Jinzhong stood in the center of the East Palace's front courtyard and loudly read the imperial edict.
The people of the Eastern Palace all knelt down with a clatter, and Chu Tianyou, standing at the front, had a livid face. "Your subject receives the decree."
After standing up, Chu Tianyou spoke softly again, "Does Eunuch Jinzhong know why Father Emperor..."
Jinzhong lowered his head, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, "Your Highness, this old servant was unaware. Perhaps His Majesty is considering that His Highness the Crown Prince has been too overworked with court affairs lately..."
Chu Tianyou knew he was being evasive, so he said calmly, "I understand. Thank you for your help, Eunuch Jinzhong."
After Jinzhong left, Bai Chuwan and Li Zhirou rushed forward, their eyes filled with panic, and asked, "Brother Tianyou, what happened? Why did Father Emperor suddenly confine us to our quarters?"
Although the imperial decree only ordered Chu Tianyou to cultivate his character and stay home temporarily, since even the Crown Prince was not going out, they naturally had to remain in the Eastern Palace as well. Wasn't this tantamount to being confined to their quarters?
Liu Shuyao frowned slightly and immediately stepped forward to reprimand, "My two sisters, please watch your words. Father Emperor only allowed His Highness to rest in the East Palace; he did not restrict anyone else from going out."
Chu Tianyou was somewhat impatient with the two concubines surrounding him. "The Crown Princess is right. You two should go back to your own courtyards. Your noise is bothering me."
Bai Chuwan and Li Zhirou stiffened, then reluctantly agreed and withdrew.
The two women had been in the Eastern Palace for quite some time and had come to understand that although the Crown Prince favored them, he trusted Liu Shuyao the most. Despite Liu Shuyao's pregnancy and the resulting inconvenience, the power in the Eastern Palace remained firmly in her hands. Chu Tianyou had no intention of entrusting them with any affairs of state. Although they were nominally concubines, they were more like favored concubines in reality.
Liu Shuyao held Chu Tianyou's hand and spoke softly, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Judging from this decree, Father Emperor doesn't really doubt Your Highness's loyalty; he just wants to give us a warning. Your Highness can take a rest now. As for Mother Empress, I will go and pay my respects and explain."
Chu Tianyou's expression relaxed, and he chuckled, "With Shuyao by my side, I'm really much less worried..."
The sudden order for the Crown Prince to remain in the Eastern Palace and not leave the palace caused considerable unease among the court officials, especially those of the Crown Prince's faction, who became extremely cautious, fearing it would arouse the Emperor's suspicion.
In the study of Liuli Courtyard, Bai Chuxiao smiled indifferently upon receiving the news. Emperor Wenxuan was indeed quite tolerant of the Crown Prince, but she wondered how long he could tolerate him. Chu Tianyou was quite capable; he didn't even need others to frame him, he would repeatedly tread the line of Emperor Wenxuan. Fortunately, he had a good birth, holding the title of the legitimate son...
"Why……"
Lanxiang asked, puzzled, "Why is the princess sighing?"
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "This princess is just lamenting how it's infuriating to compare yourself to others!"
Lanxiang was still a little confused; the young lady's words were becoming increasingly profound.
"Sister Xiao is absolutely right," Murong Xuan, dressed in flowing white robes, walked in with a smile.
Bai Chuxiao was a little surprised, "Second Brother, what brings you here?"
Murong Xuan said in a low voice, "I just came back from Zhaoyun Peak."
Bai Chuxiao blinked, "How?"
A look of amazement flashed in Murong Xuan's eyes, "Second Brother, I'd like to join too!"
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Second brother, please stop joking. Grandfather is coming back soon. What are your plans, second brother? Will you go back to Dingzhou with Grandfather or go with Chu Tianze?"
Murong Xuan slowly spoke, "It depends on what Grandfather thinks, and also on what Xihan thinks."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled, "Second brother has grown up; he knows how to discuss things with second sister-in-law now."
Murong Xuan tapped her head irritably, "You're so disrespectful! Making fun of me now. I came today to tell you that Grandfather, my eldest brother, and my third brother have already set off. Hui-di won't be back until mid-September when he gets his results, so he should have enough time."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow, "It seems Hui-di did well on the exam."
Murong Xuan nodded, "Passing the imperial examination is definitely not a problem, but he's still young, so he might not achieve good results in the provincial examination next spring."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled, "With Hui-di taking the civil service path, Second Brother, you can rest assured."
"good!"
Within days, the capital was in an uproar again, because Yu Fengyang, the heir of the Yu family, announced that he was breaking away from the family and would have no further connection with them. Even the usually doting patriarch of the Yu family, Old Master Yu, unusually acquiesced. Everyone couldn't help but feel sorry for him; why give up being the heir of a prestigious family to run off and establish his own independent household?
Madam Yu and the Second Young Master Yu were overjoyed. Yu Fengyang was actually willing to give up the position of heir apparent, so they didn't have to fight for it anymore. It was like a windfall from heaven!
When Emperor Wenxuan, who had always despised aristocratic families, received this news, he simply remarked, "He's quite clever."
Just as everyone was secretly laughing at Yu Fengyang for having his brains slammed in a door, an imperial decree arrived, affirming Yu Fengyang's past military achievements on the border and praising him for his lack of greed for power, calling him a rare young talent. He was specially granted the title of Fourth-Rank Yangwei General.
Emperor Wenxuan's sudden decree was like a slap in the face to those who had been watching the spectacle. Although a fourth-rank official position wasn't high, it was still a real official post. Madam Yu and the second young master Yu were far from happy. In their eyes, Yu Fengyang had become an ordinary commoner after leaving the Yu family and should have been living a miserable life. Now, he had suddenly become a general. However, the other aristocratic families viewed it differently. His Majesty's move was clearly sending a signal to the aristocratic families...
Yu Fengyang bought a house not far from the Prince of Yan's residence. He didn't want to write "Yu Mansion" and was wondering what to inscribe on the gate plaque. But with the imperial decree, there was no need to worry anymore; he could simply hang up the large characters "General Yangwei's Residence".
Chu Tianze, Bai Chuxiao, and Murong Xuan all came to General Yang Wei's mansion, firstly to celebrate his official appointment, and secondly to congratulate him on his housewarming.
Having broken free of the Yu family, Yu Fengyang had finally fulfilled a long-held wish and felt much more relaxed and at ease. Seeing his friends enter, he couldn't help but joke, "You are all honored to have me here."
Chu Tianze glanced at him indifferently and uttered two words, "Useless."
Yu Fengyang glared back irritably, "Chu...Tian...Ze, Princess, you can come if you want, but why did you bring him along!"
Bai Chuxiao was used to the way the two interacted, and then smiled and said, "Congratulations, General Yangwei!"
Yu Fengyang sighed helplessly, "Don't make fun of me, a mere fourth-rank official or princess."
Murong Xuan glanced at him, "Brother Yu, you don't even want him?"
Emperor Wenxuan was never generous, and this official position wasn't low at all. His uncle had guarded the northwest for many years and was only a third-rank military officer. Of course, Emperor Wenxuan's suspicion of the Murong family also played a part.
Yu Fengyang waved his folding fan and teased, "Brother Murong, don't be impatient. Follow me, and you'll be promoted to an official position in no time."
Before Murong Xuan could speak, Chu Tianze said indifferently, "Getting carried away. Do you think the Murong family needs to associate with you?"
Yu Fengyang gritted his teeth, "Hmph, you three aren't even family yet, all you know how to do is gang up on me!"
Bai Chuxiao tugged at Chu Tianze's sleeve and said helplessly, "Alright, stop making him angry."
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