This time, only Cui Huai and Hong Jie were with Huangfu Yuxuan, although

these two guards were the strongest among his guards.

They cooperated with the people from the Ministry of Justice to move against a certain criminal, who, although somewhat vicious, was of little consequence before them.

Two days ago, Huangfu Yuxuan’s people had already tracked down the whereabouts of this criminal from the Ministry of Justice.

Huangfu Yuxuan, being only three people, and lightly equipped, arrived earlier than the people from the Ministry of Justice, and his information was more accurate with a clearer direction.

Originally, he could have captured the person right then, but Huangfu Yuxuan did not do so; he discreetly let the villain escape again.

This villain was indeed adept at escaping, fleeing through several villages and towns. During this time, he stole food and killed three people.

Seeing those three innocent people die miserably, Huangfu Yuxuan appeared heartbroken and furious, regretting that he had learned of the situation too late and had not been able to catch the fugitive in time, resulting in their wrongful deaths.

His grief and sense of justice, with a heart-minded for the people and prioritizing righteousness, impressed the people from the Ministry of Justice even more. Instead, they consoled him, saying this villain was cunning, and the Second Young Master need not blame himself too much.

Huangfu Yuxuan earned the admiration of these people and then made a show of determination, vowing to bring the villain to justice.

He chased with the people from the Ministry of Justice, eating and sleeping in the open, covered in dust, which touched the people from the Ministry of Justice further.

This person could almost become the next Crown Prince; his father had been the Crown Prince for decades. How noble is that in the Capital City? Hailed as the most desirable noble young master for the city’s women to marry, without exception.

So noble and graceful, unparalleled in elegance. However, he handled official matters with sincerity, showing no arrogance due to his status.

He was indeed the Imperial Grandson, and clearly did not have to work so hard, leaving the Capital City with them to catch this criminal.

Yet, he never complained about the hardship, eating and sleeping in the wind and dew, even charging ahead, disregarding his own safety to catch the criminal.

When the criminal was finally apprehended, the people from the Ministry of Justice breathed a sigh of relief, and Huangfu Yuxuan also appeared relieved, proceeding with them to escort the criminal back to the Capital City.

Such an endeavor took several days.

Behind the backs of the people from the Ministry of Justice, Hong Jie regrettably said, "The Second Young Master went out to capture a criminal, missing the Imperial Palace banquet. Isn’t that a huge loss?"

Cui Huai glanced at him and said, "The Second Young Master has his plans; you need not concern yourself so much."

Although Hong Jie was adept at martial arts, he was brave but without wisdom. There were many things that Huangfu Yuxuan did not tell him, but Cui Huai was much more shrewd.

He clearly knew that the Second Young Master was intentionally missing the Imperial Palace banquet this time.

Otherwise, the criminal could have been captured two days ago; why drag it out until today?

The Imperial Palace banquet was very important for Huangfu Yuxuan, especially now that he had moved out of the Eastern Palace and was now at Prince Liang Mansion, visiting the palace less frequently.

The Imperial Palace banquet was undoubtedly a way to get closer to his Grandfather.

The Emperor has too many grandsons, and now all the Princely Heirs of various vassal kings have arrived in the Capital City. Being established as a Princely Heir is not always the foremost eldest son. Naturally, each has their abilities and characteristics.

Therefore, the Second Young Master of the Prince Liang Mansion has an elder brother and has not been established as the Princely Heir. Prince Liang is still in seclusion as penance now, without a change. This seclusion is much like confinement.

Huangfu Yuxuan’s status became less impressive.

As for why the Second Young Master gave up such a good opportunity to enter the palace, Hong Jie didn’t know, but as a trusted aide, Cui Huai knew.

There was bound to be trouble at the Imperial Palace banquet.

The Second Young Master was far from the Capital City, working on a case. So even if there were problems at the banquet, no one could suspect the Second Young Master.

Missing one Imperial Palace banquet was not a big deal; avoiding trouble was the most important.

Hong Jie’s loyalty makes him feel that the Second Young Master gave up a good opportunity. Capturing a criminal, although commendable, cannot be compared with the importance of winning the Emperor’s personal recognition through the banquet, can it?

Cui Huai patted Hong Jie’s shoulder and smiled, "The Second Young Master has his plans; why worry? Just focus on eating and drinking well!"

Capital City.

Early in the morning, in the secret chamber of the Crown Prince Mansion, Huangfu Hanyu summoned several people, making plans for something. Those people came and went, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Once everyone was dispatched, Huangfu Hanyu’s face was extremely grim, mixed with a sense of ferocity. The news received from Gongyang Puyu three days ago made his eyes glint with bloodthirsty light, and he muttered continuously to himself:

"If I can’t succeed within three days, I won’t be able to act for now!"

"Today is his dying day!"

"Daring to take away my destiny, deserving of more than death!"

...

Though thinking of something ferocious, his face only showed an eerie coldness.

Since Huangfu Jingchen entered the capital, Huangfu Hanyu had been keeping people to watch him. Usually, Huangfu Jingchen seldom left the mansion, and sending people to act at Cheng Prince Mansion was like throwing buns at a dog.

Thus, he could only lure him out.

But if it was too obvious, there were others in the Capital City waiting like ravenous wolves, wouldn’t it be handing over a handle to others? Huangfu Hanyu, able to wrest the Crown Prince title, certainly wouldn’t make such a basic mistake.

So, he waited for an opportunity, and after he came out from the Astronomical Observatory of Gongyang Puyu, he received the Imperial Palace notification the next day. Imperial Palace banquet.

And the timing was exactly on the third day of the deadline spoken by Gongyang Puyu.

All princes and imperial grandsons were to enter the palace.

Huangfu Hanyu now firmly believed he was the man of destiny.

Otherwise, why would Heaven be so considerate, providing a pillow when he needed to sleep?

Thinking of being able to eliminate the one dividing his destiny, and henceforth unifying his destiny. On the position of the Crown Prince, everything would be smooth sailing!

Today was indeed the day of the Imperial Palace banquet.

He certainly needed to be thoroughly prepared.

This time, the Imperial Palace banquet was to be hosted by Imperial Concubine Zhou.

This Imperial Concubine Zhou was the biological mother of Prince Li.

Back then, merely a Noble Consort, because Prince Li was good at winning favor with the Emperor, always clever, understanding, and filial, the Emperor adored her greatly.

Thus, Imperial Concubine Zhou rose steadily relying on her son, becoming the Imperial Concubine second only to the Empress.

Of course, Imperial Concubine Zhou herself was also highly capable.

Though she was indeed beautiful, in the flamboyant competition of the Imperial harem, beauty alone was not rare. Many women more beautiful than her were also lost in the harem. Some became resentful women cloistered in deep chambers, some became abandoned wives in cold palaces, living miserable lives, many losing their lives to palace intrigue.

Imperial Concubine Zhou, not only beautiful but intelligent, calculated every step, and now her influence in the palace rivaled even that of the Empress.