Chapter 200: Declaring Sovereignty

【Imperial sanction? Hah, this trick, I've long seen through; here it's ineffective!】

Yang Jun gave a cold snort, lifted the crossbow, and aimed it straight at Long Shi.

"Do you know what the result would be if I loosed this arrow?"

Yang Jun was arrogantly unrestrained, the crossbow fully drawn.

The Dragon Guard arranged by Yun Fengyun nominally patrolled and protected the Prince Pingxi's mansion, but in fact conducted surveillance.

Yun Fengyun's physical condition is already doomed; he will absolutely not give up his suspicion of the Prince Pingxi's mansion.

Moreover, as his health worsens, this suspicion only grows stronger.

This action now shows his distrust, which is becoming ever stronger.

Long Shi saw Yang Jun's crossbow in his hand, and it happened to be pointed right at his crotch; this situation made him very fearful.

Who is Yang Jun?

In the capital, he's notorious as a spoiled playboy.

Whatever princes dare to do, he does; whatever princes dare not do, he does even more.

Based on that, even if I die at Yang Jun's hands, no one will bother to cause trouble for him.

"I know, I know."

Long Shi swallowed, his body trembling slightly as he answered.

"You need not patrol inside the mansion; only patrol outside is required."

"Remember, you just need to do this one thing well."

In Yang Jun's cold snort, he quickly gave the order.

Long Shi is currently here by imperial order; the Prince Pingxi's mansion presently has no use for military force.

But Yang Jun's action now makes him understand that some things still require him to bow his head.

"Long Shi understands; he will surely obey the imperial order, guard the mansion well, and allow no one to intrude and harm the Princess and the Crown Prince."

Long Shi clasped his fists; although dissatisfied, at this moment he could only accept it.

"Alright, go; from now on, you'll have to work hard."

"Deng Jian, a reward."

With Yang Jun's words, Deng Jian immediately left and returned shortly.

Deng Jian held a money bag and stuffed it into the hands of the ten.

"This cannot be done, Your Highness; we follow the imperial decree, and our duty is to fulfill our responsibility."

Long Shi Yi's face was uneasy, he spoke repeatedly.

Yang Jun smiled slightly, took the money bag, and placed it in Long Shi's hand.

"Imperial orders are imperial orders, rewards are rewards; this is what you deserve."

"Moreover, you guard my mansion; these rewards for you are appropriate."

"Could it be that you think this money is too little?"

"Or do you want people to think that I, Yang Jun, don't understand human relations?"

Yang Jun's words made Long Shi hurriedly explain.

"Your Highness, I truly don't mean that."

"If you don't mean that, then accept the money."

Yang Jun placed the bag in Long Shi's hand and simultaneously patted his shoulder with both hands.

"This money is for everyone; if you don't take it, how will your brothers take theirs?"

Hearing Yang Jun say that, Long Shi became even more surprised.

Yang Jun's reputation in the capital is not good—whatever spoiled playboy, bullying men and women, lawless.

But seeing Yang Jun today, one clearly feels his conduct is more human than those royal relatives.

Moreover, the important point is that regarding this money, only if he accepts it will Yang Jun feel at ease, and then his own affairs will have fewer troubles.

"Then, thank you, Your Highness."

Long Shi received the money bag and then respectfully performed the fist salute.

In this matter, Long Shi's heart also becomes clearer: the money can be taken, but taking it does not mean one can turn a blind eye.

The emperor's entrusted task, one must strive all the more to fulfill.

Thinking of his own family, Long Shi's hand trembled again.

"If so, then work hard."

Yang Jun's hand moved again, patting Long Shi's hand and lightly pressing down.

Long Shi again clasped his fists in salute, leading the Dragon Guard behind him, turned and left.

Leaving the mansion, they quickly went into hiding.

Yang Jun stood where he was, watching Long Shi and the others depart.

At the same time, his eyes emitted an even stronger coldness.

The time until Yun Fengyun's weakening period draws near; of course, that also means the preparation time left for himself is dwindling.

……

In the Imperial Palace study, Yuan Lu had finished handling all matters.

When he returned to tidy up here, he saw the memorial laid on the desk.

At a glance, his brows furrowed tightly.

Border troops movement!

Yuan Lu hastily averted his gaze, feigning ignorance, and went to handle other matters.

…… (just ellipsis, no names)

In the imperial palace, the grand banquet begins.

Yun Fengyun directly reveals that Yun Xiyue is pregnant.

Tonight's banquet is specially arranged for this purpose.

When Yang Jun appears with Yun Xiyue, the two immediately draw cheers from the crowd.

"Congratulations, Crown Prince, congratulations, Princess."

"The Crown Prince and the Princess are deeply devoted, arousing envy."

Let's continue scanning.

Yun Xuanmo arrives and heads straight toward Yang Jun and Yun Xiyue.

"Xi Yue, Yang Jun!"

While speaking, Yun Xuanmo rushes over and immediately hugs Yang Jun.

"Xi Yue, come see if this fits."

Yun Xuanmo speaks while taking out a set of gold-thread armor.

This is a set of soft armor; while speaking, he hands the gold-thread soft armor to Yun Xiyue.

"From now on, wear this when you go out."

Upon hearing Yun Xuanmo's words, Yang Jun smiles and nods.

Seeing this, others feel even more surprised.

Now Yun Xuanmo's action amounts to, in front of everyone, guarding against everyone.

However, no one finds Yun Xuanmo's action surprising.

Of course, no one will be dissatisfied with this.

Who doesn't know that the Fifth Prince dotes on the Sixth Princess?

Now, doing this in front of everyone is quite natural.

"The Crown Prince has arrived."

At that moment, Crown Prince Yun Xuanming arrives; after approaching, he directly produces a token.

"Xi Yue, Yang Jun, as your elder brother I have nothing to give you; this is the token of my Eastern Palace. As long as you hold this token, you may freely enter and leave the Eastern Palace."

Yun Xuanming's words cause Yang Jun to freeze slightly.

In the original book, there is little description of the Crown Prince.

Having served as Crown Prince for twenty years, he still has not been able to ascend the throne.

Later, Zhou Tian took everything away, leaving nothing behind.

Thus we need to list Crown Prince Yun Xuanming as a name/title combination? The name is Yun Xuanming; the title Crown Prince. Should we list both? The instruction: list every character (incl. protagonist & minor ones), place, sect/clan/faction/people, official & sect rank/title, technique, item/artifact, beast, and realm that appears. So we should list the character Yun Xuanming (personal name) and also the title Crown Prince (official rank). However the title may be considered part of the name reference. Safer to list both: Yun Xuanming (character) and Crown Prince (title). But we need to avoid duplication? We'll list each distinct name/title that appears.

Xiyue, Yang Jun, I, as your brother, have nothing to give you; this is the token of my Eastern Palace. As long as you hold this token, you may freely come and go from the Eastern Palace.

A single remark from Yun Xuanming left Yang Jun slightly stunned.

In the original book, the crown prince receives little description.

Despite serving as crown prince for twenty years, he has yet to ascend the throne.

Later, Zhou Tian took everything, leaving him with nothing.

Your Highness, Crown Prince, I appreciate your kindness, thank you.

Yang Jun politely declined, pushing the token back.