Chenggan Palace.
Only after the Martial Saint's Spirit Body disappeared did the frozen atmosphere inside Chenggan Palace slowly recover.
Ji Mingyuan had become utterly dazed and dispirited. At Ji Minghao's wave, two Golden Armored Imperial Guards supported him as he withdrew bleakly.
He knew that his dream of emperorship had already been shattered completely. What awaited him would likely be a long life of confinement, or perhaps a cup of poisoned wine in the dead of night.
Thoughts flickered through his mind, and he looked toward Eighth Prince Ji Minghao, hope in his eyes.
At that moment, Ji Minghao drew in a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and walked toward Jiang Ning.
Then he gave a solemn bow. "Jiang, my brother, Minghao will never forget today's grace, even if my teeth fall out!"
Jiang Ning smiled. "The Emperor should now refer to himself as We."
Ji Minghao shook his head seriously. "Ritual law cannot be overstepped. Minghao is still only Your Highness now—how could I call myself We? Even after Minghao ascends the throne, how could I put on the airs of We before brother Jiang? Without brother Jiang's help today, how could Minghao have gained today's fortune? All that Minghao has achieved was thanks to brother Jiang's aid. Please accept another bow from Minghao!"
As his words fell.
Ji Minghao clasped his fists with both hands and bent at the waist to salute Jiang Ning.
At that moment, Shen Xiao watched from the side as Jiang Ning calmly accepted the bow, and his brows could not help but furrow.
The next instant.
Jiang Ning held Ji Minghao up, not letting him continue bowing. "Your Highness, you speak too heavily. What I did today was all because of the fruit Your Highness once planted. This was