Chapter 16

The birds were chattering under the roof, as the mild breeze raffled their fur.

Zhao Yang was enjoying tea with his best friend. For him, he was one of the people he truly trusts and likes to share his experience and hang out with.

Over the past years, they had a lot of fun together. While growing up, sharing their point of view, goals, and achievements.

"Zhao Yang, I have really good news. I will be conducting the next auction for the Phoenix pavilion."

Zhao Yang raised his eyebrows in surprise, showing his interest.

"Hmm? I thought your brother is in the line of succession for the next heir."

The Guo family, also known as the golden phoenix family, specializes in trading and business.

Over the past century, the Zhaos were able to catch the attention of the business prodigy Guo Heng.

The old crook is one of the, if not the most cunning foxes, Zhao Yang had ever met.

He seeks to profit from just anything… even while buying a tombstone, he might buy a bunch to profit, saying "we could use it later…"

'Putting that aside, Fatty Guo a.k.a Guo Hai, wasn't his most favorite son in the line of succession.'

*ahem..*

Guo Hai cleared his throat before leaning over a bit.

"Haah… isn't it obvious? My old man finally realized how great I am, and I am the only one who can become the heir…"

Zhao Yang was looking at him with a cringed expression.

"I didn't think, aside from gambling and wasting your money on women, you had some qualities that your old man noticed."

After all, they are partners in crime, he remembered all the time they would sneak out of the sect to go around the city to play…

Even at some point, they had to use disguises to conceal their identity.

"You sound like my old man… okay listen, the other day I was fooling around the moonlight district, and they reported me to my father, I don't know what he thought and betrothed me."

Zhao Yang was trying his best to hold his laughter as he heard him out.

"You mean you… and betrothed? Hahaha…"

He finally lost it. He couldn't imagine this fatty being a responsible man, it was just too hilarious.

"Hey! What is that supposed to mean? I am going to change for good from now on, and also my old man made me run the Phoenix Pavilion. After the marriage, I am going to inherit the auction house."

He said with a resolute expression, making Zhao Yang laugh even more.

"Hey, stop laughing, anyway, I think you should attend the auction, which is going to be held in a month."

Zhao Yang nodded his head before taking a sip of his tea.

"But of course, today's your day. You must be feeling stressed that you're going to bear a heavy responsibility, from this day forward…"

Zhao Yang was out spaced before as the fatty kept talking, to no avail.

"Young Master!"

Zhao Yang turned his head to look at the voice coming from behind.

"Oh, Zhenya, what is it?"

"Young Master, his Majesty has called for your audience."

Zhao Yang nodded his head before turning to Guo Hai.

"Fatty Guo, I have to go for now. And I think I will be busy for a while now…"

"Don't worry, I will be there for your ceremony tonight, along with my old man."

After saying goodbyes to him, Zhao Yang left with Zhenya.

Even within the walls, there was a whole society living inside, from the gardeners to the cook, from the helpers to the chambermaids, all had their separate quarters for themselves or their families.

Zhao Yang didn't even know all their names, yet they seemed to be high-spirited and excited.

Zhao Yang showed his appreciation with his glistening smile.

The young Chambermaids became red like tomatoes and hid their faces with their palms. Looking at them Zhao Yang smirked

"You can have them entertain you some other time."

"Don't you want to play with them too?"

"Well, they are kinda cute…"

Shrugging him off, Zhenya led him to the main buildings.

They entered through the main gate, and passing the hall, they reached a massive door.

Zhao Yang put his hands behind him and stood there straight. The guards looked at him and slightly bowed.

Zhenya nodded at him and knocked on the door.

"His Majesty, Young Master Zhao Yang has arrived."

The door slowly opened. Both Zhenya and Zhao Yang entered the room, closing the door behind them.

Upon entering the room, Zhao Yang spotted five figures.

The King and the Queen, and the old general Kira.

There were two other figures beside them, one was a very attractive woman, and a young man beside her.

"Zhao Yang greets his Majesty and her Majesty."

Zhenya knelt on one knee and looked at the floor.

"Little Yang, come here…"

His mother looked at him with a worried look as she called him over.

Zhao Yang looked at his mother, he felt his eyes moisten a bit as he looked at her gorgeous self.

She was just as beautiful as he remembered, no less.

Zhao Yang quickly went over to her, then she grabbed him, and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Zhao Yang…"

"Mother…"

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back

Lost in emotions they stayed like this for a while…

Thinking about their quality times together, which has become really rare throughout the years.

"Ahem!... Zhao Yang.."

His majesty slowly laughed, bringing him back, out of his stupor.

The mother and son separated, smiling at each other.

"Excuse my rudeness, let me introduce myself."

Zhao Yang turned to the Man and Woman standing there and introduced himself as the crown prince.

"Don't need to be so polite young master,"

Zhao Yang looked at them weirdly and looked at his father.

"Umm… let me introduce them."

He took a deep breath and started, "So Zhao Yang, this is Xia Ning'er, the young miss of the Xia Clan from the RavenCloud kingdom, and also my old lover."

Silence spread through the room as Zhao Yang looked at him with shock.

"And beside her, is our son, your brother, Yuan."

Another wave of silence spread through the room.

Zhao Yang felt something was wrong, as he looked at his mother.

His mother didn't say anything and looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Father, it's nice meeting them and all, but what's the catch?"

Zhao Yang looked at his father with a stern face.

"Little Zhao, what do you mean? You should greet them first, where are your manners?"

His Majesty looked a bit troubled as he met his son's fierce gaze.

"Oh, little Yang, don't be like that… you know, we can talk later."

Zhao Yang turned to his mother, who looked pale and stiff.

Zhao Yang took a deep breath and looked at the young man who was silent the whole time.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Xie, and Young Master Yuan."

"The pleasure is ours, young master Yang, we heard a lot of your glorious deeds, it is indeed great to see you in person."

Yuan said in a calm voice and smiled.

Zhao Yang raised his eyebrows as he heard that.

(A/N - please leave a comment, it keeps me motivated to write.)