Prince Yong, seemingly completely unaware of the situation, turned to Emperor Mingde on the dragon throne and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend Wang Jiyang, the eldest son of the former patriarch of the Wang family, to serve as an official in the court. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

What does this have to do with face? Everyone was furious, but since it concerned Wang Jiyang, no one dared to speak out. That matter was a taboo in the capital.

Emperor Mingde was quite accommodating, saying, "I grant your permission."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Yong bowed and expressed his gratitude, his movements fluid and seamless.

Emperor Mingde nodded in satisfaction, "I have already made the decision for you. I have sent people to investigate your fiefdom. If any corrupt officials are found, they will be executed without mercy. I have also given you face by allowing Wang Jiyang to enter the court as an official. My nineteenth brother has also given me face by not asking for the fiefdom. So please do not say such things again in the future."

The ministers: ...Isn't this matter going to end anytime soon? We're already trying to rectify things, why keep talking about it? They don't intend to see any prince return their fiefdoms, even though these fiefdoms aren't theirs to begin with.

If Prince Yong successfully returns his fiefdom to the imperial court, it will undoubtedly be a signal, a signal that many people do not want to see.

"Yes, His Majesty and the Prince are like brothers, which moves this humble subject. I beg the Prince not to make things difficult for His Majesty," Yang Zhong advised, showing a complete lack of tact.

Emperor Mingde clearly didn't mean that, okay? There's a story from the previous dynasty about Emperor Mingde thrice relinquishing the throne. Why can't Emperor Mingde push the throne away to show that he was forced to do so?

Fortunately, Prince Yong was very perceptive and, quite bluntly, said in a huff, "Father is gone, Mother is just a woman, I only have my elder brother left..."

The entire court was speechless. What was all this about? If the late emperor knew that his most beloved child was still crying and wailing at such an old age, wouldn't he be so angry that he would come back to life?

Emperor Mingde decided to continue with the matter of the three refusals of the fiefdom. He said seriously, "Nonsense! As your elder brother, I will naturally protect you. As for the fiefdom, do not say anything more." He had already used the words "brother," which showed that he was in a good mood.

Prince Yong was very dissatisfied, acting like a spoiled and pampered young master who would throw a tantrum if he couldn't get what he wanted. "No, I want to do business. The people in my fiefdom are all bad people. I don't want to deal with them. I beg you, Your Majesty, to take back my fiefdom. I refuse."

"What kind of business can you do? Listen to me, your brother will never let them bully you."

These two brothers completely disregarded everyone else, going back and forth for three rounds. Just as Prince Yong turned away in a huff and refused to speak, Emperor Mingde relented, "Well then, Minister Wei, you may take care of this matter as well."

"Your subject obeys."

"Your Majesty, the fate of the nation is not to be trifled with!" Yang Zhongming knew perfectly well that the facts were irreversible, but he still wanted to make a final effort.

However, much preparation had been made for this matter since the previous emperor's generation, and Emperor Mingde had also endured it for many years. Even if Prince Yong did not take the initiative to return his fiefdom today, he would not be able to keep it in the future.

How could we possibly stop just because he said it was a joke?

"Just now, Minister Yang said that I and my nineteenth brother were kind and respectful to each other, which moved you deeply. What? Are your words just like a breeze, gone as quickly as they came?"

After Emperor Mingde finished speaking, he no longer wanted to pay attention to Yang Zhong. He had achieved his goal, and there was still a tough battle to fight. There was no point in being verbally aggressive here.

"Court adjourned!"

The chief eunuch, Liang Yunsi, shouted in a hoarse voice, "Court adjourned!"

Zhao Shu hurriedly bowed and stepped back, bumping into a soft body with a "thud." She jumped up in fright and turned around to see that it was the female official Zhang Chu.

"Ms. Zhang, what are you doing here?"

"Princess, you have terribly frightened the Empress Dowager." Influenced by the Empress Dowager, Zhang Chu also doted on Zhao Shu.

Zhao Shu made a shushing gesture. "Princess, the Emperor summons you." Just as she finished speaking, Liang Yunsi arrived, startling Zhao Shu so much that her heart pounded.

"Huh?" She crouched down and retreated to the side door, where the ministers who were leaving Taihe Gate one after another after court had no chance to see her.

Liang Yunsi thought that this Princess Jun was too bold. The Empress Dowager would not come to this place unless it was a time of national mourning or a time of new emperor. Princess Jun actually dared to come, and on the day of the grand court assembly. Wasn't she afraid that people would find out and the emperor would strip her of her title?

Zhao Shu approached Liang Yunsi and asked, "Eunuch Liang, has the Emperor summoned me?"

"Yes, the Emperor and the Prince are both inside the hall. Summon the Princess in." Liang Yunsi would still maintain a certain air of propriety in front of the unfavored princesses, but he dared not do so in front of Zhao Shu and was very respectful.

Zhao Shu knew that Emperor Mingde had definitely discovered her. Yes, what position could be better than the Dragon Throne? She immediately began to mentally prepare herself, making sure not to implicate the Crown Prince.

"Lady Zhang, go and let the Empress Dowager know that everything is alright. I'll go and pay my respects to her in a bit." With that, she lifted her skirt and ran towards the Taihe Hall.

Lady Zhang wanted to remind her to be mindful of her manners, but Zhao Shu had already disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Sigh." She sighed.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency. His Majesty dotes on the Princess and won't make things difficult for her. I'll go and attend to her now. Please take care, Your Excellency."

If we were to name the eunuch, maid, and female official in the palace whom Liang Yunsi dared not offend, it would be Zhang Chu, standing before him.

Liang Yunsi was on good terms with all the Empress Dowager's trusted advisors. To be able to sit in the position of chief eunuch, one must have some real skills.

Zhao Shu hurriedly arrived at the Taihe Hall and saw Emperor Mingde standing inside with a cold face.

She kept her head down, taking small, shuffling steps, moving on and on, for a long time, but still hadn't reached Emperor Mingde.

Prince Yong and the Crown Prince were also present, both with their heads bowed, presumably because their scheme had been exposed and they had just been reprimanded.

"Can't walk? Do you want me to send someone to help you?" Although Emperor Mingde's tone was stern, Zhao Shu could still tell that he wasn't actually that angry.

She strode up to Emperor Mingde and said, “Ah Jun knows she was wrong. Please punish me, Your Majesty. This matter has nothing to do with my brother, the Crown Prince. I insisted on going myself, and my brother, the Crown Prince, strongly advised me against it. Please don’t be angry with my brother, Your Majesty.” She quickly admitted her mistake and said that her matter had nothing to do with the Crown Prince.

Seeing that the girl was making things worse, the Crown Prince was filled with remorse. However, he couldn't bring himself to put all the blame on Zhao Shu. He knelt down in front of Emperor Mingde with a thud and said, "It was I who brought Ajun there. I am willing to be punished. Ajun is a woman and is not as tough as me. I am willing to be punished in Ajun's place."

"No, no, no, it has nothing to do with my brother, the Crown Prince. It's my fault for being ignorant. If you want to punish me, then punish me, my brother. Please don't wrong him."

One accusation after another, and the other a false accusation—Emperor Mingde was amused by their audacity.

The Crown Prince also felt that Zhao Shutai was tactless and was already prepared to be punished.

To everyone's surprise, Emperor Mingde said, "I can let you two off the hook, but I have a condition."

"What are the conditions?" Zhao Shu asked hurriedly.