Volume One, Chapter Three: Ruined! The Marquis of Zhenbei's Residence Has Made Too Many Enemies

Xie Zheng felt restless the entire way. As the saying goes, one does not visit the temple without a cause. The Emperor summoning him could never mean anything good!

He only wanted to live a quiet, low-profile life, tending to his modest business at the Yichun Pavilion and enjoying his small, peaceful existence. But for His Majesty to seek him out… it had to be about the marriage alliance!

Usually, the protagonist's greatest troubles begin with a marriage alliance. Why did these powerful figures behind the scenes always have to fixate on a useless prince like him? Xie Zheng walked on, filled with trepidation.

Not until he reached the Imperial Study and looked up at the magnificent, gilded hall did he feel—as anyone would—that this was undoubtedly a turning point in his life. One thrives or falls within the Imperial Study.

"Sigh, whether I can continue to lead a quiet life depends on what kind of nonsense the Emperor is going to throw at me this time." Xie Zheng took a deep breath.

He still knew his manners, so he straightened his attire and adjusted his demeanor; he couldn't afford to look completely pathetic before the Emperor. He stepped into the Imperial Study!

The suffocating atmosphere he dreaded rushed to meet him, and he was naturally greeted by the Emperor's trusted aide, Eunuch Xu.

Seeing him, Eunuch Xu smiled and said, "Your Highness, the Sixth Prince, His Majesty says you may go straight in!"

Xie Zheng hurriedly whispered, "Eunuch Xu, may I ask... is His Majesty, my Imperial Father, in a good mood or a bad one?"

This question was critical. Eunuch Xu maintained his smile. "Your Highness, this old servant does not know."

"Just a little hint?"

"Your Highness, this old servant truly does not know."

Seeing that he wouldn't answer, Xie Zheng muttered "boring" under his breath. The few steps toward the inner chamber felt like walking to the execution ground.

Inside the chamber, a middle-aged man with an imposing presence—every inch a sovereign—was lowered over his scrolls, reviewing memorials. Once Xie Zheng entered, he knelt on the ground.

"Your son pays his respects to Imperial Father!"

After this, the Emperor did not look up. He merely waved his hand and said with an air of authority, "Sit first."

"Oh!"

Xie Zheng sat, restless, cold sweat beading on his forehead. As a normal person, how could one not be nervous when facing an ancient monarch? A single misstep could mean losing one's head.

After the Emperor finished his review and set down his vermilion brush, he finally looked at Xie Zheng. Being fixed by that gaze made Xie Zheng even more uneasy. Yet, his reaction only seemed to disappoint the Emperor. Having grown accustomed to the boy being a good-for-nothing, the Emperor didn't dwell on it further.

"Your marriage to Princess Anyang will be held in three months. I will grant you the Qing'an Palace as your residence. Spend these days packing up and move there!"

Since ancient times, princes were assigned their own estates after marriage. His older brothers all had their own palaces.

"Thank you, Imperial Father!"

Xie Zheng didn't say much. With his personality, if he asked the Emperor to call off the engagement, the only response he would get would be, "Are you defying an imperial decree?" It was better to stay silent.

Seeing his silence, the Emperor’s royal countenance showed clear displeasure: "What a coward!"

Hearing this profanity, Xie Zheng was stunned. Seriously? Old man, you are the Emperor! Isn't it normal for me to keep quiet?

"None of my sons are weaklings. If you don't like something, you can reject it. If you like something, you must have the courage to seize it. What is the point of being so timid?"

The Great Ning was a nation built on martial prowess, and the current Emperor was a man of war himself. His martial strength was unfathomable; even compared to the Marquis of Zhenbei or the Marquis of Anyang, the Emperor was no less formidable. This was precisely why Xie Zheng, who was neither skilled in letters nor arms, was the Emperor's least favored son.

