122: This King and Your Majesty, there is no difference between us! (13)

Chapter 122: This Prince and Your Majesty, We Are Indivisible! (13)

Seeing Li Chang'an sit on the Imperial Throne, Wei Bi was utterly enraged!

"Li Chang'an, you are too presumptuous!"

"How can you sit on His Majesty's seat? Get down immediately!"

Led by the Marquis of Changning, the Northern Qi officials immediately began to shout curses.

Li Chang'an pointed at Wei Bi's feet, "The grand Imperial Steps—do not ascend without an Imperial Edict!"

The position he was sitting in was the Emperor's Imperial Throne; other officials dared not go up and pull him down.

The Northern Qi officials were furious, each one cursing loudly!

"Li Chang'an, you are too rude!"

"Li Chang'an, don't even think about leaving Shangjing City alive!"

"Lawless Southern barbarian!"

Fan Xian, sitting upright, felt his heart pounding. Now he was increasingly convinced that Li Chang'an was a Transmigrator!

Only a lawless Transmigrator would dare to do such a crazy thing!

Among the Southern Qing envoy members sitting below, some were too nervous to speak, while others secretly admired Li Chang'an.

Gao Da and Wang Qinian sat next to each other, even more impressed with Prince Yong.

"Oh! Prince Yong has sat on the Imperial Throne! How impressive!"

Wang Qinian, usually quite brazen, was now a little nervous.

His Highness's behavior on this trip to Northern Qi was truly becoming more and more audacious!

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As the eunuchs' shouts rose and fell, the young Emperor Zhan Doudou, with a slight smile on her lips, slowly walked into the main hall.

Li Chang'an had brought her into a new world, making her feel incredibly refreshed and clear-minded.

However, as soon as she approached the main hall, she heard the commotion inside.

By the time she reached the entrance, the young Emperor was so startled she almost lost her wits!

Li Chang'an was actually sitting on her Imperial Throne!

Their relationship was something that could never see the light of day, how could he act like this!

"Li Chang'an, get down from My Imperial Throne!"

Zhan Doudou's brows were frosty as she quickly stepped onto the Imperial Steps, continuously winking at Li Chang'an.

"How can you sit here? The Empress Dowager Wei is coming soon!"

Li Chang'an seemed not to hear Zhan Doudou's whispered plea.

"This position is good, this Prince likes it."

Zhan Doudou could only bend down and plead in a low voice, "Brother Chang'an, don't make trouble here..."

"Cough, cough!"

Li Chang'an coughed loudly twice, and then the hall instantly quieted down considerably.

"Your Majesty, this Prince asks you, what day is it today?"

Zhan Doudou had no choice but to stand straight and answer properly, "Today is the Empress Dowager Wei's birthday."

Li Chang'an nodded in satisfaction, "Since it is the Empress Dowager Wei's birthday, why hasn't The Eldest Princess come?"

The current scene was extremely bizarre.

Li Chang'an sat on Zhan Doudou's Imperial Throne, and Zhan Doudou stood beside him answering questions, a complete reversal of order.

"Prince Yong, you have an engagement with My Imperial Sister; it is not appropriate to meet before marriage."

"The Empress Dowager Wei appreciates your talent, so she invited you to the birthday banquet. My Imperial Sister will privately wish the Empress Dowager Wei a happy birthday."

Li Chang'an looked at the officials in the hall and said, "Today is the Empress Dowager Wei's birthday banquet. This Prince's beloved concubine, Pian Pian, did not come, but this Prince did."

"If Pian Pian came, could she sit below?"

Zhan Doudou said helplessly, "Of course not. If My Imperial Sister came, she would naturally sit with Me."

Li Chang'an clapped his hands and said, "Exactly! This Prince and Pian Pian are one. Since she cannot conveniently come, this Prince must naturally represent her in wishing the Empress Dowager Wei a happy birthday."

At this moment, an official in the hall immediately said, "Prince Yong, you and The Eldest Princess are not yet married!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the envoys from Southern Qing immediately became relentless.

