then settling for one.We're all players in this game, and now the situation has come to a point where there are only two paths left.Either Xu Changqing becomes a pawn, leaving the board, or Wang Teng...Chapter 288: Prince's Fury

Within this Xi Zheng Hall, there seemed to be an inexplicable dragon's might bolstering Li Chen. Standing there, he resembled the Heavenly Emperor patrolling his domain, capable of causing the world to change color with a single angry glare.

Chen Tong seemed to hear his heart pounding in his chest, a frantic thump-thump that sent shivers down his spine and made his skin crawl.

With a thud, Chen Tong knelt down in the main hall.

"Your Highness, someone has indeed sent me to deliver a message to you."

"Speak, who is it" Li Chen's tone grew increasingly indifferent, with no hint of emotional fluctuation. He sounded neither happy nor angry, but there was a terrifying feeling that made Chen Tong feel like he was being watched.

It felt as if disaster could strike at any moment.

"Longjia, is Xishan Longjia."

Chen Tong's voice trembled and sounded panicked. He lowered his head and said, "The Long family in Xishan Province can be traced back to the founding of our dynasty. Their ancestor was a trusted general of Emperor Taizu. After the establishment of the country, he was enfeoffed as Chengyang Hou, with his fiefdom within Xishan Province. The title was hereditary for three generations."

"Even if the title of Lord was revoked by the imperial court, the Dragon family continued to operate in Xishan. There were countless officials from their lineage throughout the region. During their peak, even officials sent by the court to govern Xishan Prefecture would first visit the Dragon family and seek their approval before they could effectively carry out imperial decrees."

"Head of the Long Family, Long Tiande, asks that this humble servant convey his words. A messenger from the Long Family awaits your summons in the capital city."

"The Dragon Clan wants to negotiate with this palace" Li Chen asked coolly.

Chen Tong immediately replied, "I don't know. Long Tiande only asked me to deliver this message and said that Your Highness would summon the envoy after hearing it, and the envoy would explain the details to Your Highness."

"Dragon family, Long Tiandé."

Li Chen muttered to himself.

"You seem to know my mind quite well"

"It's a shame..."

Li Chen's gaze fell on Chen Tong, his tone flat: "This palace promoted you, the court gave you a salary, yet you act as a messenger for a local aristocratic family. Chen Tong, ah Chen Tong, you truly haven't disappointed this palace."

Chen Tong was terrified, his face pale. He stammered, "Your Highness, I believe this message might be useful to you, that's why I brought it. I have no other intentions, please forgive me!"

"This palace doesn't think you have the guts."

Li Chen coldly said: "Go and tell that so-called Dragon Clan emissary to get lost. This palace has no time to see him. A mere Marquis of Chengyang bestowed during the founding of the state, a lowly title only hereditary for three generations, is what they call the Dragon Clan Having operated in Xishan for two or three hundred years, they dare to treat themselves as a clan and family equal to this palace and bargain with me They even send an emissary with airs expecting me to see him"

“Let him go back and do some digging. Three hundred years ago, his ancestors would have knelt before my ancestors. Three hundred years later, this Qin dynasty is still the Qin dynasty, the royal family is the Li clan, not the Long clan. If he wants to see me, fine. Let Long Tiandé come himself and submit a petition at the east palace gate, stating his business respectfully. He can wait there until I decide if I want to see him. That's it.”

Chen Tong's face turned pale, his expression filled with terror. He didn't even dare to fart upon hearing this, kowtowing his head to the ground and saying: "I understand, I understand."

"Get out!"

Li Chen's rebuke sent Chen Tong scattering like a defeated dog.

Leaving Xi Zhengdian, Chen Tong was struck by the cold wind outside and realized that his body felt extremely weak. He felt lightheaded, as if he had just returned from the brink of death.

His body, drenched in cold sweat, shivered uncontrollably when the wind blew.

This was the first time he had ever stopped practicing martial arts since he started at age eight. Even in winter, he would practice shirtless after reaching a small level of mastery at twelve years old.

I was so scared today.

But Chen Tong racked his brains and couldn't understand why the Crown Prince would be so angry. kill them would initially react with disbelief. Zhao Tailai was no exception."King Wen wants to kill me, how could my father send me to my death""Because your father needs Wen Wang's help to overthro...