"Why is the ruler of the Bantan State here?" Pei Huaiyu asked.
His tone was courteous, yet he subconsciously pulled Ruan Jiaojiao behind him. Having finally reunited with her after the pain of loss, he was unwilling to share even a moment of her presence with anyone else.
In the three-plus years since, the eldest prince, Ashina Moguang, had met his end, and the old ruler of the Bantan State had followed him to the grave not long after. Whether this was the work of man or the will of heaven depended entirely on one’s perspective. Regardless, no one had expected that the long-dismissed second prince had been quietly cultivating massive influence behind the scenes, even securing the support of the Emperor of the Central Plains. Victory had crowned him, and in the last two years, Ashina Chengguang had quite logically ascended as the new ruler.
Chapter 173