Prince Li pretended not to see the Nineteenth Imperial Uncle, but others could not pretend not to see him. Thus, the Nineteenth Imperial Uncle’s carriage was in the second position, followed by King Kang and the others.

Although Huangfu Jinxuan was arrogant and liked to provoke trouble, he obediently waited behind while riding his horse.

However, as soon as Huangfu Jingchen’s carriage moved, he rode his horse to follow. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Prince Xin’s son glared internally at Huangfu Jinxuan, who was arrogantly riding his horse ahead of them.

Prince Lu’s son went ahead because Prince Lu was the Fourth Prince, and Prince Lu’s son was also older than them.

But Huangfu Jinxuan was merely an Imperial Nephew!

Prince Xin’s son, Huangfu Yanlong, noted down this incident and vowed to teach Huangfu Jinxuan a lesson when he got the chance.

After passing through the second palace gate, everyone got off the carriages and dismounted from their horses.

Huangfu Jinxuan, with his bruised and swollen face, followed closely beside Huangfu Jingchen, not even bothering to visit King Kang or Prince Kang.

Huangfu Jingchen, however, appeared calm and collected.

The banquet was held at the Tianhua Pavilion.

As people arrived one after another, the tables in the palace were thoughtfully arranged. The nearby Imperial Garden sent over a gentle fragrance of flowers, and the scenery around was quite charming, with the royal kin exchanging greetings and pleasantries.

The most unfamiliar faces were those princely heirs who had returned to the Capital City from various places.

Usually, they remained in their Vassal Lands, but during the Emperor’s sixtieth birthday, they were summoned back to the Capital City, and some time has passed since. This was their first time attending a banquet in the Imperial Palace.

Though unfamiliar, it was only relative; Huangfu Jingchen rarely left his residence and did not mingle with these royal relatives. Prince Xin’s son and Prince Lu’s son were very active and had already become familiar with them.

Thus, on this day, Prince Lu’s son and Prince Xin’s son felt at ease. Many were observing Huangfu Jingchen, but he remained calm and composed, neither trying overly hard to be friendly like Prince Lu’s son and others nor appearing aloof from the crowd.

His elegance was introverted, with exceptional natural qualities gently shrouded like clouds over the moon, and an extraordinary charm like drifting snow swept by the wind.

One had to admit, there are people in this world who, without doing anything, inherently exude uniqueness.

Prince Li watched coldly; the Fifth Imperial Brother indeed had a fine son. Think of his third son, Huangfu Jinglun, even at a young age, he was also extraordinarily charming, but sadly, he was killed by Old Three Huangfu Hanyu. Old Three even usurped the position of Crown Prince, a grudge that must be avenged!

Huangfu Jingchen was being pestered by Huangfu Jinxuan, who was trying to verify, "How many punches did I hit you with? I feel like I landed a dozen punches, right?"

Huangfu Jingchen ignored him, and Huangfu Jinxuan kept demanding an answer, receiving several reprimands from Huangfu Rong to no avail. In the end, even Huangfu Rong stopped caring.

Soon, the Emperor and Empress and Imperial Concubine Zhou arrived.

Prince Liang and his eldest son had entered the palace early. He was once the Crown Prince, but now his status was lesser than Prince Li. What irked him more was that his son Huangfu Yuxuan not only failed to avenge him as a father but was instead getting closer to Prince Li.

Yet he feared this son, so despite his deep resentment, he dared not speak out.

In the past, when he was the Crown Prince, these people fawned over him, but now that he’s not the Crown Prince, they have run to flatter Huangfu Hanyu, leaving his residence deserted.

Before, as Crown Prince, he would set up residences outside and disliked the constraints of the Eastern Palace, occasionally disguising himself to visit some flamboyant places, but now he was grounded and could not go.

All these issues accumulated, and he felt it was all because of Old Three and Old Nine.

At this moment, with a gloomy face, he watched coldly, disliking everyone.

But no one paid him any mind.

The Emperor, over sixty years old, was showing signs of age, wearing a golden crown and dragon robe, exuding majesty. The Empress, who came from being the Crown Princess Consort, was his original wife and now over fifty, graceful and noble, yet even the best palace cosmetics could not hide the traces of time.

Imperial Concubine Zhou was no longer young, in her forties, years of palace life adding a hint of commanding grace to her brows.

The Emperor’s gaze swept over the crowd and settled at one spot.

Really, Huangfu Jinxuan’s bruised and battered face was too conspicuous.

The Emperor chuckled, "Oh, where has this little rascal been fighting again?"

Everyone: "..."

Huangfu Jinxuan, however, was nonchalant, "Reporting to the Emperor, this grandnephew got into a fight with Prince Cheng’s Heir."

With this line, the Emperor’s gaze swept through the crowd.

Though Prince Cheng’s Heir Huangfu Jingchen stood right beside Huangfu Jinxuan, the Emperor scanned the crowd, indicating that he had little impression of Prince Cheng’s Heir.

Prince Li and the others couldn’t help but internally sneer. That old fool, Old Five, all these years, and he still doesn’t know to bring his children to the Capital City to ease relations with the Emperor.

But perhaps it’s good this way. Prince Cheng is useless, no need to waste effort there.

The Crown Prince Huangfu Hanyu’s gaze was somewhat sinister; the Emperor might not have much impression of Huangfu Jingchen, but cannot endure that this kid shares some of his destiny, even if just a sliver. So naturally, it would be best to eliminate him while the Emperor has little impression.

Prince Li discreetly scrutinized Huangfu Hanyu, unconsciously stroking his chin. Huangfu Yuxuan knew the Imperial Palace’s banquet, yet he worked for the Ministry of Justice today, unable to return.

Does Huangfu Yuxuan not want to attend the Imperial Palace banquet?

This matter seems strange indeed!

Is there something wrong with today’s Imperial Palace banquet?

After a while, he must be careful.

Now he and Old Three were already open rivals, and Old Three was devious. Better not let something happen, getting trapped.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Imperial Concubine Zhou, exchanging a quick look with mother and son.

The Emperor looked around, several Imperial Grandsons were unfamiliar to him, unable to distinguish them!

So he asked, "Which one is Prince Cheng’s Heir?"

Prince Li and others almost laughed.

Despite being his sons, the Emperor had almost forgotten what Old Five looked like. Otherwise, Prince Cheng’s Heir somewhat resembled Old Five. The Emperor did not recognize him.

Old Five deserved it.

With other families, father and sons might have quarrels, but in their case, it was between a monarch and ministers.

Can the monarch-minister relationship be the same as an ordinary father-son one?

Refusing the Emperor’s arrangements, not marrying a noble lady from the Capital, insisting on marrying a Jianghu woman. What was the outcome? Not only did it anger the Emperor but also resulted in missing out on in-laws’ support.

Old Five is foolish, undoubtedly foolish!

Probably, Old Five, after many battles, became foolish. If he had a sharper mind, wouldn’t he know that marrying a minister’s daughter provides powerful support, making everything possible in the future?

But thankfully, he is a fool.

The Emperor is about to accuse Prince Cheng’s Heir, isn’t he?