Chapter 353 - 158: Shangqing True Transmission, Immortal God

Chapter 353: Chapter 158: Shangqing True Transmission, Immortal God

"Lord Hong, you have watched over Qing Province, and the situation there has improved greatly. You’ve worked hard. Come, I will toast you with this tea in place of wine."

Zhao Taichu smiled and raised his cup. Hong Miaojin smiled faintly and lifted her own. "Crown Prince, you are too kind. If we are talking about who put in the most effort, it was Fang Xing. I was only responsible for the overall situation. Fang Xing handled most of the work."

Crown Prince Chu smiled and drained his cup. The eunuch by his side immediately presented a fresh one.

"I have also heard of the Demon Suppression Envoy’s deeds. This second cup of tea is for you, Lord Fang."

Hearing this, Fang Xing rose with his cup and bowed slightly. "Crown Prince, you are too kind. To guard our lands and protect our people is merely my duty as your subject."

Zhao Taichu beamed at him. "For Lord Fang to have such a heart and such talent... it is truly a blessing for our Great Jing."

"Your Highness flatters me."

"I hope that Lord Fang will continue his excellent work and stabilize the region. I will be paying attention, and the Court will not fail to reward you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Fang Xing raised his cup and took a sip.

"Please, sit. This is not the royal court or the Eastern Palace. There’s no need for such ceremony," Zhao Taichu said with a smile.

Fang Xing immediately sat down.

"Such a young Demon Suppression Envoy... you must be the first in the history of Great Jing. Lord Hong has certainly set a precedent."

The Ninth Prince suddenly spoke, his voice full of smiles.

"Does the Ninth Prince have an opinion on my arrangements?" Hong Miaojin asked, looking at the Ninth Prince with a placid expression.

Fang Xing said nothing, his face betraying no emotion, as calm as still water.

The Ninth Prince smiled faintly. "Of course not. I was merely congratulating Lord Hong on finding such a great talent. With him, you will surely be able to pacify the Southern Border and suppress any unrest."

"I appreciate the Ninth Prince’s auspicious words," Hong Miaojin replied, maintaining her smile.

"However," the Ninth Prince’s tone shifted as he looked at Hong Miaojin, "with both of you pillars of the state here, if something were to go wrong in Qing Province, I’m afraid it would be difficult to answer for."

"You needn’t trouble yourself over that, Ninth Prince. I have already made my own arrangements for Qing Province."

"Then I wonder..."

"Old Jiu, you’re saying a bit too much."

The Ninth Prince was about to say more, but Crown Prince Chu’s voice cut him off.

Hearing Crown Prince Chu’s words, the Ninth Prince’s gaze hardened for a moment, but then he smiled.

"Eldest Brother is right. I spoke out of turn. Let this cup of tea serve as my apology." With that, the Ninth Prince picked up his cup and took a sip.

’What’s with this guy? Has he had a personality transplant?’

Fang Xing, sitting to the side, was rather surprised.

He felt that the Ninth Prince seemed particularly confrontational today.

It was a stark contrast to their last meeting.

’Or is he deliberately acting this way because of Zhao Taichu?’

’None of these sons of the Emperor are to be underestimated...’

Fang Xing thought to himself.

Although he found Zhao Taiji’s actions strange, it had nothing to do with him.

Hong Miaojin was there to handle it.

Besides, after her breakthrough to the Celestial realm, the gap between them was so vast that even the status of a Prince no longer held any real pressure.

This was obvious when comparing Hong Miaojin’s demeanor toward the Ninth Prince during their last meeting with her demeanor now.

Reaching the Celestial realm put one on a completely different level.

The status of a Prince was not enough to bridge that gap.

He had no desire to get mixed up in these messy affairs.

Zhao Taichu looked at Hong Miaojin with a gentle smile. "Miaojin, don’t mind him. My ninth brother is just like that."

Hong Miaojin smiled faintly. "It’s nothing. I’m not that petty."

"Ninth Brother," Zhao Taichu said, his gaze shifting to the Ninth Prince, his tone flat. "In the future, you must be respectful to Lord Hong. Things are different now, understand?"

"Your reminder is noted, Eldest Brother. I will take it to heart."

The Ninth Prince nodded with a smile, but beneath his robes, his muscles tensed.

’This guy is so calculating... he must have a thousand schemes running through his head...’

Fang Xing swirled the tea in his cup and took a sip, unable to stop the thought from crossing his mind.

When it came to scheming, every single member of the Royal Family was a master of intrigue.

And those who managed to distinguish themselves were the best of the best!