Protect Our Chief

Chapter 1044 - 65: The Bigger Picture! The True Foundation of the Wang Family’s Strength

...Old Yao, who was serving nearby, secretly sighed when he saw the situation.

Your Majesty truly hasn’t interfered in the marriages of the younger generation within the family for hundreds of years, but recently the struggle of the Imperial Sons has started intensifying, gradually reaching a fever pitch.

This also signifies that a new era is about to begin while the old era is about to end.

As part of the fading "old era," the mood of Your Majesty is inevitably complex and changeable.

The deep marriage alliance between the Zhao Family and Prince Dexin’s lineage, if successful, will greatly consolidate the alliance between the two sides, creating a significant advantage for winning the Struggle of the Imperial Sons.

This move is strategically sound, but tactically it seems a bit rash. It not only overlooks the increasingly sensitive mindset of Your Majesty but also disregards the reaction of the Chen Family, which places high hopes on Princess Xue Ning.

If they were willing to restrain themselves for a while, finding a better opportunity and juncture to do this, it might succeed. However, to rush so recklessly now is clearly a strategic misstep.

In Your Majesty’s eyes, this suggests that the Zhao Family is already eager to pledge allegiance to a "new master." Meanwhile, Prince Dexin’s lineage is also impatient to completely draw the Zhao Family, trusted by Your Majesty, into their fold.

Such actions, how could they make Your Majesty feel at ease?

"Isn’t this a good thing?" Emperor Longchang’s expression quickly returned to normal, drinking Spirit Tea as if nothing had happened, smiling, "Jinglong, aren’t you overreacting? Prince Kang, with his literary and martial prowess and deep foresight, is indeed the most powerful contender for the future Great Emperor. Hasn’t your Chen Family always wanted to ascend to the Second Grade? By tying yourself to this path, wouldn’t future developments be smooth sailing?"

"Your Majesty." Chen Jinglong’s expression changed, hastily saying, "Our Chen Family owes much to Your Majesty’s guidance and support, which has allowed us to flourish over the years. Our gratitude towards Your Majesty is beyond words. If Your Majesty orders Princess Xue Ning to marry Zhao Yuanqing, our Chen Family would naturally be happily compliant and wholeheartedly supportive. But as for the Zhao Family and Prince Dexin..."

Halfway through his speech, Chen Jinglong’s meaning was clear.

Only Your Majesty can make them submit unconditionally; others do not deserve it!

Emperor Longchang’s expression grew more amiable: "Jinglong, no need to rush, come sit down and have some roast meat. Servants, serve the roast meat."

Chen Jinglong was momentarily stunned by these words, internally grumbling.

Your Majesty, the situation is pressing, and you’re telling me to eat roast meat? If you truly care about Princess Xue Ning, please quickly issue a decree for Prince Dexin to retract that ridiculous idea~~

Nevertheless, despite his thoughts, Chen Jinglong dared not say anything else.

Over the years, the Great Emperor’s mood has become increasingly unpredictable, often making it hard to understand his true thoughts. Chen Jinglong dared not guess or speak recklessly, so he braced himself to follow the orders and sat down.

The eunuchs sliced the roasted tender beef, sprinkled a thin layer of seasoning, and it was enticingly fragrant.

Chen Jinglong, worried, actually had no appetite, but since the Great Emperor had instructed him to eat, he had to at least go through the motions even if he didn’t understand why, so he reached out to take the roast meat.

However, just as he stretched out his hand, he suddenly realized that several large platters of roasted meat were already gone...

Five round little Wolf Cubs, plus a dragon, and a small girl who seemed young but had a healthy appetite, each holding roast meat and chomping it down, finishing in the blink of an eye and licking their lips satisfied.

Then, their eyes eagerly awaited the next batch of roast meat to be served.

"Uncle, I’m telling you, when dining with the Wolf Cubs, you need to be quick or there won’t be anything left." Wang Yingxuan, eating more slowly, still had a few pounds, reluctantly handing some to Chen Jinglong, "Hey, got a few bites left here, have a taste to appease your appetite."

Chen Jinglong’s mouth twitched as he shook his head, "No need, I’m not hungry. Little sister, you eat it yourself."

"Alright then, I won’t be polite." Wang Yingxuan finished the few pounds of roast meat in a couple of bites, licking her lips and asking Wu Xue Ning, "Proud Little Princess, does that Zhao Yuanqing look good?"

After some time, the two had become familiar with each other despite the initial bickering, although both were proud and easily provoked, leading to frequent arguments.

"I met him a few times when he was young and thought Zhao Yuanqing looked fine." Wu Xue Ning rested her chin on her hand, stealing a glance at Wang Anye before saying, "But now, I find him a bit greasy, with a somewhat sinister gaze, lacking in brightness."

"If you don’t like him, then don’t marry him." Wang Yingxuan said nonchalantly.

"That wouldn’t work. Our Ancestor has already consented... I can’t defy him." Wu Xue Ning was rather helpless.

In her lineage, many major decisions were made by Ancestor Dexin. Despite being favored, the thought of Prince Dexin’s assertiveness made her uneasy.

Then, Wu Xue Ning also gazed earnestly at Emperor Longchang, as if pleading for him to make the decision. Compared to Ancestor Dexin, Grandpa Ancestral was much more approachable.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Longchang ignored her gaze, instead conversing with Elder Jii floating nearby, "Elder Jii, last time you spoke of fusing the Array and Sword Intent into painting techniques, can you elaborate again? It’s no wonder I found such grace and unrestrained spirit in the Elder’s works, yet also imbued with vast and oppressive killing aura."