Following their gaze, Cheng Sheng and Min Jia also saw Qingfeng and Scholar Wu. But Cheng Sheng wasn’t yet aware of the situation and asked Zhou Shaojin with a smile, “Have more guests arrived?”

Zhou Shaojin didn’t know what had happened and smiled vaguely, “Perhaps!”

But Min Jia had grown up in an official household and was the legitimate eldest daughter, raised at her great-grandmother’s knee and trained to be a clan matriarch. She immediately sensed something was amiss. Cheng Sheng’s initiative today had made her feel grateful, and she couldn’t help but feel closer to her. Hearing this, she quietly tugged at Cheng Sheng’s sleeve and said in a low voice, “Something’s not quite right. Let’s not go out for now. Let’s see what the situation is first.”

Cheng Sheng felt stirred by this. She stood on tiptoe to look over and saw that the gentleman Qingfeng had brought entered the pavilion. Soon everyone in the pavilion stood up, and then Cheng Chi escorted Cheng Shao and that gentleman out of the pavilion, hurrying out of the garden.

“Has something happened with Second Uncle-Grandfather?” she murmured.

Everyone’s interest dimmed somewhat.

Only the young children, still ignorant of worldly affairs, continued chattering noisily and loudly on the boat.

They didn’t know what had happened with Second Uncle, but everyone had lost their cheerful mood. This couldn’t go on!

Zhou Shaojin immediately smiled and said, “I’ll have someone go ask right away to see what’s happened with Second Uncle.”

Cheng Zheng and the others nodded eagerly.

Zhou Shaojin quickly called Nanny Shang over and gave her instructions.

Nanny Shang immediately went to the pavilion and soon returned, saying, “Someone came from the palace saying that the Seventh Prince has displeased the Emperor. The Emperor has summoned the Second Great-Uncle into the palace to play chess.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The lake surface returned to its earlier liveliness.

But the people in the pavilion weren’t as lighthearted as the womenfolk.

Yuan Ming said, “…As for how to deal with the Seventh Prince’s matter, even the Censorate officials wouldn’t dare impeach him easily—taking it seriously, it could be called treason; taking it lightly, it could be called embezzlement. Right now, everyone in court and countryside is watching the Emperor’s expression to make their move. Elder Brother, do you think there will be any trouble with Second Uncle-Grandfather going to the palace to play chess with the Emperor? At a time like this, who knows what the Emperor might ask? One wrong answer could mean the extermination of the entire clan!”

They were brothers-in-law, but because the three Cheng sisters had always been close, they followed the sisters’ ranking order to establish brotherhood, to show their closeness.

Hearing this, Gu Xu smiled and said, “How can there be so many clan exterminations? Looking through this dynasty’s history, apart from when Emperor Taizong killed prestigious scholarly families who had transmitted culture and ritual through generations during the founding of the nation, when have later emperors ever moved against the scholarly gentry?”

Yuan Ming was a descendant of the Yuan family, Yuan Shi’s nephew by birth, and hadn’t yet passed the three-year mourning period with Yuan Weichang. His father was also a scholarly type who, having a weak constitution, had only achieved the rank of provincial graduate before stopping his examination career. In terms of learning, he was among the top in the Yuan family. Yuan Ming had always studied under his own father. Even Yuan Weichang’s several sons had their education initiated by his father. He was someone with influence in the Yuan family. His mother came from a wealthy merchant family in Chengdu. Only because she had done the Yuan family a favor was this marriage arranged. Her dowry back then filled ten entire ships. After marrying into the Yuan family, she bore only Yuan Ming. Combined with his parents’ loving relationship and his own childhood intelligence, even Yuan Weichang treated him with special regard in the Yuan family, fostering his straightforward and candid nature.

Hearing Gu Xu’s response, he laughed and said, “Aren’t rules meant to be broken? Emperor Taizong once said he would never raise taxes. Look at now—compared to the founding of the nation, how many times have taxes increased? Anyway, I’ve never believed in such things. Actually, I think Fourth Uncle is the best—doing business when he wants to do business, entering office when he wants to enter office… That’s why I admire Uncle Chi the most. I want to learn from him too…”

Gu Xu, Peng Zao, and the others laughed heartily.

