28: The princes of the Great Chu have all arrived, and the Su family is in trouble!

Rumble—

These three announcements were each more violent, each more terrifying than the last!

The Crown Prince of the Great Chu Dynasty, along with the two most powerful imperial heirs, had all arrived at the Su Family on the same day!

Su Wenzheng sprang from his seat, his mind instantly blank, almost fainting on the spot.

The dignified Crown Prince, busy with countless affairs of state, would actually condescend to visit their Su Family?

As the Chief Clerk of Yunzhou Prefecture, a sixth-rank imperial official, he knew better than anyone the terrifying weight represented by the words “Crown Prince personally arriving.”

That was the Crown Prince of a nation, the future co-ruler of the realm.

He had never once been to the capital in his life, nor had he ever met His Majesty, yet now he would get to meet the future Emperor in advance.

And when the names of “Second Prince” and “Third Princess” rang out one after another, it jolted him awake from that blank state.

A torrent of supreme honor mixed with terror instantly surged through his limbs and bones.

“Quick! Go welcome them!!!”

Su Wenzheng pushed aside the stunned clan members beside him and scrambled towards the manor gate.

At this moment, he had only one thought in his mind: welcome them! There must not be the slightest neglect!

At the same time, all the guests in Brocade Hall became incredibly solemn and grave.

The arrival of the imperial heirs represented the attitude of the Great Chu imperial family.

And almost everyone’s gaze subconsciously fell upon the young man who had remained calmly seated in the corner.

The President of Purple Cloud Commerce Guild, the Heaven Sword Sect Master, the Jade Balance Hall Master... now, even the Crown Prince, Prince, and Princess of the Great Chu Dynasty had all arrived!

What virtue or ability did this Su Family’s birthday banquet possess?

A preposterous thought arose in everyone’s mind: could these three noble imperial descendants also be here for Young Master Chu?

...Outside the Su Manor gate.

Three luxurious carriages arrived almost simultaneously, precisely blocking the entrance to the Su Manor.

Crown Prince Li Mingrui wore a bright yellow four-clawed python robe and a golden crown, his handsome face betraying a hint of imperceptible gloom.

As he stepped down from his carriage, he saw the Second Prince Li Mingyu and the Third Princess Li Mingyue, who had almost simultaneously lifted their carriage curtains.

Li Mingyu wore a dark purple princely everyday robe, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Li Mingyue, on the other hand, was in a fiery red palace gown, her brows exuding both heroism and charm; seeing the two outside the gate, she raised her delicate brows slightly, seemingly also a little surprised.

The gazes of the three met in the air, and in that instant, invisible sparks seemed to fly.

They both knew in their hearts that their purpose for this trip was no different.

Li Mingyu spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

“Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so noble and busy with affairs of state, I didn’t expect you could endure such a long journey to personally visit this Yunzhou Su Family? It truly surprises this younger brother.”

Li Mingrui’s expression remained unchanged as he replied indifferently.

“Selecting worthy talents for the nation naturally requires personal effort. It is Second Brother and Third Sister, whose respectful attitude towards scholars is no less than mine.”

He slightly emphasized the words “respectful attitude towards scholars,” his gaze sweeping over Li Mingyue, implying something.

Upon hearing this, Li Mingyue’s red lips curved slightly, showing no weakness.

“Crown Prince Brother is joking. This little sister merely admires Young Master Chu’s talent and came to make his acquaintance.

I cannot compare to my two Imperial Brothers, who harbor ambitions for the world and aspire to great heights.”

Li Mingyu immediately chuckled, speaking meaningfully.

“I heard Third Sister went to great lengths, sending quite a few good things.

It’s just a pity, perhaps the gifts were accepted, but the person… was not seen.”

Li Mingyue’s pretty face turned cold, just about to retort.

Just then, a figure stumbled out of the manor gate and heavily knelt with a thud before Li Mingrui’s carriage.

“Thi-this official, Su Wenzheng, Chief Clerk of Yunzhou, greets Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince! May Your Royal Highness live for a thousand, thousand, ten thousand years!”

After kowtowing, he barely dared to look up, then hastily continued to kowtow to the side.

“Greetings to Your Royal Highness the Second Prince, greetings to Your Royal Highness the Princess!”

Normally, in the Yunzhou region, he was considered someone important, but at this moment, facing the three imperial heirs, he was as insignificant as dust.

Li Mingrui merely glanced at him indifferently, letting out a soft “hmm” from his nose as a response.

At this moment, his thoughts were entirely on the person inside the manor.

Li Mingyu and Li Mingyue stepped down from their carriages, not even bothering to look at this minor chief clerk of the prefecture.

“Rise, lead the way.”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Su Wenzheng felt as if he had received a great pardon, scrambling to his feet and nervously leading the way.

When the three appeared together at the entrance of Brocade Hall, everyone subconsciously stood up.

The might of imperial power was deeply ingrained in people’s hearts.

At this moment, no matter if it was a Sect Master or a Commerce Guild magnate, in front of the imperial heirs who represented the destiny of Great Chu, all had to maintain a superficial reverence.

The Su Family members were already completely numb, their eyes vacant, their minds having ceased to think, merely instinctively following the others to stand up, then remaining rooted to the spot like clay or wooden figures.

The shock they had experienced in their lives within this single day had already exceeded their capacity to bear.

Among the three, only Li Mingyue had met Young Master Chu.

