Yan Shang didn’t know Yang Si. But when Yang Si stood behind him asking him to turn around, just as the Princess was about to strangle him, in that flash of lightning moment, he suddenly remembered who this person was. Back at Yongshou Temple, Mu Wanyao had pulled him away to hide from this person. Now, Mu Wanyao wanted to hide again… Yan Shang couldn’t help but feel strange, unsure of the relationship between these two, whether the Princess was annoyed by or afraid of the person behind him…

Despite his scattered thoughts, Yan Shang didn’t hesitate to help the Princess. Following the force of Mu Wanyao’s grip on him, he let his spirit slip slightly, immediately letting out a light cry, stepping back half a step, his sleeve striking the face of the young lady in his embrace.

Mu Wanyao, who had been keeping her head down in his arms, was stunned when her face was struck: …did this count as being hit?

Before she could figure out whether Yan Shang had hit her, Yan Shang pushed her away, turning his body, his voice tinged with anger: “You’re such an inconsiderate woman, not even knowing how to serve a gentleman properly. Get out of here!”

With that push, he threw Mu Wanyao half a step away from his embrace, and as he turned his shoulder, he perfectly blocked Yang Si’s view of Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao finally understood, not daring to make a sound, afraid that Young Master Yang San, who knew her too well, would recognize her. Covering her face where Yan Shang’s sleeve had struck, Mu Wanyao kept her head down and scurried away, her footsteps pattering as she ran upstairs.

She didn’t dare look back at the scene behind her.

Due to her unsettled thoughts, she even stumbled on the stairs, but she simply lifted her skirt and continued running.

Making Yan Shang nervous for her safety.

Once Mu Wanyao had run upstairs, from Yan Shang’s perspective, Princess Danyang’s figure was finally out of sight.

Only then did Yan Shang turn around, giving a cupped-hand salute to Yang Si who had asked him to turn.

When he raised his head, Yan Shang showed just the right amount of surprise: “Young master, have we met before?”

Yang Si stood tall and straight as a sword in his youth. He didn’t look at Yan Shang but instead looked up to where the young lady who had covered her face and been chased away by Yan Shang had disappeared.

Though she was no longer visible, Yang Si felt something was strange.

Yang Si said: “In a place like this, how could there be a woman who could afford such fine clothes and such an elaborate hairpin?”

Yan Shang paused slightly, about to explain, when one of Yang Si’s servants already explained: “Third Young Master, the ladies living in the Southern District are quite wealthy. Not to mention those in the Middle District.”

Yang Si reluctantly accepted this explanation and turned his gaze back to Yan Shang.

Yan Shang’s face remained gentle, having been waiting for him.

Yang Si stared at him for a while, then said slowly: “Are you trying to get close to Princess Danyang?”

Yan Shang: “…”

His expression unchanged, he smiled: “What makes young master say this? I merely asked the Princess to help present my examination papers…”

Yang Si sneered, interrupting his explanation.

Yang Si said: “People like you, do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking? Especially someone like you… thinking that just because you have some talent, you can aspire to marry a princess. Earlier at Yongshou Temple, weren’t you hanging around with that girl Yaoyao?”

Yaoyao.

Yan Shang’s heart stirred slightly, frowning a bit.

He asked: “I know my worth and would never attempt the impossible. Young master has indeed misunderstood, but may I ask who you are, to be so familiar with Princess Danyang…”

Yang Si said flatly: “The Chang’an branch of the Hongnong Yang family, Yang family’s third son.”

Yan Shang immediately expressed his apologies for his lack of respect.

However, Yang Si noticed that this person didn’t rush to welcome him warmly as others did upon hearing his identity. This person maintained a kind of polite distance… perhaps this was why Mu Wanyao had agreed to help him with his examination papers.

But Yang Si couldn’t be bothered to care about this person’s name or exactly how close he was to Mu Wanyao.

Yang Si just lectured: “New to Chang’an, looking at you, you seem to want to take the imperial examinations, yet you spend every day hanging around places like the Northern District? Bewitched by Chang’an’s romance and beauty, what right do you have to get close to Yaoyao?”

