Protect Our Patriarch

At this moment, a figure emerged from the shadows, hovering not far from Wu Canglong. He respectfully bowed and said, "I am Wang Zhouhua from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, paying respects to Senior Canglong."

He had no choice but to step forward, never expecting that the young ones from the Changning Wang's Clan would cause such a commotion, inadvertently stirring up a major incident that alarmed Senior Canglong.

"The Duke of Dingguo's mansion, huh..." Wu Canglong's expression softened slightly. "Zhouhua, I sensed you hiding in the shadows earlier. So, is this little dragon your spiritual pet from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion?"

Wu Canglong was different from Emperor Longchang. He had once fought alongside the founding emperor and had a good relationship with Ancestor Dingxuan of the Wang's Clan. In his earlier, less powerful days, he had even been saved by Ancestor Dingxuan.

"Reporting to Senior Canglong," Wang Zhouhua said with a bitter expression, "Lilong is a child from the Changning Wang's Clan, a branch of our Duke of Dingguo's mansion. She is the legitimate daughter of the current clan leader."

"Changning Wang's Clan? I've heard they're a promising new family," Wu Canglong said with a meaningful smile. "Not too shabby for the little Azure Dragon."

"Yes, indeed," Wang Zhouhua replied honestly. "Lilong was unaware of Guilong City's rules, and it was our mansion's failure to educate her. We'll take responsibility for all the damages caused."

Wu Canglong waved his hand dismissively. "No rush on compensation. Youngsters are impulsive, and such minor scuffles aren't unprecedented. Just follow the usual procedures: assess the damages, divide the responsibilities, and each family pays their share according to the rules. But I see that Xue'ning and Zhixing are also at fault, so your mansion shouldn't bear all the blame."

"Thank you, Senior Canglong," Wang Zhouhua said gratefully. "May I take Lilong back for Master Wang Shouzhe to discipline her?"

"Though Lilong is in the Wang's Clan genealogy, she is ultimately a descendant of the old dragon from the Southern Desolate Swamp. Judging by her pure dragon bloodline, she's likely a direct descendant," Wu Canglong said, his ears twitching as if receiving a message. He then turned his eyes and said, "This matter is significant. If you want to take Lilong back, Master Wang Shouzhe should explain to His Majesty personally."

Wang Zhouhua's heart sank.

Really? A children's fight involving His Majesty?

His Majesty has always been unfriendly towards the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, recently making things difficult for Longzuo Commandery and the Changning Wang's Clan over taxes. Could His Majesty be using this incident to trouble the Changning Wang's Clan?

This time, Master Wang Shouzhe might be in trouble. Emperor Longchang is not an easy person to deal with.

At this moment.

Twelve-year-old Wang Anye stepped forward, adjusted his demeanor, and bowed to Wu Canglong from a distance. "Anye of the Changning Wang's Clan, paying respects to Senior Canglong."

Though young, he was well-behaved and sensible. As the young clan leader, he was destined from birth to bear heavy responsibilities, possessing a maturity beyond his years.

This contrast between age and demeanor caught Wu Canglong's attention, and he said with interest, "Young man, are you also here to catch a dragon? I advise you to go back and find your Wang Shouzhe."

"Not at all," Wang Anye replied calmly, cupping his hands. "I only heard that you were a brother to the founding emperor and fought in the outer regions. Now, as the guardian beast of Daqian, I can't help but admire you and felt it necessary to pay my respects."

This child speaks well.

Wu Canglong's gaze softened further, and he smiled lightly. "I was merely one of the emperor's battle pets back then, lucky to have lived this long. As for being a guardian beast, I'm far from it, barely half a national spiritual beast."

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"Anye? Wang Anye? Why does that name sound so familiar?" Little Commandery Princess Xue'ning, listening to their conversation, furrowed her brows and murmured.

"Madam, think of Princess Yiluo..." Wu Zhixing whispered a reminder.

"Yiluo? What's so special about that little girl... Wait!" Xue'ning's beautiful face suddenly showed shock. "I remember now, Wu Yiluo's fiancé is named Wang Anye, isn't he?"

