Chapter 60: Marriage Alliance

Chapter 60: Marriage Alliance

From beginning to end, the Jian Pavilion Marquis remained composed. He slightly opened his eyes, bowed respectfully to the Yulan Emperor seated above, and said, "Your Majesty, please reconsider! Qiancheng is still too young and impulsive. While leading troops in battle is no issue for him, the Tianji Dynasty has just been conquered by him, and many of its people perished at the hands of his army. It is likely the Tianji Dynasty harbors deep resentment toward him. If he were to become their Guardian of the Nation... he might overcomplicate matters and bring calamity upon the empire instead. This old subject believes it would be more fitting for him to remain in the military camp. I hope Your Majesty can understand my earnest concern."

Yue Wuyang took a step forward and declared proudly, "The Old Marquis worries too much. Ning Qiancheng's ability to conquer the Tianji Dynasty and force Queen Tianjie to submit proves he possesses sufficient deterrence. Only by stationing him in the Tianji Dynasty can he suppress those barbarians beyond our borders and prevent them from wreaking havoc on the Yulan Empire's frontiers."

The Yulan Emperor smiled and said, "The Cloud Marquis speaks wisely. Lord Ning, you are overthinking this. Qiancheng's talent in martial arts is unparalleled. I have great confidence in him—he will undoubtedly pacify a region for the empire and ensure its stability."

Before the Jian Pavilion Marquis could continue speaking, the Yulan Emperor turned his gaze to the Great Golden Roc King standing at the side of the hall and asked, "Imperial Brother, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

All eyes shifted toward the Great Golden Roc King.

This matter was not merely about the Jian Pavilion Marquis House being stripped of its 2 million troops. It concerned the interests of all the nobility within the Yulan Empire.

Today, it was the Jian Pavilion Marquis House losing its military power—tomorrow, it could be the Heavenly Elephant Marquis House or the Golden Roc Prince's Manor...

In the imperial court, the only one who could challenge the Yulan Emperor was the Great Golden Roc King.

Thus, many were eager to see how he would respond.

The Great Golden Roc King cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty speaks truly. Ning Qiancheng has rendered meritorious service to the empire and indeed deserves a reward. The triumphant army also merits recognition. Your Majesty is wise!"

The Yulan Emperor smiled knowingly. Since the Great Golden Roc King had conceded, the Feudatory Reduction Policy could now proceed smoothly. Who would dare refuse to surrender their military power now?

The nobles in the hall wore expressions of disappointment, never expecting the Great Golden Roc King to choose compromise.

The Great Golden Roc King then added, "This king has another matter to seek Your Majesty's approval."

The Yulan Emperor chuckled, "Does Imperial Brother have joyous news?"

"It is indeed joyous news," the Great Golden Roc King replied. "Qianqian has turned sixteen this year, reaching marriageable age, and has found someone she loves. This king boldly requests Your Majesty to officiate their wedding."

"It has been quite some time since Qianqian last visited the palace to play. So, she has found a sweetheart. Since Imperial Brother has personally come to ask, this emperor cannot refuse to officiate. Today is truly a day of double blessings." The Yulan Emperor was genuinely pleased and readily agreed.

The Great Golden Roc King declared, "Qianqian's beloved is none other than the fourth-generation descendant of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, Ning Xiaochuan. He is also the grandson of Lord Ning and the nephew of Ning Qiancheng. Qiancheng, since you've returned, you might as well stay until after Xiaochuan and Qianqian's wedding before leaving again!"

The entire hall fell into silence!

The smile on the Yulan Emperor's face froze instantly.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis and Ning Qiancheng also wore expressions of bewilderment, clearly not expecting things to escalate to this point. The key question was... how could it be Ning Xiaochuan?

With so many talented descendants in the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, why would the Great Golden Roc King choose one with a congenital ailment?

Something was amiss—there had to be a deeper scheme.

The Great Golden Roc King had played a shocking move, deliberately using the marriage alliance between the Golden Roc Prince's Manor and the Jian Pavilion Marquis House to intimidate the Yulan Emperor.

At the same time, the 2 million troops stationed outside the city served as a lethal trump card, catching the Yulan Emperor completely off guard.

The nobles in the hall were all shrewd individuals, their eyes gleaming with intrigue as they began offering their congratulations. "Congratulations! This union between Lord Ning's grandson and Your Highness's daughter, blessed by His Majesty's witness, is undoubtedly the grandest celebration in the Yulan Empire!"

"This Marquis proposes a nationwide amnesty to celebrate this joyous occasion!"

...

Naturally, the "Feudatory Reduction Policy" was shelved. As for whether Ning Qiancheng would return to the military or assume the role of Guardian of the Nation in the Tianji Dynasty, that matter would require further deliberation.

The Yulan Emperor was no fool—he understood the true purpose behind the alliance between the Great Golden Roc King and the Jian Pavilion Marquis House was to halt his "Feudatory Reduction Policy." If he were to reclaim Ning Qiancheng's military authority, the day of Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qianqian's wedding might very well mark the start of a coup in the Imperial City.

Faced with the combined might of the Golden Roc Prince's Manor and the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, along with the looming threat of 2 million troops outside the Imperial City, the Yulan Emperor ultimately chose to compromise.

He had no choice but to compromise!

A political earthquake had violently shaken the imperial court, but the impending marriage between Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qianqian temporarily quelled the tremors.