"What? Do you want to break off the engagement?"

"Breaking off the engagement is fine, then let's go to war!"

"Your Brocade-Clad Guards' yamen has already been burned down; fighting again will only lead to further loss of territory!"

Seeing the two sides arguing again, Zhan Doudou had no choice but to intervene.

"Enough, everyone, stop arguing!"

She lowered her head and glanced at Li Chang'an. In front of this man, she truly couldn't be tough.

The Emperor of Northern Qi was a woman; this secret was not only firmly held by Li Chang'an, but the young Emperor herself had also been completely taken by him.

Zhan Doudou had long admired Li Chang'an, and their current relationship was as sweet as honey. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was madly in love with Li Chang'an.

Logically, anyone who discovered she was a woman, Zhan Doudou would surely eliminate them to prevent future trouble.

But now, Zhan Doudou had no such thoughts at all.

"Prince Yong is right. He is My Imperial Brother-in-law, and there's nothing wrong with him sitting with Me."

The Northern Qi officials in the hall all spoke out in remonstrance.

"Your Majesty, no!"

"How can you let a prince from another country sit with you!"

"Your Majesty, it is against etiquette!"

Haitang, standing behind the Emperor, sighed slightly. Sitting together was nothing; they had already slept together.

At this moment, Li Chang'an began to scold the officials below.

"Did you all hear? Today is the Empress Dowager Wei's birthday banquet, and this Prince is His Majesty's brother-in-law."

"Where this Prince should sit, that is His Majesty's family matter! How dare Qi Country officials be so disrespectful as to point fingers at His Majesty's family matters?"

After Li Chang'an finished speaking, he turned and whispered, "Duoduo, don't be afraid. This Prince will support you."

Zhan Doudou was truly dumbfounded. It was clearly she who was helping him out, but now it had become him supporting her.

This man was truly a scoundrel!

Zhan Doudou knew that since Li Chang'an was sitting there, it was impossible to make him stand up.

She sighed softly, lifted her dragon robe, and sat next to Li Chang'an.

"Brother Chang'an, give Me some Face, Move in a little."

Seeing Zhan Doudou so sensible, Li Chang'an moved over, sharing the seat equally with Zhan Doudou.

Fan Xian stared blankly as Li Chang'an and Zhan Doudou sat together, completely stunned.

Li Chang'an's performance in the Northern Qi court now was far more arrogant than Shen Zhong's had been before.

Not long after, the birthday celebrant, Empress Dowager Wei, also arrived at the main hall.

Similarly, at the entrance of the hall, Empress Dowager Wei stood frozen.

She could hardly believe her eyes; Li Chang'an was actually sitting side-by-side with the young Emperor!

"Li Chang'an! You are presumptuous!"

The Empress Dowager Wei's angry shout made the officials of both countries kneel in salute.

Even the young Emperor knelt, only Li Chang'an stood there smiling.

As Empress Dowager Wei walked towards the Imperial Throne, she shouted outside, "Guards, seize Li Chang'an!"

As the Imperial Guards were about to rush into the hall, Li Chang'an held down Zhan Doudou, who was about to rise, and smiled at Empress Dowager Wei.

"Empress Dowager Wei, this Prince is attending your birthday banquet on behalf of Pian Pian, and there's nothing inappropriate about sitting with my brother-in-law, is there?"

Empress Dowager Wei, rushing onto the Imperial Platform, said angrily, "This is the Emperor's Imperial Throne; how can you sit there so casually?"

Li Chang'an walked up to Empress Dowager Wei and whispered, "Empress Dowager Wei, today's seating arrangement, you deliberately made it difficult for this Prince, didn't you?"

"If you anger this Prince, and this Prince accidentally harms my sister-in-law, it wouldn't be good for Qi Country either."

Upon hearing the words "sister-in-law," the Empress Dowager Wei was immediately stunned!

Li Chang'an knew, he knew Zhan Doudou was a woman!

How did he know!

