I've announced that I'm destined to have many children, and my father has bestowed upon me

Eunuch Wei put away the imperial edict, his smile widening on his wrinkled face.

"Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Wei!"

Zhao Chen'an then snapped out of his shock and quickly stepped forward to help the bowing eunuch Wei.

"You're too kind, Father-in-law."

I didn't do anything, I just got stabbed and watched the whole thing unfold. How come I remained calm and composed under pressure, showing the demeanor of a king?

They even bestowed upon him the title of king?

Why does the title of King Wei sound so pleasant?

Zhao Chen'an's mind was in complete turmoil, but he remained outwardly calm.

He skillfully pulled a silver note from his sleeve and quietly slipped it into Eunuch Wei's hand.

With a flick of his wrist, Eunuch Wei confiscated the silver note, and his smile became more genuine.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has another imperial edict."

"His Majesty said that the plaque on your residence should also be changed. Tomorrow morning, the Imperial Household Department will send someone to deliver the new 'Wei Prince's Residence' plaque."

After speaking, Eunuch Wei bowed again, then turned and left with his guards, decisively and swiftly.

Only after the group of people had completely disappeared outside the mansion gate did Li Qingluan and Wulanxue suddenly realize what was happening and rush over.

"My lord, this...this is already a title of king?"

Ulanxue's little face was full of disbelief.

Li Qingluan also frowned, she was thinking more than Wulanxue.

"What exactly does Father mean by this? Assassination attempt during the day, then being granted a title of king at night—this is too unusual."

Zhao Chen'an took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in his heart.

He certainly found it unusual.

The Emperor's series of actions did not seem like a simple reward at all; it was more like... a scheme.

A grand game of chess with him as a pawn.

"No matter what Father Emperor means, we will meet force with force and water with earth."

Zhao Chen'an took the two women's hands, his casual smile returning to his face.

"Don't think about it too much yet, let's get ready quickly. Tomorrow, our Prince Wei's mansion is going to be very lively."

……

The next morning, before dawn, at the Sixteenth Prince's residence.

Oh no, now it should be called the gate of the Prince Wei's Mansion, which is already bustling with activity.

The craftsmen of the Imperial Household Department quickly replaced the plaque with a gilded one that read "Wei Prince's Mansion".

The three large characters gleamed in the morning light, highlighting the owner's distinguished status.

Zhao Chen'an, dressed in a prince's python robe, stood in front of the mansion gate to greet guests, accompanied by Wulan Xue and Li Qingluan.

Princes and princesses, as well as court officials, came to offer their congratulations in an endless stream.

Second Prince, Fourth Prince, Seventh Prince...

One by one, the brothers who were usually arrogant and haughty came to congratulate him in person with warm smiles.

Some unmarried princesses also came in groups, curiously observing the sixteenth brother who had suddenly become famous.

The entire capital was shaken by this sudden bestowal of the title of prince.

Everyone wanted to see who this previously unknown, even considered a cultivation failure, Sixteenth Prince really was.

Zhao Chen'an handled everything with ease, chatting and laughing with each guest without making a single mistake.

With Wulanxue and Li Qingluan on his left and right, respectively, one gentle and charming, the other dashing and heroic, they earned him a lot of face.

The banquet lasted from dawn until dusk, and the guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

However, just when everyone thought the day was about to end successfully, a discordant voice rang out.

"The Third Prince's residence has sent congratulatory gifts!"

A middle-aged man who looked like a steward, leading several servants, carried an exquisite sandalwood box to the front of the mansion.

The noisy main hall fell silent instantly.

Zhao Chen'an's smile remained unchanged as he slowly stepped forward.

Thank you for your trouble.

He personally took the sandalwood box from the servant.

The butler held his head high, with an arrogant expression.

"Your Highness is too kind. My prince is very busy with state affairs and cannot come in person. I hope Your Highness will understand."

Zhao Chen'an just smiled.

"Of course, of course."

He weighed the wooden box in his hand, and then, to everyone's astonishment, he let go of it.

Clap!

The valuable sandalwood box, along with the gifts inside, crashed heavily to the ground and shattered into pieces.

A crystal-clear jade ruyi shattered into several pieces.

The entire room fell silent.

The steward of the Third Prince's residence froze on his arrogant face, turning into boundless astonishment and anger.

"You...you!"

