"Lord of An Bei, Fang Zhengzhi, had made great contributions to the country. He is a role model for all officials. While I, the Emperor sat in the throne room, I have heard exceptional praises about Lord Fang. I now bestow the River of Trust Province, Huai An County, and Cang Ling Mountain areas to the Lord of An Bei, conferring him the title of Prince Cang, giving him authority over all activities in the Northern Lands Five Constabularies. This will be a hereditary title!"
"Prince Cang?"
"Hereditary title!"
"Huai An County to the Cang Ling Mountains! And everything within the Northern Lands Five Constabularies?"
Zhang Yangping and the villagers stared at the royal guards in front of them in shock.
A Prince with a different last name!
This was the first Prince with a different last name that was younger than 18 years old. Furthermore, he was born in a poor and humble place like the Northern Mountain Village.
Fang Zhengzhi…
What exactly did he do in Flame Capital City?
They could understand if Fang Zhengzhi was conferred the title of a Rank 1 Official and even the Lord of An Bei. However, it was simply preposterous that he had gotten the title of a Prince with a different last name.
Fang Zhengzhi appeared in the Northern Mountain Village around a month ago as a refugee. However, after returning in just over a month…
Was he already conferred the title of a Prince?
How could anyone ever hope to fathom such an incredulous thing?
"Zheng er is now a prince, he really is… Houde, our Zheng er is now a Prince with a different last name. He is Prince Cang…" Amongst the people, Qin Xuelian's voice could be heard. She was tearing up from all the excitement she felt.
Fang Houde, who was standing beside Qin Xuelian, allowed his wife to shake his arms as tears welled up in his eyes.
Fang Zhengzhi could feel how agitated his parents truly were. He had the urge to tell them that it was merely a title and there was no need to make a ruckus out of it.
Though he swallowed his words.
He was afraid that he would be called an unfilial son.
"Congratulations, Prince Cang!" The royal guard commander kept the royal decree and handed it over to Fang Zhengzhi. He was being exceptionally respectful.
"I thank the Emperor for his heavenly grace!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded as he said, taking the royal decree into his hands. He then displayed it in front of the crowd.
He had once asked for a huge residence more than 100 miles in radius from Lin Mubai.
Naturally, this meant that he wanted land.
Now that Lin Mubai had given him the area stretching from Huai An County all the way to the Cang Ling Mountains, he had fulfilled his promise.
After displaying the royal decree, Fang Zhengzhi cast his gaze into the horizon once again. A group of people appeared in his field of vision once more.
Fang Zhengzhi froze in his tracks.
Zhang Yangping and the villagers were simply awe-stricken.
"There is more?"
"He is already Prince Cang, what else is there?"
"I don't think this has ever happened in the history of the Great Xia. Prince with a different last name is already the highest position before the Emperor himself. It cannot be that the Emperor is giving him the throne, or is it?"
No one could understand why there were more people arriving after Fang Zhengzhi was conferred the title of Prince Cang. Furthermore, this group was clearly larger and more majestic than the previous ones.
A crimson silk could be seen on the horses as over ten carriages trotted forward in two neat lines.
"It is the prince!"
"The person at the front is the prince!"
Swiftly, Zhang Yangping and the villagers had recognized them. The person leading the way was clearly clad in a court attire.
"It seems like this is really the last one," Fang Zhengzhi stared at Ninth Prince Lin Yun as he approached the entrance to Northern Mountain Village and heaved a sigh of relief.
Fang Zhengzhi was not surprised by the arrival of Ninth Prince Lin Yun to congratulate him on his title. However, the crimson silk placed on the horses was slightly surprising.
It did not take long for Lin Yun to arrive in front of Fang Zhengzhi.
"Respect to Prince Cang!" Ninth Prince Lin Yun greeted Fang Zhengzhi before he could even speak, jumping down from the back of his horse swiftly.
"Prince Xian is too humble. You are already Prince Xian of the First Rank now. There is no need for you to greet me when we meet," Fang Zhengzhi stared at Lin Yun and smiled.
"Oh, he is the Ninth Prince who protected Golden Scale City."
"Be quiet, he is already Prince Xian of the First Rank!"
