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At this time, news traveled slowly. Li Yan estimated that he had just received the letter confirming his reinstatement.
He still needed to find a way to bring his father back, but he couldn't rely on the Emperor or the Queen for this; he could only seek help from Prince Jin or Yang Su.
Li Jian Cheng's advantage lay in his youth, which allowed him access to the palace, but he lacked formal connections with other noble families and found it difficult to consolidate the family's power. This was where Li Yan needed to step in.
However, he couldn't rush it; his influence was still insufficient to persuade them to act.
After making his plans, he bid farewell to his mother and returned to his quarters to rest. The next day, he played with the little dog and instructed someone to carefully groom its fur before placing it in a beautiful cage.
Today was a day off, and the palace guards were replaced by the Bodyguard of the Thousand Cattle. They usually stood guard at Xuanwu Gate, while the banquet at Yang Residence wouldn't start until the afternoon. Therefore, he prepared to enter the palace now to pay his respects.
He made his way smoothly through the palace gates and, after being announced, entered with the guidance of a female official. They arrived at Yong'an Palace, where a eunuch held the dog cage.
Just then, the Emperor emerged from within. Li Jian Cheng stepped aside to bow and greet him. Yang Jian paused for a moment, glancing at the white dog in the eunuch's hands as if he wanted to say something to Li Jian Cheng but ultimately continued on his way.
Li Jian Cheng bowed respectfully as he watched the Emperor's retreating figure before being led into Yong'an Palace. The Queen stood inside, looking somewhat dazed as if lost in thought.
Li Jian Cheng did not rush to greet her; instead, he silently lowered his head and waited for her to regain her composure. However, while he could remain calm, she might not understand that concept.
“Woof woof—woof!”
Dugu Qialo snapped back to reality. After Li Jian Cheng bowed and greeted her, he said, “Greetings, Your Majesty. Wishing you longevity.”
“Good, no need for formalities. Why have you brought a white dog with you?”
“Your Majesty, after my shift yesterday, I went to Western Market intending to buy a hunting dog. I happened upon a Hu Merchant from Fulin Kingdom selling this dog. Seeing it was quite rare and adorable, I bought it as a gift for you, hoping it would amuse you.”
Dugu Qialo observed for a moment and said, "Indeed, it is a look I have never seen before. It must have cost quite a bit. In the future, there is no need for such extravagance; I may not have the leisure to appreciate it."
Li Jian Cheng smiled in response. When it came to gifts, what others said was unimportant; what mattered was that he accepted them.
After a female attendant took the Afghan Hound away to feed it, Dugu Qialo sat down on a wooden bench and asked, "Have you met Prince Jin? Was he a good host?"
A eunuch brought over a garden stool, and after Li Jian Cheng sat down, he replied, "I was fortunate to taste the fish and crab personally prepared by the princess. I had a delightful conversation with Prince Jin; we spoke candidly."
Candidly. Dugu Qialo looked at Li Jian Cheng with some surprise. "You two seem to hit it off."
Clearly, she had not expected that their first meeting would lead to such rapport.
"After meeting him, do you think Prince Jin is someone who can bear heavy responsibilities?"
Li Jian Cheng thought to himself that he certainly believed otherwise. Although Yang Guang had ambition, talent, and capability, he was unstable. Instability was the source of chaos. The Sui Dynasty had just been established and was already beginning to suppress Guanlong, which would inevitably provoke backlash.
Gao Shan's thoughts were actually correct; what this era needed was a stable and benevolent ruler like Yang Yong. After centuries of turmoil, while people's hearts might be settled, an adaptation process was still necessary.
Only after adapting would there be a need for a monarch like Yang Guang to elevate the flourishing era's civil and military achievements to their peak. As for whether things would decline afterward, that was of little consequence; it could still last for several generations.
However, if he were to express such thoughts openly, he would surely be driven out of the palace and might even receive ten lashes as punishment.
Li Jian Cheng admired him and said, "Prince Jin possesses both civil and military talents and is humble in treating worthy individuals with respect. He has the virtues of our esteemed predecessors."
Dugu Qialo nodded and then said, "If that is the case, you should serve Prince Jin loyally. In the future, if there are no matters assigned by him, you need not come to pay your respects frequently."
"Yes."
Li Jian Cheng could sense that Dugu Qialo was quite dispirited. Aside from her determination to establish what she believed to be the best Crown Prince for the Sui Dynasty, she had no other attachments left.
This Queen, who had insisted on a lifelong partnership, was thoroughly crushed after being betrayed by her husband and subsequently neglected as she approached her sixties.
"Your Majesty, there is still a matter concerning Prince Jin that I would like to inquire about."
"Speak."
"Can the Duke of Yue replace the Duke of Qi in court?"
Dugu Qialo frowned and asked, "Is this Prince Jin's intention?"
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Qi's daughter is currently the Consort of the Eastern Palace. It is said that his second son, Gao Biaoren, is about to marry the second daughter of the Crown Prince, Princess Changning."
"This Palace understands. You can assure Prince Jin."
Li Jian Cheng rose to take his leave. With those words, he felt more confident in persuading the Yang Family to make an early investment.
Yang Su had been positioned in court just behind Gao Shan for over a decade now. Given their similar ages, it was impossible for them to wait until Gao Shan retired. Thus, only the position of Gao Shan could entice him; otherwise, there would be no reason for him to act.
Dugu Qialo stared at Li Jian Cheng's retreating figure in a daze but soon regained her composure and instructed someone to keep an eye on the Emperor's movements. Just as she was about to do so, the Crown Prince entered with his eldest son, Prince Changning, to pay their respects.
Dugu Qialo did not particularly care for this son and naturally held little affection for her eldest grandson either. However, feeling that her time might be limited, she allowed them to enter.
After the father and son entered, they hurriedly performed a deep bow in greeting. Yang Yong knelt and said, "I don't know how long it has been since I last saw Mother."
Dugu Qialo sighed and replied, "Come, sit down."
She looked at the father and son; she had genuinely cared for both Eldest Son and Changsun, but now, seeing them again, she found everything about them displeasing. Perhaps it was still because of that wretched woman, A-Yun.
Listening to their greetings, Dugu Qialo responded briefly. At that moment, the Emperor returned and, seeing the situation, felt somewhat pleased. He sat beside the Queen and inquired about Grandson's recent studies.
It had been years since this family had been so harmonious, but with Yang Yong's earnest request, the atmosphere grew cold once more.
"Father, Empress," he said, "my son Consort Yuan has passed away for many years. Since ancient times, a mother is honored through her children. Yun Zhao Xun has given birth to three Crown Princes for the Sui Royal Family. For Yian'er's sake, I believe it is best to establish Yun Zhao Xun as Consort Crown Prince. I earnestly request Father and Empress to issue a decree to fulfill this."
Yang Yong and Yang Yan knelt on the ground to plead. Dugu Qialo trembled slightly and said, "Someone, take Prince Changning to the outer hall to rest."
"Grandmother? Grandfather?"
A female official politely led Yang Yan out while Dugu Qialo felt disheartened. "You have forced your parents to grant you a legitimate wife for this woman. Now you want us to recognize her as Consort Crown Prince so that her son can inherit my Sui Dynasty's State and Dynasty, is that right?"
Yang Yong explained, "The previous Consort Crown Prince passed away due to illness; it is not A-Yun's fault."
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