Yan Shang remained silent.

But to avoid revealing anything about Mu Wanyao, he said shamefully: “…Young master’s words are right.”

Yang Si stared at him coldly: “I don’t care what little schemes you have, but if I find out you’ve used Yaoyao or bullied her, I will kill you.”

“For me, Yang San, killing someone in Chang’an isn’t such a big deal!”

Yan Shang’s brow twitched slightly, and after a while, he said: “Young master seems to have some misunderstandings about me…”

Yang Si snorted, like a cold-faced King of Hell, looking at Yan Shang’s elegant and refined demeanor, he couldn’t be bothered to deal with such a person. It was only because he had seen him at Yongshou Temple earlier that he bothered to make these threats. He had no interest in getting to know this person.

And perhaps in a few days, such a person would disappear from Princess Danyang’s side anyway.

Having made his threats, Yang Si strode away, with his followers hurrying after this proud third young master. Another group of ladies surrounded him, their powder and perfume drawing close to Young Master Yang San: “Third Young Master hasn’t been here for so long…”

Through the fragrance of powder and rouge, Yang Si’s impatient voice rang out: “Get lost! Don’t block the way!”

Standing in place, Yan Shang’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he suddenly looked toward Yang San, who was about to leave the building.

That “don’t block the way,” the arrogance in those words, how similar it was to Mu Wanyao’s usual way of speaking…

These two must have a close relationship.

But who was imitating whose manner of speaking?

Yan Shang, being extremely perceptive, had noticed something unusual just from Yang San’s casual words. Though his heart couldn’t remain calm, he waited until Yang San had left before giving a self-mocking smile.

What was he thinking about these things?

Whether it was Mu Wanyao imitating Yang Si, or Yang Si imitating Mu Wanyao, or if the two had known each other for so long they unconsciously became similar… what did it have to do with him?

The key was tomorrow’s examination results posting.

The key was whether that sleeve strike had made Mu Wanyao angry—

After asking around, Yan Shang found Mu Wanyao in an elegant room upstairs.

Since this building was lit throughout the night, when he closed the door and entered, he could see Mu Wanyao without needing to light any lamps.

However, she wasn’t waiting to scold him as usual with her haughty manner but was instead curled up small on a long couch, her arm propped on an armrest she had moved to her left side, hand supporting her cheek, eyes closed, apparently asleep.

Her cloud-like hair was slightly askew, her lips slightly parted, like snow with a hint of gold powder sprinkled at the corner of her eye. A beauty sleeping under the lamplight, most pure and moving.

Even in sleep, she maintained the elegant and proper bearing of a princess, beyond any criticism.

When he first saw her sleeping, Yan Shang was stunned for a moment, his first reaction being to turn away, feeling he shouldn’t look at her in such an innocent state. But after calming himself for a moment with his back turned, he hesitated, then turned back to look down at her.

As he looked, he saw her arm probably couldn’t support her cheek anymore, swaying unsteadily in sleep about to fall… Yan Shang hurriedly stepped over, and just as she was about to topple over, he pressed his hand on the armrest, catching her falling face.

Mu Wanyao’s face landed on Yan Shang’s hand, and with this, Mu Wanyao opened her eyes, startled awake.

Her eyes were misty, still carrying a hint of just-woken confusion, as she blankly looked up at the young man suddenly kneeling before her.

Mu Wanyao was confused: Oh? How come when I wake up, there’s a beautiful young man by my bed? Is he here to serve me?

Seeing her drowsy eyes, Yan Shang sighed, his hand supporting her face as he helped her sit up, explaining gently: “I’ve kept Your Highness waiting long. Your Highness fell asleep and almost fell just now, I only supported you, I didn’t mean to offend Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao came to her senses: “Oh.”

She sat properly, covering her mouth as she yawned, so sleepy that tears were about to flow: “Yang San has left?”

Yan Shang: “Yes.”

