After being exiled for eighteen years, the prince returned to the capital as a veritable immortal.

Jiang Chong is not here.

Zhou Yi would not wait here idly.

Revenge can come back later.

His gaze fell upon the flowers, grass, pavilions, and terraces outside the window...

Hu Die understood her meaning and said, "Your Highness, why don't we take a stroll in the garden?"

“Okay,” Zhou Yi replied.

"I heard that my late father and late grandmother loved this garden the most."

The "father" and "grandmother" mentioned by Zhou Yi naturally refer to the Crown Prince and Empress Wei.

Upon hearing these two people, Empress Yu Gou's expression changed slightly.

The Third Prince, with his keen observation, noticed this detail.

Could it be that the rumors are true, and the Crown Prince's case is indeed related to the Empress?

……

Within the palace, news traveled as if it had wings.

The news of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion quickly spread among the eunuchs and palace maids.

In the back garden.

Palace lanterns illuminate the flowers, grasses, pavilions, and towers.

Zhou Yi and his two companions strolled around at night, enjoying the unique scenery.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yi! Greetings, General!"

Wherever he went, eunuchs and palace maids would give way and bow to him.

His manners were impeccable and his attitude respectful, a stark contrast to his previous perfunctory attitude.

"A single punch will earn you respect."

Si Xuan chuckled.

He was also partake in the servants' greetings, allowing him to truly enjoy the satisfaction of being a second-rank official.

You really have to fight for this position yourself.

Before that, let's not talk about him, the accompanying general.

Even Zhou Yi was ignored by the eunuchs and palace maids.

The greeting was not only perfunctory, but also revealed a hint of disdain.

……

Inside the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

After much anticipation, it finally appeared.

Jiang Chong, dressed in a eunuch's robe, entered the pavilion accompanied by a young palace maid.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! Greetings, Your Highnesses the Three Princes!"

Jiang Chong casually clasped his hands in a fist salute, which was considered a greeting to the three members of the royal family.

Then, as if no one else was around, he sat down in the head seat.

Behind the fourth prince, the female prime minister turned her head slightly and found that the other two prime ministers were also looking at her.

The three exchanged a smile, understanding each other's thoughts.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard wielded immense power, its highest-ranking officer, the Commander, held only the fourth rank.

Logically speaking, the three of them should be of the second rank.

Jiang Chong should have bowed to the three of them as well.

The three of them couldn't help but wonder:

If His Highness the Crown Prince were here, would he have Jiang Chong bow to Si Xuan?

"The poison of the imperial grandson has caused immense harm!" The three chuckled inwardly.

Everyone understands that status must be earned.

However, in all the world, only the Grandson of the Emperor possessed that courage.

"Greetings, Eunuch Jiang!"

"Greetings, Commander Jiang!"

The Embroidered-Clad Guards, eunuchs, and palace maids all bowed to Jiang Chong.

With a solemn expression, he bowed even deeper...

This was more solemn and appropriate than the previous bows to the Empress and princes.

……

I sensed something was off about the atmosphere.

Where is Su Wu?

Jiang Chong frowned, his nostrils twitched slightly, and he caught a whiff of blood in the air. He then changed his words:

"Never mind, it's our birthday today, I don't want to hear anything unlucky."

Your Majesty, the princes are standing, yet the eunuchs brazenly sat down.

A lackey, yet he acts more arrogantly than his master.

The three princes were displeased, but there was nothing they could do.

It's not just that they wanted to win each other's support in their bid for the crown prince position.

Even if they had no desires or wants, they wouldn't dare to criticize this dog eunuch.

The three prime ministers behind the prince sighed inwardly:

If Prince Yi were here...

"Crash!"

Jiang Chong picked up the wine pot, filled four cups with fine wine, and laughed:

"It is my birthday today. I wish to share in the joy of these distinguished guests and receive good fortune."

When members of the royal family come to offer their birthday wishes, they naturally do not sit down and instead share drinks and conversation with a eunuch.

The royal family's dignity, after all, must be preserved.

Once you drink the birthday wine and offer your congratulations, the matter is considered closed.

The Empress naturally understood that what Jiang Chong wanted was to force her to bow down and submit.

From a commoner woman to Lady Jade Hook, Imperial Concubine Jade Hook, Empress Jade Hook...

She was shrewd and insightful, and her life was handled with precision, ultimately leading her to the top position among women.

She had also planned the Sixth Prince's life in a grand and ingenious way, enough to easily ascend the throne.

Her son was also a bright prospect, exceptionally talented from a young age, and highly regarded by both the government and the public.

But, for some reason...

Five years ago, he went astray and suddenly became addicted to alcohol, living a life of debauchery every day.

