"The Emperor has arrived." Upon hearing this announcement, many people in the restaurant suddenly became more cautious and reserved.
A middle-aged man wearing a pure bright yellow robe walked in, escorted by several people.
Everyone in the room all saluted this new guest.
Emperor Tang waved his hand and said, "There's no need to stand on ceremony, I only came here to offer my congratulations. Today there is no Emperor here, only a guest."
Qi Shaorong raised his head and looked at the man who had just entered through the door. Emperor Tang's outward appearance looked very ordinary, and he seemed to be good-natured and genial, but Qi Shaorong didn't dare underestimate this person. For Emperor Tang to be able to eliminate all the rest of the princes and become the ruler of this country, just how good of a person could he be?
Emperor Tang walked to Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao, "Not bad, not bad, you two are very well-matched."
Zhuang Hao bowed to Emperor Tang, "Many thanks for Emperor Tang's praise."
Emperor Tang looked at Qi Shaorong and smiled, saying, "I never would've thought that the Ghost Doctor was this young, there really are many heroes appearing among the younger generation!"
"Shaorong's strength is low and not deserving of the Emperor's praise." Qi Shaorong said.
Emperor Tang waved his hand and said, "Young Master Qi is too modest. If even your strength is considered weak, then those good-for-nothing sons of mine would be even more useless."
"Speaking of which, the country's war horses, after having been treated by Young Master Qi, their strength actually increased by a stage. I should properly thank Young Master Qi for this, Young Master Qi, how about promoting your title of nobility from a third-rank count to a third-rank marquis." Emperor Tang said, smiling.
Qi Shaorong frowned and said, "I can't accept this reward if it's not deserved, Shaorong isn't worthy of it."
Emperor Tang patted Qi Shaorong's shoulder and said, "You are deserving of it, if even you aren't deserving, then who is!"
Qi Shaorong: "…" Qi Shaorong lowered his head and thought to himself: Emperor Tang's actions this time, it seems that he thinks somewhat favorably of him.
Emperor Tang looked at Zhuang Hao's expression and said, "A-Hao, what's the matter with you? Could it be that you're feeling jealous because I raised Shaorong's rank of nobility?"
Zhuang Hao held Qi Shaorong's hand tightly and said, "The Emperor must be joking, on behalf of Shaorong, I would like to thank the Emperor for your kindness."
Emperor Tang smiled and said, "Don't worry, A-Hao, today for your celebration, I didn't forget about you either. Bring it in."
A stem of red coral that was nearly two meters long was carried in. There was a strong spiritual energy surrounding the red coral, and the coral radiated a faint halo of light.
"This blood coral is the treasure of the sea clan, I spent a lot of effort getting it back here. This a gift for you two, consider it as my congratulations to you." Emperor Tang said.
Zhuang Hao hurriedly said, "Thank you, Emperor."
"It's good as long as you two like it." Emperor Tang smiled amiably.
Emperor Tang's gaze turned towards Yi Fan. Emperor Tang patted Yi Fan's shoulder and said, "The Yi Family has really raised a true talent!"
Yi Fan frowned, bowed to Emperor Tang, and said, "The Emperor must be joking, the Yi Family has already driven me out of the family, I don't dare claim myself to be a member of the Yi Family."
"Even if you aren't a person of the Yi Family, you're still a citizen of this country. The country needs talent like you." Emperor Tang said.
"Yi Fan will make sure to follow the teachings of the Emperor and display utter loyalty towards the country." Yi Fan said respectfully.
Emperor Tang patted Yi Fan on the shoulder and said, "Very good, very good."
After making this visit, Emperor Tang left. After Emperor Tang left, the atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly became a lot livelier again.
Chen Die flattened her mouth into a line and said, "Brother Chen Yuan, of the four major families, the Zhuang Family has Zhuang Hao, the Qi Family has Qi Shaorong, the Yi Family has Yi Fan. It's only the Chen Family that doesn't have any outstanding talents, Brother Chen Yuan, you must work harder!"
"So what if the Qi Family and Yi Family have talents? Those two guys have already been expelled from the families." Chen Yuan said indifferently.
Chen Yuan exhaled a breath of air. Although he had been ranked seventh among the Seven Imperial Talents in the past, the only one who had ever made him feel inferior was Zhuang Hao, and now there were two more people who made him feel that way too. Some people were just born to be superior to others, and that wasn't something that any amount of hard work could catch up to!
