The imperial edict arrived quickly, so Zhao Bi didn't need to go through the formalities of bathing and burning incense with his family. He simply threw off his robe and knelt on the ground. Liang Yunsi disliked the fourth prince, and Xiao Duzi, his apprentice, naturally disliked him as well. Seeing him kneel down, he began to read: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: My son, the fourth prince Bi, shall from this day forward study in the palace and shall not leave the palace without being summoned!"
Zhao Bi was stunned after hearing this. The royal family valued their reputation. When royal children committed crimes, they were not confined to their homes, but rather placed in seclusion to study. However, everyone knew that those who were ordered to study in the royal residence were generally not allowed to leave again.
"Fourth Prince, receive the decree." Xiao Duzi was also aware of the unspoken rules of the palace. He didn't know which official had drafted the decree, but the Emperor had agreed to it. It was clear that the princes would be out in a long time.
"When the emperor commands a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die; when the father commands a son to die, the son dares not disobey?" He reluctantly kowtowed, "Your subject accepts the decree."
Xiao Duzi placed the imperial edict in his hand, holding his whisk, and said, "Fourth Prince, you should stay here and study. I still need to rush to the Ninth Prince's residence."
Zhao Bi's eyes flickered, and he pulled Xiao Du Zi along, slipping a silver note into his wide sleeve. "Eunuch Du, what's the matter with going to the Ninth Prince's residence?"
It's not that this matter can't be discussed. Xiao Du has been in the palace for over twenty years, so he knows the principle of not going to extremes. Although he doesn't like Zhao Bi, he is, after all, a prince. Although he is currently imprisoned, who knows what great opportunities he might have in the future?
He readily accepted the silver notes and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you may not know this, but the Emperor has issued the same decree for all princes: they are not allowed to leave their residences. Your Highness need not worry; it is not that Your Highness has offended the Emperor."
Zhao Bi was no ordinary man. As soon as Xiao Duzi finished speaking, he already knew what was going on. Emperor Mingde was going to start dealing with the aristocratic families and princes, and the struggle for the throne would be postponed.
Having figured this out, he smiled and instructed the steward to escort Xiao Duzi away.
Emperor Mingde acted quickly, and Huo Baichuan couldn't be slow either. A white dove flapped its wings and landed on the coffin by the window of the Huo residence. Little Fatty reached out and caught the white dove, removing the bamboo tube tied to its leg.
Just as she was about to hand it to Huo Baichuan, Duozi pushed open the door and entered. "Young Master, His Majesty has decreed that none of the princes may leave their residences without a summons. Wen Yan has already left the city and is heading straight for Huguo Temple."
Huo Baichuan yawned lazily, stretched on the chaise lounge, and said, "What's the rush? Go call Hu Lin. Didn't the little princess want to investigate Master Miaokong's death? Liu Ren'an must have found out some clues. Have Hu Lin take people to continue the investigation and send him some evidence. When Qi Xu arrives later, you can ask him to assist Hu Lin in thoroughly investigating Master Miaokong's case."
Xiao Pang and Duo Zi exchanged a glance, keeping their questions to themselves. Qi Xu was the commander of the Imperial Guards, so why would he be sent out so easily?
Naturally, Huo Baichuan wouldn't explain easily. He yawned again, glanced at the bamboo tube in the little fat boy's hand, and said, "Put it there. It's hot in summer, so I'll sleep a little longer." After saying that, he turned over and went back to sleep.
Xiao Pang and Duo Zi exchanged another glance, shrugged helplessly, placed the bamboo tube on the table, Xiao Pang retreated to the door, and Duo Zi went down to do her errands.
Before long, the gatekeeper came to report: "Lord Qi has arrived."
Little Fatty tugged at his clothes. The young master was truly a genius. However, what he didn't know was that Huo Baichuan had accurately predicted Emperor Mingde's temperament. He deliberately let Wen Yan go to anger Emperor Mingde. In his anger and suspicion, Emperor Mingde would not trust him too much. If he didn't trust him enough, he would naturally send someone to monitor him.
What he wanted was someone to keep an eye on him, so he could save manpower and resources and take a nap at home. He was not like Wei Tingsi, who did everything himself. How foolish it would be to do things himself when someone was ordering him around.
Qi Xu was no ordinary man, and the gatekeeper couldn't let him wait outside. He had already been brought to the living room. Little Fatty remembered his young master's words and instructed the gatekeeper, "Take Lord Qi to see Duo Zi. The young master is not at home."
The doorman knew all too well about the lies that were made up so casually. He had done this countless times before and was used to it. He bowed and took his leave, leaving Little Fatty alone under the eaves muttering to himself, "If the young master were to switch to fortune telling, his business would surely be booming."
The immortal Huo Baichuan slept for two hours. When he woke up with his eyes half-closed, the sun had already set. He sat up straight, reached for the bamboo tube on the shore, took out the paper inside, and unfolded it to read.
After reading the note, he was wide awake. "Call Xian'er over." How outrageous! How dare she make a move on his wife! She's so insensible! Huo Baichuan isn't dead yet!
Little Fatty sensed something was wrong with his young master's tone and knew that something serious must have happened, and that the Huo family had suffered a great loss, otherwise his young master wouldn't be in such a hurry.
Huo Guxian has matured more over the years, but he still looks like a young boy with big eyes, flawless skin, and exquisite and handsome features, all of which demonstrate the excellent genes of the Huo family. He is so good-looking, serious, and polite in his scholar's robe, which makes him easy to get along with and feel gentle.
He pushed open Bao Xia's door, raised his hand and bowed respectfully, "Second Uncle."
"Why haven't you grown up at all?" Huo Baichuan took a sip of tea to cool down. His face was gloomy, as if someone owed him a debt, which made Huo Guxian a little scared.
He feared no one in the entire Huo family, not even his most dignified grandfather, but he was afraid of his usually cheerful, stubborn, and unruly second uncle.
How is he supposed to answer a question like, "Why isn't it growing?"
For a moment, he felt melancholy.
Little Fatty closed the door and stood guard outside, listening intently. He had already made up his mind that if the young master made things difficult for the young master, he would immediately go to find Aunt Dan.
"How about your second uncle takes you to the Imperial Academy tomorrow?" Huo Baichuan felt that this nephew who had grown up by his side was nothing like him, and he didn't know who he took after. He didn't have the slightest bit of the debauchery of a noble family.
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