The Crown Prince uses a nine-tasseled crown, black exterior with crimson lining, strung with nine five-colored jade pearls.

The nine jade pearls were what Shen Qianyu had retrieved from Duke Duan Yiting’s estate, and this nine-tasseled crown and ceremonial robes used by the Crown Prince were also what he had Dong Chang personnel secretly have the palace clothing officials make.

Shen Qianyu looked at the black ceremonial robes the palace maid carried over and faintly curved his lips.

“This servant will change Your Highness’s clothes.”

The palace maid helped him change into the plain silk inner garment and knee coverings, fastened the great belt with its plain exterior and crimson lining, then properly adorned him with the jade pendant, great sash, and jade tablet before respectfully withdrawing.

Looking at himself in the bronze mirror wearing the Crown Prince’s ceremonial robes, Shen Qianyu curved his lips in a smile and walked out of the Eastern Palace.

Emperor Wenhui truly made no movement as he had predicted—whether from having no face to meet this Crown Prince who had been a hostage for twelve years, or simply disdaining to see him, was unknown.

In any case, this gave Shen Qianyu somewhat more time.

Only he had no intention of waiting any longer. Upon hearing that those four pearls had been rushed into the capital, he decided to enter court first.

When Shen Qianyu appeared, the officials of the Court of Imperial Receptions were reporting on those who had entered the capital to express gratitude. The moment he appeared, both civil and military officials along with Emperor Wenhui sitting on the imperial throne all revealed expressions of disbelief.

Though they didn’t recognize the Crown Prince, they recognized the set of Crown Prince ceremonial robes on Shen Qianyu.

These past few days, the name of the Eastern Palace had frequently appeared in everyone’s ears. Only all had watched from the sidelines, waiting for those who made the first move to test the waters, when the Crown Prince himself suddenly appeared.

Before the Gate of Heavenly Purity, there was complete silence. Not a single person spoke first—no one knew what the current situation was.

Those whose information wasn’t particularly well-informed were still puzzling over how this paralyzed Crown Prince had suddenly leapt out—truly incomprehensible.

Shen Qianyu, however, walked with a solemn expression before Emperor Wenhui and kowtowed to the ground.

“This son pays respects to Imperial Father. May Imperial Father have ten thousand blessings and golden peace.”

Emperor Wenhui’s eyes narrowed slightly. Only after a moment did he faintly say to rise.

Shen Qianyu stood and, looking at Emperor Wenhui on the imperial throne, suddenly said loudly, “That this son could return with his whole body intact is largely thanks to Imperial Father’s secret protection over many years. Now fortunately not failing this mission, I bring back secrets from Nanqing.”

He extended both hands, presenting the memorial in his hands.

This beginning without context left all the court officials unable to grasp the situation. Only most who could stand here were not fools—even if they lacked governing ability, they had cultivated the skill of protecting themselves well.

No one would be that headless bird. Emperor Wenhui could only have the eunuch beside him receive the memorial from Shen Qianyu’s hands.

He received it and opened it, seeing it only contained Nanqing maps and official information, then closed it again with a somber expression.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“How can this son speak of hardship? Rather, causing Imperial Father to worry for many years—this is truly this son’s lack of filial piety.”

Shen Qianyu’s appearance was outstanding. Now in a full set of Crown Prince ceremonial robes, he appeared even more as if possessing towering ambitions reaching the clouds, imposing and inviolable.

Emperor Wenhui opened his pair of slightly clouded eyes, coldly watching him.

Shen Qianyu met his gaze, curved his lips in a faint smile, then said in a deep voice, “Five years ago when Nanqing’s Yuan Heng’s son fell from his horse and died, three years ago when Nanqing’s ruler suddenly died—if not for Imperial Father sending people to assist, this son would have no today.”

“Originally this son thought Imperial Father had forgotten about this son…”

As Shen Qianyu spoke, he choked up twice.

The civil and military officials standing on both sides of the imperial path were all muttering in their hearts.

So the paralyzed Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace for eight years was fake, and the real Crown Prince had been lying dormant in Nanqing plotting all along? Not only that, he had even worked together with the Emperor to secretly eliminate Yuan Heng’s legitimate son—called the War God of Nanqing—and Nanqing’s ruler?

All the court officials were greatly shocked, astonished that Emperor Wenhui, weak and incompetent and fearful of Nanqing, would secretly do such things.

Even Song Lan’an, who had heard of the Crown Prince’s name, now couldn’t determine whether what Shen Qianyu said was true or false.

He furrowed his brow slightly, remaining silent.

Emperor Wenhui narrowed his eyes looking at Shen Qianyu, knowing all his words were complete nonsense.

But…

Sending the Crown Prince as a hostage to an enemy nation versus having one’s own son hide in an enemy nation to assassinate that nation’s ruler—the difference between these could not be greater.