Commandery Prince An is one of the two Quasi-Imperial Heirs, currently on the rise and attracting attention. Wu Yiluo is his only daughter, beloved by the emperor, who personally named her Yiluo, reminiscing about his beloved first daughter, Princess Qingluo, born when he was a Quasi-Imperial Heir.

It's clear that the emperor regards Wu Yiluo as half a daughter.

The engagement between Wu Yiluo and Wang Anye, though handled discreetly, couldn't escape the notice of those in the know. Thus, Wang Anye's name reached the ears of Daqian's elite.

"You, you, you..." Xue'ning stepped forward quickly, scrutinizing Wang Anye from head to toe. "Are you Wu Yiluo's fiancé?"

"Greetings, Little Commandery Princess Xue'ning. Yes, I am," Wang Anye replied.

Though he internally resisted this arranged marriage and didn't have a good impression of Wu Yiluo, he was born into the role of a young clan leader.

As the eldest great-grandson of the direct line, he enjoyed the most resources and bore far more responsibility than other children. His marriage was destined to be part of the clan's strategic development.

Not only him, but his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather also bore such responsibilities. It's the duty of the direct line, and thus, he must accept this engagement, regardless of his personal feelings.

After examining Wang Anye, Xue'ning found him, though young, to be handsome and composed, a refined young gentleman.

Many young gentlemen in Shangjing City came from far more prestigious backgrounds than a sixth-grade family, and the royal family had many outstanding youths. In terms of looks, they weren't lacking, but finding someone with Wang Anye's temperament among his peers was challenging.

"Not that impressive, not even sturdy," Xue'ning said with a hint of jealousy. "From a mere sixth-grade family, Wu Yiluo's taste seems average."

She and Wu Yiluo were both outstanding young girls in the royal family, both favored by the emperor. Overall, her bloodline was closer to the emperor, being a direct descendant.

Wu Yiluo was born from the bloodline of the emperor's eldest daughter, Princess Qingluo, and her consort. In theory, her bloodline was slightly inferior. Yet, Wu Yiluo awakened the most orthodox Azure Dragon bloodline, and the emperor said she resembled Princess Qingluo from his youth.

With such affection, the emperor's love for Wu Yiluo was no less than for Xue'ning.

Two equally favored and excellent Little Commandery Princesses, naturally paying attention to each other, yet not seeing eye to eye, was quite normal.

Facing Xue'ning's jealousy, Wang Anye merely nodded and smiled, then bowed to her and Wu Zhixing, saying, "I hope to invite the Little Commandery Princess and Little Commandery Prince to a meal to apologize for today's incident. For now, I have matters to attend to and ask for your understanding."

"Anye, you go ahead. We share some blame in this matter, so let's gather for a meal later," Wu Zhixing quickly returned the bow. He had a good impression of Wang Anye, sensing a kindred spirit.

After Wang Anye nodded, he turned to Wu Canglong and said politely, "As a guardian beast, you should handle matters with fairness. Though my Aunt Lilong was impulsive, it was because Little Commandery Prince Zhixing, a Celestial Realm adult, first struck my eleven-year-old Aunt Yingxuan, prompting her to act out of righteous indignation."

"Why, then, did you target my Aunt Lilong upon arrival, ignoring Little Commandery Prince Zhixing's initial action?"

"What?"

Everyone was stunned. This young man was bold, daring to question the national spiritual beast, subtly accusing him of bias.

Especially Wu Zhixing, who looked at Wang Anye with surprise.

This refined young gentleman was courteous one moment, then implicated him the next.

"That's right," Wang Lilong perked up. "I couldn't stand that scoundrel bullying my niece Yingxuan. She's just an eleven-year-old girl, boohoo, such a beast. Righteous indignation, yes, that's what I felt."

"Righteous indignation," what a nice phrase, she thought. She must remember it for future arguments.

Scoundrel? Beast? Eleven-year-old girl?

Wu Zhixing's face turned pale.

