteenth Commandery Princess. Then how would Cloud Martial Commandery Kingdom withstand the attacks from the four directions?
In just one day, a few strands of white hair had appeared at Cloud Martial Commandery Prince's temples.
Cloud Martial Commandery Prince stopped walking, let out a long breath, and a determined look appeared in his eyes. "If it really comes to it, even if it means risking the destruction of the kingdom, I will fight to the death with the four directions."
Just then, Cloud Martial Commandery Prince's personal guard, Xue Kai, hurried in from outside. "Reporting to the Great King, Minister Ning has come to visit."
"What? Quickly invite Minister Ning in. No, I will personally go to welcome the Minister."
Minister Ning was one of the ten powerful ministers of Thousand Water Commandery Kingdom and also the head of the Ning Clan. Why had he come at this time?
Cloud Martial Commandery Prince's heart grew even more anxious. Taking two steps at a time, he hurried outside, walked out of the manor, and indeed saw Minister Ning's carriage parked outside.
Minister Ning's carriage was extremely luxurious, nine meters high, like a small palace. The shafts and walls were inlaid with spirit crystals, forming white streams of spiritual energy mist.
Pulling the carriage was a fourth-rank barbarian beast, the Lion Qilin Beast. Its body resembled a qilin, its fur emitting a jade-colored radiance. In its basin-sized eyes were imprinted eighteen crimson inscriptions, like eighteen flames burning within.
"Greetings, Minister Ning." Cloud Martial Commandery Prince walked beneath the Lion Qilin Beast and bowed slightly.
Two rather beautiful maids pulled open the carriage curtain, revealing Minister Ning seated inside.
Minister Ning smiled at Cloud Martial Commandery Prince. "Cloud Martial Commandery Prince, there is great joyful news!"
"What joyful news?" Cloud Martial Commandery Prince vaguely guessed—could Jiu'er really have...
Thinking of that possibility, Cloud Martial Commandery Prince grew excited.
Minister Ning beckoned to Cloud Martial Commandery Prince. "Get in the carriage first. The Great King urgently wants to see you now to discuss some matters."
Cloud Martial Commandery Prince's heart grew even more delighted—he could actually meet Thousand Water Commandery Prince.
He immediately boarded the carriage, sat across from Minister Ning, and asked again, "Minister Ning, what exactly happened?"
Minister Ning's aged face broke into a cheerful smile. "You have raised a good son. Do you know that Zhang Ruochen won first place in the Sword Discussion Assembly? The Great King was moved by his talent and intends to take him as a son-in-law."
Cloud Martial Commandery Prince's heart was wild with joy. "Is the Commandery Prince going to marry the Thirteenth Commandery Princess to Jiu'er?"
Minister Ning shook his head. "Not the Thirteenth Commandery Princess, but Smoke Dust Commandery Princess. Smoke Dust Commandery Princess is not only the Great King's most beloved daughter, but among the thirty-seven commandery princesses, Smoke Dust Commandery Princess has the highest talent, having already reached the Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Perfection. Even more importantly, Smoke Dust Commandery Princess is the biological daughter of the Queen. You should know the Queen's background, right?"
Cloud Martial Commandery Prince naturally knew the background of that Queen. Although his heart was excited, he was also somewhat worried. "Smoke Dust Commandery Princess is so outstanding—would she agree to marry Jiu'er?"
"Haha!" Minister Ning stroked his beard and laughed. "This matter was originally proposed by Smoke Dust Commandery Princess herself, and the Ninth Prince has already proposed to the Great King. Cloud Martial Commandery Prince, this matter is absolutely a tremendous blessing for your Cloud Martial Commandery Kingdom. In the future, this old minister might even have to ask for your help."
The Lion Qilin Beast pulled the carriage, rolling forward, speeding swiftly into the palace.