Chapter 8: Are Royal Family Members So Special, So What?

The sky darkened, and a magnificent mansion blazed with lights.

The Ministry of Rites was one of the key institutions of the TianCe Dynasty, overseeing state rituals, culture, education, and diplomacy.

This banquet was, in fact, an exchange gathering among the elite of the capital’s major combat academies.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites would use this banquet to instruct these young scholars, soon to enter officialdom, in proper etiquette.

Finally, the Minister of Rites himself would appear and interact with these young scholars, serving as an impromptu assessment.

Everyone wanted to impress him; if they won the favor of this high official, wouldn’t their futures be bright?

As Li Chen entered the mansion, he saw many young talents like Lin Yue’e—smiling, speaking with an air of distinction.

Their presence infused the banquet with youthful vigor.

These were the future pillars of the TianCe Dynasty; at a glance, they clearly displayed the realm’s depth.

As time passed, Li Chen began to sense hidden currents beneath the surface of this grand feast.

Ever since the Ministry of Rites officials and the second-generation heirs appeared, the scholars’ smiles faded, and a shadow fell over the banquet.

Li Chen had seen more than once how these second-generation heirs taunted and provoked the young talents present.

The officials did nothing; the young talents could only offer feeble resistance and swallow their anger.

Li Chen glanced at Lin Yue’e beside him and asked, “Do they always act like this?”

He’d only intended to beat someone up to complete his mission.

But now it seemed the whole thing had turned sour.

Logically, these second-generation heirs were uneducated and had no right to attend such a banquet.

Yet they swarmed everywhere like flies—and no one stopped them?

The late emperor placed great emphasis on education; even without doing any research, Li Chen knew these elite scholars were the TianCe Dynasty’s future.

If they suffered such humiliation and suppression here, what hope was there for other students?

As a prince, Li Chen could ignore it—but now he was emperor, and his heart burned with anger.

He didn’t understand court politics, but the expressions on the scholars’ faces were crystal clear.

If they all endured this in silence, afraid to speak out, how could they ever accomplish anything?

Hearing Li Chen’s question, Lin Yue’e nodded helplessly.

Even if she was furious, what could she do? Unless she wanted to abandon her future in the TianCe Dynasty, she had no choice but to endure before these Ministry officials.

When she arrived, Lin Yue’e had already considered: if that man harassing her went too far, she’d simply leave the capital and join a powerful sect.

This was one reason sects had flourished in recent years.

Lin Yue’e only felt it was a terrible waste that all her years of hard work and study at the academy might come to nothing.

With this royal disciple’s help, she could at least get through this night.

Unfortunately, the others here weren’t so lucky.

Compared to Li Chen, who was isolated, Lin Yue’e had some connections in this circle.

Several students from the Xinhuo Combat Academy came over to chat with her.

When they saw Li Chen beside her—especially the girls—they looked at him with envy.

“Yue’e, is this your friend? Why haven’t you introduced us?”

“Yeah, this young master is truly outstanding, with such noble bearing.”

Seeing her friends tease her, Lin Yue’e felt awkward—not because she didn’t want to introduce him, but because she didn’t even know his name.

“Hello everyone, I’m Li Chen.”

Everyone around could tell he was a royal disciple; his surname Li was only natural.

Precisely because of this, few second-generation heirs lingered near Li Chen—there was always tension between them and royal heirs.

In the palace, Li Chen mostly interacted with maids and eunuchs, who spoke to him in rigid, lifeless tones.

Rarely encountering peers his own age, he began chatting with these combat academy students.

At first, they exchanged polite small talk; once comfortable, they sensed Li Chen’s elder-like demeanor and started pouring out their grievances.

They complained that these uneducated second-generation heirs constantly disrupted their cultivation, hoarded resources without effort, and left combat academy instructors exasperated.

Some of Lin Yue’e’s female friends quietly told Li Chen that several naive girls in the academy had been corrupted by these heirs, even forced to drink with officials.

They’d come over to Li Chen’s side just to escape the harassment, hoping he’d shield them.

Li Chen laughed bitterly and said, “Don’t worry—if they dare come near, I’ll beat one down for each one.”

Everyone took it as a joke to ease the tension, paying it little mind.

Even Lin Yue’e felt embarrassed; she thought she’d burdened Li Chen too much tonight.

!

He’d only meant to shield her—but now he was shielding her friends too.

Seeing the resentful glares from the second-generation heirs around her, she knew Li Chen had made many enemies tonight.

Even a royal heir couldn’t afford to offend powerful ministers.

As time passed, more guests entered the banquet.

Ordinary second-generation heirs dared not provoke royal heirs—that meant their family influence wasn’t strong.

Those who dared offend him? Their fathers held high positions.

Just as Li Chen was enjoying his conversation with the combat academy students, a middle-aged second-generation heir approached.

His eyes were sunken, his eyelids swollen, his face as pale as paper—he walked unsteadily, clearly drained by wine and women.

At forty, he had no official title, yet still flaunted his father’s power—how worthless was he? No wonder Lin Yue’e looked down on him.

The combat academy students instinctively stepped back when they saw him, clearly afraid to offend him.

This middle-aged heir was brazen beyond measure—he ignored Li Chen entirely and spoke directly to Lin Yue’e.

“Have you thought about what I asked you?”

While other second-generation heirs acted covertly, this one openly threatened them in front of everyone.

He blatantly disregarded law and order—he clearly treated this place as his own home.

Before Lin Yue’e could answer, the heir was kicked by Li Chen and flew backward.

His body sailed like a severed kite, crashing into nearby tables and chairs, sending cups, plates, and wine flying everywhere.

He landed hard on the ground with a pained groan.

The sudden scene stunned everyone around.

Especially Lin Yue’e’s two friends—they stared wide-eyed, as if witnessing something unbelievable.

We thought you were joking—but you really meant to hit him?

They’d thought this heir was arrogant enough, but Li Chen was even more reckless.

He didn’t even ask who the man was before striking!

The Beida heir was quickly helped up by Ministry officials.

He spat blood, glaring furiously at Li Chen: “You think being royal makes you superior? Do royal heirs think they can just beat people up?”

Li Chen shrugged and replied: “Royal? So what? What of it?”

(End of Chapter)