Protect Our Clan Leader

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This was his own tent.

Having fought and won a great victory, it was only here that he truly relaxed.

In the tent, a young scholar dressed in a long robe was sitting behind a narrow desk, head lowered, writing something.

Seeing the Kang Commandery Prince enter, he stood up and saluted him, saying with a smile, "Your Highness, congratulations on your triumphant return. This time, you have really enhanced Da Qian's prestige. I've heard that even in the Immortal Dynasty, many are paying attention to you."

"Fourteenth Uncle, you're teasing me again."

The Kang Commandery Prince took off his helmet and straightened his appearance before sitting down opposite the young scholar, laughing, "The little credit I gained is considered outstanding in Da Qian, but it pales in comparison to the most formidable elites of the Immortal Dynasty."

This young scholar was named Zhao Zhikun, a direct descendant of the Second Class Zhao Clan, and one of the divine ability species of his generation. Despite appearing young, he was actually over three hundred years old. In terms of seniority, he was two generations above the Kang Commandery Prince.

The Kang Commandery Prince's consort, Zhao Jingyi, was Zhao Zhikun's direct niece's granddaughter.

This time, the Kang Commandery Prince had won a significant victory, and even before he returned, news had already spread from the front lines. As a staff officer for the Kang Commandery Prince, Zhao Zhikun was naturally privy to the information.

"I am currently drafting a memorial to submit to the court to commend you," Zhao Zhikun, resuming his seat, picked up the memorial he was writing and said with a smile, "With this victory, Your Highness's military record is now quite admirable. I think, from now on, no one should be able to question Your Highness's capabilities in this regard. The princes from the Imperial Household who rose through military merit will recognize you more, and it will be easier to gain their support in the future."

The Kang Commandery Prince nodded, "Indeed. This battle was won beautifully. It was worthwhile specifically asking Brother GongYang to make a trip to the Frost Moon Immortal Dynasty to find someone to refine the Soul-shaking Bell for me."

In fact, it was largely thanks to the Soul-shaking Bell that such an impressive victory was achieved. Otherwise, relying solely on his own abilities, while he might not have lost, winning so handsomely would have been difficult.

While they were speaking, Zhao Zhikun pulled out an animal skin-sealed letter from the stack of documents on the narrow desk and handed it to the Kang Commandery Prince, "By the way, here is a family letter sent by Jingyi. According to the servant who delivered it, this letter seems quite important, though I'm not sure what it's about."

The Kang Commandery Prince took the letter, opened it and after one glance, his expression suddenly changed.

"Your Highness, what's the matter?" Zhao Zhikun asked with some confusion.

The Kang Commandery Prince's brows furrowed, and he did not speak, continuing to read. Only after finishing the entire letter, he turned back and stared at parts of the content several times, savoring the details carefully.

Watching the Kang Commandery Prince's reaction, Zhao Zhikun felt increasingly puzzled but dared not interrupt, quietly waiting instead.

After a while, the Kang Commandery Prince let out a long breath and handed the letter to Zhao Zhikun. He himself grabbed a jug of wine nearby, poured himself a cup, and gulped it down.

Zhao Zhikun's curiosity grew, but his hands moved quickly, opening the letter to read.

Suddenly.

His face also changed.

"This Wu Yingji... Your Highness has been tolerant in order to gain his support, enduring several occasions when he disrespected you without taking offense, and yet he remains so ignorant!" Zhao Zhikun's face darkened, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes, "This matter cannot be left as it is."

"The Royal Uncle is, after all, the eldest son of the Sixth Grandfather, and even I can't do anything to him. He probably counted on this, which is why he dares to be so presumptuous," the Kang Commandery Prince said, putting down his wine cup, his face also looking grim, "Fortunately, the Old Ancestor in the end is still biased towards us. An edict was issued immediately to pacify the situation and also conferred the title of Second Class Commandery Prince Consort upon Jingyi, which kind of salvaged some face for us. Moreover, the Royal Uncle is of the Direct Line; even if he stops supporting me, he would not overtly support Wu Mingyuan. Otherwise, leaving De Xin, the Old Ancestor aside, he wouldn't be able to get past the Sixth Grandfather."

"Your Highness, do you plan just to let this go?" Zhao Zhikun looked at the Kang Commandery Prince.

"Of course not," The Kang Commandery Prince's eyes dropped, a trace of coldness flickering through his profound depths, "I may not be able to do anything to the Royal Uncle, but that doesn't mean I can't settle scores with others."

"Do you mean the Wang family?" Zhao Zhikun caught on, picking up the letter again to scan it, his brows slowly furrowing, "This Wang family is indeed no simple matter, to have repeatedly acted in such a short time, creating such an uproar, and catching us unprepared. Judging from their actions, this series of moves must not be an impromptu idea but a long-premeditated plan; it seems we have been used as a stepping stone."

"Indeed, the Wang family must not be underestimated. No wonder Brother GongYang valued them so highly and repeatedly tried to woo or suppress them. It seems I was mistaken in not taking them seriously," the Kang Commandery Prince stroked his wine cup, "But however formidable the Wang family might be, they are merely a Grade Six Prominent Family, mere ants in the eyes of the Imperial Household. Now, the most crucial thing is to somehow mitigate the adverse effects caused by the Royal Uncle's betrayal. Fourteenth Uncle, do you have any strategy for this?"

Zhao Zhikun pondered for a moment, then said, "Regarding this, I do have a plan."

"Oh? Please speak, Fourteenth Uncle."

"Originally, Grand Aunt Xiqing married into the Imperial Household, and although things eventually took an unexpected turn, she was still the princely consort of Prince Yong'an, a daughter-in-law of the Imperial Family. Thus, the Imperial Household owes the Zhao Clan a Great Heavenly Proud," Zhao Zhikun tapped on the table, pondering, "Now, Little Princess Xue Ning is also fourteen."

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