Chapter One, I ask the Heavenly Eye to shoot the Celestial Wolf
Zhou Tianyin looked at the letter of divorce, remained silent for a while, and then said in a deep voice: "Seal it with the golden seal, I will summon the Heavenly Eye to shoot the Celestial Wolf!"
Wang Zhongquan revealed a faint cold smile: "The Fourth Prince is truly devoted to the Young Master! Back then, the Fourth Prince was well aware of the Young Master's identity, yet when he exited the Tianlang Valley, he did not take my Young Master along. Hehe, I no longer require the Fourth Prince's promise!"
"Presumptuous, do you still want my sister to keep vigil for that useless person?" Zhou Chi said angrily, glaring.
As long as I can save the young master, it would be worth my life. However, even in death, I must uphold the last dignity of the Eastern Wangfu by annulling the marriage contract; this is the only way forward. Miss Zhou, do you wish to go to my Eastern Wangfu to guard the young master's spirit for three years, or will you exert all your efforts to save him in exchange for your freedom?" Wang Zhongquan solemnly bowed once.
The man in the python robe glanced at the headless corpse beside him, then turned his cold gaze towards Wang Zhongquan and said: "The steward of the Eastern Wang residence? Do you know where this place is? Is this the place where you can act recklessly before the main military tent of this palace?"
Outside the large tent, a guard stepped forward and said: "Master Wang, you have been reporting for three consecutive days; Miss Zhou does not wish to see you!"
The woman's voice is very clear and crisp; listening to it evokes a sense of astonishment, akin to a peerless beauty shrouded in mist, unattainable.
This is the law and etiquette of my Great Qin, and no one can violate it said Wang Zhongquan coldly
Within the large tent, the sound of footsteps was heard. A group of soldiers surrounded a man dressed in a purple python robe as he stepped out of the tent
Wang Zhongquan, however, did not engage in further argument with Zhou Chi, but instead turned to Zhou Tianyin and said: "Young Madam, the Young Master is trapped in a predicament, I kindly ask for your assistance!"
"The Ninth-Rank Heavenly Eye of the Zhou family is not something you can use at your whim. A dead waste has no right to invoke the Ninth-Rank Heavenly Eye of the Zhou family. You worthless dog, do you not know the meaning of death?" Zhou Chi glared.
Zhi ! ''
Nine-Rank Heavenly Eye?" Zhou Tianyin's voice paused
At this moment, a middle-aged, emaciated man, holding a gold seal, is anxiously kneeling outside the large tent with a group of attendants.
No
Miss Zhou, whether you acknowledge it in your heart or not, there is indeed a marriage contract witnessed by the Emperor and the Four Kings between you and the Young Master. You are the unwed Young Mistress of the Eastern Wangfu. Over the years, the Eastern Wangfu has faced misfortunes, with the direct descendants of the family successively perishing. The Young Master is now the last remaining scion of the direct lineage. If the Young Master were to perish, regardless of the future of the Eastern Wangfu, Young Mistress, you must go to the Eastern Wangfu to keep vigil for the Young Master for three years.
At the moment when Wang Zhongquan was about to make an example of one to warn a hundred, a commanding voice suddenly echoed within the large tent
"Are you looking for me?" the woman asked with a furrowed brow, expressing her confusion
Miss Zhou, this is also the reason I have come to seek your assistance. Before the young master departed, he left behind a letter, which can release Miss Zhou from the engagement. In this way, Miss Zhou will no longer be put in a difficult position
Is this divorce decree really written by you on behalf of Wang Xiong? Acting on behalf of the master to use the seal is a capital offense. Do you dare to recklessly use the golden seal?
Everyone turned to Wang Zhongquan
The group of soldiers behind the Fourth Prince glared and shouted.
Wang Zhongquan carefully took out a letter from his bosom and respectfully handed it over
Sister, do not pay attention to him. Wang Xiong is already dead. There are guards who witnessed it with their own eyes; an arrow struck Wang Xiong in the center of his brow. How could he possibly be alive? Moreover, it has been three days. The wolves of the Wolf Valley have been circling around, and now, Wang Xiong is likely to have left not even a bone behind
Let me take a look
"While alive, one must see the living; while dead, one must see the corpse. Miss Zhou, in light of the engagement between the young master and you, I implore you to save the young master!" Wang Zhongquan said with a sense of sorrow.
