We'll have you impersonate the Crown Prince and create a prosperous era for the Great Qian Dyna

Before long, the gate of the Duke of Huguo's mansion was opened, and the gatekeeper stood at the door and called out to them.

"The Duke wants you to come in."

Manager Liu's previously calmed mood became somewhat turbulent again.

What kind of hospitality is this?

No wonder the Third Prince was so angry that he never visited again.

This is something that would make anyone with status angry!

Take the Eastern Palace as an example. If an official comes to visit the Eastern Palace, the gatekeeper will announce it. Even if the Crown Prince does not want to appear, Chief Steward Liu will still have to show up. This is a basic respect for the guest.

But when they arrived at the Duke of Huguo's mansion, all they saw were servants; they didn't even see a steward.

It's obvious they look down on them!

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were there to curry favor with the family's down-on-their-luck relatives!

However, Zhou Tiancheng is not considered a person of status.

Or rather, he didn't share Liu's ideas and concepts, and therefore wasn't influenced by them.

He strode into the Duke of Huguo's mansion. As soon as he entered, he saw a large courtyard that had been swept clean. Various weapons and some stone blocks for forging were placed on both sides.

As a modern person, especially a modern man, Zhou Tiancheng has an inexplicable fondness for weapons.

He leaned closer to take a look at the broadsword, and even tried to lift it up, and immediately exclaimed in amazement.

"It's quite heavy, probably forty or fifty pounds?"

The gatekeeper scoffed from the side.

"The weapons are all sharpened, Your Highness, please be careful. If you are injured, my master cannot afford to pay for it."

Manager Liu's face immediately darkened.

"How dare you speak to His Highness the Crown Prince like that!"

"Alright, alright, they meant well."

Zhou Tiancheng quickly stopped Steward Liu, ignoring the disrespect in the gatekeeper's words, and went straight to the main hall.

They stayed inside for about half an hour, and even after drinking their fill of water, no one came to serve them. Zhou Tiancheng was getting quite annoyed.

He stood up abruptly, but then, remembering that the Duke of Protectorate had a third of the Great Qian army behind him, he sighed and sat down again.

"My anger was just a fleeting moment; indeed, a man's confidence in anger stems from power!"

Manager Liu was still angry, but he couldn't help but laugh out loud when he was amused by his words.

Just then.

A dull voice rang out.

"I wonder what's wrong with my main hall that makes the Crown Prince laugh so heartily?"

As the voices spoke, a tall, middle-aged man walked into the main hall.

He was not a handsome man; his face was deeply lined with wrinkles and scars.

But just by looking at his face, countless men find him handsome.

He grew into the kind of man men dream of: bravery, righteousness, and dignity all gathered on his face!

He is none other than Zheng Rong, the Duke of Protector of the Nation!

Zheng Rong walked leisurely, neither too fast nor too slow, to the main seat and sat down with great strides. He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp before turning to look at Zhou Tiancheng.

"Your Highness, what brings you to the Duke of Huguo's residence?"

Zhou Tiancheng coughed awkwardly.

"Yesterday, I hosted a banquet at Zui Chun Feng and sent an invitation to the Duke. Since there was no response from the Duke, I came here specifically to see if the invitation had been forgotten."

"If that's the case, I intend to host a private banquet for the Duke at Zui Chun Feng."

This was Zhou Tiancheng's explanation when he visited.

Zheng Rong looked up at him and smiled contemptuously.

"I've seen the invitation, but I threw it away. If Your Highness has nothing else to say, please return."

Manager Liu was so angry he vomited blood!

What does that mean?

They paid a visit but were harassed by the gatekeeper. After entering the main hall, they waited for half an hour. In the end, Zheng Rong wanted to send them away with just one sentence, without giving them any explanation.

Especially that invitation—read it and then threw it away. Isn't that a slap in the face to the Crown Prince?

Steward Liu was not very shrewd; his eyes immediately narrowed.

Instead, Zhou Tiancheng stood up, blocking Liu Zongguan's ferocious face, and calmly bowed to Zheng Rong.

"Does Your Highness truly intend to do this? Aren't you worried that I will completely break ties with you?"

Zheng Rong was somewhat surprised, then burst into loud laughter.

"You couldn't even handle a third prince, and now you dare to say such things to me?"

"Do you know that even if the Third Prince were here, I could have him beaten up, and when he returns, His Majesty would still have to send me gifts to appease him!"

"You, a prince on the verge of ruin, dare to spout such nonsense to me?"

Zhou Tiancheng took a deep breath, feeling immense pressure.

He had seen many people with strong auras when he was acting in his previous life, but none of them gave him the same feeling as Zheng Rong in front of him, making him feel a little breathless!

But he showed no fear whatsoever.

Aura, right?

As an actor, this is the kind of thing he's least afraid of!

After closing his eyes and adjusting for a moment, Zhou Tiancheng opened them again, and his aura had changed.

The original gentle and peaceful demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by the majesty of a superior.

Just like Mr. Chen Daoming in his previous life, when he sat there, he gave people the feeling of a king!

"Even at my worst, I am still the rightful Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty!"

"The Third Prince doesn't dare to provoke you because he feels it's unnecessary."

"But I am different. I can say that I have nothing left but my worthless life!"

"If you want to hit me, then hit me. After you're done, I'll smash my head against your mansion and die, leaving you with a lasting stain on your reputation, so that your Zheng family will never be able to hold their heads high again!"

Do you think I dare?

Zheng Rong looked at the Crown Prince in astonishment.

Is what Zhou Tiancheng said correct?

Yes!

The Third Prince has a promising future, power, and hope, so naturally he won't go to war with the Duke of Protectorate.

But the Crown Prince is different.

Everyone knows that the crown prince is about to be deposed; it's only a matter of time.

The Crown Prince is now desperate and has come to you, Zheng Rong. How dare you insult him like this? The Crown Prince will rather die in your mansion.

The least severe consequence is what Zhou Tiancheng described.

Zheng Rong left behind a lasting infamy; no emperor dared to employ a minister who had forced the crown prince to his death, and his family remained powerless for generations.

The more serious consequence would be that Zheng Rong plotted rebellion, forced the crown prince to his death, and ended up with his entire family being executed.

But that's the truth. Who doesn't think it's better to live a miserable life than to die a good death?

As the crown prince, you come up here and say you'd rather die by crashing your head into your own mansion. Are you really that inflexible?

Zheng Rongdu chuckled softly, clearly angered!

"Your Highness's words are sharp; I humbly admit defeat."

"I won't hit you, but can you please leave the Duke's mansion now?"

This sarcastic tone made Zhou Tiancheng lose all desire to stay.

"Old Liu, let's go!"

Zhou Tiancheng turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

If we can't reach an agreement on the contract, then we won't negotiate.

As a film emperor, Zhou Tiancheng never wastes his time on such things.

Just as he was about to leave, a woman dressed in soft armor, with a heroic bearing, stood in the courtyard, coldly watching him.

"You insulted my father and think you can get away unscathed? Even if you're the crown prince, you won't get away with it!"