The Demon Prince

"I gladly accept Lord Zeng's generous gift."

Xiao Xingyue took away Lord Zeng's silver notes.

Lord Zeng tried to snatch it back, but Xiao Xingyue pushed him away.

"Give it back! Your father is really dead, what are you pretending for!" Lord Zeng cursed.

Xiao Xingyue looked completely at ease. "I just wanted to see how you all felt about my father. Now it seems he lives on in your hearts, so I'm relieved."

"You, you, you!"

The faces of the officials present changed from pale to flushed.

Upon seeing this, Li Wangshu chuckled, then quickly covered her mouth, "Sorry... I couldn't help it..."

Xiao Xingyue is too much of a troublemaker, treating the entire court like monkeys.

The emperor's face also darkened. He secretly touched his back, thankfully he was only sweating and hadn't wet himself from fright.

"Xiao Xingyue...the farce is over."

The emperor did not want to give Xiao Xingyue another chance to get away with it. "The King of Zhen is dead. The marriage I made with him could have been cancelled. I am only giving face to your Xiao family by asking you to take the initiative to break off the engagement."

The officials below immediately began to take revenge.

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless, Xiao Xingyue, what are you still hesitating for!"

"Refund it now! Don't push your luck!"

Faced with a barrage of criticism, Xiao Xingyue silently nodded. "Since Father has made this decision, I will respectfully comply. However, shouldn't there be a reason for annulment?"

"What other reason do you need? Your Xiao family has fallen on hard times and is no longer worthy of the princess. That's the reason!"

"Exactly! Just say that you, Xiao Xingyue, are ashamed of your self-harm and have no face to let the princess marry into the Xiao family, isn't that enough?"

The censors offered a series of suggestions.

Xiao Xingyue dismissed their accusations as nonsense.

Instead, he gave Li Wangshu a meaningful look.

Li Wangshu's heart skipped a beat. She had seen that expression last night! When Xiao Xingyue was writing the letter of divorce!

You bastard, you're trying to spread dirty rumors!

Just as Li Wangshu was about to speak to stop him, Xiao Xingyue's voice echoed throughout the entire venue.

"Your Majesty, I have already thought of what to say. Why don't you listen to what I think?"

Take your son for example, he doesn't fancy the princess!

Gu Linyuan's visit to the Ninth Princess must be related to her, which shows that the princesses have long lost their virtuous and gentle nature.

Once bitten by a snake, I, Xiao Xingyue, am afraid of ropes for ten years. Who knows if the other princesses will be like the Ninth Princess, having some childhood sweetheart who is a poet or a poet ghost?

Therefore, on behalf of the Xiao family, I, Xiao Xingyue, hereby withdraw from the marriage arrangements between the nine princesses and the Xiao family!

Xiao Xingyue finished speaking.

All the officials present were stunned and stood there, none of them daring to say a word.

Li Wangshu clenched his fists, wanting to strangle Xiao Xingyue on the spot!

This is the trick you used to deal with me yesterday!

Now you're using this against my father?

Father isn't as stupid as me, so would it be of any use?

The scene remained deathly silent for a long time.

Xiao Xingyue remained silent, waiting for the emperor's reaction.

The emperor suppressed his anger, but couldn't help but admire Xiao Xingyue.

In the past, only the King of Zhen and the eight sons of the Xiao family had caught his eye, so he had never paid any attention to this ninth son of the Xiao family, only knowing that he was an insignificant good-for-nothing.

I never expected this... I only just witnessed it today. This kid's mouth is the most powerful in the entire Zhengwang Palace!

"Xiao Xingyue!" The emperor was about to punish him.

Xiao Xingyue quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Father! No! Your Majesty, I'd rather be your subject. Being a prince consort is too stifling; I won't take it!"

The assembled officials gasped in shock.

Li Wangshu couldn't hold back any longer and secretly pinched Xiao Xingyue's arm.

Xiao Xingyue hissed and quickly pointed a finger at Li Wangshu's Huiyang acupoint, causing Li Wangshu to wince in pain.

Only the emperor's expression shifted unpredictably; though he was displeased, he was aware of the seriousness of the problem.

If we were to break off the engagement like this, wouldn't that confirm that my daughter is immoral...?

It seems this matter cannot be rushed, otherwise Xiao Xingyue, who has nothing to lose, might suddenly ruin the reputation of the Li royal family.

"This matter is merely Gu Linyuan's wishful thinking. My daughter is innocent, and I still believe in her."

The emperor sighed helplessly as he spoke, "Well, this is a major matter of marriage, and ultimately the feelings of both the man and the woman must be taken into account. You have a misunderstanding about my daughter, so the matter of annulment can be discussed later."

