Chapter 198 Secret Discussion

When Longtai mentioned swordsmanship, Yang Ning’s heart was filled with some complacency. He secretly thought that Bai Yuhe’s swordplay was also very good, perhaps only better compared to Xiang Tianbei. He defeated Bai Yuhe in the swordplay match with just one strike. He wondered if Xiang Tianbei could be his opponent.

But he was aware that of course it was because the strike was strange and mysterious, but it was also because Bai Yuhe underestimated him. If the opponent went all out, Yang Ning really couldn’t make sure if he could survive with the few moves he barely remembered from a real swordsman.

Now the most frustrating thing for Yang Ning was the unknown whereabouts of the sword diagrams.

Though Yang Ning had a vague sense the sword diagrams were unusual before the sword match with Bai Yuhe in the Temple of Great Light. But it was until the move with which he defeated Bai Yuhe did he really pay attention to it.

But at that time, the sword diagrams had disappeared.

He remembered clearly that he was sent to the Temple of Great Light after he fell into a coma. Before the coma, the sword diagrams were hidden in his chest. In that situation, people in the Mansion of Marquis must be anxious seeing him in a coma and shouldn’t notice to search for something from his arms. Even if it was really packed up by Gu Qinghan, she should return it to him after he got back.

But Gu Qinghan didn’t mention it all through. She shouldn’t have seen the sword diagrams.

Yang Ning couldn’t locate the sword diagrams, thinking it’s most possible that it fell in the hands of the monks of the Temple of Great Light.

Seeing Yang Ning pondering, Longtai asked, “Qi Ning, what are you thinking about?”

Yang Ning came back to his senses and said, “Your Majesty, the ten most famous swords in the world that you mentioned should all be treasures, right?”

Longtai laughed, “That’s not really true. To me, a few swords are nothing, but to those who use them, they are treasures that cannot be exchanged with anything.” And then he said, “Don’t change the topic. You haven’t answered what I asked you. If I were to crown the Marquis of Loyalty as a duke, what do you think?”

Yang Ning sighed, “Your Majesty, you know that I am… I am the fake Marquis of Honor, and what can I say?”

Longtai’s face darkened and he stared at Yang Ning, said in a cold voice, “Let me ask you, do you want to be honored and rich, or do you want to have your head chopped off immediately?”

“Your Majesty, you…” Yang Ning was startled. Longtai’s cold face and stern tone didn’t make him seem like joking. He thought to be in the emperor’s company is tantamount to living with a tiger. The kid turned hostile with just one improper answer.

Longtai said coldly, “I don’t know what fake Marquis of Honor. In front of me, you are Qi Ning. Marquis of Honor is loyal to the country, and if you are Marquis of Honor, I will treat you right. But if you say you are the fake Marquis of Honor, then I will have you dragged out and beheaded. Deceiving the emperor is an unforgivable crime!”

Yang Ning was stunned and opened his mouth. Of course he understood what Longtai meant. He tried to calm down and said, “Your Majesty, I … I am Qi Ning. I am the Honor Marquis of Chu.”

“Then mark my words one last time,” Longtai said slowly, “I’m telling you to forget your previous identity. From now on, I won’t mention it again, and you don’t have to think about it.”

“That’s good for me.” Yang Ning relieved and set his heart at rest. He said, “Your Majesty, there will only be Marquis of Honor, Qi Ning, in the future, no… Hehe.” He thought, “The emperor is a loyal friend though. With the emperor being there for himself, he didn’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Since even the emperor allowed him to be the Marquis of Honor, then from now on he would be Qi Ning.

“The Empress Dowager has asked me to promote the title of Marquis of Loyalty and make Sima Lan’s son inherit the title of Marquis of Loyalty.” Longtai’s gaze was sharp, “This Sima family’s glory is unparalleled.”

“Your Majesty, Sima Lan is the Marquis of Loyalty?” Qi Ning frowned and asked, “Then … Then is Sima Wanqiong…?”

“Sima Wanqiong is the granddaughter of the Marquis of Loyalty, and the niece of the current Empress Dowager.” Longtai said, “Qi Ning, you’re now the Marquis of Honor, how come you know nothing about this? You still don’t know who the Marquis of Loyalty is?”

Only then did Qi Ning come to a sudden realization, “Your Majesty, in that case, the Empress Dowager… The Empress Dowager is the daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty, who was once the national father-in-law of Chu?”

Longtai nodded his head and said, “Otherwise, how could the Empress Dowager ask for the title for the Marquis of Loyalty?” With a sneer, he said, “If I do as the Empress Dowager told me, then Sima Lan becomes a duke, his son inherits the title of Marquis of Loyalty, Sima Wanqiong enters the palace and becomes the Empress, plus she is the Empress Dowager, won’t the whole court and the harem be under the Sima family?”

“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager came for the title. Do you think it is the Empress Dowager’s own intention, or the Marquis of Loyalty’s?” Qi Ning pondered before asking in a soft voice.

