"What's going on?"
Wang Chong's brow creased as he came back to his senses and looked ahead.
"Mar- Marquis, there's someone blocking the way."
The silver-robed eunuch leading the way said in a trembling voice.
Buzz!
Wang Chong's expression flickered as he raised his head. A moment later, Wang Chong sensed a powerful aura fifty to sixty paces in front of him, blocking his path.
Wang Chong had originally believed that this was one of the commanders of the Imperial Army patrolling the palace, but it now appeared that this was not the case at all.
But this was not what Wang Chong was concerned about. The Imperial Palace was a sacred land, not a place to be trifled with. For this person to dare to block him in a place like this, especially when he was about to enter the palace to meet the Divine Emperor, was simply audacious. No ordinary person would dare to do such a thing.
"King of Foreign Lands, will you not come out to meet me?"
A dignified and authoritative voice suddenly sounded from outside. It carried the air of a superior, and in that instant, Wang Chong could clearly feel the breathing of the Chamberlains of Imperial Insignia in the surroundings, including the eunuch leading them. As though mice meeting a cat, a deep sense of fear appeared in their eyes.
Whoosh!
Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Chong raised a hand, parted the curtain, and walked out of the palanquin. Raising his head, he saw a figure standing in the distance, dressed in a four-clawed robe embroidered with clouds, his entire body exuding boundless majesty. Wang Chong had never seen this person before, but based on the resemblance between this person and the Holy Emperor's, Wang Chong was able to quickly identify him.
The First Prince!
Wang Chong couldn't help but widen his eyes at the sight of this figure. He had only been back in the capital for a day, and yet he was meeting the First Prince in this manner. The First Prince's calm and unruffled appearance clearly indicated that he had expected Wang Chong to pass through this alley and had been waiting for him.
"King of Foreign Lands, it truly isn't easy to meet you!"
The Eldest Prince's gaze was like lightning, and he strode forward with a majestic gait. The moment Wang Chong appeared, he strode forward. It was also at this moment that Wang Chong's gaze darted around. He suddenly realized that within a radius of several hundred steps, all the Imperial Guards, Imperial Guards, and Imperial Guards had all disappeared in an instant.
At this moment, the surroundings were deathly silent.
The atmosphere suddenly became incomparably tense. Around the palanquin, the silk-robed eunuch and the accompanying Chamberlain of Imperial Insignia all had pale faces. Their heads hung low as they trembled in fear, as though they were dead men.
In the depths of the palace, it was taboo for a prince to meet the ministers of the court, not to mention that Wang Chong was not an ordinary minister. If this scene were to spread out, it would definitely have a great impact. It was even possible that they would be silenced.
More importantly, the First Prince was the eldest son of the first wife, the future Crown Prince, and the legitimate successor of the Tang dynasty. If there were no accidents, he would be the future Emperor of the Tang dynasty. One could imagine the consequences of offending the First Prince in the depths of the palace.
"Relax. Given the First Prince's breadth of mind, I'm confident that he won't make things difficult for you!"
Wang Chong's eyes flashed as he walked forward. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, he could not avoid it. Ever since his reincarnation, Wang Chong had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding the First Prince, and even his big uncle had been influenced by him, slowly distancing himself from the First Prince. But even after avoiding for so long, he could no longer avoid the First Prince.
Wang Chong could avoid the First Prince, but he could not prevent the First Prince from seeking him out.
Moreover, Wang Chong was rather curious to know what the First Prince was up to.
"Paying respects to Your Highness!"
Wang Chong walked over, stopped three or four steps away from the First Prince, and bowed in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing.
"Haha, the King of Foreign Lands is truly benevolent. As long as they don't speak carelessly, why would I make things difficult for these servants?"
The First Prince indifferently said as he gazed at Wang Chong.
This was the First Prince's first time examining Wang Chong. Although he had heard many legends about Wang Chong, and his aides had shown him drawings of Wang Chong, the First Prince couldn't help but sigh when he saw the real person.
In the war of the southwest, he had led more than one thousand clan experts to the southwest, ultimately turning the tide and killing hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army. And soon after, he had campaigned north and south, waging two large-scale wars and annihilating the one million elite cavalry of the various worlds. All of this could only be described as a miracle.
The so-called War God was nothing more than this. But who could have imagined that the one who had accomplished all these feats was a youth of seventeen or eighteen?
What a pity! If I had known that the youngest son of the Wang Clan was so talented, I would have used Wang Gen from the very beginning to pull the Wang Clan over!
The First Prince mentally wrung his hands. If he had had his assistance, all these achievements would have gone to him, and no one would have been able to compete with him.