But Cheng Xu lowered his head, slowly sipped his tea, and when he raised his head again, his gaze lingered on the lake surface for a long moment.

Everyone here was older than Cheng Rang. Cheng Rang found Yuan Ming’s words interesting but didn’t dare joke and laugh like them, so he just grinned and poured tea for Gu Xu and the others.

Peng Zao’s grandfather and father were both successful scholars in two examination levels, but his family, like Zhou Shaojin’s, had only modest assets before his grandfather’s time. He was able to marry Cheng Sheng entirely because both his grandfather and father were upright gentlemen of good character, and he himself was outstanding among his peers in both appearance and learning. Compared to the other two Cheng family sons-in-law, he had neither Gu Xu’s established success nor Yuan Ming’s prominent family background, so he spoke more cautiously, rarely opening his mouth, but when he did, his words always carried weight. Not only did Cheng Jing like this character, but Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi greatly appreciated it too.

After laughing, he said, “Isn’t Elder Uncle with Grandmother? We can just ask him when he returns later!”

Yuan Ming chuckled and said, “Isn’t it because the elders aren’t here that I’m playing king of the mountain?”

At this, not only Gu Xu but even Cheng Rang burst out laughing.

Cheng Chi returned amid their laughter.

Yuan Ming quickly asked, “Fourth Uncle, did Second Uncle-Grandfather say anything? Is there any news from the Censorate about the Seventh Prince’s matter?”

When Cheng Shao was here earlier, everyone had restrained themselves and didn’t dare speak carelessly. Now only Cheng Chi remained, who was close to their age. Before they came to the capital, they hadn’t known him well, but since arriving, though he didn’t talk much, he was gentle with people, so Yuan Ming spoke without reservation.

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “Second Uncle-Grandfather was just with us. Things we don’t know, the old gentleman certainly doesn’t know either, so what could he say? As for the Seventh Prince’s matter, I’ve been ordered by the Ministry of Works these days to audit the old accounts from the former Office of the Director-General of River Conservancy, so I really haven’t been paying attention.”

Hearing this, Yuan Ming became excited and said with a smile, “Uncle Chi, I heard that when they raided Grand Secretary Qu’s house, they found over a thousand pounds of pepper. Is that true?”

Cheng Chi coughed. He was just preparing to deflect Yuan Ming’s question lightly when Cheng Jing’s voice rang out in the pavilion: “Your Uncle Chi is an official of the Censorate. If he speaks of matters the court hasn’t formally documented, that’s dereliction of duty. You’re not young anymore either. You should have some sense of what words should and shouldn’t be said.”

Scolding Yuan Ming mercilessly.

Yuan Ming’s face reddened, and he stammered awkwardly in agreement.

Gu Xu and Peng Zao could only pretend they hadn’t heard.

Seeing this, Cheng Chi interrupted Cheng Jing’s words and said, “Has Mother retired to rest? Second Uncle was summoned to the palace by the Emperor, who said he felt unwell and wanted Second Uncle to play chess with him. I wonder if the Emperor will discuss the Seventh Prince’s matter with Second Uncle?”

Cheng Jing understood Cheng Chi’s meaning and said, “Don’t worry! Second Uncle has always acted prudently. Grand Secretary Li asked about the Seventh Prince’s matter just a few days ago, and the Emperor was evasive about it. Presumably, he doesn’t want to punish the Seventh Prince. If I can know about this, Second Uncle certainly knows it too.”

Cheng Chi nodded with a smile.

Cheng Rang helped Cheng Jing make tea.

The atmosphere immediately became rather oppressive.

Seeing this, Cheng Jing felt somewhat deflated. Seeing Cheng Chi drinking his tea with a leisurely expression, he thought of what Madam Guo had just said to him and couldn’t help saying, “Zichuan, tell me what you think—how does the Emperor actually intend to handle this matter?”

In court affairs, whoever has the ability to see three steps ahead from one move can at least achieve the position of prime minister or cabinet minister.

Cheng Chi found it a bit strange that Cheng Jing would circle around this topic, as this was not only a court matter but even more so a private imperial family affair.