"Chief Steward, the returning servants have already reported that the army is deeply trapped in the Tianlang Valley, and the young master has fallen after being struck by an arrow. The calamity came too swiftly and unexpectedly, leaving the servants no opportunity to even collect the young master's body. Chief Steward, you should not persist any longer; it is time to prepare for the young master's funeral!" The person spoke with deep sorrow.
"Are you saying that I did it on purpose?" The Fourth Prince's eyes widened.
Oh? Annul the engagement?" Zhou Tianyin displayed a hint of surprise
It does not matter whose handwriting it is, nor does it matter who wrote it. The old servant holds the Eastern royal seal, and with the affixing of the great seal, this divorce decree shall henceforth be valid!" Wang Zhongquan said in a deep voice
The Fourth Prince beside him also showed a hint of confusion
Zhou Tianyin opened it with a hint of curiosity
One person looked at Wang Zhongquan and said, "Chief Steward, the young master has already left. We should prepare for the young master's funeral as soon as possible!"
The guard's expression stiffened as he glanced at the golden seal, yet he did not dare to retort any further. He respectfully saluted the golden seal and stepped into the main tent to report once again.
Beside the woman stood a man in a blue robe
"Impudent! A toad dares to dream of eating swan meat, has he lost his mind? With that useless Wang Xiong, he thinks he is worthy of my sister? What a dream!" Zhou Chi exclaimed angrily from the side.
"Yes!" The group of servants immediately trembled and responded respectfully
"My young master is not dead, and I do not wish to argue with the Fourth Prince at this moment. This time, I have come to seek an audience with the Southern King’s residence, Miss Zhou Tianyin!" Wang Zhongquan looked towards a woman in the crowd.
The man in the blue attire looked at Wang Zhongquan with great disdain: "A servant of the Eastern Wang Mansion? What do you want with my sister? Wang Xiong, that effeminate fool, weak as a chicken, thinks he can aspire to something beyond his reach? He overestimated himself and died in the Tianlang Valley, and you still dare to hope that my sister will help him seek revenge?"
Zhou Tianyin, however, fell into a brief silence
Wang Zhongquan, however, no longer paid attention, but instead looked at Miss Zhou Tianyin and said: "Miss Zhou, the Heavenly Fiend Wind has formed a sandstorm barrier, making it indeed impossible for us to enter. However, the Heavenly Eye Divine Light can penetrate everything and reach the interior. Therefore, I kindly request Miss Zhou to bring the Ninth-Rank Heavenly Eye from the Southern Wangfu to shine its divine light into the Tianlang Valley, to search for and rescue the young master. I ask for Miss Zhou's assistance in this matter!"
Execute justice on the spot! A fierce glint flashed in Wang Zhongquan's eyes
The man in the purple python robe, with a robust physique, exuded an air of superiority in his eyes. As he stepped forward, a great authority compelled the servants to lower their heads.
No, when the master was alive, he once told me that the Zhou family's Tianyan had already recognized Miss Zhou. As long as Miss Zhou is willing, she can summon Tianyan to rescue the young master
Today, I, Wang Zhongquan, dealt with the traitorous slaves of the family at the Eastern Wangfu with the golden seal. I have stained the tent of the Fourth Prince, and for any disrespect shown, the young master will apologize to the Fourth Prince on another day. However, I, the Eastern Wang, with the golden seal, am unable to enter the tent of the Fourth Prince, and I hope that the Fourth Prince will provide an explanation to the Eastern Wangfu in the future, as well as an account to my Wangfu.
Wang Zhongquan, however, paid no heed to Zhou Chi and said again: "I understand that bringing up the marriage contract at this moment may seem like taking advantage of someone's misfortune, but I truly have no other options. The young master’s life and death are uncertain, and at this moment, only Miss Zhou can save him. I implore Miss Zhou to grant this request"
No, Chief Steward, I have served you for ten years, with unwavering loyalty and diligence, achieving countless merits for the estate. I am a second-class servant, and I have contributed to the royal household! You cannot kill me!
"Impudent!" Wang Zhongquan glared.
The Fourth Prince and Zhou Chi's expressions turned grim; the golden seal must not be recklessly used, for to do so is to invite death. This is the rule of the Great Qin Kingdom. Wang Zhongquan would undoubtedly face death if he dared to use the golden seal for personal matters. Yet, for the last glimmer of hope for Wang Xiong's survival, Wang Zhongquan actually disregarded everything? Such loyalty from a servant left both of them profoundly shocked
Wang Zhongquan glanced at the man in the green robe, his expression slightly darkened. He gave a slight bow and said: "So it is the Southern Wang Mansion, Young Master Zhou Chi. Young Master Zhou is the brother-in-law of the young master. You have slandered our young master, and in due time, the young master will seek you out for an explanation. As for your claim that the young master, like a toad, wishes to eat swan meat, ha, the young master is betrothed to Miss Zhou. Although the marriage rites have not yet been performed, it is witnessed by the Emperor and the kings of the four directions, and no one can deny it. The young master is trapped in a predicament; if I cannot seek out the young mistress, who else should I look for?"
