The Crown Prince learned of the news from Emperor Jianzhang. He seized an opportunity to go before Emperor Jianzhang to discuss the candidate for Prince Dongping’s marriage, requesting the Emperor to grant the marriage. He sighed. “After all, Dongping is not young anymore. It’s time he should be getting married.”

This was all he could do for Prince Dongping—he had to arrange everything thoroughly for Prince Dongping before leaving.

Emperor Jianzhang raised an eyebrow. After hearing it was the daughter of Tao Dinghu’s family, he nodded thoughtfully. “The Tao family—the Tao family is quite good. Tao Dinghu is a dependable person.”

The word “dependable” was most important. The Crown Prince exhaled and carefully looked at Emperor Jianzhang. His former resentment had long since vanished to who knows where. “This is your son’s only request.” Indeed, he had no face to make any other requests. Any more and even he himself would feel greedy. He looked at Emperor Jianzhang hesitantly. “In the future, Weizhao can give him a prince title and keep him in the capital.”

This was further clarifying his future arrangements for Zhou Weiqi—not seeking how distinguished Zhou Weiqi would become or how Zhou Weizhao would treat him. Truthfully, as long as he had food to eat and could live in peace, that would be enough.

Emperor Jianzhang looked at him with a half-smile, saying neither good nor bad.

“What use is it for you to tell me these things? If Weizhao succeeds to the throne in the future, you will naturally be the Great Emperor. The Great Emperor’s intentions, he will always have to heed.” As he spoke, he casually lowered his head. “Moreover, he may very likely be going to Jiangnan now. In this…”

The Crown Prince was so frightened his eyes widened. For the first time in so long he was flustered and panicked. His two hands, which hadn’t trembled for a long time, suddenly shook violently. Saliva continuously flowed out, and for a moment he couldn’t speak a single word.

How could he still dare to covet anything? Moreover, he now had no one in his hands—not only did he have nothing, but plenty of leverage was held by others. Besides, he desperately wanted to see Prince Gong die—how could he possibly continue making trouble now?

But the more urgent he was, the less he could say a single word. Even though it was the late spring cold snap, he was hot enough to break out in a full sweat.

Emperor Jianzhang kept his eyes lowered in silence for quite a while, then sighed and waved his hand. “Never mind.” After a pause he added, “This matter of Dongping’s—I understand. The decree will be issued tomorrow. However, the wedding should still wait until after the dust settles before being arranged. Now is not the time.”

The Crown Prince understood Emperor Jianzhang’s meaning and didn’t dare say no. He nodded hurriedly.

Emperor Jianzhang then waved his hand dismissing him. That evening, he made an unprecedented trip to Qingning Palace, specifically to give instructions about Prince Dongping’s matter. After he finished giving instructions, he was about to leave, but when he raised his head he inadvertently caught sight of Empress Lu’s hair that was already nearly frost-white, and his steps involuntarily paused.

This woman had never been particularly capable of standing firm, nor was she particularly scheming or able to handle affairs. He had known this before he married her. After all, they had grown up together as childhood sweethearts and could be said to know each other inside out.

His father had reminded him back then that if he truly had ambition, he shouldn’t marry this girl—don’t harm her.

But he didn’t believe it. He felt that only with his beloved by his side would ascending to this position have meaning. Then he finally learned his lesson.

Nothing in this world came without a price. If at first you thought there wasn’t one, Heaven would still make you pay it back over the course of your later life. This principle, he finally understood now.

Because he understood, he pretended not to see Empress Lu’s flustered and panicked face, sat down again, and spoke to her about Zhou Weizhao’s matter. “That old fellow Cen Biliang proposed letting Weizhao go.”

Empress Lu was somewhat alarmed, but more than that, hesitant. She naturally didn’t want Zhou Weizhao to go. The current situation was turbulent—there was no guarantee some people with ulterior motives wouldn’t have other designs. Zhou Weizhao was simply the fattest piece of meat imaginable—he would probably fall into someone’s stomach the moment he left the capital. But not wanting it was one thing—she didn’t have the qualification. The one making the decision was Emperor Jianzhang, and it was for great affairs of state. How could she dare interject?

After a long while, she asked Emperor Jianzhang with trembling lips, “Has Your Majesty decided?”

Emperor Jianzhang hadn’t immediately decided. He first went to ask Zhou Weizhao’s opinion.

Compared to Ye Jingkuan’s avoidance at all costs, after careful consideration, Zhou Weizhao decisively agreed.

Although he wasn’t truly a Taoist, he had truly grown up with Taoists. Toward all living beings under heaven, he always held compassion. Moreover, these would all be his subjects in the future. Whatever he did was proper and fitting.

Emperor Jianzhang’s eyes darkened. After a long while, he pressed Zhou Weizhao’s shoulder.

The next day, a decree was issued announcing Zhou Weizhao as imperial envoy, bearing the imperial sword, to go to Yangzhou to collect grain.

Cen Biliang breathed a sigh of relief. He was someone who did practical work and deeply felt Zhou Weizhao was reliable. He admired Zhou Weizhao’s righteous act to the utmost. Even the troublemaker Liang Tong couldn’t help but sigh. “Back then I actually suspected the Grand Sun had ill intentions—truly using the heart of a petty person to judge a gentleman.”

Those willing to do work would always receive their reward.

Emperor Jianzhang was giving Zhou Weizhao a great difficulty, but also giving Zhou Weizhao a great opportunity. The matter hadn’t yet been accomplished, but already the court’s praise of Zhou Weizhao was endless. Once he accomplished this task, the four words “all under heaven turn to him” would not be excessive.

Crown Princess Lu deeply understood this principle. Therefore, she didn’t show a trace of bitterness. Knowing her daughter-in-law would inevitably be packing things, she still wasn’t at ease and urged Nanny Liang to prepare a list, planning to have Zhou Weizhao take it with him.

Consort Song, also in the palace, couldn’t help but worry for Song Chuyi. When the Eleventh Princess entered the palace and brought up this matter, she too couldn’t help but worry. “There’s no way to worry about it now. His Majesty’s golden words have been spoken, the decree has been issued—even if he wanted to go back on it, there’s no way. We can only hope His Highness will go smoothly and safely.” At the same time, she straightened the Golden Jade Pool Hairpin the Eleventh Princess was wearing, telling her to visit Earl Changning’s manor more often when free. “Your great-grandmother is old now. I’m in the palace and can’t move about freely, so you should fulfill filial piety on my behalf.”

The Eleventh Princess naturally agreed. She then went to Yong’an Palace to see Song Chuyi, wanting to comfort her, but saw that Song Chuyi’s demeanor was normal, without a trace of sadness or worry. For a moment, the words of persuasion couldn’t leave her mouth.

Song Chuyi saw her intention and couldn’t help but smile, reaching out to pinch her face. “Princess, don’t worry about me.” She paused. “Waiting is the most torturous thing. I don’t plan to just wait here for news. I plan to accompany His Highness and go together.”

The Eleventh Princess’s eyes widened, somewhat flustered and somewhat agitated. “His Highness going is already risky enough and worrying enough. If you go along, won’t it make people worry about you both even more? Great-grandmother will probably be the first to be frightened sleepless at night.”