"Could it be... that you have a girl you like?" Consort Shun couldn't help but ask when she saw that her grandson wasn't very interested.
"No!" Qi Chengye quickly shook his head: "Grandmother, you're overthinking it!"
"That's good!" Consort Shun instructed, "You should pay more attention, don't let your fifth uncle's son beat you to it, and you can't lose to Qi Chengshuo, a member of the imperial clan."
"Grandmother, there's something you might not know!"
Seeing Consort Shun's excitement, Qi Chengye quickly helped her sit down and said softly, "Sixth Uncle's brother Chengshuo is different from before. He is almost like that Taoist cultivator, incredibly powerful. If we royal children stand in front of Miss Ye, she will definitely choose brother Chengshuo."
Qi Chengye massaged his grandmother's shoulders and said with a smile, "I know Miss Ye is wonderful in every way. You and Mother both like her very much. If I could marry Miss Ye, my chances of inheriting the throne would be great, but... the chances are really slim, and I would also offend Brother Chengshuo. Let's forget about it!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Shun suddenly stood up.
"Grandmother, you're getting old, you have to take it easy!" Qi Chengye was startled and quickly said.
"Did that brat Qi Chengshuo beat you up recently?" Consort Shun said, pinching her grandson's ear. "Tell me the truth."
"It wasn't that we got beaten up, it's just... we heard that Brother Chengshuo was getting stronger and stronger, that even those Taoist priests couldn't beat him, so we were a bit curious. A few days ago, a few of us cousins invited Brother Chengshuo to spar casually at his martial arts arena, and then..."
"Hehehe..." Qi Chengye chuckled awkwardly twice. Seeing that Consort Shun's expression had changed, he coughed lightly and said, "In the end, he punched all of us and sent us flying. Besides me, there was Chengyuan from my fifth uncle's family and Chengzhi from my second uncle's family..."
In short, these self-proclaimed imperial grandsons, who considered themselves to be both learned and skilled in martial arts, were nothing in front of Qi Chengshuo and utterly disgraced.
Having lost so badly, how could he possibly have the face to go and compete with someone for Miss Ye? Wouldn't that just be asking for a beating?
Consort Shun's eyes widened upon hearing this: "He...he's that powerful?"
"Of course!" Qi Chengye nodded repeatedly: "It surprised us all. Brother Chengshuo said that his heart is different from ordinary people and can provide him with power indefinitely. As his strength increases step by step, he may not even be afraid of the immortal masters of Taiyi Sect in the future."
Qi Chengye sighed as he spoke: "How can we compare to him? He goes to Zizhu Mountain to cultivate with Miss Ye every day. If he knew that we were interested in Miss Ye, what do you think he would do?"
"What can I do? Do you think I'd come and beat you up?" Consort Shun said with a smile, "It's all about fate between men and women. He's had a lot of contact with Miss Ye, but Miss Ye might not be interested in him. How do you know you can't do it if you don't try?"
After hearing his grandmother's words, Qi Chengye couldn't help but cover his head: "You think too highly of me. Although I am a grandson of the emperor, my brother Chengshuo has already inherited the title of prince. In terms of status, I am really not as good as him now. At least he has a salary, while I don't. In terms of strength... I'm afraid ten of me couldn't beat him. In terms of appearance... I'm also a little inferior. So, let's just forget about it!"
After hearing her grandson's words, Consort Shun couldn't help but give him a sharp rap on the head: "You brat, you're really boosting the morale of others while diminishing your own. But then again, what you said earlier also made sense!"
Qi Chengye was deeply shocked upon hearing this.
See? See?
Even his grandmother thought he was inferior to Qi Chengshuo, so what was there to compete for?
"Alright, alright, since this path is blocked, let's try another one!" Consort Shun patted her grandson's shoulder: "From today onwards, you will go to the palace every day to pay your respects to your grandmother, and then go to see the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Keep your uncle and aunt happy. If they like you, they can still adopt you into their family and help you inherit the throne!"
"Well... I think the chances are slim. Uncle Jiu is only in his thirties, he'll definitely have his own children in the future," Qi Chengye said, scratching his head.
“But your father told me before that you should take good care of your Ninth Uncle!” Consort Shun couldn’t help but say, “I thought your Ninth Uncle couldn’t have children, after all… he only has one daughter, Qi Xuan, all these years, but it turns out Qi Xuan isn’t his biological daughter!”
"That's because his former queen didn't want to have children. If Grandmother doesn't believe me, just wait and see. If Ninth Uncle still doesn't have a son to inherit the throne in a few years, it won't be too late for me to try again!" Qi Chengye laughed. "As for what my father said to you before, don't take it seriously. He was just trying to fool Fifth Uncle."
"Why would he try to fool your fifth uncle?" Consort Shun asked, her eyes wide.
"Fifth Uncle is both a scholar and a warrior, the most capable of all the princes. It's just a pity he's not the legitimate son. Grandfather insisted that Ninth Uncle inherit the throne. Last time, Eighth Uncle forced the emperor to abdicate, and many people died. Now only Fifth Uncle, my father, and Ninth Uncle are left. My father said... he doesn't want to see brothers killing each other again, so... he has to say some nice things to appease Fifth Uncle to prevent him from rebelling."
Consort Shun was furious after hearing her grandson's words: "Since he had planned this all along, why didn't he tell me? That brat, he even lied to his own mother!"
"Father was worried that you wouldn't be able to keep the secret, so he told Consort Shu. Consort Shu will definitely tell Fifth Uncle..." Qi Chengye quickly explained.
"Get out, get out... You and your son are both no good. Don't come to the palace to pay your respects to me again. I get annoyed just seeing you!" Consort Shun said as she chased them away.
She had thought her grandson would have a chance to inherit the throne, and had been trying to curry favor with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess all this time, but it turned out to be all for nothing.
If it weren't for her children and grandchildren, couldn't an elderly concubine like her simply enjoy her remaining years in peace?
It's all those two bastards' fault!
"Please don't be angry, I'll take my leave now!" Qi Chengye didn't dare to stay and quickly left.
Before they even left the palace, they encountered Ye Xianya, who was strolling around inside.
With dinner still a while away, Ye Xianya, feeling bored, took Shen Furong away from Liuyun Palace to wander around and familiarize themselves with the place.
Especially Furong, who was not familiar with the palace.
I never expected to run into Qi Chengye here.
"Miss Ye!" Qi Chengye greeted her with a smile and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Your Highness Prince Gong!” Ye Xianya returned the greeting.
Ye Xianya had also heard about Qi Chengshuo's martial arts competition with his cousins.
I heard it from Zhengzheng.
These days, Zhengzheng has been competing with Qi Chengshuo every day. Although she hasn't won a single time, she's much calmer than before when Qi Chengshuo is mentioned.
Zhengzheng watched as Qi Chengshuo and his cousins competed in martial arts.
In Zhengzheng's words, Qi Chengye and his group were no match for her. Not to mention Qi Chengshuo, she could easily swat them all away with a single wing.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com