"Miss Zhou, please save our young master!" Wang Zhongquan knelt down once again
Although she was engaged, Zhou Tianyin had never met Wang Xiong. Even though Wang Xiong died while searching for flowers for her, it was simply impossible for her to keep vigil for him for three years.
As soon as the words "kill" were uttered, a servant immediately rose and stepped forward with a knife in hand
Who dares to be impudent outside my tent?" A voice filled with anger came from a man.
Why should I execute those servants? It is because they not only failed to protect the young master but also abandoned him in the wilderness, deserving of death! The young master's life and death are uncertain; if you dare to disturb the peace again, you will be dealt with according to family law! A cold light flashed in Wang Zhongquan's eyes
The person's expression stiffened, and after a moment of silence, he mustered the courage to speak: "Chief Steward, do not deceive yourself any longer. In the Valley of the Heavenly Wolf, surrounded by a pack of wolves, I fear that at this very moment, the body of the Young Master and those five hundred soldiers have already been completely devoured by the wolves. With the Young Master fallen, the residence will undoubtedly be in turmoil. We must return to the residence immediately; supporting Young Master Tian Ce is of utmost urgency. The residence cannot be without a leader for even a day. Moreover, Young Master Tian Ce holds the Chief Steward in very high regard!"
As Wang Zhongquan patiently waited, behind him, a group of servants had been kneeling for three days, and some were beginning to lose their patience
Nonsense! When did my sister receive the recognition of the Heavenly Eye? What is Wang Dongfang talking about?" Zhou Chi said with a glare.
The Fourth Prince looked at the golden seal, his expression darkening: "The Eastern King's golden seal can only be wielded by the descendants of the Eastern family. You, a mere servant, who has been granted the surname of Wang, dare to use the golden seal at will? You are truly audacious!"
What if I am unwilling?" Zhou Tianyin said coldly
Wang Zhongquan's eyes widened: "The golden seal is here; you merely need to report it. Whether Miss Zhou sees it or not is not for you to decide"
Just after speaking, Wang Zhongquan cast a fierce glare at the man: "The young master is of direct lineage, while Wang Tiance, even if he is exceptionally talented, is merely a collateral branch. He is not even worthy to carry the young master's shoes, yet he dares to think of competing for the family authority? Whether the young master is alive or dead is not for a mere servant like you to decide. One must see the living when alive and the corpse when dead. The young master is trapped in a predicament, yet you do not care for his life, only for his death, stirring up discord and chaos in our Wang residence. You deserve to die!"
Zhou Tianyin shook her head: "The Heavenly Eye can only be mastered by the head of the family. How could I possibly mobilize the Ninth-Rank Heavenly Eye? You have the wrong person!"
The woman is dressed in a loose-fitting white gown, with a slender belt accentuating her delicate waist, highlighting her exceptionally voluptuous and upright figure. She wears a white gauze hat that obscures her face, allowing only a vague outline of her features to be seen through the translucent fabric. Even through the gauze, there is still a radiant aura about her.
I do not lack the audacity to act boldly; the decision rests with the Eastern Royal Mansion, and it is not for the Fourth Prince to impose punishment. Indeed, I am not a descendant of the royal family, but I have been authorized by the old prince to guard the golden seal, and I possess the right to defend it. The Fourth Prince's trampling of the golden seal is something I, along with the Eastern Royal Mansion, will remember. Three days ago, the calamity that befell our young master is also something I will keep in mind!
A large number of wounded soldiers were being treated by military doctors amidst their lamentations. In the military camp, all the high-ranking generals had gathered in the commander's main tent, having deliberated for three days and three nights.
