Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

The imperial court has never lacked those who hold positions without doing any work. Most of these people come from noble families, hold high positions but are unaware of the hardships of the common people, do nothing but enjoy wealth and honor. No matter who they support, they will collude with anyone who tries to harm the overall interests of the noble families.

Emperor Wulong rested his forehead on his hand, watching the commotion and noting down the names of those who were hurling insults at Xu Zheng.

Surrounded and attacked, Xu Zheng gritted his teeth and remained silent, seemingly powerless to retaliate.

The sight of the deer was unsettling.

He knew that Xu Zheng was just straightforward and not good at arguing, and he also knew that this was probably a play that his father and Xu Zheng had planned to test the attitude of the civil and military officials. But he was still very unhappy to see Xu Zheng being scolded.

Just as he was about to rush out without a care, Prime Minister Su gave him a look that said, "Take it easy."

The eldest prince also pulled him back and said softly, "Seventh Prince, don't be impulsive. Your father has his own plans."

Even Cang Shuyue turned around and looked at him in surprise.

You Lu pouted, "I know, but seeing Lao Xu fighting alone, I really can't bear it."

The eldest prince chuckled, thinking that his younger brother was indeed straightforward.

The Third Prince, who was waiting for You Lu to stand up for Xu Zheng, snorted coldly in displeasure.

Finally, Emperor Wulong moved, changing his posture and beginning to call out names: "What does the First Prince think?"

The eldest prince cupped his hands and said, "Father will make his own decision."

"Where is the Third Prince?"

The Third Prince subconsciously looked at the Minister of War, and seeing the Minister of War shake his head, he said, "Your Majesty and I share the same opinion."

Emperor Wulong continued calling out names: "The Duke of Zhenguo?"

Cang Shuyue ignored him.

He had no choice but to turn to Youlu: "What did Xiaoqi say?"

When it was finally his turn, Youlu hurriedly stepped forward and said loudly, "Your subject thinks that Lord Xu is wrong. Since it is a fundraising event, there is no reason to pick and choose the recipients. There is no reason to force people to donate. Just set up a donation box in the city center and everyone can donate on their own. It is all about the sentiment of donating more or less."

With a quick glance, he continued, "However, I think we should erect a longevity monument in the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties, and inscribe the names of all the donors. This way, the people of Xiangyang will know who their benefactors are, and they can pray for their benefactors."

His words were clever; he offended no one, yet managed to include everyone in the conversation.

The Pixiu asked, puzzled, "Why do we need to erect a monument?"

Youlu raised an eyebrow: "You'll see."

Emperor Wulong quickly realized what he was up to, inwardly praising his cleverness, and laughed heartily, "Hahaha! Little Seven is so smart, unlike your two older brothers who just pretend to be deaf and dumb!"

The eldest prince was embarrassed, while the third prince gritted his teeth in resentment.

Emperor Wulong then looked at Prime Minister Su, "Teacher, what do you think of Xiao Qi's suggestion?"

Prime Minister Su stepped forward with a bow and said with a smile, "This old minister thinks the Seventh Prince's idea is excellent. Furthermore, yesterday His Highness the Third Prince generously donated 10,000 taels of silver to relieve the disaster victims, which is a model for us all. This old minister is willing to follow the Third Prince's example and donate 8,000 taels of silver to relieve the disaster."

The officials, who had been making a racket just moments before, fell silent instantly and all turned to look at the Third Prince.

The third prince was both shocked and furious.

How did this get dragged into it?

They won't let him go to disaster relief, but they're asking him for money?

The Third Prince instinctively wanted to retort, but Emperor Wulong's smile faded slightly. He glanced at him sideways and said unhurriedly, "Does the Third Prince have something to say?"

The Third Prince felt a chill run down his spine. He swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth and lowered his head, saying, "Your subject only thinks that Prime Minister Su is too kind. It is your subject's duty to share the Emperor's burdens. Your subject dares not take credit."

Emperor Wulong nodded with satisfaction, "I am very pleased. The Third Prince and Prime Minister Su deserve the most credit for the fundraising. I will entrust this matter to you two. Make sure to register the names of the donors and the amount of money they donated, so that the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties can erect longevity monuments."

