TCCRMMAICSTA Chapter 8

Just as the Emperor was about to flip the table, a deep male voice sounded. A man in a black robe walked out from the corner of Taihe Hall. As the evening grew darker, no one had noticed his presence in the shadows.

 

“Since this banquet is in honour of me, how could I not attend?” With just one sentence, he revealed his identity.

 

He was today’s guest of honour, Battle King—Zhou Jingchuan.

 

The Emperor narrowed his eyes as he stared at him. “Since you’re here, why don’t you take a seat?”

 

“I’ve spent years in battle; I don’t like sitting,” the Battle King responded bluntly.

 

The Emperor fell silent, and the entire hall was deathly quiet.

 

Standing at the front, Yu Wanwan had a clear view of the Battle King’s face. His sword-like brows, starry eyes, high nose bridge, and flawless bone structure exuded nobility and cool detachment. His deep eyes were like those of a lion in the night, ready to pounce on his enemies at any moment.

 

【Is Battle King really this bold? He just straight-up told the Emperor he doesn’t like sitting.】

 

【When can I say that I don’t like kneeling?】

 

The Battle King’s expression remained calm as his dark eyes swept over the people in the hall without a trace of emotion.

 

A woman’s voice? One of the Emperor’s concubines? Who was it?

 

The moment he entered Taihe Hall, he heard a strange voice, but after looking around, no one seemed to be speaking to him.

 

It took him a while to realise that this was someone’s inner voice, though he still hadn’t figured out whose it was.

 

The Emperor was silent for a while before finally speaking. “Take your seat. Let the banquet begin.”

 

The Battle King leisurely made his way to his designated seat, which, as the guest of honour, was naturally next to the Emperor—conveniently right next to Yu Wanwan!

 

Up close, Yu Wanwan could see his handsome face even more clearly.

 

【Are the Emperor and the Battle King really from the same father? How can they look so different?】

 

【The Battle King’s face instantly gives my ancient martial arts novel hero a face. He’d be top-tier even in modern times.】

 

【If the Battle King learned to sing, dance, and rap, I’d be the first in line to cheer for him.】

 

The Battle King grew more and more confused. What was all this nonsense?

 

Meanwhile, the other concubines, who could also hear Yu Wanwan’s inner voice, were not surprised. After all, they’d heard all sorts of strange things from his mind. Though they didn’t always understand what he meant, as long as he was helping them, it was fine.

 

The banquet began. Dancers and singers took the stage, and the lively music lifted the atmosphere. After a while, the Emperor raised his cup. “You’ve worked hard in battle for the Great Zhou, my royal brother. I toast to you.”

 

The Battle King didn’t even lift his cup. “I’m unwell and can’t drink.”

 

The Emperor’s hand, still holding the cup, paused, and an awkward expression appeared on his face.

 

Yu Wanwan silently gave the Battle King a thumbs up. 【Bro, you’re truly fearless. He’s the Emperor, at least give him some face. If he doesn’t kill you, who will he kill?】

 

【If you weren’t from the same clan as him, he’d probably have you and your whole family executed.】

 

Hearing this, the Battle King’s eyes flickered. It wasn’t just about the cup of wine. No matter what he did, the Emperor wouldn’t spare him.

 

Because… that voice was actually right. He and the Emperor weren’t blood-related brothers at all.

 

So why should he give the Emperor a good face?

 

“Your humble servant uses tea in place of wine,” the Battle King still offered the Emperor a way out.

 

The Emperor’s expression softened a bit after hearing this, “Good! I was careless. You’re injured from the battle and shouldn’t drink.”

 

After they drank a cup together, the Battle King continued, “It doesn’t matter if it’s neglected that I am injured, but it’s important not to neglect the soldiers’ military salaries.”

 

Yu Wanwan nearly burst out laughing on the spot but managed to hold it in!

