Outside the Jinluan Hall.

The officials were abuzz with discussion.

Gao Yang followed behind Gao Feng, the golden sunlight warming his body, making it hard to keep his eyes open.

He felt a sense of ease and contentment.

Today's danger was completely averted.

He hadn't expected the Empress to be so fond of cunning schemes, but it worked out well; he couldn't handle grand plans for the country and the people.

But when it came to devious plots, he had plenty up his sleeve.

In this area, it was no exaggeration to say he was a professional.

"Father, since the Empress didn't punish me, does that mean I've passed this trial? When we return home, I won't get beaten, right?"

Gao Yang asked tentatively.

At Duke Dingguo Manor, the family tradition was to speak with a stick.

"Hmm,

"Your performance today... made me very satisfied."

Gao Feng's voice came, but it was strange, as if he was hiding something.

But Gao Yang didn't think much of it; instead, he started to look forward to the days ahead.

His father was the Vice Minister of Revenue, and his grandfather was a Duke, making him one of the top second-generation officials in Great Qian.

In his previous life, if he had such a prestigious status, why would he have needed to delve into scheming?

In Great Qian, he might still need to take the imperial exams, but in the future, he could simply write an essay titled "My Duke Grandfather and Vice Minister Father!"

Without a doubt, he would secure a top spot in any essay competition.

Unless the competing essays were titled "My Chancellor Father" or "My Emperor Grandfather!"

Otherwise, he would surely win.

Living another life, and with such a prestigious status that allowed him to walk with swagger throughout Chang'an.

If he didn't visit the theater to listen to music or flirt with the Courtesan Queen, he'd be letting down his playboy status.

He must experience the high-class brothels of ancient times.

Just as Gao Yang was pondering, Gao Feng suddenly stopped.

Caught off guard, Gao Yang bumped directly into Gao Feng.

His forehead throbbed with pain, making Gao Yang rub it instinctively.

But when he looked up, Gao Feng was staring straight at him.

Those eyes were full of complexity.

"Father, what's wrong?"

Gao Yang grew a bit nervous, wondering if Gao Feng was getting angrier the more he thought about it and still intended to beat him.

But Gao Feng just looked at him without saying a word.

This made Gao Yang even more anxious.

After a long pause, Gao Feng patted Gao Yang's shoulder, "As the saying goes, brothers fight tigers together, father and son go to battle."

"This is my first time being a father, so I might not be perfect. Don't take it too much to heart."

With that, Gao Feng turned and walked away.

His silhouette stretched long under the golden sunlight, as if he were going to buy oranges.

Gao Yang was left dumbfounded.

What did Gao Feng mean by those words?

As Gao Feng and Gao Yang slowly made their way back, the events of today's court session spread throughout Chang'an City at lightning speed.

Especially the two major questions from the Empress and Gao Yang's two responses, which spread like wildfire.

The speed was even faster than Gao Yang's return to the manor.

"......"

Duke Dingguo Manor.

"I have served Great Qian for fifty years, facing life and death. Bring me my armor; I must see the Empress."

In the depths of the inner residence, in an ancient and austere room filled with a murderous aura, an old voice rang out.

The Gao Clan's household retainers heard the voice and brought forth a red, worn-out iron armor.

These retainers, though silent, moved with efficiency, exuding a murderous intent born from battles fought through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Clearly, they were all skilled hands.

At this moment, they all looked at an elderly man of about seventy. His face was stern, and he wore a purple robe. Just standing there, he commanded respect, making others want to kneel.

Gao Tianlong, the foremost figure in Great Qian's military, had fought for fifty years, a true warrior who carved out his legacy from the dead.

Though aged, just standing there, he was like a sharp sword, making it hard for others to look directly at him.

"Old Duke, although the eldest son has been reckless in the past, he has never done anything so disgraceful. Today, he rashly tore down Her Majesty's Talent-Seeking Edict; I fear someone is stirring trouble behind the scenes."

Beside him, Uncle Fu, the steward of Duke Dingguo Manor, spoke with concern, dressed in a gray robe.

Gao Tianlong's face remained impassive, but his eyes held a coldness that no one could meet.

"If it were just a matter of young people playing around and being outmatched, bringing shame to the Gao Clan, I could let it go."

