After the matter was discussed, Yan Changkong bowed and was about to leave, but was stopped by Emperor Nan Sang again.
"September 16th is the enthronement ceremony, and there are only three days left. I plan to announce to the world at the ceremony that I will crown you as the crown prince." Emperor Nan Sang stood up, raised his hand and patted the young man's shoulder, with a stern and solemn expression on his face. He became much calmer and his tone became gentler, "Kong'er, your imperial grandfather and I both value you. That position is yours and will only be yours. Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Yan Changkong looked happy but did not lose his composure. He nodded solemnly, "Father, it is the greatest blessing in my life that I have been loved by you and my grandfather since I was a child. Don't worry, I will never let you down. expect."
"Okay, you have an idea. When the crown prince's position is decided, your marriage to Mr. Zhan's great-granddaughter should also be put on the agenda. The Zhan family is the first prominent family in Nansang, and Mr. Zhan has assisted me in the three dynasties of Nansang. High authority, countless disciples. With the support of the Zhan family, it is equivalent to having half of the power in the country in your hands, and no one can compete with you."
"My son understands."
Walking out of Yongshou Hall, the moon has set in the west.
The light of the stars in the sky also dimmed a lot.
The broad white marble avenue in front of the hall reflects the gleaming light, like the full moonlight.
Yan Changkong walked among them with his hands behind his back. The wind blew in the middle of the night, bringing with it the coolness of September and autumn, making people feel particularly clear-headed.
His steps were very steady, neither hurried nor slow, and his dark eyes were deep in the night.
It was not the first time that his father mentioned marriage to him in Yongshou Palace.
He was engaged to Zhan Yuerong at the age of seventeen. From then on, his father, queen, mother and concubine would mention it once every year. He would nod in agreement and had no special feelings.
He knew from the time he was sensible that he would sit on the throne of prince in the future and eventually reach the top of the Ninth Five-Year Plan.
His life has already been planned, he just needs to follow the plan.
As for the marriage, it makes no difference who the bride is, the father, queen, mother and concubine will definitely choose the family that is best for him and can give him the greatest help.
The marriage of royal children is also a political bargaining chip, and only interests are discussed.
He himself has always thought so.
But today, when his father mentioned it again, he felt a rare reluctance in his heart.
The cool breeze blew again, and the chaos in his mind was blown away a little. Yan Changkong stopped and found that he had reached the fork of the avenue.
His bodyguard followed him all the way.
"Go to the dungeon." He said, turning on his heels and walking towards the path on the left side of the fork in the direction of the Royal Garden.
The guards followed silently.
Pass through the imperial garden and enter the harem and concubine palace complex. Walk along the road until the end of the road, where the splendor and wealth suddenly turn into desolation.
We arrived at the abandoned palace again.
Yan Changkong walked around the familiar road to the back of the deserted palace, stepped into a hidden entrance, and climbed down the stairs, which was a long and winding journey.
Not even halfway through the 690 stairs, you can hear the clanging sound coming from deep underground. It is the sound of iron chains hitting the ground and iron walls.
After walking up the stairs, the underground suddenly opened up. Lighting lanterns were hung everywhere on the iron walls, illuminating the entire dungeon.
Yan Changkong stood in front of the stairs and glanced at the iron cage opposite.
There are countless cages, and countless people are imprisoned in them.
All of them had pale skin and no emotion on their faces, but they all looked like lunatics. When they saw someone coming, these people immediately turned their heads and tried to rush over. They bumped against the iron railing without changing color, as if they felt no pain.
Yan Changkong passed by these lunatics and walked straight to the innermost room of the iron cell.
Unlike the previous iron cell where countless people were imprisoned, there was only one person locked in this cell. He was wearing a black robe and disheveled hair. His hands and feet were chained with thick iron chains, and the other end was firmly nailed to the iron wall.
"They are all like madmen. You are the calmest one among the madmen." Yan Changkong whispered and sat down against the iron railing. He didn't care about the dirt on the ground and talked to the man inside through the iron railing. "Mo Cang, we know each other." It’s been twenty years, right? I’ve often visited you since I could walk. In a blink of an eye, I grew up from a toddler to as tall as you. After all these years, I have long regarded you as an uncle in my heart, but in your eyes, I will always be a stranger."
The man did not hit the iron bars like the lunatics next to him. When the young man appeared in front of the cell, he only turned his head, his dark eyes peering through his messy hair, and then he dragged the iron chain and walked towards the young man step by step.
The iron chains clanked, like cold and sad musical notes.
When he got close to the railing, the man stretched out his hands, his fingers curled like hooks, and struck at the young man's neck.
Yan Changkong turned a blind eye and continued, "It is rumored that the Mo family buried as many as 50,000 divine soldiers. The eleven countries in the world did many crazy things to compete for the divine soldiers. Only I, Nan Sang, know the truth. In fact, there are 5,000 divine soldiers." That’s all.”
He turned his head and looked at the man's fingers, which were half a finger away from his neck and could not get any closer. The iron chain cuffing his wrists had been stretched straight.
Yan Changkong raised his lips and smiled, "You can't kill me. Why bother if you do this every time we meet. Mo Cang, there are 4,999 magic soldiers locked up in this iron prison, which is far from the number of 5,000." one."
He stared at the man's eyes like an ancient well, and said calmly, "Tonight I found the last one. You are also a magic weapon, and your strength is the best among the 4,999. How can you compare with that one?" How about it? I'm really curious. When I bring him here, you guys can compete."
No matter what he said or how much he said, the eyes behind the iron bars never made any waves.
Yan Changkong suddenly felt his mood waning, and turned his head to stop staring at the man, "That person is with her. Her name is Su Jiuni, she is a beautiful woman, her skills are extremely high, maybe not as good as yours. Your companion seems to be very obedient. What she said... tell me, how did she control that person?"
He was lost in his thoughts as he murmured, and did not notice the calm black eyes behind the iron bars. After he turned his head, a glimmer of splendor suddenly appeared, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye, too fast for anyone to notice.
…
September 16th, the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor of Nansang.
Envoys from various countries were invited to the palace to observe the ceremony.
Gan Zhenyu put on formal clothes. As an official, the old man couldn't escape, so he also put on a green official uniform with a tiger head embroidered on it. Seeing that color, the old man's face had not looked better all morning.
In order to avoid being shot by the old man, the young ones all kept a distance of three feet away from him.
"For this ceremony, each envoy can bring one person with him. Tianbao and Bai Yu, you will enter the palace together." After Gan Zhenyu finished his instructions, his brows furrowed and relaxed, "This is a precedent. The emperor has ascended the throne. I’m not allowed to bring my entourage...it’s strange.”
The poisonous old man snorted coldly with drooping triangular eyes, "What's weird about that? I'm afraid they know our identities and have set up an ambush in the palace waiting for us to come in. Just be careful."
Gan Zhenyu, "..."
He really admired these people. How could they be so calm and calm despite knowing that there was a dragon's pond and a tiger's den ahead?