He paused, then probed: “Young Master Yang seems to care very much about Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao: “He’s not caring about me, he just fiercely disapproves of me. If he had seen me here just now, he wouldn’t just scold me for being improper, he would go report to the Crown Prince.”

Mu Wanyao said through her yawns, her words muffled: “We both came in through the back door tonight, acting quite secretly. You don’t want to get involved with the Crown Prince’s affairs, so tonight’s matters can’t be known by that big-mouth Yang Si.”

Yan Shang stared at her, saying softly: “I’ve caused Your Highness trouble.”

Seeing her so sleepy yet still forcing herself to talk with him, his heart inexplicably ached a little.

Yan Shang took out a clean handkerchief from his robes, saying gently: “Your Highness, please wipe the tears from your eyes.”

Mentioning that she was crying from sleepiness, just as Mu Wanyao touched her cheek, she remembered something.

She suddenly became alert.

Glaring at Yan Shang: “Just now downstairs, did you hit my face with your sleeve?”

Yan Shang sighed: “I was careless, does Your Highness hurt?”

Mu Wanyao slapped the couch: “It hurts! What are you going to do about it?”

Yan Shang hesitated: “Does Your Highness want to hit me back?”

Mu Wanyao rolled her eyes upward, looking at space: “Just make it up to me, I’m too lazy to hit you, wouldn’t my hand hurt?”

Seeing the gentleness beneath her willfulness, Yan Shang smiled slightly, he softly asked Your Highness where he had hit her. Mu Wanyao herself had forgotten because it didn’t hurt at all. But she just pointed randomly at her cheeks, saying here and there, everywhere.

Her entire face hurt, she claimed. Perhaps it would be swollen tomorrow.

Yan Shang, with infinite patience, apologized and went out to find some ice, wrapping it in a handkerchief to help wipe her face. When Mu Wanyao backed away refusing, Yan Shang explained it was his clean handkerchief, not one used by other ladies in this building.

His hand cupped her face, almost embracing her, as he gently wiped her face with the handkerchief.

He knew she was making excuses, but said nothing about it.

Seeing Mu Wanyao was too sleepy, yawning after every couple of words, Yan Shang became even gentler: “Your Highness should go to sleep. I’ll keep watch outside, I alone can wait for the news. Your Highness has already done so much for me, I’m truly ashamed.”

Mu Wanyao really couldn’t hold on anymore.

She swayed as she got up: “Alright, I’ll sleep for a while. You keep watch outside, don’t let anyone in.”

She didn’t forget to threaten: “This Princess hates it most when people see her sleeping face if you dare…”

Yan Shang said: “Your Highness can rest assured.”

Mu Wanyao turned back to look at him once. He stood beside the candlelight, elegant as jade bamboo.

Mu Wanyao pressed her lips together, her heart inexplicably softening. She said nothing more, directly going behind the screen and getting into bed to sleep.

As for whether Yan Shang would sleep tonight, or if he planned to stay up all night, Princess Danyang had no awareness of caring about this—

The morning drums sounded.

From the main gate tower of the Taiji Palace, the first dawn drum began to sound, layer upon layer of drum beats, spreading outward from the central drum tower in succession, rippling out in circles.

Three thousand drum beats, and with these drum beats, the gates of the imperial palace, imperial city, and residential districts opened in sequence. At the same time, morning bells rang out from over a hundred temples throughout the city.

The rain that had fallen all night had already stopped. The entire Chang’an awoke in the three thousand drum beats, under the sunlight.

A new day began, and the ward streets became bustling and lively again with flowing crowds.

Mu Wanyao pushed open the window, standing on the second floor of a building in the Southern District of the Northern Ward, gazing out at the whole of the Great Wei coming alive with vitality. Such a prosperous and bustling Chang’an stirred pride in the heart of every person of the Great Wei.

It was such a Chang’an that made Feng Xianyu reluctant to leave in his constant thoughts; it was also what made her, a princess sent in marriage, think day and night, wanting to return.

