"That kid— that kid, is he really that amazing?" Gou Yu still couldn't quite accept it. Every time she recalled being disciplined by Jiang Chen that day, she felt a pang of irritation deep inside. Admitting that Jiang Chen was impressive? Her pride wouldn't let her.
Dongfang Lu gently held his daughter Dongfang Zhi Ruo by his side and sighed softly. "Who would have thought that the incident during the Heaven Worship Ceremony would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Could it be that Heaven took pity, using Jiang Chen's hand to free Ruo'er from her suffering?"
After turning it over in his mind again and again, that was the only explanation that made sense.
"Oh right— Gou Yu, Jiang Chen is participating in the Hidden Dragon Examination in the capital. How are his results?" Dongfang Lu suddenly remembered this matter.
"Your Majesty, among the heirs of the one hundred and eight feudal lords, Jiang Chen's results are dead last— no suspense about it. What's more, he hasn't passed a single one of the three basic assessments so far. The basic assessment deadline is only three or four days away at the end of the month. If he can't pass, he won't even be eligible to participate in the final trial of the Hidden Dragon Examination."
Gou Yu had no choice but to report the truth.
"That serious?" Dongfang Lu was quite surprised. "This puts me in a difficult position. If the boy can't even pass the basic assessments, he won't be able to keep his feudal lord's token. Even if I wish to grant him wealth and honor, I'm afraid I won't be able to…"
"Sow what you reap. He didn't put in the effort before— losing the feudal lord's token wouldn't be unjust. Your Majesty, let me make this clear: since you put me in charge of the Hidden Dragon Examination, I won't go easy on anyone." Gou Yu's mouth still carried that stubborn edge.
"Haha, how could I make things difficult for you? If he truly isn't fated to hold a lord's title, becoming a leisurely official in the capital wouldn't be so bad. No power, just wealth and comfort. Rather carefree, wouldn't you say?"
This outcome was actually what Dongfang Lu most hoped for. Otherwise, after the Hidden Dragon Examination ended, all the major feudal lords would have to return to their respective territories.
And when that time came— who would treat Dongfang Zhi Ruo's illness?
"Oh right, Your Majesty, speaking of the Hidden Dragon Examination— I received an invitation today. From the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate."
"The Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate?" Dongfang Lu's brows furrowed slightly. He was clearly quite sensitive to those three words.
"Yes. They say there will be a banquet at the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate tonight, and I've been invited to attend. Apparently, something truly remarkable— a joyful event— has occurred at the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate."
"A joyful event?" Dongfang Lu's expression grew even more complicated. As the reigning monarch, his control over the capital should have been virtually flawless.
But what exactly had happened at the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate? Dongfang Lu truly didn't know.
Of course, the Dragon Ascendant Marquis couldn't very well invite the monarch to attend a banquet. First, a feudal lord didn't carry that much face. Second, the ancestral laws and traditions wouldn't permit such a thing.
"He didn't specify in the invitation— only that it concerns his youngest daughter, Long Ju Xue. Could it be that his daughter Long Ju Xue has achieved a breakthrough in martial cultivation?"
If it was just something minor like that, Dongfang Lu actually wouldn't mind. He waved his hand. "Since they invited you, you should go. That Dragon Ascendant Marquis… heh."
Gou Yu's expression was also somewhat complex. She understood well enough her brother's wariness toward the Dragon Ascendant Marquis. The number one feudal lord in all the land— his position was exalted and his power immense, nearly reaching the point where the subject's prestige overshadowed the ruler's.
…
The Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate was situated in the southeastern district of the capital. Its geographical advantage, the prosperity of the neighborhood, and the magnificence of its architecture were things that the Jiang Han Marquis's estate simply couldn't compare to.
Of course, calling it the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate was a bit of a misnomer— it was merely the feudal lord's temporary residence in the imperial capital. The true estate of every feudal lord was located in their own governed territory.
Since it was a banquet, Jiang Feng had originally planned to prepare an elaborate gift, but Jiang Chen shot the idea down. Since they were bound to end up at each other's throats anyway, why waste money? Just grab something offhand— take it or leave it.
After all, the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's invitation had nothing to do with whatever trinket you showed up carrying. What the man truly wanted was half of the Jiang Han Marquis's spirit-vein land— the single greatest source of the family's income.
Snatching someone's livelihood— that was a blood feud. Jiang Chen understood clearly that this matter could not possibly end peacefully.
It wasn't until evening that Jiang Chen finally strolled out of his cultivation chamber in no particular hurry. In his words, showing up early just meant getting the cold shoulder. Better to wait until everyone else had arrived before making an appearance.
Jiang Feng thought about it and agreed it made sense, so he went along with Jiang Chen's plan.
By the time the father and son arrived at the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate, the invited guests had already assembled— roughly seven or eight out of ten had shown up.
The scene was exactly as Jiang Chen had anticipated. Whether deliberately or naturally, a number of feudal lords had reached a tacit understanding with the Dragon Ascendant Marquis, deliberately leaving the father-son pair in the lurch.
Fortunately, the Jiang Han Marquis had always been well-regarded among his peers, and he had cultivated genuine friendships with some of the other lords. These familiar colleagues all rose to their feet to greet Jiang Feng.
At least the scene wasn't too awkward.
"Brother Jiang, I've been waiting and waiting— finally, you've arrived!" Suddenly, a hearty laugh rang out from ahead. A man in resplendent brocade robes strode toward Jiang Feng with broad, confident steps.
He was broad-shouldered and powerfully built, his every stride carrying an air of dominance, his bearing brimming with authority. This was none other than the Dragon Ascendant Marquis himself— Long Zhao Feng.
"You flatter me, Brother Long. I wouldn't dare presume."
"Come, come! Brother Jiang, you're my honored guest today. You must sit beside me in the seats of honor."
The seat of honor was no easy thing to accept. In households of marquises and nobility, seating arrangements were matters of the utmost propriety. The Jiang Han Marquis, while of respectable standing, hadn't risen to a level where he could casually claim the seat of honor in the Dragon Ascendant Marquis's estate.
"How could I accept such a thing? Brother Long, please see to your other guests. I'll take my seat with my old companions here." Jiang Feng still preferred to sit with the friends he had known for years.