Su Yu and the others were also stunned for a moment, but they quickly came to believe that the emperor was going to reward Su Lianwu.

They felt that Su Lianwu had been guarding this town no matter what, and whoever won this battle should be honored.

So, Su Yu and the others knelt down in excitement.

Everyone was waiting for the eunuch to read out the imperial edict containing the rewards.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The northern border is haughty and arrogant, and prone to causing trouble and provocation. Only a capable general can guard it. However, Su Lianwu is still inexperienced and has neither merit nor demerit. Therefore, he is to remain in the city as the city gate captain. So be it!"

The eunuch holding the bright yellow imperial edict read it fluently.

At that moment, the Su residence fell silent, and everyone wore a stunned expression.

"What? City... City Gate Captain?"

After a while, the first person to speak up was a guest who had come to the banquet.

They came here to curry favor with the Su family, hoping that the Su family would be promoted and receive great favor this time.

But suddenly the imperial edict said that Su Lianwu was only appointed as a sixth-rank city gate captain.

Su Lianwu was also stunned. Didn't His Highness the Crown Prince say that he had neither made any merits nor demerits?

Why was he demoted from a fifth-rank garrison officer to a sixth-rank city gate captain?

Jiang Qinshu and the others finally understood. Their proud heads bowed, their hearts filled with disbelief.

"Aren't you coming to receive the imperial decree?"

The eunuch let out a cold snort.

Su Lianwu had no choice but to go up and receive the imperial decree.

As soon as the eunuch left, the guests in the Su residence erupted in a commotion.

"Did you all hear that clearly? The Emperor said that Su Lianwu had neither merit nor demerit, which means he had no credit for winning the battle against the Northern Desert?"

"That's right, he's been demoted, from fifth rank to sixth rank! So, we're giving gifts today because we made a mistake!"

"We only came to the banquet because the Su family said their eldest son had performed meritorious service. It seems the Su family was lying to us!"

"This is outrageous! I just gave them a set of Ocean Pearls! No way, I have to get them back!"

"I just gave away a set of Qingshanzhai writing brushes and inkstones, and I want them back too!"

As a result, many people began to ridicule and mock the Su family, and clamored for the return of their gifts.

The Su family's face felt as if it had been trampled and rubbed into the ground.

After the outsiders left, only members of the Su family, their faces grim, remained standing in the main hall of the Su residence.

"This crown prince actually went back on his word!"

Su Lianwu complained angrily.

"Brother, what exactly is going on?"

Su Wanshi, hearing Su Lianwu scolding the Crown Prince, couldn't help but ask with concern.

She felt incredibly embarrassed and couldn't understand why things had turned out this way.

"His Highness the Crown Prince clearly..."

Su Lianwu slowly recounted the pre-war declaration he had signed with the Crown Prince.

Upon hearing this, the Su family felt as if they had swallowed a bitter pill, their hearts choked with sorrow.

"Lianwu, how could you be so foolish? Why didn't you go to war with the Crown Prince?"

Jiang Qinshu couldn't help but blame Su Lianwu.

In her opinion, as long as Su Lianwu went, he would at least have some credit!

"Mother, it's not that I don't want to go, it's that the Crown Prince won't let me go!"

Su Lianwu gave an angry explanation.

Su Wanshi's eyes darted around, and she bit her lip angrily, saying, "Second Aunt, this can't be entirely blamed on Eldest Brother. It must have been the Crown Princess who made the Crown Prince do this!"

The Crown Princess still harbors resentment towards us, which is why she treated my elder brother this way. If the Crown Princess had simply asked the Crown Prince to say a good word for him, he wouldn't have been demoted!

"Wanshi is right. As long as the Crown Prince is willing to say that my elder brother also participated in the battle, the Emperor should reward him!"

Even the usually calm Su Xuanlang couldn't help but agree.

Su Lianwu used to be the highest-ranking official in their family, and they relied on this eldest brother for many things.

Now, Su Liluo and the others have ruined it, and he is quite resentful.

Su Lianwu was even more furious upon hearing this.

"You're right, she's my sister. Not only did she break her word, but she also helped the Crown Prince plot against me. No, I have to go and ask them!"

As he spoke, Su Lianwu got up to leave.

"Big brother, I'll go with you!"

"Let's go too!"

The entire Su family followed Su Lianwu out.

When the Su family arrived at the Crown Prince's residence, Su Lilu was waiting for the Crown Prince to return and was unaware that Su Lianwu had been demoted.

When the servants reported that the people from the Su family wanted to see her outside, Su Liluo frowned.

"Didn't I hear the Su family was holding a banquet to celebrate? Why are you suddenly looking for me?"

A servant standing nearby said respectfully, "Your Highness, they look unfriendly; it seems they've come to cause trouble."

"Looking for trouble?"

Su Liluo was somewhat surprised. Could it be that the banquet at the Su residence had gone wrong?

Su Liluo, who originally didn't want to see them, suddenly felt a bit like watching the show.

So they were invited in.

The Su family members walked in with angry expressions.

Su Lianwu was the first to step forward and question, "Crown Princess, why did you break your promise?"

What makes you say that?

Su Liluo asked.

"Ha, I just returned to the capital and the Emperor issued an imperial edict demoting me. Isn't that because of you?"

"You've been demoted?"

Upon hearing this, Su Liluo's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but sound excited as she spoke.

That's wonderful news!

"Your Highness, are you so happy that your elder brother has been demoted? He's your own brother, aren't you still his sister?"

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