Some Wait, Some Obstruct

During this time, those who could maintain their calmness and clarity like Shang Guan Yang Yu to find the key point in this complex world were not many, but there were still a few.

Chao Xiao Shu's residence was located in the Second Side Alley of Spring Breeze Pavilion, in the eastern part of the city. He was holding his child, sitting beside his old father, chatting in low tones. He used the tip of a chopstick to dip some wine and brought it to the child's mouth. Before the child could curiously lick it, Lin Zi quickly snatched it away, giving him a sharp glare.

Today was the birthday of the old master of the Chao family. The Chao residence did not host a grand banquet, only inviting a few close friends. The brothers of the Yu Long Gang from back then, who now held positions in the government, had all requested leave from their offices to bring gifts early. Thinking of the new emperor ascending the throne and the undercurrents surging in Chang An, they guessed Chao Xiao Shu had some instructions. But throughout the banquet, Chao Xiao Shu said nothing more, only maintaining a warm family atmosphere.

Just then, the butler of the Chao residence rushed in and whispered a few words. Everyone at the banquet was slightly surprised, but Chao Xiao Shu asked calmly, "What gift did Her Highness send?"

The butler reported the details of Li Yu's gift list. Most of the gifts were for the old master and the lady, with the rest being toys for the child. Chao Xiao Shu raised his eyebrows slightly, not expecting the princess to send such domestic items. He fell silent for a moment, then told everyone to continue eating and drinking.

After the banquet, when the family had gone to rest, only the brothers of the Yu Long Gang remained. Chao Xiao Shu instructed everyone to act with low profiles, especially Chen Qi and Qi Si. Chen Qi asked about the attitude of Liu Wu, who was commanding the Valiant Cavalry Battalion and was being pressured to choose a side. Chao Xiao Shu replied that they should just follow the Tang Law and not worry about the imperial edict, as it could not be forged before tens of thousands of people at He Lan City. He decided, "We only need to wait for the Empress and Grandmaster Huang Yang to return to Chang An."

At the same time, at the Northern Great Camp, Hua Shan Yue and a dozen weary cavalrymen entered the military camp. He requested to see Grand General Xu Chi immediately.

In the general's manor, Xu Chi looked at the gloomy sky and asked Hua Shan Yue, "Did you set out before the rain stopped? Youth is truly impatient. As the commander of the garrison of three provinces, leaving your post without permission is a violation of military discipline."

Hua Shan Yue replied, "The matter is urgent, so I had to leave in a hurry."

Xu Chi knew his intention and said frankly, "I originally did not want to meet you, because what you are about to say is surely treasonous, and I do not want to arrest you myself."

Hua Shan Yue persuaded Xu Chi to slow down the actions to receive the Empress from He Lan City. He used the excuse that Chang An was unstable; the later the Empress returned, the more stable the grand situation would be. Xu Chi refuted, calling his words naive, and began to doubt the Princess's intentions.

Hua Shan Yue took out several files wrapped tightly in oilcloth and placed them on the table: "Her Highness originally did not want to use this, because it would damage the reputation of the late Emperor and the Tang Empire." Xu Chi opened the files, and his gaze gradually grew as cold as ice.