For more than ten years, Empress Dowager Wei's biggest weakness was this secret.

But now that Li Chang'an knew, did it mean the Southern Qing Emperor also knew?

Empress Dowager Wei, astute as she was, reacted instantly.

No matter what, she had to stabilize Li Chang'an first.

Li Chang'an might truly know, or he might just be bluffing her, but she absolutely could not let Li Chang'an speak carelessly about this matter.

Empress Dowager Wei, who had initially looked stern, suddenly curved her lips into a smile.

"Imperial Guards, stand down."

"Today is My birthday banquet, and Prince Yong is My excellent son-in-law. It is quite proper for a son-in-law and son to sit together."

The Northern Qi officials were all dumbfounded. What ability did Li Chang'an possess to be so favored by both the Empress Dowager Wei and the Emperor!

Haitang quietly sighed. Northern Qi was probably doomed; both the Empress Dowager Wei and the Emperor were under Li Chang'an's control.

The problem was, Li Chang'an was also a quasi-Great Grandmaster, so no one could do anything about him.

At this moment, Li Chang'an put his arm around the young Emperor's shoulder, looking very intimate.

Zhan Doudou was so startled her soul almost flew away, her Face flushing crimson with anxiety, only to hear Li Chang'an sincerely say.

"Empress Dowager Wei, this Prince and His Majesty have a Guan Bao friendship, we are indivisible, as close as family!"

Zhan Doudou finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although she didn't know what "Guan Bao friendship" meant, it must be a term for men who have a very good relationship.

"Yes, Empress Dowager Wei, I and my brother-in-law also hit it off immediately. Especially regarding the Dao of poetry, we have had very deep exchanges and gained a lot."

Li Chang'an politely said, "His Majesty is too modest. The Dao of poetry is quite profound. This Prince must teach it in an easy-to-understand manner so that it can take deep root."

Empress Dowager Wei saw Li Chang'an embracing Zhan Doudou, and the fire in her heart almost burst out!

But she couldn't show the slightest expression on her Face, "Prince Yong, regarding His Majesty's poetry, I hope Your Highness will put in more effort. Since you two have such a deep connection, then please sit together."

The matter of the seating was finally settled. Zhan Doudou let out a long sigh of relief, then happily sat side-by-side with Li Chang'an.

The downfall of Northern Qi's two powerful ministers, and the Empress Dowager Wei's birthday banquet was supposed to mark the beginning of a new era, but it was suddenly disrupted by Li Chang'an's interference.

The birthday banquet had just begun, and after a song and dance performance, Lang Tao, unwilling to accept the situation, jumped out.

"Empress Dowager Wei, Your Majesty, this humble commoner Lang Tao wishes to have a martial arts contest with Prince Yong of Southern Qing to add to the festivities of this birthday banquet."

Li Chang'an had stolen the show today and was even chatting and laughing with the young Emperor, making many Northern Qi people feel very displeased. Lang Tao was merely a representative among them.

In the Empress Dowager Wei's eyes, Li Chang'an definitely couldn't defeat Lang Tao.

"Prince Yong, are you willing to participate in a martial arts contest for My amusement?"

Li Chang'an said calmly, "Of course I am!"

"However, this Prince's opponent is not Mr. Lang Tao!"

Empress Dowager Wei asked curiously, "Oh? Does Prince Yong still want to choose his opponent?"

Lang Tao also sneered, "Is Prince Yong afraid he can't defeat this humble commoner and wants to choose an opponent with weaker martial arts?"

Li Chang'an pointed at Haitang, who was secretly eating, and loudly asked, "Mr. Lang Tao, how is the Saintess's martial arts!"

Lang Tao truthfully said, "She is a little weaker than me, but she is one of the best below the Great Grandmaster level!"

Li Chang'an said, "Good, the Saintess and I are both revered as Celestial Vein Holders. Why don't we have a match today?"

"Firstly, to add to the festivities of the Empress Dowager Wei's birthday banquet, and secondly, to determine the true Celestial Vein Holder!"

