Chapter Nine, Head of the Yang Family

"Your son is right here, what nonsense are you talking? It's surprising that you are a father yourself." Chu Ting'er said, still fuming with anger, both annoyed and anxious.

Clap, clap, old Yang lightly applauded and exclaimed: "As expected of Lord Ling, even the name given to his grandson is so imposing. Very good, very good, such a powerful name. Hahaha, I wish to soar to the heavens, yes, what a great name!"

Oh ho ho, is this the young master? This year, I am on a mission to Fengming, and this is my first time meeting the little treasure. Hehe, just a small trinket, not a proper gift. The Lingxiao couple, holding their son, had just entered the hall when a green jade ruyi was already presented before little Ling Tian.

Yang Kongqun, seeing the good opportunity, chuckled and said: "That is true, but I am much more exhausted than you, old fellow. Sigh, with three grandsons taking turns to be entertained, the most frustrating part is that there are also two granddaughters. Holding this one and that one, my back aches every day, and it is truly unbearable. Unlike you, Old Ling, who has it easy with just one. You only hold him once every few days, and you still have time to tend to flowers and plant grass. Your life is enviable." As he spoke, he pretended to pat his waist, wearing a look of lament.

"Hahaha, if Elder Ling says so, does that mean that ordinary families naming their children with the characters 'dragon' or 'phoenix' is somehow prohibited? Elder Ling is being overly nitpicky, isn't she?" Yang Kongqun said, stroking his goatee and squinting his eyes.

Ling Tian suddenly realized that this old fellow was none other than Yang Kongqun, the head of the Yang family, the only family among the six great families of the current era that could rival the Ling family in the Chengtian Kingdom. No wonder he had such a punchable face, Ling Tian thought angrily.

Ling Tian's face was filled with excitement as he watched the commotion, but in his heart, he was sneering: "Old Yang, don't get too proud. If you provoke me, just wait a few years until I send your three grandsons into the palace to become eunuchs and trick your two granddaughters into becoming concubines. Let's see how arrogant you can be! Hehehe..."

"Hehe, the national lord is too polite, just like your grandson Yang Huang. When I first heard it, I was also taken aback, thinking that the Yang family had produced an emperor, hehe..." A cold light flashed in Ling Zhan's eyes as he spoke without yielding an inch.

"I wonder if the little one has been named yet?" An old man, who also had a youthful appearance despite his white hair, approached. Ling Tian was taken aback; he had been born for a whole year, and this was the first time someone dared to call him 'little one' in front of his grandfather and father. It seemed that this old fellow was not an ordinary person.

Joking aside, Ling Xiao currently holds immense power, second only to one and above ten thousand. Which censor, blinded by greed, would dare to swat a fly on the tiger's head? To impeach him? That would be courting death! The censors secretly grumbled: This old Wang is making a joke that leaves us in a cold sweat!

Hehehe, what does such a little one understand? Don't you think so, son? As the question was asked, a handsome face appeared before Ling Tian, making playful expressions.

Haha, the little one is still unwilling, hmm... hmm... I will make you unwilling, haha. " Saying this, she kissed him heavily twice. Ling Tian had a face full of drool

"Hehe, I must say, it is nitpicking. So, are you implying that your grandson is beyond reproach?" Ling Zhan felt a surge of anger. Damn it, Old Yang went to congratulate him when his grandson was born, and not only did he fail to reciprocate, but he also chose today, just before his grandson's first birthday, to come and speak in a sarcastic tone! If I had known, I would have made a mess of his grandson's full moon celebration last year!

"My dear, my treasure." A gentle voice came forth, and a joyful smile spread across Ling Tian's lips. Her delicate hands, as white as snow and soft as cotton, gently embraced him. Looking up, he saw a tender and affectionate face, blooming like a flower, with eyes filled with love and indulgence. It was Ling Tian's mother, Chu Ting'er; beside her stood a man in his thirties with a strong, square jaw, who could still be considered handsome. With a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, his gaze towards her was filled with satisfaction. This was his father, Wang Guojun, the foremost figure in the military, General Ling Xiao.

Chu Ting'er playfully pushed her husband aside, saying, "Go away, go away, your beard is so rough, it's poking the baby."

A light, delicate sound of footsteps approached, "Sir, Madam, all the esteemed guests have arrived. The old master requests that you both come over." A young maid with a graceful appearance stood behind the two, gently reminding them.

Ling Xiao bent down and gently kissed the delicate little face of Ling Tian. The stubble, as hard as steel needles, pricked Ling Tian, causing her some discomfort, and she glared up with displeasure.

The two old men stared at each other like roosters ready to fight, neither willing to give an inch. The surrounding officials, both civil and military, exchanged glances, remaining silent as if frozen in place

General Ling, your words are mistaken. I am presenting this gift to the young master for his first birthday, not to you, General Ling. With so many censors present, there is no need for you to worry about the censors' reprimands.

Ling Xiao was holding his wife and cradling his son while watching the two old men duel with great interest. Little did he know that disaster struck unexpectedly, as his father-in-law's anger was provoked and vented onto him. He couldn't help but shrink his head back, wearing a苦 face and remaining silent. If his father-in-law were to publicly force him to take a concubine, he would be in a dire situation.

