"You understand now, don't you? It's not an exaggeration to call it a shield. And..."
"Your Majesty, there's something that might require your personal attention."
Before Yang Jian could finish, the head eunuch Dai Quan rushed in. He didn't bother to excuse himself from Yang Hong's presence as he spoke.
"What is it? Don't you see I'm busy?"
Yang Jian shot an annoyed glance at Dai Quan and was about to continue explaining to Yang Hong.
"Your Majesty, it truly requires your intervention. If the Grand Emperor were here, he might also need to lend a hand."
Dai Quan insisted, his face contorted in distress.
"What is it?"
"The sect leader of the Yin Kui Sect, the current Yin Queen Zhu Yuyan, has arrived with her beloved disciple Wanwan. They say they wish to marry the Sixth Prince."
"What? Zhu Yuyan herself has come? And she's here to marry off her disciple?"
Yang Jian was also somewhat astonished. He knew the strength of the Yin Kui Sect; they could easily overthrow the Great Sui Dynasty.
However, for the current Saintess of the Yin Kui Sect to want to marry Yang Hong, it made no sense.
"Ahem... Your Majesty, it's the master and disciple who wish to marry the Sixth Prince together."
Dai Quan gave Yang Hong a look as if he were constipated. He couldn't fathom why Yang Hong was suddenly so popular.
First, it was the most favored Sixth Princess Li Lizhi of the Great Tang, and now the sect leader of the Yin Kui Sect and her Saintess were arriving to marry him.
This was madness.
"Heh heh... here to find another shield again. Father, you're in trouble."
Upon hearing this, Yang Hong was also surprised, then he shook his head disdainfully. He had no intention of accepting these marriages.
"You... I... Sigh, I'll go take a look."
Yang Jian had intended to retort that Yang Hong was getting a good deal and complaining about it. But looking at Yang Hong's expression, he confirmed that Yang Hong was genuinely against these marriages.
However, as the Emperor, Yang Jian considered more. He had to consider not only his son's feelings but also the survival and development of the entire dynasty.
Yang Jian left in a hurry. Yang Hong returned to his small building, continuing to find excuses to fend off Li Lizhi.
Unfortunately, his attempts were doomed to be futile.
The more he refused, the more resolute Li Lizhi became. She insisted on the principle of "a parent's order and a matchmaker's word," leaving Yang Hong no room to object.
The Grand Emperor Yang Zhong was exceedingly pleased with this marriage and continuously tried to reason with Yang Hong.
Even when Yang Hong subtly suggested he would stop farming and brewing wine, it didn't waver Yang Zhong's resolve.
"Good grandson, this marriage is not a loss for us at all."
"Firstly, the Li clan of the Great Tang doesn't demand any betrothal gifts from us, only our agreement; the two dynasties will support each other and not attack one another.
Honestly speaking, the Great Sui benefits from this. Of the current five major dynasties, the Great Tang is the strongest. This condition provides the Great Sui with a protective charm."
"Secondly, and this is likely what concerns you most, after you marry, Li Lizhi will immediately depart the Five Directions Dynasty to cultivate in the Upper Sect.
So you don't have to worry about this little girl bullying you."
Hearing this, Yang Hong nodded, indicating his understanding. After all, Li Lizhi was only looking for a nominal shield, not a genuine husband.
Her true goal was undoubtedly the vast world of cultivation.
"Good grandson, there's another point, which will also benefit you. If Li Lizhi cultivates successfully in the future, she might change your fortune and destiny. Perhaps you'll be able to cultivate in the future as well."
"Her cultivation success will affect me?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Hong was also tempted. Although he could cultivate now, he wanted to do so openly, not in secret.
Perhaps this was an opportunity.
When he watched the Five Directions Prodigy Competition earlier, he had sensed many powerful qi presences. A few of them, even from afar,
gave Yang Hong the feeling that he would be crushed.
Therefore, he had resolved to lie low in the Great Sui's Cold Palace until he became powerful enough to reveal his cultivation.
But if marrying could accelerate his ability to reveal his cultivation, then this marriage was acceptable.
