23: Three conditions

"Pfft..."

Wang Baobao, who had just taken a sip of water, spat it all out upon hearing his little sister's words.

He stared at his little sister in shock.

Prince Ruyang's beady eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"Little sister, you, you, you... what did you just say? The Xiantian Realm?" Wang Baobao asked, stunned.

"That's right. And it's all because of Duan Lang that I was able to achieve my Breakthrough into the Xiantian Realm," Zhao Min said proudly.

"An eighteen-year-old in the Xiantian Realm... that would rank as a Genius even across the entire Nine Provinces Continent."

"I never expected my daughter to have reached such heights," Prince Ruyang said, astonished.

"Surprised? Happy?" Zhao Min asked with a mischievous, smug grin.

"Surprised, truly surprised. Happy, truly happy," Wang Baobao nodded.

"Alright, Min Min has had a long journey. She should go and rest first."

"We can discuss matters after Duan Zhengchun arrives," Prince Ruyang said with a frown.

"Well then, Father, Elder Brother, I'll go change my clothes first," Zhao Min said.

After Zhao Min left, Prince Ruyang's expression turned serious.

"Father, do you think what little sister said is true?" Wang Baobao asked gravely.

"I'm not sure. But given Min Min's personality, she probably wouldn't lie."

"However, her claim that her Breakthrough into the Xiantian Realm was entirely because of Duan Zhengchun is rather suspicious," Prince Ruyang said, frowning.

"Father, if we want to know if little sister really broke through, we can just ask Masters Lu and He, can't we?"

"As for whether it was Duan Zhengchun's doing... that part might actually have some credibility."

"After all, the Dali Duan Clan established their Kingdom through martial prowess. It's normal for them to have Medicinal Pills that enhance strength."

"Maybe Duan Zhengchun gave one to little sister to curry favor with her," Wang Baobao suggested after some thought.

"Hmm, what you say makes sense. On that point, we just need to wait for Duan Zhengchun to appear and ask him then."

"If it really was because of him that Min Min became a Xiantian Realm Martial Artist, then he would indeed be qualified to be her husband," Prince Ruyang nodded.

"Wait, Father, are you serious? Duan Zhengchun already has a Princess Consort."

"If little sister marries him, she would be a concubine."

"If word of this gets out, Father, it would be *your* face that's lost," Wang Baobao said, aghast.

"Hmm, you have a point there. Alright, if everything is true..."

"...if Duan Zhengchun is willing to give Min Min the status of a proper wife, then this Prince will agree to their union."

"If he cannot do that, then this Prince will absolutely not consent," Prince Ruyang declared after some thought.

Zhao Min was unaware of her father's thoughts. If she knew, she'd probably run away from home again before Duan Zhengchun even arrived.

At that moment, a guard hurried in.

"Reporting, Your Highness. Outside is a man calling himself Duan Long. He holds the Young Mistress's jade pendant and says he wishes to see her."

"Hmm? Duan Long? Shouldn't it be Duan Zhengchun?" Prince Ruyang's brow furrowed slightly.

Wang Baobao looked impatient, but after taking the pendant and examining it, his face also showed surprise.

He could naturally tell this was his little sister's personal jade pendant.

Who exactly was this Duan Long? Shouldn't it be Duan Zhengchun?

"Father, how does this Duan Long have little sister's personal jade pendant? You know this is her favorite pendant; she usually doesn't even let me touch it," Wang Baobao asked, frowning.

"It seems this Duan Long must be Duan Zhengchun. Go, bring him in," Prince Ruyang said after a moment's contemplation.

If this Duan Long really was Duan Zhengchun, these few guards wouldn't be his match anyway.

Even if he wasn't, no matter what, this was his daughter's personal pendant. If word of this got out, it would affect his reputation.

They'd see him first. If he had ulterior motives, they could just send him away.

He was just a Xiantian Realm Master. The Prince's Manor wasn't without its own.

The guard soon returned, respectfully leading Duan Zhengchun into the manor.

Sure enough, upon seeing Prince Ruyang, he was just as Duan Zhengchun remembered: a short, fat man.

He really wondered how such a fat man could have fathered a stunning beauty like Zhao Min.

Presumably, she had inherited all her genes from her mother.

"This Junior, Duan Long, pays his respects to Prince Ruyang," Duan Zhengchun said with a cupped fist salute.

"Oh? Shouldn't this Prince address you as Prince Duan?" Prince Ruyang looked at Duan Zhengchun with a faint, knowing smile.

Duan Zhengchun was taken aback. He hadn't expected the other party to have already investigated and uncovered his identity.

But upon second thought, it made sense.

"Either is fine. It seems Min Min has already informed Your Highness of my identity," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile and a nod.

"Since you admit it, there's no need for formalities. Have a seat."

"Regardless, you are the Prince of Zhennan of Dali. Although your status is somewhat inferior to this Prince's, your official rank is on the same level."

"This Prince will not make things difficult for you. Just agree to three conditions from this Prince, and I will consent to your union."

"Moreover, I will send Min Min to the Prince of Zhennans Residence with great fanfare," Prince Ruyang said calmly.

Hearing Prince Ruyang's words, Duan Zhengchun knew these three conditions were probably not simple.

"Your Highness, please speak," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"First, when Min Min marries into your residence, she absolutely cannot be a concubine."

"How could a Princess of my Ruyang Princes Manor become someone's concubine?" Prince Ruyang declared arrogantly.

"Your Highness should also know that I already have a Princess Consort," Duan Zhengchun said, frowning.

"This Prince is naturally aware. You have two choices. First, divorce your wife and then install Min Min as your Princess Consort."

"That's impossible. Although I, Duan Zhengchun, am not exactly a good man, divorcing my wife is something I cannot do," Duan Zhengchun stated bluntly.

"Then this Prince cannot possibly allow Min Min to be your concubine. Since you disagree, there is nothing more to discuss," Prince Ruyang said coldly.

"Didn't Your Highness just say there were two paths?" Duan Zhengchun said.

"The second one is pointless for you to hear. It's not worth mentioning!" Prince Ruyang said coldly.

"If you don't say it, how can you know it's pointless?" Duan Zhengchun stared at Prince Ruyang, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Very well. The second path is that you must marry Min Min with great fanfare, in a grand procession. Even if you cannot give her the title of Princess Consort, you must give her the status of a wife," Prince Ruyang said coldly.

"In the eyes of I, Duan Zhengchun, my women are not concubines; they are all wives."

"In my view, their status and position are equal. There is no distinction between wife and concubine," Duan Zhengchun declared coldly.

Duan Zhengchun's answer somewhat surprised Prince Ruyang.

He hadn't expected Duan Zhengchun to respond like this. From ancient times to the present, such a thing had never occurred.

Even an emperor has only one empress; the others are merely imperial consorts, ladies, or attendants. There has never been a precedent for one man having two wives, or multiple wives.

"Oh? So, Prince Duan, you are very confident you can persuade your Princess Consort?"

"As this Prince understands it, the Princess Consort of Zhennan is the daughter of the Baiyi Tribe Clan Chief. Their tribal law states that one marries only one person in a lifetime."