Chapter 255：The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

When the imperial edict arrived at Wen Yuan March, Fang-shi and Old Marquess Wen Yuan were naturally ecstatic, Li-shi, Zhao Xin Ran and the others were stamp with fury, hating that they couldn't send people to the March to beat some sense into them.

"My poor Xu-er ah! That's obviously your title, but that uppity slut stole it from you, how can you gain a foothold in the capital when you grow up?! His Majesty must be muddle-headed, how could he let a concubine oppress the first wife, and allow a common son to seize the title. To treat the clan rites as nothing, how does he… …"

"Enough!" Not waiting for Li-shi's rant to finish, Zhao Xuan gloomily cut her off. He was now feeling very irritated, because of that Jezebel Zhao Bi Xuan, Qi Yi Ning was being so dismissive of social customs, he really wanted to tie him up and teach him a good lesson. But no matter how angry he was, he still couldn't listen to others slander that man.

"You dare criticize the Emperor, do you have a few extra heads? Watch what you say from now on, or I won't be able to protect you. I'll give Xu-er my title in the future, if you're still not at ease, I'll write a memorial to the Emperor right now to request it." He looked down and stroked his ornamental thumb ring.

"You'll give the Duke Yu Gou title to Xu-er? What about your heirs?" Li-shi was alarmed.

"I won't have any heirs, so I'll be able to pass the title to Xu-er."

"Why wouldn't you have any heirs? What do you mean… don't tell me you don't intend to marry and have children… oh no, were you injured at the border? My poor son, how could you be born under such an evil star?! *sobs*" Li-shi repeatedly questioned, feeling more and more convinced that her last guess was the truth, she couldn't help but burst into tears.

After her previous marriage arrangement ended, Zhao Xin Ran was given another marriage by her older brother. The bride-groom's official post was not high, but he had no parents and brothers, his body was clean, and he had no concubines. Plus he was her brother's subordinate, he was naturally loyal to him and followed his advice- the wife is the master of the household. So there were no bothersome common children, no concubines to stir up trouble, and not to mention, more days of leisure. So nowadays she was very complacent. Hearing the news, she had rushed over to comfort her mother, only to learn that her older brother had been injured and couldn't bear heirs. Also overcome with grief, she laid her head on her mother's shoulder and wept silently.

Six year old Zhao Xu chased a passing cricket into the room. He walked a few laps around the two huddled people, then also burst into tears, pushing the servants into a flustered flurry.

Zhao Xuan simply didn't want to pay attention to the hurricane passing through the house, he just went for a stroll through the bustling streets with a gloomy face. He debated sneaking into the palace at night, to peel off that man's clothes and thoroughly chide him, the more he thought about it, the more countless wicked thoughts rose up from his heart.

"Big Brother Zhao, did you come to join me for a drink?" Suddenly, someone beckoned him from above, looking up, it was actually the Gong Prince, Qi Jin Yu.

Because of their childhood encounter, the Gong Prince was always very congenial with him, often slipping out of the palace to play with him, left and right shouting 'Big Brother Zhao', very affectionate. Without the slightest bit of princely haughtiness, he actually tried to meet with him as an equal. At that time, Zhao Xuan was looking for a foothold to the top, so it was a mutual exchange of greetings. This friendship was originally a political investment, but in the end it didn't pay off. Instead, it was the Emperor who raised him up, until he finally became today's Duke Yu Gou. No matter how arrogant Zhao Xuan was, even he knew how to show basic gratitude, so he naturally wouldn't be easily won over by the Gong Prince. And now that the person sitting on the throne became the one his heart longed for, it was even more impossible for him to be swayed. He could bully that man, but no one else was allowed to touch him.

Zhao Xuan inwardly sneered, but his expression was very genial as he walked into the restaurant. This was the capital's largest and most elegant restaurant, the architecture was designed in the shape of a well, four rather simple buildings wrapped around a garden full of exotic flowers. When sitting upstairs, you could enjoy the gourmet food while appreciating the beautiful scenery, the taste buds and spirit both greatly satisfied. Several pavilions were arranged in the garden, surrounded by weeping willows, gentle breeze, and pleasant scenery. You could eat a meal there- reserving a single seat costs 12 silver- but there was still no shortage of dignitaries competing for a reservation.

"How come you're not eating in the pavilion?" Zhao Xuan had eaten at this restaurant with Qi Jin Yu several times, but they always ate in the garden, never on the second floor.

"Someone reserved the whole thing." Qi Jin Yu laughed.

Pupils flashing, Zhao Xuan smiled, "Oh, which immortal has descended to the mortal realm to make the shopkeeper deny even you, the majestic Gong Prince, a seat?" Although he asked this, he had already guessed this person's identity. Recalling the man's bright eyes and crimson cheeks, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly – Indeed, he really is a Ninth Heaven god descended to the mortal world.

"Who else?" Qi Jin Yu pointed to the crown of his head, his meaning self-evident.

As it should be. Zhao Xuan picked up a wine glass and savored it, very contented.