"Of course, it will have an impact. Once you are married, you become one entity. Your fortunes will influence each other. If Li Lizhi achieves great power, even if she doesn't want to, your fortune and destiny will improve."
Seeing that Yang Hong was still concerned about his inability to cultivate, Grand Emperor Yang Zhong knew he had found the key to convincing Yang Hong to marry.
Yang Hong, however, thought even further. He knew there were two other women in the palace who were to marry him.
If the fortunes of spouses truly influenced each other, he could accept all of them and further enhance his own fortune.
When his cultivation was eventually exposed one day, he could simply blame it on these cultivator wives.
"Imperial Grandfather, I understand. I agree."
"Hahaha—That's wonderful, my good grandson."
"Hahaha—Yadu, I knew you were sensible. Then, these two..."
Sometime later, Emperor Yang Jian entered the [Ignoring Everything Pavilion] with two beautiful women.
These two women were even more stunning than Li Lizhi.
The older one, appearing to be in her early thirties, was clad in a purple robe that exuded elegance and nobility. Her perfectly sculpted features were etched with the stories of time and charm, immediately signaling a woman with a past.
Her figure was exceptionally voluptuous, her chest bountiful—the most impressive body Yang Hong had seen since his transmigration.
Considering Yang Hong lived in a palace teeming with beauties, a woman with such a dominant physique was truly rare, underscoring Zhu Yuyan's remarkable figure.
The younger one's figure was rather ordinary, her chest smaller than that of the eighteen-year-old Li Lizhi.
However, she wore a pink dress and was barefoot, with the clear sound of bells accompanying her movements, giving her a charming, sprite-like aura.
This was Wanwan.
"One sheep is a drive, three sheep are also a herd. Let it be all at once then."
After his initial astonishment, Yang Hong quickly regained his composure and said calmly.
"Heh heh—This young man has quite a personality. I have a strong urge to beat you up, what should I do?"
Zhu Yuyan stepped forward, a radiant smile gracing her lips, exuding a mature allure naturally.
Yang Hong almost saluted.
"Ahem—Sect Leader Zhu, my imperial grandson has not cultivated. He might not withstand your Heavenly Demonic Art."
Yang Zhong, standing beside Yang Hong, noticed Zhu Yuyan's subtle maneuver and also perceived Yang Hong's awkwardness, so he quickly reminded her.
"Oh—Is this young man truly not cultivating? Let me see."
Zhu Yuyan didn't believe him. She walked up to Yang Hong, placed an arm around his shoulder, and began to search around his chest.
Yang Hong suppressed the urge to slap this woman to death and turned his head to look at the scenery.
Zhu Yuyan had already placed her heart on him, and he couldn't help but have an erection.
"Mmm—Truly not cultivated."
In just a minute, Zhu Yuyan released Yang Hong, her expression turning cool.
She took two steps back and examined the handsome and dashing Yang Hong from head to toe. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.
"Very good. I shall marry you then."
"And my disciple, Wanwan."
Wanwan, standing beside them, saw that her master had verified, and she no longer felt the need to verify herself.
Li Lizhi, who had been observing the entire scene, surprisingly did not object. She even nodded in agreement.
Yang Hong was utterly speechless with these women.
However, on second thought, he understood.
These women marrying him was merely a nominal union; there would be no substantive relationship.
Since the matter was decided, the wedding preparations proceeded rapidly.
The marriage certificates were exchanged that very day, and the "three letters and six rites" were completed.
The next day, an announcement was made to the world, and on the third day, a not-so-grand wedding took place.
To make it more formal, and to ensure that cultivators would be aware of this wedding, Yang Hong's ceremony was held outside the Chengtian Gate of the Great Sui.
Although not many guests were formally invited, a considerable number of people spontaneously came to witness the ceremony.
It was at this time that many people learned of the existence of the Sixth Prince of the Great Sui, named Yang Hong.
They bowed to heaven and earth, bowed to their elders, and then bowed to each other.
However, contrary to expectations, Yang Hong did not bow to three people.
Instead, he bowed to four.