Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

"This girl... oh dear!"

Seeing that Ren Xuanfei was throwing a tantrum again and resisting marriage, Ren Tianxing was somewhat displeased but helpless.

Because the other party was used to being pampered since childhood, even he, as her father, sometimes couldn't control Ren Xuanfei.

In addition, Consort Ren was his only legitimate eldest daughter, and was deeply loved and pampered by him.

Therefore, even though Consort Ren Xuan publicly refused the marriage, Ren Tianxing couldn't bear to scold her, let alone issue an imperial decree to punish her.

"Your Majesty, it seems Miss Ren isn't very interested in marriage..."

Seeing the difficulty on Ren Tianxing's face, Lu Feng stepped forward and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. "Although I am deeply regretful that I could not become His Majesty's son-in-law, a forced marriage will not be happy. Please do not make things difficult for Miss Ren over such a small matter..."

Lu Feng spoke calmly, seemingly not taking Ren Xuanfei's little tantrum to heart.

Because he knew the other person too well.

Ren Xuanfei has always been all bark and no bite, and she always says one thing but means another. This can be seen from her excited reaction when she was jealous of Qin Xiaowu just now. It's not that she doesn't like Lu Feng, she's just stubborn and unwilling to admit it.

As for why Ren Xuanfei acted this way, even Lu Feng wasn't quite sure.

Because women are such strange creatures.

"Young Master Lu, you flatter me! My daughter, Fei'er, is spoiled by me. Please forgive her earlier rudeness!"

"As for my promise just now, it remains valid...!"

Seemingly feeling somewhat indebted to the other party, Ren Tianxing flicked his sleeves and immediately issued an imperial decree, "Guards!"

"Your servant is here!"

Upon seeing Ren Tianxing suddenly speak, several old eunuchs nearby quickly stepped forward and then knelt down.

"By imperial decree, effective today, Princess Luochuan is hereby granted the title of Princess Luo, and is granted the authority to command troops, a fief of 100,000 households, and a rank above all other princes!"

"Lu Feng is hereby appointed Duke of Fan and concurrently Grand Minister of the Prince of Luo's Palace. In the future, he shall not address others as 'subject' when presenting memorials, nor shall he bow when receiving imperial edicts. He shall be granted the same rank as the Three Excellencies and shall enjoy the salary of a first-rank official!"

When Ren Tianxing issued this imperial edict, not only was Lu Feng stunned, but even the other high-ranking officials and scions of noble families present looked at each other in disbelief.

If it were said that Ren Tianxing doted on his eldest daughter, Ren Xuanfei, and that's why he promoted her from a princess to a prince, the people present could understand his actions to some extent.

However, Ren Tianxing's rewards and conferment of titles upon Lu Feng caused the assembled high-ranking officials and scions of noble families to become completely uneasy.

After all, Lu Feng was just an unknown cultivator from humble origins. What merit or ability did he have to be granted the title of Duke of a dynasty?

In addition, Lu Feng himself was personally appointed by Ren Tianxing as the Minister of the Luo Prince's Mansion, and his status was even higher than that of Han Che, the former number one expert of Luochuan Prefecture, which made everyone present even more unbelievable!

"Your Majesty! This method is far from appropriate...!"

"Although this young man is quite capable and has saved the emperor's life, he is ultimately too young. Entrusting him with such an important task right now is probably not a wise move. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider..."

"We share the same thought! Moreover, since the founding of the Dongyun Kingdom, no one has ever been granted the title of Duke of a state while remaining a commoner. This would likely violate ancestral rules..."

"Your Majesty, the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed!"

A group of high-ranking officials jumped out to object, and their words were vehement. They clearly did not approve of Ren Tianxing's bestowal of honors upon Lu Feng, and criticisms and dissent were rampant.

"Violating ancestral rules? Hmph! You bunch of opportunists! When Yun Xiaotian colluded with the Wusheng Demonic Sect to rebel, why didn't you stand up and help me kill the traitors?"

"Now that I intend to bestow honors upon Lu Feng, you lot are jumping out to oppose it? I ask you, what are your true intentions?!"

Faced with the earnest admonitions of the court officials, Ren Tianxing merely smiled coldly, a hint of murderous intent flashing across his dignified face, showing utter disdain.

After all, the fact that these high-ranking officials had just publicly surrendered along with Prime Minister Zhao Mingde and installed Yun Xiaotian as the new emperor of Dongyun Kingdom was still fresh in their minds and they had not forgotten it.

Therefore, Ren Tianxing would naturally not listen to the fallacies of these opportunists.

In addition, Ren Tianxing was also very satisfied with Lu Feng's performance as his prospective son-in-law!

After all, Yun Ting was not only a half-step Yuanhai Realm expert, but he had also cultivated at Luoxing Academy for several years. Moreover, he ranked third on the Lingnan Four Kingdoms Hidden Dragon List, second only to his eldest son, Ren Lingyun.

Lu Feng, who was only at the fifth level of the Spirit Soul Realm, was able to kill Yun Ting head-on and even escaped with his life from Yun Xiaotian, a Yuanhai Realm expert!

All of this makes it obvious that Ren Tianxing would reward Lu Feng handsomely, lest he let this golden opportunity slip away!

"Junior Lu Feng thanks my father-in-law... uh, Your Majesty for your gracious favor!"

Seeing that Ren Tianxing disregarded the objections of the entire court and directly bestowed upon him the title of Duke of the Dynasty, Lu Feng was slightly surprised. He immediately lowered his head slightly and bowed in thanks.

Although he didn't know exactly what power a duke had, he knew that rewards were definitely plentiful, and that was exactly what Lu Feng wanted. As for other empty titles and honors, they were all meaningless to him.

"Damn! That kid really got a steal!"

"That's the title of Duke! Even throughout the more than five hundred years of Dongyun Kingdom's history, only a handful of people have ever been granted such a title!"

"I've heard that this young man is a commoner from Fancheng in Qinghe County, one of the nine counties of Dongyun. He even used to be a lowly tomb raider. I never imagined that someone like him could become a duke!"

"Who says otherwise! Lu Feng is incredibly lucky; he got all the benefits...!"

Seeing that Emperor Ren Tianxing had made up his mind and would not allow anyone to object, the assembled high-ranking officials, though extremely dissatisfied and jealous, dared not utter another word of opposition.

After all, their opportunistic behavior had thoroughly angered Ren Tianxing. Even though their leader, Zhao Mingde, was now dead, it didn't mean Ren Tianxing would let it go. The Dongyun Kingdom's court would likely undergo a major reshuffle in the future!

Therefore, considering their own future careers, the high-ranking officials present dared not continue to advise Ren Tianxing and immediately withdrew their opposition, lest they be used as a warning to others in the future.

"Young Master Lu... no, Your Excellency, congratulations...!"

Just then, a weak, aged voice came from the side.

"This old servant thanks Your Excellency, the Duke, for saving my life..."

The next moment, a figure in black robes leaped over, his face as pale as paper. He then leaned on his cane with trembling hands and bowed deeply. It was none other than Han Che, who had miraculously survived.