The Demon Lords

Chapter 460 58 West_2

There was a hidden meaning in his words.

The Li family's defense of the desert was so steadfast that the princes of the Ji Family had never needed to lead expeditions themselves. The only way a Ji Family member might appear in the desert again would be if the Li family could no longer hold their ground.

Unfortunately, they had never gotten such an opportunity, nor was it easy to achieve that goal.

Their ancestors had battled the Ji Family here for hundreds of years. For their descendants to find that the Ji Family no longer cared to come to the desert was truly a disgrace to those ancestors.

"In the future, I could actually visit more often."

The old Desert King shook his head and said, "Have you given up pursuing the throne?"

His question was direct.

Ji Wujiang laughed, saying, "I don't have the brains for it."

"Throughout history, there have been plenty of kings and emperors without brains. You tell me honestly, this Emperor, do you want to be him?"

Ji Wujiang didn't hide anything; there was truly no need to hide anything here. And, as a prince, he knew his father's personality quite well. His father was, to a certain extent, actually quite open-minded.

"I want to."

That Dragon Throne—who wouldn't want to sit on it?

But in this world, there's no principle that dictates what you desire must be granted.

"It's said that the crown prince appointed by the Yan Emperor is your second younger brother, right?"

"Yes."

"Oh, yes. The Second Prince's maternal uncle is Lord Jingnan, and his future father-in-law is the Earl of North Border. If he doesn't take that position, who would? As for you, it's a pity. It's just your misfortune to have a poor background."

The mother of Yan State's Eldest Prince was a maidservant.

Ji Wujiang nodded, saying with regret, "Yes."

"HEHEHEHE, HAHAHAHAHA!"

The old Desert King pointed at Ji Wujiang and said, "You rascal, you suit my taste. You don't have a family background, but I can give you one."

Here, 'family background' naturally referred to one's 'wife's family.'

Whether in this era or in later times, a person's most direct family connections were likely these three: one from his father's lineage, another from his mother's lineage, and the third from his wife's lineage.

"Could it be that the Khan wants to offer me the position of king of the Royal Court?"

"You brat! If I really let you take it, your father would certainly agree. He wouldn't hesitate to formally disown you, even if only in name. But this position—could a Yan person, a member of the Ji Family like you, truly hold it? I have a young daughter, the pearl of the desert; if you want her, I can betroth her to you."

"What about the dowry?"

"People of the Ji Family are still as shameless as ever."

"Since the old Khan wants me to call him father-in-law, there should at least be some token for changing how I address you."

The old Desert King held up a finger and said, "Ten thousand Royal Court cavalry."

"Too little."

"Have you no shame?"

"My second brother has the support of the Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan, who together command hundreds of thousands of cavalry. You only offer me ten thousand? How am I, your son-in-law, supposed to contend for the throne with that?"

"Wujiang, don't make things difficult for the old man. Everyone knows how little he has left; you couldn't scrape much off even if you tried."

The old lady's voice came from outside the tent.

Ji Wujiang took the initiative to go to the tent entrance, lifted the flap, and saw the Prince of Right Gulixi, who had previously been rude to him, now bowing respectfully to the old lady.

The Li family had been guarding the desert for a hundred years. A hundred years was a very long time indeed—long enough for the Desert Barbarians to fear the Li Family instead of the Ji Family.

His status as the Eldest Prince of Yan State was indeed inferior to that of the current wife of the Earl of North Border.

"Aunt."

Ji Wujiang proactively extended his hand to support the old lady's arm.

Meanwhile, the old Desert King, who had been languidly curled up, also rose shakily. He coughed a few times and said with a smile, "Greetings, Sister Li."

The old lady smiled slightly and nodded, "Greetings, old brother from the other side."

One was the Great Khan of the Royal Court of the Desert Barbarians, a genuine Desert King. The other was the wife of the Earl of North Border, a figure in the north who could make the ground tremble with a stomp of her foot. Yet, when they greeted each other, it was like old neighbors meeting.

"Has my brother Li gone south to enjoy himself? Sister Li, don't you know the nature of men yet? He's out having a good time and leaves you at home. That's really not right of him. I've heard that the women in Qian State's Jiangnan are all incredibly alluring. Brother Li might very well find a new love there."

"Our family is too poor; we can barely make ends meet. A man has to go out and work hard to earn some money to spend. And now, with our daughter about to marry, we have to prepare some dowry, so she won't be mistreated after she weds, right?"

"Sister Li, now you're being too distant. I've watched your precious daughter grow up. For her wedding dowry, my Royal Court should naturally contribute a share."

Nearly everyone knew of the methods the Commandery Princess of the Earl of North Border's household employed against the Desert Barbarians—how the Shatuo tribe was exterminated, how the Royal Court's Left Valley King had fallen.

But despite all that, this offer of a dowry was no mere jest.

"Don't trouble yourself, old brother. You're having a hard time too."

"Ah, it's just a small token of affection; it won't break me."

"Heh, times are tough now, and everyone's struggling. Old brother, if you truly feel that way, then just stop thinking about coming to my house begging for money. My Li family would be content with that."

"Now, that's not the way to put it."

The old Desert King's face turned serious as he continued, "Years ago, though we Desert Barbarians lived a hard life, we could still afford a meat dish during festivals. But now, since your Li family arrived, we've had nearly a hundred years of bitter days. These times are hard to bear."