In an instant, the applause thundered.
After the promotion ceremony, Emperor Caesar returned to the Lushan Palace with Shuai Chang and Anqiluo. Traditionally, the crown prince would reside in the New Palace. Emperor Caesar had long instructed the palace attendants to prepare it, and now the hall was refreshed with new utensils and a polished finish.
The most hateful toward Adonis, the newly appointed Crown Prince, were none other than Caesar’s nine brothers and their sons. Seeing their positions snatched away by an unfamiliar young man, the nine royal nephews could hardly contain their fury.
Why should Adonis be entitled to their throne just because he was of Caesar’s bloodline? They were still Caesar’s royal nephews!
Angrily, the nine royal nephews stormed into the New Palace, only to be dazzled by the wealth displayed within, which only intensified their resentment.
The palace guards, unable to stop them and too scared to try, allowed them to barge in.
Adonis, who had no coercive power in the Lushan Palace, found that the guards preferred to offend him rather than the deeply rooted royal nephews.
Hearing the commotion, Shuai Chang furrowed his brow and walked into the main hall. “What’s with the ruckus? Go to the Punishment Center to face your penalties.”
The eldest royal nephew angrily retorted, “What position do you hold to speak to us like that?!”
Shuai Chang looked at him as if he were an idiot. “What position does the Crown Prince have? My father speaks to me with kindness. You not only trespassed into the New Palace but also made such a racket inside. This shows disrespect to the Crown Prince. Considering this is your first offense, each of you will receive a strike at the Min Si Temple.”
“Adonis, I see you’re seeking death by daring to punish us!” The nine royal nephews immediately transformed into beastly forms and lunged at Shuai Chang.
Shuai Chang kicked three of them away, turned, and quickly stepped out into the spacious courtyard. The remaining six nephews, emboldened by their numbers, followed suit, but Shuai Chang did not wait for them to attack. With a roar like a tiger, the sound erupted from his mouth.
The six royal nephews were instantly paralyzed on the ground, frightened by the pressure emanating from the tiger’s roar.
The fourth royal nephew, seeing the white tiger coming toward them, couldn’t help but whimper, “Meow~ I was wrong, spare us!”
They could barely handle a single tiger’s roar from Adonis and feared that provoking him further might cost them their lives here. Even if the nine princes sought revenge for their deaths, they wouldn’t live to see it.
Shuai Chang kicked a few small tigers aside, and the six royal nephews, covered in dirt, scurried away, daring not to complain.
Shuai Chang transformed back into his human form and coldly ordered, “Get out of the New Palace at once.”
The royal nephews scrambled to their feet and fled in a dejected manner.
Anqiluo was napping in a side chamber. Upon waking, he saw Shuai Chang driving away a group of small yellow tigers, rubbing his eyes and walking over. “What happened?” His soft voice made Shuai Chang’s heart tremble.
Shuai Chang held his hand and walked together in the wide courtyard. “It’s nothing. Does my father not have nine brothers? They’re my cousins who came to cause trouble, but I gave them a lesson and they ran away.”
Anqiluo couldn’t help but laugh. “They look rather small; their size is not even half of yours.”
“How could they be smaller than me? It’s just that your husband is extraordinary—not only am I big, but I’m also substantial in other respects. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you tonight and make you totally convinced.” Shuai Chang squinted, smiling suggestively.
Anqiluo took a moment to realize what Shuai Chang meant, his face turning shy as he turned away. “Why have you been teasing me so much recently?”
Shuai Chang hugged him from behind, whispering pitifully, “I can’t help but feel frustrated seeing something I can’t have, so just feel it and you’ll understand.” As he spoke, he pressed his hips against Anqiluo’s backside.
Anqiluo was so startled that he dared not move, his face flush. “Adonis! This is outside. Let go of me; what if someone sees?”
“Don’t worry, I’m the Crown Prince; who would dare to intrude without my permission?”
Yet, right after he said this, he was slapped in the face by Emperor Caesar himself. There wasn’t a place on this animal planet he couldn’t go.
“Adonis, come with me to the Zhengyang Hall to learn how to read memorials.”
Emperor Caesar, dressed in a black brocade robe adorned with golden threads at the collar, cuffs, and hem, radiated grandeur and coldly intimidating grace.
Shuai Chang’s expression fell. “Father, can you please announce your entrance next time? I’m feeling quite embarrassed right now.”
With a glance, Emperor Caesar immediately understood their situation. “Just like your father—eager for pleasure. Can’t this wait until evening? Anqiluo, you don’t need to tolerate him. If Adonis acts like this again, just come find me, and Father will take care of it.”
Great, the mother and son were united on the same side.
Shuai Chang didn’t know whether to be happy or sigh in resignation.
Forced by Emperor Caesar, Shuai Chang was dragged to Zhengyang Hall to read the memorials, reluctantly separating from Anqiluo.
Emperor Caesar stated, “Learn the ways of governance early so that you can inherit the throne. No one on this animal planet will then be able to disturb your time with Anqiluo.”
Shuai Chang replied, “If I become an emperor, where will you go?”
Emperor Caesar’s voice was nostalgic. “I’ll probably find a place in the mountains with beautiful scenery, away from fallen beasts to live in seclusion.”
“Alright,” Shuai Chang agreed. “When you’re unable to move, I’ll bring you back.”
After a short pause, Shuai Chang shifted the topic. “But you’re only forty this year; how can you abdicate before five years? I’ll definitely study the ways of governance well in these five years.”
Becoming an emperor meant no one could order him around or restrain him, but it also entailed far greater responsibilities. Eventually, he would have mountains of memorials to read each day, leaving no time to be with Anqiluo.
While Emperor Caesar was still capable, he would spend these years accompanying Anqiluo.
Shuai Chang learned quickly and grasped the teachings of Emperor Caesar in no time.
In a court meeting, Emperor Caesar appointed Adonis as the Tour Governor, sending him to inspect the education situation in various schools across the land.
Shuai Chang had no objections; he only asked one question: “Can I bring the Crown Princess?”
Emperor Caesar glanced at him. “Sure, agreed.”
“But I have a condition.”
Shuai Chang nodded. “Go ahead.”
“When you return, I hope that Anqiluo will be carrying my grandson.” Emperor Caesar stated.