Zhao Chen'an acted as if he had done something insignificant. He patted non-existent dust off his hands and pursed his lips.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, I've been welcoming guests today and my hands are sore from standing that I couldn't hold on properly."

He didn't even glance at the shards on the ground, and turned to give instructions to the butler behind him.

"Someone, sweep up this trash. Don't pollute the grounds of my residence."

After saying that, he turned and walked back to the main hall, leaving behind a mess and the Third Prince's steward, who was trembling with anger.

The hall was completely silent, and the way the guests looked at Zhao Chen'an had completely changed.

This newly crowned King of Wei is no pushover.

He's a madman!

……

One day later, at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The atmosphere at the morning court session was unusually solemn from the very beginning.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, while Zhao Daoting sat high on the dragon throne, his face expressionless.

Sure enough, Lin Haitao, the Minister of Personnel, stepped out from the queue.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

His voice was loud and clear, full of energy, and the pressure of a peak expert of the Four Extremes Realm made the air in the hall freeze.

"speak."

Zhao Daoting uttered a single word indifferently.

"Your Majesty, I impeach you for bestowing the title of king upon the sixteenth prince without any merit. This act is contrary to the ancestral rites and laws!"

Lin Haitao spoke with righteous indignation and conviction.

"The Great Zhou Dynasty has been established for hundreds of years. For princes to be granted the title of king, they must have made outstanding military achievements or made unparalleled contributions to the country."

"The sixteenth prince is still young and has not yet made any contributions to the country or its people. Suddenly bestowing upon him the title of prince might discourage those who have rendered meritorious service, and it could also lead to public criticism of the royal family and shake the very foundation of the nation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the academic officials behind him immediately knelt down in unison.

"We second that proposal! We urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

The procession was massive, almost reaching the dragon throne.

Looking at the kneeling crowd below, Zhao Daoting actually smiled.

He waited for Lin Haitao to finish speaking before slowly opening his own mouth.

"Minister Lin is right. I also think that doing this is indeed not in accordance with etiquette."

Upon hearing this, Lin Haitao was overjoyed, thinking that the emperor was afraid of public pressure and was preparing to compromise.

However, Zhao Daoting's next words instantly froze the joy on his face.

"But the imperial edict has already been issued and proclaimed to the world. I can't very well contradict myself and retract it, can I? Wouldn't that make me an even bigger laughingstock?"

Lin Haitao was stunned.

What kind of twisted logic is this?

"How about this?"

As if he had just come up with a brilliant idea, Zhao Daoting slapped the armrest of the dragon throne: "Since he hasn't done anything, let him do it!"

"The prince's greatest contribution is to ensure the continuation of the Zhao royal family and the continuation of its lineage. The King of Wei currently only has one wife and one concubine, which is far too few."

"I have decided to grant him another marriage, so that he may produce an heir for the royal family as soon as possible. That would be a great achievement!"

boom!

The entire court erupted in chaos.

Everyone was stunned by the emperor's divine logic.

Since granting a title of king without merit is against etiquette, the solution is...

How about giving me another wife as a reward?

You can play it like this?

Lin Haitao was so speechless by these words that he couldn't utter a single word for a long time, his old face turning a deep purplish-red.

He was about to speak up and refute this absurd decision.

Zhao Daoting didn't give him a chance at all, and directly gave Wei Gonggong beside him a wink.

"Proclaim the imperial decree!"

Eunuch Wei stepped forward, unfurled a bright yellow imperial edict that had been prepared beforehand, and spoke in his high-pitched yet incredibly clear voice that resounded throughout the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"It is now known that Liu Ruoshuang, the Holy Maiden of Jixia Academy, is of outstanding character and appearance, and possesses both beauty and wisdom, making her a worthy match for you."

"He is hereby betrothed to Prince Zhao Chen'an of Wei as a concubine, and the wedding will take place on a chosen date!"

"So be it!"

When the name "Liu Ruoshuang" was uttered by Eunuch Wei, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony fell into a deathly silence.

You could hear a pin drop.

All the officials, including those academics who supported Lin Haitao, were stunned.

Lin Haitao, who was standing at the front of the line, was struck as if by lightning, his whole body trembling violently.

He suddenly looked up and stared intently at the smiling man on the dragon throne, a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He realized it belatedly, and finally understood.

Something big is about to happen!

The Jixia Academy was raided by the emperor!