Cui Residence.

"By the mandate of the heavens, the Emperor decrees: The world is in great calamity, and the disaster in Clearwater City is like a raging fire. Cui Xinghe of the Cui family possesses the talent for governance. I hereby appoint Cui Xinghe as Acting Imperial Censor, to oversee all matters in Clearwater City, stabilize grain prices as quickly as possible, and restore peace to the people. Depart immediately without delay. This is an Imperial Edict!"

Cui Xinghe, dressed in his official robe, had a face full of excitement.

"I, Cui Xinghe, accept the edict and will do my utmost!"

He took the Imperial Edict, his heart filled with excitement.

"Her Majesty has given orders. Lord Cui, please make your preparations and depart immediately. Wan'er has other duties to attend to, so I must take my leave."

Shangguan Wan'er spoke, then left with another Imperial Edict in a different direction.

Cui Xinghe noticed the other edict, his pupils contracting.

He watched Shangguan Wan'er leave in the direction of... Duke Dingguo Manor!

His face suddenly darkened.

Beside him, a middle-aged man with an imposing presence approached Cui Xinghe.

He was none other than Cui Jian, the patriarch of the Cui family, one of the Seven Surnames and Five Clans.

"If I am not mistaken, this is the Empress's test for you and that Gao Yang."

"Whether our Cui family can gain the Empress's trust and rise higher in Great Qian depends entirely on you."

Cui Xinghe nodded heavily, "In terms of schemes, I may not match Gao Yang, but when it comes to governance, he is no match for me. The grain prices in Clearwater City will drop within fifteen days!"

"Father, wait for my good news."

Cui Jian nodded in satisfaction, "My son Xinghe has the bearing of a Chancellor!"

Duke Dingguo Manor.

Gao Yang twitched his mouth, momentarily unsure if the little girl was concerned for him or cursing him.

The little girl named Gao Ling was the daughter of his second uncle, Gao Linyuan, and had been close to him since childhood.

So Gao Yang still believed that children speak without malice.

He pulled Gao Ling over and pinched her chubby little cheeks.

"Ling'er, you're going to be the death of me."

Gao Ling blinked, not understanding the irony in his words.

With tears in her eyes, she said, "Brother, I heard from the servants that you tore up the Imperial Edict and are to be executed. Is that true?"

Gao Yang realized it. He knew it.

What bad intentions could a child have?

Before Gao Yang could speak, Gao Ling pitifully added, "Brother, you promised to buy me Peach Blossom Pastry from the east end of the city. You should buy it for me first, or if you're executed, who will I ask to buy it?"

Gao Yang's mouth twitched, his eyes scanning around.

Gao Ling cautiously asked, "Brother, what are you looking for?"

"Brother thinks it's necessary to make your childhood more memorable."

"Where's my rattan stick?"

The next second, Gao Ling ran like a slippery eel.

"Brother, I was wrong!"

"Don't run! If I don't give you a beating today, I'll change my name to Gao Wan!"

Gao Yang immediately gave chase.

Perhaps it was because he had crossed over, or perhaps because he had never experienced family warmth in his previous lonely life.

After crossing over, he felt no discomfort; on the contrary, he was very familiar and close to everything in the Gao Residence.

"Imperial Edict has arrived!"

Just as Gao Yang caught Gao Ling, he heard the proclamation that echoed throughout Duke Dingguo Manor.

Gao Yang's face lit up with joy, releasing Gao Ling like a chick, "I'll let you go for now. Let's see what the Empress has bestowed!"

Duke Dingguo Manor, outer courtyard.

Shangguan Wan'er held the golden silk Imperial Edict, followed by a dozen Imperial Guards, her exquisite face expressionless.

As the edict arrived, everyone in Duke Dingguo Manor, young and old, knelt to receive it.

Except for one exception, standing at the forefront in a coarse long robe, exuding an aura of authority without anger, was Duke Dingguo, Gao Tianlong.