Someone knocked on the door outside, Mu Wanyao gave a faint “mm” in response, and the door opened as Fang Tong entered.

Fang Tong said in a low voice: “Your Highness, last night Young Master Feng visited the Princess Imperial’s residence. At dawn, the Princess Imperial personally drove her carriage into the central palace. It seems the list will be changed back.”

Mu Wanyao: “What about Yan Shang?”

Fang Tong: “Since he needed to go see the examination results, Second Young Master Yan left just after this servant returned. Before leaving, Second Young Master Yan arranged breakfast for Your Highness at the building and has already paid. Does Your Highness want to go down for the meal now?”

Mu Wanyao gave a small laugh, her tone suddenly teasing: “Oh? I thought he was so calm yesterday, not caring about the examination results. So he does care after all?”

The Princess turned her head, lifting her chin toward Fang Tong: “After breakfast, let’s enter the palace. After my royal father finishes morning court, I’ll pay my morning respects to him. For today’s examination results posting, I should avoid suspicion and not go to watch.”

“But remember to report the results to me.”

Fang Tong naturally agreed, serving the Princess breakfast, and then the two secretly left through the back door, meeting up with Chunhua and other servants who had waited all night outside the Northern Ward gate. Mounting horses, Princess Danyang grandly proceeded to the palace—

For the examination results posting, countless scholars and talents had already gathered below the notice board.

When Yan Shang arrived, the place was already packed so tight that not even water could flow through. Not just scholars waiting for the results, many powerful families and wealthy households had their carriages stopped here, ready to see who would pass the examinations this year.

Every year, the talented scholars who passed were extremely precious, to be fought over by these powerful families. If they saw someone they liked, they would directly pull them aside to arrange betrothal and marriage.

This trend was called “catching sons-in-law under the notice board.”

Yan Shang had studied at the Imperial Academy for half a month and knew quite a few people. As he made his way through, he greeted people all along, his popularity making Wei Shu, who sat coldly in the wine shop opposite the notice board position, stare at him for a long while.

Everyone was talking to Yan Shang:

“Yan Suchen, when I looked for you at Yongshou Temple today, why couldn’t I find you?”

“Second Young Master Yan, why are you only coming now?”

“Yan Suchen will certainly have good results this time.”

Yan Shang smiled and returned everyone’s greetings, answering all their polite concerns one by one.

Sitting on the second floor of the wine shop, the page boy beside Wei Shu watched the smooth-talking Second Young Master Yan surrounded by people below, staring in astonishment.

Page boy: “Seventh Young Master… how does he know so many people? Hasn’t he only been in Chang’an for a month?”

Sunlight fell like snow, and fourteen-year-old Wei Shu calmly drank his tea, unconcerned: “Some people are just naturally better with people. Just as I’m naturally not good with people.”

Wei Shu had come to Chang’an nearly a year earlier than Yan Shang, yet Wei Shu hadn’t made any friends in Chang’an.

First, he was too young—noble family sons his age would normally still be studying and wouldn’t take the examinations at all; second, well, he was indeed cold and proud by nature, and it was Yan Shang who had actively insisted on being his friend—by his original nature, Wei Shu wouldn’t have gotten close to anyone.

The page boy immediately defended his young master: “Young Master, how can you say you’re not good with people? You just don’t bother to socialize…”

Wei Shu glanced at the servant, and the page boy fell silent. Watching his young master speak softly: “Yan Suchen has what he’s good at, and I have what I’m good at. Everyone’s fortune is different, the paths we walk are different. I don’t envy him, so you needn’t make excuses for me.”

As they chatted idly like this, a grand procession of riders came clanging their gongs. The minor officials on the drum tower, seeing the dust kicked up by horse hooves in the distance, hurriedly climbed the drum tower to ring the bell, signaling those below to make way—the results were about to be posted!—

The “Record of Imperial Examination Success” recorded the passing candidates for this year.

Of the two thousand examination participants, the central government selected twenty-two people.

