On the other side.
With his past actions fully exposed, Qi Huanquan no longer hid his true colors, revealing his villainous nature.
"Lord Yan, you've been lorded over the Zhennan King's manor for so many years, relying on your status as the old Zhennan King's son-in-law. It's time for your brothers to enjoy some comfort.
Back then, if it weren't for your interference, Lord Yan, I would have been the old Zhennan King's preferred son-in-law."
"Bah!
Even if I were blind, I would never fancy a beast like you, full of wicked intentions!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Yan exploded. If Yan Tinghao hadn't held her back with all his might, she would have lunged out to beat him.
"Your Highness, please do not be angered. Today is not like the past. Though you still possess charm, you are also at an age where your bloom has faded. Only Lord Yan cherishes you like a treasure.
If Your Highness truly has nowhere to go and must humble yourself before this general, this general can reluctantly take you in as a concubine to warm his bed."
"Presumptuous!"
"Seeking death!"
Both Old Master Yan and King Wucheng, who had spoken out in anger, arrived before Qi Huanquan almost simultaneously. One swung his palm, the other raised his leg, and with all their might, they sent Qi Huanquan flying.
Qi Huanquan's body, like a kite with a broken string, flew several dozen feet before crashing heavily to the ground, spewing a large mouthful of blood.
"Damn it!
I will kill you, you turtle bastard, today!
Damn your grandmother, daring to wish for me to be your concubine! I would rather die than have any connection with a dog like you!"
Having been injured but never insulted like this in her life, Madam Yan's eyes turned red with anger.
She forcefully pushed Yan Tinghao away and was about to rush forward to smash Qi Huanquan into pieces when Old Master Yan, who had arrived, embraced her.
"Wife, please calm down. It's not worth spoiling your health over such a sinister person.
Moreover, dealing with him doesn't require you to personally intervene.
If it dirties your hands, your husband would be heartbroken."
Looking at the handsome, loving face she had gazed at for decades without tiring, Madam Yan's rage inexplicably halved.
And did King Wucheng also deliver a kick just now?
At the same time.
Qi Huanquan was helped up by his subordinates. Although injured, his life was not in danger.
"Your Highness, what did you mean just now?"
Seeing Madam Yan also looking at him, King Wucheng stiffened his neck and finally managed to utter:
"Princess Pingyang watched me grow up. Disrespecting Princess Pingyang is tantamount to disrespecting me."
"Aze..."
Madam Yan displayed a look of motherly relief on her face. Old Master Yan snorted and said with a forced smile:
"Oh, I didn't realize I had gained such a grown son!"
Yan Tinghao, in the distance, looked at one and then the other. After much thought, his gaze finally fell on King Wucheng, and he called out uncertainly:
"Brother?"
...
Setting aside the immense psychological shadow King Wucheng might have experienced, Lin Qingge, who was happily munching on melon seeds, saw Yan Tinghao wink slyly in her direction.
Lin Qingge, who instantly understood, raised her eyebrows in surprise.
She hadn't expected even the naive "silly deer" to learn how to play mind games.
After this brief interlude.
Qi Huanquan, having recovered somewhat, stepped forward again to assert his presence.
"Your Highness, I can overlook that kick just now, but what you promised me..."
"Rest assured, you have rendered meritorious service in saving me.
After this matter is settled, not only will I heavily promote you and your brothers, but I will also bestow upon you higher official ranks.
If you have the ambition, it is not out of the question to enfeoff you as the Zhennan King."
"This subordinate thanks Your Highness in advance."
Watching the two of them casually decide the fate of the title earned through a lifetime of struggle by the old Zhennan King, Old Master Yan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Qi Huanquan, you are leading the soldiers of the Zhennan King's manor to defect to King Wucheng in exchange for the Zhennan King's title.
This 'empty glove, white wolf' scheme is truly brilliant!"
However, Qi Huanquan listened and replied with disdain.
"Lord Yan, do not assume that the Zhennan King's manor is your sole domain just because the old Zhennan King is no more!
By the way, there's something you probably still don't know."
As he spoke, Qi Huanquan suddenly smiled:
"Lord Yan, you don't honestly think that in such a vast Zhennan King's manor, you are the only one qualified to command the entire army, do you?"
Hearing this, Old Master Yan replied in a tone as if looking at an idiot:
"Of course not.
The current Zhennan King is Hao'er, not me."
...
After a brief silence, Qi Huanquan cleared his throat unnaturally:
"Hmph, what this general means is that besides Princess Pingyang, Duan Sainan, the Duan family also has other male heirs.
Therefore, the Zhennan King title should not fall to you!"
"Who becomes the Zhennan King is not for a mere Brigadier General like you to decide, nor is it for you to meddle in unnecessary affairs.
Even if I am not a true member of the Duan family, Hao'er is of the Duan bloodline, and his succession to the Zhennan King title is legitimate.
Unlike you, a distant nobody, who dares to covet what does not belong to you!"
"But his surname is Yan!"
"His surname is Yan, but Yan Tinghao is merely Hao'er's given name.
His birth name is Duan Tinghao, and this name is recorded in the Duan family genealogy."
?!!!
Yan Tinghao, who had never known his surname wasn't Yan until now, looked at his mother in disbelief. She nodded thoughtfully.
"It does seem there's something to that effect..."
"Hao'er, there's nothing to be surprised about.
Your father is a live-in son-in-law, so our children should take their mother's surname.
Your maternal grandfather was open-minded, which is why he allowed the given name Yan Tinghao."
"No, Father, isn't Hao'er my given name?"
"Hao'er is the infant name, Yan Tinghao is the given name, and Duan Tinghao is your birth name."
...
Yan Tinghao, who had lived for twenty years with his given name, fell into silence as he watched his father proudly declare the term "live-in son-in-law."
Qi Huanquan, who had also been hit hard, hadn't known about this despite lurking in the Zhennan King's manor for so many years?
Even so, he gritted his teeth and said:
"Even if he is legitimate, so what?
The Zhennan King's manor needs a marshal who can strategize and win battles, not an incompetent blockhead."
"You turtle bastard, how dare you call Hao'er a blockhead? I'll tear your mouth off!"
"Wife, please don't rush, let him finish speaking."
"Lord Yan, aren't you curious how this general managed to gain control of the entire Zhennan King's manor in such a short period?"
"Your mouth is under your nose. Say what you want to say, or don't."
...
Stifled by Old Master Yan, Qi Huanquan coughed out a mouthful of blood and said angrily:
"The reason this general succeeded is primarily due to him."
With that, Qi Huanquan raised his hand and waved. A person emerged from behind him.