He only slightly bent his waist, but no one found it inappropriate, for this was a privilege earned through fifty years of service for Great Qian.

Gao Yang naturally had no such privilege. Although he disliked the ancient custom of kneeling to receive edicts, he had no choice but to bow his head in ancient times.

This was also his first time seeing his grandfather, the most renowned general of Great Qian, since crossing over.

Though his hair was white and he remained silent, an overwhelming aura of authority surrounded him, making it hard to look directly at him.

Thus, Gao Yang observed Gao Tianlong with a sidelong glance.

"You... you unfilial son, you must lower your head respectfully when receiving an edict, lest you be accused of disrespecting Her Majesty, which is a grave crime!"

Gao Feng whispered, having held back for a long time, finally unable to contain himself. This unfilial son was looking around like a curious child.

The old man wasn't some peerless beauty to be scrutinized like this, was he?

Besides, this Imperial Edict might not be a good thing, and his sense of smell was completely different from his usual demeanor in Jinluan Hall.

Gao Yang had no choice but to lower his head and obediently receive the edict.

Shangguan Wan'er unfurled the edict and read aloud, "By the mandate of the heavens, the Emperor decrees: The world is in great calamity, and the disaster in Linjiang City is like a raging fire. Gao Yang, grandson of Duke Dingguo, possesses the talent for governance. I hereby appoint Gao Yang as Acting Imperial Censor, to oversee all matters in Linjiang City, stabilize grain prices as quickly as possible, and restore peace to the people. Depart immediately without delay. This is an Imperial Edict!"

"Gao Yang, accept the edict and express your gratitude."

As the edict was announced, Gao Feng's pupils contracted.

Even Gao Tianlong's eyes suddenly sharpened.

Gao Yang was initially stunned, then respectfully said, "Gao Yang thanks Her Majesty for her grace."

He accepted the edict, a wry smile on his face. He had thought this was an appointment edict from the Empress.

But now it seemed, the Empress's favor was not so easily obtained.

This was clearly a shift from theory to practical governance. If he couldn't lower the grain prices quickly, he would be erased from the Empress's mind.

Yet he was also somewhat impressed by Wu Zhao's audacity, using the lives of a city's people as an opportunity for him to practice.

Wasn't she afraid he'd mess it up?

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Gao Feng looked at Shangguan Wan'er, shocked, "With the unfilial son's abilities, how can he be fit for the role of Investigating Censor? The lives of a city's people cannot be trifled with."

Shangguan Wan'er's face was cold. The thought of accompanying Gao Yang on this predetermined outcome of a test left her quite dissatisfied.

She didn't mean to look down on Gao Yang; it was just that, in her mind, compared to Cui Xinghe, Gao Yang couldn't possibly win. It was a fact.

"Vice Minister Gao, this is all Her Majesty's decree. You know Her Majesty's temperament; no one can change it."

Then, Shangguan Wan'er looked at Gao Yang and said, "The disaster is urgent. I will wait outside. Please, Censor Gao, make your preparations and depart quickly."

With that, Shangguan Wan'er turned and left.

Gao Tianlong looked back at Gao Yang, his stern face expressionless, "The disaster is like a fire. Quickly pack your things and set off. This is Her Majesty's test for you. If you succeed, you will soar to great heights. But remember, it's better not to do it than to make a mistake. Even if you don't succeed, I can still save your life."

"Whether it's a blessing or a curse depends on you."

After speaking, Gao Tianlong turned and walked towards the inner residence.

Though his tone was cold, Gao Yang still felt a sense of concern.

He turned to pack his belongings, though there wasn't much to pack.

It was like a business trip, with meals and accommodations provided, so he only needed to pack a few sets of dry clothes.

So, after having the maid pack a few clothes, Gao Yang pushed the door open and stepped out.

But as soon as he opened the door, he saw Gao Feng with a tense face and his mother, Madam Li, with an air of nobility.