"Yes, that's right…"
Upon hearing Fang Zhengzhi's words, the villagers looked at the young lad in front of them in a new light. After all, the news of Prince Xian Lin Yun of the First Rank leading a troop to defend Golden Scale City against the Northern Barbarian Army was already known through the entire Northern Lands.
"Prince Cang has done much more than me. If not for Prince Cang, the Great Xia Dynasty would already cease to exist, nor would there be the presence of Prince Xian. Father had also mentioned to treat you with the same respect that I have for him. Naturally, I should be the one to greet Prince Cang!" Lin Yun did not straighten his body upon hearing Fang Zhengzhi's words and kept his head low.
"No matter the contributions, we are all simply officials of the court. This stays the same even after we are given the title of a prince!" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and said before picking up the dustpan on the ground. He then continued, "However, this is my territory, the Northern Mountain Village. If Prince Xian does not mind, we can do the court ritual right here!"
"Alright!" Prince Xian quickly nodded and replied. Following which, he cast his gaze at the dumbfounded villagers before saying, "But I have to first pass the royal decree to you!"
"There's more?"
Zhang Yangping and the villagers exchanged glances in confusion. They already knew Lin Yun's identity, but what other royal decrees could there be?
Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched upon hearing this news.
After the battle of the Southern Region, he was conferred the title of a Rank 3 Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. However, after the battle of Flame Capital City, he had been elevated to the status of a Prince with a different last name. This was already the greatest recognition. This much should already be enough.
Even further up?
Fang Zhengzhi stared at Lin Yun and the royal guards behind him once again. His gaze was drawn to the crimson silk on the horse's back.
In an instant, he seemed to have understood.
Damn it!
Fang Zhengzhi cursed in his heart. He had never predicted Lin Mubai to use this tactic. Was he trying to force him into an arranged marriage?
Which noble or official's daughter did Lin Mubai trick?
"Hm, can I not accept this royal decree?" Fang Zhengzhi stared at the royal decree in Lin Yun's hands helplessly.
"Not accepting it? Why?" Lin Yun blinked his eyes and gave a perplexed expression.
"For over ten years in the Flame Capital City, you have been putting up a façade for the rest. You can take it off now that you are in Northern Mountain Village," Fang Zhengzhi hissed at Lin Yun.
Lin Yun coughed and stared at the confused expressions on the villager's faces and laughed, "This is a secret royal decree from father. He says that he would not force you to accept this royal decree as well, though… would you really not consider this?"
"Why would I have to?" Fang Zhengzhi pouted as he said.
"The Thirteenth Princess!" Lin Yun whispered into Fang Zhengzhi's ears, "You should have heard of her name. She is the most doted daughter of Lin Mubai now, second only to Ping Yang! Furthermore, she is extremely beautiful and is only one year older than you!"
"That cannot be. The Emperor is betrothing the Thirteenth Princes to me?" Fang Zhengzhi had thought of the arranged marriage idea, though he never imagined that it would be the Thirteenth Princess.
After all, he had heard some things about the Thirteenth Princess while he was in the Flame Capital City.
The Thirteenth Princes was Lin Mubai's daughter that was born a year earlier than Ping Yang. She was the youngest Princess at that time, which explained the attention she got from Lin Mubai.
However, after Ping Yang was born, Lin Mubai shifted his attention from her.
Even so, the Thirteenth Princess still had a good reputation in the palace. Most importantly, she was completely different from Ping Yang.
Ping Yang was arrogant and spoiled.
While the Thirteenth Princess was elegant and graceful.
Not only was she adept at playing instruments, chess, reading, and drawing, she could also sing and dance. She was the dream girl of every noble in the Great Xia Dynasty.
After all, there was really not many who wanted to marry Ping Yang.
"Hm, the Thirteenth Princess is now living in Huai An County. The moment you accept this royal decree, you can choose any day to complete the marriage. That should not be a problem, am I right?" The Ninth Prince urged Fang Zhengzhi.
"Let me consider!" Fang Zhengzhi's body stiffened as he said.
He had a dream of marrying an elegant and gentle woman as his wife. This woman had to be talented and demure.
Clearly…
The Thirteenth Princess was a perfect candidate.
Furthermore, she was already in Huai An County right now. He merely had to accept the royal decree to enjoy a night of pleasure anytime he wanted. Should he accept this offer?
