The First Marquis of Leisure

The next day, early in the morning

During the day, he was dressed in armor, looking majestic, and set off with Bai Xinghe and his confidants to meet the emperor in the palace.

Today is the day that the Marquis of Zhenguo is to be conferred the title of King, and the news has already spread.

Everyone was incredibly envious, because this was something that had never happened before in the history of the Great Zhao.

In the Golden Palace

The civil and military officials had already arrived and stood in two rows.

When Bai Tianque appeared, many ministers in the court came over to offer their congratulations.

During the day, everyone responded except for Li Taibei and his cronies, who remained completely silent.

In particular, a cold smile kept flickering at the corner of Li Taibei's mouth.

Upon seeing Li Taibei, Bai Tianque, Bai Xinghe and his son, and others also showed anger.

"Lord Li, if you don't want anyone to know, then don't do it in the first place. You'd better not let Bai find out anything, or Bai will definitely tear down your Prime Minister's residence!"

He's incredibly domineering during the day; touching his own son is his bottom line.

Li Taibei, however, remained unconvinced and sneered, "What? General Bai, are you perhaps implicating me in your son's assassination attempt?"

"Who else could it be but you!" Bai Tianque retorted.

Li Taibei smiled without saying a word; this was truly not his doing.

However, he didn't care, since the two were political enemies anyway.

Furthermore, Bai Xinghe's killing of Li Yuan in the street had already made it a life-or-death struggle.

Of course, most importantly, anyone who lacks energy during the day today will surely die!

Seeing the two locked in a fierce confrontation, the others dared not say anything.

Bai Xinghe advised, "Father, today is the day of the investiture of a king; don't get entangled with this old scoundrel!"

Just then, the voice of a palace eunuch rang out.

Emperor Zhao Tianhe arrived, which finally quelled the anger of the two major factions.

Zhao Tianhe appeared with an imposing presence, accompanied by Crown Prince Zhao Xing, Third Prince Zhao Feng, the Empress, and Princess Zhao Feishuang.

Many ministers were filled with envy upon seeing this. Such a lineup clearly demonstrated Zhao Tianhe's favor towards Bai Tianque.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

All the civil and military officials shouted in unison and bowed.

"My beloved subjects, you may dispense with the formalities!"

Zhao Tianhe waved his hand and then personally walked up to Bai Tianque and helped him up again.

In front of all the ministers, he loudly proclaimed, "Minister Bai, today I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'One-Character Parallel King,' a hereditary title that will be passed down through generations, immortalized for all time, in recognition of your unparalleled achievements!"

Bai Tianque didn't show much expression during the day. If he didn't know that his days were numbered and if he didn't think of his former subordinates who had followed him in battle, and Bai Xinghe, he would have remained silent.

He would definitely refuse the offer to marry the woman, because he understood what Bai Xinghe was saying.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I would gladly die for you!"

Zhao Tianhe nodded, then quickly glanced at Bai Xinghe and several trusted lieutenants who followed Bai Tianque.

Then several eunuchs quickly came out of the hall, carrying the python robe and the crown.

"General Bai, now that you've donned this five-clawed python robe, you are the first king of a different gender in the history of our Great Zhao!"

The eunuch's tone clearly carried a hint of envy.

Bai Shuang, Bai Li, Bai Heng, and other close confidants were also extremely excited.

Even if there's a lack of titles during the day, their status will rise accordingly.

Bai Xinghe was filled with hidden worries, while Li Taibei kept sneering and was extremely nervous.

Bai Tianque took the five-clawed python robe and immediately put it on.

But at that moment, Bai Tianque suddenly felt dizzy and his heart was pounding violently.

He swayed unsteadily, clearly unable to stand.

"father!"

Bai Xinghe shouted and immediately rushed out.

Then all of the Marquis's trusted confidants rushed over.

During the day, he started coughing violently, spitting out streams of blood.

"Someone, summon the imperial physician immediately!"

Zhao Tianhe had not expected such a sudden event and quickly gave the order.