Madam Li looked at Gao Yang, full of heartache, "Linjiang City is over two hundred miles from Chang'an. You'll suffer on the journey!"

"Lüluo, go with Yang'er and take care of his needs."

A delicate girl in green quickly responded, "Yes!"

Her face was fair, and she looked fragile, making Gao Yang's eyes light up.

His mother was so thoughtful.

Lüluo blinked timidly at Gao Yang, feeling as if his eyes were as fierce as a tiger or a wolf.

Beside them, Gao Ling bounced forward, handing over a small package.

Her innocent face was full of reluctance: "Brother, these are Peach Blossom Pastries. Take them to eat on the road."

Gao Ling's face was filled with heartache, but she unhesitatingly placed the package in Gao Yang's hand.

Next to them, a younger man with a slightly roguish look on his face spoke up, "Brother, you'll be gone for at least half a month, maybe a month!"

"Don't worry, the young lady at the Rouge Pavilion in the capital whom you often visit, I'll take care of her for you. You don't need to worry."

The speaker was his younger brother, Gao Feng's second son, Gao Changwen!

Hearing this, Gao Yang's mouth twitched.

Before he could speak, Gao Feng was already furious, "You unfilial child, get out of here in three breaths!"

Gao Changwen, seeing his father angry, was immediately frightened and ran out of the residence.

As he ran, he shouted, "Brother, don't worry. Your woman, I'll take good care of her!"

Gao Feng closed his eyes in pain.

He shouldn't have succumbed to that moment of temptation back then; otherwise, he wouldn't have daily spikes in blood pressure.

"Father, there's no need to be angry. As they say, the elder brother is like a father. When I return, I will discipline Changwen and make him mend his ways."

Gao Yang said with a smile.

Gao Feng suppressed the blood rising in his chest and, after a long pause, said, "This is both an opportunity and a crisis. Now, with the undercurrents in Chang'an, if you're not confident, follow your grandfather's advice. The Gao family can still protect you."

"Remember, never act recklessly and let things spiral out of control."

Gao Yang felt as if something had touched him deeply.

A mother worried about her child traveling far, sending a personal maid; a sister giving her most cherished Peach Blossom Pastries.

Gao Changwen doesn't count.

Father Gao Feng, though calling him an unfilial son, always protected him, whether in Jinluan Hall or now. Grandfather Gao Tianlong, though not talkative, was equally protective.

In his previous life, what he lacked was unexpectedly made up for after crossing over.

Gao Yang smiled and said, "A fledgling must spread its wings. How can one soar high and overlook the world while sheltered by the family?"

"In today's world, with Her Majesty newly ascended, it's a time when talent is needed. If I can gain the Empress's favor, I will continue the Duke Dingguo Manor's century-long glory."

This light statement left Gao Feng stunned, a look of relief in his eyes.

"The grain prices in Linjiang City are trivial. They will drop within ten days. Father, wait for my good news in Chang'an. It's time for someone else to bear the weight of this great Gao family."

"I'm off."

Gao Yang said freely, bowing respectfully to Gao Feng and Madam Li before turning to leave.

Lüluo picked up the package and followed closely behind Gao Yang.

With the new emperor's ascension and political turmoil, the Gao family, though having served as generals for three generations and being one of the six great Dukes, was still under the watchful eyes of many with ulterior motives.

There were many in Chang'an who wanted to see the Gao family fall.

To live a peaceful life and maintain this hard-won tranquility, he must hold onto the Empress's favor!

On this journey, if he didn't deal with the grain merchants in Linjiang City who were profiting from the national disaster, he might as well find a piece of tofu and bash his head against it.

Behind him, Gao Feng watched Gao Yang's departing figure and smiled in relief.

"Heaven has ultimately blessed my Gao family."

But he quickly shouted angrily, "Pass my order, confine that unfilial child. Until Yang'er returns, he is not to leave Duke Dingguo Manor."

"Otherwise, I'll break his three legs!"