Longtai said, “The Marquis of Loyalty was sophisticated and experienced. He shouldn’t make it clear to Empress Dowager even if he had the thought in mind. But recently, the Marquis of Loyalty came into the palace every other day and often got to see the Empress Dowager who might see right through him. I won’t deny that at the critical moment when Father was seriously ill, it was indeed the Marquis of Loyalty who stabilized the situation with his men. If there hadn’t been the Marquis of Loyalty’s assistance, I really wouldn’t know what to do.”

“In that case, the Marquis of Loyalty has indeed made a great contribution.” Qi Ning said.

“So I’m indeed grateful for the Marquis of Loyalty.” Longtai said, “I’m not going to hide it from you, these days, I’ve always regarded the Marquis of Loyalty as the key stand. After ascending the throne, I’ve been thinking whether he should be greatly rewarded, but…!” He proceeded after a pause, “I haven’t yet thought of what kind of reward should be given to him. But the Empress Dowager has repeatedly mentioned this to me when I went over to pay my respects, seeming to be worried that I would forget this.”

“The Empress Dowager has previously mentioned to promote the Marquis of Loyalty?”

Longtai shook his head and said, “Although she didn’t get this out in the open, I knew clearly her intention. I’m afraid she couldn’t wait any longer and personally came over to make it clear to me today.” Looking at Qi Ning, he asked, “Qi Ning, what do you think I should do?”

Qi Ning thought for a moment before saying, “Your Majesty, in fact the most important thing is not what the Empress Dowager has in mind, but what the Marquis of Loyalty is exactly thinking.”

Longtai nodded and said, “You are right. On his deathbed, Father told the Marquis of Loyalty to do his best to assist me. the Marquis of Loyalty’s performance at that time satisfied both Father and me. I also know the Marquis of Loyalty has always been low-key and loyal to the court, who also did his best to escort me.” After a pause, as if thinking, he said, “So I’m confused if the Empress Dowager spoke for herself or for the Marquis of Loyalty.”

“Your Majesty, with all due respect, this is really not that difficult to handle.” Qi Ning smiled, “And through this, Your Majesty can see through the minds of many people.”

Longtai’s eyes lit up and said, “Qi Ning, tell me, how to deal with it?”

At that moment, Fan Dehai’s voice sounded from outside, “Your Majesty, the dinner is ready. Are you having it now?”

Longtai said, “Send it in!”

Soon Fan Dehai led a few young eunuchs carrying a table in. After the table and chairs were set, more than ten young eunuchs came in, filled the table with dishes. Fan Dehai said, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has instructed me that though royal meal is casual, there at least should be eight meat and eight vegetables dishes. Not one shall be missing, otherwise it’ll sabotage the stateliness of the royal family.”

Qi Ning made a glance. There were really eighteen dishes on the table.

Longtai said indifferently, “Royal stateliness resides not in some dishes.” Waving his hand, he said, “Get out of here. The Marquis of Honor is here to accompany me for dinner, so you don’t have to serve here.”

Fan Dehai attentively said, “Your Majesty, I’d better stay to serve.”

“I said no.” Longtai said impatiently, “I have something to discuss with the Marquis of Honor. Others are not allowed to disturb.”

Fan Dehai agreed and asked the eunuchs to move the lamp stand over. The table was suddenly as bright as daylight. Until Fan Dehai and the eunuchs got away, Longtai first sat down and moved his mouth, indicating Qi Ning to sit down. Qi Ning smiled and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Then he directly sat down beside Longtai.

Longtai was not in a hurry to eat, came closer and asked in a low voice, “What do you think I should do?”

“Your Majesty, I dare to ask a question. The Marquis of Loyalty was entrusted by the late emperor and has indeed made great achievements this time. If he really wants to become a duke, can Your Majesty stop him?” Qi Ning was extremely smart and had vaguely found some clues. Looking at Longtai, he asked, “Nowadays, is the Marquis of Loyalty assisting Your Majesty on state affairs?”

Longtai nodded and said, “You’re right. He was entrusted by Father. It’s my first time to handle state affairs. I had to rely on him for many things, otherwise I couldn’t figure out many things by myself.”

Qi Ning thought that since the emperor admitted that his poor ability to handle political affairs, he was indeed talking to himself with sincerity, and said, “So Your Majesty is currently learning to handling political affairs from the Marquis of Loyalty?”

“When the late emperor was alive, the Marquis of Loyalty had been an old minister the late emperor looked up to, and although he is old now, he is still experienced in handling things,” Longtai said, “I have been learning from him.”

“So it seems that if the Marquis of Loyalty really has the intention to become a duke, Your Majesty can do little to stop it.” Qi Ning said softly, “Since that’s the case, why don’t Your Majesty simply go along with it, and just crown the Marquis of Loyalty as a duke at the court meeting?”

Longtai frowned and said, “I thought you had some good ideas, but it turns out to be this.”

“Your Majesty, I know what you are worried about.” Qi Ning chuckled and said, “You are worried that the Marquis of Loyalty has treacherous ideas and it’ll be hard to deal with if his power inflates, right?”

Longtai picked up his chopsticks and casually picked a dish before saying, “So what?”

“Then Your Majesty’s promoting the Marquis of Loyalty is actually a triple win. Qi Ning laughed, “A dukedom, in fact, can’t change anything. But for Your Majesty, it is a great opportunity.”

Longtai put down his chopsticks and asked, “What do you mean?”