In the Kong Family mansion, deep within the garden pavilion, a peaceful scene unfolded. The morning air was cool, and clear tea emitted wisps of white mist as it sat on the stone table. However, the warm drink could not dispel the look of helplessness on Kong Mingan's face. He let out a soft sigh and put down his teacup. He looked across the table at his elder, who appeared perfectly composed. His tone was filled with a complaint he did not try to hide.
So, you just priced and sold your own grandson without saying a single word to me?
Kong Deming sat upright in the main seat. His silver moon robe was impeccable, without a single wrinkle. He calmly took a sip of his tea, acting as if nothing was wrong. His gaze swept over the flowers and trees outside the pavilion, which had been trimmed with great care. When he spoke, his voice was steady and unruffled.
I told you about this matter in advance, Mingan. It was simply put on hold for a while. Now, it is merely being brought up again. Besides, His Majesty is clearly serious this time and has shown a lot of sincerity. Furthermore...
His gaze returned to Kong Mingan. It was a look that carried a deep understanding of how the world worked.
I can see that you don't actually seem to object to the idea either.
Kong Mingan found himself slightly speechless. Did he object? He couldn't really say that he did. He was just a little caught off guard by how sudden and uncontrollable the situation had become. He felt like a piece on a game board that had been moved while he wasn't looking. He subconsciously glanced beside him to see how the other person involved was reacting.
Beside him, Princess Xu Tianzhen sat primly. At least, that is how it seemed at first glance. She was pretending to be a well-behaved listener, paying close attention to the conversation between the two elders.
In reality, all of her attention was focused entirely on Kong Mingan. Her small hand was moving stealthily. She was trying to reach for his clothes pocket with the smallest possible movements. Her target was very clear: she wanted that damned recording metal chip!
Her movements were cautious, and she tried very hard to maintain an innocent expression. She wanted to look like she wasn't doing anything at all. However, her sparkling purple eyes and her slightly puffed-out cheeks completely betrayed her. She looked more like a squirrel trying to hide a nut than a princess.
Kong Mingan's lips couldn't help but twitch slightly. He found the feeling very strange. By all rights, Xu Tianzhen's behavior was a severe lack of personal boundaries. It was the kind of thing that should have caused him to feel displeased or even angry. However, she did it so directly and even a bit clumsily. When he combined her actions with her theory about being a princess who just wanted to slack off, it was hard for him to feel any ill will toward her.
Perhaps this is a case of two negatives making a positive? This strange thought inexplicably popped into his head.
Kong Deming saw the small movements between the two young people. His eyes moved subtly, but he did not point out what was happening. He simply continued with the topic they had been discussing, speaking in an earnest tone.
The matter of marriage is ultimately an extra layer of insurance for you. Your capabilities, young man, are already stronger than mine. Among His Majesty's many princes, none of them are truly promising. Well, Xu Tianran is passable, but his intentions are not right.
His desire for control is far too strong, and he is prone to going to extremes. If Xu Tianran takes the throne in the future and I am no longer around to protect you, he will be wary. You have a character that is too lazy to manage things, so he will inevitably guard against you. He will test you over and over until...
Until he finally touches my bottom line? Kong Mingan finished the sentence for his elder.
It seems you have a very clear sense of self-awareness. Kong Deming nodded slightly. He then spoke words that were even more serious. At that time, it might lead to another bloody storm. If you have thoughts of taking the throne, don't feel too much pressure.
Just take that position for yourself. My only request is that the emperor who comes after you must be the child of you and Tianzhen. That is the only way to ensure the bloodline of the Sun Moon Imperial Family continues.
These words were spoken calmly, yet they felt as heavy as a mountain. The air in the pavilion seemed to solidify, making it hard to breathe. Xu Tianzhen, who had been diligently trying to steal the chip, suddenly froze. Her fingers, which had been pulling at his pocket, snapped back instantly.
She looked completely shocked. Was she even supposed to hear something like that? Thoughts of a bloody storm, taking the throne, and continuing the royal bloodline were way too much for her. This completely exceeded her plan of just being a tool for marriage and finding a strong backer!
