Ordinary wealthy households had no idea of the tangled dangers involved behind the hegemonic ambitions of princes and lords. All they could see was the power and influence on the surface.
For this servant, he was never qualified to enter the Prince's residence whenever he came. It was already difficult enough to see even one of these three men ordinarily, let alone all three at once—and at such close range.
Prince Yong strode with the gait of a dragon and tiger, his voice steady and resonant. His imposing bearing was made all the more oppressive by the heavy black cloak draped over him. He commanded armies of thousands upon thousands, an undefeated commander on the battlefield, holding the power of life and death over all Southern Prefecture!
Meng Shanming sat in a wheelchair. He looked lean and frail, yet his eyes were razor-sharp; when his gaze swept over someone, it was as keen as a blade. The timid would have their souls tremble from a single glance. The "Yan Shanming" in the folk refrain, "Yan Shanming, Qi Wuhen," was this very man!
Lan Ruoting was calm and composed, yet the restrained majesty that occasionally showed at the corners of his eyes was equally intimidating. He oversaw Southern Prefecture's political affairs, and the official hats of every great and minor local official in Southern Prefecture rested in his hands.
The servant's mouth had gone dry. Seeing these three men, he was excited and nervous, yet standing beside his young master made him feel honored by association!
After a round of pleasantries, Shang Chaozong raised a hand and patted Fu Junlan on the back, turning him around before gesturing invitingly. "Come, let's talk inside."
The servant watched helplessly as Fu Junlan and Shang Chaozong walked shoulder to shoulder up the steps, his