Outside the hall, Xiao Ying and Qi Ji, surrounded by Eunuch Qiu and the imperial guards, headed toward the other palaces to receive representatives from the two great trading associations.
As they walked in silence, Xiao Ying finally could not resist looking at Qi Ji, who followed with graceful steps. He suddenly asked, "Don't you have anything to say?"
"Say what?" Qi Ji asked lightly, smiling.
"..." Xiao Ying was momentarily speechless. Was Qi Ji playing dumb?
Qi Ji smiled sweetly and took the initiative to reassure him. "It's all right! I understand Your Majesty's intentions. Besides, Prince Wen is the eldest son, after all. A princely title is hardly excessive!"
"It's not just that!"
Xiao Ying shook his head. After a pause, he explained:
"Heavenly Empress Lü Zhi has the Spring-Autumn Trading House and the Lü Clan behind her, and now Shouchun, that rich land in the Central Plains, as well;
"Evil Empress Hua Qiandai has the disciples of the Wulin Myth and ten senior fellow disciples, including the Marquis of Strategic Wisdom, behind her;
"Immortal Empress Yu Ji has the Yu Clan, Great Huan's family of artifact refiners, behind her, along with her elder brother Yu Ziqi in Great Chu;
"Dragon Consort Chong Shiqie has her clan in Yue Province behind her; Consort Qin Li Yanyan has Pacify-Chu Marquis Li Yuan and the old Chu forces behind her.
"You alone, though you control the Flower Immortal Hall, Hundred Flowers Valley, the Hall of Myriad Emperors, and even the army of Great Huan Terracotta Warriors, cannot use any of those as a fallback or outside support. Aren't you worried?"
Qi Ji replied casually, utterly unconcerned, "Worried about what? I have Your Majesty behind me. Isn't that the greatest backing of all?"
"What if... I really am forced to ascend?"