Ye Qingcheng's departure resolved General Shangguan's immediate dilemma, and a comparison clearly showed who was superior.
However, this was not the situation the young emperor wished to see.
Ye Qingcheng curing General Shangguan's legitimate son should have been a joyous occasion. To the young emperor, however, it signaled danger.
Who was Ye Qingcheng?
With her father as the Prime Minister and her husband as the Regent, she now possessed considerable renown among officials and dignitaries, having altered their previous impressions of her.
If things had gone according to the young emperor's original design, it would have been acceptable to keep such a woman under his control; she would have been an asset, strengthening his position.
But now, she was becoming increasingly uncontrollable, her network of connections expanding. Clearly, she would become a significant obstacle in the young emperor's path against Xiao Wangye.
Ye Qingcheng's greatest advantage was her exquisite medical skill, which made many willing to owe her a favor.
Not only General Shangguan now, but also the former legitimate daughter of Marquis Ding'an—one after another, they were deeply indebted to her.
If Ye Qingcheng were to sway all these individuals to Xiao Wangye's side, the stability of the young emperor's reign would be questionable!
A single Marquis Ding'an was not enough to fear. After all, under Xiao Wangye's surveillance over the years, he had not cultivated any power, remaining a solitary figure.
But General Shangguan was different. He held significant influence among the populace and the military. If he were to firmly support Xiao Wangye, matters would become difficult.
At this thought, the young emperor's expression grew increasingly somber, a profound sense of crisis washing over him.
His gaze drifted to the stack of memorials on his desk, his mind churning.
The young emperor's original plan was to confine Xiao Wangye to the capital for his entire life, keeping him under his control and preventing him from ever rising again.
Now, it seemed, this decision was mistaken. He could no longer allow Xiao Wangye to remain in the capital.
If things were allowed to develop further, within a few years, Ye Qingcheng might win over all the officials and dignitaries in the capital with her medical skills.
And as her husband, the young emperor would undoubtedly benefit from this, consolidating these connections for himself.
After all, people cherished their lives. If someone could have a divine physician to save themselves or their loved ones, they would certainly be won over!
Even if the young emperor regretted his decisions now and wished to eliminate Ye Qingcheng, it was already an arduous task.
Not to mention the Prime Minister's Mansion behind her, even she herself had become much more cautious and wary, making any move against her exceedingly difficult.
It would be better, then, to drive Xiao Wangye far away, preventing him from interfering in the affairs of the capital ever again. No matter how capable Ye Qingcheng was, or how extensive her network, he would be helpless.
With this realization, the young emperor made up his mind. He raised his voice to call for someone to enter and issued an imperial decree.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng and Xiao Wangye, completely unaware of these developments, found their lives temporarily restored to peace.
When Xiao Wangye learned from Ye Qingcheng that she had treated General Shangguan's legitimate son, he was both surprised and felt it was within reason, not reacting with much emotion.
Ye Qingcheng, however, found Xiao Wangye to be somewhat secretive lately, wondering what he was up to. When she asked, he said nothing, forcing her to bury her suspicions.
Thus, three days passed quickly.
On this day, shortly after noon, after they had finished their midday meal and were preparing to attend to their own matters, an uninvited guest arrived at the prince's mansion.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, I decree: Due to the deep brotherly affection between Us and the Prince Regent, he has resided in the capital for the convenience of our interactions. Now, a strange plague has broken out in the Prince Regent's fiefdom, causing many citizens to perish and leading to widespread suffering. Therefore, We dispatch the Prince Regent to investigate and resolve this matter. He shall depart in two days. Respect this decree!"
The lead eunuch read the imperial edict in a clear and resonant voice. Upon finishing, he gave Xiao Wangye a knowing smile.
"Your Highness, quickly accept the decree?"
Xiao Wangye, returning to his senses, nodded calmly, accepted the imperial edict, and expressed his gratitude. He then instructed a servant to distribute rewards to those from the palace who had come.
Ye Qingcheng, standing beside him, was far less composed. Her eyes widened as she contemplated the young emperor's intentions.
Having spent so much time with Xiao Wangye, Ye Qingcheng understood his predicament to some extent.
Earlier, to escape the young emperor's harassment, she had considered moving to Xiao Wangye's fiefdom.
It was then that she learned Xiao Wangye's continued presence in the capital was at the young emperor's behest, intended to keep him under close watch and control.
But why was the emperor suddenly sending him away? Had the young emperor undergone a change of heart and no longer intended to target Xiao Wangye?
The moment this thought surfaced, Ye Qingcheng immediately dismissed it. Based on her understanding of the young emperor during this time, despite his seemingly calm and magnanimous demeanor, he was actually petty and vindictive. It was unlikely he would let Xiao Wangye off so easily.
This matter, she suspected, would not be simple.
The head eunuch, having received his reward, did not rush to leave. He approached the couple again.
"Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort, His Majesty specifically instructed me to inform you both that a farewell banquet will be held for Your Highness in the palace tomorrow evening. We request your presence. This is the decree!"
After saying this, the head eunuch, accompanied by the palace maids and eunuchs, took their leave.
Driving him away, and then holding a banquet to send him off?
The more Ye Qingcheng thought about it, the stranger it felt. Xiao Wangye was not going to war; why hold a farewell banquet?
It was natural for a prince of age to return to his fiefdom. Why would such a grand banquet be necessary? It felt more like a Hongmen banquet.
Unlike Ye Qingcheng's myriad worries, Xiao Wangye felt his opportunity had arrived, secretly rejoicing.
Since there would be a banquet, all officials of the fifth rank and above would be invited, and Xiao Xiaoyu would naturally be among them.
The young emperor had indirectly helped him immensely. Xiao Wangye felt an indescribable sense of elation.
As for being dispatched to the fiefdom to investigate the strange plague, he had actually received news of this earlier and had been researching it. He remained unperturbed even though his opponent was using it as an excuse.
Sooner or later, he would have to leave. Deep down, Xiao Wangye did not wish to be confined to the capital his entire life, unable to fully display his abilities.
With the imperial decree issued, the news spread rapidly. Within half a day, the entire capital was aware of it.
No one found fault with the Prince Regent being dispatched back to his fiefdom. However, the matter of the farewell banquet sparked widespread discussion and bewilderment.
Farewell banquets were traditionally held before military campaigns to boost morale. For a minor matter like a prince returning to his fiefdom, why hold a palace banquet?
Those of higher status felt something was amiss.
But since the young emperor's decree had been issued, they suppressed their numerous doubts and dared not speak further.