Chapter 295: Chapter 292: Pleading
Chu Minghou laughed, “Father, you are indeed wise.”
Huang Cheng laughed, “The Emperor also instructed the Fourth Prince to act cautiously and not make any mistakes.”
Chu Zhiyuan solemnly clasped his fists, “Understood.”
He understood the Emperor’s intention, not to open up loopholes privately, which would disrupt the Martial Arts Hall’s regulations set by the court.
This was exactly to his liking.
Helping privately would mean exchanging favors secretly, and once this precedent was set, problems would be endless.
Both close and distant relations would have complaints.
After Huang Cheng left, Chu Zhiyuan and the others congratulated Bai Ningshuang.
This royal reward was truly satisfying.
The Emperor granted Bai Ningshuang a manor, which was not merely about the manor, but imperial favor.
Clearly, the Prince Qing Mansion was currently enjoying divine favor.
With this, she could stand tall in the palace, and confidently face the consorts, naturally having the confidence to refuse.
Bai Ningshuang came from Bai’s Mansion, once a prestigious family, but now it had declined.
With the Emperor’s reward, her aura would be different.
Though a married daughter is like spilled water, Bai Ningshuang could not forget the Marquis Mansion.
A reward for the Marquis Mansion was akin to a reward for her.
Bai Ningshuang couldn’t help but smile broadly.
“Imperial Envoy Huang, I will visit Yao Yue Palace in a few days.”
“I understand,” Huang Cheng smiled, “I will accompany the Princely Heir with Mr. Qi.”
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Thank you for your trouble.”
Huang Cheng replied, “Times are different now, and when the Princely Heir leaves the city, he must be accompanied by two Grandmasters, and I will also accompany you to stretch my legs.”
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “The Heavenly Dragon Divine Horse is too fast, it is indeed troublesome for Imperial Envoy Huang.”
Normally, when going out, they followed to relax, but riding the Heavenly Dragon Divine Horse made it different.
The speed of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Horse was beyond imagination, and even the Grandmaster had to exert full power to keep up.
Huang Cheng chuckled, “It’s good to exercise anyway, the Princely Heir need not worry about me.”
“Alright, it’s settled then.” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.
After Huang Cheng left, Chu Yi praised, “Big brother, you are amazing now, receiving one reward after another from Imperial Grandfather, hahaha, is it my turn next?”
“You…” Chu Zhiyuan looked her over and laughed, “Just wait then.”
Chu Yi laughed, “What would Imperial Grandfather reward me? Would he raise my rank?”
She ran back to the front hall, took Li Suyue’s hand, and analyzed what the Emperor might reward her next time.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and didn’t refute.
Since the parents had both been rewarded, it would be his sister’s turn next time.
The Prince Qing Mansion was different from other royal mansions, with no concubines or illegitimate sons, with only the two of them as children.
After being an established mansion for thirty years, naturally, their feelings were close, and rewarding her was akin to rewarding himself.
The following days, the Prince Qing Mansion became lively.
Not only from various royal mansions and the State Duke Mansion, Marquis Mansion, but also top experts from major sects of the Martial Arts world came to visit.
Chu Zhiyuan did not meet anyone; all were received by Chu Minghou.
Chu Minghou became busy, making the Prince Qing Mansion a hot spot.
But Chu Zhiyuan ignored these and continued his usual routine.
Going to Mingwu Hall in the morning, then sitting in the Ministry of Rites.
Returning to the mansion for lunch at noon.
Staying in the mansion for cultivation in the afternoon or checking messages at the Inspection Department.
He disregarded the visits, having Feng Xi and Zou Fang block them all.
This strict and impartial attitude did not offend them, and being the Princely Heir, even if he did anger them, they dared not do anything.
That noon, Chu Zhiyuan didn’t return to Prince Qing Mansion for lunch but went to Bright Moon Tower with Gao Lingfeng.
The Prince Qing Mansion had become a bit too lively, with some shameless people wanting to dine there.