The Old Marquis and Ning Qiancheng hurriedly returned to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and immediately dispatched someone to Haitang Manor to summon Ning Xiaochuan.

Meanwhile, Ning Meier, Ning Hengqing, and other prodigies of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House returned from the Golden Roc Auction House and reported their findings to the Old Marquis.

The Old Marquis was both astonished and overjoyed, trembling with excitement, nearly dancing on the spot. "Xiaochuan can truly cultivate Martial Arts Profound Qi now?"

"Not only that, but his martial prowess has reached the Divine Body Realm. At the Golden Roc Auction House, he fought evenly with Xiao Li. In my opinion, his cultivation is almost on par with Xin'er's," Ning Meier added.

Ning Qiancheng also broke into a smile. "No wonder I sensed something different about him the last time we met. Standing before Yue Wuyang, he showed no fear—such courage is rare. So, his congenital ailment had already healed by then! Haha! It seems the Heart Nurturer expert I invited from the Tianji Dynasty won't be needed after all. Heaven has truly blessed us—my younger brother's son can finally cultivate! His body possesses the Seven Orifices..."

Ahem! The Old Marquis coughed dryly, glaring fiercely at Ning Qiancheng and cutting off his words before they could be spoken. Then he demanded, "Where is Xiaochuan now?"

"I don’t know! He left after the auction ended."

"Reporting to the Marquis, the steward of Haitang Manor said the young master left at noon and hasn’t returned yet."

Ning Qiancheng’s expression darkened. "This marriage alliance between Xiaochuan and Princess Xixi is tied to the upheaval in the imperial court. Could someone have already made a move…"

"Nonsense! Who dares lay a finger on my grandson?" The Old Marquis bellowed, his neck bulging with fury.

The Old Marquis knew full well that Ning Xiaochuan possessed the Seven Orifices Divine Demon Heart Palace. Now that his congenital ailment was cured, he was like a dragon emerging from the sea or an eagle spreading its wings—his future achievements would be boundless. If anyone dared harm Ning Xiaochuan now, the Old Marquis would fight them to the death.

"Search for him! Mobilize everyone! Turn the entire Imperial City upside down if you must, but find him!" the Old Marquis ordered.

At the same time, news of Ning Xiaochuan’s disappearance reached the Golden Roc Prince’s Manor, the Cloud Marquis’s residence, and even the imperial palace. Multiple factions began searching for him—though some sought to kill him instead.

…

Meanwhile, the very man who had set the Imperial City abuzz, Ning Xiaochuan, had just set foot inside the Jade Viewing Pavilion!

The Jade Viewing Pavilion was the most elite brothel in the Imperial City.

But what was being "viewed" wasn’t jade—it was women as flawless as jade.

As long as you had money, you could indulge in earthly pleasures here.

The place was teeming with beautiful women, their attire scandalously revealing, exposing vast stretches of snow-white skin—seductive, alluring, and provocative!

Murong Wushuang’s nose was streaked with two red lines as he stared at the flock of charming young women, utterly rooted to the spot. "Brother Chuan, this place… is amazing! So many beauties!"

"Beauties?" Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "The women you can see here are never the real beauties—just a bunch of common, vulgar powder-puffs. But if you’re interested, go ahead and mingle with them."

Ning Xiaochuan pulled out ten Large Silver Cakes from his Heaven and Earth Bag and handed them to Murong Wushuang, letting him spend freely.

The dazzling silver gleamed brilliantly, catching the eyes of countless women in the Jade Viewing Pavilion.

"Heavens! A lavish guest has arrived!" A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old Beautiful Girl stared fixedly at the ten Large Silver Cakes in Ning Xiaochuan’s hands, unable to look away.

Murong Wushuang clutched the ten Large Silver Cakes in both hands—he had never seen so much money before. "Brother Chuan, how exactly does this place work? Bet big or bet small?"

"Milord, of course you bet big! Look, are mine big enough?" The Beautiful Girl stepped in front of Murong Wushuang, lightly lifting the silk at her chest to reveal two plump, snow-white hemispheres.

Murong Wushuang’s jaw dropped. "Big… so big…"

"Yu Ji’s count as big? Milord, mine are the real deal—see how big they are?" Another woman approached, draping her sleeve over Murong Wushuang’s face while loosening her sash, letting her robes fall open to show him.

Murong Wushuang's nose bled even more violently as he nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at grain. "Big, big, so big..."

A group of women surrounded Murong Wushuang, comparing sizes in front of him, and eventually dragged him upstairs. "Brother Chuan, I'll... go communicate with them first..."

"Go on, go on!" Ning Xiaochuan chuckled and shook his head.

The Jade Viewing Pavilion's Madam was a sharp-eyed woman who had clearly seen the ten Large Silver Cakes being pulled out from the Heaven and Earth Bag.

Someone who possessed a Heaven and Earth Bag—now that was a true big spender.

Though called a madam, she wasn’t old at all, appearing to be in her early thirties. Her figure was voluptuous, her skin snow-white and delicate. Swaying like a willow in the wind, she approached with a faint fragrance and smiled. "Young master, are you truly not interested in any of the girls here?"

Ning Xiaochuan’s heart skipped a beat. This madam is no ordinary person. She managed to approach me from behind without making a sound. Her martial prowess might even surpass mine.