So?
Upon hearing the words of the Fourteenth Prince, Qin Tian's heart tightened.
He imdiately fixed his gaze on the Fourteenth Prince and said, "So... what?"
The Fourteenth Prince sighed and shook his head, "With the pressure from the Marquis Xuanwu, the Murong Family had no choice... Especially since the Marquis Xuanwu's princely heir really set his eyes on Murong Fei, it's just that..."
The Fourteenth Prince spoke in a low voice. Seeing Qin Tian's tense expression, he suddenly laughed, "Haha, look at you, so nervous... I'm just teasing you."
"Huh?"
Qin Tian looked bewildered. Could the Fourteenth Prince really play such a trick?
"Originally, the princely heir of the Xuanwu Marquis did fancy Murong Fei, and even General Murong agreed to it, saying that regardless of Murong Fei's consent, the marriage was already decided."
"Your highness, please don't scare . Just tell
how things stand now."
"Everything is peaceful now."
The Fourteenth Prince chuckled, "I happen to be familiar with the Xuanwu Marquis. Right before they were about to finalize the engagent, I went to talk to the Marquis. Turns out, the Xuanwu Marquis was reasonable; the conversation went smoothly, and he agreed to abandon the idea. He even went to apologize to General Murong personally."
"Phew..."
Qin Tian's nervous heart finally cald down, "The Xuanwu Marquis really knows his place..."
Only after speaking did he realize, considering that the Fourteenth Prince belongs to the Royal Family. Although he doesn't have the influence of the Ninth Prince and the Crown Prince, he's still favored by the Ice Emperor. So with his involvent, the Xuanwu Marquis surely wouldn't dare discard it.
"The Marquis agreed, though the princely heir Zhao Qi was fixated on Murong Fei and fiercely objected. Yet, the decision was made, leading both the Zhao Family and Murong Family to ultimately forgo the marriage plan."
Hearing this, Qin Tian promptly stood up and bowed three tis to the Fourteenth Prince, "Your Highness, you have helped Qin Tian many tis, Qin Tian is truly... forever grateful! Thank you!"
"Haha, I consider you a friend, don't be formal with . What are you thanking
for? Co, drink with . I'll listen to your recitations of Tang and Song poetry..."
Originally, Qin Tian planned to leave early, but given the Fourteenth Prince's enthusiasm, he stayed, accompanying the prince until late into the night before heading back.
At this ti, the mansion previously vacated by the Fourteenth Prince was already set up, even the gate plaque had been changed to display "Qin Residence."
"Boss, the Fourteenth Prince said we could use this place for as long as we need... since the Emperor hasn't granted us a mansion yet, we'll need to build a new Qin Residence which will take ti. For the short term, we'll be staying here. The Fourteenth Prince is truly considerate."
Little Zhuang said to Qin Tian.
Qin Tian nodded, "Compared to the Ninth Prince and the Crown Prince, the Fourteenth Prince is truly... were they from the sa father?"
Zhou Yang stepped in and said, "Boss, it's late, get so rest early. Tomorrow morning, you need to enter the palace and et the Ice Emperor."
Qin Tian nodded. He had no idea what would occur in the Imperial Palace the next day. His mind was constantly thinking of Murong Fei; after all, it's been nearly a year since he'd seen her. During this year, Murong Ao did send Qin Tian two letters to report his safety, thinking about it... he wondered how the Murong Family was doing now?
With his mind full of Murong Fei, Qin Tian gradually fell asleep.
...
Early the next morning, Qin Tian dressed in his court attire to proceed to et the Emperor.
He had no clue what situation he would face this ti.
After all, the last eting with the Ice Emperor was more than a year ago.
Back then, the Ice Emperor still saw him as a confidant.
But now, after Qin Tian feigned illness and didn't return to the Imperial City, an inevitable rift grew between him and the Ice Emperor.
Contrary to Qin Tian's expectations, the Ice Emperor wasn't eting him alone. Also present were the Ninth Prince and the Crown Prince.
After the ceremony, keeping with protocol, Qin Tian, now a Marquis and a Noble, was granted a seat by the Ice Emperor.
Once seated, the Ice Emperor initially praised Qin Tian's achievents in the West State, speaking at length, all of which were essentially empty talks, particularly emphasizing his trust in Qin Tian. It made Qin Tian inwardly laugh, thinking, "You trust
yet stripped
of half my military power?"
"Xuan Feng, Xuan Ling, you both have repeatedly clamored to send troops to suppress the dissident faction of the Martial King, only to return defeated one after another. You ought to learn from the Marquis of West State how to command troops and fight. From the East Capital to the West State, he has yet to suffer a defeat, always victorious... he is a model for you."
With a shift in tone, the Ice Emperor set his gaze upon Crown Prince Xuan Feng and Ninth Prince Xuan Ling.
The Crown Prince and Ninth Prince slightly nodded, but their expressions were clearly not favorable.
Qin Tian couldn't fathom why the Ice Emperor summoned these two today and their underlying intentions.
Nonetheless, as Qin Tian was pondering this, the Ninth Prince slowly spoke, "Father, I truly wish to learn from the Marquis of West State. Conveniently, an opportunity presents itself as internal turmoil within the Demon Clan is just over, yet dostically we remain unstable. I dare to suggest mobilizing forces against the Demon Clan to avenge their transgressions and the prior alliance with the Martial King to invade. In the past, the Demon Clan also frequently harassed the borders of West State!"
"Our Tianyuan Dynasty, a grand nation, must not let the Demon Clan perch atop us!"
The Ninth Prince declared passionately. Qin Tian exchanged glances with him and perceived the Prince's insidious gaze, his heart filled with an ominous foreboding.
Indeed, only to hear the Ice Emperor expressing thoughts, "Hmm, I heard that both the Demon Emperor and the Demon Clan's Crown Prince were slain. While the Yin Yue Demon Venerate recently ascended as the new Demon Emperor, many remnants of the forr Demon Emperor's faction persist within various regions of the Demon Clan, with ongoing turmoil. We do have an advantageous situation."
With this, the Ice Emperor stood up, touched his chin, and said, "Xuan Ling, you wish to personally lead troops; it is not impossible. However... currently, there aren't many troops available due to deploynts. The Demon Clan's forces are minimally forty to fifty thousand strong. To command such a force, the Imperial City can provide you with twenty thousand troops. The remaining would an leading the West State's troops against the Demon Clan."
With this, the Ice Emperor looked toward Qin Tian: "Marquis of West State, I hear the West State soldiers are formidable; they should have no trouble confronting the Demon Clan, right?"
Dammit!
Upon hearing this from the Ice Emperor, Qin Tian wanted to curse this devious father and sons trio: "MMP!"
Ultimately, the trap was set here, attempting to covertly seize his military power!
This was Qin Tian's bottom line, sothing he would never agree to!
"Your Majesty, I believe with West State's battles just concluded, its soldiers urgently require rest and recovery; it's ill-advised to mobilize troops in the short term." Qin Tian spoke bluntly.
"Oh? Marquis of West State, my father intends to avenge the Demon Clan, do you wish to intervene?"
This ti, the Crown Prince spoke.
Today, unexpected was the Crown Prince, typically at odds with the Ninth Prince, aiding in his discourse. The Crown Prince and Ninth Prince, in a concerted effort with the Ice Emperor, seed to have coordinated in advance to summon Qin Tian to the palace, evidently applying pressure for him to concede!
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