Chapter 77: Chapter 77 - Rumors

When Su Wen heard Emperor Zhou’s words, he was a little unconvinced. “The what’s the point of looking good if you don’t eat your fill?”

“A fool is not worthy of being privy to the scheme! Wanrou, bring him to the side to learn etiquette. Watch this lad carefully. Don’t let him slack off!”

“Yes!” Zhao Wanrou bowed.

Zhao Wanrou tugged at Su Wen’s sleeve and whispered, “Let’s go!”

Su Wen followed Zhao Wanrou out and was led into a side hall by the eunuch.

As he watched Su Wen leave, Emperor Zhou angrily sat down before grumbling, “This brat! Does he not have money to eat? Why does he come over here to tell me that he can’t eat his fill? Since when has this Emperor ever had his fill as well?!”

The reason why he was so angry was because he too was unable to eat his fill. However, his pride could not be abolished and thus he could only bear with it. So how could Su Wen bring up the topic of hunger in front of himself?

This could be considered as the an area even the authority of the Emperor was helpless against.

As he said that, Emperor Zhou slapped his forehead and said, “That brat angered me so much that I forgot why I called him over. I originally wanted to ask him how he is doing in his cultivation. Forget it, let’s talk about it another day.”

The old eunuch smiled, “A Heaven Rank cultivation method is broad and profound. It’s only been a few days, I fear that this boy hasn’t even managed to condense a single star yet. It will take some time.”

Emperor Zhou’s eyes had a sharp gaze before he sighed, “He doesn’t have much time.”

On the other side, Zhao Wanrou pulled Su Wen to a side hall and started to run him through what court etiquette was. Actually, it was just a tad more complicated compared to the usual etiquette used by nobles. For Su Wen, listening to it once was enough. There was no possibility of forgetting or making a mistake.

Of course, if he did not want to do it properly on purpose, it was another matter.

During the lesson, Su Wen asked curiously, “What banquet is it in two days?”

Zhao Wanrou smiled and said, “It seems like the envoy of the Yan Country is coming. Father said that you, Yan Luoying, Third Brother, as well as some influential officials and talented cultivators from the Martial Inspectorate are all going to attend the banquet.”

Su Wen understood that Emperor Zhou was trying to show off the future of Great Zhou.

He smiled and said, “Our Emperor is really prideful.”

“Shh!” Zhao Wanrou hurriedly gestured for him to lower his voice. She moved her mouth close to Su Wen’s ear and whispered, “Don’t speak nonsense in the palace. It might be heard by others.”

At this point, she paused and hesitated for a moment before saying, “Father is indeed prideful and competitive. This time, General Yan Luoying won the war. I heard that the Country of Yan came this time to redeem Fort Boulder. However, Father would definitely not agree to it, but he is after all receiving the envoy with the mentality of a victor, so he’s still pretty happy about this whole event.”

Su Wen knew that Great Zhou had been fighting with the Country of Yan for many years and had always been at a slight disadvantage. This was especially so when they had Fort Boulder; it was the most important strategic point of Yan Country. Through the fort, Yan Country could advance and attack, retreat and defend as and when they wished, making the Zhou Country’s garrison very helpless. This time, when the fort looked like it was about to be broken through, Yan Luoying made a ruthless move and directly killed 400,000 soldiers and citizens of Yan Country, taking over Fort Boulder.This accomplishment made Emperor Zhou very proud!

As Zhao Wanrou whispered to him, her breath tickled his ears. Su Wen turned his head over to see her pulling away with a blush.

The atmosphere gradually became ambiguous.

At some point, a piece of news spread among the ministers.

Emperor Zhou invited Su Changqing to stay behind to discuss the plan of the Secret Shadow Guards!

As soon as this news was released, it could be said that the Great Zhou Court was shaken up.

Why? Everyone knew how much authority the Secret Shadow Guards had, and their main objective was to monitor and control Great Zhou officials for a long time.

Although Emperor Zhou said that the secret guards were to be reestablished, he had never discussed who to use or where he would mobilize their men.

Now that he was discussing with Su Changqing, didn’t that mean that Su Changqing had to get involved in the Secret Shadow Guard?

