Chapter 87: This Is the Treatment an Emperor Deserves!

Qiu Kangning and Chu Jingsong were both disciples of third-tier families in the imperial capital.

They had known each other since childhood and were rivals in cultivation.

They were two people bound by mutual rivalry.

In ordinary cultivation circles, they were minor celebrities.

Later, each inherited their family’s legacy and began leading their clans forward.

After more than a decade of effort, both families rose to second-tier status, but neither would yield to the other, both striving for further advancement.

A few years ago, Qiu Kangning’s son became a son-in-law at the Wang Mansion, marrying the dim-witted princess of an elderly prince; the Qiu family instantly rose to first-tier status in the capital and moved into the second ring.

At the time, Qiu Kangning specifically invited Chu Jingsong to the family banquet, and Chu Jingsong went with a black face—after all, not showing up would make him look cowardly.

In truth, going made him look even more humiliated.

Now, Chu Jingsong’s daughter has married the Emperor; the Chu family has risen to imperial kinship, received imperial rewards, and moved into the first ring of the capital—into a luxurious district.

Unlike the Qiu family, who are stuck on the outer edge of the second ring.

Chu Jingsong naturally invited Qiu Kangning over too—his purpose was clearly to gain some superiority over this old rival.

You showed off to me before; today I’ll show off to you the same way.

Qiu Kangning smiled without warmth as he shook Chu Jingsong’s hand; after some polite small talk, he said: “Chu family head, you’ve raised an excellent daughter.”

The implication was clear: Chu Jingsong had no real talent—he simply had a daughter who married well.

“Oh, nothing special. Your son isn’t bad either. Why haven’t I seen him today?”

Chu Jingsong didn’t care—you were just being jealous. If you had the ability, go have a daughter yourself.

Hearing this, Qiu Kangning claimed his son was busy—actually, he was serving as a slave to the dim-witted princess, needing permission just to leave the mansion, unable to step out without the prince’s approval.

Seeing most guests had arrived, Qiu Kangning spoke up: “Chu family head, why haven’t you started the banquet? Waiting any longer is pointless, isn’t it? The food will get cold.”

He was subtly mocking—thinking Chu Jingsong had gone far enough with his pretense. Did he really believe the Emperor had time to come to his place?

Though all those present were prominent figures from the capital—even the Empress Dowager’s nephew and major nobles, officials from every ministry—

Chu Jingsong’s personal connections alone could never have summoned them.

Their true purpose was to flatter Li Chen, to become familiar with him.

Some of lower status merely wanted to glimpse Li Chen, to see the Emperor’s face.

If Li Chen didn’t come, many would be deeply disappointed.

Qiu Kangning wanted to watch Chu Jingsong lose face.

Chu Jingsong hesitated—everyone who was coming had arrived; should he keep waiting?

At that moment, a sharp, synchronized marching sound suddenly echoed at the gate.

The footsteps were steady and solemn, drawing everyone’s gaze; some even held their breath.

Then, a squad of imperial guards in golden armor entered the courtyard, holding long spears, moving in perfect unison like a flowing golden wall, carving out a sacred path for the noble guest about to arrive!

The arrival of the imperial guards instantly silenced the once-bustling courtyard; every eye turned to the guards’ rear.

For their appearance meant “that man” had arrived!

At that moment, palace eunuchs shouted loudly: “His Majesty arrives! The Imperial Consort arrives!”

Their voices rang like thunder across the heavens, making every person present shiver slightly, their eyes now filled with reverence.

As the eunuchs cried out, a magnificent dragon carriage slowly entered the courtyard; seated within was a man clad in dragon robes, majestic and awe-inspiring—he was the sovereign of the Tian Ce Dynasty, Li Chen.

Beside him sat a woman dressed in splendid palace attire, her beauty unmatched—she was Chu Jingsong’s daughter, the newly appointed Imperial Consort Chu Ruoyan.

At the sight of Li Chen and Chu Ruoyan, everyone present instinctively knelt, shouting: “Long live His Majesty! Long live the Imperial Consort!”

Their cries rose and fell like a surging tide.

Li Chen smiled and raised his hand, signaling them to rise.

He spoke gently: “Today is the Chu family’s housewarming. No need for such formalities—please, all rise.”

His voice was not loud, yet every person present heard it clearly.

After rising, Chu Jingsong didn’t even bother to look down at Qiu Kangning, who stood beside him, pale with fear.