Faced with the Emperor's rebuke, a typical protagonist would argue back. But not Xie Zheng! Did he really think the Emperor meant for him to do as he pleased? In the end, it was still the Emperor's word that was law.

He remained silent once more.

The Emperor was thoroughly enraged. Indeed, you cannot polish a lump of clay; a piece of trash is truly trash.

"By entering into an alliance with the Anyang Marquis household, you represent the face of the Imperial family. The Thirty-Six Banners of the Shenwu Army, belonging to the Zhenbei Marquis household, shall be handed over to you!"

"My sons must serve in the military!"

This was the custom of the Great Ning Imperial family. After marriage, princes had to enter the army to temper themselves so they could help rule the world in the future. Military service meant seizing power!

Xie Zheng’s scalp tingled. He finally understood why the Emperor was forming an alliance with the Marquis of Anyang. It was the Emperor's art of balance—using one subject to check another—and he was clearly just a tool.

Great! The Twelve Banners of the Shenwu Army were the foundation of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s fame. Taking their military power was no different than killing their mother.

Xie Zheng looked at the Emperor. Because of Princess Anyang, he had offended Xu Cheng, and now, by taking military power, he was going to offend the Marquis of Zhenbei. This prince business... can I quit?

Xie Zheng had to kill this hope. Even if it meant being stripped of his status, he could not let himself fall into a death trap.

"Imperial Father! You know exactly what I am capable of. The marriage is one thing, but how can I go and seize the Shenwu Army from the Marquis of Zhenbei?"

"Imperial Father, you surely know that this is their very lifeblood!"

"If you want to keep them in check, please, pick someone else! I am not fit for such a heavy responsibility!"

Xie Zheng begged on his knees, almost to the point of tears. He played the part of the useless son to the absolute limit, his whole body trembling to show his fear of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

Precisely because of this, the Emperor flew into a rage, nearly slapping him across the face.

"You wretch! Your brothers are desperate to solve problems for me and strive to improve themselves, all to show their capabilities in my presence!"

"You coward! I have placed the power right in front of you, and you won't even fight for it. How did I end up with such a pathetic son? Truly my greatest misfortune!"

Faced with the Emperor's disdain, Xie Zheng knew it was best to endure. Surely, the Emperor would take it back for now and order him to go home and reflect. That would be fine; as long as the burden of power didn't fall on him.

But just as he thought this and prepared to kowtow and leave, the Emperor’s next words shattered his composure.

"The wedding will proceed in three months. I have already ordered the Marquis of Zhenbei to surrender the Twelve Banners of the Shenwu Army; they will fall into your hands. From now on, Master Chen from the Zhulu Academy will be your strategist. Go to the academy, pack your things, and get home. You are under house arrest for three months. After the wedding, you are to report to the Shenwu Army camp without fail!"

"Someone come!"

"Throw this rebellious son out!"

With a bang, the doors of the Imperial Study slammed shut. Xie Zheng was dragged out, his face dark. This would undoubtedly make him a mortal enemy of the Marquis of Zhenbei. This godforsaken Emperor—what a brilliant father he was, setting his own son up for failure!

Xie Zheng sighed, having no choice but to accept the facts. In a single day, he had completely offended the Marquis of Zhenbei! How could he save himself? How could he make amends?

Xie Zheng’s brain felt like it was about to explode. Master Chen from the Zhulu Academy hurried over.

"Your Highness, the Sixth Prince, His Majesty has ordered you to visit the Anyang Marquis household first. It seems the Marquis has things he wishes to discuss with you!"

"Discuss what?" Xie Zheng was beyond annoyed.

"To discuss the Sixth Prince's next steps and how to master the power of the Shenwu Army!" Master Chen stroked his white beard and said calmly.

Hearing this, Xie Zheng completely broke down.

"Master Chen, do you have nothing better to do? Why are you playing the part of an NPC? Stop popping in and out of nowhere—why are you everywhere? You’re driving me crazy!"