The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1765 In front of the Song Mansion

The old butler was very satisfied with Cheng Youning's decision. After he finished speaking with a smile, Cheng Youning realized that the errand he had to run on his day off was actually to take some gifts to the Song family to offer his congratulations.

Cheng Youning looked clearly reluctant. "Old steward, Song Qianyuan just came first in the exam, is it really necessary for me, the Crown Prince, to go there personally?"

The old steward really wanted to say, "You ranked thirty-fifth and the whole family is celebrating, this is the top spot!" But he naturally couldn't offend the Crown Prince, because the Crown Prince's temperament was unpredictable and sometimes you had to appease him. "Of course," he said, "the Crown Prince's visit shows that I, Fengqi, value talent. In the future, everyone will study hard, seek fame and fortune, and serve the court."

Cheng Youning thought about the long and tedious Crown Prince's lecture and could only accept it, "Then I'll make the trip."

The old butler said happily, "Ah, that's right."

After a thorough washing and dressing, Cheng Youning boarded the carriage. The old steward watched the carriage depart before returning to the palace to report.

The streets were bustling with people as usual, countless in number, creating a noisy and chaotic scene.

The closer they got to the Song residence, the slower the carriage moved. Although it was heading towards the Song residence, Cheng Youning was thinking about Guoguo, and he couldn't help but feel impatient. He asked Qiao Rong, "Why haven't we arrived yet?"

Qiao Rong lifted the sedan curtain and looked around. "Your Highness, we're almost there. There are a lot of people going to the Song family to offer their congratulations, so this section of the road is a bit congested."

Just as Cheng Youning was about to fall asleep, the carriage stopped and started moving. Then they arrived.

"Your Highness, please wake up."

Upon hearing the sound, Cheng Youning opened her eyes, straightened her hair ornament and her clothes, and then put on a friendly expression before getting off the carriage.

As soon as he got out of the car, he was surrounded by a group of ministers who had come to congratulate the Song family. They bowed to Cheng Youning, as many of them were veteran officials who had made great contributions. Cheng Youning smiled and cupped his hands in return, and then walked inside surrounded by the group.

He would visit the Song family several times a month because the lame Song Tingzhi was his teacher. Since his teacher had difficulty walking, he would come in person to ask for his advice on his studies. Therefore, he was familiar with the Song family.

Upon meeting Song Ruhong, Cheng Youning presented a congratulatory gift on behalf of the Emperor, and was then invited to take the proper seat by Song Ruhong's grandfather. With the Crown Prince sitting there, representing the Emperor, everyone could see the smugness on Song Ruhong's face.

Cheng Youning had originally planned to deliver the goods, exchange a few polite words, and leave, but now it seemed that it wouldn't be so easy.

Half of the court officials had already arrived, and more were still coming. Cheng Youning usually disliked attending the wedding banquets of ministers, because he saw these people every day in the court. These familiar faces reminded him of how they often argued fiercely in court when they disagreed on political views, sometimes even impeaching each other. In Cheng Youning's view, the court was like a battlefield, with endless arguments every day. Now these people were sitting together, chatting and laughing, putting on an act. Cheng Youning realized that he wasn't the only one putting on a show.

Before long, Cheng Feng arrived with Shang Xi.

In front of outsiders, the couple bowed to the Crown Prince, and then Cheng Youning returned the bow.

The young couple's eyes lingered on Cheng Youning, their thoughts in unison! What was Cheng Youning's outfit like? A pearl crown on her head, a pearl belt around her waist, and pearl shoes on her feet—it was pretty, but nobody in the room was dressed like that! The couple sighed inwardly, knowing they couldn't do anything to Cheng Youning.

Cheng Youning was quite confident in his attire, because before he left, the old butler had praised him, saying that his demeanor was no less impressive than that of his great-uncle!

Cheng Feng remained in the main hall, while Shang Xi was invited to the inner room where the female guests were.

As soon as Cheng Feng sat down, everyone's eyes fell on his head. Cheng Feng knew this was going to happen. He should have pretended to be sick and not come. However, his body was bruised and swollen like an ox. Pretending to be sick would only arouse suspicion. So he came out with a bandage around his head.

Song Ruhong's eyes were bright and alert. He was usually in high spirits when he was happy, but when he saw Cheng Feng's forehead, he couldn't help but show concern. "Your Highness, when did you get this injury on your forehead?"

Cheng Feng chuckled and began to lie, "I accidentally bumped into the door frame yesterday!"

Some ministers nodded in belief, while the other half bit their lip to keep from laughing out loud, thinking that the prince was really good at lying.

Cheng Feng was thick-skinned enough to pretend he didn't see it.

Shang Xi was in a worse situation. Song Tingzhi's wife led her to an inner room where most of the people were familiar faces, and some were even her friends. After greeting everyone, they were finally seated.

Sha Guanghan's wife, Zhao Shuyun, had just entered the house with her eldest daughter-in-law, Shi Hongjiao. She sat down with Shang Xi. The Sha family was full of military officers, and the women in the family also practiced martial arts. Therefore, Zhao Shuyun was more straightforward than most people. She asked Shang Xi, "I entered the mansion after you earlier. Why did I see an injury on your prince's forehead?"

The young couple had already planned ahead, so their stories would be completely consistent. Shang Xi chuckled first, then casually said, "Cheng Feng accidentally bumped his head on the door frame yesterday."

At this moment, Yan Qilian's wife chuckled. Zhao Shuyun looked at Madam Yan and said, "Liu, what are you laughing at? You don't know anything, do you?"

Madam Yan gently waved her hand, which was clutching a handkerchief, suppressing a laugh. "I didn't laugh at anything."

Zhao Shuyun immediately sensed that this person was hiding something and said, "Liu, you're not a liar. You blush when you lie, and your face is red right now. It's obvious you're lying. Tell me, what are you laughing at!"

As expected, Madam Liu was not good at lying. After being pressed for a few questions, she confessed, "Yesterday, my husband Yan and several ministers were summoned by the Emperor. At the palace gate, they happened to meet Prince Pang leaving the palace, clutching his head. He seemed to be seriously injured. My husband Yan greeted the ministers and Prince Pang, but Prince Pang did not hear them and was directly helped into the carriage by the servants." As she spoke, Madam Yan covered her face and laughed again.

Zhao Shuyun thought for a moment and said, "Could it be that Prince Pang injured his head in the palace?"

Everyone looked at Shang Xi. Shang Xi could tell from Madam Yan's expression that Cheng Feng had been beaten by the Emperor. The ministers who saw Cheng Feng at the palace gate yesterday must know about it. It seems that she really shouldn't have come today. Being beaten is not a glorious thing. Fortunately, Shang Xi was not thick-skinned. She smiled and changed her words, saying, "Cheng Feng's injury was caused by the Emperor."

Zhao Shuyun asked, "How did the Emperor do this? I haven't heard that the Emperor hit anyone!"

Shang Xi gave an awkward smile and said, avoiding the main point, "The Emperor does not physically hit people, but Cheng Feng is an exception. Cheng Feng's forehead was hit because he angered the Emperor, and the Emperor casually threw a paperweight, which lightly touched it."