Chu Jingsong’s face glowed with excitement; he hurried forward, bowed deeply to Li Chen, then warmly invited: “Your Majesty’s presence honors our humble home! Please take your seat!”

Saying this, Chu Jingsong led Li Chen toward the finest seat in the courtyard.

There, a noble chair had already been prepared—specifically for Li Chen.

Wherever Li Chen went, the best seat must be reserved for him—he was an Emperor of the Saint Realm; there was no debate, this was his due status.

The Imperial Tutor might sit at equal rank with an Emperor—but only another Emperor.

Who was Li Chen? Did his temperament allow anyone to sit beside him as an equal?

Since ascending the throne, Li Chen had fully embodied what it meant: the Emperor is the supreme symbol!

Since Li Chen’s entrance, those who had never seen him before now wore expressions of awe—this sovereign aura, unmatched by any other, this divine imperial visage—this was their Emperor!

Especially among Tian Ce Dynasty subjects, pride surged within them.

In their hearts, this was how an Emperor should be—Li Chen had even surpassed their definition of perfection!

After Li Chen and Chu Ruoyan took their seats, the guests dared to sit down one by one—but they sat as if on needles.

Many could not resist the urge to approach Li Chen, to flatter him.

Yet seating near Li Chen was strictly ordered by status.

This was, after all, a Chu family banquet; Chu Jingsong naturally sat at the main table.

Next came Chu Ruoyan’s mother, the Empress Dowager’s nephew, major nobles, imperial clan members—

Those who made it to the main table were all of comparable status.

Yet anyone who ate beside Li Chen felt immense honor.

!

Today, Chu Jingsong drank heavily, visibly delighted—watching him, Qiu Kangning grew envious until his blood boiled.

He never expected the Emperor would actually come—and such a majestic Emperor at that.

Qiu Kangning thought bitterly: If only I’d had a daughter instead. Too bad I had a useless son.

Not long ago, he had told his son: “You are my greatest pride.”

Now, that pride had turned to uselessness.

Truly, comparison kills.

Li Chen had no need to stay long at the Chu family banquet—he only needed to make a brief appearance.

After this meal, he would return to the palace.

If he stayed too long, everyone would center themselves around him, watching his every expression, forgetting this was the Chu family’s banquet.

It would feel like he was stealing the spotlight.

Moreover, most present were ordinary families; Chu Jingsong’s circle was still relatively low-tier. Li Chen’s presence here created unbearable pressure.

So when Li Chen left, they all felt considerably lighter.

They resumed congratulating the Chu family head.

Before Li Chen departed, Liu Hao and Wu Qi had wanted to greet him—but had no chance, no standing, and could only watch from afar.

In the end, they could only watch as Li Chen and Chu Ruoyan departed.

After Li Chen left, Wu Qi glanced at the beauty behind Liu Hao and said: “That can’t be your cousin, can it?”

Liu Hao nodded. His main reason for coming today was to bring his cousin to see Li Chen.

Liu Hao understood social etiquette well—he could not force an introduction to Li Chen now.

Whether Li Chen might take notice of his cousin was uncertain, but he would surely offend Imperial Consort Chu Ruoyan.

This was the Chu family banquet; Chu Ruoyan was the hostess. She had gone to great lengths to invite Li Chen here—Liu Hao suddenly pulling this stunt would make her feel insulted.

So Liu Hao simply watched, doing nothing.

Wu Qi was puzzled—Liu Hao wasn’t handsome, yet his cousin was truly beautiful.

But she was nowhere near Chu Ruoyan’s level.

Chu Ruoyan’s title as one of the Capital’s Twin Wonders wasn’t given lightly.

Even if hidden beauties existed in the capital, to be publicly recognized as one of the Twin Wonders meant widespread approval.

Wu Qi still felt he had a chance—after all, his aunt’s beauty was still formidable!

Liu Hao glanced around and asked: “Where’s Xiao Ming?”

Wu Qi shrugged: “Probably didn’t want to see this scene.”

In truth, Xiao Ming hadn’t planned to come—he simply didn’t know about it.

At this moment, Xiao Ming was meditating as usual, daydreaming about how he’d arrange a chance encounter with that big sister tomorrow.

The Saint’s lingering soul, seeing his sluggish cultivation pace, knew the boy was distracted again.

At this moment, the unluckiest was none other than Prince Xu Zifeng of the Southern Pacification Command.

Because he’d been thrown back into prison—again—by Lin Yue’e!

(End of Chapter)