The words fell.

There was a moment of silence in the hall, followed by a murmur of amazement.

"Good heavens, Xiao Xingyue actually succeeded?"

"His Majesty wanted to annul the engagement but couldn't... This Xiao Xingyue is something else! He's like a top-grade leech; once he's stuck, even His Majesty can't pull him off!"

"Since Father Emperor disagrees... then forget it."

Xiao Xingyue looked aggrieved. "Your subject... Your subject will try to adapt to the princesses' bad habits and be a good consort."

Now that he had managed to fool them, and fearing things might change if he delayed, Xiao Xingyue prepared to slip away: "If Father has nothing else to say, I shall take my leave..."

He was about to leave.

The emperor's voice came with majesty, no longer showing the compromise of before, but instead becoming the ultimate oppression.

"Xiao Xingyue, you should cherish this position of imperial consort today."

But a month later, the Great Xia National Ceremony will take place, when all nations will come to pay tribute, and the pride of each country will perform for my daughters.

If you look down on my daughters, then naturally there will be better men who will want them.

"If they choose a better consort then, I will agree to your request to annul the engagement."

Some people were laughing, while others could barely suppress the smile on their lips.

Yes! The national ceremony is approaching, and at that time, all the best men in the country will gather in the capital.

All nine princesses were exceptionally beautiful, and their maternal families were the powerful and influential Great Xia royal family. Which outstanding man from which country wouldn't be eager to marry them?

Xiao Xingyue only got a marriage contract because of his father's protection.

If the princesses find better candidates in the future, how can Xiao Xingyue have the face to say that he doesn't like the princesses?

This method is brilliant!

"Your Majesty is wise! All nine princesses are of unparalleled beauty; naturally, exceptional talents will vie to marry them!"

"Young Master, words are useless. If you want to bring honor to the Xiao family, think about how to shine brightly on the day of the National Ceremony and win our hearts and minds!"

"Your Highness is spouting nonsense now, but you know perfectly well that not only His Majesty, but even your daughters don't want to marry you. In fact, no one in the court thinks you are worthy of the princess. Your Highness has a marriage contract, but you still have to prove yourself. Otherwise, who will respect you?"

The emperor, seated on his throne, waved his sleeve and announced the adjournment of the court. "Xiao Xingyue, you'd better watch yourself!"

After the officials respectfully saw the emperor off, they said no more and left, waiting for the day of the national ceremony so that the princesses could choose their favorite consorts and then they could watch Xiao Xingyue make a fool of himself.

Li Wangshu wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.

She sighed.

Last night she became Xiao Xingyue's woman, that's a fact.

However, it is a fact that the Xiao family has fallen on hard times, like a tiger fallen into the plains, and Xiao Xingyue's reputation has been ruined, so no one respects him.

She wanted to comfort Xiao Xingyue, but didn't know what to say.

Just then, a maid came to deliver a message: "Ninth Princess, Consort Shu requests your presence."

Li Wangshu had no choice but to leave.

Inside the main hall.

Soon only Xiao Xingyue remained, standing there all alone like a wooden stake.

The harsh voices of doubt from the surroundings still echoed in my ears.

A forlorn expression did not appear on Xiao Xingyue's face. After all, in his previous life, he had also gone from the countryside to Wall Street and changed his destiny with his own hands.

No one will support my lofty ambitions; I will brave the snow to reach the mountain peak myself.

Before the grand ceremony, he'll make all the princesses submit to him, then slap the emperor in the face and say: "You dog emperor, it's your daughter who doesn't want me to annul the engagement, there's nothing I can do! Your father, who has no heir, is definitely going to be in trouble!"

Wouldn't it be nice?

The fantasy ended, and Xiao Xingyue's smile returned. He had just stepped out of the palace gate when the sun began to set in the west.

The palace path was long in the afternoon, with red walls pressing down on golden tiles. When the wind blew, the copper bells on the eaves jingled softly, exuding a cold and noble air, with a tinkling sound.

As a result, before Xiao Xingyue even left the palace gate, a young eunuch quickly came to greet him.

The eunuch was young, with delicate features, and he bowed respectfully as he approached.

"Young Master, please wait. Consort Shu of Jinhua Palace requests your presence."

Xiao Xingyue paused in his steps.

Jiang Shuying, the mother of the Ninth Princess?

The emperor's youngest concubine, I've heard she's very skilled.

"What does Consort Shu want with me?"

The young eunuch raised his head, his expression respectful, but his eyes held a hint of nervousness: "Your Highness will know when you arrive. Please."