Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

On this day, a banquet was held in the palace, and the officials paid their respects.

At the banquet, the sounds of string and wind instruments were melodious, and wine cups were clinked.

Li Chengze, dressed in magnificent robes, sat upright below Emperor Qing, a polite smile on his face, accepting the toasts from everyone.

After several rounds of drinks, Emperor Qing slowly put down his wine cup and scanned the entire hall. The once noisy hall instantly fell silent.

Emperor Qing's gaze finally settled on Li Chengze, his eyes filled with scrutiny, expectation, and unfathomable calculation.

"Chengze," Emperor Qing said, his voice booming and echoing throughout the hall.

"Your subject is here." Li Chengze stood up and bowed respectfully.

"You have been intelligent and talented since childhood. Although you are only thirteen, your mind is already far beyond that of your peers," Emperor Qing said calmly. "Royal children should know the ways of the world and experience life's trials early on."

At this point, Emperor Qing paused, then issued an edict that shocked the court and the public:

"By imperial decree, the Second Prince, Li Chengze, is permitted, effective immediately, to leave the palace, establish his own residence and military headquarters, and enter the court to participate in government affairs!"

These words caused an uproar in the room!

Thirteen years old!

At the tender age of thirteen, he established his own government and even entered the court to participate in government affairs! This was an unprecedented honor and an unprecedented exception in the rules of Daqing!

The prince's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he almost dropped the wine cup in his hand.

The courtiers exchanged bewildered glances, their hearts churning with turmoil. They keenly sensed the shift in the wind—His Majesty was now supporting the Second Prince to temper the Crown Prince!

Li Chengze lowered his head, concealing the fleeting glint of shrewdness in his eyes.

He knew that this day had finally come.

This was not only an honor, but also the beginning of Emperor Qing thrusting him into the limelight. From this day forward, he would no longer be the child hiding in the deep palace writing books, but would officially become one of the players in this game of chess.

"Your subject... thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

Li Chengze knelt on the ground, his voice clear and resonant.

When he looked up again, a radiant smile appeared on his still somewhat immature face.

After the commotion subsided, Li Chengze did not leave the palace directly, but instead went to Consort Shu's palace.

The palace was still filled with the fragrance of books. Consort Shu held a rare ancient book in her hands, seemingly indifferent to the commotion outside. But the moment Li Chengze stepped across the threshold, she put down the book, her gaze falling on her son, who had grown into a teenager, and a rare, complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

"Mother." Li Chengze bowed obediently.

Consort Shu did not speak, but simply looked at him quietly. After a long while, she suddenly stood up and walked to Li Chengze. To Li Chengze's slightly surprised gaze, this consort, who usually loved books more than people, actually reached out and gently embraced him.

The embrace was not broad and warm, even somewhat cold, carrying a faint scent of ink.

"I know you have many secrets and are hiding a lot of things."

Consort Shu spoke softly in his ear, her tone devoid of reproach, only revealing a penetrating insight: "You've been different from others since childhood. Those books... weren't just books. Leaving the manor is different from being in the palace. In the palace, His Majesty watches over you, and although there are rules to keep you in check, it's a safe haven, like a cage. Outside, you have to weather the storms yourself."

She paused, her arms tightening slightly around her son: "Be careful. Your mother doesn't ask for you to be rich or powerful, she only hopes you will be safe and sound."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengze froze.

He had always thought he had disguised himself well, believing that in his mother's eyes he was just a prince with some talent. Little did he know that no one knows a son better than his mother; this woman, who seemed oblivious to everything around her, actually saw everything.

Li Chengze's eyes welled up slightly, then a warm smile appeared on his face. He gently patted his mother's back and whispered, "Mother, don't worry, I will be safe and sound."

He silently added in his heart: Not only do I want to be safe and sound, but I also want to win in the end and turn the game of chess in this world into the way I want it to be.

Consort Shu seemed to understand the hidden meaning in Li Chengze's words, or perhaps she sensed the hidden sharpness within her son. She sighed softly, loosened her embrace, and reached out to carefully straighten Li Chengze's slightly disheveled collar.

Her movements were slow and deliberate, as if she were performing some kind of ritual.

After tidying up, she took a step back, regaining her usual aloofness, and waved her hand: "Go."

"Your subject takes his leave."

Li Chengze bowed deeply to Consort Shu, then turned and strode away from the palace that held his childhood memories and his pretense.

……

Outside the palace gates, a large and luxurious carriage had been waiting for a long time.

Li Chengze boarded the carriage, and with the sound of the wheels rolling, he took one last look at the majestic and profound red walls of the imperial palace through the gap in the curtains.

"The cage is open, the bird... is going to eat people." A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.

The carriage traveled through the bustling streets of Kyoto and finally stopped in front of an imposing mansion. The vermilion gates, studded with gold, and the four large characters "Second Prince's Residence" on the plaque were written in a vigorous and elegant style, personally penned by Emperor Qing.

The gate was wide open, and two rows of servants were already kneeling on the ground, a dark mass of them.

"Welcome back to Your Highness!"

The voices were perfectly synchronized, clearly indicating rigorous training.

Li Chengze alighted from the carriage, his gaze sweeping over the faces kneeling on the ground. There were young and beautiful maids, shrewd and capable stewards, and seemingly simple and honest old women.

He sneered inwardly.

These people, from the steward to the servants sweeping the floor, were all handpicked and sent by the Emperor. It was called a reward, but in reality, it was a form of surveillance. His every move, even what he ate that night and how many times he went to the toilet the next morning, would be reported in great detail to the Emperor's desk in the Imperial Study.

This is Emperor Qing's "favor".

"Get up, everyone."

With his signature lazy smile on his face, Li Chengze casually tossed out a sentence, then stepped across the threshold without even glancing at the crowd.

He didn't go to the main hall or the bedroom, but went directly to the study.

Pushing open the door to the study, a faint scent of sandalwood wafted out. The room was exquisitely furnished, with bookshelves filled with all sorts of books, clearly chosen to suit the student's tastes.

Li Chengze entered the study, closed the door behind him, and shut out the probing gazes.

He walked to the large desk, but instead of sitting down, he took off his shoes and squatted down on the priceless armchair without any regard for appearances. He then casually picked up a grape from the plate and popped it into his mouth.

"system."

He meditated in his heart.

[Host: Li Chengze]

Reputation Points: 300,000

[Summoned characters: Yuan Tiangang, Thirty-Six Captains of Tiangang, Zhao Gao, Yan Ri, Hei Bai Xuan Jian, Jing Ni, Six Sword Slaves...]

[Subordinate Forces: Bad Guys, Luo Wang]

Just then, the study window moved slightly.

A very subtle airflow surged.

Li Chengze continued chewing his grapes without stopping, and simply said, "Since you're here, come out. Although there are many spies in this mansion, they shouldn't be able to stop you."