"Today, it's clear someone wants to take advantage of the New Emperor's ascension to target our Gao Clan. To protect Yang'er, I must go to the Imperial Palace."

"But I don't know how much value this old face of mine still holds."

Gao Tianlong spoke with a cold expression.

He had only three sons in his life, with only the eldest, Gao Feng, holding a position as Vice Minister of Revenue, showing some promise.

The other two sons, the second son Gao Linyuan, went to the Great Qian border as a Commandery Governor, and the third son Gao Tiancang joined the Dingyuan Army as a Deputy General.

For a ducal family, the younger generation was already on a downward path.

As for the grandchildren, there's no need to say much; they were all playboys, with the eldest grandson Gao Yang being the most notorious among them.

The Gao Clan seemed grand, but in reality, it was in a precarious situation.

In Gao Tianlong's view, today would determine the fate of the Gao Clan.

But if he stepped forward, both the officials and the Empress would have to show him some respect.

Now, he just waited for news from the court before heading to the Imperial Palace.

Alas!

What an unfortunate family!

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Gao Tianlong sighed inwardly, but just then, a voice suddenly echoed throughout the manor.

"Old Duke, there's good news and bad news."

Suddenly, a servant came running.

"Good news? What good news could there be for the Gao Clan now?"

A trace of self-mockery flashed across Gao Tianlong's dignified face.

Even the insignificant Song Clan dared to publicly annul the engagement, showing that the prestige of Duke Dingguo Manor had fallen to an all-time low.

"The eldest son tore down Her Majesty's Talent-Seeking Edict and successfully passed Her Majesty's assessment in the Jinluan Hall. Now the entire capital is talking about the eldest son's brilliant strategy!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Tianlong's hand, which was stroking his beard, almost pulled out several strands.

"What did you say? Yang'er passed Her Majesty's assessment, and our Gao Clan wasn't punished?"

Gao Tianlong's sharp gaze suddenly turned towards the speaker, filled with disbelief.

"This is being talked about all over the capital; it can't be false. Everyone says the eldest son was hiding his talents, and hiding them well!"

Gao Tianlong laughed heartily, full of boldness.

"Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and the son of a mouse knows how to dig holes. How could the descendants of Gao Tianlong truly be so reckless?"

"And the bad news?"

Gao Tianlong asked again, full of anticipation.

"The bad news is that the strategies the eldest son proposed were all devious. Even Her Majesty was silent for a long time, and the people are scolding him, saying the eldest son is truly vicious."

Then, the servant vividly recounted the Empress's questions and Gao Yang's answers.

The household retainers beside them were also stunned, not only letting the people cultivate the land for free but also turning them into unpaid tea slaves.

In the end, he was even labeled a great philanthropist.

Ruthless!

Too ruthless!

At that moment, even the seasoned old Duke, who had seen many dirty and devious schemes, fell silent.

His eldest grandson was more cunning than anyone.

Song Residence.

Artificial hills and waters, with maids walking back and forth along the long corridor.

Song Qingqing sat gracefully on a bench, her exquisite face devoid of expression. When she saw the middle-aged man entering from outside, she quickly stood up.

"Father, how did Her Majesty punish Duke Dingguo Manor?" Song Qingqing asked.

Song Li glanced at Song Qingqing but didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked in a deep voice, "Is the engagement annulled?"

This question made Song Qingqing sense something amiss.

She nodded and said, "Duke Dingguo did not appear, and Vice Minister Gao was furious, saying this matter would not end easily. Father, is there some change at court?"

Song Li's face turned grim as he said, "That Gao Yang was hiding his talents all along; he does have some skills. Duke Dingguo Manor successfully averted the crisis."

"What?" Song Qingqing's face was filled with astonishment.

Upon learning everything, Song Qingqing was also quite surprised.

But she quickly smiled and said, "Father, why worry? Her Majesty did not publicly bestow any rewards, which means no decision has been made."

"Gao Yang loves me dearly; all of Chang'an knows this. There's still room for maneuver. Besides, in Great Qian, with so many noble families, with my abilities, I will surely find a talented scholar a hundred times better than Gao Yang to bring glory to the Song Clan. Duke Dingguo is old, after all; giving up isn't a loss."

Song Qingqing's clear voice rang out, and Song Li's heart was somewhat reassured.