Crown prince banquet

As the two sat cross-legged, a pattern appeared below their bodies as a white and black glow started surrounding them while images of two dao fishes appeared above them. As time passed,their auras rose considerably. The duo had reached the most important session of their cultivation and once it was done they could finally complete their cultivation. At that moment,their hands rose at the same time at arms length before they joined their hands together. At that moment the dao fishes entered their bodies and dissolved into a stream of energy. The energy that entered Tai Jian's body was overbearing while the one that entered Tie Hongchen's body was cold. The temperature in the room plunged while at the same time it rose. It was more like a conflict between two major powers and yet the two seemed to have not suppressed each other rather they seemed to have attained a natural state of balance. With this the duo's strength would increase considerably and they would be able to complement each other as long as they were together. However at this moment something unexpected happened. As Tie Hongchen was still nursing severe internal injuries the energy that dissolved in her body almost ended up freezing her organs. At that moment she lowered her hands and subconsciously moved towards Tai Jian. Their faces met and her moist lips met with Tai Jian's lips at that moment. Tai Jian noticed that when this happened the overbearing energy in his body moved on its own and calmed the cold energy that was wreaking havoc in her body. At the same time,the overbearing energy in Tai Jian's body also calmed down considerably allowing his mind to clear up. After the cold energy disappeared,Tie Hongchen collapsed and fell in Tai Jian's arms. Tai Jian opened his eyes and sighed when he saw her in such a peaceful state when asleep. The cold energy that she was emitting made her look like an ice goddess. Tai Jian peacefully laid her in her bed and covered her with a blanket before he left the room. What he did not notice after he left was that Tie Hongchen immediately opened her closed eyes after he left." He is indeed a trustworthy man," Tie Hongchen said before she closed her eyes.

Meanwhile in the palace of the emperor...

"Li,(cough,cough)how is the thirteenth prince?" Qin Wushuang asked." Majesty,thirteenth prince is fine. The princess did not spend the night in her own palace today. I heard the maids say that she has been with thirteenth prince since evening," the eunuch called Li answered." Majesty,you should take care of yourself. Your health is deteriorating which is not good," eunuch Li said worriedly. The emperor only waved his hands at this." It's okay. I know my health condition very well. The kingdom seems to be stable but actually the situation is worst than it seems. The citizens are enjoying peace and their mindset is no longer based towards war. The sons of our generals and ministers no longer want to hold a sword rather they are more inclined towards flowers. With such a generation,I am afraid there is no one I can leave the kingdom to," Qin Wushuang said." Your majesty,what about thirteenth prince? Although he is hot headed but he is wise and decisive. I believe your majesty knows of his achievements and he has never disappointed you. I believe he is worthy enough," eunuch Li said with a smile as he stared at the emperor." Jian'er is indeed the best option and he has indeed not let me down but he has no ambitions and interest towards becoming an emperor. Moreover being in the army has made him hot headed which has made him more aggressive. He is definitely a good general and an emperor but I can't choose him because he has already been marked. The first prince who is the crown prince is indeed a good choice but he is supported by those people so I can't make him the next emperor. I only made him the crown prince so as to please those shadows. If I make him the next emperor my kingdom and everything I have worked hard for will fall in their hands(cough.cough). It is a pity that I was only able to give birth to few children who are worthy. If it comes down to a situation where I am left with no option,I can only leave this burden to thirteen," the emperor said before he waved his hands to signal the eunuch to leave. Eunuch Li have been friends with the emperor since they were young. They grew up together and have taken care of each other and now that Qin Wushuang was an emperor,eunuch Li still remained his right hand and best friend. The duo were inseparable and eunuch Li knows everything concerning Qin Wushuang and has always been his confidant which was the reason why he knew about the shadows. Meanwhile in the heaven battling state,the princes were in a meeting with the first prince leading them as always." Brothers, I am honoured by your presence and for honouring my invitation. Allow me to propose a toast to all of you," the first prince said with a smile as he raised his wine cup. The other princes lifted their wine cups when they saw this." First prince is being too courteous. Congratulations on becoming the crown prince in advance," the third prince said with a smile. The position of the first prince was now stable and unquestionable. He was now the crown prince of the heaven battling state and he was now the next in line emperor of the heaven battling state." I believe,eldest brother haven't invited us to this place so that we may drink and to reminisce about old times?" The second prince asked what was on everyone's mind. The other princes could not get themselves to ask the first prince boldly concerning his purpose of inviting them to his banquet. Everyone knew of the grudge between the two princes especially after the first prince pressured the emperor to marry off their sister to an enemy state. The second prince has always been close to princess Tie Hongchen so it is not a surprise that he hated the first prince after what happened. Moreover,the first prince had always been fighting with him for the throne for too long and nothing was still certain after all the title crown prince was just a title without much meaning." Of course I have my purpose in inviting you here but it is not the right time yet. If you are in a hurry to leave then I won't be keeping you here but I'll be sure to pay you a visit after this," the first prince said with a devilish grin." There is no need for first prince to bother paying us a visit when we are already here. We will just bear with it and wait," the fifth prince said as he held back the second prince stopping him from speaking any further. He did not want the second prince to speak any further as it will make matters worse. The second prince calmed down after the fifth prince spoke up.