One of them was Bai Ningshuang’s brother, Bai Ningyu.
Bai Ningyu, as the Earl of his generation, was not demoted from his title because of military merits.
However, due to the influence of the Prince Qing Mansion, his days in recent years had not been good.
If not for his great military achievements in youth and having many friends in the military, which many held prominent positions, his days would have been even tougher.
He had been unable to stay in the capital for many years, stationed outside the capital.
He had just returned to the capital recently.
This happened after the Prince Qing Mansion regained divine favor.
Thus, imperial favor is extremely important.
Officials of the Six Ministries act according to the favor shown.
If the Prince Qing Mansion had not regained divine favor, Bai Lord would still be stationed outside the capital.
At this time, Bai Ningyu was sitting in the front hall, lazily looking at Bai Ningshuang and Chu Minghou, and laughing, “Elder sister, brother-in-law, quickly serve the meal, I’m starving.”
He had some resemblance to Bai Ningshuang, strikingly handsome, but a hint of hardship showed in his brows.
Bai Ningshuang snorted, “Go eat in your own house, I just returned from the palace and have no time to chat with you.”
“Elder sister, you’re too heartless?” Bai Ningyu laughed, “I’m your real brother.”
“A real brother can’t delay my meal!” Bai Ningshuang said irritably, “If you have something to say, spit it out!”
Bai Ningyu looked at Chu Minghou, “Brother-in-law, can’t you control my sister?”
Chu Minghou laughed, “Alright, just say what you have to say, Yuan’er isn’t coming back for lunch today.”
“Alright, he’s avoiding his uncle, right?” Bai Ningyu said.
“Glad you know!” Bai Ningshuang said irritably, “Yuan’er can see through your little tricks at a glance.”
“Yuan’er is really something now!” Bai Ningyu sighed, “Earlier, I always thought his martial arts aptitude was amazing, but now I see it’s heaven-defying!”
“Shut up.” Bai Ningshuang said irritably, “Go back home for your meal, and mind your own business!”
Bai Ningyu immediately showed a somewhat embarrassed smile, “Hehe, I’m minding my own business today, it’s about my mansion.”
“What’s happening in your mansion?” Bai Ningshuang frowned, “Isn’t Feng’er and Fang girl still not at Innate?”
“I have two old subordinates…”
“Stop!” Bai Ningshuang immediately waved her jade hand and said irritably, “You have too many old subordinates, stop mentioning them to me!”
She knew her brother’s character, bold and carefree, fitting well in the military, making many friends.
And not just in the military; he had friends from all walks of life in Yujing City, his network wide.
In recent years, it was due to these friends’ support that the Marquis Mansion didn’t completely decline, even as he was stationed outside without trouble.
This matter couldn’t open up.
Bai Ningyu chuckled, “Elder sister, you’ve misunderstood.”
Bai Ningshuang squinted at him and snorted, “Don’t I know you? I’m telling you, there’s no chance for this matter!”
“Elder sister, you really misunderstood.” Bai Ningyu said proudly, “My two old subordinates are elite, skilled hands, how about letting them join your mansion as guards?”
“Guards?” Bai Ningshuang was surprised and realized his plan, snorting, “Are they at Innate Perfection?”
“Elder sister—!” Bai Ningyu hurriedly said, “They truly are skilled, from the Eagle Pride Battalion. Has your mansion’s threshold become so high that you don’t even want skilled hands from the Eagle Pride Battalion?”
“Thirty, at Innate Perfection, limited aptitude.”
“Elder sister, thirty at Innate Perfection and you call that poor aptitude. Your eyes have been raised too high by Yuan’er. Go out and look, thirty at Innate Perfection is a martial genius!”
“I’ve seen too many martial geniuses, thirty reaching Grandmaster.”
“There aren’t many such geniuses.” Bai Ningyu complained, “You can count them on one hand in the entire Yujing City!”