A deep, powerful voice rang out.
The guests watching the show were all startled.
The announcement of gifts followed immediately.
"Qi King, two Ferghana horses from the Western Regions!"
Qi King Tian Zhongxun is here?!
Everyone was in an uproar.
Qi King Tian Zhongxun!
He possesses the three richest eastern prefectures!
Thanks to sea salt, his people live prosperous lives.
Therefore, Qi King Tian Zhongxun enjoys a high reputation locally.
Some even only know Qi King Tian Zhongxun, but not Emperor Feng!
Tian Zhongxun was once Old Prince Ning's strong rival.
He was always suppressed by Old Prince Ning.
There were rumors that he secretly leaked information to the Western Liang people, which led to Old Prince Ning's death in battle at Yumen Pass. However, these were just conjectures without substantive evidence, just as some also speculated it was Emperor Feng's doing.
Tian Zhongxun was already over sixty years old.
His temples were streaked with white, and his face was covered in wrinkles like ravines.
He was somewhat ugly in appearance, yet he exuded authority without needing to be angry.
He wore a black dragon king's robe and a jade crown.
A dark sash was at his waist, from which hung a gold-inlaid jade seal.
Every gesture exuded an air of nobility.
His appearance immediately caused a stir.
For all these years, Qi King Tian Zhongxun had been biding his time.
He had been secretly expanding his influence.
But on the surface, he never interfered in court politics.
He always declined invitations from court officials.
His attendance at the Gu Family's banquet this time was a great show of respect.
At the same time, it was also a veiled declaration.
The Gu Family belongs to Qi King Tian Zhongxun!
He was not worried about Emperor Feng's suspicion now.
The Gu Family had already grown strong.
Gu Yuan had achieved great military feats and held the position of First Rank General.
This time, he had routed the main force of Western Liang and rendered a great service!
Even if Emperor Feng was displeased, he would have to hold his nose and use him.
"We pay our respects to Your Highness!"
"Haha, no need for formalities." Tian Zhongxun waved his hand with a chuckle, then glanced at Ning Que and teased, "Today is the Gu Family's banquet, and this King cannot steal the host's thunder. What do you say, Young Master?"
"It's just that someone is being persistent."
Ning Que narrowed his eyes.
He also wore a fake smile.
Qi King Tian Zhongxun, this old fox, was not easy to deal with.
Having been in the imperial court for many years, he had always been cautious.
He was extremely shrewd, secretly recruiting soldiers and buying horses.
He subtly showed signs of being able to contend with Great Feng.
Among the four Other surname Princes, he was the most powerful.
When Old Prince Ning died in battle, he led three thousand personal guards to offer condolences.
And he was fully armored and sword-wielding, armed to the teeth.
He took over the administration of Jingyang Fiefdom, citing Ning Que's young age!
This matter infuriated Emperor Feng immensely.
Jingyang was the hero county of Great Feng!
It was also a famously fertile land.
It was the fiefdom of successive Prince Nings.
What did Qi King Tian Zhongxun mean by this?
Was he trying to force the Emperor's hand?!
But Emperor Feng had no choice.
He could only suppress his anger and agree.
"The Gu Family is hosting a banquet, what is the meaning of the Young Master sending these things?"
"It's the anniversary of my father's and brother's deaths, what is the meaning of the Gu Family hosting a banquet to celebrate?"
Ning Que did not back down, meeting him head-on.
The two were at loggerheads.
The air was instantly thick with tension.
Gu Mingzhi quickly walked over.
He bowed and scraped to Ning Que.
"Young Master, this was an oversight on this old man's part."
"This old man forgot that today is Old Prince Ning's death anniversary."
"I hope Young Master will calm his anger!"
Ning Que just looked at them.
Clearly, this was a tactic of retreating to advance.
If he continued to pursue the matter, he would be in the wrong.
"Heh... Then Lord Gu should be careful."
"If I am negligent in the future, Lord Gu should not be angry."
Gu Mingzhi's brows furrowed tightly.
Was this a declaration of war?
However, they were not afraid of Ning Que now!
