Over there, Prince Hengguang was summoned to the palace.

As soon as he entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he saw the room in disarray.

Several palace attendants knelt trembling on the floor, too afraid to make a sound.

His expression changed slightly as he stepped forward and said softly, “Your son greets…”

Before he could finish, the emperor on the throne interrupted him with a cold sneer, “You’ve grown bolder these days.”

Prince Hengguang glanced at the memorial near the emperor’s hand and said solemnly, “Father, your son was only thinking for the sake of Da Hui.”

“If Da Hui could produce an empress from Haozhou, it would guarantee at least ten years of peace at the borders. After ten years, our Da Hui’s mighty forces could crush Haozhou’s gates with ease…”

The emperor laughed in anger, “You think well of yourself! Are you truly thinking of Da Hui, or for your own selfish desires? You know the answer in your heart!”

Prince Hengguang’s expression shifted, and he immediately knelt, lifting his robes, and proclaimed loudly, “Everything your son has considered is for the sake of Da Hui. I beg Father to see clearly!”

“Although Furui is my sister, she is also a princess of Da Hui. In terms of status and position, she is a better match for the Crown Prince of Haozhou. This matter benefits both Da Hui and Haozhou, and I can act with a clear conscience.”

The emperor sneered, “You may claim a clear conscience, yet you had your sister make a move, sending someone to assassinate Si Ning! Xiao Rui, you’ve got some nerve!”

“And you still want Furui to marry into Haozhou!?” Furious, the emperor swept a memorial off the desk, letting it fall in front of Prince Hengguang.

“Take a good look for yourself at what is written in this memorial!”

Prince Hengguang’s face darkened as he picked up the document.

The style of the memorial differed from Da Hui’s; it was from the Crown Prince of Haozhou.

The contents were straightforward.

The Haozhou emissary had been in the capital for quite some time, and the Crown Prince of Haozhou intended to return to Haozhou later this month.

He urged Da Hui to finalize the marriage arrangements soon.

Haozhou insisted on Si Ning as the Crown Princess. If Da Hui refused, they would revert to the originally discussed candidate.

Before the Crown Prince of Haozhou proposed marriage to Wen Yue Sheng, the original candidate for the alliance marriage was Furui, and both sides had nearly reached an agreement.

However, Si Ning’s unexpected involvement had disrupted these plans.

The Crown Prince of Haozhou was willing to marry Wen Yue Sheng but could accept the previous terms if Da Hui was unwilling to send her.

Yet, there was no room for negotiation on the matter of the Crown Princess.

Prince Hengguang held the document in silence for a long time.

The emperor, with no intention of hearing a reply, sneered, “You and Furui know best what you’ve been plotting behind my back.”

“Put away your schemes. As for Furui, if there’s a next time, not only you but also your consort mother, the Empress Dowager, and the entire Xu Guogong Manor won’t be able to protect her!”

The emperor cast him a cold glance and said sternly, “Leave.”

By the time Prince Hengguang left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, night had fallen, and the surroundings were silent.

A maidservant from Consort Duan’s entourage was still waiting outside.

Upon seeing him, she quickly approached and reported, “Your Highness, all of the palace staff serving the princess have been dealt with by Eunuch Gao. Even the guards personally granted to the princess by His Majesty…”

“They were executed this afternoon by order of County Princess Si Ning.”

Hearing this, Prince Hengguang’s eyes grew cold.

The entire staff of Cuian Palace had been replaced, and the area was now under the strict control of the imperial guards.

No one was allowed to enter or leave—not even Prince Hengguang, Consort Duan, or the Empress Dowager.

The emperor was determined to confine Furui, leaving no room for interference.

The matter of Furui’s alliance marriage seemed irreversible.

Because of Furui’s reckless actions, even Prince Hengguang had fallen under the emperor’s suspicion.

Thus, no matter how dissatisfied the Empress Dowager and Consort Duan were, they had no choice but to endure in silence.

By the time Wen Yue Sheng left the palace, no one dared to stand in her way.

Within days of receiving the imperial gold token, so many incidents had occurred.

Although Princess Furui’s actions weren’t publicly broadcasted, it was widely known that Prince Hengguang had been reprimanded.

Amid the emperor’s fury, the Liang family and Prince Hengguang both faced harsh punishment, quieting the court for the time being.

However, with both Prince Hengguang and Prince Jingkang falling out of favor, many began to shift their attention to Prince Yong’an.

Coincidentally, the military exercises were scheduled for mid-next month.

Each year, there would be an opening ceremony before the exercises began.

Now that the other princes had displeased the emperor, it was almost certain that the ceremony would fall to Prince Yong’an.

This shift of focus had temporarily overshadowed the incident of Wen Yue Sheng’s broken engagement.

All eyes were now on the upcoming opening ceremony.

The military exercises of Da Hui were a tradition introduced by the emperor in recent years.

While referred to as the “Three Armies,” the event included not only the imperial guards but also the city defense forces.

Even so, the imperial guards remained the centerpiece of the exercises.

The inauguration ceremony was the most important event before the grand military drill.