How could he not know how important court officials and all under heaven viewed him?

Though he had no achievements in his life, he could at least be considered diligent and frugal, worthy of being called an enlightened ruler. But would the historical records think so?

The trap Shen Qianyu set was an open stratagem, conducted in broad daylight. Whether or not to fall into it depended entirely on his choice.

In an instant, Emperor Wenhui made his decision.

He stood up and spoke heavily, “My son has worked hard… Someone, bestow a seat upon the Crown Prince.”

The moment the words “Crown Prince” left his mouth, Shen Qianyu slightly curved the corners of his lips.

He raised his head, looking at the brilliant blue sky above, his heart filled with satisfaction.

From this day forward, he would no longer need to hide under false names and identities, concealed in darkness. He could finally live openly and honorably in the mortal world, no longer needing to hide and barely survive.

Shen Qianyu’s gaze swept over the maternal grandfather of the Great Prince, his features relaxed.

Heaven’s timing, earth’s advantages, and human harmony—truly none could be lacking.

If before the Lantern Festival he had wanted to obtain the Emperor’s single word “Crown Prince,” who knows how difficult it would have been.

Shen Qianyu sat beside the imperial throne, looking down at the officials presenting memorials today, his eyes playful.

No wonder people all said power was good—the view from up here was indeed pleasing to the eye, making one’s heart expansive and spirit joyful.

Jiang Xingjian stood at the edge of the imperial path, only feeling the Crown Prince’s gaze sweep toward him multiple times. His brow was tightly locked, his heart in complete turmoil.

Until court was dismissed, this vexing feeling had not dispersed.

Especially when he saw the Crown Prince walk straight toward Song Lan’an and bow respectfully before him, it reached its peak.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince absolutely must not.”

Song Lan’an hurriedly helped the Crown Prince up. Shen Qianyu, however, smiled and said, “This courtesy is what Minister Song deserves.”

“During this period, many thanks to Minister Song.”

“Where does Your Highness speak of? These are all what this old official should do.”

Court officials who had not yet dispersed looked at the two men one by one. Those with good relations to Song Lan’an were all secretly grinding their teeth, thinking he had hidden this secret quite tightly.

“How can there be any ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’?”

Song Lan’an smiled amiably on his face, but in his heart cursed Shen Qianyu bloody.

With this display, he was directly telling the world that he had always had connections with the Eastern Palace. That pile of Nanqing affairs would likely be attributed to him in the future.

He’d seen those who visited thatched cottages three times courteously recruiting strategists, but never one who just slapped a sack on someone without even asking.

Shen Qianyu looked at Song Lan’an with a faint smile, and Song Lan’an could only smile dryly back.

Jiang Xingjian gritted his teeth hard, only feeling his entire body aching again.

Yesterday he received an oral decree from Jiang Man telling him he must attend court today. He had thought there would be some major move in court, but who knew he would witness such a grand performance.

Looking at it now, yesterday’s oral decree was clearly falsely transmitted by the Crown Prince.

Seeing Shen Qianyu and Song Lan’an with such a harmonious lord-and-minister appearance, Jiang Xingjian tightly grasped his robe hem.

If the Song family truly connected with the Crown Prince, he and Song Wan would have no more possibility!

Thinking of this, Jiang Xingjian only felt a pain in his chest, could no longer muster any strength, and fell backward.

“Marquis of Chengyang? Marquis of Chengyang!”

Two elderly officials beside him hurriedly stepped forward to support him. All three were not particularly nimble in their movements, and for a moment instead embraced into a pile and all fell together.

Shen Qianyu hurriedly stepped forward to help the two old officials up, then bowed to each of them.

“Minister Zhang, Minister Xu.”

“The Crown Prince knows of this old official?”

Shen Qianyu nodded. “Fourteen years ago, Minister Zhang controlled floods in Su River County and saved an entire city of common people. Back then the people were so grateful they even erected a temple for you.”

“Minister Xu’s compilation of the ‘Complete Treatise on Agricultural Administration’ has benefited all under heaven—truly a blessing for the common people.”

“The Crown Prince actually knows of this old official’s ‘Complete Treatise on Agricultural Administration’…”

Minister Xu’s eyes reddened. Shen Qianyu hurried forward to comfort him. “With an old official like you presiding, it is truly the nation’s fortune.”

Shen Qianyu conversed most pleasantly with the two ministers. Jiang Xingjian, however, was left aside by others. When he finally endured the pain to stand up, only then did Shen Qianyu walk over.

“Marquis of Chengyang…”

Shen Qianyu smiled. “I’ve heard the Marquis of Chengyang is extremely skilled at raising chickens, ducks, and geese. Some time ago, the Imperial Stud developed a plague. That those chickens, ducks, and geese were not completely wiped out was entirely thanks to the Marquis of Chengyang’s attentive care. This Palace thanks you on their behalf.”