Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 227: Chapter 218: Demotion by One Rank

”Oh, Yang Zhenshan, the garrison officer of An Yuan City, that’s right, it’s him!” Emperor Chengping also remembered.

”I remember he had distinguished himself in the battle at Chongshan Pass, led 300 troops, and killed nearly a thousand enemies. Right, Marquis Changping also said this man possesses both wisdom and bravery, talent fit for a general!”

Eunuch Chen’s smile became even brighter. ”Indeed, Your Majesty has a good memory. If Your Majesty hadn’t reminded me, this old servant would have forgotten that Marquis Changping had also mentioned Master Yang in the battle report!”

How could he not know that Liang Chu had mentioned Yang Zhenshan in the battle report? He simply hadn’t brought it up.

Now that His Majesty remembers, it just shows that His Majesty has a good memory and isn’t old yet—it was His Majesty who reminded this old servant.

And if His Majesty hadn’t remembered, he wouldn’t bring it up either.

”It’s a pity that he’s a bit too old!” Emperor Chengping said with some regret.

”The age doesn’t matter much; what’s important is that this Master Yang comes from a humble farming background.” Eunuch Chen reminded once again.

Coming from a farming background proves a humble origin, with little entanglement with the various forces within the court.

Such a person actually fits Emperor Chengping’s desires best, because he is currently most averse to officials in the court forming cliques and factions.

However, Emperor Chengping did not speak further, instead focusing his attention on the contents of the memorial.

After he finished reading the memorial, his wrinkled face couldn’t help but sag.

”Where is the Crown Prince?”

”Your Majesty, the Crown Prince should be in Wenhua Palace dealing with state affairs at this time!”

”Have him come here!”

Emperor Chengping’s voice was especially cold and stern, and Eunuch Chen didn’t dare to say another word, bowing as he exited the study.

After about a quarter of an hour, a middle-aged man dressed in bright yellow brocade robes and with refined features came to the study panting.

”Your son pays respect to you, Father Emperor!” The Crown Prince knelt and performed a big salute.

However, it was as if Emperor Chengping hadn’t heard him at all, continuing to flip through the memorial in his hands.

Eunuch Chen stood by the side with his head bowed and eyebrows low, even his breathing becoming softer.

Apart from the sound of Emperor Chengping flipping through the memorial, no other sound could be heard in the study.

The Crown Prince knelt on the ground, his forehead touching the marble floor, his cold sweat dampening the ground.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed, with the Crown Prince feeling both numbness and pain in his legs, before Emperor Chengping finally said, ”Tea!”

Immediately, Eunuch Chen sprang to life from his statue-like state, hurrying forward to replace the tea for Emperor Chengping.

Sipping the tea lightly, Emperor Chengping lifted his eyelids and calmly glanced at the Crown Prince.

”Rise!”

”Thank you, Father Emperor!” Only then did the Crown Prince stagger to his feet.

”Look at this!”

The Crown Prince, bowing, picked up the memorial from the table.

As he quickly went through the memorial, a hint of helplessness flickered in his eyes.

What an undeserved disaster!

What on earth is all this mess!

He wanted to facilitate a marriage alliance between Changping Marquis Mansion and Marquis Jingyuan Mansion, but he never forced anything.

The stance of the Changping Marquis Mansion was always clear; they did not participate in the succession struggle, and the Crown Prince understood this, so he wasn’t aiming to drag the Changping Marquis Mansion into the mire—he just wanted to add an additional layer of assurance with Marquis Jingyuan Mansion.

If such a strategy succeeded, it would be an ace up his sleeve, and if it failed, he wouldn’t be too insistent.

However, he never expected the Marquis Jingyuan Mansion to handle things this way.

Even though he now didn’t know all the causes and consequences, he could already guess where the problem lay.

”Father Emperor!” The Crown Prince opened his mouth to say something.

Yet, just as he opened his mouth, a teacup flew towards him.

”Useless fool!”

The curse that followed made the Crown Prince, who had intended to dodge, stop his body abruptly and allow the teacup and tea to hit his chest, soaking his clothes.

”Father Emperor, please calm your anger!”

With a thud, the Crown Prince knelt again.