Protect Our Chief

Chapter 992 - 52: Wang Shouzhe! I Am Irreconcilable With You_6

"You’re talking about... Yuan Qing?" Prince Kang’s eyes lit up, immediately understanding.The Zhao Family’s Great Celestial Pride is naturally not just Zhao Zhikun. Besides him, the Zhao Family is nurturing another Great Celestial Pride named Zhao Yuan Qing, who just turned fifty this year and only broke through the Celestial Human Realm last year.

Because he’s too young, he wasn’t among the "Top Ten Outstanding Youths" in the Upper Capital before. However, give it another thirty or forty years, and he will undoubtedly become a prominent figure in Upper Capital City like Wu Zhixing and others.

If you want to propose to Wu Xue Ning, the only suitable match in the Zhao Family would be Zhao Yuan Qing.

As for the age difference between the two, that’s a minor issue.

After all, a Great Celestial Pride has a high chance of breaking through to the Divine Power Realm in the future, with a lifespan of nearly two thousand years. A thirty-something age difference is nothing.

"Exactly." Zhao Zhikun nodded and analyzed, "Princess Xue Ning’s mother is the eldest daughter of the direct lineage of the Third-Grade Chen Family, and holds a significant position in the Chen Family. From what I know, the Chen Family has invested quite a lot in Princess Xue Ning, presumably to strengthen their ties with the Imperial Family."

"Previously, when we tried to win over the Chen Family, their attitude was always somewhat ambiguous. If we could arrange for Yuan Qing to marry Princess Xue Ning, it would be an indirect connection to the Chen Family. At that time, with a little maneuvering, even if the Chen Family doesn’t want to pick a side, they’ll have no choice but to align with us."

"Additionally, I’ve heard that Princess Xue Ning and Prince Zhixing have quite a good relationship. Using her as a link, we might even pull in Prince An Ding, who quietly supports Prince Zhixing."

Connections within the Imperial Family are incredibly intricate.

Every Great Celestial Pride has several top Noble Families supporting them. Even someone like Wu Zhixing, who comes from a far-off lineage, has forces backing him and even has a prince supporting him.

If utilized properly, these connections can yield remarkable results.

"Furthermore, I have a plan concerning the Wang Family that can bring them to their knees," Zhao Zhikun added.

"Please elaborate, Fourteenth Uncle."

"Although the Wang Family seems impressive this time, they have a fatal flaw. All we need to do is..." Zhao Zhikun lowered his voice and whispered a few words beside Prince Kang’s ear.

Prince Kang’s eyes brightened, nodding repeatedly as he listened.

Soon, they called Gongyang Strategy over, and the three of them secretly discussed and quickly finalized some details.

Finally, Prince Kang looked at Zhao Zhikun and Gongyang Strategy, saying earnestly, "This expedition to the Outer Domain Battlefield was personally ordered by the Emperor, and without His Majesty’s decree, I cannot return. I fear I must trouble you, Fourteenth Uncle, and Younger Brother Gongyang."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhikun and Gongyang Strategy stood up together, bowed, and said, "Rest assured, Your Highness, this matter is in safe hands with us."

...

Almost simultaneously.

In the Imperial Palace, Zhuozheng Pavilion.

On the large Ten Thousand Years Spirit Wood Desk, the famous "Divine Dynasty Sunset Painting" lay scattered across the desk.

Pieces here and there, some wrinkled, some turned to shreds, impossible to piece back together into a complete painting.

Most absurdly, that area of sunset glow, a radiant scene, was now permeated with a pungent urine odor.

Emperor Longchang’s nose twitched, his expression dark enough to drip water.

His eyes, sharp as knives, locked onto Yao Chengchao, sneering coldly, "Chengchao, is this how my ’Divine Dynasty Sunset Painting’ looks now?"

Yao Chengchao was sweating profusely, his face pale, yet he had no choice but to brace himself and reply, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this is indeed the ’Divine Dynasty Sunset Painting’."

"However, Your Majesty, please allow me to explain. This mishap was caused by those mischievous wolf cubs. Not only did Your Majesty’s ’Divine Dynasty Sunset Painting’ suffer, but many rare goods were destroyed, and even our Cloud Ray Flying Ship nearly crashed into Hurricane Ocean due to faults. This incident has caused substantial damages to our Yao Family."

