Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 223 - 223 0202 - Missed Such a Great Opportunity _2

Chapter 223: Chapter 0202 – Missed Such a Great Opportunity _2 Chapter 223: Chapter 0202 – Missed Such a Great Opportunity _2 Seeing Qi Tian in such a state, relaxed and comfortable in Zhao Qian’s company, some people’s gaze began to flicker.

“Second Sister, who is this immortal master? Aren’t you going to introduce us?” asked a young man dressed extravagantly who was seated in a relatively higher position.

Zhao Qian’s brows furrowed slightly. Still, she took Qi Tian’s arm and moved a few steps forward, then said to Qi Tian, “Qi Tian, let me introduce you.”

“Qi Tian, this is my older brother, also the Crown Prince of King Zhangbei’s Manor, Zhao Putian. This is my sister-in-law, Li Xinnian,” Zhao Qian pointed to a man and a woman seated in the higher seats.

Zhao Putian gave Qi Tian a nod, and Li Xinnian rose from her seat, bowing to Qi Tian.

Qi Tian heard Zhao Qian put a strong emphasis on the word “crown prince.” He smiled and cupped his hands towards Zhao Putian and Li Xinnian, “Greetings, Crown Prince and Madam.”

Zhao Qian then pointed to a man sitting to the right of Zhao Putian, “And this is my second brother, Zhao Puxue, and his wife.”

Zhao Puxue gave a cold snort and didn’t respond. The so-called second sister-in-law even reproached Zhao Qian, “Second Sister, it’s father’s birthday today. How can you bring back such an odd person? If he offends father and mars the festivity, we will be unable to bear the punishment.”

“Qi Tian is not an odd person, he is my friend and we share a bond of life and death. If we’re talking about odd people, Second Sister-in-law, I believe there’s one next to you. Why did you invite your relatives on my father’s birthday? Are they here to mooch off us?” Zhao Qian retorted.

The second sister-in-law turned pale with anger. She wanted to quarrel some more but was at a loss for words. Helpless, she turned to Zhao Puxue, “My Lord, did you see how your second sister…”

“Second Sister, is that any way to talk to your sister-in-law? Apologize immediately.” Zhao Puxue commanded sternly.

Zhao Qian snorted, “Second Brother, please refrain from trying to impose your perceived authority on me. You are not the Crown Prince of our Zhangbei Prince Manor, you have no right to control me. If you want to flaunt your status, maybe you should start by managing your own household.”

“Second Sister, please refrain from arguing,” a beautiful woman interjected. “We should focus on maintaining peace at home as it benefits all. Any further and you will make a joke out of ourselves in front of Qi Tian. You must be Qi Tian. My younger sister often talks about you. Meeting you today indeed proves that hearing a hundred times is still not as good as seeing once. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Zhao Yu, the eldest daughter of the Zhangbei Prince Manor. You can call me by my name or just Big Sister. This is my husband, Du Xuexian, the son of the Manor’s academic advisor.”

A young man dressed as a scholar gently nodded at Qi Tian, his demeanor polite yet distant.

Qi Tian returned the gesture with a smile, “I am honored to meet all of you, my brothers and sisters.”

Most people in the side palace ignored Qi Tian’s courtesies, which did not bother him. He had done his part in showing respect. Whether others returned the courtesy or not was their affair. If they returned his greeting, they were still worth further interaction. If they didn’t even do that, he would simply pass over them.

“Qi Tian, come with me.” Concerned Qi Tian might feel suffocated, Zhao Qian led him away from the side palace and found a stone table outside. Soon, people brought aromatic tea and pastries.

“I apologize for the unpleasantness,” Zhao Qian sighed, “My older brother and I share the same mother, but my elder sister and second brother share a different mother. The elder sister is somewhat fine, but my second brother and I…not so close.”

Qi Tian nodded, having noticed the tensions. However, he had no interest in meddling in the quarrels of the Zhangbei Prince Manor. Thus, he immediately changed the topic, “Princess, do you know Sister Yan has left the Imperial Master Mansion?”

