The Beautiful CEO's Dragon Blood Bodyguard

Chapter 2589: Chapter 2587: A Ruthless Move

The next day, all the feudal lords finished handling court affairs and began preparations to return to their own fiefdoms.

The Imperial Decree arrived, stopping King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia at the inn, commanding him to come to court for an audience.

Li Yuanhao, unaware of the matter, received the decree and stood in place with a somber expression.

Song Gongming, from the same floor, hurried up and slipped some Spirit Stones to the eunuch delivering the decree, quietly asked, "Do you know why Your Majesty suddenly issued a decree to summon him?"

The eunuch swung the horsetail whisk, rested it on his wrist, and smiled sinisterly, "Of course, it’s a good thing, and a tremendously good thing. Please, King of Western Xia, do not delay, lest Your Majesty becomes angry."

"Go then, I am not afraid of those treacherous ministers!"

King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia vaguely suspected that it was the work of Cai Jing and his cronies; nonetheless, he led his men and followed the eunuch into the Imperial Palace to hear the decree.

Outside the Golden Throne Hall, King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia knelt at the bottom of ninety-nine steps.

A eunuch announced the decree to him, "I have always known King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia to be loyal and devoted to the country, governing the frontier well, with intentions to reward generously. I bestow upon you ten thousand bolts of silk and brocade, a thousand acres of land, and confer the title of Loyal King as the foremost among all."

King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia furrowed his brows, unsure of the emperor’s intentions.

Following this, the eunuch disclosed something that made his head spin, "I have, in these years, labored in the realm, exerting my influence across the land, gaining the submission of all subjects under the Four Seas. I have heard that King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia teaches his daughter well, and Li Shishi is gracious and well-versed in poetry, literature, and music. I wish to form a matrimonial alliance with King of Western Xia by taking his daughter, Li Shishi, into the palace as a consort, to manifest royal grace!"

King Li Yuanhao’s head thundered, temporarily unable to hear the outside world.

The eunuch finished reading and had the decree delivered to him below.

The junior eunuch called several times, "King of Western Xia, accept the decree!"

King Li Yuanhao knelt on the ground without responding for a long time.

After returning with the decree, he encountered Left Chancellor Wang Fu and Right Chancellor Li Bangyan upon leaving the palace.

The two greeted him with sly, congratulatory smiles, their eyes filled with glee.

King Li Yuanhao felt stifled, grabbed Wang Fu by the collar, and angrily asked, "You treacherous minister, is this your idea?"

Standing nearly two meters tall, he was powerful and lifted Wang Fu up.

Li Bangyan, frightened, waved and shouted, "Someone, there’s rebellion afoot, hurry, someone!"

The Imperial Army immediately surrounded them with their guns. Lin Chong, the leader of the patrolling Imperial Army outside the gate, hurried over, and firmly addressed King Li Yuanhao, "King of Western Xia, please stop, do not make things difficult for me!"

King Li Yuanhao was filled with murderous aura, his face flushed, gripping Wang Fu’s throat, making his bones crack.

In anger, he released his grip and threw Wang Fu to the ground.

Wang Fu straightened his attire and angrily retorted, "You bold Li Yuanhao, you dare to act against the court’s Assistant Minister; are you contemplating rebellion?"

"You two treacherous ministers, you foment chaos in the court, hoping for unrest throughout the realm, let us see what awaits!"

Li Yuanhao pointed angrily at him and Li Bangyan, furiously flicking his sleeves as he walked away.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan exchanged cold, mocking smiles, continually sneering, "Western barbarian, refusing what is offered. The Emperor marrying your daughter is the greatest honor for the Li Family; do you truly think yourself of Great Tang lineage, born with noble Dragon Blood?"

Li Bangyan warmly acknowledged Lin Chong with clasped fists, "Thank you, General Lin, for stepping in to help!"

Lin Chong nodded without engaging with them, turned and patrolled elsewhere, leaving.

