I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

A lone moon hangs high in the sky!

An elderly man with gray hair but a straight posture followed Han Zhen, the commander of the Imperial Guards, and hurried into the palace.

He did not instinctively bow or slouch to show respect, even though he was about to meet Emperor Xuan.

Because of his early years fighting on the battlefield, risking his life, he still retains a strong military spirit and will never bow down to anyone, not even the Xuan Emperor.

However, he couldn't help but ask Han Zhen, who was leading the way, "Commander Han, it's so late. What business does His Majesty have that makes him so eager to summon this old minister to the palace?"

Han Zhen has always held this old man in the highest esteem and regards him as a lifelong role model.

This person was none other than Huangfu Song, who was then the Minister of War.

Unlike the sycophantic Zhao Guanwen and Zhao Guanli brothers, Huangfu Song was an upright man who was wholeheartedly devoted to the people and the court.

Upon hearing the voice, Han Zhen stopped and looked around to make sure no one was watching before whispering, "Sir, it's about your granddaughter, Lu Shushu."

Huangfu Song frowned: "Shushu, what does this have to do with her?"

After saying that, Huangfu Song couldn't help but reach out and slap his forehead hard: "Oh dear, I almost forgot."

He remembered that Emperor Xuan had said that after the imperial examinations, he would bring his granddaughter Lu Shushu back to the palace.

It seems the timeline has been moved up.

"I wonder if Qin Li has any countermeasures in mind..." Huangfu Song couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Now, he can't make decisions about his granddaughter's affairs; the only one who can stop Lu Shushu from entering the palace is Qin Li.

"My lord, what did you say?" Han Zhen asked in a low voice, not having heard Huangfu Song clearly.

Huangfu Song waved his hand and laughed it off, saying, "It's nothing."

"Your Excellency is unaware of the following: Today, the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince were ordered by His Majesty to go to the Imperial Academy to bring your granddaughter to the palace, but they were obstructed by the people of the Crown Prince's residence, resulting in the deaths of many imperial guards. His Majesty was furious and directly knocked the Fifth Prince unconscious."

"Oh, is that so?"

Huangfu Song had just heard about this and was quite surprised.

During this period, his attention was not focused on the Imperial Academy at all, so it is normal that he did not know about this matter.

In his mind, Crown Prince Qin Li was perfectly capable of handling the matter of his granddaughter entering the palace, and he didn't need to worry about it or interfere.

If he meddles or interferes unnecessarily, he might actually make things worse.

Han Zhen thought that Huangfu Song would look worried after he finished speaking.

But in fact, it didn't.

He was puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what's wrong with you...?"

Huangfu Song looked at Han Zhen and asked, "What's wrong?"

Han Zhen didn't believe that Huangfu Song didn't know what he was asking. If he knew and still answered like that, it meant he didn't consider him one of his own.

Han Zhen felt a little sad.

Over the years, he has looked back on his life with the utmost respect for Huangfu Song, even regarding him as his own father.

But Huangfu Song still treated him as an outsider. Was he really not worthy?

Seeing through Han Zhen's thoughts, Huangfu Song said, "I am deeply grateful to Commander Han for informing me of this matter. If you have time, Commander Han, please come to my residence for a gathering. I have some fine tea in my collection."

Upon hearing this, Han Zhen, who was unhappy just a second ago, almost burst out laughing the next second.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Huangfu Song and said that he would definitely go.

The two resumed their steps and headed towards Emperor Xuan's bedchamber.

On the way, Han Zhen couldn't help but say, "Lord Huangfu, why do you seem so unconcerned? I dare to ask, you are unwilling to send your granddaughter into the palace to become empress."

With his hands behind his back, Huangfu Song walked along, saying, "What's the use of worrying? We'll deal with whatever comes our way."

Of course, this was just a polite remark; Huangfu Song couldn't tell Han Zhen the real reason yet.

However, Han Zhen gleaned another meaning from Huangfu Song's words and admired Huangfu Song immensely.

Huangfu Song's mindset is something he should learn from.

Soon, led by Han Zhen, Huangfu Song arrived outside Emperor Xuan's sleeping quarters.

Han Zhen went in to announce, "Your Majesty, Lord Huangfu has arrived!"

Inside the sleeping quarters, the sixth prince had not yet left and was even granted a seat by Emperor Xuan.

After hearing the report, Emperor Xuan waved his hand and said, "Let him in!"

he?

Hearing this address, Han Zhen felt slightly displeased!

Huangfu Song was utterly loyal to Emperor Xuan's great cause.

Even though he was a subject, Emperor Xuan should at least pretend to be one.

For example, addressing someone as "my dear minister" or something similar.

But Emperor Xuan had nothing, only "he," and he didn't use the word "please."

Despite his dissatisfaction, Han Zhen dared not voice it, so he went out and invited Huangfu Song in.

