Chapter 307: Chapter 215: The Eastern Palace Mansion Takes Shape, the Suspicious Endless Pavilion, Three Major Factions

Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden.

The man in the Dragon Robe was ineffably relaxed and cheerful as he tossed bait to the fish in the pond. Only when Eunuch Yan led his men briskly into the garden did he toss the feed to a nearby Palace Maid and wipe his hands.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Crown Prince flew into a rage today. He has placed all the old ministers under house arrest in Chenxin Hall, denying them food and drink. He has also sent ministers like Yuan Xuangang, who advocated for the political marriage, to the Imperial Prison. He declared that they cannot take a single step out of the hall until his demands are met."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s actions have already drawn the ire of many ministers. It is quite outrageous. Should we... intervene?"

Eunuch Yan cautiously raised his head. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Emperor Yong’an was not angered by this. Instead, he chuckled, a hint of admiration in his voice. "The Sixth Son has some guts. He just received the Supreme Authority of Regency and already dares to do something like this. The other Princes might not have had the courage."

"I originally thought that, given his temperament, he would lie low in the Imperial Court for a while to build up his strength. If he had, I would have had to be on my guard. But this... this actually sets my mind at ease. He has offended the entire court. Now, whatever he wants to do will be fraught with difficulty."

"Could the Crown Prince be doing this on purpose? To put Your Majesty at ease?" Eunuch Yan asked.

Emperor Yong’an said nonchalantly, "That’s no longer important. By doing this, he has drawn a clear line between himself and the Imperial Court. It will be useless if he wants to mend fences in the future. He severed his own path in the court; it has nothing to do with me."

"Now that he has given up the path of the Imperial Court, he won’t be able to escape my grasp."

Eunuch Yan mused, "Your Majesty, the candidates for the Cabinet reorganization have mostly been selected. And at the Thunder Pool Daoist Academy... the Vice Mountain Master’s term is almost up. It’s time to switch to personnel from another Immortal Influence to defend the Imperial Capital."

"Xu Changqing and Well Water True Monarch have never gotten along, which is not conducive to controlling the Thunder Pool Daoist Academy."

"The current Xu Changqing is at the height of his prestige, and his influence in the Daoist Academy is considerable. If we delay any longer, the Celestial Master’s Mansion’s support for Lu Mingyuan will only grow stronger."

Emperor Yong’an glanced at Eunuch Yan and said flatly, "You see to it. I want results within three days."

"Yes!"

As Eunuch Yan agreed, he studied the graying hairs on Emperor Yong’an’s head and asked with concern, "Your Majesty, your condition seems... less than optimistic. I wonder when you will be able to make your move?"

Emperor Yong’an waved his hand. "No rush. With the Great Nether Empress nearby, the Sixth Son’s presence can help fend off the Demon Country’s assault for a while. Her deal with me back then was too rash. If I had known the Sovereign of the Holy Netherworld would be toppled so easily, I never would have let the tiger return to the mountain."

Eunuch Yan also sighed. "Indeed. Who would have thought that a mere Demoness from the past would possess such skill?"

"Let’s not dwell on the past."

Emperor Yong’an mused, "As for Yuan Xuangang... now that he’s idle, it’s good for him to rest. He can help me with a few things."

...

「Nightfall.」

Lu Mingyuan, having moved out of the Cold Palace early, spent an Hour strolling the streets with his two consorts, buying whatever delicacies caught their eye.

The Eastern Palace had been vacant for a long time and needed a thorough cleaning.

A great deal of things, such as furniture, also needed to be purchased anew. Lu Mingyuan handed all these tedious matters over to Su Youhuai.

Su Youhuai, whom he had dubbed "Wolong" for his talent, was a natural-born steward.

With just a piece of paper and a brush, he clearly inventoried everything the Eastern Palace Mansion needed.

He also calculated the approximate costs, as well as the number of servants, Guards, and Palace Maids required, all with practiced ease.

All they had to do was move in that night.

This was all thanks to Su Youhuai’s former position as a Chief Temple Priest at the Confucian Temple.

The duties of a Chief Temple Priest were similar to those of ordinary Temple Priests in other temples, but the rank was much, much higher.

The Chief Temple Priest of the Confucian Temple was located within the Academy and was a superior to other Temple Priests, responsible for compiling the prayers of scholars from all over.

Some prayed to pass the imperial examinations, some hoped for the Saints’ blessing, and others...

The function of these prayers was similar to those in Buddhist Dao temples where people prayed to gods and buddhas; it was also a source of incense offerings.

As for "Feng Chu" Shen Yuanxi, Lu Mingyuan saw that he excelled at military strategy and deduction. He tasked him with selecting new Imperial Guard recruits in the Imperial Capital to serve at the Eastern Palace Mansion as estate guards. For Guard Captain, he specifically named Zhou Pingfu. If there were any obstacles, he was to use the Crown Prince’s Jade Seal to authorize it.

This was the first time Lu Mingyuan had stepped out of the Imperial Palace in his own body, witnessing the vibrant world and the liveliness of the Imperial Capital.

The streets were bustling with people. Beneath the black-eaved tile roofs, sedan chairs and fine horses passed through the Hundred Treasures Workshop’s intersecting alleys. Wealthy gentry and officials gathered, and the flow of white horses and carved carriages was endless.

Lanterns shone like a sea of stars. On the river that ran through the Capital City, there were flower boats, upon which numerous Dancing Girls swayed their lithe waists, showing off their graceful movements.

The Crown Prince was out on the streets, and onlookers gathered to watch. Guards from the Bright Lamp Bureau were alongside, maintaining order.

It was called protection, but it was really surveillance.

"Quick, quick! Which one is the Crown Prince? Is it the one in the golden Python Robe!"

"Wow—Mother, the Crown Prince is so handsome! So many people said he was a good-for-nothing. How could he be a bad person when he’s so good-looking?"

"Shh~ Don’t shout, aren’t you ashamed?"

"I don’t believe you! Don’t tell me you don’t want to be the Crown Prince Consort?"

Many young maidens on the street, hearing the Crown Prince’s name, craned their necks, wanting to see what the Prince in the crowd looked like. Their mouths were full of praise for Lu Mingyuan’s appearance.

Lu Mingyuan acted as if he heard nothing, leading his retinue forward without looking away. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling utterly exhausted.

’Going shopping is even more tiring than killing and fighting. This isn’t a physical exhaustion, it’s mental...’