"The Emperor seems to care a lot about Yi Fan!" Chen Die said.
Chen Yuan nodded, "That guy really is someone who's loved by all! Qi Shaorong values him, the Fourth Prince also attaches great importance to him, and now even the Emperor also cares a lot about him, just why? That guy isn't even that handsome either!"
Chen Die, "Brother, be a little more serious, it isn't a matter of being handsome or not, he's someone who has a lot of skill…"
Chen Yuan: "…"
"I never expected that someone as young as Qi Shaorong would become a marquis so soon. His rank of nobility isn't that far from Qi Yao's anymore." Chen Die said.
Qi Yao's title as a second-rank marquis was inherited, and now Qi Shaorong was only one step away from reaching Qi Yao's rank. Who knows what the Emperor's intention was, arranging it like this.
And Qi Yao, that guy, who knows how he's feeling right now. For his son to have such a bright future, he should feel gratified, but this son of his, was the son who had been kicked out of the family by him.
Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Shaorong and said, "What are you thinking about?"
Qi Shaorong said, "I was thinking about what the intentions of the Emperor were, raising my title of nobility."
"The Emperor's actions this time seems different from his usual style of doing things." Zhuang Hao said heavily.
In Emperor Tang's generation, the competition for the throne had been very fierce, and the royal family had lost many talents throughout the process. However, the four major families continued to prosper and flourish, holding enormous power and influence, which has long been a sore point in Emperor Tang's heart. Thus, when conferring a title upon anyone from the four families, if it could be avoided, then it would be, but this time… Emperor Tang was very generous.
Could it be, because Qi Shaorong and Qi Family were at odds with each other, the Emperor wanted to split apart the Qi Family, or…
"What are you thinking?" Qi Shaorong asked.
Zhuang Hao shook his head and said, "Nothing."
Qi Shaorong glanced at Zhuang Hao and said, "When bestowing gifts upon others, one often has a request to ask for in return. Perhaps the Emperor has something he needs my help with."
Zhuang Hao nodded and said, "It's possible."
"Don't tell me, the Emperor wants a facelift?" Qi Shaorong said, rolling his eyes.
Zhuang Hao, "Probably not…"
"How do you know? Don't you know, everyone loves beauty." Qi Shaorong said, displeased.
Zhuang Hao: "…"
Two days after Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao's formal engagement ceremony [1], Qi Shaorong was called to the imperial palace.
After making some small talk, Emperor Tang finally turned to the main topic at hand.
Feng Yuan, a saint-level expert from the Business Alliance, had fallen ill, and he would like to invite any skilled people across the land over to try and cure his illness.
The Business Alliance was an alliance composed of many businesses and commercial companies, with shops located in various countries, and they held a lot of power and influence. Feng Yuan was one of the big bosses of the Business Alliance, having wealth equivalent to that of an entire nation.
If Feng Yuan could be cured, the country would likely be able to obtain the financial support of the Business Alliance, so Emperor Tang was very concerned about Feng Yuan's matters.
Emperor Tang gave Qi Shaorong a lot of encouragement, and placed upon Qi Shaorong the responsibility of curing Feng Yuan.
"I knew it, one who is unaccountably solicitous is always hiding evil intentions." Qi Shaorong said sullenly.
"If you can cure Feng Yuan, then that would also be a good thing." Zhuang Hao said.
Qi Shaorong turned his head, looked at Zhuang Hao, and said, "If you say it like that, then yes, you're correct, but Feng Yuan is currently located far away in Li Country! On the journey there, who knows how many dangerous situations I might have to face, maybe I'll end up dead before I even get the chance to see him."
Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Shaorong and said, "I will accompany you there."
"If you follow me there, you can guarantee my safety?" Qi Shaorong said doubtfully.
"I will try my best to protect you." Zhuang Hao said without hesitation.
Qi Shaorong took a deep breath and said, "Just by yourself? Have you forgotten, during the Hundred Schools Competition, you were defeated by me."
Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Shaorong and said, "If you wanted an excuse to touch me, you didn't need to do it like that, you can do it whenever you want..."
Luohua Pavilion.
Yi Fan handed over his work to Bi Liuyun and Qi Heng, "How come you have to leave all of a sudden."
