I became a prince in a martial arts world.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

The knights came to within a few feet of the carriage, pulled on their reins, and dismounted.

A man in his forties or fifties stepped out from among the knights. He had a lean appearance, a light beard, and gleaming eyes. "Young Master!"

Wang Yu's mind raced, and he remembered someone from Zhao Yu's files. He immediately jumped off the carriage, calling out, "Uncle Rong!"

Zhao Rong, the adopted son of Zhao Yu's grandfather, the adopted younger brother of the former Prince of Zhenxi Zhao Zheng, and the head steward of the Prince of Zhenxi's mansion, manages all affairs of the Prince of Zhenxi's mansion when Zhao Zheng is in seclusion or traveling.

"It's good that you're back safe and sound." Zhao Rong smiled, looked at Fang Shaobai, and bowed respectfully. "Thank you very much, Young Hero Fang, for escorting us all the way. The entire Zhenxi Prince's Mansion is deeply grateful."

Fang Shaobai beamed with joy at the mention of "sword in wine." "Senior is too kind. Brother Zhao and I hit it off immediately and call each other brothers. It is only my duty as a junior."

Zhao Rong's eyes flickered slightly.

When Wang Yu left the capital, the Prince of Zhenxi's mansion received the news and sent people to welcome him.

However, Wang Yu and his group arrived in a hurry, and before his men were in place, Old Yan died of poisoning, and Wang Yu and his group went missing.

When they reappeared, Fang Shaobai was by their side, accompanying them on their journey to Longshan Prefecture.

With Fang Shaobai by his side, the people from the Zhenxi Prince's Mansion did not show themselves again. Instead, they sent people to keep a distance and to relay messages to the Prince's Mansion. This is why Zhao Rong was able to greet them in time when they arrived in Longshan City.

To be honest, Zhao Rong had a certain understanding of Zhao Yu's personality. Fang Shaobai was the most outstanding member of the Seven Great Sword Sects in this generation, and he couldn't understand why he and Zhao Yu would become such good friends at first sight.

But this is certainly a good thing!

Zhao Rong nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to the women in the carriage, suppressed his smile, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Female Scholar."

Li Yunxiu narrowed her eyes slightly.

Zhao Rong didn't say he had met the princess or the lady, but rather that he had met the female scholar, meaning that she hadn't yet acknowledged his status as the princess of the Prince of Zhenxi.

This was a marriage bestowed by the emperor!

But this also shows the independence of the Zhenxi Prince's Mansion!

However, this was within Li Yunxiu's expectations. The Zhenxi Prince's Mansion was naturally wary of the imperial court and suspected that he was a person planted by the court to influence Zhao Yu and control the Zhenxi Prince's Mansion.

In fact, their concerns were not unfounded.

Unfortunately, they didn't know that this Wang Yu was no longer the same Zhao Yu.

Li Yunxiu smiled slightly, got out of the car with Ziling's help, bowed and addressed Wang Yu as "Greetings, Uncle Rong".

This is how they address each other as a family.

Zhao Rong's lips twitched. The other party was polite and courteous, and also had the status of a princess bestowed upon her by the emperor, which made him seem a bit ignorant.

"Let's go back to the manor first. Wine and food have been prepared there," Zhao Rong said. "The Western Regions have fine wines, and we have several barrels of our own. We would like to invite Young Hero Fang to taste them."

Fang Shaobai's eyes lit up. "Good!"

Wang Yu then asked, "Is it chilled?"

Zhao Rong paused upon hearing this, then replied, "No."

Wang Yu waved his hand, "Send someone back to tell them to fetch ice to chill the wine; it will taste even better."

"Yes!" Zhao Rong replied, then casually pointed to a knight and sent him back to deliver the message.

Then two knights dismounted from the procession and drove the carriage, allowing Wang Yu and Fang Shaobai to ride horses. The group entered Longshan Prefecture, and Wang Yu finally returned to his Zhenxi Prince's Mansion.