Both the Empress Dowager Wei and the Emperor hesitated. Both of them had reservations about Li Chang'an. What if Li Chang'an lost?

At this moment, Haitang decisively said, "Well said, this Saintess has long wanted to experience Prince Yong's excellent Moves!"

"Prince Yong's literary talent is astounding, but I wonder what his true martial arts are like. Is he only good at writing poetry and admiring nature?"

Li Chang'an also slammed the table and said, "I've long heard of the Saintess's exceptional talent, and this Prince has also long wanted to experience it!"

Seeing Haitang Duoduo step forward, Lang Tao naturally had no objection. In his eyes, Haitang would surely beat Li Chang'an senseless.

Gao Da worriedly asked Wang Qinian, "How is Your Highness's martial arts? Can he contend with the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi?"

Wang Qinian put on a worried expression, "I don't know, I'm afraid it will be difficult!"

Although both the Empress Dowager Wei and the young Emperor were unsure, they couldn't find a reason to stop it, especially since Li Chang'an himself hadn't refused.

The Northern Qi officials' anticipated scenario of the Saintess brutally beating Li Chang'an did not happen.

The two each held a long sword, their Moves fierce and the fight evenly matched!

Sometimes they fought in the air, sometimes they grappled on the ground, and they fought for a quarter of an hour without a clear victor.

Gao Da looked astonished, "Brother Wang, Your Highness actually possesses such cultivation, able to contend with the Ninth Rank Upper Level Saintess!"

Wang Qinian suddenly realized, "So that's it, so that's it!"

"This Saintess has taken a liking to my Highness. That night on the Shangsi Festival, she even invited my Highness to drink!"

"With such deep affection, how could they truly fight? She's here to help my Highness out!"

Gao Da said in shock, "Is that true! Prince Yong is truly something, he's going to win over the Saintess!"

Wang Qinian said smugly, "It's a pity for their Northern Qi, after so many years of cultivating a Saintess, even calling her a Celestial Vein Holder."

"She's just been abducted by our Prince Yong..."

Li Chang'an and Haitang appeared to be fighting with Killing Intent, but neither of them used lethal force.

Lang Tao, who was the most knowledgeable, shook his head repeatedly, but couldn't interrupt.

He couldn't very well say that his Junior Sister was faking the fight.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

The martial arts contest ended, and the Empress Dowager Wei applauded with a smile.

"Good, good, good! A draw is good!"

"Today is My birthday, and there's no need to determine a winner or loser. A draw is the best outcome."

From then on, the birthday banquet proceeded without further incident and finally dispersed with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves.

After the birthday banquet, Empress Dowager Wei met with Lang Tao in the Imperial Study.

"Lang Tao, you personally keep an eye on Li Chang'an. Bring him to the Imperial Study tonight at Hai Shi (9-11 PM); I have matters to discuss with him."

Among the Empress Dowager Wei's trusted experts, Lang Tao was the strongest in martial arts and the most reliable for getting things done.

"As you command, Empress Dowager Wei."

Empress Dowager Wei continued, "You met with the Imperial Uncle the other day. Did he have any instructions?"

Lang Tao said, "This subordinate was just about to mention it. My master usually doesn't concern himself with worldly affairs, but this time he did have some instructions."

"With the Brocade-Clad Guards' yamen burned down, Southern Qing will inevitably take advantage of the chaos, and Southern Qing's internal affairs also need to be stirred up."

"The Southern Qing envoy Fan Xian is the illegitimate son of Emperor Qing and Ye Qingmei. Releasing this news will be enough to cause chaos in Southern Qing for a while."

In fact, Ku He had already suspected it when Wu Zhu beat him.

But at that time, he was too severely injured to pay attention.

Now that his injuries were much better, and Lang Tao brought up the matter, he wanted to spread the news.

Ye Qingmei was a key figure in Qing Kingdom's rise. The revelation of her son's identity would be enough to throw the Southern Qing high-ranking officials into temporary disarray.