“I already know.” Zhao Qian said, “A few days ago, Master Huang came to the Prince Manor specifically looking for me, hoping I could join her. However, I declined.”

“Declined?” Qi Tian was surprised, “I’m not very clear about Sister Yan’s specifics, but I’m sure she’s extraordinary. Do you realize you have missed an excellent opportunity?”

Zhao Qian said, “I do, but I am really tied up with something here at the Manor and couldn’t leave.”

“Because of your eldest brother?” Qi Tian asked.

Zhao Qian didn’t expect Qi Tian to catch on so quickly, and guessed it right away. She nodded and said, “My brother’s position as the Crown Prince is still not very secure. I can say that I’m his strongest support within King Zhangbei Manor. If I leave, it’s almost certain that he will lose his position. If that happens, his fate will be terrible. He and I are born of the same mother, and he has always taken care of me when we were kids. I can’t just stand by and watch him end up in such a situation.”

“I see.” Qi Tian didn’t know what to say. This was Zhao Qian’s personal matter. Not to mention, their relationship had not reached a certain level of intimacy yet. It wouldn’t be appropriate for him to say anything. So he could only change the topic again, saying, “The Mansion Master is about to break through? You know that, right?”

Zhao Qian nodded and said, “Of course, I do. It’s a joyful matter for the Imperial Master Mansion and for us in Zhangshui City, even for King Zhangbei Manor. My father has said that as soon as the Mansion Master comes out, he will congratulate him at the earliest.”

…

After chatting for a while, Cui Liguo came over and said, “Princess, the ceremony for Prince’s longevity is about to begin, shall we go now?”

“Where’s my elder brother?” Zhao Qian asked.

“Director Wu has personally gone to talk to the Crown Prince,” responded Cui Liguo.

“Alright, let’s go now. Qi Tian, let’s go.” Zhao Qian said.

Qi Tian and Zhao Qian stood up together, then walked towards the main hall of King Zhangbei Manor. When they arrived at the main hall, the emcee was standing outside with the gift list, ready to announce the gifts. King Zhangbei Manor didn’t host a grand event this time, but there were still many people giving gifts. Only a select few were privileged enough to have their gifts announced by the emcee.

At the top of the list was the Imperial Master Mansion, followed by the City Lord of Zhangshui City. After that came the civil and military officials of Zhangshui City, and some well-known local gentry.

After the gifts from these people were announced, it was time for some of the distinguished guests present and the members of King Zhangbei Manor to personally enter the main hall and present their gifts.

Zhao Putian, the Crown Prince, was the first, he and his wife Li Xinnian each wrote a volume of Filial Piety as a birthday gift. When the emcee announced this gift, there were people praising it while others despised it. King Zhangbei Zhao Donghao, who was sitting in the hall, remained expressionless.

Both Zhao Putian and Li Xinnian were on pins and needles but dared not say anything. They each held their own written scriptures and presented them.

Zhao Donghao waved his hand and someone came forward to take away the two gifts.

“Go sit down,” Zhao Donghao said.

After Zhao Donghao, it was the turn of the second son, Zhao Puxue, to present his gift. He had carefully prepared a low-grade heavenly Spirit Military armor, along with ten spirit stones.

These two gifts were extremely valuable, and their market value would have to be at least three to four million taels.

When the emcee announced these two gifts, there was a bustling noise inside and outside the hall. No one expected the second son to present such valuable gifts. Though it was acceptable to give even the most expensive gifts for their own father’s birthday, this wasn’t a particularly significant birthday. Such gifts seemed overly extravagant.

The couple, Zhao Puxue, holding their gifts, walked into the hall, knelt down, and presented their gifts.

Looking at the armor Zhao Puxue was holding, and at the brocade box full of spirit stones held by his daughter-in-law, Zhao Donghao smiled in satisfaction. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this. Quickly go sit down.”

After Zhao Puxue and his wife sat down below Zhao Putian, they looked at Zhao Putian with a triumphant glance. They felt their move today was very successful, earning them a lot of face. They believed that the scales in the hearts of King Zhangbei Manor had tilted a bit more towards them.