First Place: Wei Shu (aged fourteen), passed on the first attempt;

Second Place: Zheng Hanming (aged thirty-three), attempted for ten years;

Third Place: Yan Shang (aged eighteen), passed on the first attempt;

The remaining nineteen successful candidates were…

After the results were posted, there was an uproar below. Some were happy, some were grief-stricken. Some were grabbed by the sleeve and asked if they were married, some sat on the ground wailing…

Wei Shu didn’t show his face at all, having his page boy check the results before quietly leaving, avoiding being caught by anyone.

While Yan Shang below, seeing his name appear as Third Place Scholar, felt slightly relieved, then thought of the hardships endured for this result along the way, and of Feng Xianyu’s breakdown and sleeve-covering from last night, feeling inexplicably melancholy.

He collected himself, looking past his name to see if any other acquaintances had passed.

Unfortunately, besides Wei Shu, he knew none of the others. Liu Wenji had failed again…

The difficulty of the imperial examinations couldn’t be explained in a few words.

When Yan Shang turned around, he seemed to see Liu Wenji in the crowd, looking grief-stricken. As he hesitated, Liu Wenji glanced at him once before turning to leave. Yan Shang took two steps to follow but was swallowed by the crowd.

He was terrified to find himself surrounded by a group of servants—

“Are you Yan Shang, styled Suchen? Young master, are you married? Our master wishes to make a match…”

“Hey, why are you walking away? Could it be you look down on our Lu family?”

“If you don’t want to marry, taking a concubine is fine too. Our ladies range from thirty down to thirteen, all available for your selection, young master.”

“Young Master Yan, Young Master Yan! Don’t hide!”

The enthusiasm and boldness of Chang’an’s people left Yan Shang, a country bumpkin from Lingnan, dumbfounded. He had indeed heard of the custom of “catching sons-in-law under the notice board,” but hadn’t imagined it would be this extreme.

The enthusiastic people of Chang’an desperately threw their name cards into his arms, insisting he must come to see their young ladies. Some people kept holding onto Yan Shang’s hand and wouldn’t let go—even someone as skilled at social interaction as he had tried to break free several times but couldn’t…

There were even dramatic page boys kneeling on the ground, hugging his legs, wailing that he must come to meet their young masters, who especially wanted to meet him, the new Third Place Scholar, wanted to be his friend and become “family friends.”

Even someone as good-natured as Yan Shang became somewhat exasperated: “Everyone, this Yan has but one body and one body cannot marry so many families… Please let me pass, let me go discuss with my father first?”

Yan Shang lied without blinking: “Give me half an hour, and I’ll return to give everyone an answer.”

After much persuasion, Yan Shang finally struggled free from the encirclement.

It was because everyone who heard “Third Place Scholar” knew such a person must be handsome. Which of Chang’an’s flourishing young ladies didn’t want to marry a good-looking ideal husband?

So while other successful candidates could barely manage, by the time Yan Shang squeezed out of the crowd, his back was already soaked with sweat, forcing bitter smiles.

He thanked his elder brother for making him exercise every day, otherwise he would have surely been crushed or suffocated in that overwhelming tide of people.

Yan Shang wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked back once more at the still enthusiastic people of Chang’an, and was about to slip away. But with a casual glance, he saw Feng Xianyu standing at the entrance of the wine shop opposite, face pale, staring at him fixedly—

Yan Shang paused, then walked over. Without a word, he bowed to Feng Xianyu.

Feng Xianyu still stared at the enthusiastic crowd below the notice board, saying: “Can you return my daughter to me now?”

Yan Shang stood beside him, speaking softly: “In last night’s urgency I lied, I never had anyone kidnap your daughter. I just knew you cared about the young lady and used her to provoke you.”

Feng Xianyu glanced at the young man beside him, and even in his bitter moment, felt somewhat relieved.

Yan Shang said: “Actually, Young Master Feng arranged the young lady’s whereabouts so secretly, you should have known that even Princess Danyang wouldn’t have the ability to find her in one night. You were just worried sick, and since it involved the young lady’s safety, you couldn’t risk any mishap. I took advantage of your psychology, I’m truly ashamed.”

