Chapter 364 - Sea Phantom Wing (1/2)

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

“Did something happen?” Zhuo Fan’s heart tightened.

Grandmother shook her hands with a dry laugh, “Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo, she’s fine. She’s… just in seclusion!”

“Seclusion? The Esoteric Debate has ended and the strife of the eight houses has begun. What’s she, the house lord, doing goddamn secluding herself?” His stare bore into Grandmother’s group, noticing their reactions were off. He knew something was up.

But his questioning was cut off by the sudden booming voice of Old Pang, “Their Highnesses, the Crown Prince and third prince, have arrived!”

Startled, Long Yifey and the rest looked on curiously.

“The Crown Prince always abides by his ancestor’s teachings and hardly ever visits the noble houses. Why is this time different, openly disobeying the tradition and coming to the eighth house?” Grandmother gave Zhuo Fan a hard look and drew a conclusion, “Either he must feel his position threatened and was forced to intervene, or the Luo clan must be so radiant that even the grand Crown Prince has to bask in its glory.”

Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed, “I’ve seen him once and he left me with an impression. He sticks to ethics, treating everyone fair, but he does it all with a clear purpose in mind. He is subtle and sharp, and won’t get himself dragged into the houses’ strife. He’s more of an old fox watching the fire burn from the sidelines. Yet he took the initiative of coming here by himself, to get close to us. He has a clear objective in mind. As to what, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

His allies nodded. Zhuo Fan was cunning to the bone and calm even in this situation, earning their admiration.

“Steward Zhuo, His Highness Crown Prince has come to pay the Luo house a social visit, but he is sure to want to discuss something secret as well. It’s best if we take our leave first.” Xie Xiaofeng said.

Zhuo Fan nodded, having Yan Fu lead them to another room, “Abode Lord Xie, you’re so thoughtful!”

They left not a moment too soon, as in the next moment, someone with a bright and crisp laughter entered, “Ha-ha-ha, imperial brother, imperial sister, your Prosperity Compound is so lively. That crowd you have outside almost had even me blocked.”

Two golden men walked in with their attendants behind them, Crown Prince and Yuwen Cong.

Zhuo Fan snickered inside at the sight of the first, [He’s good. The emperor just made Luo house’s siblings a regent and princess and grabbing the excuse, he came out of the woodworks in an instant.]

Thus making the two feel awkward about shooing him away. Though they had no reservations about the second guy.

Zhuo Fan turned to the ball of fat with a shake of his head.

Thinking back, didn’t the fatty drag him as well? [These two are indeed related, humph…]

“Please forgive my transgression of not coming out to welcome you, Your Highness!” Luo Yunchang pulled her brother to bow before Yuwen Bo. All while Zhuo Fan was standing behind them, looking bored and with nothing particularly important to do.

Crown Prince ignored this obvious rudeness and instead helped the two up with a smile, “Please, we’re all family now. You don’t have to be so distant. Just call me elder brother.”

Luo Yunchang was startled. The siblings found him kind, amiable and modest. They were overwhelmed with gratitude.

However, Zhuo Fan’s trained eye saw through the facade. He hadn’t lived two lives for nothing.

“Oh, Steward Zhuo, you sir have become the Best Steward Beneath Heavens as of today. You are in charge of all of Tianyu’s affairs. Beneath one man and above everyone else. Congratulations on having received such boundless glory. I know it is late, but please accept my acclaim.”

The Crown Prince went to Zhuo Fan and made a solemn and perfect bow, a ninety degrees down angle. If he were any more modest, he’d be on his knees by now.

Everyone was shocked at his modesty.

That person bowing there was His Highness Crown Prince. The only ones to receive such respect were either the emperor or the Four Pillars. The seven house lords were clearly exempt.

Yet here he was giving Zhuo Fan the greatest respect the imperial family could offer. Everyone looking at them felt touched by the gesture.

All but Zhuo Fan, who wasn’t buying any of that fake modesty, watched on with a cold eye and a curt nod, “Oh, I know. Next time be quicker about it.”

Pff!

Blood almost spurted in waves as the people keeled over and laughed. It got a crack out of the bowing Crown Prince too. His face twitched and became red as a fireball.

Yuwen Cong had the least control and cursed, “Brother, how can you step all over him? Elder brother offers you his sincere congratulations and this is how you thank him? To be quicker about it? As if we’re truly in the wrong here…”

“He said he came late and asked for forgiveness. What, didn’t I forgive him and now I can’t even chew him out for it? What more do you want?” Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.