As he spoke, Yao Chengchao pointed indignantly at the five little culprits—the wolf cubs.

The five little wolf cubs sat obediently with their tongues hanging out, their innocent eyes showing pure bewilderment. They couldn’t comprehend the human’s accusations.

"Hehe~" Emperor Longchang chuckled coldly, "Are you trying to make your [Yao Air Transport] shirk responsibility? Clearly, it’s your inadequate management, yet you blame it on the wolf cubs. With your capabilities, you can’t even manage these few wolf cubs?"

The five wolf cubs nodded earnestly. This kind old grandpa spoke the truth. They were just innocent, naïve little wolves, how could they be at fault?

"No, no, no." Yao Chengchao hurriedly shook his head, "I merely wish to explain the circumstances to Your Majesty. Our [Yao Air Transport] has always upheld the principle of utmost credibility. In this case, it’s indeed our failure in management, and our Yao Family will compensate without cutting corners, and even at double the highest standard."

Although the Yao Family is also a First-Grade Noble Family, with Ancestor Lingxu guarding the family, in terms of overall strength, they still fall short compared to the Wu Family who owns an entire nation.

Moreover, the Wu Family boasts a long heritage and deep connections which the Yao Family cannot afford to offend.

Double?

Emperor Longchang raised his eyebrows, "Am I a Great Emperor in need of your little money? What I desire is Master Jii’s masterpiece ’Divine Dynasty Sunset Painting’."

"Your Majesty, that is not in line with rules and agreements," Yao Chengchao said incessantly wiping his sweat, "Transportation mishaps might occur due to various reasons. At most, our Yao Family can compensate based on double, no, triple the price."

Despite the Yao Family being a First-Grade Noble Family, they have their own principles to stick to, despite not being able to offend the Wu Family, they won’t just follow Emperor Longchang’s every word.

Emperor Longchang ignored him and instead looked with interest at the five little wolf cubs, "Such mischievous little creatures you are, with such astounding destructive power at such a young age. It seems your talents and potential are quite remarkable. Which one is your pack leader?"

The five little ones looked at each other, before collectively shaking their heads.

"Your Majesty, according to the shipment files, the consignor is a girl. Most likely, these wolf cubs were raised by her, recognizing the girl as their pack leader," Yao Chengchao explained softly from the side.

"Oh, which family has such a talented girl, capable of acquiring five Silver Moon Grey Wolves in one breath? And judging by their appearance, their bloodline seems quite pure. Such wolf cubs, even among the Silver Moon Grey Wolf clans, would be nurtured as reserve leaders. Gathering five is no easy task," Emperor Longchang asked with some interest.

"In reply to Your Majesty," Yao Chengchao explained, "Based on the consignment registration, it’s a girl with the surname Wang, said to be shipping them to a small family called Wang in Ping’an Town of Longzuo County."

Wang Family? Longzuo County?

These keywords immediately triggered Emperor Longchang’s nerves.

"Changning Wang Family?" He almost blurted out.

"Yes, yes, indeed Changning Guard Ping’an Town Wang Family, the recipient is a person named Wang Shouzhe," Yao Chengchao sorted his thoughts and said, "The name sounds like a lower-rank eighth or ninth-grade Noble Family. It’s unsure what lucky streak they walked into, having relatives send them war pets of this level; these five wolf cubs, any one of them sold would fetch a fortune."

"Enemies on a narrow road, enemies on a narrow road~~!" Emperor Longchang’s face turned coal-black, "Wang Shouzhe, Wang Shouzhe, you’re truly the bane of this Great Emperor. I finally bought the item I desired, only for it to be destroyed by your family’s wolf cubs."

Well now, there’s no need to worry about where to hang it...

Wait, that’s not the point!

"Hmph, Wang Shouzhe, I am at odds with you!" Emperor Longchang’s thoughts suddenly cleared, and he sneered, "Chengchao, I’ll detain these five wolf cubs first and let the recipient come and claim them."

"Your Majesty, that’s against protocol..."

"What I say is the protocol!"

"If you’re dissatisfied, let your ancestor come and fight me~~~ Guards, throw this Yao Chengchao out!"

...