Su Changqing’s reputation in the Royal Court became even more frightening.

Because this meant that Su Changqing could investigate any official at any time.

At the Second Prince’s residence, the Prince clapped his hands and laughed when he received the news. “Great! That’s great! I heard that Third Brother has also gone up against Su Wen. Eldest Brother has is also pitting against Su Wen because of Lady Yiyi. This is really great. Once Su Changqing extends his hand into the Secret Shadow Guards, the forces of these two people in the royal court will suffer greatly!”

Qin Mu asked curiously, “Your Highness, are we still going to the Cloud Gazing Tower then?”

The Second Prince said angrily, “My brother Su Wen already said that he likes Miss Yiyi. As his elder brother, how can I compete with him? Don’t mention this again!”

Qin Mu :”…”

In the Crown Prince’s residence, his brows were tightly furrowed as he tapped on the table. After a long while, he asked, “Teacher Zhou, how much of this news is true? How much is false?”

To put it bluntly, he found it hard to believe this piece of news.

The Grand Tutor Zhou Bin, continuously pinched his beard. After a moment of silence, he mused, “From what I see, there’s a 70% chance that this news is true. Su Changqing has stood against all opposition in the court and fully supported His Majesty. If he doesn’t benefit from this plan, it wouldn’t be fair to him.”

The Crown Prince said in a low voice, “But I don’t think Father wants the powers in the royal court to get involved in this secret guard. Is Su Changqing an exception?”

Zhou Bin shook his head and said with a bitter smile, “His Majesty and Su Changqing are extremely close. After so many years, aren’t there already many exceptions?”

The Crown Prince gritted his teeth and said, “Damn it! That Su Wen wants to compete with me for that Miss Yiyi, but I’m unwilling to give in for no reason!”

He was indeed unwilling.

Zhou Bin hurriedly tried to persuade him. “Your Highness, didn’t you realize that the Second Prince was especially honest in this matter? Although he had sent guards over at the beginning, the Second Prince never appeared after seeing Su Wen. I’m afraid he has decided to compromise with Su Wen.”

“The Second Prince is already close to Su Wen. Your Highness, if you get into an argument with Su Wen again, I’m afraid Su Changqing will really side with the Second Prince. Originally, Su Changqing was in charge of the Ministry of Appointments and had the authority to promote officials and waive their duties. He already has the power over the entire court. Now, with the addition of the Secret Shadow Guards, it’s easy for him to turn the tables if he wants to attack a faction! At that time, Your Highness’s situation will not be so good anymore.”

His words caused the Crown Prince’s expression to flicker.

“Will Father allow Su Changqing to have so much power?” The crown prince was still somewhat unwilling to believe it.

Zhou Bin smiled bitterly and said, “If His Majesty can bestow the marriage of Yan Luoying to the Su family, what is the Secret Shadow Guards compared to it?”

Finally, the Crown Prince sighed. “Fine! Fine! Fine! I won’t go to Miss Yiyi’s place. It’s just a sect from the martial world, nothing interesting either.”

Compared to the Crown and Second Prince’s concession, the third prince sneered when he heard his subordinate’s report. “What does Su Changqing’s interference with the Secret Shadow Guards have to do with me? This Miss Yiyi chatted happily with me that day. I must marry her!”

The man with the feathered fan said with a bitter smile, “Your Highness, that’s a little unwise!”

The Third Prince glanced at him before replying, “I think you are the one who is unwise. Eldest Brother and Second Brother have a much closer relationship with Su Wen than I do. Even if I don’t fight with him, do you think Su Wen will lean towards me? Moreover, even if Su Changqing is powerful in the court, what does it have to do with me? It doesn’t matter if I have power in the court or not.

In any case, I can’t compare to Eldest and Second Brother. The only thing I need to do is to forge ahead in my cultivation so that Father can see me in a different light! In the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it’s not like there were no successors through the martial way!”

That’s right, the Great Zhou Dynasty revered martial arts, and the descendants of the royal family cultivated many martial arts.

One’s martial strength was also one of the considerations of the inheritor!

This was the path that the Third Prince was planning on taking!