Ning Que currently held no real power.
And they had Qi King Tian Zhongxun as their backer!
Were they to be afraid of a lonely child with only a title?
"Instead of being in Jingyang to provide disaster relief, Young Master came to Chang'an for a banquet." Tian Zhongxun sneered, launching the first attack, "If Young Master cannot manage it well, you can just say so. This King doesn't mind continuing to manage Jingyang on your behalf, ensuring the common people won't suffer."
"If Your Highness does less, I can be more relaxed."
"Young Master is not old, but his tone is not small."
"You are quite old, and you still don't bathe."
"..."
"Pfft..."
Some guests genuinely couldn't hold back their laughter.
After all, Qi King Tian Zhongxun had never suffered a loss in his life.
Yet he was thwarted by Ning Que, a junior.
The key was that Qi King Tian Zhongxun was truly overestimating himself!
Ning Que was famously eloquent!
The storytellers on Chang'an Street were all his apprentices.
Arguing with him, wasn't that just asking for humiliation?
"You... you... you..."
"Your Highness, please don't be angry." Ning Que smiled faintly, teasing, "After all, you are so old, don't die from a sudden surge of anger, or you'll blame me then."
"..."
Tian Zhongxun clutched his chest.
His face was ashen, and he was gasping for breath.
He pointed at Ning Que but couldn't speak.
That's all it takes?
How uninteresting.
He was here to cause trouble!
The Gu Family choosing today to host a banquet was to deliberately annoy him.
If they wouldn't let him have an easy time, then no one would!
"How can you be so rude?!" Lin Xianhong bit her red lips lightly, "I know you still can't forget me, and you even followed me to the Gu Family's banquet. The child matter, I truly did you wrong. But why must you be so crazy? Can't you consider me?"
"Oh, I almost forgot about you."
Ning Que then looked at the other guests and said faintly, "Back then, I was blind to seek marriage with this second young lady of the Lin Family. I always finish what I start. Since the betrothal and marriage were done openly, then the divorce cannot be hidden."
"Di... divorce?"
"Good heavens, is the Young Master serious?"
"If he really divorces her, Lin Xianhong will become a discarded woman!"
"Isn't that good?" The noblewoman said with a half-smile, "She prides herself on being pure, yet she constantly flirts and is entangled with Gu Yuan. This time, to save Gu Yuan, she even aborted her own child. No man could tolerate that."
In Chang'an's circle of socialites, Lin Xianhong was very unpopular.
She prided herself on being aloof and rarely attended many events.
She said they only knew how to dress themselves up and please men.
Spending their days thinking about family infighting.
Like canaries in a cage.
She didn't want to rely on any man!
She wanted to do what she wanted to do!
Even as a woman, she could still achieve things!
If she truly had the ability, no one would disbelieve her.
But she only talked the talk.
Without Ning Que's support, what was she?!
Lin Xianhong panicked at this moment.
Looking at Ning Que, she suddenly felt very unfamiliar.
Clearly, Ning Que was serious!
"You... you want to... divorce me?"
"Don't forget, our marriage was bestowed by His Majesty!"
"If you want a divorce, I can agree to it."
"If you want to divorce me, does His Majesty know?!"
Qi King Tian Zhongxun sneered disdainfully, saying sarcastically, "My virtuous nephew, this is your fault. Xianhong was the good person chosen by the Princess Consort back then, and her marriage was even bestowed by His Majesty. These are just trivial matters, why must you go as far as divorce? It's not this King speaking ill of you, but just don't be so petty. If it's really not working, let Xianhong bear you another one!"
"Exactly, why be so particular?"
"Besides, you say divorce and it's done?"
Gu Yuan also wore a playful smile.
If Lin Xianhong were divorced, she would have no value.
At the very least, there would no longer be that thrill.
After all, things that are snatched are more delicious.
"Imperial edict arrives—"
A loud, sharp voice rang out.
Gu Yuan's smile immediately widened.
Indeed, just as Cao Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites had said!
Emperor Feng truly came to bestow rewards upon him!