"Huh? Hun'er… what did you say?"
Sikong Yu frowned deeply, looking at Sikong Hun with some disbelief.
"Hun'er, you need to understand, the Empress's two sons hold immense power in the court. Your close relationship with Xia Feng is no secret in the capital now. If you switch allegiance to another master at this point, it wouldn't be wise. Moreover… if Xia Feng gains the Grand Tutor's support… I'm afraid the Crown Prince position…"
"Heh, Father, I was just asking casually."
Sikong Hun nodded with a smile, finally easing the Loyalty Count's expression slightly.
How could he not know that for the Sikong family, helping Xia Feng achieve the throne would be a monumental merit of supporting the rightful ruler.
No matter how strong the Sikong family was, they were still under imperial authority.
Especially now, the Xia Sheng lineage had stolen the throne and lacked any real foundation.
If the Sikong family could help Xia Feng ascend the throne, they would become part of his foundational support.
They might not be able to scheme for the whole empire, but… the title of the number one family under imperial authority was enough to ensure the Sikong family's prosperity for centuries.
"You just returned. Major events have been frequent in the capital recently. News even came from the palace that a great personage has arrived, but his identity is extremely mysterious. You must not provoke him, or the Sikong family could face annihilation."
After a few more words of caution, Sikong Yu withdrew the spiritual curtain over the residence and headed into the main hall.
"A great personage?"
Sikong Hun raised an eyebrow slightly. Someone his father called a great personage… could they be from the Central Frontier?
---
Evening.
East of Dragon Fortune City, in front of a magnificent ancient pavilion.
Numerous young masters from noble families and sons of high-ranking officials gathered before the building, their expressions respectful and excited.
Many commoners in the city witnessing this scene wore looks of astonishment.
Those who could make these arrogant young masters bow so humbly must be imperial princes.
Sure enough, when the figures of Great Xia's three princes appeared from the street, the young talents quickly stepped forward, bending and flattering, showing servile demeanors.
Of course, most of the flattery was directed at the Second Prince Xia Cheng and the Third Prince Xia Li.
After all, these two were the Empress's direct sons and had a higher probability of achieving the throne.
As for Xia Feng…
This Eldest Prince, though older, had a mother who was only a concubine and died early.
Now, in the capital, he had no foundation to speak of.
Moreover, Xia Feng's personality was too weak; even Xia Cheng and Xia Li often called him by his name directly, never showing him any respect.
Naturally, Xia Feng paid no mind to all this, even maintaining a warm smile on his face.
Sikong Hun had returned to the city, and Qiao Shuang was already his fiancée.
With Great Xia's two most powerful ministers tied to him, wasn't the throne within easy reach?
The Empress?
Her influence was indeed great, but she was still too soft-hearted.
Otherwise, how could he, Xia Feng, have survived by laying low?
Just wait. It won't be long. Once that Lord leaves, I'll show you who the true master of Great Xia is!
"Hehe! Long time no see, everyone."
But just as the three princes were beinged towards the Yun Meng Immortal Pavilion, a hearty laugh suddenly came from the end of the street.
Sikong Hun had changed out of his battle armor into blue robes, truly looking like a rising star in the court.
Beside him, Qiao Shuang's pretty face was calm, her white dress making her breathtakingly beautiful.
"Brother Sikong!"
Even Xia Cheng and Xia Li greeted this only son of the Loyalty Count, who had returned with military merits, with smiling faces and enthusiastic demeanors.
They couldn't win over Qiao Shuang anymore, as her engagement to Xia Feng was personally decided by the Xia Emperor.
But this Sikong Hun, after three years of campaigning, was full of mettle.
Even though he had some friendship with Xia Feng before, as Great Xia's nobility, they naturally knew about the recent rumors spreading in the capital.
Gossip was entertainment for the high and mighty everywhere.
But… from the looks of it, the bond between Sikong Hun and Xia Feng might not be as solid as it seemed.
