Chapter 64

In just a few words, the Empress had already cornered Xiao Sheng, leaving him with no way out. If Xiao Sheng agreed to this bet, success would mean a meteoric rise, while failure would plunge him into the depths of hell, with his entire future placed on the table, leaving him with no choice but to take a desperate gamble.

In an instant, in the warm pavilion, the Empress, Liu Gonggong, Prince Xian, and Ling Zilei all held their breath, their intense gazes fixed on Xiao Sheng, waiting to see what he would decide.

This was a crucial decision that would affect his entire future. For others, it might cause a lot of hesitation, indecision, and uncertainty. But for Xiao Sheng, who had just made significant progress in his martial arts practice and created two highly skilled boxing techniques, his confidence was at its peak. He didn't think he needed to have any reservations.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Sheng clasped his hands and said with a smile, "Since Mother Empress has shown such concern for me, I cannot refuse. Mother Empress, please rest assured. At the birthday banquet, I will do my utmost to put on a good show for you to celebrate your birthday."

The Empress was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Xiao Sheng to agree so readily. But she soon smiled and nodded, saying, "Good, good. Then I will look forward to it." She paused, her gaze suddenly turning to Prince Xian, and she called out, "Eighth Brother."

Prince Xian did not dare to be negligent and quickly bowed, saying, "I am here. Please give your instructions, Mother Empress."

"At the birthday banquet, there will be a martial arts competition to win the pearl. We need someone to serve as the judge. Eighth Brother, will you take on this role?"

Prince Xian respectfully replied, "I will follow your command."

The Empress nodded in satisfaction and lightly waved her hand, saying, "Very well. There's no need to choose a day; we can do it today. Eighth Brother, Fourteenth Brother, if you have time, go with Little Yunzi to the Honglu Temple's guesthouse to meet the Four Dukes of Donghuang and greet them. Little Yunzi, take them there."

Liu Gonggong respectfully responded, bowed again, and then stood up, smiling at everyone, "Please, this way."

With the Empress's command, everyone had to comply. Xiao Sheng, Prince Xian, and Ling Zilei each bowed to the Empress and took their leave.

As they left the Cining Palace and walked to the main gate of the imperial palace, they boarded the carriages that had been prepared in advance and headed for the Honglu Temple's guesthouse, which was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. Liu Gonggong sat in one carriage, while Xiao Sheng, Prince Xian, and Ling Zilei shared the second carriage.

As soon as they were seated, Prince Xian couldn't wait any longer. He grabbed Xiao Sheng's sleeve and complained, "Fourteenth Brother, you really... sigh. The Empress's conditions are so harsh. How could you agree so readily? It's too rash."

Xiao Sheng smiled slightly and said, "Eighth Brother, don't worry. I've seen Niulao's abilities, and they're nothing special. Since the Five Dukes of Donghuang are equally famous, their skills must be about the same. So why shouldn't I agree to the Empress's bet?"

Prince Xian's expression turned serious, and he said sternly, "Fourteenth Brother, although you didn't say it last time, ... the leader of Yiqi Gate who fell down the stairs and broke his neck, that was arranged by me. As for the real Niulao, he has already been killed by you, right?"

Xiao Sheng smiled and said, "Eighth Brother, you are indeed perceptive."

Prince Xian sighed and said, "Indeed. But Fourteenth Brother, even if you killed Niulao, you must not underestimate your opponents. You should know that at the end of the previous dynasty, when the world was in turmoil, many families moved to Donghuang to avoid the chaos. Among them were many hidden experts. Over the past hundred years, they have established their own lineages in Donghuang. So the Five Dukes of Donghuang have many capable and extraordinary people under them.

To be honest, Yiqi Gate is the weakest of the Five Dukes. Compared to Jin Yu Tang and Jin Lin Hui, they are like ants compared to elephants. If you underestimate them, you will suffer greatly in the end."

Xiao Sheng nodded and said, "Eighth Brother, I will remember your words. But I still believe that Donghuang is just a backwater. There can't be any true heroes there. I don't think so, I don't think so."

Prince Xian sighed again, glanced at Ling Zilei, and shook his head, saying, "Fourteenth Brother, to be frank, Miss Zilei has only about a year left to live. Even if the marriage arranged by the Empress is not entirely satisfactory, what does it matter? It's just one year, and you can endure it. To oppose the Empress over this is... unwise."

Xiao Sheng turned to look at the pitiful Ling Zilei and said slowly, "Because she only has one year left. I hope that in this year, Zilei can live happily and joyfully, rather than being anxious and miserable all the time."

"Good, good! I didn't expect you, Fourteenth Brother, to be so loyal and righteous." Prince Xian seemed to be moved. He slapped his thigh forcefully and said resolutely, "Since that's the case, I won't say more. In short, Fourteenth Brother, Eighth Brother will support you all the way!"

——

In the reception hall of the Honglu Temple, Prince Xian and Liu Gonggong sat side by side at the head of the table. Xiao Sheng and Ling Zilei sat to the right of Prince Xian. Across from them, about a dozen burly men, either sitting or standing, were the Four Dukes of Donghuang and their trusted followers.

Liu Gonggong, acting on the Empress's command, immediately transformed. His every gesture and movement exuded an air of superiority and condescension. He sat in his chair, looking down from above, and said in a high-pitched voice, "The Empress has sent me to convey the following message. Have you all heard it clearly?"

The Four Dukes of Donghuang looked at each other and said in unison, "We have heard it clearly."

