Zhong Tianque was heartbroken and cried bitterly.

He had been through so much during this time.

His father was captured, brothers in conflict, sister's betrayal, the Royal Family collapsed, regime changed, and he became a puppet of the Shen Family's powerful...

Supervised, imprisoned.

His life was hanging by a thread, his fate entirely dependent on others' whims.

His fiancée Dongguo Chenxi had an affair with Shen Leyou, putting a glaring green hat on his head.

Men fear two kinds of green: the stock market and women.

This wasn't the most serious event in his experiences, but it was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Zhong Tianque despaired, broke down.

Ignoring the dignity of the Crown Prince, he cried loudly in front of his relatives.

Indeed, those who heard were heartbroken, and those who saw it wept.

Zhong Daoling's heart was also filled with sourness.

Originally, he had quite a bit of resentment towards his 'ambitious but inept' nephew. If not for the trickery and strife between him and Zhong Tianyi, how could anyone have taken advantage of it? How could the Zhong Royal Family have ended up like this?

However, seeing him in such a state of tears, he couldn't help but feel compassion.

Whether the Zhong Family could revive was entirely on this child.

He was obsessed with cultivation, never married, and had no offspring.

Thinking about this, he patted Zhong Tianque's shoulder and comforted him, "It's good to cry it out, crying makes the heart feel more at ease."

"Indeed, Your Highness, you must take care of your health. If your body is harmed... what would we do?" Qian Taian wiped his eyes, timely expressing his concern.

If the ruler worries... the subjects worry even more.

If the ruler cries, the subjects must also cry.

"Uncle, your nephew is incompetent..."

Zhong Tianque wiped away his tears and said with deep guilt, "I couldn't protect anything, I've lost everything."

"Nonsense." Zhong Daoling chastised, "Who says you have nothing? You are the blood of the Zhong Family, the last scion of our Zhong clan."

"As long as you stand there, you are a banner. Our Zhong Family will support you, the Imperial Guard Army and Phoenix Dance Army... a portion will also support you."

"And there's the Yu Family, your maternal family, they are connected to our Zhong Family by both blood and relationship and will naturally stand by you."

"No matter how strong the Shen Family is, don't they have to put you upfront as a figurehead?"

"What you need to do now is calm down and stabilize our foundation. Then, unite all forces that can be united and wait for the opportunity."

"The Shen Family is also in crisis, internally restrained by Qin Lu, externally eyed by Tang remnants, with increasingly intense family conflicts..."

"You just need to wait patiently, opportunities will come. Who wins in the end is still unknown."

"Yes." Zhong Tianque straightened his back, looking at Zhong Daoling with a promise, "Uncle, I know I have no more retreats, and neither does our Zhong Family."

"If I die, my death would be insignificant. But if I die, the royal power of our Zhong Family would utterly be cut off."

"At that time, even if I die... how could I face the ancestors of the Zhong Family?"

These words made Zhong Daoling's face burn hotly.

He too was a descendant of the Zhong Family...

If the royal power is gone, he would also have no face to meet the ancestors of the Zhong Family.

"There's still an opportunity." Zhong Daoling consoled.

He was persuading Zhong Tianque, and also persuading himself: "As long as we stay calm, we will definitely find a chance to strike a decisive blow."

"At that time, when the Zhong Family returns to glory and takes the helm of the country, you will be the greatest meritorious person of our Zhong Family."

"I ask uncle for your help." Zhong Tianque bowed in salute.

Zhong Daoling knew that his days of peacefully practicing Dao had gone for good, as part of the Zhong Royal Family, completely staying out of it was not realistic.

He thought, Xuanyuan Mingjing scolded right, he still couldn't abandon the seven emotions and six desires but remained blinded by fame and fortune.

He also thought, if he couldn't do it, could Xuanyuan Mingjing do it himself?

Tonight, when he struck the giant bell with the ability of a Great Grandmaster, was it not to exonerate that villain?

Did he know that person?

The situation was murky and tangled.

Now even the Great Grandmaster was involved.

"Let's work hard together as a family." Zhong Daoling said, "For the Zhong Family."

"Thank you, uncle."

"What are you thanking for? We're family."

"Uncle, have you ever seen that killer?"

"I have." Zhong Daoling nodded and said, "He claimed to be an assassin Wang Lin from Wuyou Palace. I asked who sent him, but he wouldn't say."

