Chapter 383: Chapter 102 I Call It Once, It Responds
The imperial guards parted from left and right, allowing the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince to see the newcomer who had suddenly interrupted the conversation; both of them frowned at the same time.
Jiang Li!
Though they had never seen him in person, Jiang’s reputation had already spread throughout the Divine Capital, and his assassination had caused a huge uproar. Both princes had seen his portraits, so naturally, they recognized him.
So he really wasn’t dead...
The thought that had been speculated upon that morning flashed through the Second Prince’s mind. Indifferently, he said, "With no official position and brazenly entering the Imperial City, the law dictates execution. Jiang Li, do not mistake your path."
Having secured the support of the Yin Law Department, the Second Prince naturally took the stance of the Ji Family elders. The Ji Family did not want Jiang Li to obtain the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron, and the Second Prince felt the same.
Not to mention, he personally had very little regard for the Jiang family.
Jiang Li, seated in his wheelchair, slowly approached. Upon hearing this, he chuckled softly, "I am of the Jiang family, how can I not enter the Imperial City? As for you two, attempting to take my possession in front of its owner, when did the princes of Great Zhou become such despicable thieves?"
The Second Prince’s words were rude, and Jiang Li’s retort was none the weaker, striking at both princes with one blow. He exuded confidence, revealing his absolute determination to obtain the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron.
Both were no longer young, and as members of the royal offsprings, they were not lacking in opportunities to use their wits. They immediately perceived Jiang Li’s goal.
"This statement is not correct."
The Eldest Prince, unlike the Second Prince’s cold demeanor, spoke in a more soothing voice, but his words were just as pointed, "The Divine Farmer’s Cauldron is the possession of the Jiang Family Master, not to be held by a branch family member like you. Now that the main Jiang Family has relocated overseas, and the cauldron is without a master, it is only right for our Ji Family to temporarily safeguard it."
As the favorite of the Meng Family, the Eldest Prince’s stance had also been fixed.
The Meng Family had ties to the Kunxu Immortal Palace, naturally they wouldn´t have any good feelings toward a disciple of Tianxuan; when the Jiang family flourished, the families of Divine Capital reaped the most benefits and of course, they didn´t wish for the Jiang’s resurgence.
Though the two princes were rivals, at this moment, they chose to present a united front to suppress the desire of Jiang Li to obtain the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron first.
Inside the Qianyang Palace within the Imperial City, a scene of light and shadow displayed the confrontation between Jiang Li and the two princes. Before the light and shadow, the influential figures of the court were seated, each observing this unfolding drama.
"Although the two princes are competitors, they can set aside their differences and unite against outside challenges in critical moments, indeed worthy of our royal clan’s descendants," commented an old man stroking his long beard, appearing pleased.
"The Eldest Prince respects tradition and is a fitting example of an Eldest Imperial Son," added an elegant middle-aged man dressed in cyan.
Overhearing this, the Zong Zheng, who had recently returned from the Imperial College and was sitting near the seat of honor, glanced at the unoccupied main seat and sneered, "But this Jiang Li, showing no respect to the princes and coveting the property of his own family, really fails as a son of his house. And he has been this arrogant without even yet joining the Royal Family through marriage. In my opinion, the matter of Jiang Li and Princess Qing Yue should be re-evaluated."
With these words, more and more gazes focused on the main seat, eyeing the regal figure seated there.
The words of Zong Zheng amounted to cutting off Jiang Li’s path to a comfortable life through marriage, to sever the link between the Ji and Jiang families. He was directly challenging Tianxuan.
One could only say Zong Zheng was fierce.
However, this could also be seen as the Royal Family’s viewpoint. Zong Zheng was now like a pawn before the chariots.
Above the main seat, Tianxuan, dressed in sumptuous palace attire, glanced over the people present but did not retort as they expected. Instead, she looked at the woman in red sitting beside her and spoke deliberately, "Jiang Li’s engagement hasn’t been finalized, so he cannot be considered an Imperial Relative, but he is the sworn brother of the Long Prince Consort. In terms of seniority, he can already address the princes as ’benevolent nephews.’ He has no need to show courtesy to the princes; instead, it is the princes who should salute him as their uncle."
The Qianyang Palace fell silent for a moment.
Not out of shock, but for fear they would burst into laughter if they opened their mouths.
Did you not see even the Princess’s face stiffen?
The figure, like the embodiment of flames, suddenly exuded a chill, and one could understand just how irritated she was at that moment.
