After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

The morning court proceeded as scheduled, with no one mentioning the fire that had occurred the previous night, and no one daring to say that Yuwen Zhang, a cripple, was not qualified to attend court.

With such a huge fire last night, it's impossible that these officials knew nothing about it.

Emperor Taikang never mentioned the crown prince once.

The Crown Prince's assassination attempt enabled Yuwen Zhang to smoothly enter the court.

Gu Ce understood. Emperor Taikang had made it a condition for keeping quiet that the fourth prince would be allowed to enter the court to listen to government affairs. That would be the end of what happened last night.

The Crown Prince remains the Crown Prince, and Yuwen Zhang remains the Fourth Prince.

Yuwen Zhang was very satisfied with the result.

Just as he left the palace and was about to get into his carriage, Eunuch Sun hurriedly chased after him from behind: "Your Highness, wait for me!"

Yuwen Zhang stopped: "What is it, Eunuch Sun?"

"Your Highness, this is what His Majesty sent for you." Eunuch Sun respectfully handed over a piece of paper.

Yuwen Zhang took it and unfolded it; it turned out to be a property deed. Moreover, the house corresponding to this property deed was located on Juhui Street behind the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Isn't that right next to the Prime Minister's residence that the Emperor recently bestowed upon Gu Ce?

That was a large mansion with five courtyards.

"Eunuch Sun, please thank my father for me. Tell him I'll move there today." Yuwen Zhang was just worried about having nowhere to stay, and his father had provided a timely solution.

"His Majesty has more rewards to bestow, which are being prepared and will be delivered to the residence this afternoon to congratulate the Fourth Prince on his housewarming," Eunuch Sun said with a smile.

Gu Ce stepped forward and offered his congratulations: "Congratulations."

"Thank you. Did you speak well of me to the Emperor?" Yuwen Zhang knew Gu Ce's status in front of Emperor Taikang.

He's much more important than his own son.

"I only mentioned it briefly, I didn't say much. It's mainly because the Crown Prince helped you." Gu Ce smiled faintly.

Without the Crown Prince's involvement, Yuwen Zhang would have to wait for the right opportunity to enter the court and assume political duties so quickly.

"Haha!" Yuwen Zhang laughed so heartily, a rare occurrence for him.

That's right, it was the Crown Prince's actions that led him to attend court and participate in government affairs today. With this opportunity, he can seize even more opportunities.

With a new residence, Yuwen Zhang moved to the new house, which was closer to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, on the same day.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor's reward arrived that afternoon, along with an imperial edict bestowing upon Yuwen Zhang the title of Prince of Beijun.

When Rong Yingluo heard the title bestowed by the Emperor, she was a little confused as to why it included the character "Bei" (北).

"Yinghong, do you think the Emperor gave the Fourth Prince a title with the character 'North' because he came from the northern battlefield?"

"That's what I think too. It's very likely that the Prince of Beijun's fiefdom will be in the North." Yinghong agreed.

"It's a pity he's only a county prince; it would have been better if he were a prince of the first rank." Rong Yingluo was a little disappointed; the emperor still hadn't completely let go of the past.

He only has two sons, so what's wrong with giving him the title of prince?

"That's because the military achievements of the Prince of Beijun on the northern battlefield were not made public. At that time, he joined the army under the pseudonym Dong Si."

Moreover, the Emperor doesn't want him to become the Crown Prince's number one political enemy, otherwise the Prince of Beijun would die even faster." At this moment, Gu Ce returned from the front courtyard and answered Rong Yingluo's words.

"I understand. Yuwen Zhang is still too weak and needs time to grow. Sigh, the Emperor is too unfair. Although his birth mother is of low status, the child has done nothing wrong. Why ignore him like this?" Rong Yingluo spoke up for Yuwen Zhang. "By the way, now that you are the Prime Minister, you can have him do some things for you. That way, he won't be so bored."