This was a heavy accusation. He had merely stepped in to shield Xue'ning, accidentally affecting Yingxuan. If rumors spread, who knows how he'd be portrayed.

"Yes, yes, I was knocked away, and my stomach still hurts," Wang Yingxuan jumped in to testify. "An adult interfering in a children's fight, taking sides, truly shameless."

"What do you mean taking sides? It was your arrogant, fierce girl who got carried away, forcing Zhixing to intervene," Little Commandery Princess Xue'ning retorted angrily.

Wu Zhixing couldn't sit still, pulling Xue'ning back and hurriedly bowing. "Ancestor Canglong, let's follow the process and issue an official statement. If rumors spread, I'll be to blame. Of course, I was a bit hasty and didn't control my strength."

Wu Canglong squinted, looking at Wang Anye with interest. "So you're Yiluo's fiancé, quite calm and clever for your age. But rest assured, today's matter isn't serious, just that someone..."

He paused, then smiled. "Never mind, since you're worried about Lilong, come with me. Someone wants to meet you."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Anye remained calm, but Wang Yingxuan panicked.

This matter started because of her, yet she was fine while her aunt and niece were taken away. How would she explain this to her grandfather?

She quickly jumped in, "No, no, if there's trouble, we face it together. This is my responsibility, take me first."

Though mischievous and often causing trouble, Wang Yingxuan was loyal, never selling out her friends and often taking responsibility. This earned her respect in the Beautiful Girl Alliance.

"Very well. Anye is also worried Aunt Lilong might suffer due to her impulsive nature," Wang Anye, seemingly prepared, said calmly. "I trust Senior to handle this fairly."

"Ah, calling me a 'guardian beast' repeatedly, trying to flatter me, huh? Young as you are, where did you learn this?" Wu Canglong said with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Fine, since His Majesty wants to see you, let's all go together."

The other two, of course, referred to Xue'ning and Zhixing.

Wu Canglong, not wanting to waste words, swept them all up, including the dragon, and flew towards the palace.

Left behind, Wang An'nan and Wang Zhouhua exchanged worried glances.

"Ancestor Zhouhua, what should we do?" Wang An'nan asked, trembling. Going out and losing the three young ones, would his father beat him to death?

"What else can we do?" Ancestor Zhouhua sighed bitterly. "Go back and quickly inform Yuchang and Master Wang Shouzhe, so they can find a solution."

Not long after.

Inside the Zhuozheng Pavilion of the palace.

Emperor Longchang sat with authority, his sharp gaze sweeping over the three young ones from the Wang's Clan.

Though they were bold, facing the emperor for the first time under such a stern gaze made them nervous. Unconsciously, they huddled together.

"Your Majesty, that's enough," Old Yao couldn't help but intervene, whispering, "Don't really scare the kids, it's embarrassing."

"Hahaha~" Emperor Longchang couldn't hold back, laughing heartily, his demeanor turning kind. "Bring some fruits and snacks."

"Sit, sit," Emperor Longchang said warmly. "I'm truly pleased to see someone finally able to outshine the arrogant Wu Xue'ning. Let her know there's always someone better."

"Ancestor..." Wu Xue'ning pouted, acting spoiled. "I'm very well-behaved."

"Come on, I know your nature. Claiming to be the second best among Guilong City's youth," Emperor Longchang interrupted with a smile. "This time, bested by an eleven-year-old, I'm delighted."

"Come, sit, don't be formal with me," Emperor Longchang invited. "Xue'ning, Zhixing, as half-hosts, treat these Wang's Clan kids well."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Yes, Ancestor," Wu Xue'ning reluctantly agreed, pouting.

"Old Yao, send a message to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, saying I like these kids and plan to keep them in the palace for a while, so they needn't worry," Emperor Longchang said, secretly amused.

Wang Shouzhe, oh Wang Shouzhe, let's see if you don't come running to see me now.

"Your Majesty, why not inform Master Wang Shouzhe directly?" Old Yao chuckled.

Emperor Longchang's face darkened slightly, embarrassed. "Just send the message, no need for so many words. Do you want to be emperor instead?"

...