The two faced awkwardness and, in a discourse behind, commented, "Admire him? Not without your sister’s help did he gain this position."

"Let’s drink, let’s drink, let’s not stoop to the level of these martial warriors!"

Wang Fu gave a sinister smile, placed his arm on Li Bangyan’s shoulder, and left.

In the inn, Li Yuanhao tore the Imperial Decree into pieces, slapping the table into fragments.

His subordinates stood frightened outside, listening to the sounds from inside without knowing what decree the Emperor had issued to enrage King Li Yuanhao so much.

Someone called Duke Song Gongming of Qi over, asking at the door, "Brother Li, may I come in?"

Li Yuanhao swallowed a breath, opened the door, and invited Song Gongming in.

Song Gongming closed the door, surveyed the room, and asked with concern, "Brother Li, what has happened exactly?"

Li Yuanhao slumped to the chair, slapped the back of the chair sternly, remaining indignant, "Treacherous ministers rule the court, bringing chaos, they’re forcing the Emperor to issue a decree, taking my daughter into the palace as a consort."

"What?"

Song Gongming was taken aback, momentarily lost for words.

He anticipated Cai Jing and his group would attack, but not with such malicious tactics, directly striking at King Li Yuanhao’s vulnerable spot.

He knew well that King Li Yuanhao treasured this daughter extraordinarily, holding her as his jewel, so precious even in his palm.

Now, wanting to send his daughter to the palace, King Li Yuanhao would surely refuse.

Li Yuanhao remained silent for a moment, stood and clasped fists with Song Gongming, "I deeply appreciate Duke Song Gongming of Qi’s assistance during this visit to the Capital City; I will remember this kindness. If there’s ever an opportunity, I will repay doubly!"

Song Gongming clasped fists and nodded, offered his counsel, "Under heaven, none is not royal soil; all borders belong to the court. King Li Yuanhao’s loyal heart is clear as the sun and the moon. Please, consider carefully your actions in the future. If there is trouble, don’t hesitate to send someone to Qizhou to find your brothers; we’ll spare no effort to assist."

"Thank you!"

King Li Yuanhao’s complexion darkened, ordered his men to pack up, and promptly departed the Capital City with his subordinates.

Song Gongming shook his head and sighed, taking his two sons as well without lingering long in the Capital City, quickly returning to Qizhou.

At Cai Jing’s residence, Wang Fu and Li Bangyan elaborated on King Li Yuanhao’s reaction.

The old man sipping tea laughed sinisterly.

He informed them, "This is just the first step; given King Li Yuanhao’s temper, he is bound to be exceedingly unwilling. You must stoke the fire further, let the official delivering the gifts to display exuberance. Arriving in Western Xia, you must exhibit the grand etiquette of our Great Song. Against barbarians, treat them with the might of Thunderbolt."

"Grand Tutor Gao Ming!"

The two laughed slyly and, after bidding farewell to Cai Jing, coincidentally encountered a handsome young man entering as they departed.

This young man was clad in a meticulously crafted robe with gold-embroidered edges, wearing a golden flower on his head, and courteously greeted the two.

The two nodded and left, commenting between each other, "Who is this man?"

"Seems to be the Grand Tutor’s adopted son, called something like Ximen Qing!"

"That herbal merchant?"

"Yes, yes. His family is in the herbal trade, with shops across Great Song’s prefectural government offices, quite powerful."

"The merchant’s path, though glamorous, ultimately reeks of the stench of money, unworthy of prestige!"

Li Bangyan cast disdainful eyes, his background solidly rooted in the imperial examination, with a talent for composing poetry.

In his youth, he was renowned in the Capital City and acclaimed as a charismatic Prime Minister of his generation.

Wang Fu laughed heartily, maintaining less disdain, with relatively favorable impressions of Ximen Qing.

Due to Ximen Qing’s attempts to ingratiate himself with Cai Jing, walking through his connections, stuffing them with considerable wealth; his family even held a stake in Ximen Qing’s herbal trading.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!