75: Chapter 73: Offering a Horse 75: Chapter 73: Offering a Horse “`html
The Da Jing Imperial Palace was brilliantly illuminated.
Inside the Fengtian Hall, the candles burned brightly, resembling daylight.
The floor was paved with golden tiles, shining as if made of real gold, complementing the intricate beams and painted rafters above, exuding extreme luxury.
Rows of carved sandalwood tables decorated with cloud patterns and flowers were neatly arranged, extending from the north to the south of the main hall entrance.
The sandalwood tables were covered with exquisite dishes, white as jade, gleaming and smooth, painted with various floral designs, landscape scenes, and symbols of longevity.
The dishes held an array of rare and delicious foods.
Deer meat, beef, and even some low-grade demon beast meat exuded a variety of fragrances, mixing to create a powerful aroma.
People were seated behind the tables at that time.
The Emperor sat in the north, beside him the dignified and beautiful Empress, the two having their own table.
To the left were the Princes, Princely Heirs, followed by Commandery Princes, Dukes, Earls, and Marquises, and then all the noblewomen.
On the right was the Da Zhen Mission, with Prince Ying seated at the top, followed by two Great Grandmasters, then Cheng Tianfeng, and other officials.
In the center of the hall, a group of beauties were singing and dancing gracefully, their voices heavenly, captivating everyone’s attention.
But the neatly arranged tables had the disadvantage of clearly showing the empty seats, indicating that not everyone had arrived.
Especially on the west side, the foremost table had an empty seat, and it was the top seat.
Amidst the singing and dancing, Chu Minghou entered quietly with Bai Ningshuang, Chu Yi, and Chu Zhiyuan, each going to their places.
Chu Minghou, however, sat in the foremost empty seat on the west side.
He glanced up at the Emperor in the north, noting the Emperor’s thin smile and bright eyes that only briefly glanced at him before turning back to the performances, prompting him to sit quickly.
Since reinstatement, he had already met the Emperor several times, and each time, the Emperor’s expression was always indifferent and distant.
Knowing that the Emperor clearly did not favor him, seeing no change in the Emperor’s demeanor now allowed him to relax.
As Chu Zhiyuan just sat down, Chu Mingxuan, from across a table, leaned over and whispered, “Old Fourth, why so late?”
Chu Zhiyuan replied with a smile, “I was practicing martial arts just now.”
“Are you confident?” Chu Mingxuan glanced at their opposition, especially at Cheng Tianfeng at the second table.
Cheng Tianfeng appeared calm, his demeanor akin to Chu Zhiyuan’s, clearly not someone easy to handle.
If beaten publicly before so many, it would be a great humiliation, not just for the third brother himself, but for all of Da Jing and the Imperial Family!
The responsibility was undoubtedly great.
“I’ll do my best,” Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.
As he spoke, he clutched a Flying Dragon Bone in each sleeve.
The Dragon Transformation Technique surged within, ceaselessly absorbing the Flying Dragon Bone’s aura to strengthen his own aura and reinforce his bones.
Talking did not hinder his cultivation.
“Yes, no need to burden yourself, just do your best.” Chu Mingxuan patted his shoulder and returned to his seat.
At his table were three other Princes, who gathered around to inquire, to whom Chu Mingxuan waved his hand.
Soon, Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan also came to question Chu Zhiyuan, prompting him to repeat himself.
The others glanced over curiously.
Since when had the Princely Heir from Prince Qing Mansion become so well-received, with everyone approaching him to greet and converse?
Most had not received any news and were unaware of the reason.
This, however, caught their attention, making them feel abrupt and wondering if they had missed something.
Those who returned to their seats began to discuss.
“Fourth Brother is sure to win.”
“Fourth Brother’s words indicate confidence.”
“Fourth Brother has a stable nature.”
As they speculated, others speculated too.
Particularly, at the noblewomen’s table, curiosity was high, with many gathering around Bai Ningshuang to inquire.
Xiao Ruoling was also there, drawn by Bai Ningshuang to her table.
“Sister Bai, the Fourth Prince is indeed extraordinary, a promising talent in cultivation.”
“Such good aptitude, he’ll surely excel.
Ning Shuang, you’re in for blessings.”
These words made Bai Ningshuang beam with joy.