The Third Prince forced a smile: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Prime Minister Su: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Emperor Wulong then pointed at the eldest prince and scolded, "Look at your brothers, and then look at you! You truly disappoint me! You and the Duke of Zhenguo, you two come with me to the Imperial Study."

Having said that, he turned and left.

The eldest prince smiled bitterly to himself, but pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Uncle, let's go."

Turning around, he found that Cang Shuyue had already walked far away. He quickly chased after him, shouting, "Uncle, wait for me!"

Just as You Lu was about to slip away, Eunuch Kang swiftly stopped him, smiling as he said, "Your Highness, His Majesty is going to the Phoenix Palace to have breakfast with the Empress today. He insists that you have breakfast before taking a nap after you return."

Upon hearing this, Lu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he was being summoned to the Imperial Study again.

"Okay, okay." Because he was in a hurry to go back and catch up on his sleep, Youlu gave a perfunctory reply and ran out of the main hall.

The Pixiu chased after him, saying, "Boss, wait for me! My legs are short!"

Just as they stepped out of the palace gate, they heard a sarcastic voice say, "Father really dotes on Seventh Brother, even reminding him to eat breakfast."

Youlu turned his head and saw the Third Prince standing in front of the steps, staring at him with an unfriendly gaze.

He withdrew his gaze and walked past the Third Prince.

[Sour chicken, yay~~] The Pixiu ran up to the Third Prince, stuck out its tongue, and made a face, but unfortunately, the Third Prince couldn't see it.

The Third Prince, who had been simmering with anger in court, exploded at being ignored, shouting, "Seventh Brother, what an arrogance! Does he think that just because he has Father's favor, he can act with impunity and lawlessness in this capital city?"

The deer covered its ears and continued walking forward.

The Third Prince was furious and chased after him, taunting, "Your mother is just a lowly commoner, powerless and without influence. She has nothing but the meager favor from the Emperor. What do you have to compete with me?!"

"Don't think that just because you've become a prince, I can't do anything to you. Shen Yuyao's dowry will be mine sooner or later. Crushing you all will be as easy as crushing ants for me!"

The noise around him was so incessant that You Lu turned around and raised his hand, but before he could make a move, the Third Prince bumped into him. The fist that was meant to give the Third Prince a black eye landed on the Third Prince's nose, and two streams of blood instantly flowed from the Third Prince's handsome nose.

The third prince covered his nose, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You hit me?! You actually dared to hit me?!"

The deer-cat was shocked. It wasn't that he didn't have it; he just wanted to scare people!

Unfortunately, the Third Prince didn't give him a chance to explain at all. Like an enraged bull, he pounced on him with red eyes and heavy breathing.

Emperor Wulong was in his study discussing disaster relief with his eldest son, the Duke of Zhenguo, when Eunuch Kang rushed in in a panic, shouting, "Something terrible has happened! The Third Prince and the Young Prince are fighting at the entrance of Taihe Hall! Your Majesty, you must go and see!"

Emperor Wulong nearly choked on his breath, clutching his chest as he exclaimed, "Prepare the carriage!"

The eldest prince and Cang Shuyue exchanged glances, and the two followed in tacit agreement.

Upon arriving at the Taihe Hall, Emperor Wulong's vision went black.

There was a deer standing there perfectly fine, while the Third Prince was curled up on the ground, clutching his stomach, blood streaming from his nose, his face covered in bruises, and he was crying out in pain. A group of ministers who hadn't had time to leave after the court session had ended were gathered around him.

Upon meeting Emperor Wulong, Youlu opened his large, clear eyes and innocently said, "I didn't mean to. If I said that my third brother's nose bumped into my fist by itself, would you believe me, Father? Besides, it was my third brother who attacked first before I retaliated."

He really didn't mean it. He just raised his hand to scare the Third Prince. Who would have thought he would run into him?

As for why the Third Prince had a bruised and swollen face, he could only say that he acted in self-defense.

Emperor Wulong's temples throbbed, and he roared, "Couldn't you have dodged when your third brother bumped his nose into you? Look what you've done to him!"

The eldest prince, who had just arrived at the scene, was stunned. "No, is this right?"