"If I refuse, I fear the General and your mother will hold a grudge."
Empress Shang was Shang Huai's maternal aunt, and Emperor Xiao was unsure of what to do, so he could only discuss it with Xiao Chengci.
Xiao Chengci held the memorial in his hand. "Since the Grand General has requested the title, Father Emperor cannot refuse. So grant it."
"However, since the General Zhenyuan has stepped down, he can no longer keep the tiger tally. The court will temporarily keep it in his custody."
The General Who Guards the North requested a title this time, but he only granted Shang Huai the title of Marquis of Zhenyuan.
Even if he wasn't the General of Zhenyuan, there were still loopholes to exploit.
Emperor Xiao hesitated for a moment: "This method is good, but I am worried that the General might have other ideas in mind."
"The Zhenbei Army is, in the end, still the imperial army. It is only right that we want to take back the Tiger Tally."
Xiao Chengci countered, "Father, with your hesitation and indecision, do you already believe that the Zhenbei Army is no longer loyal to the court?"
“The General of the Northern Garrison has been guarding the north for decades since his father’s generation. To be honest, I can’t do anything about them now.”
Despite this, the General of the North has always been diligent and conscientious from his father's generation to this generation.
He always obeyed the orders of the imperial court without question.
"I am the emperor, and I am always worried. What if the Zhenbei Army rebels one day?"
This is why, back then, Emperor Xiao knew that Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai had fallen in love with the same woman.
The reason why that woman must die.
We must not allow the seeds of hatred to be sown in Shang Huai's heart, because Shang Huai is the next leader of the Zhenbei Army.
"But this is an unavoidable reason."
The Zhenbei Army was stationed in the north, where the climate was bitterly cold.
Even if they find someone they trust to take over the Zhenbei Army now, they still won't be able to win over the people.
"Your sixth sister came of age last year, and I intend to bestow her upon Shang Huai. What do you think?"
Initially, the General Who Guards the North supported Emperor Xiao's ascension to the throne.
This was also because Emperor Xiao married Empress Shang.
Marquis Zhenbei only had one son, Shang Huai, and no daughters.
If Emperor Xiao had a daughter, he would have simply arranged for Xiao Chengci to marry her, and there wouldn't have been so many concerns.
"This matter is best left to Father Emperor to decide."
Emperor Xiao scratched his head anxiously, "I'm not worried, but Shang Huai is just like you. If the marriage doesn't work out, it might even create a rift between you."
What kind of mess did Xiao Chengci make of himself for Pei Zhi?
Shang Huai returned to the north without imperial decree.
This matter had always been a thorn in Emperor Xiao's side.
Emperor Xiao pondered that he had arranged the marriage to foster closer relations between the two families.
Emperor Xiao would feel more at ease if he could establish a marriage alliance with the Zhenbei Army.
"Tell me, if I were to grant this marriage, and Shang Huai disobeyed the imperial decree, how would I deal with him?"
Xiao Chengci said slowly, "Father, you should be more worried. Once this decree is issued, Shang Huai will directly lead the Zhenbei Army in rebellion. What should we do then?"
Both of them knew that Pei Zhi's death would inevitably have an impact on Shang Huai.
Otherwise, Shang Huai wouldn't have run back to the north without saying goodbye.
Shang Huai was openly expressing his dissatisfaction.
It's because Shang Huai is young. Once he gets older, he'll be able to hide his emotions better.
Emperor Xiao's hair has turned quite a bit white from worry these days.
Emperor Xiao's tone was full of uncertainty: "It can't be that bad."
Xiao Chengci made a decision for Emperor Xiao: "Marriage alliance is not advisable, at least not now."
"Shang Huai may not disobey the imperial decree, but Sixth Sister is very likely to die on the way."
Shang Huai didn't want to break ties with the imperial court now, but he also didn't want to marry the princess. The most effective solution was to have someone ambush him on the road.
Seeing that Emperor Xiao did not believe him, Xiao Chengci continued, "If Father Emperor is willing to give up Sixth Sister, then we can give it a try."
"I am now drafting an edict to allow the Grand General to request that Shang Huai be granted the title of Marquis of Zhenbei, and by the way, to betroth your sixth sister to Shang Huai."
Emperor Xiao pondered, "I want to see if your sixth sister will 'die' on the road."
This can be considered a test for Shang Huai.
If Shang Huai is indeed as Xiao Chengci suspects, then Emperor Xiao will have to start cleaning up the Zhenbei Army.
Army soldiers who are disloyal to the court should not be allowed to remain.
Emperor Xiao's decree was issued quickly, and Empress Shang complained about it after she found out.
Fortunately, Empress Shang had watched the sixth princess grow up.
Princess Six was outstanding in both appearance and character, and Empress Shang prepared a considerable dowry for her.
After Shang Huai received the imperial edict, the "Sixth Princess" also rode in a sedan chair and headed north.
At this rate, it would take more than twenty days to get there.
Xiao Chengci returned to the Eastern Palace and spent his days dealing with matters related to the imperial examinations.
The first round of exams has already been completed, and Xiao Chengci has the list of those who passed this year's high school entrance exam in his hand.
Pei Minxue highlighted several names and the examination papers of these successful candidates.
"These individuals are all disciples of renowned masters; Your Highness should pay special attention to them."
Xiao Chengci flipped through the papers one by one, finally stopping in front of an exam paper.
This exam paper has neat handwriting, the students seem to have solid knowledge, and the answers are all substantial.
"This scholar Lu comes from a poor family and has no famous teacher. I'm afraid he... won't last long."
Pei Minxue did not think highly of Lu Xiuyuan.
Being from a poor family means being unable to access more rare books.
Without any renowned teachers to guide me, I was able to pass the exam this time because the examiner was a pragmatic person.
"His place was low this time, so Your Highness shouldn't have any expectations for him."
Pei Minxue believed that Lu Xiuyuan was lucky to have the opportunity to take the palace examination.
Xiao Chengci didn't say anything, but glanced at Lu Xiuyuan's exam paper a few more times before paying no more attention.
The imperial examination was just around the corner, and people were coming to visit Xiao Chengci's Eastern Palace in an endless stream.
This group of people didn't intend to use connections; they just brought people over to make the Crown Prince more familiar with them.
If His Highness the Crown Prince is satisfied after the palace examination, he can transfer the person to his service.
The children of ordinary high-ranking officials and nobles naturally do not need to go through such trouble.
Pei Minxue, for example, was Xiao Chengci's study companion since childhood.
He didn't need to take the imperial examination; Xiao Chengci directly assigned him a job.
Those who needed to participate in the imperial examinations were either from families with a long tradition of farming and scholarship, or the offspring of officials of the third rank or below.
For the sons of merchants or those from impoverished families, achieving the title of "Juren" (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) in their lifetime was considered a great stroke of luck, like their ancestors burning incense at their graves.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the palace examination arrived.
Emperor Xiao made a brief appearance and then left, leaving Xiao Chengci to oversee the examination.
Xiao Chengci looked at the exam papers of several candidates and found that this year's candidates were all quite outstanding.
Out of the corner of his eye, Lu Xiuyuan saw His Highness the Crown Prince standing beside him. Lu Xiuyuan focused his mind and concentrated on the exam paper.
After waiting for a while, Lu Xiuyuan discovered that His Highness the Crown Prince was still standing beside him.
Is there something wrong with his exam paper?
Lu Xiuyuan read it carefully. No, right?
Xiao Chengci smelled the faint fragrance emanating from Lu Xiuyuan, but ultimately shook his head.
He was truly bewitched; he could actually smell a fragrance on a student that should only belong to Pei Zhi.
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