The Zhenxi Prince's Mansion is located in the northwest corner of Longshan City. It is surrounded by high walls and deep courtyards, covering a vast area. The square at the main entrance alone could accommodate a small army. The four characters "Zhenxi Prince's Mansion" on the plaque between the two large red lanterns were written by Zhao Yu's grandfather, the first Zhenxi Prince Zhao Ling. The calligraphy is vigorous and sharp.

At this moment, the main gate of the Prince's Mansion had been opened. In addition to rows of guards, servants, and maids lined up on both sides, there was a chubby boy with a cheerful face standing in front of everyone, and a beautiful girl wearing a moon-white cloud-patterned floor-length dress standing on the side of the main gate.

"Brother Yu!" The chubby boy saw Wang Yu and quickly stepped forward. "It's been three years! I've missed you so much!"

Zhao Rong stepped in front of the chubby boy and said through gritted teeth in a low voice, "Call him... Your... Prince..."

"My son, Zhao Yingjie, met you once in the capital three years ago. He has a stubborn personality..."

"Yingjie!" Wang Yu dismounted and looked Zhao Yingjie up and down. "You've gained weight again?"

Zhao Yingjie said with a serious expression, "You've lost weight! I heard that Brother Yu left the capital to return home, and I've been thinking about him day and night, unable to sleep, and I've lost several pounds!"

Zhao Rong resisted the urge to rub his forehead and pushed Zhao Yingjie aside, revealing a graceful young woman approaching.

Wang Yu couldn't help but swallow hard, his heart pounding wildly.

It wasn't because the girl was beautiful and charming, as if she had stepped out of a painting, but because the information he had didn't include this person!

Should I get to know him?

Wang Yu stood still, not saying a word, preparing to improvise.

But Zhao Rong was an honest man. He glanced at Wang Yu, then at Li Yunxiu, and introduced her, "Miss Qianqian is your fiancée, the future Princess of Zhenxi, chosen by the master."

Wang Yu was stunned upon hearing this.

A glint flashed in Li Yunxiu's eyes.

Fang Shaobai looked at Li Yunxiu, then at Qianqian. One had bright, star-like eyes and exuded elegance and composure, while the other had a shy, delicate look that evoked pity.

Hmm, where's my wine?

Fang Shaobai subconsciously reached for the gourd at his waist.

Qianqian came to the front of the group and first bowed slightly to Wang Yu, "Brother Yu."

Before Wang Yu could reach out, Qianqian turned to Li Yunxiu and said, "Thank you for taking care of my prince all the way, sister."

Li Yunxiu helped Qianqian up, saying, "Sister, you're too kind. I am my husband's wife, and it's only right that we support each other."

Qianqian, with a gentle expression, asked curiously, "Sister and Brother Yu haven't had their wedding ceremony yet, have they?"

Li Yunxiu smiled slightly, "His Majesty personally bestowed this marriage upon us; the whole world knows it."

The two women held hands, exchanged a glance, and Wang Yu could almost see a flash of lightning streaking through the air.

Fang Shaobai couldn't resist opening the wine gourd and taking a sip. The two women's words were loaded with meaning, and he felt uncomfortable just standing to the side. He quickly drank some wine to calm his nerves.

"Ahem!" Zhao Rong coughed twice, interrupting the two women's sisterly interaction. "Let's go inside the mansion."

……

The Zhenxi Prince's Mansion covers a vast area. Although it lacks the exquisite beauty of gardens in Jiangnan, it possesses the grandeur of a northwestern garden. The carved beams and painted rafters are somewhat rough, but the flying eaves and brackets are imposing.

Wang Yu followed several servants to a small courtyard on the side of the Prince's Mansion.

"It's still the Dehexuan where you used to live, Yu-ge'er." Zhao Yingjie followed beside him, smiling as he introduced, "The old prince's main room has been prepared, but Yu-ge'er still needs to pay his respects before he can move in."

"Where's Yunxiu?" Wang Yu asked instead of answering.

"Consort Li has been assigned to the Red Willow Garden," Zhao Yingjie replied immediately.

