Peng Yuhao was speechless, not even daring to respond at this moment. Feeling the sharp glares all around him, he felt like crying but had no tears.

Is this the main issue? Clearly not! He just wanted to say that since Liang Zhirui has already retired, he should not be disturbed.

At such an old age, wouldn’t it be better to spend his remaining years in peace?

Ah, spit! Wait, isn’t this still because he’s considered old?

Peng Yuhao was utterly defeated; he was already trapped in the cycle of age.

The Emperor coldly snorted and shouted, "Does anyone else have objections?"

Xia Qing, standing at the front, wore a face as dark as the bottom of a pot. Originally, he thought the position of the Crown Prince’s Master was in his bag, yet it was snatched by this defeated underling.

Years ago, when he pulled Liang Zhirui down from the position of Grand Secretary, he didn’t expect Liang Zhirui would return today.

This disciple was already hard to deal with, and with Liang Zhirui, it would be even more challenging.

Xia Qing felt a heavy sense of crisis; he felt the Emperor was becoming more impatient with him.

It seemed his plan needed to be moved forward. Xia Qing cast his gaze toward the Emperor seated on the Dragon Throne, secretly making a decision in his heart.

"Hmph! I have already decided on a candidate. If none of you have objections, then this matter is settled," the Emperor announced.

Everyone remained silent, clearly indicating that they were not allowed to object. Who would dare to say more? Otherwise, they’d be sent home to farm.

"Now, let’s discuss the matter of conferring titles on the Princes. Now that the Crown Prince is established, it’s not proper for the Princes to remain in the Capital. Returning to their fiefs earlier to serve the people is the correct path."

Gu Chengyu felt that major events had been happening one after another these days. Was the Emperor planning to resolve everything at once?

Waiting to watch the show! He had already moved a small stool.

"The Eldest Prince possesses both virtue and talent, and he has been very filial to me, so I will confer the title of Prince Gong on him, granting the fief of Jingyuan Prefecture. Prince Jing will be granted the fief of Fengqing Prefecture. The edict will be issued tomorrow, and we will ask the Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious date to hold the conferment ceremony!"

Without any hesitation, the Emperor announced the conferring of titles and fiefs in one go.

Prince Jing nearly spewed old blood; Fengqing Prefecture? That’s a harsh and cold land near the border.

The land is barren, and the people live in hardship, not to mention the entrenched separatist forces. Many merchant caravans are raided by mountain bandits each year, making it a challenge for the court to collect taxes annually.

Such a place, and Father actually gave it to him as his fief?

Prince Jing could barely suppress his sorrow; same as a son, and yet Father was so biased?

Although Jingyuan Prefecture isn’t as prosperous as Jiangnan, it borders the Jingyuan River and has many docks of various sizes.

Moreover, Jingyuan Prefecture is one of the major transportation routes for canal transport. The annual tax revenue from canal transport can almost rival the salt tax, showing how significant Jingyuan Prefecture is in Dayan’s territorial map.

Yet Father gave such an important state to his elder brother, and what about him?

The Eldest Prince had a hint of joy on his face; he could not escape being conferred a title and fief.

Since the Crown Prince was already established, Father wouldn’t tolerate other Princes remaining in the Capital.

Having Jingyuan Prefecture as a fief, the Eldest Prince was already very satisfied.

Previously, Father conferred the title of Prince Jing to the Fourth. He even thought Father would grant Jingyuan Prefecture to the Fourth!

Actually, the Eldest Prince wasn’t wrong in his thinking. Originally, the Emperor indeed planned it this way. Because Prince Jing was frail since childhood, the Emperor had some pity for him, intending to grant Jingyuan Prefecture to him.

However, the Emperor now realized that Prince Jing was not as harmless as he appeared, perhaps harboring ambitions he shouldn’t.

It might be better to send him far away, lest the greed in Prince Jing’s heart grows uncontrollably.

As long as he is in Fengqing Prefecture, the Fourth will be too busy dealing with local powers to entertain other thoughts.

As for whether the Fourth would be coerced by local forces or even have his life threatened, the Emperor was unconcerned.

After all, Prince Jing is still a Prince. As long as the dynasty’s surname doesn’t change, these people wouldn’t dare act too reckless.

If the Fourth doesn’t meddle with anything and simply lives his carefree life, those forces naturally won’t provoke him.

The Emperor merely wished for the Fourth to live a life of peace and prosperity, but the Fourth didn’t understand his intentions and insisted on having such wild ambitions.

The Emperor closed his eyes briefly; he had to fulfill the promise to that person and couldn’t go back on his word. In this lifetime, the one he let down the most was that person.

He hoped that once in his fief, the Fourth could put away those little thoughts!

"Your son thanks Your Majesty for the royal grace! Long live the Emperor!" Prince Jing and the Eldest Prince both knelt to receive the decree and express their gratitude!

Yet their thoughts differed completely, one filled with resentment, the other with elation.

Prince Jing thought more than once that Father could no longer hurt his heart, but that was what he thought. Every time Father acted, it tore open his already healed wounds, leaving him bleeding once again.

Why hasn’t his heart become numb? What expectations does he still have for Father?

Prince Jing loathed himself more than once, wondering if he was too foolish?

He finally truly understood one thing: he could only rely on himself to get what he wanted. Why wait for Father’s charity?

Just wait and see! Even if the world labels him as heartless and unfeeling, so what? As long as he can successfully ascend that throne, what does it matter if he betrays the world?

One day, he would make Father see clearly; he, the son whom Father disregarded, was the true master of the world.

"We congratulate His Majesty, Prince Gong, and Prince Jing!"

Gu Chengyu knelt with the ministers but was speculating on the Emperor’s intention in his heart. Surely, the Emperor knew what kind of place Fengqing Prefecture was.

Such a place as a fief, afraid that Prince Jing would be tormented indeed! However, Prince Jing was extraordinarily capable, so it probably wouldn’t be difficult for him.

But Gu Chengyu was puzzled why the Emperor would act so ruthlessly. In his view, the Emperor did not disregard Prince Jing, just didn’t know how to express it!

This time, with the Emperor’s actions, Prince Jing’s nose might be bent with anger, his heart surely filled with deep resentment towards the Emperor.

If Gu Chengyu were in Prince Jing’s position, perhaps he too wouldn’t be at peace.

As sons, the bias was excessive. Especially in this imperial family, watching his elder brother favored so much by Father, while he was like a pitiable figure forgotten in a corner.

If the Emperor could devote even a tiny fraction of his patience and favor, as he did to the Eldest Prince, to Prince Jing, Prince Jing wouldn’t have nurtured such an extreme disposition.

Gu Chengyu shook his head and sighed. Perhaps this father and son were naturally mismatched in temperament!

Moreover, Prince Jing wasn’t the only one wronged; the Crown Prince bore the title of legitimate son but didn’t see much love from the Emperor either.

"The Astronomical Bureau will choose a date to also arrange for Prince Jing’s grand wedding. As Prince Jing has passed the age of adulthood, the marriage should not be delayed any longer."

The Emperor cast a profound gaze at Prince Jing, seeing his blank expression, and couldn’t help but sigh.

He knew the Fourth surely harbored resentment towards him, but he had his own reasons. Previous matters were ultimately his fault, as he broke promises, leaving that person utterly disappointed.