My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 55 Beauty is nothing more than an aid to a hero's path to power!

Gao Cheng spoke in a calm tone, as if discussing everyday matters, yet every word struck Gao Yang's heart, causing his nose to tingle and his eyes to redden.

Upon hearing this, Li Xizong frowned even more deeply, his face revealing his predicament.

This is because he genuinely despised Gao Yang from the bottom of his heart.

For him, Gao Yang's ugly appearance and vulgarity were secondary; the key issue was that when Gao Yang visited the Li family a few days ago, he would slam his fist on the table and shout insults, showing no sign of the dignified demeanor of a scion of a noble family, which was truly repulsive.

Although Gao Cheng's tone was calm, his words carried an undeniable sharpness.

He ultimately dared not refuse outright, and could only nod and reply, "Very well, after I return to my residence, I will immediately ask the two women what they think. If either of them is willing to go, I will have no objection."

Gao Cheng could easily tell that Li Xizong's words were a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility.

But he didn't point it out.

Ultimately, the reason he mentioned it was simply to do Gao Yang a favor.

As for whether it will work out in the end, and whether the Li family is willing or not, he doesn't care. In any case, he won't lose out, no matter what the outcome is.

Thinking of this, he immediately nodded: "In that case, Erlang and I will await good news with utmost respect."

Having said that, he said no more about the matter.

He then pushed the silk scroll bearing the imperial seal onto the table in front of the two men, instructing them, "You two uncles may take these edicts home today. As for how they are assigned positions within their clans, I will not concern myself with that."

"There is only one condition: those who hold positions must be capable of governing. If there are any charlatans or imposters, I will not question their names or backgrounds, and they will be executed without mercy. Do you both understand?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xizong and Cui Kai immediately became solemn.

They could naturally understand the weight of Gao Cheng's words, after all, the head of Zheng Delin from Lianshan Branch was still on display on the plan.

Therefore, they all composed themselves, cupped their hands, and declared, "Your Highness, rest assured, we understand. We will certainly select the virtuous and capable for the position and would never dare to let personal relationships interfere with the work."

Having said that, the two of them did not linger any longer. They carefully put the silk book into their bosoms, stood up, bowed, and prepared to take their leave.

Gao Cheng did not try to stop them, but turned to Gao Yang and Duan Shao and said, "You two, see my two uncles off for me."

Upon hearing this, Duan Shao did not find anything amiss and simply stepped forward in response.

Gao Yang was suddenly taken aback, and immediately realized that his elder brother had deliberately created an opportunity for him to have more words with Li Xizong. Instantly, gratitude flashed in his eyes.

However, his excitement did not last long.

As soon as he followed Li Xizong out of the mansion, looking at the other man's straight back and the deliberately kept distance, his heart sank instantly.

After several attempts to speak, Li Xizong only gave two faint "hmm" and "ah" sounds, refusing to utter another word, and then became even more dejected.

Duan Shao, seeing this, also noticed something amiss.

He frowned, about to step forward and ask, but Gao Yang had already turned back to the main hall with his head down.

He immediately plopped down on the couch, his face dejected, and said to Gao Cheng, "Brother, I'm afraid this matter is doomed. That old man Li treats me like trash; how could he possibly marry his daughter to me?"

Gao Cheng was speechless when he saw his pathetic state.

Is this all the future renowned hero-emperor will ever be?

Speechless as he was, he casually replied, "Don't rush. It's all up to you. Just wait and see; the outcome will be clear. Besides, even if Li Xizong looks down on you, he should consider the fate of the Zheng family of Xingyang."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Gao Yang became even more dejected.

He muttered, "This is strange. The Zheng family plotted rebellion; the Li family never plotted rebellion. Even if they refuse to marry off their daughter, what can we do? Could it be that my brother would really send troops to besiege the Li residence?"

Gao Cheng was speechless for a moment after hearing what he said, and was even more speechless.

But then I thought about it again. This ugly little brother has been disliked since he was a child. Now that he's thirteen, he's finally fallen in love, and he's being treated so coldly. It's really pitiful.

Therefore, he finally softened his tone, only carrying a hint of elder brotherly admonition: "Alright, stop acting like a little girl. As the legitimate son of the Gao family, a seven-foot-tall man, what kind of behavior is it to lament for someone?"

Gao Yang lowered his head, his voice muffled: "I know this. But... I am truly unwilling."

"What are you resentful about?"

Gao Cheng interrupted him, his voice turning serious: "The world is vast; the Li family is not the only one with a daughter. If the Li family insists on not agreeing, your brother will find another family for you. The Lu family of Fanyang, the Cui families of Boling in Qinghe, and the Wang family of Taiyuan—which family doesn't have a daughter with both talent and beauty? Why belittle yourself?"

Hearing Gao Cheng's words, Gao Yang finally slowly raised his head, and his dejected mood dissipated somewhat.

He forced a smile and said, "Brother is absolutely right."

He paused, then stammered, "Actually... it's not that I absolutely have to be with the Li family's daughter. It's just that I'm unwilling to accept it and can't bear to see her treat me so lightly."

Hearing the resentment in Gao Yang's words, Gao Cheng could understand his feelings.

After all, not everyone in this world is as handsome as him, and not everyone can have countless women flocking to him without him doing anything.

What was that saying again?

The things you can't have always seem more alluring, and Gao Yang is currently in that state.

Ultimately, it's nothing more than the pride of young people at work.

So he leaned back against the couch, his tone becoming even more gentle: "It's alright. The Li family looks down on you because they are shallow; what does it have to do with you? Just do your own thing, and when you have achieved something and hold power, others will naturally look at you with new respect."

"Besides, things haven't reached a dead end yet. I doubt that the Li family would dare to truly ignore what I say."

Gao Cheng's words were not impassioned, but rather like a ladle of warm water, slowly quenching the fire in Gao Yang's heart.

Finally, he calmed down completely.

However, a moment later, recalling her earlier loss of composure, a hint of embarrassment appeared on her face.

Unable to contain himself, he stammered, "Brother, I lost my composure just now. Moreover... Li Xizong originally intended to offer the two women to you, but I interfered, and I truly feel uneasy about it..."

Seeing Gao Yang's hesitant expression, Gao Cheng couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Who would have thought that the future hero and emperor was so conflicted in his youth?

Despite his laughter, he maintained a serious expression and said, "Why do you say that? We are brothers, why should we distinguish between each other? Besides, I am not a lecherous man who is easily infatuated by beauty. If I can grant your wish, it would be a wonderful thing."

Hearing his righteous and stern words, Gao Yang felt even more grateful, and his eyes reddened.

He rose, bowed deeply, and said, "My brother has treated me with kindness akin to being given a second life. I am tongue-tied and cannot express my gratitude, but my heart is as clear as the sun and moon, and I will certainly not fail in my brother's trust!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng couldn't help but smile sincerely.

Because this result is exactly what he had painstakingly wanted to achieve.

He wasn't the original owner of this body, so he didn't have the original owner's problem of being unable to walk past beautiful women, nor did he have the obsession with collecting the great beauties of history just because he had transmigrated.

For him, beauty was merely a seasoning on the road to power.

To be able to exchange a woman for the unwavering devotion of someone like Gao Yang, this deal is worth it no matter how you look at it.

Therefore, he said no more, only saying to the two of them in a low voice, "Alright, let's put the matter of the aristocratic families aside for now. Now let's talk about the banquet tomorrow."