Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 416: Chapter 402: Undercurrents, New Dynasty Attire

Having obtained Yang Zhenshan’s consent, Yang Mingwu and the other two were overjoyed, Zhao Yuan also looked envious.

”Ah, I also want to follow by Brother Yang’s side!”

”Haha, if General Zhou heard this, he would definitely be heartbroken!” Yang Zhenshan joked.

”No, General Zhou also thinks the imperial guard is too boring!” Zhao Yuan said.

The imperial guard is the elite of the elite, this can be seen from the battle between the western road of Chongshan Town and Wuliang’s great army.

But the duty of the imperial guard is to guard the Capital City, and on normal days aside from stationing and training in the Capital, there’s almost nothing to do.

Previously, to mobilize the imperial guard to support Liaoxi, there was quite a commotion in the court.

Zhou Lan feeling bored in the imperial guard was normal.

However, Yang Zhenshan did not respond to Zhao Yuan’s thoughts.

Zhao Yuan was different from Yang Mingwu and the others.

For the descendants of the Yang family, Yang Zhenshan could intervene in their future and destiny, as long as they were willing.

But for Zhao Yuan, Yang Zhenshan had no reason to intervene.

Zhao Yuan was born in the Suiyang Marquis Mansion; he was not alone, he represented the interests of the Suiyang Marquis Mansion.

Moreover, Zhao Yuan was Zhou Lan’s man, even if Yang Zhenshan was close to Zhou Lan, he could not intervene in Zhou Lan’s matters at will.

After a light chat amongst themselves, Yang Zhenshan entertained everyone at the mansion at noon, the lively atmosphere continued until evening, and then everyone dispersed.

In the following days, Yang Zhenshan successively visited Duke Ning, Marquis Changping, the Minister of War Wang Lu, the Left Imperial Censor Guan Wenshuo, and others.

There is no need to say more about visiting Duke Ning and Marquis Changping, he has always had the label of Duke Ning Mansion, and now Duke Ning is his immediate superior.

Since he arrived at the Capital City, it’s natural to meet Duke Ning.

As for Wang Lu and Guan Wenshuo, the Ministry of War handles the selection and use of military officers, military registers, arms, military orders, etc., as a military general, he naturally had to build a good relationship with the Ministry of War.

Although this was Yang Zhenshan’s first time dealing with the Ministry of War, Wang Lu was very polite; after receiving Yang Zhenshan’s visitation card, he waited at home for Yang Zhenshan’s visit, and personally came out to meet him, giving Yang Zhenshan enough face.

The situation at Guan Wenshuo’s side was similar due to the relationships within Liu Yuanfu, and he was also very polite with Yang Zhenshan.

Of course, Yang Zhenshan merely made a simple visit and did not discuss official business or politics; instead, they chatted a lot about family matters.

Time unknowingly passed and it was already October 15th, Yang Zhenshan ended his visitation schedule and started following the arrangements of the Ministry of Rites, preparing for the ennoblement ceremony.

The ennoblement ceremony would take place inside the Imperial City’s Fengtian Hall, presided over by the Crown Prince himself while civil and military officials watched.

Yang Zhenshan had many things to do, but not many things needed his worry.

Yang Zhenshan only needed to follow the arrangements of the Ministry of Rites, there was no need for him to handle other things personally, and even if asked, he wouldn’t.

This ennoblement ceremony for Yang Zhenshan was also considered a grand event for the court; after all, Da Rong had not ennobled anyone in over thirty years, and since Emperor Chengping’s ascendance, this was the first ennoblement, so naturally, the ceremony had to be particularly grand.

However, as the day of the ennoblement ceremony drew closer, the undercurrents in the court became increasingly turbulent.

Although Yang Zhenshan’s ennoblement had become an undeniable fact, there were still many voices of doubt in the court.

These doubts were mainly directed at the Crown Prince.

On October 16th, in the Eastern Palace’s study.

The Crown Prince stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the falling dead leaves outside the window.

Standing behind the Crown Prince, Sun Yuanrui of the Duke Chang Mansion had a serious expression.

”Your Highness, we have confirmed that the one colluding with Mountain River Tower is Prince Gong! It was Prince Gong who issued the Jade Dew Spirit Peach as a bounty for Yang Zhenshan!” Sun Yuanrui said solemnly.

Sun Yuanrui, twenty-seven this year, had a handsome face, scholarly demeanor, and his clear eyes made him seem sincere and honest.

However, Sun Yuanrui was not a simple man. Since the twenty-ninth year of Emperor Chengping’s reign, he had represented the Duke Chang Mansion in pledging loyalty to the Crown Prince; these years, he had been strategizing for the Crown Prince.

This time, Yang Zhenshan’s ennoblement was his plan.

Using the opportunity of Yang Zhenshan’s ennoblement to win over the military generals from the border towns, stirring up Prince Cheng and Prince Gong against Yang Zhenshan, searching for evidence of Prince Cheng and Prince Gong plotting against the court’s generals, these were all his planned matters.

And now, his plan was mostly complete, Yang Zhenshan was about to be ennobled, military generals from the border towns had started to side with the Crown Prince, although Yang Zhenshan did not die, but that did not affect his plan.

In his plan, the life and death of Yang Zhenshan were not important; the important part was that Prince Cheng and Prince Gong took action against Yang Zhenshan.

That was enough!

”How about Prince Cheng?” the Crown Prince asked.

Sun Yuanrui shook his head, saying, ”Prince Cheng did not get involved in this matter, it should be entirely orchestrated by Prince Gong!”

The Crown Prince turned around, frowning slightly, ”Doesn’t that mean we can’t resolve the trouble that is Prince Cheng this time?”

After pondering, Sun Yuanrui said, ”Your Highness, as long as we deal with Prince Gong, Prince Cheng alone won’t be able to pose a threat to you!”