"That said, Brother Emperor has been regulating the army a lot recently, he should reach the Northwest Army in a few days. Big Brother Zhao, you should be prepared for the worst. Big Brother Zhao shed so much blood in the Northwest, and grew accustomed to seeing swords and spears coming from the front, you might not know how to deal with the dark tides and schemes the imperial court's wars can produce. And look at all the recent imperial court cleansings, look at how many people have lost their heads… Forget about the courtiers, even I'm on edge. I'm scared that I'll be viewed as useless someday." Qi Jin Yu gulped down his glass, his expression sorrowful.

This speech was deliberate, one, to drive a wedge between Zhao Xuan and the Emperor, warning him that if he stood together with the Emperor, beware of being killed off once his value was used up; two, hinting at him to become his ally. Qi Jin Yu worked hard on this plan for three years, he even sent his most beloved woman to seduce his enemy, but just as that supreme position was almost within his grasp, the Emperor suddenly went mad, rooting out his fledging wings in two or three yanks. On one hand, he was fearful of the other party's decisive, swift, and ruthless methods, on the other hand, he was extremely reluctant to give up.

Zhao Xuan sighed gloomily when he heard these words, but he was sneering indignantly in his heart. This man was scheming against him on the front foot, and roping him in on the hind foot, did he take everyone else for a fool? If it was the past, he might go along with him out of boredom, but that was now impossible. He was the only one in the world who could touch that man, if others tried to meddle, he would make them pay a painful price.

Just as he thought this, the sound of rowdy teenagers came from downstairs, the two put down their wine glasses and looked down, it turned out to be Zhao Ji Dong leading a group of smartly dressed scholars into the restaurant. The group was led into the magnificent pavilion by a waiter and took their seats. A moment later, a young man holding an exquisite fan and dressed in a green scholar garment slowly walked in, and the clamor in the lobby abruptly quieted down. The dignitaries grew silent because they recognized him, but the ordinary diners forgot how to speak because this man's appearance was truly peerless.

He was tall and lean like bamboo, his temperament elegant and frosty, proud, an extraordinarily handsome jade face, black eyes glittering like cold stars. He soundlessly stepped in, like a walking cloud, very enchanting. The diners admired the beautiful man, and as he walked further in, a few nobles rushed over to him, wishing to pay respects.

Zhou Yun Sheng waved, pointing to his scholar garments, hinting that he was out in incognito today, so they shouldn't reveal his identity. The nobles bowed and nodded, giving light greetings.

When he'd walked in, Qi Jin Yu had pulled closed the booth's bamboo curtain, to prevent him from seeing them. Zhao Xuan stood behind the bamboo curtain, admiring the man through a gap in the curtain. Seeing him dressed in scholarly clothes, walking with the wind, he couldn't help but sneer. In just a few days, the man once again began attracting the bees and butterflies, so carefree, it was obvious that he'd gotten over the past events. At that time, he really shouldn't have let him have these days of freedom in order to cherish him.

Was he not memorable? Then from now on he'd be unforgettable.

Qi Jin Yu saw Zhao Xuan's ​​sneer and snickered with delight in his heart, even more convinced that the other man was dissatisfied with Qi Yi Ning. The two's booth was directly facing the pavilion, just by glancing sideways, they would have a panoramic view of everything that went on in the pavilion. They watched as Zhao Ji Dong stood up to greet the other man, who walked over and patted his shoulder with his fan, his attitude very intimate. The surrounding scholars took in his appearance and bearing, as silent as the previous crowd, then chatted with him in quick succession after returning to reality.

Because the previous Emperor was particularly bias to appearances, as long as an official was handsome, he would promote them more frequently than their homely colleagues, and among the princes, he was especially fond of his beautiful third son. In order to support him, he didn't hesitate to force the Empress to adopt him and give him the status of the first wife's child. Shortly before death, he even wrote out an imperial decree to have the third prince succeed the throne, using modern words to describe him – he had a beauty complex. And as the saying goes, subordinates follow the examples of their superiors, so the people of Da Qi also adopted the previous Emperor's beauty addiction. They always treated beautiful people generously, and attached great importance to their own appearance. Not only do the women wear extravagant dresses and makeup, even the men often apply powder, wear fancy hairpins, and shape their eyebrows before parading themselves around the city.

Beauties were everywhere, but it was still extremely rare to come across someone so beautiful. Everyone glanced at Zhao Ji Dong, who was almost a male version of Hui Yi Imperial Consort, then glanced back at the other man. Each of them sighed in their hearts, this person truly was Da Qi's first beauty. They seemed to have forgotten, the previous Emperor had also admired and called the third prince with this title, just by recalling this, they could easily guess this person's identity.

Soon the lively atmosphere returned, but still with looks of awe, there were several people overwhelmed by his beauty, feeling dizzy, and some who kept offering him drinks. Zhou Yun Sheng knew that his lover was watching him from the second floor, because his scorching eyes were almost burning holes into his clothes. How was he feeling right now? Seeing but unable to eat, his heart and lungs must be very itchy right?

Thinking of this, Zhou Yun Sheng felt somewhat exhilarated, and accepted whenever someone proposed a toast. Zhao Ji Dong was planning to help him block the wine, but gave up after seeing him eagerly accept the offers. After tipsiness set in, someone proposed a poetry competition, and immediately obtained everyone's enthusiastic agreement.