Chapter 987: Chapter 544: The Prince’s Lair
Inside the Golden Throne Hall, naturally, Emperor Jingtai took the lead. Only after he gradually left did this grand court assembly officially come to a perfect close.
When they arrived, they entered in a single file, orderly and organized, and naturally, they left the same way.
The higher the rank of the officials, the slower they walked.
Upon exiting the Golden Throne Hall, Shen Wu True Monarch Li Kuangxiu suddenly turned his gaze towards Gu Tianqiong, stared at him for a moment, and then spoke: “Brother Gu, why not come to my residence for a chat?”
Gu Tianqiong squinted his eyes into slits and nodded slightly:
“Since it is Brother Li’s invitation, I naturally would not refuse. Please.”
“Please.”
With just a few words, the two decided everything. Then, the space around them rippled slightly, and upon looking again, they had already disappeared without a trace.
Xiao Jing’s gaze remained calm. Only after Gu Tianqiong and Li Kuangxiu, these two high officials, left did he look at Chen Yuan and say:
“Marquis of Wu An, not bad.”
“Great Governor flatters me; this official firstly congratulates you on your promotion.”
Chen Yuan’s title was equivalent to that of Great Governor Xiao Jing, but his fiefdom was two thousand households more, which was indeed a rare occurrence, especially given that his rank was very different from Xiao Jing’s.
“Minister Zhang said you’re interested in the position of Heavenly Divine Envoy?”
Xiao Jing got straight to the point, not mincing his words.
Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow; he initially thought Zhang Yantong was seeking out Great Governor Gu Tianqiong, but now it seemed that was not the case.
The ‘Great Governor’ he referred to was not Gu Tianqiong, but rather Xiao Jing, who had not yet taken the position!
It seems their relationship was… still unbeknownst to others.
“If I could become the Divine Envoy, I could better serve the court.” Chen Yuan now unabashedly revealed his ambition.
Xiao Jing’s ascension to the position of Great Governor of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau foretold that his power and status would not match that of the former Great Governor Gu Tianqiong, but still, he was a leading figure in the Heavenly Patrol Bureau.
The four Divine Envoy positions were very important and certainly held significant sway.
“Having aspirations is a good thing. I will remember this matter, and the discussions regarding the Heavenly Divine Envoy should begin in a few days; someone will notify you.”
Xiao Jing, being of a reserved and reticent nature, said so much only because of how he viewed Chen Yuan.
“Well, then many thanks to the Great Governor.”
“Hmm.”
Xiao Jing nodded slightly. Zuo Tiancheng, Wu Tianxi, and Zhang Yantong arrived together, smiles on their faces:
“Congratulations, Brother Xiao, on rising to the position of Great Governor.”
“From now on, I should refer to myself as your subordinate.”
“Great Governor, Brother Xiao is truly deserving.”
On the surface, the several Divine Envoys appeared extremely harmonious; as for what lay beneath, it was unknown to others.
However, one thing was clear: they all had the self-awareness to know they couldn’t compete with Xiao Jing, so they didn’t even try to compete to avoid embarrassment in the future.
Thus, Xiao Jing’s ascension was relatively smooth.
Once it’s set from above, the bottom remains quite stable.
“You flatter me; we will still rely on each of you in the future in the Heavenly Patrol Bureau. Even though I have assumed the role of Great Governor, we have worked together for decades and share a deep connection; we will still need your support in the future.”
Xiao Jing rarely allowed himself to smile.
“The Great Governor is too modest.”
“The Governor has ascended today; why not come to my residence for a chat?” Wu Tianxi laughed heartily.
“Alright, we indeed have not drunk together for some time.” Xiao Jing nodded in agreement.
Then, Wu Tianxi turned his gaze towards Chen Yuan and laughed:
“If Marquis Wu An is free, why not also come to my residence for a chat? I have wanted to invite you for quite some time.”
Regarding rank, Chen Yuan was a notch higher than them, but his official position was a notch lower. Hence, the attitudes of several Divine Envoys towards him varied somewhat.
But overall, they remained relatively equal.
Arrogant provocations and intentional disputes were rare unless necessary.
Being amiable was the usual state in the government.
Or in other words, outward harmony was the norm.
There were not many in the court who remained strangers until death.
Therefore, although Chen Yuan was interested in the position of Heavenly Divine Envoy, and each had allies in mind, they wouldn’t turn against each other until the moment came.
Of course, the main reason was also that Chen Yuan’s status and potential were worthy of their attention.
A Marquis of ten thousand households, merely in his twenties, perhaps the only one in a thousand years.
Moreover, he was a genuine military-merit conferred Marquis.
Besides, he was a Yang Transformation True Master Realm powerhouse, how could he not be taken seriously?
Chen Yuan thought for a moment and was about to nod in agreement when the three Princes who had been watching him intently all along took this opportunity to approach. The Eldest Prince Sima Qian smiled and said:
“Minister Wu, you were a step ahead; I also wanted to invite Brother Chen to the residence for a chat.”
“Indeed.”
Sima You chimed in agreement.
Seeing this, Sima Ke quickly spoke:
“Just yesterday, I invited Brother Chen; could it be that my two elder brothers want to contest with their younger brother?”
Wu Tianxi thoughtfully glanced at the few, normally indifferent to ordinary princes, but these were princes likely to become the Crown Prince.
Their status was indeed not low.
He then exchanged glances with Zuo Tiancheng and others:
“Since the esteemed princes have extended an early invitation, then I can only invite Marquis Wu An on another day.”
“Minister Wu’s words are too heavy; it should be Chen who extends the invitation instead.”
Chen Yuan said blandly.
“Haha, alright, then I shall wait for Marquis Wu An’s invitation on another day.”
Wu Tianxi laughed heartily without taking it to heart. The several exchanged a glance and turned to leave.
Before leaving, Zhang Yantong nodded toward Chen Yuan, his gaze somewhat encouraging.