Chapter 227: A Different Eldest Princess
Chen Ran naturally looked at the most conspicuous person on the dance floor.
He had short, shiny black hair, combed neatly back. His posture was straight, and he looked incredibly spirited. He looked like he was only in his thirties, and it was impossible to tell that Duke Grom was already 50 years old.
“I’m very happy that everyone has come to celebrate my 50th birthday. I hope to bring you a special night.”
The music began to play. Duke Grom walked down from the stage, took a goblet of red wine from a waiter’s tray, and first politely clinked glasses with the group of high-ranking imperial officials in the front row.
There was an order to this conversation. He talked to those with higher status first, basically clinking glasses one by one. After chatting for a while, he casually greeted some lower-ranking nobles, but mostly just made a gesture of clinking glasses in the air, which was considered a greeting to everyone.
Seiya, who was eating, wiped the corner of his mouth and said to Chen Ran beside him, “To be honest, I don’t like this guy very much.”
To dare to speak ill of the Prime Minister at such a ball, Seiya showed some personality. To be able to say such things in front of Chen Ran, at least he considered him a friend.
“How so?”
Seiya made a gesture and snorted softly. “If you can talk to him, you’ll understand. Some things become vulgar when they are spoken.”
This was interesting, but Chen Ran didn’t care, nor did he intend to go forward.
A group of dukes and marquises were up there, and they were all old. It was really difficult to go up and find a common language. Their conversation was all about tax rates and high-level imperial affairs. It was very professional. Chen Ran, a layman, was only interested in romantic affairs. He really had no interest in that kind of topic.
Hopefully, he was just here to make up the numbers today. The noble Prime Minister probably wouldn’t remember a small figure like him. Perhaps he was just brought along casually.
However, Chen Ran clearly underestimated his presence…
After Duke Grom finished greeting a group of middle-level nobles, he seemed to remember a guest he had invited. He looked around and said, “Is High Priest Chen Ran of the church here?”
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a buzz of discussion around, discussing who Chen Ran was.
Chen Ran was famous, but only around the Dawn Academy. Chen Ran really hadn’t expected that the powerful Duke Grom would mention him here.
Chen Ran picked up a goblet in a proper manner, even mistakenly taking the one Seiya had drunk from, and hurried up to greet him. “Lord Prime Minister, I am Chen Ran. What can I do for you?”
“So you are Chen Ran,” Duke Grom stroked his short mustache, sized Chen Ran up, and said, “I didn’t expect you to be so young.”
There was a hint of disappointment in his tone.
Chen Ran twitched his eyebrows calmly. Seeing that this Prime Minister seemed a bit difficult to deal with, he wasn’t a rookie either, and spontaneously began to smooth things over. “What kind of existence did the Prime Minister think this humble one should be?”
Grom smiled and said, “I thought you should be older. A newcomer to the Holy Church highly recommended by the Bishop of Karoten Cathedral shouldn’t have this kind of aura. I called you here this time because I’m actually very interested in some beneficial spells of the Holy Church. I heard they can make people more spirited and healthier.”
“Lord Prime Minister, just some clumsy little spells. Although I don’t have other skills, I still have this ability.”
The colorful light of Disease Expulsion flashed between Chen Ran’s fingers. After leveling up a lot, the effect of Chen Ran’s spells was also a few degrees better than before.
A large-range Disease Expulsion spell began to shine with Duke Grom as the center. Colorful stardust began to swirl, interacting with the energy in the pores of the human body.
The vitality felt was active in the bodies of this group of people. After removing a large amount of impurities in the body with the power of Disease Expulsion, both the skin and metabolism accelerated. It brightened the skin texture and made the face look healthy.
This was not the end.
Divine Power, Light of Serenity, Inner Fire, and other flashes of light flashed one after another, dazzlingly beautiful. The obvious effect improvement made the guests around dumbfounded, feeling their abundant abilities.
At least, the Duke Grom in front of him, from his original appearance of being in his thirties, made people feel the vitality of being less than thirty. The group of nobles around him who benefited were the same.
Duke Grom moved his body, and indeed felt much lighter. He nodded and said, “It seems I was clumsy. After a few spells from you, I really feel much more relaxed. The spells of the Holy Church really live up to their reputation.”
The Duke moved his wrist and said to Chen Ran with satisfaction, “I happen to be short of a person like you. Come and work for me. If you perform well, I naturally won’t treat you badly.”
That condescending tone made Chen Ran raise his eyebrows calmly.
Duke Grom personally recruiting him made the middle-level nobles at the side envious.
The Prime Minister was fifty years old now. Looking at his spirit now, it seemed that being in power for another twenty years would not be a problem. And the current Emperor was old and slightly ill. Most matters had been handed over to this powerful Prime Minister. If they could get on this line, maybe they could soar to success.
But Chen Ran was a little unhappy in his heart.