His plan was going smoothly, but Prince Cheng was an unexpected factor; it seemed Prince Cheng had already seen through their plan, deliberately avoiding contact with Mountain River Tower.

At this point, Sun Yuanrui could no longer drag Prince Cheng into this.

Moreover, in his view, whether or not dragging Prince Cheng into it was not significant, as long as they could eliminate Prince Gong, it didn’t matter if only Prince Cheng was left.

Given the current force of the Crown Prince in the court, Prince Cheng had no chance of turning the tables.

However, the Crown Prince did not think so, he harbored a deep hatred towards Prince Cheng and Prince Gong, desiring to eliminate them swiftly. Now to tell him that only Prince Gong could be dealt with, how could he be content?

”No, both Prince Cheng and Prince Gong must die!” the Crown Prince said coldly.

Sun Yuanrui’s eyebrows slightly furrowed; he understood the Crown Prince’s character well, knowing that the Crown Prince was stubborn, what the Crown Prince wanted to do, he must accomplish, otherwise he would hold a grudge.

If we fail to eliminate Prince Cheng and Prince Gong now, the Crown Prince will be even more eager to get rid of them later, and who knows what troubles it might bring!

”If Your Highness wishes, we could also claim that this matter was conspired together by Prince Cheng and Prince Gong!” Sun Yuanrui pondered for a moment before compromisingly suggested.

”Is there any evidence?” asked the Crown Prince.

Sun Yuanrui said: ”No evidence is needed!”

The Crown Prince looked up at Sun Yuanrui and nodded slightly.

To assert without evidence that Prince Cheng and Prince Gong conspired together is slander.

But things have come to this point, it is slander, but it may not necessarily be slander.

Now everyone knows that Prince Cheng and Prince Gong united against the Crown Prince. It is unlikely that anyone would believe that Prince Cheng was completely unaware of what Prince Gong was doing.

”Then proceed with your plan, and at the title conferment ceremony, charge Prince Cheng and Prince Gong with the crime of plotting against General Yang Zhenshan from Chongshan Town!” said the Crown Prince.

”Yes!” Sun Yuanrui bowed slightly in response.

At the title conferment ceremony, seeking ’justice’ for Yang Zhenshan is also reasonable and justifiable.

As for whether Yang Zhenshan needs this ’justice’ or not, that’s not their concern anymore.

...

Late at night, at the Prince Gong Mansion.

Prince Gong sat in a rocking chair under the eaves, swaying as he gazed deeply at the moon in the night sky.

”Your Highness!”

An old eunuch wearing a three-mountains hat approached him, bowing in greeting.

”Hmm, how are things going?” asked Prince Gong.

”All has been taken care of!” the eunuch replied.

Prince Gong slightly closed his eyes, ”Has Prince Cheng started to move?”

”Yes, this servant has just received news that Prince Cheng has decided to use Miss Yueru!” the eunuch replied.

”Hehe~~”

Prince Gong chuckled softly, ”This younger brother of mine has always been ruthless and loves playing sneaky tricks; I wonder if he will succeed this time.”

The eunuch lowered his gaze, ”Prince Cheng is destined to fail!”

”Oh! Why so?” asked Prince Gong.

”Even we know that Miss Yueru is Prince Cheng’s person, the Crown Prince can’t possibly be unaware!” the eunuch said.

”Haha~You’re right!”

Prince Gong chuckled again, then added: ”But there are some things the Crown Prince doesn’t understand!”

The Crown Prince, Prince Gong, and Prince Cheng have all been operating in court for many years.

Although previously restrained by Emperor Chengping, they still managed to rally quite a few people in court.

Be it civil servants or military officials, many have either overtly or covertly sided with them.

The eunuch bowed slightly, asking, ”Your Highness, shall we cooperate with Prince Cheng in the coming actions?”

”Of course we must cooperate!” said Prince Gong with a smile that was not quite a smile, ”Without my cooperation, how could the ceremony become chaotic?”

”Then~~”

”Hehe, Marquis Wuxin will be guarded at Xuanping Gate three days from now!” Prince Gong said.

”This servant understands!” the eunuch revealed an enlightened expression.

The night grew deeper, and the Capital City became quieter, yet beneath this quietude, countless undercurrents were surging.

In a blink, it was October 19, and tomorrow would be the duke conferment ceremony.

At Yang Mansion, Yang Zhenshan had already received ceremonial robes of dukes and princes, a bright red Qilin robe.

The Qilin pattern features a dragon’s head with double horns, a body with scales, a ridged back, and hooves like a cow’s, much shorter than a dragon in length.

As a Marquis, Yang Zhenshan could wear the Qilin robe, don a seven-beam crown, wear a gold belt inlaid with green-white jade at the waist, and step into black shoes with white socks.

A Buddha is adorned in gold, and the person is clad in clothing.

Once dressed in this attire, Yang Zhenshan’s aura immediately transformed.

The former Yang Zhenshan was forceful but not sufficiently dignified. He had always been casual about his clothes, prioritizing comfort, so his imposing presence originated from himself, and his attire was not particularly remarkable, even seldom wearing the typical attire of military generals.

But now, dressed in this Qilin attire, Yang Zhenshan instantly exuded an additional nobility and splendor.

In this nobility, his aura became even more formidable.

Yang Yunxue, who helped Yang Zhenshan dress, saw this and her eyes sparkled with stars.

”Dad looks even more imposing now!”

Beside them, Liang Jinyan couldn’t help but reveal a jealous expression.

These days, his wife always looked at her father-in-law with admiring eyes, which had already made him quite jealous, but now his wife gazing at her father-in-law with eyes full of stars made him even more envious.

My wife has never looked at me with such eyes!

He thought so in his heart.