Feng Xianyu leaned against the wine shop’s flagpole, speaking faintly: “I have only this one daughter, and perhaps will never have other children, of course, I cherish her. You used her to threaten me, I must say, at such a young age, your ability to read people’s hearts truly makes me bow in admiration.”

But Feng Xianyu then sneered: “However, Yan Suchen, don’t underestimate people in this world! Don’t think that with such small tricks, you can manipulate everyone like me. Take care of yourself, Chang’an will teach you a lesson.”

Yan Shang said gently: “Thank you for the advice, Brother Feng. But you’re still young, why do you say you won’t have other children?”

Feng Xianyu looked at him coldly. Even with such sarcasm toward Yan Shang, Yan Shang remained gentle and mild. Though angry at Yan Shang, Feng Xianyu couldn’t help but admire Yan Shang’s good cultivation.

Feng Xianyu said: “You, Yan Suchen, can’t you guess why?”

Yan Shang paused, saying softly: “Is it because Brother Feng still intends to continue serving Princess Imperial, so… Brother Feng will never have other children in this life?”

Feng Xianyu: “Mm.”

Both fell silent, saying nothing more.

Feng Xianyu had given up other paths. He had already attached himself to the Princess Imperial and didn’t want to waste his previous efforts. He must earn a future through the Princess Imperial… With the Princess Imperial’s protection, even though he failed this year, next year’s examination would surely have his name, Feng Xianyu.

Feng Xianyu had developed a certain obsession with the examinations.

He had never achieved it, so he must try to achieve it. Even if the result might not be good… he just had to achieve it once to see.

Feng Xianyu asked Yan Shang: “Second Young Master Yan lectured me thoroughly last night, with many grand principles, why aren’t you speaking now? Why aren’t you persuading me not to think about serving the Princess Imperial? Could it be that after one night, Second Young Master Yan no longer thinks I’m despicable?”

Yan Shang looked at him: “Brother Feng needn’t be like this. You’ve naturally chosen this path, what need is there for me to say more? I don’t think Brother Feng serving the Princess Imperial makes you a despicable person. Since Brother Feng has chosen this path, walk it well. Others have no right to question your choice, Brother Feng need only be sure of yourself.”

Feng Xianyu stared at him blankly.

Yan Shang smiled: “Just ensure that next time, Brother Feng doesn’t engage in substitution schemes. As for the rest, Brother Feng needn’t mind others’ opinions, just persist in your way.”

Feng Xianyu stared at Yan Shang for a long time.

After a while, Feng Xianyu finally gave a bitter smile and withdrew his gaze.

Feng Xianyu squinted at the bustling crowd below the notice board, looking at the sunlight overhead, muttering: “Second Young Master Yan… I always thought you were a hypocrite, being nice to everyone, and keeping everyone in mind. I mocked you in my heart as just someone who curries favor, but now it seems… perhaps you’re a true gentleman, and I couldn’t see through you.”

“I couldn’t see through you.”

Feng Xianyu said: “I hope in the future, there will still be chances to serve in court together. I want to see what kind of person you are.”—

In the Eastern Palace at this time, they were also discussing Yan Shang.

Because at dawn, the Princess Imperial had entered the palace to change the list back, and with the Crown Prince’s approval, the list was finally truly settled.

According to the Princess Imperial, Feng Xianyu had cried and wailed, insisting his friendship with Yan Shang was so deep, feeling he had betrayed his friend… The Princess Imperial had grown impatient with the annoyance, and favoring this new favorite of hers, simply went to the palace to change the name.

The Crown Prince discussed this matter with his advisors, sighing: “What a pity. I had hoped to see that girl Danyang and aunt cause a scene.”

One of the advisors said: “The Princess Imperial suddenly wanting to change the list back is truly unusual. I fear Princess Danyang still used some methods, just more subtle this time, actually choosing not to make a big scene, truly unlike Princess Danyang’s temperament.”

