Chapter 1997: Wang Chongs Status! (1/2)

Edited by: Michyrr

”Heh, we are not the ones Lord Prime Minister wants to greet, yes?” Wang Chong suddenly said, a faint hint of derision in his eyes.

”I have long heard of Lord Prime Minister's gregarious manner, but I did not think that Lord Prime Minister's connections would even go so far as distant Youzhou in the northeast, and you would already be familiar with the new Andong Protector-General that few have met. As expected of the model for my generation! This one is full of admiration!”

Li Linfu's smile instantly froze.

Li Linfu had clearly not expected Wang Chong to give him no face at all in front of so many people.

But it took only a second for Li Linfu to get ahold of himself, smiling as if he had heard none of the implication in Wang Chong's words.

”A good joke, Your Highness. I'm afraid that Your Highness must have developed a misunderstanding over the incident at the gate. An Yaluoshan is a new honored subject of the court, one who has rendered great service for the empire. As the Prime Minister, I must naturally go to personally welcome him to express the courtesy of my court. I did not expect Your Highness and the new Andong Protector-General to have past quarrels. This truly left me surprised.”

'Honey in mouth, sword in belly.' Li Linfu had so quickly adjusted himself, treating everything as a misunderstanding, that even Wang Chong was forced to admire this conniving man.

The old fox had stood firm in the court for many years, experiencing all sorts of storms and maintaining an iron grip on the Prime Minister position while remaining unexposed. Great skill and ability could be found on this man. Considering that he was Prime Minister, it was incredible how he was able to endure it all, swallow all his pride, and make up an excuse for everything while remaining unperturbed the whole time.

Wang Chong leaned forward and coldly whispered, ”Hmph, Lord Prime Minister, it is enough that you and I know. What's the point in trying to deceive yourself by deceiving others?

”And besides, Milord does not think I don't know what you've done, do you?” Wang Chong said through a message technique.

Whoosh!

Li Linfu instantly grimaced.

But after saying this, Wang Chong paid him no more mind.

”Your Highness, Lord Zhangchou, it's about time. Let's head in!”

Wang Chong waved his sleeve and walked around Li Linfu as if he had never met the man.

”Lord Prime Minister, we'll be taking our leave. Excuse us!”

King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong gave hand salutes before walking past, showing none of their past deference.

Sometimes, one was unable to see the truth of matters in the past because one had simply not considered the possibility. But both of them had seen Li Linfu help An Yaluoshan at the gate deal with Wang Chong, and not even Li Linfu's eloquent tongue could change this.

Li Linfu's words were only able to deceive himself.

Those who walked different paths could not conspire together. As they no longer walked together, they naturally no longer needed to keep up the excessive courtesy. When they looked back at various incidents, including those involving Consort Taizhen, King Qi, and even the recent selection of women for the 'Sage Emperor', Li Linfu had probably played an inglorious role in all of them.

The group quickly departed.

Behind them, Li Linfu simply stood there, speechless, his face shifting between green and white.

This was the first time since he had reached this post that anyone had ever disrespected him this much!

”Hmph!”

Li Linfu quickly got ahold of himself. His eyes coldly flashed as he turned around and walked off, pretending nothing had happened.

Several quick-witted minor eunuchs spotted Wang Chong's group and came forward.

”Your Highness, Lady Xu, everything is ready and waiting. Please, this way!”

Wang Chong nodded. After saying a few words to King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong, he went to the right with Xu Qiqin.

The hierarchy of the Imperial Court was strict, and every official and general had his proper position. King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong were not seated with Wang Chong.

”Your Highness, please come this way!” a minor eunuch said, and Wang Chong followed.

The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal formed a gigantic 'U', with the officials and foreign emissaries arranged on the two sides. Behind them were palace maids holding water jars engraved with golden turtles. On each table covered in golden cloth was a golden goblet, studded with red jewels, and a few plates of food.

Wang Chong looked around and saw that the majority of seats were full. Those seated around him were almost all the most powerful of the emissaries sent by the foreign countries.

Wang Chong quickly focused and took his seat on the right side of the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal's 'U', one of the seats closest to the Sage Emperor's throne.

The right side was a position of respect, and Wang Chong's seat could be considered the most eminent seat in the entire feast of all countries, even above Prime Minister Li Linfu and King Song. There was currently no disputing Wang Chong's current status.

As for Xu Qiqin…