The debate over the "demise of the Great Zhou" at Jinming Bridge ignited the entire capital city.
Now it's not just Jinming Bridge, but also Tai Academy.
The topic was being discussed at the storytelling stage in Fenglelou and in other teahouses and taverns.
Yesterday, the debaters were talented individuals from which state, county, and prefecture?
What were his views, and which influential figure praised them?
Or perhaps, someone has a reputation but no substance; once they step on stage, they turn out to be all show and no substance.
The blood-red gloom that had shrouded Ganjing a few days ago was burned away by a single fire.
Amidst this heated discussion, the Embroidered Robe Envoy, who had previously been known for arresting people in the street and causing bloodshed, quietly disappeared.
The debate at Jinmingqiao continues.
An inconspicuous horse-drawn carriage was parked on the opposite bank of the Jinming River, under a large willow tree that was just beginning to turn a tender green.
From this position, one naturally cannot hear what is being said on the debate stage.
But it's okay.
Every fifteen minutes, someone would transcribe the main points of the person on the stage for the distinguished person in the carriage to review.
This has become the main way for these powerful and wealthy people to listen to debates.
The plain-looking carriage was actually quite spacious inside.
The embroidered private room was fully equipped with tea, snacks, writing brushes, and ink.
The young man, wearing a jade crown and a dark blue robe, looked down at the latest copy in his hand and smiled.
He handed the paper to the young man opposite him.
"Yun Zheng, look! Our Great Yan is indeed full of talented people."
The young man opposite him glanced down at it.
"It was Your Highness's wisdom and resourcefulness that led to this plan, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities."
His expression was indifferent, and his words were also indifferent.
But when he says such things with a cold expression, it sounds particularly convincing.
The prince opposite him indeed smiled.
"It's one thing for others, but you should tell me the truth in front of me."
Yun Wuyi shook his head.
"Praise and criticism are both normal. Your Highness should accept them."
The Crown Prince laughed and said, "Alright, I won't argue with you. My father is hosting a family banquet in the palace today and specifically instructed me to invite you to the banquet. Are you going to come with me now, or go back and rest first?"
Yun Wuyi spread his hands.
"Zheng's attire is suitable for both Your Highness and His Majesty. There is no need for further adjustments."
The prince smiled and said, "Then let's go."
.
After dusk, it started to rain.
This can be considered the first spring rain in Beijing this year.
The fine, misty raindrops enveloped the desolate palace as night fell.
Through a curtain of rain, palace maids used lanterns to light the red lanterns hanging under the palace corridor.
The Fifth Prince patted Yun Wuyi on the shoulder.
With a grin, he said, "Brother Qishan, the palace banquet is ready. The Crown Prince is calling us."
Yun Wuyi nodded.
The Fifth Prince asked, "Which is larger, the imperial palace in Ganjing or the imperial palace in Luoyang, the eastern capital?"
Yun Wuyi remained silent.
Luoyang, the eastern capital, was the capital of the former Zhou dynasty.
Seeing that he remained silent, the Fifth Prince suddenly slapped his head with his chubby little round hand.
"Oh dear, look at my brain. Don't mind me, let's go eat."
…
The palace banquet ended, but the food was utterly unappetizing.
All palace banquets in this world must be the same.
Sitting with people you don't want to see, eating things you don't want to eat, and talking about topics you don't want to talk about.
Fortunately, feigning compliance is something inherent in the royal bloodline.
Yun Wuyi is quite skilled at it.
Wei Zhao is in a good mood today.
He then bestowed several dishes upon Yun Wuyi.
The Fifth Prince, by playing along, made the Prince of Qishan even more favored than himself.
Wei Zhao drank several cups of wine and got drunk quite early.
The founding emperor of the Yan Dynasty, who came from a family of military marshals, is now in much worse health than before.
I'm afraid it's long been eroded by the injuries and illnesses left from battles in earlier years, and by the indulgence in wine and women nowadays.
The Empress Dowager and the Empress took turns giving a lecture.
In the end, it was the Empress Dowager who issued the imperial edict.
"It's still raining outside, and the roads are slippery and cold. Let's not let Yunzheng go back tonight; let him stay in the palace tonight."
…
A light rain fell, blending into the misty night.
The chief eunuch beside the Empress Dowager carried a lantern and personally escorted Yun Wuyi to rest.
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has specially arranged for His Highness to stay in the palace he once lived in, hoping that His Highness can have a good night's sleep tonight."
After navigating the intricate palace corridors, they finally arrived at Yuhua Palace.
It was indeed the place where Yun Wuyi lived when he came to Xijing as a child.
The chief eunuch bowed respectfully outside the palace gate, a smile on his face.
"This old servant will not go in. Your Highness, please rest early."
The young eunuch held an umbrella and escorted Yun Wuyi into the Yuhua Palace.
The palace lights were already on, casting a hazy, warm glow through the cold rain.
Just as I stepped onto the stone steps and walked to the outside of the main hall, a young palace maid suddenly came out.
They stared at them in astonishment.
"Who are you, daring to disturb the princess's rest?"
Inside the palace, Princess Anle, dressed in casual clothes and with her hair in a butterfly bun, turned around.
Their gazes met those of Yun Wuyi, who stood outside the hall, enveloped in the chill of the rain.
King of Qishan... Your Highness?
She blinked her long eyelashes.
.
Yun Wuyi remained silent.
His already dark eyes became even colder as the night rain soaked them.
He turned and walked outside.
The young eunuch stumbled along behind him, calling out to him while trying to hold the umbrella over him.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, where are you going?"
"It is the Empress Dowager who requests that you rest here."
With fine raindrops clinging to his hair and clothes, Yun Wuyi walked to the gate of Yuhua Palace in the deep darkness of the night.
Outside the palace, it seemed to have been anticipated.
The chief eunuch was still standing at the foot of the palace wall, with an oil-paper umbrella over his head.
He saw Yun Wuyi smile slightly.
"Why is Your Highness out again? The rain is getting heavier, so you should stay home and rest as soon as possible."
Yun Wuyi looked at him quietly.
His face was expressionless.
The eunuch's faint smile gradually stiffened as he looked at him.
The chief eunuch was waiting for him to ask why Princess Anle was here.
Then he can answer his questions from a superior position.
However, this former prince is now His Highness the Prince of Qishan.
He didn't say a word.
A stalemate cannot be resolved indefinitely.
The head eunuch coughed lightly.
"Your Highness Prince Qishan, this is the Empress Dowager's will. You used to live in this palace, so please don't make things difficult for us servants."
He waved.
The young eunuch behind him stepped forward and closed the palace gate in front of Yun Wuyi.
The palace gates were locked again.
Night rain fell on the blue brick ground.
The chief eunuch's voice came from outside the door.
"Let's go, so that His Highness Prince Qishan and Princess Anle can rest in peace as soon as possible."
…
Yun Wuyi stood at the palace gate the whole time.
It wasn't until the young eunuch behind him reminded him.
"Your Highness, it's quite cold this night. Please don't catch a chill. In any case, please go inside and sit for a while."
This was the treatment given to princes of the previous dynasty.
They kept calling him "Your Highness" and "King of Qishan".
But which prince or nobleman would be locked in a palace and forced to live with a woman he did not want to be with?
The meaning from the palace is very clear.
Even though you are a prince, you still have to be paired up like pigs and dogs.
Whether or not the King of Qishan heeded his advice, he indeed remained silent and walked into the palace.
This prince is far too taciturn.
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