The Fourth Prince nodded slightly and said: "Indeed, the Divine Tomb Mountain Range is periodically enveloped by a fierce divine wind. We were forced to retreat in haste due to this divine wind; who could possibly venture in? Unless we wait for the divine wind to cease, it typically lasts from two months to six months. With patience, I will certainly assist the Eastern Royal Mansion in locating the remains of Wang Xiong at that time"
At the moment the person exclaimed in shock, a martial servant behind him swiftly struck with a knife, severing his head, and blood spurted three feet into the air; even in death, terror flashed in the person's eyes
Zhou Tianyin seemed somewhat angry, staring intently at Wang Zhongquan through the veil
The surroundings were enveloped in silence as the letter returned to Zhou Tianyin's hands once again
"Presumptuous! My sister is the most beautiful woman in the Great Qin, and she has received teachings from immortals. How could a useless person like Wang Xiong compare? That fellow Wang Xiong is as foolish as a pig; as a man, he even has a peach blossom mark on his forehead. My sister would never look at him. This time, my sister has received a holy command, asking the Fourth Prince to lead the army to find the Divine Tomb Flower for her. Wang Xiong, in his arrogance, seeks to show off in front of my sister and ventures into dangerous territory, seeking his own demise. That is his own fault. Why are you looking for my sister? A person is dead; what is there to discuss about a marriage contract?" Zhou Chi said, glaring.
The middle-aged man occasionally turned his head to look towards the distant Divine Tomb Mountain Range, which was at that moment enveloped by a gigantic tornado, swirling with endless yellow sand, completely shrouded in a massive sandstorm barrier
Zhou Tianyin shook his head: "Butler Wang, I understand your eagerness to protect your master, yet I have never met Wang Xiong, nor have we performed the rites of heaven and earth, so I cannot be referred to as the young mistress. As for the marriage contract, it was merely a joke made by our elders back then, so please do not bring it up again"
Wang Zhongquan turned his head and looked around at the other subordinates behind him: "From now on, whoever dares to say that the young master is dead and stirs up unrest among the people, will meet the same fate as you!"
"A letter of divorce?" Zhou Tianyin said coldly
Zhou Chi immediately snatched the letter and began to read: "Is this really a letter of divorce? How outrageous! Does Wang Xiong dare to insult my sister?"
At the foot of Qiyun Mountain, there is a chaotic military camp
Wang Zhongquan, however, raised the golden seal high, unafraid of anyone.
Wang Zhongquan suddenly raised his head, and his eyes instantly filled with hot tears: "Yes, Miss Xie Zhou!"
"Ha, do you think that Wang Xiong was killed by me?" The Fourth Prince said coldly.
Wang Zhongquan's expression turned unpleasant. However, he once again respectfully bowed to Zhou Tianyin and said: "Since the young lady does not allow me to address you otherwise, I shall refer to you as Miss Zhou for now. Whether the marriage contract is a joke is not something I can decide. Back in the day, when the master was still alive and my Dongfang family had not yet fallen, your father sought the assistance of two other princes to act as matchmakers, requesting the Emperor to bestow a marriage upon our young master. As for the validity of this marriage contract, the Emperor and the four princes are the witnesses."
As soon as the angry sound emerged, a profound silence enveloped the military camp, and all the wounded soldiers ceased their moans. Only the sound of the wind blowing and the gurgling of blood flowing from the neck of the headless corpse remained
Please grant Miss Zhou's request! Wang Zhongquan knelt down, his head striking the floor tiles, producing a thudding sound
The Eastern Wangfu, Chief Steward Wang Zhongquan, bearing the golden seal of the Eastern Wangfu, requests an audience with Miss Zhou Tianyin of the Southern Wangfu. Please announce once again!" The middle-aged man shouted loudly once more.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Wang Zhongquan's eyes
"Merit? Merit is not for you to decide. Only when the Young Master acknowledges your merit, do you have merit! When the Young Master is in trouble, instead of thinking of how to share his burdens, you contemplate supporting others to usurp his position. You are not worth mourning, kill!" Wang Zhongquan's eyes widened.
Zhou Tianyin fell into a brief silence: "Wang Xiong has mingled among the army, hoping to personally obtain the Divine Tomb Flower for me. I am very grateful, but, Wang Butler, I assume that your Eastern Wang Mansion has already dispatched a large number of powerful individuals to venture into the Tianlang Valley these days. With the foundation of the Eastern Wang Mansion, it is still unable to enter. How can a small woman like me assist you?"
Wang Zhongquan withstood this arrogance, his eyes concealing a hint of resentment as he said: "Eastern Wang Mansion, first-class steward, Wang Zhongquan pays his respects to the Fourth Prince"
"No, this is not Wang Xiong's handwriting; it is yours, old servant?" The Fourth Prince also squinted his eyes.
Bold! Reckless!