Chapter 234: Chapter 93: This girl has changed quite a bit for no apparent reason! (Please subscribe)_3
 

At this moment, the sound of footsteps slowly came from outside the hall.

Step by step by step.

A middle-aged man wearing a deep purple python robe walked slowly into Taihe Hall under the watchful eyes of the officials.

He wore a smile on his face and looked around the circle, his gaze lingered on Cheng Zhihai for a moment upon seeing that Cheng Zhihai’s face also bore a smile. He was slightly startled, paused on Cheng Zhihai’s face for a while longer, then turned his attention to Emperor Zhou who was on the high platform.

Looking up at Emperor Zhou, the King of South Ming straightened his robe slightly and greeted with a respectful bow, “I have seen Your Majesty.”

Emperor Zhou looked at the King of South Ming with a rarely seen warmth in his expression, simply raising his hand slowly and examining the King of South Ming with interest. He smiled and said:

“There’s no need for such formality.”

“This year, you’ve arrived a bit earlier than in past years for the imperial family ceremony. I thought you would come after some time.”

Keeping his composure, the King of South Ming respectfully replied, “In the past, I would return to my fief immediately after attending the imperial family ceremony. By coming a bit earlier this time, I could also find some time to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and spend more time with Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing the words of the King of South Ming, Emperor Zhou’s majestic eyes softened with a hint of contentment and satisfaction.

Despite their limited interactions, Emperor Zhou couldn’t help but feel fondness for his brother through the filter of kinship, pleased with the words of the King of South Ming.

Cheng Zhihai, who was below the dais, heard the words of the King of South Ming and couldn’t help but pass a peculiar glance.

This King of South Ming, or rather the crown prince, really dared to say such things.

After so many years, it was unclear if his abilities had improved, but the thickness of his skin certainly had.

At the very least, when it came to speaking such insincere words, he could now do it without his face blushing or his heart skipping a beat.

Even Cheng Zhihai had to admit that if Cheng Guang had not told him in advance that this King of South Ming was none other than the crown prince, he would not have been able to guess, nor could he see any resemblance to the crown prince in the King of South Ming.

Emperor Zhou nodded slowly and said to the King of South Ming in a soft voice: “After the court assembly, come with me to see the Empress Dowager.”

Having said that, Emperor Zhou’s authoritative gaze shifted from the King of South Ming and landed on the official who had been interrupted mid-sentence.

“Continue.”

The official hastily nodded his response. Under Emperor Zhou’s watchful eye, he felt oddly nervous and repeated the words he had started to say earlier.

After finishing, he quickly retreated back into the ranks.

The court assembly proceeded as usual.

After the assembly was dismissed, the officials dispersed and left.

The King of South Ming followed Emperor Zhou into the inner palace.

Cheng Zhihai stood in place, thoughtfully watching the retreating figure of the King of South Ming.

“Mr. Cheng, what’s wrong?”

A voice came.

Cheng Zhihai turned to look and saw it was Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin.

This Duke Tongbob was quite famous among the warriors, with extraordinary influence.

He was a warrior from his own lineage.

Their relationship was good.

Cheng Zhihai smiled in reply, “It’s nothing.”

Having said that, Cheng Zhihai got up slowly and walked towards the exit of the hall.

Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin nodded slightly, then, as if something occurred to him, he hurriedly followed behind Cheng Zhihai.

“Mr. Cheng, wait, wait,” he called.

His appearance and physique were inexplicably similar to Qiao Songshan’s, as if they were molded from the same cast, clearly cut from the same cloth.

Cheng Zhihai stopped, looking puzzled at Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin, “What’s the matter?”

Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin’s face, blackened and filled with tiny scars, showed a bit of embarrassment. After hesitating, he couldn’t help but ask:

“Mr. Cheng, may I ask how you usually train the Princely Heir?”

“That brat of mine, during the recent martial competition between Great Wei and Great Zhou, utterly disgraced me. These past days I’ve confined him at home to properly cultivate, but the more I try to discipline him, the less he listens to me.”

“I may be good at warfare, but when it comes to teaching a child, I am at a loss. His mother doesn’t care or ask; she is too doting. What do you think I should do?”

Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin looked utterly in need of advice.

Initially, Cheng Zhihai’s interactions with Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin were merely polite exchanges. He didn’t have much interest in further conversations until Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin inquired on how he trained his Princely Heir, which implied that he had done an excellent job with Cheng Guang.

Suddenly, his interest was piqued.

“Well, let me tell you…” Cheng Zhihai’s face broke into a smile, his tone brimming with the pride of an accomplished father.

“When it comes to raising a child, a firm hand is necessary!”

“If the child doesn’t listen to you, it simply means he hasn’t been beaten enough.”

“Without discipline, he will end up causing mayhem; without correction, his misbehavior will only escalate.”

“Look at my Guanger, he recently made quite a show at the martial competition between the two nations. Just before that, you see, he even uncovered a clue about the Devil Clan smuggling. Lately, he helped me out a great deal.”

“It really is…”

Cheng Zhihai wore an expression of nostalgia.

Shenyong Duke Qiao Zhongqin nodded thoughtfully all the while.

He closely followed Cheng Zhihai, listening intently to his words and nodding occasionally, almost ready to take out a notebook and jot down Cheng Zhihai’s “teach son secret recipe” for later study at home.

When it was time to part, Cheng Zhihai seemed a bit reluctant to leave.

“Overall, you see, raising a child requires strict discipline. The more you discipline him, the more obedient he becomes, the more he grows. You understand, don’t you?”