Upon entering the sleeping quarters, Huangfu Song knelt and bowed as usual.

Emperor Xuan did not seem to intend to waive the formalities, as if he wanted to give Huangfu Song a warning.

After Huangfu Song got up, Emperor Xuan briefly told him about what had happened that day.

Huangfu Song exaggeratedly displayed his fear.

Han Zhen watched from the side, struggling to suppress his laughter.

He never expected that Huangfu Song, who was always upright, would also put on an act in front of Emperor Xuan.

His acting skills, however, weren't very good.

"Alright, alright!"

Emperor Xuan glanced at Huangfu Song with displeasure.

They're all old foxes; why pretend in front of them?

Huangfu Song then stopped his performance, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This old minister really knows nothing about this matter. This old minister will go to the Imperial Academy immediately and bring Lu Shushu to Your Majesty."

"What do you mean by 'bring Lu Shushu in for me'?"

Emperor Xuan's brows furrowed even more with displeasure: "The way you're saying this makes it sound as if I forced her into the palace."

He didn't want to bear such a bad reputation, even though that was his intention.

Huangfu Song quickly said, "No, no, that's not what I meant."

"Alright, alright."

Emperor Xuan waved his hand again and said, "I summoned you to the palace tonight to hear your thoughts on this matter."

"Minister Huangfu, do you want your granddaughter Lu Shushu to enter the palace as empress and enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor, or do you want to watch your granddaughter enter the Crown Prince's residence, a den of wolves that devours people without spitting out the bones?"

"They're all dens of wolves and tigers, how dare they say they smell good..."

Huangfu Song couldn't help but mutter to himself, his eyes clearly showing his disdain.

"What did you say?"

Emperor Xuan emphasized his words.

"No, it's nothing."

Huangfu Song quickly waved his hands and said, "Your Majesty, you know this old minister. Of course, this old minister is willing to let his granddaughter enter the palace as empress."

"Alright, since that's the case, then you shall go there in person tomorrow!" Emperor Xuan ordered.

He simply refused to believe that Lu Shushu would disobey her maternal grandfather, Huangfu Song.

Huangfu Song replied, "Your Majesty, what should I do if the Crown Prince's people come to obstruct us again tomorrow?"

"You don't need to worry about that. I have my own arrangements. You may leave."

Huangfu Song didn't press the issue further; he simply clasped his hands in a fist salute, said "Yes," and quickly withdrew from the main hall.

It comes quickly and goes quickly.

In Han Zhen's eyes, Huangfu Song didn't need to come at all; Emperor Xuan could have simply sent someone to deliver a message.

However, Emperor Xuan still sent the very old Huangfu Song, which was a way of giving Huangfu Song a warning.

After Huangfu Song left the main hall, Emperor Xuan asked the sixth prince, who was sitting in a chair, "Sixth Prince, what do you think?"

"Your subject is foolish and ignorant."

The sixth prince stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said...

Emperor Xuan prepared to speak through his nose again.

The sixth prince quickly explained, "Father, please calm down. I really don't know. I can't understand what Minister Huangfu meant."

That's true. He is indeed clever, but Huangfu Song is an old fox who has lived for decades. How could he possibly see through Huangfu Song's true intentions?

The Sixth Prince then added, "However, in my humble opinion, whether Huangfu Song likes it or not, he must act according to the imperial decree."

Emperor Xuan nodded in agreement. The sixth prince was right. Regardless of whether Huangfu Song was willing to send his granddaughter into the palace or not.

He had to act according to orders, which was what he wanted.

"Father, there is something I don't understand."

"speak."

The Sixth Prince tentatively asked, "Just now, Huangfu Song said he was afraid that the people from the Crown Prince's residence would try to stop us again tomorrow. Father said he had a plan. What does 'a plan' mean here?"

The Sixth Prince was eager to know what Emperor Xuan's plan was.

Could it be that Han Zhen is to go? Although Han Zhen is a peak ninth-rank cultivator, the people of the Crown Prince's Mansion are not afraid of him.

If a real fight breaks out, Han Zhen will be no match for the people from the Crown Prince's residence.

Emperor Xuan chuckled, narrowed his eyes, and said, "You'll find out tomorrow. I'll give the Crown Prince a surprise."

Seeing that Emperor Xuan had said so, the Sixth Prince could not press the matter further and could only bow and leave the hall.

……

Early the next morning.

When Huangfu Song and Han Zhen arrived at the Imperial Academy one after the other, they were shocked to see the long, deep, and wide crack in the ground, their mouths agape in astonishment.

They were both considered among the top martial arts masters in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

They asked themselves honestly, and they knew that they couldn't create this crack without a master.

But the Great Zhou only has three Grandmasters, and yesterday's news didn't mention that Elder Snake had arrived.

Old Snake disdained to bully a group of imperial guards.

