SWNOVELXO Chapter 985 King Jing
"You really got the imperial decree!"
Wang Chen looked at Princess Qingyun, who had come to visit him again, feeling just like Eunuch Hai who received the order from Emperor Kangxi in the movie 'The Deer and the Cauldron,' with his mind full of "Damn it!"
He originally thought that even though Emperor Shaowu doted on his sister, he would not indulge Princess Qingyun's whims to the point of making himself—a seventeen-year-old Blood Cloak Guard Thousand Household—her tutor.
It should not be acceptable, neither in sentiment nor reason!
To his utter surprise, Emperor Shaowu actually agreed to it.
Although Emperor Shaowu's decree was not "official," being a handwritten decree that did not need to go through the processes of the Imperial Court and Cabinet,
It was just right for this purpose!
Wang Chen really couldn't comprehend Emperor Shaowu's line of thinking - did the Emperor of Great Liang trust him to such an extent?
At this point, Wang Chen was unaware of the arranged marriage, hence he didn't understand that Emperor Shaowu had agreed to her "absurd" request purely out of guilt for Princess Qingyun.
"Emperor brother dotes on me the most!"
Princess Qingyun said with a triumphant look on her face: "Thousand Household Wang, you're not thinking of reneging, are you?"
Wang Chen could only smile bitterly and shake his head: "This humble servant would not dare."
Princess Qingyun giggled and suddenly knelt down: "Disciple Qingyun, pays respect to Master!"
Wang Chen would never allow her to actually kneel, and immediately extended a hand to help her up: "No need for such formalities."
"Thank you, Master."
Princess Qingyun stood up and clapped her little hands: "Uncle Sun!"
As soon as her words fell, the accompanying Uncle Sun placed a sandalwood box he was carrying on the table.
"Master, this is the gift your disciple brings to you."
Princess Qingyun personally opened the lid of the box, and the contents inside were immediately revealed before Wang Chen.
The box was filled with jade boxes, each containing precious medicinal materials treasured in the Imperial Palace, including centuries-old Old Mountain Ginseng, Lingzhi, Yellow Essence, and Polygonum multiflorum among others.
These highly valuable medicines, processed through secret court methods, were all preserved extremely well.
Not only that, but Princess Qingyun also presented a gold note worth a hundred thousand taels of silver!
Equivalent to a million taels of silver.
One must admit, the gift of such high standard is unparalleled throughout history, even though it included Wang Chen's fee for opening Princess Qingyun's meridians, it was still of remarkable worth.
However, for Wang Chen, this astronomical gift meant nothing at all.
The moment he acknowledged Qingyun as his disciple, he sensed his own fate intertwining with that of this princess, and the entanglement of their fates brought about a huge increase in the uncertainties of the future!
[Fate +100]
Wang Chen's fate total immediately surged past two hundred points.
But his heart contained little joy, for the faster it increased now, the more violent the backlash would be in the future!
Taking a deep breath, Wang Chen suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said with a smile: "I accept your gift, and will return the favor in the future."
In his storage space, he had many things hidden, including gold, silver, jewels, Mysterious Weapons, and more.
None of them were suitable to give to Princess Qingyun.
Wang Chen was simply unprepared.
"No need, no need."
Princess Qingyun said gleefully: "Just teach me more Taoist Skills, Master."
"That can only happen after your meridians are completely unblocked."
Wang Chen thought for a moment and said: "Continue practicing the Technique of Drawing Qi during this time. In a few days, I'll help you open your Upper Dantian, and then I can begin teaching you Taoist Skills."
"Yes, Master."
Princess Qingyun, having her wish fulfilled, remained quite obedient.
After seeing off her highness the princess, Wang Chen was preparing to return to the inner chamber when a maid came forth with an envelope: "Master, someone has just arrived at the door, inviting you to gather tonight at Spring Moon Tower."
"Hmm."
Wang Chen took the letter and opened it, glancing at its contents.
He couldn't help but frown.
The one who had sent Wang Chen the invitation was none other than King Jing of Great Liang!
King Jing was not an ordinary character; in Great Liang, he was famed far and wide, his influence even extending to surrounding nations.
King Jing Liang Shijie was the half-brother of Emperor Shaowu, sharing the same father, and ten years his senior.
But having been born to a concubine, his status naturally could not compare to that of Emperor Shaowu, a child of the official wife.
From a young age, Liang Shijie showed extraordinary martial arts talents. Obsessed with the martial path, he joined Great Liang's most elite military force—the Huben Army—at the age of thirteen.
Over the years, Liang Shijie devoted himself to the military, fighting on the front lines against Great Qi and earning illustrious merit.
Thus in many people's eyes, Liang Shijie was the prince most suited to inherit the throne.
But his birth was from a concubine.
After Emperor Shaowu ascended to the throne, the Empress Dowager summoned Liang Shijie back to Daye and titled him King Jing, in fear that his great power in the military would become uncontrollable and foster disloyal intentions.
Over the years, although Liang Shijie held the title of a noble king, he did not wield any real power.
It was as if he were upheld for reverence only.
Wang Chen had limited knowledge of King Jing and couldn't fathom the distinguished king's reason for inviting him.
After some thought, Wang Chen decided to accept the invitation to Spring Moon Tower.
Daye also had a Spring Moon Tower.
It was said that there were hundreds of Spring Moon Towers across Great Liang, synonymous with dens of lavish spending; when Wang Chen had witnessed their splendor in Linjiang, the memory left a deep impression.
The Spring Moon Tower in Linjiang was already luxurious and magnificent, but it paled in comparison to the Spring Moon Tower in the Imperial Capital—small beans against a great sorcerer!
This pagoda-style tower soared twelve stories high, and under the cover of darkness, all the glazed lamps radiated bright light, illuminating the surrounding houses, rooftops, and streets, dazzling from a distance.
Wang Chen arrived at Spring Moon Tower on time and was led by a maiden to the top twelfth floor.
Interestingly, he did not ascend by staircase, but by cloud ladder!
This so-called cloud ladder was essentially a man-powered elevator, which comfortably and conveniently lifted guests to higher floors at a steady pace and was reserved for esteemed guests.
Tonight, the highest floor of Spring Moon Tower was reserved entirely for King Jing.
As Wang Chen stepped into the hall, a heady fragrance enveloped him, his gaze meeting a spectacle of beauties, fine wines, and delicacies with flowers and music in full bloom—it was almost otherworldly!
Most people, witnessing such a scene, would likely be instantly awed, finding themselves contented and at a loss.
But Wang Chen, who hailed from the Upper Realm and had seen true grandeur of the Immortal Clan, how could he be swayed by such mortal extravagance?
He shifted his gaze and immediately spotted the host of tonight's grand feast.
Wang Chen was slightly taken aback.
The king, known for his bravery and valor, was not the burly, fierce man one would imagine, but rather a sense of strong reversal was felt.
King Liang Shijie, seated on the brocade mat, resembled a mountain of flesh, his entire figure enveloped by bloated fat, causing his eyes to be squeezed into the crevices of his muscles, barely visible.
Bare-armed, he grasped a roast chicken in one hand and a pork knuckle in the other, eating voraciously!
This sight was akin to the reincarnation of a Gluttonous Beast, the rebirth of a malevolent spirit!
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First installment delivered.