"Brother Sikong, long time no see!"
Xia Cheng reached out, took out a Qiankun Bag from his bosom, "Inside is a Supreme Grade Divine Armor that I obtained from a secret realm before. I believe such divine armor is only worthy of Brother Sikong."
"Hehe, you flatter me, Second Prince."
"Brother Sikong…"
Watching the crowd gathered around Sikong Hun, Xia Feng just shook his head with a smile, his expression always calm.
His bond with the former was definitely not something measurable by a mere Divine Artifact.
Back then, to gain his trust, Xia Feng had even used quite a few tragic ploys.
A friendship forged through life and death—how could it be measured by spiritual treasures?
"Brother Feng."
Qiao Shuang walked to Xia Feng's side, a gentle smile on her face.
However, this gentleness was overly polite.
Suddenly, Xia Feng felt… his head was a bit itchy?
"Shuang'er, have you met the Loyalty Count?"
Of course, trusting Sikong Hun, Xia Feng didn't think too much about it and followed the crowd towards the Yun Meng Immortal Pavilion.
"No."
Qiao Shuang remained neither cold nor warm, which finally caused a flicker of doubt in Xia Feng's eyes.
How could Qiao Shuang's attitude towards him change so much in just half a day?
Or was she just shy in front of so many people?
---
Once everyone entered the pavilion and took their seats.
Sikong Hun, unable to decline the enthusiasm, was pulled by the Second and Third Princes to sit together.
Xia Feng, who never had many friends to begin with, and now in the presence of those two direct princes, dared not have anyone act too familiar with him.
So…
Today's banquet was roughly divided into two tables.
Xia Feng and Qiao Shuang sat at one table, while all the other young talents crowded around the Second Prince, Sikong Hun, and the others.
"Shuang'er, what's wrong? You don't look well."
Xia Feng appeared extremely calm, but Qiao Shuang's expression grew increasingly gloomy.
"Nothing."
"(°ー°〃)…"
Could it be… those few days of low mood every month?
"Shuang'er, let me pour you a cup of hot tea."
"…"
Qiao Shuang let out a soft sigh and actually turned to look towards Sikong Hun.
"Big Brother, Shuang'er, why don't you come over?"
As if sensing Qiao Shuang's gaze, Sikong Hun smiled apologetically, stepped over, followed by a few other young talents.
"Brother Hun!"
At that moment, something happened that stunned Xia Feng!!
Qiao Shuang, who had been cold and preoccupied just moments before, suddenly bloomed with a captivating smile on her pretty face.
I… Dammit?
Although the current developments had completely diverged from his previous life's memories, Xia Feng still vaguely felt a faint unease.
Although both Qiao Shuang and Sikong Hun were people he trusted, their current intimacy was truly… too brazen.
"Shuang'er, Big Brother…"
Sikong Hun took a seat, picked up the wine on the table, "I heard from the Second Prince earlier that Imperial Son-in-Law Jiang Yu was actually a demon?"
"Ah, Shuang'er and I weren't in the city a few days ago, so we didn't see it with our own eyes…"
Xia Feng forced a bitter smile. Sikong Hun seemed to fall into thought, "While I was at the border, I also heard rumors of demonic traces appearing in the Great Zhou capital. They even killed Great Zhou's primary eldest princess and stole Great Zhou's heavy treasure, the Imperial Vein Immortal Jin. They say this Jin can protect one's heart meridian and is full of spiritual essence. I never imagined the Western Frontier had become so chaotic."
"Imperial Vein Immortal Jin? Protects the heart meridian?"
Inexplicably, Xia Feng glanced towards his own chest.
But soon, he shook his head with a wry smile.
Have I been laying low for so long that I feel everything is dangerous?
There are countless Spirit Jins between heaven and earth. The one the Lord bestowed upon me is from the Upper Realm.
Even though they both have 'Jin' in the name, how could they possibly be connected?