The autumn wind, intoxicating like wine, surpasses even the spring morning; the music of strings and pipes is all but fleeting extravagance.
Inside the palace used to entertain Prince Helian, the young emperor sat high above, watching the dancers below gracefully perform.
A scantily clad beauty cast a seductive glance, while the courtiers sitting beside her stared with infatuated eyes, captivated by the fine wine and beautiful women. Amidst the decadent music, a scene of seemingly prosperous times unfolded.
"Where is the Grand Tutor? Where did the Grand Tutor go?" the young emperor asked angrily.
The eunuch beside him bowed and said cautiously, "The Grand Tutor must have gone out for some fresh air. Your Majesty, please don't worry."
He was called the young emperor, but in reality, the emperor was already seventeen years old.
The late emperor died young, and the young emperor had already been on the throne for nine years when he ascended it, with the reign title Xuanyi.
The emperor's relatives and others repeatedly urged the Grand Tutor to return power, but the Grand Tutor resolutely refused, saying that His Majesty was still young and needed to learn, thus repeatedly refusing their requests.
Some people jokingly called him the "Young Emperor," and Emperor Xuanyi, though outwardly silent, secretly hated him with a vengeance.
"Hmph, I'm not in a hurry. It's better that he's not here. If he were here, he'd start nagging me!"
Emperor Xuanyi, who had just been speaking arrogantly, suddenly changed his expression, bit his lip, and lowered his head guiltily.
Xiao Lingchen's figure returned to the hall.
His expression was indifferent, and a glint in his eyes was like a cold wind. The seductive music immediately subsided, and the ministers retreated awkwardly, no longer daring to indulge in beauty in front of him.
The dancer was also flustered and quickly suppressed her alluring demeanor, dancing properly.
"It's getting late, Your Majesty. Why don't you go back and rest? Although the Crown Prince has come to the capital, Your Majesty should not neglect your studies. Such extravagant entertainment is not the foundation of a strong country. Your Majesty, instead of watching songs and dances, you should read more memorials and think about how to deal with the snow disaster in Yan and Yun."
"you!"
Emperor Xuanyi lost face, angrily turned and left, his forehead veins bulging with rage, cursing all the way.
"I am the emperor, I can do whatever I want, who has the right to tell me what to do! It's just watching a song and dance performance, why is he stopping me? Those refugees, they're dead, they're dead, just send people to suppress them and prevent them from causing trouble, isn't that enough? Annoying!"
The interior was so frightened that its face turned pale: "Your Majesty, please watch your words!"
The reception banquet ended hastily. The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies came to apologize, but the Crown Prince of Helian waved his hand dismissively: "It's no big deal. What the Grand Tutor said makes a lot of sense. I, the Crown Prince, must also focus on my studies and not waste my time."
He chuckled as he returned to the inn. As soon as the door closed, his guards stepped forward, vigilantly protecting all sides. The frivolous, playboy smile on his face immediately vanished.
His untamed and wicked nature remains, his eyes are cold, and his schemes are layered.
"Your Highness, how was your trip?"
"I observe that the young emperor is indeed of mediocre talent, unfit for great responsibilities, and unreliable. But this Xiao Lingchen... could the rumors about his anorexia be true? Otherwise, why would he be so protective of that cook?"
The guard was completely bewildered: "The cook?"
Prince Helian shook his head and remained silent.
His trip to the capital was ostensibly to celebrate the young emperor's birthday, but in reality, he carried a heavy responsibility.
The conflict between the Xiao family and the royal family is becoming increasingly serious. It is not a good idea for them, as vassal kings, to remain neutral. Otherwise, if one side gains power in the future, the reduction of the power of the vassal kings will be put on the agenda sooner or later.
The Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion cannot remain isolated. Since they have chosen to side with one side, they must thoroughly investigate whichever side it is.
"The winter hunt will be coming soon, and I can persuade His Majesty to issue an edict allowing Xiao Lingchen to go along... He'll be gone for half a month, and he can't go without food or drink, so he'll definitely need to bring a cook with him!"
Prince Helian curled his lips, a bewitching smile blooming on his handsome face.
"I've heard there's a beautiful and skillful young lady in the Grand Tutor's mansion? There's no better way to cooperate than through marriage. The young emperor's harem is empty, and the position of the heir apparent's wife in my Zhenbei Prince's mansion is also vacant. I'm very curious, with only one young lady, will he choose to keep the young emperor in check, or will he form an alliance with the Zhenbei Prince's mansion?"
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