Duke Grom was indeed a famous big shot in the empire, but he didn’t give Chen Ran the feeling of the prestige and magnanimity of a true ruler, nor the steadiness of rising to power by real strength.
Moreover, the feeling he gave Chen Ran was not like he valued him, but more like he needed a massage boy. He would cast a spell to refresh his spirit whenever he had nothing to do, just like saying, “Mmm, you have some ability. Follow me, big brother.”
Now, he was no longer the submissive guy he used to be. He was also used to a free life. He was not very willing to work exclusively for others.
Chen Ran said respectfully, “It is my honor to work for you, Lord Prime Minister. But this humble one has a mission from the Holy Church and has important matters to attend to, so I cannot serve you, my lord. But if I am here, if you say a word, my lord, I will naturally not refuse.”
Chen Ran’s tactful refusal made the Prime Minister look a little unhappy. Duke Grom said bluntly, “I admit that the Holy Church is an interesting place, and its scale is not smaller than the City of Dawn. But it is only a city. How can it compare with a vast empire? I guarantee that working under me is definitely much more comfortable than being a bishop or something.”
Even with a tone that allowed no refusal, when he said this, Duke Grom’s patience seemed to have reached a limit. If he didn’t know what was good for him, with his current status, it might not be so easy for Chen Ran to get by in the Imperial Capital in the future.
Chen Ran blinked secretly, suddenly remembering what Seiya had said before. Chen Ran seemed to understand a little of what he meant.
Faced with such a big shot, temporary agreement would probably not have much effect. The purpose of the Prime Minister recruiting Chen Ran must be for a personal high-level servant or something similar. It was not something that could be dealt with by just holding an idle position. Agreeing casually would only offend people more.
So, when it was time to refuse, he still couldn’t hesitate, although he didn’t know what kind of dilemma he would face next.
Just as Chen Ran had prepared his words and was ready to refuse again, a clear sound of high heels approached, the footsteps exceptionally clear.
“Sorry, Lord Prime Minister, this guy is already mine. I think you, my lord, wouldn’t come to snatch my man, would you?”
Appearing in everyone’s sight was a beautiful and moving woman.
A black swallow-tail formal dress made her look exceptionally elegant. Her long hair was tied into a long braid and coiled behind her head, showing a bit of royal grace. Two large silver rings on her earlobes added a bit of enchantment to her, and her eyes held a sharp, piercing intensity.
This was a cold and beautiful woman, exuding a strong aura. Her appearance made the surrounding air seem to stagnate a bit.
Chen Ran felt that this woman looked somewhat familiar…
When Duke Grom saw the person coming, his brows moved, and then he put on a welcoming smile.
Judging from the Duke’s performance, this woman’s status was obviously not low.
“It is my honor that Her Highness the Eldest Princess has come in person, making this ball even more lively. I didn’t expect him to be your subordinate. It was my rudeness. I’ll drink a glass as punishment.”
After speaking, Duke Grom really drank a glass of red wine.
Chen Ran was stunned on the spot for a full 2.2 seconds.
Eldest Princess? Sister Mina?
Chen Ran took a good look at this woman who had appeared in time.
He couldn’t tell, really couldn’t tell. The Director of Academic Affairs Mina, without those big-framed glasses, actually had such an aura. She was completely two different people before and after, completely suppressing everyone in the hall.
Some people, with just a small change in details, transcended to another brand-new realm.
This Eldest Princess was exactly such a woman.
The Eldest Princess stopped in front of Duke Grom, a slight arc appearing on her lips, showing her identity as a congratulator. “I came late tonight. I hope I didn’t disappoint you, Duke. I came in a hurry today and didn’t have time to bring a gift. I hope you don’t mind, Duke.”
“Not at all, not at all. Her Highness the Eldest Princess visiting in person is already a huge face. How dare I ask for too much?”
The Eldest Princess smiled, then turned her head to look at Chen Ran.
“Working for me is nothing shameful. If anyone tries to recruit you in the future, just say I won’t allow it.”
“Yes, yes, yes… Your Highness the Eldest Princess…”
Chen Ran suppressed the urge to wipe his sweat and quickly bowed and responded.
Two big shots standing in front of him, neither of whom he could offend. Chen Ran really felt like it was ridiculous.
The Eldest Princess turned back to Duke Grom and performed a royal etiquette, saying, “Alright, I’ll just make an appearance and say hello to the Duke to prove that I’ve been here. I have a small matter to attend to, so I won’t keep you company.”
Crisp and neat. Perhaps only this Eldest Princess dared to speak to the Prime Minister like this. The Eldest Princess made a gesture to Chen Ran. “Come here, I have something to say to you.”
Chen Ran made an apologetic gesture of departure to Duke Grom and followed the Eldest Princess to the periphery of the dance floor, away from the noise.
