Section 7

"His Majesty has already issued an imperial decree to summon the ministers to discuss countermeasures, but there has been no result so far."

"Hehe..."

Li Chengping smiled.

"This Northern Qi is truly in a season of many troubles!"

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go. We'll head to the Imperial Court and see!"

"Yes!"

Cao Zhengchun accepted the order and departed.

Li Chengping and Cao Zhengchun left the room and headed toward the imperial palace.

Li Chengping walked slowly out of the manor, the sunlight spilling over him and coating him in a golden radiance.

Today, he had specially changed into a Purple Python Robe with a Jade Belt tied around his waist, further accentuating his upright posture and noble status.

Cao Zhengchun followed closely behind, keeping pace with every step.

The two of them continued forward, heading toward the imperial palace.

However, before they could even approach the palace gates, two figures blocked their path.

"Fourth Prince, Your Highness, please stay your steps."

Hong Siyang spoke expressionlessly, his voice shrill and piercing.

He wore a deep blue Eunuch's Uniform with a Jade Plaque symbolizing his status hanging from his waist, a cold gloom permeating his eyes.

The other person was Ye Wan; he was dressed in official robes, his expression grim, with a hint of disdain between his brows.

"Without an audience granted by His Majesty, Your Highness cannot enter the palace."

Ye Wan's voice was low and cold, as if he were merely stating a fact.

Li Chengping stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping over the two men. The corners of his mouth curled slightly upward into a playful arc.

"Chief Manager Hong, Lord Ye, what is the meaning of this?"

His tone was calm, betraying no emotion.

"Your Highness, rules are rules."

Hong Siyang replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Without His Majesty's summons, no one is permitted to enter the imperial palace without authorization. These are the rules established by the ancestors. I hope Your Highness will not make things difficult for this servant."

"Oh? Rules established by the ancestors?"

Li Chengping gave a light chuckle, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"How is it that I did not know the rules of this imperial palace were now for the likes of you to decide?"

"You..."

Ye Wan was choked by Li Chengping's words, and his face instantly turned unsightly.

"Fourth Prince, Your Highness, although you have been enfeoffed as a King, it is nothing more than an empty title. Why must you be so overbearing?"

He snorted coldly, his tone filled with contempt.

"I advise you not to lead yourself astray, lest you end up losing the face of the Imperial Family!"

"An empty title?"

Li Chengping heard this, and the smile on his face grew even wider.

"Lord Ye, are those words of yours questioning Imperial Father's decision?"

His tone suddenly turned cold, and a wintry glint flashed in his eyes.

"Or is it that in your eyes, I, a Prince, am not even equal to a gatekeeper?"

"How audacious!"

Ye Wan flew into a rage; he hadn't expected Li Chengping to dare humiliate him so.

"Your Highness, this is the imperial palace! It is not a place where you can act recklessly!"

A flicker of killing intent passed through his eyes.

"If Your Highness continues to cause a disturbance, then do not blame this official for resorting to force!"

"Slap!"

Just then, the crisp sound of a slap rang out, interrupting Ye Wan's words.

Cao Zhengchun had somehow already flashed in front of Ye Wan and delivered a fierce slap to his face.

"You..."

Ye Wan clutched his face, his expression one of utter disbelief.

He was a dignified Seventh-Rank Expert, yet he had actually been struck by a Eunuch?

Furthermore, he hadn't even had time to react!

How was this possible?

The surrounding guards were also stunned.

One after another, their mouths hung open as they watched this unbelievable scene, their minds going completely blank.

Hong Siyang was also dazed.

He hadn't expected Cao Zhengchun to dare take action right in front of him.

This... this was simply too arrogant!

"Who gave you the audacity to be disrespectful to His Highness?"

Cao Zhengchun spoke coldly, his voice carrying a trace of unquestionable majesty.

"Offending your superior deserves a beating!"

"You... you dare hit me?"

Ye Wan came to his senses, his eyes filled with rage and resentment.

He glared fixedly at Cao Zhengchun, wishing he could swallow him alive.

"Lord Ye, are you alright?"

Li Chengping spoke up at this moment, his tone carrying a hint of concern.

"I told you long ago not to lead yourself astray, but you simply wouldn't listen."

He shook his head, looking like someone whose good intentions had been treated with contempt.

"Chapter 7 Slapping Hong Siyang! A Grandmaster Eunuch?"

"Now look what happened. You've been beaten and even branded with the crime of offending a superior. Why bother?"

"You..."

Ye Wan was so infuriated by Li Chengping's words that his whole body trembled.

He pointed at Li Chengping, stammering "you" for a long time but unable to say anything else.

"Lord Ye, I know you are unconvinced in your heart, but so what?"

Li Chengping seemed to see through Ye Wan's thoughts and chuckled.

"Someone, help Lord Ye up."

He commanded.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Two guards hurried forward, intending to help Ye Wan up.

However, as soon as they touched Ye Wan, they felt a massive force surge toward them, jolting them backward repeatedly.

"Hmm?"

Li Chengping frowned and looked at Ye Wan.

He saw Ye Wan's legs trembling and his face flushed red, yet he couldn't stand up no matter how he tried.

His legs were as if they were being firmly suppressed by an invisible force, unable to move at all.

"What... what is going on?"

Ye Wan was struck with extreme horror. He desperately channeled his True Qi, trying to break free from this restraint, only to find it was all in vain.

"Lord Ye, what's wrong with you?"

Li Chengping asked with feigned surprise.

"Could it be that your legs are injured? Do you want me to take a look for you?"

"You... what did you do to me?"

Ye Wan asked through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with fear.

He finally realized that this Fourth Prince before him was definitely not as simple as he had imagined.

"Me?"

Li Chengping shook his head with an innocent expression.

"I haven't done anything at all."

"Lord Ye, you shouldn't wrongly accuse a good person."

"You..."

Ye Wan was so angry he nearly spat blood.

He knew he had suffered a setback this time.

"Chief Manager Hong, it seems Lord Ye is truly injured."

Li Chengping then looked toward Hong Siyang.