As for the sword immortal Li Fuyao, there's no word of him coming to the capital; he's still in Jiangnan.

The last grandmaster, Bai Jinghong, had long since disappeared, and no one knew his whereabouts.

But if the cracks on the ground weren't caused by the three grandmasters, then who caused them? When did the Great Zhou Dynasty produce such martial arts masters?

"This was caused by my elder brother, the Crown Prince's woman!"

The sixth prince arrived last and addressed the two of them.

"woman?"

The two men frowned, both puzzled.

Is that Crown Princess from Jiangnan a hidden martial arts master?

"No, it's another one wearing a loose-fitting Taoist robe," the Sixth Prince said.

A loose-fitting Taoist robe?

Huangfu Song and Han Zhen exchanged a glance, indicating that they had never heard of it, or rather, they had never paid attention to it.

As soon as the group appeared outside the Imperial College, Lu Shushu and his family rushed out.

"Grandpa!"

Lu Shushu suddenly bumped into Huangfu Song's arms, feeling extremely wronged.

"Father, Father-in-law."

Lu's parents bowed to Huangfu Song together.

Huangfu Song reached out and patted Lu Shushu on the back, comforting him:

"Don't be afraid, Shushu, Grandpa is late."

Lu Shushu nodded sadly, her eyes reddening instantly, and tears almost fell.

Just then, an untimely voice rang out; it was the Sixth Prince speaking:

"Minister Huangfu, you personally promised Father Emperor last night that you would bring the Empress to the palace today!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Shushu lifted her head from Huangfu Song's embrace: "Grandpa, how come even you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lu Shushu took two steps back.

Huangfu Song glared at the Sixth Prince with annoyance, really wanting to smash his mouth.

The Sixth Prince pretended not to see it and bowed to Lu Shushu, saying:

"Mother, please come to the palace with me! Don't be late!"

Lu Shushu took two more steps back; she would rather die than enter the palace.

"Father, Father-in-law."

Lu's parents wanted to step forward and ask Huangfu Song if what the Sixth Prince said was true.

Everyone else wants to harm Shushu, so why does even Huangfu Song want to?

Huangfu Song did not explain, nor did he know how to explain.

In this situation, he can only pretend to be mute and wait for an opportunity to explain later.

"Miss Lu, what did we say again? Only His Highness and the Crown Prince's Mansion truly care for you. Your maternal grandfather is nothing special."

The sound came, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

The speaker was a tall, imposing swordsman dressed in black.

He stood on the collapsed courtyard wall, holding his sword in his arms, and spoke.

Beside him were eleven other black-clad swordsmen in various poses.

Each swordsman has a different stance.

However, when combined, the overall effect is very oppressive.

"This is?"

Someone asked.

Lu Shushu wiped away her tears forcefully and retreated to the courtyard wall. "These are my personal guards, from the Sword Sect, twelve top martial arts geniuses! The weakest of them is at the early stage of the ninth rank!"

They arrived last night, introduced themselves, and said that Qin Li had sent them to protect her.

Lu Shushu initially ignored them, but now she changed her mind. Why not use their power to protect herself?

With them around, no one could bring her into the palace.

Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince couldn't help but sneer: "Empress, don't talk big. Our Great Zhou has few Grandmasters and few high-ranking martial artists. Twelve ninth-rank martial arts masters? What a joke!"

He didn't believe that the twelve swordsmen in front of him were all at least at the ninth rank.

After saying that, the Sixth Prince waved his hand at Han Zhen and ordered, "Han Zhen, go and give it a try."

Han Zhen remained motionless; Emperor Xuan had not ordered him to come and fight.

Besides, he wasn't confident he could beat his opponent.

The Sixth Prince couldn't discern the other party's strength, but he could.

There were indeed twelve martial arts masters of the ninth rank or above, six of whom were at the peak of the ninth rank.

What puzzled him was when Qin Li had gathered so many experts.

According to sources, these twelve martial arts geniuses from the Sword Sect were not this strong not long ago.

Otherwise, Emperor Xuan would have been filled with anxiety and unable to sleep peacefully all day long.

Han Zhen couldn't figure out what was going on.

Huangfu Song couldn't understand it either.

Qin Li's gains from Jiangnan were no secret in the capital.

But the speed at which these martial arts geniuses from the Sword Sect progress in their cultivation is truly astonishing.

Han Zhen remained motionless, leaving the Sixth Prince helpless. He couldn't very well go up against him; he wasn't that foolish.

He now places all his hopes on the arrangements made by the Xuan Emperor.

Emperor Xuan must have anticipated this situation and made arrangements accordingly.

Sure enough, just as this idea popped into my head, a hawk suddenly cried out in the sky.

Someone arrived riding an eagle, landing gracefully without stirring up any dust.

"Grandmaster, Bai Jinghong!"