The Crown Prince pondered: “Investigate whether new advisors have entered Danyang’s household, giving her ideas. These methods were truly gentle… I don’t believe it’s something that temperament of Danyang’s would use.”

“What are you saying about Princess Danyang?”

The Crown Prince and his advisors were talking in the palace hall when a casual young man’s voice came from outside. Without the need for the announcement, this youth entered the hall, striding elegantly—it was Young Master Yang San.

The advisors rose to bow, sighing inwardly that only Yang San could enter the Eastern Palace without announcement.

The Crown Prince watched Yang Si sit cross-legged directly, covered in sweat, and couldn’t help glaring at the youth: “It’s one thing not to be announced, but now you can’t even be bothered to go home and wash up? How lazy can you get?”

Yang Si glanced at the Crown Prince, saying: “I’ve been running around all night for the Ministry of Revenue, haven’t closed my eyes all night, and you want me to wash up? If I go home to wash up, I might just fall straight asleep. If I delay Your Highness’s matters, don’t blame me.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand in annoyance, gesturing for a maid to bring a towel for Yang Si to wipe his sweat.

Then they heard Yang Si say lazily: “I talked with the Minister of Revenue all night, and he finally agreed to turn a blind eye and let Your Highness’s people into the ministry. That old fellow is almost at retirement age anyway, I see he doesn’t want to work anymore himself, might as well do the Crown Prince a favor.”

The Crown Prince nodded in satisfaction.

The old emperor had previously struggled against the Li clan of Jinling, finally forcing them down and back to Jinling, but after the Empress passed away, the old emperor aged overnight and could no longer summon energy for state affairs. And this was the Crown Prince’s chance to rise.

The Crown Prince needed to gradually replace the court officials with his people. When the entire court was under his control, that would be the day for the old emperor to become Emperor Emeritus.

Thus, the advisors continued talking for a while, until it was time for the noon meal and they took their leave one by one.

But Yang Si sat cross-legged in place, not moving at all, clearly planning to dine at the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince glanced at him several times, seeing this person had no self-awareness, and could only say impatiently: “If you want to dine, fine, but go change your clothes first?”

Only then did Yang Si reluctantly get up, following a maid to change.

As the meal began, the Crown Prince’s consort had specially made a dish today to dine with His Highness. Seeing Yang San was also present, her eye twitched, but she was already used to it.

This Yang San came to the Eastern Palace too frequently; dining here was just ordinary behavior.

However, during the meal, the Crown Prince’s consort, for the Crown Prince’s sake, couldn’t help but show concern for Yang Si: “Third Young Master, you’re not so young anymore, has your family arranged any marriage prospects?”

Yang San raised his head, looking coldly at the Crown Prince’s consort once.

Before Yang Si could answer, the Crown Prince had already said: “His marriage will be decided only when I say so.”

The Crown Prince’s consort could barely maintain her smile, her lips stiffening. She felt the Crown Prince was too good to Yang San, treating him practically like a son… the key point being that Yang San wasn’t the Crown Prince’s son!

The Crown Prince didn’t even pay this much attention to his actual sons!

However, speaking of marriage brought Princess Danyang to the Crown Prince’s mind.

The Crown Prince asked Yang Si: “Have you seen Sixth Sister lately?”

Yang Si replied very frankly: “No.”

Seeing him say just one word and then lower his head to continue eating, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but feel exasperated: “You haven’t even visited her once?”

Yang Si was puzzled: “Why should I visit her? If she cared, she should come visit me.”

Crown Prince: “…”

The Crown Prince slapped his chopsticks on the table, slightly angry: “You stubborn mule, you’ll be the death of me!”

The Crown Prince’s consort beside him trembled in fright, thinking the Crown Prince was about to rage. But after a moment, the Crown Prince picked up his chopsticks again.

The Crown Prince still couldn’t help saying: “Eat more vegetables, how can you just eat meat?”

The Crown Prince’s consort sourly wondered beside them: Was Yang San the Crown Prince’s lost son? But the age didn’t match up, the Crown Prince couldn’t have a son that old.