Since the Palace Master of the Qianlan Southern Palace was dead set on finding a match of equal standing, Jiang Chen naturally wasn't about to let Qi Baishi lose face.
When it came to his own people, Jiang Chen never held back — he absolutely refused to let any of them come up short.
After securing Elder Fei's support, Jiang Chen sent several of his personal guards to deliver his handwritten letters to Duobao Dojo's Deputy Sect Master Shi Xiaoyao, Crown Prince Ye Rong, and Dragon Tooth Guard Commander Tian Shao...
Even Consort Dan at the Grand Tutor's Villa received a letter from Jiang Chen.
The Palace Master of the Qianlan Southern Palace wanted to make a grand show of things? Then they'd see who could put on the bigger spectacle.
...
Early the next morning, as soon as Jiang Chen had risen, a servant came to report that Dragon Tooth Guard Commander Tian Shao had arrived.
It had to be said that Tian Shao had become one of Jiang Chen's most die-hard supporters. When Jiang Chen had led him in a solo charge into the Dragon Tooth Guard headquarters, Tian Shao had been the only one to witness it from start to finish. The impact it left on him was simply beyond words.
"Chen Shao, I received your letter last night and knew you'd come out of seclusion. I wanted to come visit right away, but I was worried it was too late and would disturb your rest, so..."
"Ha ha, Old Tian, since when do you stand on ceremony with me?" Jiang Chen laughed.
Tian Shao laughed as well, then said, "Oh right, Chen Shao — Deputy Steward Zhou Gui asked about you this morning. He heard you invited me to help propose marriage on behalf of your friend, and he's very interested. He said he'd like to come along and join in the excitement."
Deputy Steward Zhou Gui was one of the biggest beneficiaries of Yang Zhao's downfall. In the past, as the nominal First Deputy Steward, his power within the Dragon Tooth Guard had been far less than Yang Zhao's. Now that Yang Zhao had fallen, he was finally experiencing what it truly meant to be the First Deputy Steward.
His gratitude toward Jiang Chen was, in fact, secondary. What mattered most was that Zhou Gui had recognized just how extraordinary Jiang Chen was from this whole affair. He figured he had no conflicts with Jiang Chen, and on many matters, he had always stood on the opposite side of Yang Zhao. So from a relationship standpoint, there was nothing wrong with him proactively building ties with Jiang Chen.
It could even be said that Zhou Gui's eagerness to get close carried a hint of ingratiation. Though he was the Deputy Steward of the Dragon Tooth Guard, Zhou Gui was well aware that in the eyes of a genius like Jiang Chen, a deputy steward was nothing!
Yang Zhao had also been a deputy steward — powerful and arrogant as all hell. And what happened? He crossed Jiang Chen and lost everything, including his life.
Zhou Gui shrewdly realized that Jiang Chen was someone with a boundless future, well worth getting on the good side of.
Hearing this from Tian Shao, Jiang Chen understood that Zhou Gui was extending an olive branch. He smiled. "How wonderful that Deputy Steward Zhou is interested as well! With his support, our marriage proposal procession will be even more impressive!"
As they spoke, Consort Dan arrived. She had clearly made an effort to dress up today. Her light, elegant makeup gave her an even more approachable warmth.
"Sister Dan, you won't mind running errands for me when you look like a celestial being, will you?"
Consort Dan arched her delicate brows. "Don't be glib. What if I said I did mind? What would you do then?"
Jiang Chen chuckled. "No big deal — when you get married someday, I'll stand on your side of the family and beef up your entourage!"
Hearing this, Consort Dan's lips parted slightly and her delicate nose wrinkled. Her rosebud lips quivered as if to speak, but she said nothing, and instead shot Jiang Chen a resounding roll of the eyes.
Before long, Crown Prince Ye Rong, Duobao Dojo's Deputy Sect Master Shi Xiaoyao, and Dragon Tooth Guard Deputy Steward Zhou Gui all arrived at the Jiang residence almost simultaneously. Barely had they stepped through the gates when Elder Fei came hurrying up right behind them.
Just about everyone Jiang Chen had invited had now gathered.
Qi Baishi gazed at the impressive procession, secretly clicking his tongue in amazement. His heart swelled with gratitude. He knew his master, Chen Shao, treated him well, but he'd never imagined that in a single night, his master would rally so many influential figures to stand behind him!
In the entire Tiangui Kingdom, who could possibly rival a lineup like this?
Ning Qingyan's mother, the Palace Master of the Qianlan Southern Palace — hadn't she looked down on him, Qi Baishi, for his humble origins?
Qi Baishi understood perfectly. His master was bolstering his image and amplifying his prestige.
...
The Qianlan Southern Palace's outpost in the Royal Capital was destined for an eventful day. Elder Ning of the Qianlan Southern Palace was going to publicly hold a marriage selection. This was a major event for the entire Royal Capital.
As one of the Four Great Dojos, the Qianlan Southern Palace held an extraordinary status in the Tiangui Kingdom. When an elder of the Qianlan Southern Palace — who was also the Palace Master's own daughter — announced a public marriage selection, it naturally caused a sensation throughout the Royal Capital.
What sort of outstanding talent would be worthy of becoming the husband of an elder of the Qianlan Southern Palace and the Palace Master's son-in-law?
At this moment, a marriage proposal procession had already arrived at the entrance of the Qianlan Southern Palace's outpost in the Royal Capital. This procession had come, remarkably, from the Qianlan Northern Palace.
The main figure in this proposal was Xiao Yu — the personally chosen disciple of the Qianlan Northern Palace's Palace Master, and one of the Northern Palace's three great geniuses.
This Xiao Yu was not someone Liu Can could compare to.