Upon receiving the emperor's decree, Xiao Ziwu was first escorted by Guai Bao and reluctantly bathed and burned incense before changing into the prince's robes.
The brocade robe, with its collar and skirt covered in sable, and the cuffs in fuchsia, with gold trim and embroidered sea dragons, further accentuated the man's tall and handsome figure, exuding an air of nobility and revealing a hint of imperial aura!
Enraged that their time together had been disrupted, Tianyun personally placed the purple-gold jade crown on his head.
"Your Highness, do your best. I'll be waiting for you here." She kissed him on the cheek.
The sweet girl's gentle words soothed Xiao Ziwu's slightly anxious heart. He then pulled her into his arms and rubbed her for a while before finally letting her go.
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Ironically, the Qin Zheng Hall, this magnificent royal garden...
Xiao Ziwu, who was also a prince of the Great Liang Dynasty like Xiao Ziyan, was setting foot here for the first time.
Xiao Ziwu was led inside by the palace official.
Above the magnificent hall, the four corner beams are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting phoenixes soaring through the clouds. To the left and right of the platform stand gilded bronze tripods with animal heads, symbols of prayers for peace and prosperity for the Liang Dynasty.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Xiao Ziwu bowed and kowtowed four times to complete the ceremony: "May my father live a long and healthy life, and may his blessings extend to all people. This is truly a blessing for the people of our Great Liang."
The majestic gaze of the Great Liang Emperor fell upon him.
The person in the courtyard was neither arrogant nor servile, and his demeanor was dignified. He did not resemble a spoiled brat who had lost his mother at a young age and had no manners.
Xiao Lian, who always prided himself on loving the people like his own children and being the most sagacious and wise, felt a rare sense of guilt at this moment.
Consort Li's frenzied assassination attempt during childbirth was her fault, yet the Emperor blamed it on an innocent child. His indifference towards Xiao Ziwu over the years is truly lamentable.
For years, they ignored him, but fortunately he stayed true to himself and didn't become a useless person!
Xiao Lian felt a mix of guilt and relief.
He said with a complicated expression, "Raise your head and let your father take a good look at you."
Xiao Ziwu had waited more than a decade for that hoarse, sigh-like "Father Emperor."
But amidst the daily anticipation and the daily shattering of those anticipation by the emperor, this waiting had become numb and indifferent.
He is no longer the five-year-old boy who, in order to say a congratulatory word for his father at the emperor's birthday banquet, rubbed his ten toes until they bled profusely, trying to evade the imperial guards...
Hearing his long-cherished wish today, he felt nothing but disappointment and no joy, nor did his heart stir at all.
Xiao Ziwu calmly raised his head, his deep black eyes as still as an ancient well.
This allowed Xiao Lian to see more clearly his face, which resembled his mother's.
Consort Li was gentle and always had a docile smile in her eyes. However, Xiao Ziwu was different. Although he looked like her, his indifferent and fearless expression was very different from hers.
This calm demeanor, where emotions are never outwardly expressed, is more like that of Xiao Lian.
Looking at that familiar yet unfamiliar face, the Emperor of Liang sighed deeply.
It must be admitted that he is more like his younger self than Ziyan, with his sharp edges concealed and his self-restraint restrained.
Xiao Lian stared at him for a long time, his lips twitching, but in the end he only managed to utter, "Okay, okay..."
As for what was good about it, he couldn't say, since he was a complete stranger to Xiao Ziwu and couldn't explain it at once.
The young eunuch who was announcing the arrival outside the palace suddenly said, "Your Majesty, Consort Lin is requesting an audience outside the palace!"
Consort Lin has just suffered a miscarriage. Instead of resting properly in her bedchamber, what is she doing at the Hall of Diligent Governance?
Xiao Lian frowned and said, "Didn't I confine her to her quarters?"
The emotion that once moved the emperor was gone, replaced by the rage of his imperial authority being challenged. "Who defied my decree and released her?"
Disobeying an imperial edict is a capital offense punishable by beheading!
Which palace servant who can serve in front of the emperor isn't incredibly shrewd and clever?
The palace staff could only remain silent and pretend to be mute, no one daring to utter a sound and risk death.
The emperor threw down the bamboo slips in his hand and asked in a sarcastic tone, "Has this harem changed its surname to Lin?"
That's a serious statement!
Wang Yu's hand trembled, and his knees slammed heavily onto the ground. "Your Majesty, please calm down!"
"This servant will go and deliver the message immediately, ordering someone to escort Consort Lin back to her palace to recuperate."
After Consort Lin suffered a miscarriage, she was physically weak. If she wanted to force her way out of the palace, no imperial guards would dare to stop her!
If the Imperial Concubine were to suffer a serious injury from a fall, it would be a capital offense that would cost her her head!
Sigh, working in the palace means living in constant fear.
"Go and tell her that if she takes another step outside the palace gates without permission, she will not be allowed to visit Ziyan when he returns to the palace. If she insists on doing so, then let her go!"
The emperor's tone was impatient, as if he was extremely annoyed by her stubbornness: "Furthermore, all the Imperial Guards who are guarding Consort Lin's palace shall be given thirty strokes of the cane. If they fail to guard properly again, they will be brought back with their heads!"
Wang Yu nodded and bowed, hurriedly replying, "Yes, this servant will go and announce the decree immediately." But out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Xiao Ziwu, who stood indifferently to the side.
Consort Lin is the mother of the Second Prince. Her incurring the Emperor's displeasure is definitely a good thing for the Third Prince!
But his expression was inscrutable, revealing no trace of joy.
Is it that this unassuming Third Prince is too good at hiding his true intentions, or does he really not care about the dragon throne above him?
Wang Yu lowered his eyelids and respectfully withdrew to deliver the imperial decree.
Inside the hall, the Emperor of Liang's expression softened slightly as he spoke gently to Xiao Ziwu: "The year is drawing to a close, and the envoy sent by the Kingdom of Siam this year is their young prince, Huyan Hongxue."
Your second elder brother is still recovering from his injuries, so you will take his place in receiving the Siamese envoy. If there are any unclear points regarding etiquette, please consult Minister of Rites Yuwen; I will have him assist you. All matters will be handled by the two of you.”
Xiao Ziwu was humble and uncouth, unlike a reckless brute. The Emperor of Liang also put aside his grudges, making it the most appropriate time to send him.
He had not been summoned for many years, but upon meeting the emperor, he immediately ordered his son to perform tasks.
The Emperor of Liang, feeling somewhat embarrassed, said, "All expenses will be covered by the national treasury, so I will reward you with this pair of white jade unicorn paperweights."
Fine, once he has completed this task, I will bestow upon him the title of Prince and grant him permission to establish his own residence outside the palace.
Although Xiao Ziyan made a mistake in escorting the goods this time, a minor punishment will suffice as a warning.
He was, after all, the emperor's most valued prince, and the emperor of Liang originally planned to make him the crown prince after he recovered from his injuries.
Once the crown prince is chosen, it would be best if the two brothers could get along harmoniously. If not, then a remote fiefdom should be assigned to Xiao Ziwu so that he can go far away.
Out of sight, out of mind!
He still felt guilty towards Xiao Ziwu and was unwilling for Ziyan to take his life. This arrangement was the best course of action.
Xiao Ziwu remained indifferent to both honor and disgrace, without even frowning: "Thank you for the reward, Father Emperor. Your subject will obey the decree and will certainly not fail in your mission."
These things are nothing compared to what Xiao Ziyan has acquired over the years, but Xiao Ziyan doesn't care about them.
Yuwen Yi cupped his hands slightly and said, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost to assist the Third Prince in properly settling the Siamese envoys."
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