Chapter 492 - 309: Duke Xirong! Golden Competition in Painting! Another Golden List Triumph?!

"Please invite Master Tang inside." Chu Ming had an inkling of what it was about.

Invite Master Tang inside?!

The Third Prince, Fifth Prince, Seventh Prince, Xiao Wen, and Xiao Jianxin all changed their expressions instantly.

"Chu Ming, shall we go out to welcome Master Tang?" The Seventh Prince was already standing up.

"..."

...

At the mansion’s entrance.

With a stern expression, Tang Guang, a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm expert from the Astronomical Bureau, stood there, followed by the fully armed Huang Forbidden Army, numbering a hundred men.

Behind them were servants, guards, maids, and others.

The street in front of the Chu Mansion was nearly filled with people.

Further away, many people stopped to watch.

Chu Ming and others came out from the mansion.

"Attendant Reader Chu." Tang Guang, the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm expert, cupped his hands in salute.

Ah?!

Master Tang saluted Chu Ming?!

At that moment, time seemed to stand still.

The Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince were all shocked on the spot.

The experts from the Astronomical Bureau did not even need to salute the Crown Prince, and these princes had to salute them back.

But now, Master Tang actually took the initiative to salute Chu Ming?!

"Master Tang." The three princes cupped their hands in greeting.

Tang Guang glanced at the three, then turned his gaze back to Chu Ming and took out a Holy Decree.

"By His Majesty’s command, Chu Ming has achieved a Golden List title, being a key pillar of the Great Qin Dynasty, granted the rank of Duke, bestowed with the title Duke Xirong, and awarded the Three Bestowments."

Silence, an unparalleled silence, as if even the wind and snow had stopped.

The faces of the people present were dazed, like sculptures.

What did they just hear...

A Golden List accomplishment?

Granted Duke?

Awarded Three Bestowments?

"Duke Xirong." Tang Guang handed over the Holy Decree with both hands.

"Thank you, Master Tang." Chu Ming accepted the Holy Decree, showing some surprise but not too much.

"Nie Ting." Tang Guang waved his hand.

One of the Huang Forbidden Army stepped forward with a bow: "Duke Xirong."

Nie Qiwu?

The three princes recognized this person.

"Nie Ting, from now on, you will no longer be a cavalry captain of the Huang Forbidden Army but a Hu Ben under Duke Xirong." Tang Guang said solemnly.

"Yes." Nie Ting remained bowed.

"Duke Xirong, His Majesty awaits my return. I take my leave."

Tang Guang cupped his hands and departed.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh——

The wind and snow howled.

The three princes, Xiao Wen, and Xiao Jianxin looked at the Holy Decree in Chu Ming’s hand, then at Nie Ting leading a hundred men in golden armor, as if they had forgotten something.

"Fifth Highness, Seventh Highness, Envoy Xiao, Xiao Mansion Guard, the snow outside is heavy, let’s go inside."

The sound of a young man reached their ears.

The four nodded mechanically and followed inside.

"Third Highness?" Another young voice called.

The Third Prince, caught in shock, suddenly awakened.

"Attendant Reader Chu... Duke Xirong," The Third Prince bowed deeply, "I... I have matters to attend to and will take my leave. I will visit with gifts another day."

From front to back, his demeanor was worlds apart, no longer bearing the posture of a prince.

Stammering through these words, the Third Prince hurriedly left.

Back inside the mansion.

The Fifth Prince, Seventh Prince, Xiao Wen, and Xiao Jianxin stood beneath the hall, none daring to take a seat.

"Please, sit." Chu Ming said with a smile.

"..."

Xiao Wen and Xiao Jianxin bowed, not uttering a word.

The Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince bowed their heads in silence, unlike before.

In their hearts, there were waves of shock.

The Golden List enlightenment failed, yet he was granted Duke and awarded the Three Bestowments?

What logic is this?

Xiao Wen and Xiao Jianxin couldn’t figure it out, and neither could the Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince.

Could it be...

The Seventh Prince suddenly realized something.

Chu Ming... Duke Xirong can still achieve a Golden List title!

It must be so, otherwise the Emperor would not value him so highly.

"Sir, the banquet is ready."

"..."

...

Late at night.

In Qin Capital, Imperial City, Western Palace, Chengqian Hall.

"What, granted Duke and awarded the Three Bestowments?!"

The Second Prince, hearing the Third Prince’s account, was utterly shocked.

The Third Prince nodded heavily: "Second Brother, why would Father do such a thing?"

"..." The Second Prince gripped a black chess piece, unable to decide his move.

Why, indeed, he wanted to know too!

"Third Brother, you should return and prepare a congratulatory gift."

"Second Brother?"

"Just do as I say."

"..."

The Second Prince sent the Third Prince away and went to a dark chamber.

"Master, isn’t that illegitimate son supposed to have failed in enlightenment? Why did Father grant him Duke and the Three Bestowments?"

"Granted Duke and the Three Bestowments?" The black-robed Ming Yu, sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes, a mix of surprise and mockery within, "It seems my guess was right."

"What was right?" The Second Prince asked in confusion.

Ming Yu did not answer, instead flicking his finger, sending a pitch-black robe flying, "This will be the congratulatory gift."

The Second Prince looked at the robe, face filled with reluctance, "Didn’t Master say the Black Patterned Robe was prepared for me?"

"You don’t need it for now. I’ve prepared something new for you, better than the Black Patterned Robe." Ming Yu paused, then asked, "What about the investigation into the Pei family?"

"...Master, I have evidence of the Pei family’s collusion with the King of North Snow."

"Hmm, prepare it. Submit it to your father before the grand celebration."

"Alright."

"..."

...

In Qin Capital, Eastern Palace, Xuanren Hall.

"Duke Xirong?! Hu Ben?!"

"Chu Ming?!"

The Crown Prince’s expression was volatile.

"Fifth Brother, Seventh Brother, this is not something to joke about."

"Elder Brother, Master Tang announced the Holy Decree himself, and not only were I and the Seventh Brother present, but so were Third Brother and Envoy Xiao."

"..."

A brief silence fell in the hall.

"Fifth Brother, Seventh Brother, do you realize what it means for someone outside the Imperial Family to be granted Duke and the Three Bestowments simultaneously?" The Crown Prince’s expression turned serious.

The Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince remained silent.

The Crown Prince tried to maintain composure: "It is equivalent to granting Chu Ming power equal to the Chang Qin Royal Family."

"Like the King of North Snow, with territory to govern and troops to raise."

"Territory and army!"

The Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince’s eyes suddenly shone with realization, only now truly understanding what it meant to be granted Duke and the Three Bestowments.

They supported the Crown Prince with the hope that one day their elder brother would ascend the throne, and they themselves could be enfeoffed with titles and lands.

"Elder Brother, Chu Ming clearly failed in enlightenment, why would Father reward him so lavishly?!"