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Chapter 98: Chapter 78: Oh No! I’ve Become a Fake Dad

’This brat...’

’What grade is his Flesh Soul, exactly?’

’Good kid!’

’He really hid it well!’

’Even hiding it from me, his own uncle?’

Xiang Yunzhan was furious. With a flick of his right hand, he summoned a long spear into his grasp and charged at Zhao Ci.

”Take this!”

”...”

The sound of clashing weapons in the Tenth Prince’s Mansion rang from morning until noon.

Around noon, Zhao Ci left the Prince’s Mansion, grumbling and cursing.

’That Xiang Yunzhan has no martial ethics,’ he thought. ’To establish his image as a drill-sergeant-from-hell instructor, he just grabbed me and beat me half to death. He held back even less after discovering my spear skills had a solid foundation.’

’It was like the son of a bitch was getting revenge!’

’I got beaten black and blue all morning!’

’But getting beaten up was actually pretty good. Although my understanding of spear techniques has reached a high level, I have very little actual combat experience. Getting thrashed by Xiang Yunzhan a bit more will definitely be beneficial.’

’But I can’t overdo it with this kind of thing.’

’Gotta balance work and rest.’

’Time to go make a loving lunch for that little minx!’

’Those who don’t try hard can only be lapdogs.’

’Only by being attentive in everything...’

’...can you get the good stuff.’

...

「In the Imperial Study.」

Zhao Huan put down the memorial scroll and looked at the young man beside him.

”Is that true?”

”It is!”

The young man nodded gravely. ”Last night, I still had my doubts. But after watching the Tenth Prince spar with General Xiang just now, I can say with near certainty that the Tenth Prince’s Flesh Soul is at least Second-Grade, and possibly even higher!”

This young man was named Zhao Qing, an expert from the Imperial Clan Court assigned to monitor the Tenth Prince’s Mansion.

Everything from the Xingyu Pill Association’s account books to the people Zhao Ci associated with was under his close surveillance.

Everyone knew he was there.

They just didn’t openly acknowledge it.

Zhao Huan drew a sharp breath. He was both shocked and suspicious. After all, Zhao Ci had grown up right under his nose. How could he not know the extent of his son’s strength?

’A Second-Grade Flesh Soul...’

’It’s simply unbelievable!’

’But the Imperial Clan Court had no reason to lie to him.’

’What was going on here that he didn’t know about?’

’If he remembered correctly, Gu Xiangzhu was the one who guarded Zhao Ci during his breakthrough.’

’What methods did that woman use?’

’And why would she help Zhao Ci?’

’Something seemed off.’

Zhao Qing couldn’t help but ask, ”Your Majesty! The Tenth Prince’s cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds. Is it possible you provided him with improper assistance?”

His tone was filled with suspicion.

In the matter of the mansion competition, the Imperial Clan Court was the authority. Not even the Emperor could break its rules.

Zhao Huan’s expression stiffened. ’I’m still confused myself, and you’re questioning me?’ he thought.

He smiled and said, ”The only help I provided was to gift him a Low-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill, which the Imperial Clan Court approved. Although I can mobilize the palace’s resources, they are also under the supervision of the Imperial Clan Court. Even my private treasury’s resources are on file with them. Do you really think I could give him any special treatment?”

For an Emperor to have to justify himself to a subject was, on the face of it, absurd.

But it wasn’t strange at all when it came to the mansion competition. The stability of the nation was at stake, and the country’s fate could not be swayed by the Emperor’s personal preferences. One could even say that in matters of the competition, even the Emperor was subject to supervision.

Years ago, when the Fourth Prince did not enter the Imperial Clan Court, the Emperor was besieged by its high-ranking officials.

If the Imperial Decree hadn’t mediated, and if the Royal Elders hadn’t given their approval, then no matter how much the Emperor favored him, the Fourth Prince would have been carried into the Imperial Clan Court.

But Zhao Qing was relentless. ”Your Majesty! The Tenth Prince has hired General Xiang to train his Mansion Officials. Although General Xiang no longer holds an official post, he is not someone who can be hired under the guise of an ’Alcohol Refining Foreman’. This loophole absolutely cannot be exploited.”

Zhao Huan felt a headache coming on. He looked at Eunuch Li, who was standing to the side. ”Da Ban, go fetch that brat Ci.”

”Yes, Your Majesty!”

Eunuch Li smiled to himself. ’Throughout the entire Great Yu, the Imperial Clan Court is probably the only entity that dares to make things difficult for the Emperor to his face,’ he thought.

Zhao Huan gave Zhao Qing a faint smile, then picked up a memorial scroll and resumed his work.

But unexpectedly, not a moment later, Eunuch Li returned with Zhao Ci.

”Your son greets you, Father Emperor!”

”Hm?”

Zhao Huan was surprised. ”How did you get here so quickly?”

Zhao Ci pursed his lips. ”Replying to Father Emperor, your son was just on his way to Wangshu Palace and happened to run into Eunuch Li.”

”I see!”

A flicker of understanding crossed Zhao Huan’s eyes. In the past, Gu Xiangzhu had always seen Zhao Ci as a burden, avoiding him whenever possible. But it seemed that ever since the Alcohol Refining Skill appeared, she had been summoning Zhao Ci to Wangshu Palace every few days.

’But judging by Zhao Ci’s reaction, this last-minute display of mother-son affection seems to be quite effective,’ he mused.

’That woman certainly has her methods.’

He smiled. ”I hear you’ve asked your uncle to train your Mansion Officials?”

”Yes!”

Zhao Ci glanced at Zhao Qing, already understanding the situation. He spoke directly, ”I promised that the Xingyu Pill Association would supply the Xiang Clan’s consumption of Qi Cultivation Pills in Lingge at cost, in exchange for my uncle’s help in training my Mansion Officials. Does Steward Qing find that arrangement suitable?”

”Well...”

Zhao Qing, who had been poised for a confrontation, instantly relaxed upon hearing this explanation.

’If those are the terms, then it’s justifiable. Although it isn’t a huge expense for the Xingyu Pill Association, it’s a pretty good deal for the Xiang Clan.’

He smiled and nodded. ”That is indeed suitable. However, I must ask Your Highness to sign a written contract with the Xiang Clan so that I may report it to the Imperial Clan Court. Also, regarding Your Highness’s Flesh Soul...”

Zhao Huan also leaned forward slightly, looking at Zhao Ci with great interest.

He was also very curious about this matter.

”Oh!”

Zhao Ci nodded. ”You mean my First-Grade Flesh Soul!”

Zhao Qing: ”...”

Zhao Huan: ”...”

What...?

What grade?

A First-Grade Flesh Soul?

Zhao Ci put on a curious expression. ”What’s with those faces? I thought you already knew!”