Liu Gonggong smiled insincerely and said, "That's good, that's good. Come, come, come, all the dukes, come and get to know Fourteenth Prince. Although we will compete in martial arts at the birthday banquet, friendship comes first, and competition second. Hehe, hehehe~"

The Four Dukes of Donghuang did not dare to be negligent and immediately stood up, clasping their hands and bowing to Xiao Sheng, saying with full vigor, "We pay our respects to Fourteenth Prince."

Xiao Sheng also stood up, looked around, and carefully observed the Four Dukes of Donghuang. The first one was about sixty years old, slightly short and plump, with two beautiful mustaches on his upper lip. His attire and demeanor were those of a wealthy and affable old man. Only the occasional sharpness in his eyes revealed his extraordinary nature. This was the leader of the "Jin Yu Tang," Duke Jin Yu, Huangfu Yu.

The second one was about forty years old, not young anymore, but still had a handsome face, elegant demeanor, and graceful bearing. It was easy to imagine that in his youth, he must have been a charming and popular young man. The only thing that reminded one of his past was a barely visible scar on his right wrist, indicating that everything he had today was earned through blood and sweat. He was the leader of the "Jin Lin Hui," Sima Tianxia.

The third one was a super fat man. He had a round head, short limbs, and a large belly that protruded outward. Although it is often said that fat people are gentle, this fat man was full of anger and always had a scowl on his face, as if his belly contained nothing but rage. This was clearly the island lord of Hu Sha Island, Wen Dahai.

The last one was the youngest, no more than thirty years old. He did not tie his hair in a bun and had it shaved to half an inch. He wore the "eagle costume" of the overseas Ying Jixiang Kingdom, with a rope around his neck, as if he was ready to hang himself at any moment. Although he always had a smile on his face, it was a forced one. Beneath his humble exterior lay an unimaginable arrogance and arrogance. The master of "Yi Liu Shan Zhuang," Di Jiuben, was likely the most dangerous and the one who needed the most attention among the Four Dukes of Donghuang.

Xiao Sheng was observing the Four Dukes of Donghuang, and they were also observing him. In their eyes, this Fourteenth Prince had rosy lips, white teeth, clear eyes, and skin so tender it seemed to be able to be pinched and produce water. His physique was at most well-proportioned, and he did not have any obvious muscles. Although he was not overly feminine, compared to the muscular men around the Four Dukes, he seemed somewhat lacking. This无形中，使东荒四侯内心都产生了一股轻视。

在东荒四侯中，虎鲨侯温大海算是最有性格的。他做人爱憎分明，喜怒哀乐都表现在脸上，直肠直肚，从来有什么就说什么，决不会嘴上一套，手上做另一套。打量了十四皇子片刻，忽然重重哼了一声，摇头道：“喂，十四皇子。你真要下场和我们比武夺珠？这可不是开玩笑的。拳脚无眼，到时候要是伤了你，咱们可不会赔偿汤药费。”

面对皇子之尊，温大海开口说话的时候，照样肆无忌惮，直截了当。但正因为这样，萧昇反而对他的直率产生了几分好感。十四皇子摆摆手，笑道：“既然上场比试，当然该怎么样就怎么样。不过这场比武下来，要准备汤药费的人，或许不是你们，也说不准。”

“十四殿下很有自信。”皇甫玉呵呵一笑，道：“不过东荒的事情，还是应该由东荒自己来解决。这是《大昊朝东荒地区特别基准规例法条》之中，写得明明白白的。十四殿下这次横插一手，不怕引起误会，说朝廷主动破坏自己订立的规矩，出尔反尔吗？”

“那些是朝廷要考虑的问题。我不是朝廷官员，所以不用考虑那些。”萧昇微笑道：“怎么，金玉侯这样说话，是觉得没有取胜的把握，所以想拿规例法条来压本王吗？”手机用户请访问http://m.piaotia.net

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In their eyes, this Fourteenth Prince had rosy lips, white teeth, clear eyes, and skin so tender it seemed to be able to be pinched and produce water. His physique was at most well-proportioned, and he did not have any obvious muscles. Although he was not overly feminine, compared to the muscular men around the Four Dukes, he seemed somewhat lacking. This无形中，使东荒四侯内心都产生了一股轻视。

Among the Four Dukes, Hu Sha Duke Wen Dahai was the most straightforward. He was clear about his likes and dislikes, and his emotions were always visible on his face. He was straightforward and never said one thing and did another. After observing the Fourteenth Prince for a moment, he suddenly snorted and shook his head, saying, "Hey, Fourteenth Prince. Are you really going to join us in the martial arts competition for the pearl? This isn't a joke. Fists and feet have no eyes. If you get hurt, we won't pay for your medicine."

Despite the respect due to a prince, Wen Dahai spoke without restraint, straightforwardly. But because of this, Xiao Sheng felt a bit of admiration for his frankness. The Fourteenth Prince waved his hand and smiled, saying, "Since we are competing, we should follow the rules. But after this competition, the one who might need to prepare medicine might not be you, who knows."

"Fourteenth Prince is very confident," Huangfu Yu chuckled. "However, matters in Donghuang should be resolved by the people of Donghuang. This is clearly stated in the 'Special Regulations for the Donghuang Region of the Great Hao Dynasty.' By intervening, Fourteenth Prince, are you not afraid of causing misunderstandings, and being accused of the court breaking its own rules and acting inconsistently?"

"Those are issues for the court to consider. I am not a court official, so I don't need to worry about them," Xiao Sheng smiled. "Are you, Duke Jin Yu, saying this because you lack confidence in winning, and are trying to use the regulations to pressure me?"