Despite possessing the qualities of Emperor Yao, many court officials opposed his succession to the throne.

Left with no other choice, Empress Yugou had to ask Jiang Chong for help.

Controlling the Embroidered Uniform Guard allows one to exterminate any minister who opposes them.

Controlling the inner palace can influence the Empress's decisions.

With Jiang Chong's support, the establishment of the crown prince was already more than half successful.

Empress Yu Gou gritted her teeth.

For the sake of the sixth prince, for the sake of the throne, all humiliation can be endured.

"I'm thirsty while strolling in the garden, so I'll have a glass of water or wine to quench my thirst."

Empress Yu Gou stepped forward, picked up a cup of fine wine, and drank it all in one gulp. "Wishing Eunuch Jiang a happy toast."

"Your Majesty, you flatter me so much." Jiang Chong smiled broadly.

……

After drinking the wine, the Empress stepped out of the palace.

She climbed the steps and sat down in a pavilion at the top.

She wants to sit here and continue watching.

Watch how Jiang Chong deals with the arrogant and ignorant Prince Si.

Jiang Chong's gaze fell upon the three princes.

The Third Prince turned his gaze toward the Fourth Prince.

They were born of the same mother and knew each other very well.

The Fourth Prince has always set the example for all shameless acts.

Once someone sets a precedent, it won't be so awkward.

"Eh."

The fourth prince raised his chin and shouted:

"Hey, I'm here to wish you a happy birthday, could you help me sit...that one?"

He pointed to the sky, and everyone understood that 'that' referred to the throne.

While the Empress was still alive, coveting the throne was a capital offense.

"No." Jiang Chong replied decisively.

"Then... what do I want in return, a bird's egg?"

“If our family can let you sit there, we definitely won’t let you sit in ‘that’.”

"Tch—" the fourth prince scoffed.

He turned to the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince and said:

“My nephew is right. How can royalty kneel before servants?”

"Fourth Brother, you have ambition!" the Fifth Prince praised, clapping his hands.

"Right?" The fourth prince puffed out his chest. "Fifth Prince, do you think this pretty lady will be captivated by me?"

Pretty older sister?

It took the Fifth Prince and the others a moment to process what was happening before they understood.

It refers to Hu Die.

Fifth Prince: "..."

It seems he's overthinking it.

After a moment's thought, the Fifth Prince said in a deep voice:

"I have thought about it."

"If one is to become the crown prince, one must trample on the dignity of the royal family in order to ascend to the throne."

"Fifth brother is willing to give it to third brother."

The Fifth Prince's prime minister bowed respectfully to his master, saying, "Prince Chang is truly virtuous."

All eyes turned to the Third Prince.

The third prince hesitated.

The sixth prince has become a complete drunkard and is no longer a threat.

The only prince who could rival him was the fifth prince.

If he can get Jiang Chong's support, he can crush the opponent.

however.

The expectations in his two younger brothers' eyes were like steel needles, piercing his heart.

That expectation was that he would not lose the pride of the Zhou family's royal lineage.

The three prime ministers and their three attendants all had the same look of anticipation in their eyes.

That expectation was that he would be a king worthy of following.

"Royal family, how dare you kneel before servants!" Zhou Yi's voice echoed in his mind.

The Third Prince admitted:

He lacked the ability to slap the Empress in the face.

Lacking the courage to kill the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

but.

The courage to refuse to kneel before servants.

He can have it.

"What are you looking at me doing?"

The Third Prince feigned anger and said, "The men of the Zhou family have always been of unyielding integrity!"

"Prince Yan, your righteousness is truly admirable!"

The fifth prince led the way, and several prime ministers and their entourage praised him in unison.

The Third Prince sighed.

Unknowingly.

It seems that we have all been corrupted by the imperial grandson.

……

The concubines and their maids entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion one after another.

Of course, they were all just strolling around the back garden at night, and happened to be thirsty, so they came over for a drink.

By the way, I wish Grandpa Jiang a happy birthday.

The concubines came and went, one after another.

Almost all of them have come, but the three princes still haven't made a move.

Jiang Chong laughed:

"Oh, you three princes, you really have backbone."

"The one with more backbone will come right away," the Fourth Prince shouted, embracing the Prime Minister.

"Oh, this servant would very much like to see him..."

Before Jiang Chong could finish speaking, Baihua Pavilion seemed to be silenced.

The eunuchs and palace maids all fell silent.

Apart from Jiang Chong's voice, there was not a sound at all.

Dressed in a black python robe, Zhou Yi gracefully entered the hall.

Hu Die, in her flowing white dress, and Si Xuan, holding the Dragon Sparrow Sword, entered together.