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

The next day, it was broad daylight.

On the streets of Kyoto, the cries of vendors, the clatter of carriage wheels, and the chatter of pedestrians mingled together, restoring the city's former prosperity and hustle and bustle.

For ordinary Kyoto residents, and even the vast majority of court officials, last night's bloody night seemed to have never happened.

They were unaware of the heavy casualties suffered by the Observatory, and that they were forced to retreat and defend themselves by the "Net of Deception".

Everything seemed as peaceful as usual.

The Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

A solemn court assembly is underway. Civil and military officials stand on both sides, holding tablets, arguing heatedly over government affairs such as salt taxes in the south and disaster relief in the north.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian stood at the head of the civil officials, with a gentle smile on his face, occasionally offering a few words of agreement, demonstrating his magnanimity and benevolence as the heir apparent.

Li Chengze stood at the very front of the military officers' side, still with that boneless, lazy look, his eyes half-closed, as if he could fall asleep standing up, completely ignoring the arguments in the court.

On the high dragon throne, Emperor Qing wore a loose dragon robe, his hair casually draped over his shoulders. He played with a jade ruyi in his hand, gazing intently at the ministers below.

His gaze lingered briefly on the Crown Prince before turning to Li Chengze.

Seeing Li Chengze's nonchalant demeanor, a subtle glint flashed deep in Emperor Qing's eyes.

"quiet."

The eunuch Hou's high-pitched voice rang out in the Taiji Hall, silencing the arguing among the officials.

The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone looked respectfully at Emperor Qing on the dragon throne.

Emperor Qing withdrew his gaze, put down the jade ruyi in his hand, and slowly sat up straight. His majestic voice echoed throughout the hall.

"I have some good news to announce at today's court assembly."

The courtiers held their breath and listened intently.

"Fan Xian, by my decree, has been dispatched to Northern Qi." Emperor Qing paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "He has lived up to my expectations. Fan Xian has arrived in the capital of Northern Qi, successfully thwarted the Northern Qi Imperial Guard's plot, and successfully rescued Yan Bingyun, the leader of our dynasty's secret agents who had infiltrated Northern Qi!"

Upon hearing this, the entire court was immediately thrown into uproar.

"What?! Lord Fan actually managed to rescue Yan Bingyun?!"

"That's the heavily guarded territory of the Northern Qi's Embroidered Uniform Guard! Lord Fan is truly a genius!"

"May Heaven bless Daqing! Your Majesty is wise!"

The officials knelt down and shouted praises, filling the Taiji Hall with their voices of admiration.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his gentle smile and joined the crowd in shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

However, his hand, which was gripping the tablet, turned slightly white from excessive force.

With such a great achievement, Fan Xian will undoubtedly enjoy the Emperor's favor upon returning to the capital, which is not good news for him as the Crown Prince.

On the other side of the main hall, Li Chengze, who had been dozing off with his eyes half-closed, suddenly opened his eyes upon hearing the news.

Two sharp beams of light suddenly burst forth from his previously languid eyes.

"Fan Xian... Yan Bingyun... are they finally coming back?"

A wicked, cold smile curled at the corner of Li Chengze's mouth.

He knew that Fan Xian's return meant that the situation in the capital would be about to undergo an unprecedented storm.

In the original storyline, Fan Xian returned to the capital, not only solved the smuggling case, but also gradually drove the Eldest Princess to her death, and even forced the Second Prince himself to commit suicide by poison.

But now, everything is different.

……

The bell tolling to signal the end of court echoed softly outside the Taiji Hall, signaling the final curtain call of this turbulent court assembly.

Civil and military officials filed out, gathering in twos and threes, whispering about the most shocking news in the court that day: Fan Xian was not only alive, but had also performed a great service.

Yan Bingyun's return means that the Detective Agency's spy network in Northern Qi will be revitalized, and Fan Xian's name will surely cause a sensation in the elite circles of the capital with this achievement.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian walked at the front, his face still bearing that gentle and refined smile, occasionally nodding to the courtiers who came forward to flatter him.

However, upon closer inspection, one can see that his hands, hidden in the wide sleeves of his robe, are clenched into fists so tightly that his nails are almost digging into his flesh.

Fan Xian returned alive, and with unparalleled glory.

Unlike the Crown Prince's forced smile, Li Chengze walked at the edge of the crowd, still with that boneless, lazy demeanor.

He even left the collar of his court robe slightly open, appearing somewhat unruly. He ignored everyone's pleasantries, simply yawning, and, surrounded by a group of guards, boarded the carriage to return to his residence.

The carriage traveled smoothly along the wide streets of Kyoto, with a faint scent of calming incense burning inside.

Li Chengze leaned back on the soft cushion, casually picked up a grape and threw it into his mouth, his eyes as deep and still as an ancient well.

"Father, it really was you who orchestrated this behind the scenes," he thought to himself with a cold laugh.

Last night, the Luo Wang gang massacred the secret agents of the Jianchayuan and assassinated a court official. The commotion was so great, how could Emperor Qing not know?

With Emperor Qing's intelligence network, even if he infiltrated and replaced a group of people, it wasn't the whole network. Every blade of grass and every tree in the capital city couldn't escape his eyes.

But he chose to remain silent, and did not utter a single word about it in court.

It seems that Chen Pingping's censorate has wielded too much power over the years, to the point that Emperor Qing felt a little uncomfortable.

However, none of this concerns him; anyone who dares to lay a hand on him will be slashed down with a single blow.

……

Not long after returning to the Second Prince's residence, Li Chengze had just changed into a loose and comfortable set of casual clothes, without even putting on shoes, and was sitting barefoot and cross-legged on the soft couch in the study, flipping through a book of unofficial historical records that he had obtained from who-knows-where, when the steward's hushed voice came from outside the study.

"Your Highness, distinguished guests have arrived. They entered through the back door, very discreetly."

Li Chengze raised an eyebrow slightly, put down the book in his hand, and a knowing look flashed in his eyes: "Let her in. All of you, step back. Without my permission, no one is to approach the study."

"Yes."

A moment later, the study door was gently pushed open and then quickly closed.

A figure completely shrouded in a black cloak walked in.

The newcomer removed his hood, revealing a face that was stunningly beautiful, yet also bore an undeniable air of anxiety and weariness.

Li Chengze leaned back on the soft couch, looking at Li Yunrui's unusually secretive and stealthy attire, deliberately showing a look of surprise on his face, which then turned into a bright smile.

He patted the empty spot on the soft couch next to him. "Auntie, why are you dressed like this? Come on, sit down."