While the First Prince was observing Wang Chong, Wang Chong was also observing the First Prince. After all, he was a descendant of the Holy Emperor, and the First Prince and the Holy Emperor shared some resemblance. Moreover, as the eldest prince of the Tang dynasty, the First Prince had long ago begun to manage the affairs of the court. His body was brimming with dignity, and his every action exuded boundless authority.
Just from his bearing, demeanor, and every word, one could see a part of the bearing of the Holy Emperor. Alas …
As Wang Chong gazed at the First Prince, he inwardly sighed. Others might not know, but Wang Chong was well aware that the First Prince could never sit on the throne of the Holy Emperor. It was not because of Fifth Prince Li Heng, but because his personality was simply not suitable.
"Wang Chong, you are a talent. This king's greatest mistake was that I didn't personally try to rope you in. I have seen your talent in the art of war, and it is truly the number one in the world. Not even Wang Zhongsi can compare to you. With your assistance, this king might have already ascended to the throne of the Nine Five. Thus, this king has come this time to make up for this mistake, to give you a chance, and also to give this king a chance. Wang Chong, how about you come and assist this king? "
The First Prince's voice resounded through the palace alleys, causing the brocade-robed eunuchs and the other eunuchs to tremble in fear. The words' Ninth Five 'in particular instantly caused their faces to pale, but no one dared to say anything, only lowering their heads even lower.
The War of the Princes was a taboo matter on the part of the First Prince trying to win over the King of Foreign Lands. If this matter was not handled properly, everyone present would be silenced. And if even a sliver of this matter was leaked, it would cause a massive storm in the Imperial Court.
Everyone trembled in fear, not daring to say a single word. It was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
After what seemed like both a moment and like countless eons, Wang Chong's voice finally resounded through the palace.
"I didn't think that Your Highness would think so highly of me, but I am afraid that Your Highness will be disappointed. Wang Chong is only an ordinary general who has only made some achievements on the battlefield. As for the matter that Your Highness speaks of, that is something that only the Holy Emperor can decide, not something that a general like Wang Chong can influence. "
As Wang Chong spoke, he bowed in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing.
"Impudent! Wang Chong, are you planning to refuse His Highness? "
Suddenly, a stern voice rang out. Before the First Prince could say anything, one of the First Prince's guards behind him could not help but berate him.
"Impudent! Zhou Xing, why haven't you withdrawn yet? Who do you think the King of Foreign Lands is to be so rude? "
The First Prince waved his hand and rebuked, but there was no hint of rebuke on his face.
Wang Chong remained unmoved by this sight. Although Wang Chong had not encountered many of the methods these princes used to win over the hearts of the people, he was well aware of them.
"Wang Chong, are you sure you don't want to reconsider? This king has personally come to see you to express my sincerity. When Duke Jiu pacified the rebellion in the War of the Princes, he performed a meritorious deed of ascending to the throne. Even now, when one thinks about it, one still feels envious. Wang Chong, if you can work with me, we can create an even greater golden age, expand our territory together, push the Tang dynasty to unprecedented heights, and continue the old story of Duke Jiu and the Holy Emperor. Wouldn't that be a beautiful tale? "
The First Prince said, his expression impassioned.
Even Wang Chong was slightly moved by the First Prince's impassioned voice, but Wang Chong quickly regained his composure.
"Your Highness, you have misunderstood. A soldier's duty is to obey orders, and Wang Chong is a soldier of the Tang dynasty. If Your Highness ascends to the throne of the Holy Emperor, Wang Chong will naturally obey Your Highness's decree and place the interests of the Tang dynasty above all else!"
Wang Chong's expression was indifferent, not the slightest change in it.
The First Prince imperceptibly creased his brow as he stared at Wang Chong. Wang Chong's answer was confident, but it was not the answer he wanted.
"Wang Chong, this king doesn't like being rejected, but it seems like you're going to refuse the last chance this king is giving you."
Wang Chong's eyes widened, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Your Highness …"
"Hahaha!"
But this time, before Wang Chong could finish speaking, the First Prince waved his sleeve and interrupted Wang Chong.
"Wang Chong, this king understands your intentions. I only hope that you will not regret it!"
The First Prince gave Wang Chong a deep glance, then turned and left. His final glance seemed to contain a deeper meaning.
"Wang Chong, this king knows that you are riding on the crest of success, but the moon still waxes and wanes, let alone a person. You really shouldn't have helped Old Five!"
Several zhang away, the First Prince suddenly stopped. With a cold snort, he vanished into the distance.
"Buzz!"
Wang Chong had originally been calm, but when he heard the First Prince's final words, his entire face instantly paled.
Old Five!
In the entire Imperial Palace, the only person the First Prince could call Old Five was Fifth Prince Li Heng. Wang Chong had originally believed that few people knew that he was secretly helping Fifth Prince Li Heng, but it now appeared that this was not the case.
I didn't think that he would know everything like the back of his hand!
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