"Hehe, since it is so, I shall not be rude in declining. Then, I, Ling, shall shamelessly accept it on behalf of the child." Ling Xiao chuckled, not taking it seriously at all

Hahaha... my son blames me for invading his territory, haha. " A hearty laugh.

Chu Ting'er blushed, extending her delicate fingers to pinch her husband's waist hard. The old man spoke without restraint, and of course, the daughter-in-law could not say anything. However, there was a convenient outlet for her frustration right beside her, and she would not let the opportunity go to waste

Hmph! Um... you... don't move around. " Just as Chu Ting'er was about to get angry, her voice suddenly softened. Ling Tian looked over and saw a lewd hand resting on Chu Ting'er's ample and towering bosom, gently kneading it.

What Old Yang said can be considered as words that pierce the heart. The current emperor is the Son of Heaven, yet Ling Zhan named his grandson Ling Tian. Although this was said with a smile, it undoubtedly implies that Ling Zhan is committing an act of great treason.

These two individuals are prominent figures in the Kingdom of Chengtian, whose mere presence can shake the very foundations of the earth, and they are not to be trifled with. One is the head of the Ling family, the foremost noble in the kingdom, the father of the favored concubine and the kingdom's greatest general; the other is the head of the Yang family, the current chancellor of the kingdom, the father of the reigning empress, and the father-in-law of the emperor.

Lord Wang was an elderly man with a grizzled beard, dressed in a fine brocade robe. His hair and beard were meticulously groomed, indicating that he was someone who paid great attention to his appearance. Ling Tian, filled with curiosity, opened his eyes just in time to see this Lord Wang feigning displeasure as he puffed up his beard high.

Ling Tian was furious! How dare they treat me like an invisible person, openly staging these harmful scenes in books that poison the minds of young people! Ling Tian angrily grabbed that lewd hand and yanked it down forcefully

Oh, understood. You may inform the elder that we will arrive shortly

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out at the entrance: "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived! The Noble Consort has arrived!"

Finally relaxing her chest, Chu Ting'er blushed deeply, both shy and smiling, she said: "You naughty rascal!" Ling Xiao looked at his wife's enchanting face, his heart stirred, gently wrapping his arms around her slender waist, unable to resist leaning in closer to her lips.

Hahaha, is it hard? Why didn't you mind it being hard last night? Hehehe... Oh dear... Yet, the soft flesh at the waist was tightly twisted and turned around fiercely by the enraged Chu Ting'er. Ling Tian didn't need to look to know how lewd his father's expression was at that moment. At this time, Ling Tian suddenly recalled a famous saying from his previous life: to be in pain yet joyful.

Ling Zhan forced a smile that did not reach his eyes and said, "That is true, it is good that our two old fellows have the same name. However, my grandson's name is a bit more prominent, hehe."

If one were to unwittingly interject a comment, it could lead to catastrophic consequences. A few individuals who were relatively close to the two elderly men quietly wiped their sweat while subtly retreating. They had come with good intentions to flatter, only to find themselves amidst the peak battle within the empire. Everyone silently lamented their misfortune

"Lord Wang has traveled to a foreign country, enduring much hardship along the way. How could he possibly accept such a generous gift? I kindly ask that you retract it, my lord," Ling Xiaok said politely.

Since the first time in this life that Ling Tian lay in this cradle, he has come to love this feeling, as if he had returned to that moment in his past life when he could feel a slight sense of relaxation on the sea. Lying in the cradle, it seems as if he is still on that yacht, facing the setting sun, gently rising and falling with the waves. Therefore, over the past year, Ling Tian has spent almost half of his time in this cradle.

Suddenly, it was Ling Tian who stretched out his little foot from his mother's embrace and kicked him in the stomach.

Ling Zhan was furious, yet he found himself at a loss for words. The family was small in number, and in the generation of Ling Tian, there was but a single descendant over a distance of three thousand miles. Yang Kongqun's words were clearly a jab at the lack of vitality in his family. However, the truth was as such, and Ling Zhan could not stand tall. He cast a resentful glance at his son and scolded, "Useless thing"

Yang Kongqun stroked his beard and said, "Old Ling, I was merely speaking in jest. When have I ever said that your grandson's name is not good? I came here with good intentions to offer my congratulations, yet you, you, you, are like a dog biting Lü Dongbin."

As soon as these words were spoken, dozens of people in the hall fell silent!

"Hahaha... the little one is truly domineering." The two of them laughed together

"Hehe, Old Yang, the name was personally chosen by my father, and it is called Ling Tian. Quite a resounding name, isn't it?" Grandfather Ling Zhan chuckled and stepped forward. The more Ling Tian listened, the more he felt something was off. Although there was laughter in Ling Zhan's voice, Ling Tian could still detect a deep-seated chill within it. ... It seems this Old Yang ... is not simple at all.

Ling Xiao gasped sharply, baring his teeth.

"Where, where, it is the great general who has honored me with his presence." Ling Tian's pair of dark, round eyes rolled around; it was clear that this person was merely a sycophant and likely not from the opposing faction of his own family

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the battle between the two old men finally came to a pause. They hurriedly began to create a ruckus, drawing the attention of the two elders to one side. After all, if the two old men were to start arguing again, were they here to offer congratulations or to watch a show? Moreover, such a fiery spectacle was certainly not something they could enjoy.