He smiled and said, “Isn’t everyone watching for the Emperor’s intentions?”

Cheng Jing smiled and said, “It’s just private discussion!”

When did Elder Brother become so frivolous?

Others could discuss things privately, but he was a Grand Secretary. Even his private discussions could be misconstrued.

Cheng Chi had originally intended to say a few words to brush it off, but then he thought of Cheng Jing’s unusual behavior and remembered that Mother had called Elder Brother over for quite a while earlier. He immediately sneered to himself.

He didn’t know what grievance Elder Brother had suffered with Mother that he needed to find somewhere to vent his anger.

But he wasn’t Second Brother. Regarding brotherly respect and filial piety, he had already tolerated Yuan Shi for a long time… He said directly, “I don’t know what everyone is watching for either. The Emperor clearly doesn’t want to punish the Seventh Prince. But the Emperor is also a rare enlightened ruler. Not punishing the Seventh Prince will only cause ethical collapse. In the future, anyone could disregard imperial authority. The Emperor is dragging this out now only because he wants to spare the Seventh Prince’s life, and also has the intention of testing the Crown Prince. I think the one having the hardest time right now should be the Crown Prince. If he submits a memorial requesting punishment for the Seventh Prince, he fears the Emperor will think he lacks brotherly affection. If he doesn’t submit a memorial to punish the Seventh Prince, he fears the Emperor will think he lacks the ability of an heir apparent. Even if he remains silent and does nothing, in the end the Emperor will think he’s cunning…”

If Cheng Chi could see this clearly, Cheng Jing naturally could too. Cheng Jing was asking Cheng Chi only because he didn’t know whether Cheng Chi could see it or not.

Hearing this, Cheng Jing smiled bitterly and said, “If only you had participated in the Hanlin Academy selection back then!”

But Cheng Chi disagreed, saying, “Understanding worldly matters is learning; mastering human relations is literature. I think there’s nothing wrong with how I am.”

As the two were talking, Gu Xu had long been watching Cheng Chi with bright, intense eyes. Suddenly he said, “Uncle Chi, regarding the Crown Prince’s matter, do you have any good ideas?”

Everyone’s gaze fell on Gu Xu.

But Gu Xu looked directly at Cheng Chi without dodging or avoiding.

Only then did everyone remember that Gu Xu was an official of the Eastern Palace.

Cheng Chi had originally wanted to speak with Gu Xu and pull him onto his own ship. With this question, Cheng Chi wouldn’t hold back.

“I think the Crown Prince should submit a memorial to the Emperor now. First, he should recall his brotherly relationship with the Seventh Prince. Second, he should severely denounce the Seventh Prince’s actions—as an elder brother, he grieves over the mistakes the Seventh Prince has made; but as the heir apparent, he cannot bend the law for personal reasons. Finally, he should suggest the Emperor demote the Seventh Prince to commoner status or something similar, just sparing his life.”

Hearing this, Gu Xu’s eyes brightened even more. He said, “I was thinking along the same lines as Uncle Chi. It’s just that I don’t know whether to submit this memorial or not. The Crown Prince has been in rather poor spirits these past days.”

“It’s better to submit it!” Cheng Chi thought that if the Crown Prince died because of this matter, the Fourth Prince might go after the Imperial Grandson, and then the waters would certainly become murky—perfect for him to fish in troubled waters.

Gu Xu nodded thoughtfully.

Yuan Ming cast an admiring gaze at Cheng Chi.

But everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts and barely managed to hold on until after dinner before dispersing.

The next day, the Emperor didn’t hold morning court, and Cheng Shao didn’t leave the palace either.

Gu Xu sent a trusted aide to tell Cheng Chi that the Crown Prince and Imperial Grandson from the Eastern Palace had also entered the palace early yesterday morning and still hadn’t returned.

Cheng Chi’s expression grew grave.

In the afternoon, mourning bells rang out from the palace.

The Crown Prince had died suddenly of illness in Cining Palace.

Without going through the Ministry of Rites, the Emperor issued an edict that the Crown Prince’s funeral would be conducted with imperial rites.