Interestingly, it was attended not only by Prince Yong’an but also by the healthy and uninjured Prince Weiyang, along with the City Guard now led by Wen Yuesheng.

Most people’s attention was focused on the two princes.

In the early morning, sunlight poured over the hunting grounds.

Around the hunting grounds stood many soldiers, and the viewing platform opposite was bustling with noise and excitement.

The emperor, seated in the hall, allowed his subjects to rise and then turned his gaze toward the hunting grounds.

At the center of the grounds stood a tall structure almost level with the platform. Five massive copper gongs hung from its upper frame.

Every year, the opening ceremony featured a competition where commanders on horseback would shoot arrows at the gongs.

Each gong represented the aspirations and goals of the soldiers it symbolized.

This was also a test for the commanders.

By striking the gongs, they were expected to inspire the troops and set ambitious targets, encouraging rigorous training over the next month to achieve outstanding results.

The higher the gong struck, the better the result.

The highest gong, gleaming in golden sunlight, appeared almost like a blinding sun suspended above the heads of everyone.

Thus, this competition was also known as the “Scorching Sun.”

This year, Prince Hengguang was injured, and Prince Jingkang fell ill, leaving only Prince Yong’an and Prince Weiyang to compete.

The hall buzzed with discussions about who would achieve a better result.

Though neither Yong’an nor Weiyang held real military power, as sons of the emperor, their participation in the opening ceremony was meant to inspire the soldiers.

Yet, this event was crucial for them to establish their authority within the military.

“This year’s Scorching Sun is bound to see Prince Yong’an take first place.”

“The Emperor said that anyone who hits the ‘Heart of the Sun’ will be rewarded. The Imperial Guard is filled with capable people; it’s too early to say who will prevail.”

The highest gong, small and golden, was called the “Heart of the Sun.”

At that moment, Prince Weiyang, mounted on his horse, glanced toward the high platform.

Seeing that most gazes were fixed on Xiao Jin beside him, he sneered and said, “A bunch of people who can’t recognize true talent.”

“Wait and see. I’ll take first place in this Scorching Sun.”

His attendant behind him stayed silent.

Xiao Jin ignored him, his eyes fixed on the high platform.

Seeing this, Prince Weiyang chuckled. “Who are you looking for? Let me guess—Si Ning or Miss Wen?”

“Oh, silly me! There’s Miss Wen right there!” he teased. “So it must be Si Ning you’re looking for.”

“Fourth Brother, this isn’t right of you. When she chased after you, you ignored her, and now that she doesn’t want you, you’re putting on this lovesick act?” Prince Weiyang raised an eyebrow. “Who are you trying to fool with this display?”

Given the occasion, Prince Weiyang doubted Xiao Jin would dare take action, emboldening him to speak freely.

But just as he finished speaking, a group entered the hunting grounds.

Leading them was none other than Wen Yuesheng.

Behind her were a few soldiers from the City Guard and the siblings of the Lu family.

Prince Weiyang narrowed his eyes. “Where’s Zhang Yulin? Isn’t he participating in the City Guard’s Scorching Sun today?”

He had already imagined the results: Zhang Yulin in first place, himself in second, and Xiao Jin in fifth.

…There were only five gongs in the Scorching Sun, and fifth place was the lowest rank.

But Zhang Yulin didn’t show up.

After Wen Yuesheng took her seat, curiosity spread among the spectators.

“If General Zhang isn’t here, who will represent the City Guard in the Scorching Sun?”

“…No idea, but it can’t be Little General Lu. He’s not part of the City Guard.”

Zhang Yulin had been sent by the Emperor to investigate the eastern front.

This mission was meant to test whether he could stand on his own after all this time under Wen Yuesheng’s guidance, explaining his absence from the important ceremony.

As a result, Wen Yuesheng had only brought a few officers, including Li Qingyuan.

Li Qingyuan, though skilled in combat, was average with a bow.

If no one else stepped up, he could compete, but with Wen Yuesheng newly in charge of the northern garrison, a mediocre or poor performance might invite doubt and criticism.

Just as this thought crossed people’s minds, a loud whistle cut through the air.

“The inauguration ceremony and Scorching Sun competition officially begin!” The voice of the palace official echoed across the grounds.

As the Scorching Sun began, the platform grew quieter.

All eyes turned to the participants below.

The first to step forward was Prince Weiyang.

He rode his horse at full speed, wielding a black bow designed specifically for him by the capital’s craftsmen.

Compared to ordinary bows, it suited him perfectly.

He had previously used it during hunts.

Now, on horseback, he drew the bowstring and aimed an arrow at the “Heart of the Sun.”

Just as he took aim, someone on the platform muttered, “Prince Weiyang is at it again.”

Lu Qinghuai couldn’t hold back his laughter.

The real reason Prince Weiyang hadn’t participated in past inauguration ceremonies wasn’t that he lacked favor.

On the contrary, his blunt and straightforward demeanor often won the Emperor’s favor.

As for not participating…

“Whoosh—” The sound of an arrow slicing through the air interrupted Lu Qinghuai’s thoughts.

He looked up to see Prince Weiyang’s arrow miss all the gongs entirely, flying through the frame and landing in the hunting grounds.