Canghai Chengkong scowled at the six princes, the look in his eyes uncertain. In addition to Deaf Prince Xiangliu Hongzhen, the other five were all irreverent youths with infamous reputations. There was one thing they all had in common: they were all third children in their clans.

The alliance consisted of the third son of the Lin Clan, the third son of the Beicang Clan, the third prince of the South Sea, the third prince of the Unmeant Sea, the third princess of the Unsullied Sea, and finally, the third prince of the East Sea.

They called themselves the Alliance of the Third Princes, even with the inclusion of a girl, but others considered them a group of profligate heirs.

……

“I ask you, Canghai Chengkong,” demanded the...