Only Li Taibei was secretly overjoyed upon seeing this.

He knew it must be the poison taking effect, and he would surely die today if he didn't take action during the day.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

During the day, his complexion changed drastically, and he spoke very weakly.

He knelt down with a thud, facing Zhao Tianhe.

"My days are numbered. I only ask that after my death, Xinghe and the people of the Marquis's mansion be treated well!"

Zhao Tianhe's expression was uncertain, and he did not give a direct answer.

"Is the imperial physician here? Bai Qing, don't speak, the imperial physician will be here soon."

Bai Tianque shook his head helplessly, spitting out blood repeatedly.

He used all his strength to look at his three trusted confidants beside him: Bai Heng, Bai Shuang, and Bai Li.

Then she held Bai Xinghe's hand tightly and placed it in the palms of the three of them.

"Dad, hang in there! You have to hold on!"

Bai Xinghe's eyes were bloodshot; he could clearly feel the life that had been missing during the day disappearing...

"Xinghe, listen to your three uncles from now on. Remember, you must... you must."

However, before he could finish speaking, Bai Tianque closed his eyes and his hand naturally fell to his sides.

"father!"

"General!"

Bai Xinghe roared, and the others shouted in response.

......

A generation of war god, a pillar of the Great Zhao Kingdom, and the first king of the opposite sex in Great Zhao, Bai Tianque, fell before the kingship ceremony!

The news spread quickly and reached all of the capital.

Many people were unwilling to believe this fact, because just three days earlier, the army had returned to the capital in triumph, displaying great power and prestige, a fact witnessed by many.

How could he have died so suddenly?

However, facts are facts, and soon the imperial physician's confirmation came out as well.

He was struck by a poisoned arrow during the day and died from the poison!

After learning the reason, many people felt sorry for him!

The people all know that Bai Tianque was killed by a poisoned arrow while fighting the enemy to protect the peace of the Great Zhao!

Zhao Tianhe was also deeply shocked and immediately gave the order.

Bai Tianque was buried with the honors due to a prince, but surprisingly, no mention was made of whether the title of "Supporting Prince" was passed down to his only son, Bai Xinghe, in accordance with ethical norms!

Some are happy, some are sad!

Everyone in the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion was filled with grief; this was all too sudden.

Apart from a few trusted confidants who knew beforehand, no one else in the Marquis's mansion had any idea that Bai Tianque had been hit by a poisoned arrow!

"My lord, please accept my condolences!"

Bai Shuang, Bai Li, Bai Heng, and several other close confidants patted Bai Xinghe on the shoulder to show their encouragement.

Bai Xinghe nodded. He didn't cry, but his heart ached even more than if he had cried.

Even though he's a cheap father, people aren't plants or trees; how can they be without feelings!

"Uncles, after Father asked me to call you in that night, did he give you any instructions?"

Bai Xinghe suppressed his grief, his thoughts drifting far away.

He knew that the absence of one person during the day would bring about a great change.

I must be prepared to receive them immediately, not for myself, but for the sake of all the lives in the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion!

Zhao Tianhe made no mention of the hereditary system of the Iron-Cap Princes, which was the clearest signal of all.

He had no doubt that Li Taibei and the others might already be plotting something at this very moment.

The three looked at Bai Xinghe in surprise, not expecting that even he had anticipated this.

"Young master, the general has indeed given instructions regarding his affairs. The three of us brothers must immediately disperse and leave the capital; we cannot linger for even a moment!"

Bai Xinghe was also stunned when he heard this.

All three were trusted confidants of the Marquis's household, having watched him grow up; they were like his own family.

He didn't even have time to see his father off!

"Young master, please take care. We have more important matters to attend to and must leave now, or it will be too late!"

As they spoke, the three wiped away the tears from the corners of their eyes, knelt down before the missing coffin from earlier that day, and kowtowed heavily.

"General, we swear to Heaven that we will not fail you!"

The three of them then stood up, without even packing their belongings, and left the Marquis's residence through the back door in plain clothes!