The reason Prince Li now has considerable support within the court is partly because of Imperial Concubine Zhou.

Imperial Concubine Zhou has foresight and is also a person with capabilities. Her father was originally just a Fourth Rank Inspector at the National Academy, but now he has become a First Rank Minister of Revenue!

Among the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Revenue is the most lucrative position.

The Zhou Family in the court is no longer obscure like before.

Of course, the rise of the Zhou Family made those ministers with active minds think that Prince Li is an extraordinary talent, and many quietly approached or pledged their allegiance, making it no longer possible for Prince Li to hide behind the scenes.

The royal banquet should have been managed and arranged by the Empress.

However, it’s heard that the Empress is ill, so the task fell to Imperial Concubine Zhou.

As for whether the Empress is truly ill, that’s uncertain. After all, there have been several occasions where the banquet arrangements in the Imperial Palace were also handled by Imperial Concubine Zhou. The Empress is of the Central Palace, yet there is a stance of two palaces competing and standing side by side.

But from this, it can be seen that Imperial Concubine Zhou indeed already holds a superior position within the harem.

This time, the Imperial Palace’s banquet fell to Imperial Concubine Zhou again; does this imply that Prince Li’s status is further elevated? After all, the Crown Prince’s Consort Xian has remained obscure in the palace. If the Emperor valued the Crown Prince more, with the Empress ill, the task should have been handed to Consort Xian.

The ministers are speculating, but cannot be certain. After all, in terms of palace hierarchy, it is natural for the concubine to be revered below the Empress.

The carriages from various prince mansions were heading to the Imperial Palace one after another.

Attending the palace banquet are not only princes and imperial grandsons but also members of the Imperial Family.

For example, King Kang and his son were among them.

King Kang and Prince Kang were riding in carriages, but Huangfu Jinxuan was galloping on a tall horse, swaggering down the streets. This truly demonstrated the image of a prodigal heir to perfection!

On the way, he overturned many vegetable stalls, and the vendors exclaimed, "That Second Young Master of Prince Kang Mansion is here again!" Thus, chaos ensued in the streets.

Huangfu Jinxuan laughed heartily.

The shamelessness seen as pride made many shake their heads. Some Imperial Censors saw this, but they have given up on impeaching him to the Emperor.

Anyway, whether they impeach or not, the outcome is the same; whenever this Second Young Master of Prince Kang Mansion leaves home, chaos follows. King Kang and Prince Kang have practically become professionals at cleaning up his mess.

The overturned stalls, the people bumped into, the things knocked over—all could go to Prince Kang Mansion for compensation. For this, Prince Kang Mansion even appointed a special steward responsible for handling such matters.

Once, when too many citizens went to Prince Kang Mansion for compensation, King Kang lost his temper and chased Huangfu Jinxuan with a wooden stick through three streets, but couldn’t catch up and ended up out of breath.

This incident reached the Emperor, who couldn’t help but laugh.

It’s said that Prince Kang Mansion has never been affluent, precisely because of the excessive amount of Silver spent on compensations every year.

Now, riding a horse through the streets is merely a minor spectacle in Huangfu Jinxuan’s catalog of mischief.

Huangfu Jinxuan rode swiftly, and just as he was near the palace gates, he encountered a carriage ahead.

The carriage bore the insignia of Cheng Prince Mansion.

Huangfu Jinxuan nudged the horse’s sides, and it ran even faster, directly blocking the carriage from Cheng Prince Mansion. He laughed flamboyantly, "Is it Brother Jingchen?"

The carriage curtain lifted, revealing Huangfu Jingchen’s handsome face. Huangfu Jingchen said, "Jinxuan?"

Pointing at him, Huangfu Jinxuan laughed heartily, "Brother Jingchen, as the heir of Cheng Prince Mansion, at least don’t disgrace Uncle Cheng! I’ve heard from my father that Uncle Cheng never rode in a carriage when he was in the Capital City, always riding a horse. Spirited and unparalleled. How come you’re entering the palace in a carriage, like a young lady?"

Huangfu Jingchen: "..."

When in Wangshan Town, Huangfu Jinxuan, though a bit unruly, was still relatively normal. But now, in the Capital, has he completely let loose?

Not only does he seem unfamiliar, but he also provokes him intentionally now and then.

However, this is something Huangfu Jingchen understands.

When Prince Cheng left the Capital, it was regarded by many, on the surface, as the Vassal King’s relocation, but in reality, it was completely seen as the Emperor driving him out. So now it’s perfectly normal for him not to be well-received.

After all, if they get too close, it might displease the Emperor, right?

This area was already near the palace gates, and princes and imperial grandsons from all directions were making their way here.

Huangfu Jinxuan’s voice was loud and boastful, combined with the arrogant tone, teasing demeanor, and undisguised ridicule, was heard by many, who secretly found it amusing.

This Huangfu Jinxuan surely knows how to pick the easy targets. The heir of Prince Cheng is almost friendless in the Capital! 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Of course, this ’friendless’ doesn’t refer to relatives, but to people he is close with.

After all, when it comes to relatives, the Imperial Family consists of his kin.

Some whispered discussions arose, "Is Young Master Jinxuan testing out new antics?"

"Indeed, many have been bullied by him. But the heir of Prince Cheng is at least an Imperial Grandson, how daring he is."

"What’s being an Imperial Grandson? The Emperor likes the Second Young Master Jinxuan. If the Emperor didn’t favor him, would he tolerate his mischievousness all these years?"

"It’s indeed reckless; he even pulled Mr. Chen’s beard."

"Yes, Mr. Chen cursed furiously and reported it to the Emperor, but didn’t the Emperor dismiss it with a laugh too?"

"The Emperor values this Imperial Nephew much more than the Imperial Grandson."

"Shh! Matters of the Imperial Family, are they something we can discuss casually? You’re bold!"

...

Over there, Huangfu Jinxuan continued laughing flamboyantly, "Brother Heir, don’t ride in the carriage, come down, and let’s enter the palace together on horseback!"

Huangfu Jingchen replied calmly, "No thanks!"

"Brother Heir, surely you won’t refuse me this favor?"

Everyone was speechless; this heir of Prince Cheng has stayed mostly in the mansion since arriving in the Capital and doesn’t seem to have any friendship with this Second Young Master of Prince Kang Mansion, right? Without friendship, where would the favor come from?

Compared to Huangfu Jinxuan’s aggressive demeanor, Huangfu Jingchen remained courteous and refined: "I prefer riding a carriage to horseback!"

"What? Prefer riding in a carriage?" Huangfu Jinxuan laughed till he staggered, "Brother Heir, that soft and dull carriage; you like it, but not horseback riding, are you even a man?"

Everyone: "..."

A wide spread of unintended targets.

Since when did riding in a carriage become soft and dull? This Second Young Master of Prince Kang Mansion speaks as annoyingly as ever!

Many watched with a mindset eager for drama.

Claiming someone isn’t a man, no man can bear it! Everyone knows Huangfu Jinxuan must be provocatively intended!

Yet, they had yet to discern what kind of personality this heir of Prince Cheng possesses, sparking curiosity.