Her gaze quickly scanned the crowd, almost instantly settling on the distinguished white-clad figure.

Her beautiful eyes lit up. Ignoring the trembling Su Family members at the main table who were preparing to bow, she took a step ahead, bypassing her two imperial brothers, and walked gracefully straight towards the most secluded corner.

“Young Master Chu.” Li Mingyue’s voice broke the deathly silence in the hall. “Mingyue came uninvited, presumptuously disturbing you, and hopes Young Master will not mind.”

Her words instantly drew all eyes firmly back to Young Master Chu.

Indeed! It was him again!

Li Mingrui and Li Mingyu exchanged glances, then also stepped forward and greeted him.

The Su Family members watched the three imperial heirs walk towards Young Master Chu without hesitation, their last shred of hope completely shattered.

Numb.

Completely numb.

This continuous wave of increasingly terrifying impacts had thoroughly stunned them.

Young Master Chu slightly cupped his hands, his expression still calm, as if standing before him were not imperial heirs who wielded power over the world, but ordinary friends.

“My wife and I returned to wish the Old Master a happy birthday, missing the kind invitations of Your Royal Highnesses. I hope you will forgive me.”

As these words came out, everyone’s pupils constricted violently.

The Su Family members were even more shocked out of their wits, their eyes wide as copper bells.

“What did he say? The Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Third Princess invited him to a banquet, and he actually didn’t go?”

“Because he had to return to wish the Old Master a happy birthday, he directly rejected the invitations of the three noble imperial descendants.”

“Our Su Family’s birthday banquet is more important than the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace banquet? How is this possible!”

The powerful dignitaries that their Su Family could not curry favor with even if they gave everything, the noble imperial descendants who were as difficult to meet as ascending to heaven, had actually taken the initiative to invite Young Master Chu.

More importantly, Young Master Chu actually pushed back the invitations of those three to attend Su Qingtian’s birthday banquet!

It was as if all the Su Family members had been slapped hard across the face, a burning pain.

On the main seat, Su Qingtian’s old face became incredibly flushed.

What did he hear?

Young Master Chu actually declined the invitations of the Crown Prince, Prince, and Princess just to return and celebrate the birthday of him, this old man who was nearing his end?

He even had an absurd illusion, as if his own face was more important than the current Crown Prince’s.

What virtue or ability did he possess!

This wasn’t Young Master Chu giving him face; this was practically roasting his old face over a fire, making his heart pound with fear.

Li Mingrui’s eye twitched almost imperceptibly. Young Master Chu’s words were polite, but the implications made him very displeased.

His dignified Crown Prince’s invitation was actually outranked by a small clan’s family banquet?

But he was extremely shrewd and maintained a gentle smile on his face.

“Young Master Chu’s filial piety is evident to heaven and earth; how could I blame him.”

Su Wenzheng stood by, like a minion.

At this moment, his gaze towards Young Master Chu had already become extremely fervent.

If Young Master Chu could say a few good words in front of the Crown Prince, it would be worth decades of his diligent service!

Just one sentence, he thought, could get him transferred to the capital to be an official.

Thinking of this, Su Wenzheng’s face suddenly showed a trace of bitterness.

The Su Family possessed such a true dragon, yet they personally pushed him away, even repeatedly humiliating him.

Was there anything more ridiculous in this world than this?

Just as he was thinking about how to mend the relationship between the Su Family and Young Master Chu, the familiar announcement rang out again.

Only this time, the shock in the voice far surpassed any previous one, almost tearing apart.

“The-the Imperial Edict has arrived!!!”

Imperial Edict?

The Imperial Edict of the Great Chu Emperor had actually arrived at this Su Family!

Everyone suddenly stiffened, and those who had just sat down subconsciously moved to stand up.

The Su Manor gate opened again, and a eunuch in palace attendant uniform, carrying the imperial edict, entered Brocade Hall, escorted by a squad of imperial guards.

He respectfully held a bright yellow scroll in his hand, his gaze sweeping across the entire hall, finally landing on Young Master Chu.

Following the eunuch’s gaze, everyone looked at Young Master Chu again.

It was still him!

His Majesty’s decree had actually been sent directly to Yunzhou because of him!

The eunuch stood still, slowly unfurled the imperial edict, and read aloud in a slightly high-pitched voice.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Chu Feng deeply understands the essence of governance, his words profound and far-reaching. He is hereby granted the position of Attendant of the Southern Study!”

Su Wenzheng trembled all over. Attendant of the Southern Study!

This was a prestigious and important position that allowed one to frequently meet the Emperor and discuss political affairs!

Although it held no real power, it represented limitless honor and the opportunity to approach the core of power—it was the official position he had always dreamed of!

Everyone gasped, their gazes towards Young Master Chu completely changed.

His Majesty actually knew him and directly bestowed such a position?

Before they could even digest the impact of this first imperial edict, the announcement outside the door rang out again, with even greater trembling than before.

“The Imperial Edict has arrived—”

Everyone’s throats moved. Another imperial edict?

Immediately after, another eunuch, holding an imperial edict, hurried in.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Chu Feng has rendered meritorious service in remonstrance. He is further granted the position of Internal Court Grandee, and awarded double salary!”

Upon hearing the content of the decree, a suppressed gasp immediately arose in the hall.

However, this was only the beginning!

“The Imperial Edict has arrived—”

“The Imperial Edict has arrived!”

“The-the Imperial Edict has arrived!”