Fist snow started falling literally just threw days later.
The Qian family was in warm rooms, Su Fei as well but one family was freezing.
"Father, what kind of house is this?" Wei Dong couldn't understand when they came to capital that they didn't go back to their house the got strange depilated courtyard.
Prince Wei pressed his lips. In time he was not around, his maternal family got in trouble and asked him to sell some of his property to repay their debts.
He never expected they would dare to touch Duke's mansion that can be given or taken only by Emperor himself. If Emperor findsit out, hai whole maternal family really can get in big trouble.
Just then a knock courk be heard on gate.
Servant came inside their room and reported it. "Official Su Mingle asks for audience."
Su?
Whole family looked at each other in wonder.
The servant brought inside a tall man with thin stature but respectful bearing. "Su Mingle thanks his Royal Highness for accepting my presence."
"Rise." Prince Wei waited to see what this man wants.
"My Su clan sent me message that Prince Wei helped us greatly clear our family name. I might be just low official but I work in Household Department. May I get your permission to report your situation to the Ministry?" In other person he wanted sto make fuss in their name.
His maternal family can't be saved anymore Mother died years ago in pain as she always supported them but they always became even haughtier and worse as time passes by.
In the end she gave up on them and he wanted to help them out one more time in her name but after today, they can forget it.
Not even her uncles are alive anymore and he is literally oldest of that bloodline but they dared to disrespect him this way.
"Report it all." His lips turned into flat line after he said that.
"I understand." Su Mingle bowed. "Your Royal Highness, may I say something?"
"Speak." Royal Prince Wei's lips became white as he knew this man probably plans to say something hurtful.
"I got message about your arrival before you came and knew what was going on. If I knew, the Emperor knew." He stilled for a second.
The Emperor can't not know.
Everyone was hot by reality and felt their face burning by this slap.
"But he never will say anything of you buy your own mansion. General Pei retired three days ago and promised tow ait to sell his mansion to you when you artivem he plans going back to northern province with his family and never come back. He said only this much he can do for you now. Rest, you have to deal on your own.''
Pei. General Pei.
His mother had only one friend and it was General Pei's younger sister that died few years before his mother died.
The connection between Pei family and gsi family was never obvious as the two kept their friendship secretary me met without anyone noticing.
Only Emperor himself and him as her son knew about their friendship.
So General Pei never forgot about it.
"Tell him I accept it." Refusing would be ridiculous..
A royal Prince living in small depilated courtyard?
He was still own of richest people in whole country, excluding their prince and Emperor himself. Maybe that the problem, is it?
Not even say later whole Wei family grandly entered General Pei's mansion and not even the Emperor couro say one word.
What no own expected was that slowly in next three years Du family members that were connected to selling most of his property got punished own or other way, without him getting involved in any kind of way.
Some died natural causes, some got in trouble and got beaten up and some just got married to string families that definitely placed ban on them nae contrilwled them strictly, causing the Emperor to become stunned silent.
"My brother is not involved in any way?"
The advosiyrs came forward with reports. "Not only he was not involved, he tried helping them as usual, but having greedy snakes as realitives caused him to get sick for half year. He barely is walking now and report has it he has weak heart."
"Good. The stop causing him troubles. If we push too much it could cause Ministries to rebel. What about their prince, what si he doing?"
The advisors slowly move back for half step.
They didn't dare to report abotf their prince and Emperor tajtw a waiting for replay saw them sweating as they stood there.
"What is it?" A strange rear freot his spine up.
He forgot how often sins can cause downfall of whole Empire.
"What did he do?" This time - he wanted to add as he cleaned his mess too many times.
"His Royal Highness third Prince is gathering army on his own. Not only that. By reports we got, he emptied seventeen smaller silver mines and never reported it. Now that we have troubles on north he want to show of his power and..." The advisor choked as he didn't dare to speak further.
Emperor became red as liver and spoke trough his teeth as his bloodshot eyes started at his advisors.
"And what!?"
"And he said he will become Emperor anyways as you have no oder descendant yo inherit the throne so he already is making troubles wherever he passes and makes nobles, old royals and commoners bow and kowtow when he passed. He said it's his birthright to be treated like that."
"He dares!" The smack echoed in now silent room.
Emperor chuckled as his eyes turned normal but we're filled with coldness. "So, he already wants thone? Does he thinks it's easy to sit here?"
He was youngest of three Emperor's brothers and us barely fifty. He knew he can't have anymore children but, there is someone that has good sons.
His son slowly showed cruel site of his grandfather that luckily didn't rule for too long or this country would have been destroyed in his hands.
His father was wise ruler.
His brother was a wise ruler.
His oldest brother because his heart issues couldn't inherit the throne. But his Royal brother Wei had three sons and each of them was worthy.
He made heavy decision to ignore plight of his brother as he hopet to lessen his impact on royal court because of his son, not expecting his own son to destroy his future.
With heavy steps he opened big box and took golden royal scroll and seal out.
It's time he makes a decision.
Or this country will fall apart because his unworthy descendant.