C13 Taking Me as a Hostage

Chen Dutian spoke with such conviction that Lee Yu was left speechless, his face flushed with frustration. Wang Xuanyang furrowed his brows, never expecting the so-called "First Scoundrel of the Imperial Capital" to be so eloquent.

Killing the Antler Marquis and a scholar from the Scribes' Hall in broad daylight would have led anyone else to a gruesome execution. Yan Chen had summoned Chen Dutian to give him a warning and to put some pressure on Chen Dou. Yet, in just a short time, Chen Dutian managed to deflect all blame for his actions, leaving no room for rebuttal.

"You've got some nerve. Your father, the Lord Protector, indeed contributed greatly to the Phethia Dynasty, but you, a mere brat, dare to kill a high-ranking official? You may escape the death penalty, but you won't avoid punishment!" Yan Feng stepped in to support Lee Yu.

The Lee family, being of royal blood, was shown no respect by Chen Dutian, who even threatened Lee Yu openly in the great hall. Yan Feng couldn't stand by any longer.

"Oh, really? It was the Emperor who granted my father those privileges. Yan Feng, do you know what it means when the Emperor gives his word?" Chen Dutian scoffed, clearly dismissing Yan Feng.

"Enough! I did promise that anyone who dared to offend the Chen family could be killed on the spot. Chen Dutian is young, so I won't pursue this matter further!" declared the Emperor.

Seated on the throne, Yan Chen finally spoke. Contrary to popular belief, Chen Dutian wasn't entirely useless. Yan Chen had once promised Chen Dou certain privileges, and pursuing the matter further would only embarrass himself.

With Lee Yu grieving his son's death, Yan Chen offered some consolations to the Lee family to keep them quiet. However, openly clashing with the Chen family was risky, especially since Chen Dou held the authority to command the 500,000-strong Red Banner Army. Yan Chen wasn't willing to take that gamble.

Since the emperor had spoken, Lee Yu and Yan Feng dared not protest further. Wang Xuanyang shot a cold glance at Chen Dutian but turned away without a word.

Yan Chen cleared his throat, a slight smile on his face, and slowly announced, "Lord Protector Chen Dou has yet to return from his expedition, having rendered great service to me. Chen Dutian, hear my decree: from today, I appoint you as a reading partner to Yan Beichen. You will reside in the capital from now on!"

Chen Dutian was momentarily taken aback. Not only was the Chen family spared from punishment, but he was also promoted. What was Yan Chen's true intention?

Chen Dutian wasn't the only one puzzled; the other ministers in the hall were equally astonished. Everyone in the capital knew Chen Dutian's reputation as a notorious playboy, always causing trouble and shirking responsibility. He had just killed the newly appointed Antler Marquis and the son of the Minister of Personnel. Yet, instead of facing consequences, he was appointed as a reading partner to the prince. The situation had taken an unexpectedly swift turn.

Aside from Yan Chen, the only person in the grand hall who seemed unfazed was Wang Xuanyang, whose eyes even showed a hint of schadenfreude.

After a long pause, Chen Dutian bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I accept your decree with gratitude."

"Is Yan Chen really rewarding me just because of my father's influence?" Chen Dutian muttered to himself, frowning as he left the Crystal Palace.

In Chen Dutian's memory, Yan Beichen had always been unremarkable, with no ambition to vie for the throne. Among the many princes, he was of average talent and never managed to win Yan Chen's favor. Why would Yan Chen make him, Chen Dutian, a reading partner for such a prince? What was Yan Chen's true intention?

Just as Chen Dutian was about to leave the capital, two guards in golden armor suddenly blocked his path, their expressions cold. "Mr. Chen, please stay. Without the emperor's permission, you are not allowed to leave the capital on your own."

Chen Dutian was momentarily taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening. It seemed Yan Chen's apparent reward, making him a reading partner for the prince, was actually a way to keep him confined in the capital, using him as leverage against his father.

"Quite the calculation," Chen Dutian thought with a cold smile, understanding that Yan Chen was still wary of his father and intended to use him as a bargaining chip.

As the Lord Protector of the Phethia Dynasty, Chen Dou wielded significant military power and held the tiger-shaped tally to command the 500,000-strong Red Banner Army. With plans to return to the capital, if he harbored any rebellious intentions, Yan Feng's 100,000 Imperial Guards would be no match for him. Yan Chen kept Chen Dutian in the capital to use him as leverage against Chen Dou.

"Mr. Chen, Prince Yan Beichen requests your presence. Please follow me!" A man dressed in palace attire approached Chen Dutian with a polite smile.

Since he couldn't leave the capital anyway, Chen Dutian wasn't in a hurry. He nodded and followed the man toward Sunlit Palace, where Yan Beichen resided.

Located in the northwest corner of the capital, Sunlit Palace was modest in size, even smaller than the House of Protector, and insignificant compared to the Crown Prince's Crystal Palace.

As they reached the entrance of Sunlit Palace, Chen Dutian glanced around and noticed the lack of guards. Only two men in palace attire stood at the gate, their strength merely at the Fifth Heaven of Spirit Convergence.

This clearly showed that Yan Beichen held little status in Yan Chen's eyes.

The crimson doors were pushed open by the two palace attendants, and Chen Dutian walked in slowly. He passed through two corridors and ascended a dozen steps to reach the main hall.

However, Yan Beichen was nowhere to be seen inside. The palace attendant who had led the way stopped and politely said, "Please wait here, Mr. Chen. I'll go fetch His Highness!"

After about half an hour, Chen Dutian finally met Yan Beichen. Yan Beichen didn’t have the imposing aura one might expect from someone of royal lineage. He wore a casual robe, a three-foot-long sword at his waist, and a jade crown on his head. His demeanor was calm and carried a scholarly elegance.

Chen Dutian bowed in respect, and Yan Beichen approached with a smile, helping him up. He then turned to the man in palace attire beside him and said loudly, “You may leave now. Without my permission, no one is allowed near this main hall!”

The man nodded slightly and exited the hall. Yan Beichen sat down beside Chen Dutian on an oak chair and said softly, “I’ve long heard of the Lord Protector's Heir. Meeting you today is truly a great honor!”

Chen Dutian was a bit taken aback by Yan Beichen’s courtesy. In his previous life, they had never met, and he knew little about Yan Beichen. Seeing him so friendly now was somewhat surprising.

While Yan Chen and Yan Nantian seemed eager to eliminate the Chen family, Yan Beichen appeared to hold no such animosity. Chen Dutian regained his composure, smiled slightly, and said, “Your Highness is too kind. As the reading partner appointed by His Majesty, I will rely on your guidance in the future!”

Yan Beichen waved his hand dismissively, shaking his head with a sigh. “Though I am a prince, I have never been in my father’s favor and have no desire to compete with my elder brother for the throne. In this royal city, my influence is minimal, and no one gives me any face!”