Zhong Tianque wanted to say, if he wouldn't say, why didn't you keep him here, at that time we would have countless ways to pry open his mouth.

However, since my uncle couldn't keep him, saying such things myself would be quite inappropriate.

Who am I humiliating?

"He won't escape." Zhong Tianque said fiercely: "The moment the explosion sounded, Fengming Palace went into a complete security lockdown. Without my orders, even a fly won't think of getting out."

Originally, the security of Fengming Palace was managed by Shen Leyou, but since Shen Leyou was gone, he naturally took over without hesitation.

As for whether the Shen Family will send other people to 'protect' his safety...

That's a matter for tomorrow.

"Alright, you find that little bastard, and I'll be ready to support anytime."

He feared Fengming Palace's security force might not be enough, so he planned to take action personally.

Anyone who can escape from the Great Grandmaster's grasp...

Must not appear.

Lest Xuanyuan Mingjing, that old thing, mocks us.

"Yes, I will send someone to report to Uncle immediately."

"No need. As long as powerful Gang Qi surges, I will naturally be aware." Zhong Daoling waved his hand, seriously instructing: "Tonight's matter, keep it to yourself. Today's humiliation, endure it no matter what."

"Never shout publicly about killing all the Shen Family or anything like that in the future, as it will only invite countless disasters upon you."

"Uncle's teachings are correct. It's my emotions out of control..." Zhong Tianque glanced sideways at Qian Taian and said: "Only in front of Uncle will I be like this."

Seeing the Great Grandmaster's gaze also fall upon him, Qian Taian hurriedly professed: "In life, I'm His Highness's man, and in death, I'm His Highness's dead man. I'm loyal to His Highness, and definitely won't leak a single word."

This was learned from Tang Fei, and at the time only felt sycophantic and disgusting...

Now, it turns out to be quite useful.

"Uncle, I trust Master Qian. He's now one of the few people I can trust."

"Hmm." Zhong Daoling nodded, saying: "A careful driver can cross rugged paths for thousands of years. The path you're on is thorny, as difficult as climbing to heaven."

"I'll be cautious at all times, acting carefully. If there's anything unclear, I'll come to Uncle for guidance anytime."

"Hmm." Zhong Daoling nodded, very pleased with Zhong Tianque's attitude.

"Then I won't disturb Uncle's rest."

Zhong Tianque, taking Qian Taian along, bid farewell and left.

Returning once again to the Light Pavilion, Zhong Tianque's mood was much more relaxed and cheerful.

Actually, tonight, he's not the biggest loser.

Dongguo Chenxi died, but gained the sympathy and assistance of a Great Grandmaster.

Previously, that reclusive uncle was not much inclined to meddle in such 'mortal world' affairs.

Moreover, Shen Leyou colluded with the Crown Princess Consort...

This matter needs addressing seriously with the Shen Family.

Regardless, compensation must be made for his own losses.

His emotions and spirit have been greatly traumatized...

Resources must be increased!

As for the attitude over at the Dongguo Family side...

He looked up at Qian Taian, speaking out: "How is the Crown Princess Consort doing over there?"

"Undergoing rescue." Qian Taian poured a glass of red wine and handed it to Zhong Tianque, saying respectfully.

"If there's any result, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhong Tianque gently swirled the glass of red wine in his hand, looking up at the sky: "Hope she's still alive."

"Your Highness, about the Shen Family side..."

"We are victims here, why hurry?"

"Yes."

After a busy day, Qian Taian returned to his little courtyard, closed the gate, and was about to take a hot shower and get a good night's sleep when suddenly the lights in the living room came on.

He saw a bloody figure lying on the sofa, startled and shouted: "Why are you here?"

"If you want people to know about our relationship, just shout even louder." Tang Fei squinted, scrutinizing Qian Taian, chuckling as he spoke.

Qian Taian, knowing his earlier reaction was overly intense, stepped closer and lowered his voice to speak: "Why are you here? Your task is completed, shouldn't you have left immediately?"

"Good question." Tang Fei raised the beer can in his hand, saying: "I almost want to toast you."

"..."

"You must be responsible for me." Tang Fei's smile was bright, but each word felt like driving a nail into Qian Taian's heart: "You brought me in, and you must find a way to get me out."

"..."

Qian Taian stared wide-eyed at Tang Fei.

What kind of demon is this?

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