"Young Master is going away to Li Country, I'm going with him to ensure his safety." Yi Fan said.
"You're really going with them to protect the Young Master, and not just to protect Mu Tingxuan?" Bi Liuyun said a little teasingly. Mu Tingxuan was born in Li Country, so when the Young Master decided to travel to Li Country, he decided to go back with them. Yi Fan probably wanted to go because of Mu Tingxuan.
Yi Fan ignored Bi Liuyun's words and said, "The information for each of our stores are all here, after looking through them, do you have any questions?"
"I only have one question." Bi Liuyun said.
"What?" Yi Fan asked.
Bi Liuyun was exasperated and said, "Do you think Qi Heng and I have three heads and six arms or something [2]! Why is there so much information here?"
Yi Fan looked at Bi Liuyun and said, "Young Master said that if a problem comes up with the business after we've left, you can go ask Third Master Zhuang for help, he's already discussed it with Third Master Zhuang."
Bi Liuyun said suspiciously, "Third Master Zhuang agreed to it?"
Yi Fan nodded and said, "Young Master said that Third Master Zhuang was very willing."
"I understand." Bi Liuyun paused and reached out to pat Yi Fan on the shoulder, saying, "A-Fan! Mu Tingxuan that guy, isn't very talkative and his personality is a little eccentric, it won't be easy for you to pursue him, I'm cheering you on [3]!"
Yi Fan, "Tingxuan he's… not that eccentric."
Bi Liuyun nodded and said, "Of course, he just has a lot of individuality." He has such a good cosmetic surgeon by his side who he refuses to use, and would rather be an ugly person instead, this kind of courage wasn't something that most people had.
Qi Shaorong's dormitory at Tianlan College.
"Young Master, you don't need me to accompany you?" Qi Heng asked.
"No need. Li Country is where Tingxuan was born, so I can't refuse him if he wants to go back with me, and because Tingxuan is going, Yi Fan was determined to follow us this time too, and I couldn't really refuse him either. Since Tingxuan and Yi Fan are both going away, someone has to stay behind to take care of Allure Cosmetics!" Qi Shaorong said.
"But Young Master, what about your food, clothing, housing and transportation, someone has to take care of that too!" Qi Heng said.
Qi Shaorong smiled and said, "That doesn't matter, there's still Zhuang Hao. According to the pre-marriage agreement that Zhuang Hao signed, whenever we go out travelling, he's responsible for taking care of all those things for me."
"Young Master Zhuang is the son of a wealthy family, I'm afraid that even if he wants to do all this for you, he wouldn't know how to do it!"
Qi Shaorong, "If he's really that useless, then I can just use this opportunity to kick him to the curb…"
Qi Heng: "…"
Zhuang Family.
"You're planning to accompany Qi Shaorong to Li Country?" Zhuang Renquan asked.
Zhuang Hao nodded and said, "Yes."
Zhuang Renquan nodded and said, "That's good, on your journey you can both interact with each other more, maybe generate some feelings between the two of you. You should also be able to resolve the misunderstanding between you and Qi Shaorong."
Zhuang Hao didn't say anything.
Zhuang Renquan looked at Zhuang Hao and said, "You don't have any confidence?"
Zhuang Hao smiled and said, "How could that be?"
Zhuang Renquan looked at Zhuang Hao and said, "Recently Qi Shaorong has caused too much of a commotion, and so has Yi Fan. It really is a good time for these two to leave the Imperial Capital and lie low until this all blows over."
Zhuang Hao nodded and said, "I think so too."
"This time, for you and Qi Shaorong's engagement, you completely neglected the Qi Family. I'm afraid the Qi Family will have a bone to pick with you now." Zhuang Renquan said.
Zhuang Hao said unconcernedly, "It doesn't matter if the Qi Family has a problem with me, as long as he's happy."
Zhuang Renquan: "…"
Footnotes:
Engagement: So in case you missed it last chapter, I decided to change it back to "engagement" because calling it a marriage when they didn't actually get married just makes it more confusing (I feel like author also got a little confused because sometimes in the raws she refers to QSR and ZH's arrangement as a marriage too). Sorry for making y'all put up with my indecisiveness, I feel like I'm just being redundant at this point lol.
Three heads and six arms: To possess remarkable abilities or superhuman powers.
Cheering: Jiayou (add oil).