"Now that he has entered the court to participate in government affairs, the Emperor will arrange for him to gain experience. I don't need to worry about him." Gu Ce felt that his wife was worrying too much about outsiders, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

Rong Yingluo nodded and continued with her work.

It would take her several days to process all eighteen silver platters.

Gu Ce moved a small stool and sat down next to her, watching her carefully gild the silver plate bit by bit.

Rong Yingluo had a background in painting, so she was very adept at the restoration work.

Just then, a maidservant brought over an invitation.

Granny Zhu took it, glanced at the cover, and said with a beaming smile, "Young Master, it was sent by the Prince of Beijun."

Gu Ce took the book and opened it: "He invited us to the Prince of Beijun's residence tonight for a housewarming banquet."

"So fast? The house isn't even moved in yet, and they're already having a banquet?" Rong Yingluo was a little confused.

"He probably only invited you, me, and Li Xuanye," Gu Ce guessed.

It was already late afternoon, just before dinner time.

The couple changed their clothes and, without needing to take a carriage, walked through the alley and arrived in just over fifteen minutes.

"Lord Gu, Madam Gu has arrived. Our Prince is waiting for you." Steward Si, who was missing his left hand, greeted them with a smile.

He also came from the northern battlefield and used to be a soldier under Yuwen Zhang. Because he had studied for a few years and could read, Yuwen Zhang promoted him to steward.

He's not even thirty yet, but he looks like a shrewd person.

The couple began their tour as soon as they entered.

"This house is nice, much more grand than his old one," Rong Yingluo remarked.

"That's right. This used to be the residence of the Marquis of Chengqing. He committed a crime and his property was confiscated by the Emperor. The residence then came under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department. The Imperial Household Department has been keeping an eye on it ever since. Now it has a new owner."

Throughout the visit, the house was well-maintained and did not appear old.

Upon entering the main courtyard, they saw Li Xuanye making a fool of himself.

"Hey Prince Bei, your father treats you pretty well, giving you such a big house right away. It's much bigger than my villa. I'd like to move in myself."

"Didn't you move to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?" Yuwen Zhang also wanted to move to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but he knew that was impossible.

"I was only being shameless like that so I could see the young Taoist priest more often. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone," Li Xuanye said, speaking the truth.

"What? You moved into my Duke Zhenguo's mansion not to become my chief secretary, but to covet my wife?" Gu Ce's face instantly turned dark.

"Oh no, why didn't you say a word when the Prime Minister arrived? I was just kidding, it was just a joke." Li Xuanye was caught red-handed and quickly explained.

"But I took it seriously." Gu Ce wouldn't believe it so easily.

However, he wasn't worried about his wife having anything going on with Li Xuanye. Even someone as outstanding as him hadn't yet won her over. How could she possibly be interested in a mere soldier?

Yuwen Zhang knew that Li Xuanye was telling the truth, but he didn't point it out.

The reason these three men were able to come together was actually because of Rong Yingluo.

He wanted to marry the fairy maiden, but he knew it was impossible.

His marriage was decided solely by his father, the Emperor.

Now he cannot have any other thoughts; his biggest task is to win his father's heart step by step so that he can have a place in the court.

"Congratulations on your housewarming, Brother Zhang." Rong Yingluo presented a gift, a jade screen ornament, which would be perfect for display in the bedroom.

Thank you.

For this housewarming banquet, Yuwen Zhang had his steward set up many tables in the courtyard, all for the remaining soldiers who had worked hard the night before.

There wasn't much fancy food; it was all cooked in a big pot, but everyone was happy.

These people all knew that Yuwen Zhang had also been to the battlefield, and that he had lost both legs there. They were all very close to Yuwen Zhang and acknowledged him as their master.

The four dined in the main hall's flower room. Wine and dishes were served, and they ate and chatted.

"Your Highness, the Emperor's attitude today is quite clear. Would you like to get a position as soon as possible?" Gu Ce put down his wine cup and asked.

"Why do you say that?" Yuwen Zhang felt that this was too fast. Today was only the first day of listening to government affairs. If he was too eager for quick success, it might backfire.