Fang Zhengzhi hesitated.
"You are still considering?" Lin Yun was in disbelief as he gasped. He then leaned forward to whisper into Fang Zhengzhi's ears, "You have to think about the Fang family even if not for yourself!"
"For the Fang family?"
"Yes! If you marry the Thirteenth Princess, who gets so much attention from father, your parents and children will enjoy riches and comfort for generations to come!"
"So that's how it is!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded as he replied.
He could understand Lin Mubai's intentions now. By giving him the Thirteenth Princess, Fang Zhengzhi could better anchor his status as a hereditary noble.
He had to applaud Lin Mubai for his vision.
However, something feels amiss.
It was clear that Lin Mubai was hinting at something, He had less than half a year left to live and hence, he should take this chance to give birth to a child to ensure the continuity of his family line.
That was what Lin Mubai was saying.
"Prince Cang, do you understand father's intentions now?" Lin Yun stared at Fang Zhengzhi's nodding head as his eyes brightened. He then took a step backward.
"I understand now," Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"Alright then, Prince Cang, please receive your royal decree!" Lin Yun displayed the royal decree once again and immediately got to reading it.
However, before words could escape his mouth, a figure appeared right in front of him. Her black veiled dress fluttered amidst the cool breeze.
Lin Yun stared at the woman in front of him in shock. His attention was drawn to the speck of sand on her forehead. He then stared at the Fang Zhengzhi, who was clearly dejected.
At that instant, he finally realized what Fang Zhengzhi meant when he said he had to consider.
"Prince Xuan, what kind of royal decree is Fang Zhengzhi receiving?" The woman squinted her eyes and stared menacingly at the decree in Lin Yun's hands.
"That, actually… there is nothing of that sort!" Lin Yun's eyes darted around and quickly put away the royal decree into his armor.
"Could the Majesty be arranging Fang Zhengzhi's marriage?"
"No, definitely not!"
"Then… why are there crimson silk draped over all the horse's back?"
"It is a celebration!" Lin Yun said as cold sweat formed on his forehead. He scanned the surroundings before continuing, "This is to celebrate Fang Zhengzhi's new title as Prince Cang. We are afraid that the Northern Mountain Village do not have enough crimson silk drapes!"
"So that's why! It must be a tiring journey!" The woman nodded as she replied. Following which, she turned around and said, "Prince Xian, please stay in the Northern Mountain Village for lunch."
"Alright, I will be imposing on you today!" Lin Yun replied.
Fang Zhengzhi stared silently at Wu Yuer's figure and sighed. He clearly understood Lin Mubai's intentions, but would Wu Yuer be able to?
In fact, Fang Zhengzhi was never too concerned with other issues. His only concern was that Wu Yuer still seemed to be around.
This would be a chaotic night in Northern Mountain Village.
Over hundred royal guards sat in the plaza and chatted casually with the villagers of Northern Mountain Village. The fire crackled lively as the stars shone in the night sky. Laughter could be heard from miles away.
In the middle of the plaza…
Fang Zhengzhi and his parents as well as Wu Yuer, Prince Xian and the chief sat around a table. Compared to other tables, this table seemed a bit empty.
The six of them carried smiles on their faces.
No one discussed serious issues. As it was getting late, Fang Houde returned home with Qin Xuelian's support. The chief also went back home to rest with the help of several villagers.
After which…
The plaza was significantly less crowded.
There were still some royal guards and villagers drinking and playing games.
Prince Xian then frowned and pulled down his façade at that moment. He knew that Yan Xiu and Shan Yu were no longer in Northern Mountain Village. However, he did not expect Wu Yuer to be present.
He cast his gaze on Wu Yuer and swallowed his words.
"Does Prince Xian has something to discuss with Fang Zhengzhi? If there is, please go ahead! I am not an outsider!" Wu Yuer stared at Lin Yun's expression and said nonchalantly.
She said that she was not an outsider…
Who in the world says that about themselves?
Lin Yun stared at Wu Yuer's sincere expression before turning to look at the silent Fang Zhengzhi. In an instant, he seemed to understand something.
Shamelessness is contagious!
"Prince Cang… are you really going to stay in northern Mountain Village the entire time?" Lin Yun spoke after a long moment of silence and a shot of alcohol.