"Ridiculous!" Zong Zheng rebuked, "Absurd! Feng Manlou’s actions are outrageous and disgrace the Celestial Family. For Jiang Li to even swear brotherhood with the Long Prince Consort is against all propriety. This Jiang youth is indeed inherently defiant. I shall..."
Before Zong Zheng could continue with his intended outburst, Tianxuan had already interrupted him, "Whether it’s absurd or not is not for others to decide."
She smiled warmly towards Ji Lingguang and asked, "Princess, what do you think?"
What could the Princess think?
Right now, the Princess was grinding her teeth in frustration.
In front of so many people, revealing weaknesses like this, the Princess at this moment wished nothing more than to battle Tianxuan for three hundred rounds, until it was a fight to the death.
But she had already joined hands with Tianxuan, and currently, not only could she not undermine him, she even had to support him.
She must endure for now, for there would come a day when she would repay the favor with interest.
Ji Lingguang clenched her silver teeth and said, "The Divine Farmer’s Cauldron is an artifact of the Jiang family, and it should naturally be handled by them. The Royal Family has safeguarded it for nearly four years, and it’s time to return it to its rightful owner."
These words were like a thunderclap on a clear day, utterly dumbfounding Zong Zheng.
It wasn’t so much the shock that Ji Lingguang could endure such humiliation, but that she had actually chosen to ally with Tianxuan.
With Ji Lingguang’s status, her statement essentially opened a door for Tianxuan, allowing Tianxuan of the Gongsun Family to justifiably meddle in the affairs of another lineage. And together, they were powerful enough to dominate the current situation.
No need for any clever tricks or underhanded schemes, just with an overwhelming momentum, they could bulldoze their way through.
Tianxuan had strength, and Ji Lingguang had people; their alliance meant even the one behind Yin Law Department wouldn’t dare to oppose them.
Because he was third grade, and although Tianxuan possessed third grade power, he didn’t have the third grade Realm, which allowed him to act without any reservations.
Not to mention Zong Zheng, even everyone else present felt that the wind had shifted once again.
...
...
"You’re saying the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron cannot be held by me?"
On the other side, Jiang Li was stroking the small dog on her lap and said with a light chuckle before suddenly shouting, "Divine Farmer’s Cauldron!"
Buzz!
A buzzing sound came from the underground palace below the hollow, the ground trembled slightly, and the surrounding area warmed up, the temperature shooting up several degrees in an instant.
"It seems it doesn’t agree with your statement," Jiang Li laughed and said, "Why don’t the Second Prince also try calling it and see if it responds?"
"Right, the Eldest Prince once said whoever possesses virtue and capability shall possess the cauldron. Let us see if the virtue and capability of the Second Prince can move the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron."
Today, Jiang Li was especially aggressive, her stinging words like slaps to their faces, particularly for the Eldest Prince, who was hit exceedingly hard and felt exceptionally aggravated.
The boomerang had flown back to hit oneself. If they could not even be angered by such self-inflicted embarrassment, then there was no need to compete for the throne; let him be the Regent. This one did not even need to contain the Emperor Dao Fruit to dissolve emotions, truly seeming like the one destined by Heaven.
"Pfft—"
It sounded like someone laughed.
No, that’s wrong; a dog laughed.
The small dog on Jiang Li’s lap had opened its mouth wide and let out a stifled laugh like a human.
This laugh, while not too harmful, was extremely insulting, and both Princes nearly couldn’t contain their growing anger.
But that dog was still laughing, even using its right front paw to slap Jiang Li’s leg, seemingly unable to stop its wild mirth.
Meanwhile, Jiang Li continued to apply pressure, "If the Princes cannot call it forth, then please stop blocking the way. Time is of the essence, and I can hardly wait to communicate with the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron."
Saying so, her wheelchair slowly moved forward, approaching the underground palace.
The Forbidden Army surrounding the palace instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons, hesitating because, in the face of these great personalities’ conflict, they, as Guards, should not intervene.
Although the Forbidden Army was strict with commands, since they were ordered to stand guard here, they must forbid others from approaching. But these days, you had to have good judgement to serve in the Imperial City.
To dare lay a hand on Jiang Li would mean possibly dying in vain, with likely no compensation to follow.
Therefore, unless given an explicit order to kill, they truly couldn’t just lash out at Jiang Li with their weapons.
But if they let Jiang Li pass, that wouldn’t bode well for them either.
While the Forbidden Army was hesitant, Jiang Li was already inching closer.