Wang Yu paused for a moment, then asked again, "Where is Miss Qianqian?"

Zhao Yingjie chuckled and said, "At Hongyan Pavilion."

Wang Yu recalled the structural diagram of the Zhenxi Prince's Mansion in the data. Dehexuan and Hongyan Pavilion were located on the east side of the mansion, and were next to each other. Hongliu Garden was located on the west side of the mansion, and was next to Longyue Tower, where Zhao Rong and his son lived.

Wang Yu glanced at Zhao Yingjie and said, "Are you trying to protect yourselves from thieves?"

"Isn't it obvious? The head of the Li family is an official in the court, and Consort Li ranked third in the imperial examination, personally selected by the emperor."

As Zhao Yingjie spoke, he exclaimed, "She was a world-renowned female scholar who, it is said, commanded the nation in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, leaving many capable ministers and famous generals speechless. She was truly a first-rate figure in the world."

Zhao Rong is Zhao Zheng's sworn brother, but they are not related by blood. Zhao Yingjie is two years younger than Zhao Yu. He used to run around the yard with Zhao Yu when he was a child. The father and son are neither a threat to the Zhenxi King's lineage, but they are very close and can be said to be the most trusted confidants.

Therefore, Zhao Yingjie spoke his mind freely in front of Wang Yu, without holding back, "But speaking of which, Brother Yu is truly remarkable. The Emperor, in order to win you over, even bestowed such a person upon you in marriage!"

Wang Yu scoffed, "Are you worried that I'll be blinded by beauty and sell the Zhenxi Prince's Mansion to the Emperor?"

Zhao Yingjie rubbed his hands together, raised an eyebrow and smiled, "That's not necessarily the case. If Brother Yu were to display his great power and make Consort Li willingly submit, causing the Emperor to lose both his wife and his army, that would be the best outcome."

Zhao Yingjie sidled up to Wang Yu and said in a sly tone, "I have aphrodisiac and ecstasy powder here, Brother Yu..."

Wang Yu's heart skipped a beat.

"She's the top female scholar! Aren't you afraid of her revenge if you even consider it?" Wang Yu suppressed his agitation and snorted. "I'll win her over with my personal charm!"

Zhao Yingjie gave a thumbs-up and praised loudly, "Brother Yu is awesome!"

"And what's with Qianqian?" Wang Yu inquired about his fiancée. "Why did the old man suddenly find me a fiancée without my knowledge?"

"I don't know either!" Zhao Yingjie shook his head vigorously, decisively shifting the blame. "Miss Qianqian was brought back by the old prince himself, and he announced it himself. Everyone in the manor can testify to that."

"When did this happen?"

"About six months ago!"

Wang Yu nodded. "The old man died cleanly, did he leave any message?"

Zhao Yingjie hesitated, then lowered his voice, "There's something strange about the old prince's death. My father seems to know something, but he won't tell me. He probably wants to talk to you alone."

While the two were talking, several maids had already changed his clothes and straightened his collar.

Wang Yu stood in front of a full-length bronze mirror, where he saw himself dressed in a royal robe with gold and silver trim on a blue background, embroidered with a fierce tiger descending a mountain, which made the person in the mirror look handsome and powerful with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes.

Great, it's so immersive!

……

Back in the reception hall, Zhao Rong was chatting with Fang Shaobai, sitting to the side.

Large families are good at timing. As Wang Yu entered the hall, maids led Li Yunxiu and Qianqian from the left and right.

Li Yunxiu changed into a soft hibiscus gauze dress, a smile playing on her lips, exuding elegance and composure. Ziling followed behind her, her eyes slightly raised, displaying the haughty air of a noble maid.

Qianqian changed into a moon-white dress with a dark floral pattern and walked over alone. She was graceful and slender, with a pair of eyes that secretly looked at Wang Yu. She was shy and charming, and very lovely.

Wang Yu nodded to the two men, then hurriedly gestured for Zhao Rong and Fang Shaobai, who had just stood up, to sit down.

"We must be tired from the journey, let's eat first!"