 

She pinched her own thigh to suppress her laughter: 【The Battle King is really something… asking for money so quickly.】 

 

【If I had a boss like that who dared to ask the big boss for money, I’d wake up laughing in my dreams.】

 

Although the Emperor was somewhat displeased, military salaries could not be delayed. If the soldiers’ hearts were lost, the Great Zhou would have no one left to use.

 

So, he generously awarded ten thousand taels of silver.

 

During this period of awarding merits and rewards, the banquet was halfway through, and the ladies of each family began to stir things up.

 

The Grand Tutor’s daughter, Hou Jingjing, took the initiative and said, “Your Majesty, I have prepared a dance to celebrate the Battle King’s victory.”

 

The Emperor gladly agreed. “Alright, go ahead.”

 

He then turned to the Battle King. “You’re not young anymore, and your residence is empty. It’s time to find someone to take care of your daily needs.”

 

The Battle King’s status was among the highest, and he was the dream suitor of many noble ladies in the capital. However, his cold demeanour and lack of regard for anyone made him notorious. There was a story about him throwing a noble lady into a lake when she invited him for a boat ride…

 

The noble lady was so frightened that she found someone else to propose to the next day.

 

The Battle King’s reputation spread in the capital; noble ladies admired him yet feared him.

 

Yu Wanwan commented, 【Oh, looks like they’re trying to find a wife for this diamond bachelor.】

 

【Even though you’re surrounded by beautiful women, you still have time to worry about others.】

 

【But the Battle King seems like such a steel-hearted straight man; he probably won’t appreciate it.】

 

Yu Wanwan wasn’t wrong. The Battle King took a drink from his cup and said, “If Miss Hou wants to come to the third prince’s residence to do laundry and cooking, I’d allow it.”

 

“As for other matters… it’s better to just wash and sleep.”

 

The Emperor looked at the wine cup in his hand with a furrowed brow. The Battle King had just said he couldn’t drink wine, but now he was holding a cup of wine. Wasn’t this clearly slapping his face?

 

But the Emperor couldn’t make an issue of it at this moment; after all, there would be a chance to deal with the Battle King’s arrogance later.

 

Hou Jingjing quickly changed into a new outfit and entered the banquet hall. After a graceful curtsy, she began her dance.

 

The officials and nobles, used to seeing various performances, appeared disinterested, but Yu Wanwan watched with great interest.

 

【No wonder they were so happy without phones and computers—watching these ladies compete is just like scrolling through short videos.】

 

【She dances well—better than many of the videos I’ve seen and would get likes and comments.】

 

【Hou Jingjing’s dancing skills would surely earn her a million followers.】

 

Soon, after Hou Jingjing finished her performance, she looked at the Battle King with a gentle smile.

 

“I wish the Battle King continued victories in battle.”

 

The Battle King glanced at her and said, “You should wish for the Great Zhou to have no more wars and for the people to live in peace.”

 

Hou Jingjing realised she had misspoken and immediately panicked. “I’m sorry for my clumsiness. Please forgive me, Battle King.”

 

Hou Jingjing regretted her actions. She knew the Battle King wasn’t interested in women; why did she put herself in such an awkward position?

 

The Battle King remained unmoved. Hou Jingjing was the Grand Tutor’s daughter, and the Grand Tutor was a person close to the Emperor, so… the purpose of arranging for this woman to approach him was obvious.

 

He didn’t like scheming and insincere women, so he had no intention of giving her any favour.

 

On the contrary… he found the voice he heard earlier much more straightforward. It had dared to criticise the Emperor.

 

Although he didn’t yet know who she was, he was already interested.

 

At this moment, the voice sounded again: 【Why did it stop? Play more music, continue dancing!】

 

The Battle King, who usually showed no interest in women, had a slight smile on his lips. “Since you’ve misspoken, dance another piece to make up for it.”

 

He was speaking to Hou Jingjing, who looked somewhat surprised but was internally overjoyed.

 

Had she caught the Battle King’s eye? Wonderful! She might indeed succeed in marrying into the Battle King’s residence as the Emperor had hoped.

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