“Ruoling, you too are a fortunate person.”
Xiao Ruoling smiled shyly.
Chu Yi leaned close to Xiao Ruoling and whispered, “Sister-in-law, why did Imperial Grandfather insist that Big Brother participate and even sent Huang Cheng to receive them?
She felt something was amiss.
Huang Cheng was no ordinary eunuch; having him specifically invite their family aroused suspicion.
Xiao Ruoling blushed at being called sister-in-law.
Chu Yi continued, “And Big Brother’s expression is unusual, as if something major is happening.”
Though innocent and lively, she was extremely perceptive, feeling Chu Zhiyuan’s solemnity.
Initially, attending this Imperial banquet was just for amusement, but why was Big Brother so serious, as if something significant was occurring?
Xiao Ruoling’s deep eyes sparkled, becoming increasingly bewitching.
Chu Yi was momentarily dazed by her.
Xiao Ruoling gently tugged her sleeve and whispered, “Let’s wait and see, perhaps there’s a major announcement at this banquet unknown to us.”
“I hope so,” Chu Yi regained composure, holding Xiao Ruoling’s delicate hand, expressing, “Big Brother is truly fortunate.”
Xiao Ruoling pursed her lips and chuckled.
The younger sister-in-law was innocent and kind-hearted, gentle in temperament, yet lively and spirited, truly rare.
Whichever family she marries into in the future will indeed be fortunate.
At that moment, the dance ended, and the silken-clad beauties gracefully retreated.
Cheng Tianfeng stood up, cupped his fists, and saluted, “Your Majesty, we come by the order of the Da Zhen Emperor to forge eternal friendships and present this gift selected personally by the Emperor.”
“Oh, and what is it?” The Emperor Chu Qingquan who sat at the north, smiled slightly, “Bring it forth.”
Cheng Tianfeng clapped his hands twice forcefully.
A young man seated at the end of the Da Zhen Mission stood up, departed from the hall, and soon returned with a massive iron cage.
Twenty burly men carried the enormous cage into the main hall.
Inside the iron cage, two golden stallions stood quietly, their four eyes keenly observing the surroundings, their scales like golden armor.
“These are the Heavenly Dragon Divine Horses, a male and a female, capable of producing foals, a treasure of our Da Zhen, specially offered to Your Majesty.”
“Heavenly Dragon Divine Horses…” Chu Qingquan nodded subtly, “Brother Cheng has been thoughtful.”
These Heavenly Dragon Divine Horses were indeed treasures, and those demon beasts could not be released outside, as they were inherently violent, feeding on humans.
Even the demon beasts with sparse bloodlines in the Little Chixia Mountain could not be released, as they were still beyond the capability of ordinary Martial Arts masters.
The hybridization of demon beasts and ordinary beasts was exceedingly difficult because the demon beasts’ bloodline was so domineering that ordinary animals could not bear it and thus could not produce offspring.
Hence, such Heavenly Dragon Divine Horse hybrids were rarely seen.
Combining the demon beasts’ power with the gentle nature of regular stallions, they were indeed treasures.
Cheng Tianfeng smiled and remarked, “However, there is a difficulty.
These two Heavenly Dragon Divine Horses are not tamed, and it’s exceedingly difficult to tame them, even the Great Grandmasters can only subdue but not tame them.”
Chu Qingquan inquired, “Does Da Zhen have no one capable of taming them?”
“No one has been found to tame them so far, not even my master has any solution,” Cheng Tianfeng shook his head in lament, “If they aren’t tamed but merely confined, they will self-destruct within a month.”
He turned to look at the others opposite, smiling, “Are there any capable men among the illustrious figures of Da Jing able to tame these two Heavenly Dragon Divine Horses?”
Chu Qingquan shook his head with a smile, “Princely Heir, what Da Zhen cannot achieve, Da Jing probably can’t either.
Perhaps it’s better to release them, as they are divine beings of the world, don’t waste them .”
“However they’re dealt with, it is, of course, at Your Majesty’s discretion,” Cheng Tianfeng smiled, “I merely feel regret on Your Majesty’s behalf.”
Chu Qingquan smiled gently.
The Princes and Princely Heirs across had grim looks.
They could all detect the provocation in Cheng Tianfeng’s words.