She immediately sat up straight, her small face looking very taut. Her eyes darted around the room. She looked left and right but did not dare to look at Kong Deming or Kong Mingan. She looked like she wished she could turn into a wooden pillar or slip into a crack in the floor. Her face was filled with tension that clearly said, "I didn't hear anything," and "Please don't kill me to keep me quiet."
Kong Mingan glanced at the uneasy young girl beside him. He looked at his elder with a bit of helplessness, wondering why he would say such things in front of her. Kong Deming understood the look, but he only smiled. It seemed to him that his grandson truly didn't dislike Tianzhen. Seeing this, Kong Deming showed a hint of satisfaction and naturally changed the subject.
With a quick flip of his wrist, a special booklet appeared in his hand. It looked ancient and was bound with thread. On the cover, there were two old-fashioned ink characters that read: Kong Clan Genealogy.
Alright, since the marriage matter is settled, there is no need to say more about it. He pushed the book toward Kong Mingan. This is what you asked me to investigate over a year ago. I had the son of Zhou Ping return to our ancestral home to sort everything out. There was indeed a discovery.
It is just as you suspected. There is a branch of our bloodline on the side of the Tianhun Empire. We lost contact with them long ago. It started with a woman from the Kong Family who married out many years ago.
Kong Mingan took the genealogy book calmly. He did not flip through it right away. Instead, he asked a simple question.
What should I do if there are descendants left?
If there are still descendants and they are willing to come, then bring them back to us. If they don't want to come, there is no need to force them. However, if a Legacy Spirit has appeared among them, things are different.
Kong Deming's eyes became very sharp. You must either bring them back or kill them. The Legacy Spirit of the Sun Moon Empire is not allowed to exist outside of our control.
I understand. If I meet someone with that power and I can't defeat them, I will call you for help.
Kong Deming frowned when he heard that. He realized something was hidden in those words. Is there really someone like that out there?
Yes, they are at Shrek Academy.
This is a problem. Kong Deming's brow furrowed even deeper. If the person were anywhere else, it would be easy to handle. But Shrek Academy was a place that could cause a massive chain reaction if they interfered.
Don't worry, I will try to see if I can poach them and bring them to our side.
Kong Mingan put the genealogy book into his storage spirit tool. He gave his elder a reassuring look and then stood up from his seat.
If there is nothing else to talk about, I am going to head out now.
You... Sigh, alright. You handle it yourself then. Kong Deming's tone was slightly helpless, but he let him go.
Kong Mingan nodded to his elder, then turned around and began to walk away. Xu Tianzhen, who was still trying to act like she didn't exist, was stunned for a moment. She looked at the departing Kong Mingan and then at the imposing figure of Kong Deming. She quickly stood up and gave a hasty bow.
Grandpa Kong, I will also take my leave now!
After saying that, she almost ran out of the pavilion. She tiptoed quickly, trying to catch up to Kong Mingan as fast as she could. Once she caught up, she went back to her eager look.
She followed him closely, staying about half a step behind him as if she were afraid of losing him. Her eyes occasionally glanced at his pocket where the evidence might be hidden. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she kept hesitating.
Kong Mingan noticed her gaze. He found her behavior strangely amusing. He didn't say anything at first. Instead, he used his spirit tool communication device to check on the status of his friends, Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen.
It says they are both busy cultivating right now.
He murmured this to himself and decided not to go find them. Suddenly, Kong Mingan stopped walking and turned around. Xu Tianzhen was following so closely that she almost ran right into his back. She slammed on the brakes just in time. She looked up at him, her purple eyes filled with confusion and a bit of nervousness.
Looking at the young girl in front of him, Kong Mingan felt a sudden spark of interest. He leaned down slightly so he could look directly into her bright eyes.
Is it very boring for you, always staying inside the royal palace?
Huh? Xu Tianzhen didn't react for a second. She subconsciously replied, I guess it's alright.
A slight smile appeared on Kong Mingan's face. He looked at her kindly.
Then, would you like to go out for a stroll with me?
Xu Tianzhen blinked her eyes in surprise. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Wait, really?