"Did you go to the Yu family just now?" Emperor Yong'an asked his son patiently.
His other sons had either died young or were incompetent. The seventh son resembled him the most and was the most intelligent.
However, he was still too young and lacked experience to bear the responsibility of crown prince.
"Yes!"
"Did Duke Dingguo give you a cold shoulder?"
"No!" Xiao Che quickly denied.
Emperor Yong'an snorted, "Look at your capabilities."
"Father, the Luo family was truly out of line this time," Xiao Che did not conceal anything for the Yao family in front of Emperor Yong'an.
Emperor Yong'an was most satisfied with this aspect of Xiao Che. Although he was born to Noble Consort Yao, he was not close to the Yao family. A prince who relied too much on his maternal clan would become a hindrance and was destined for mediocrity.
"Do you know why Father did not severely punish the Luo family?"
"...Is it because of Youzhou, Father?"
Emperor Yong'an nodded, "Exactly!"
"Does Father suspect the Luo family harbors disloyal intentions?"
"Che'er, if Father were to order you to reclaim the military power in Youzhou one day, what would you do?" Emperor Yong'an narrowed his eyes, looking at his son sternly.
Xiao Che frowned, his expression grave, "The Luo family has been arrogant and self-important for years, acting like emperors in Youzhou. They would naturally not relinquish their military power and withdraw from Youzhou. If the court wishes to reclaim it, there can only be a battle."
"Indeed, the court and Youzhou will eventually clash, but now is not the time!" Emperor Yong'an sighed.
The constant enemy harassment outside Yumenguan, and if Youzhou were to fall into chaos, Great Wei would be in turmoil.
"Your son is willing to share your worries, Father."
"You are still too young and need experience. A few days ago, Duke Dingguo requested an imperial decree for his heir to train in the Northern Barracks." The Emperor changed the subject.
"He isn't participating in this year's Spring Imperial Examination?" Xiao Che was very surprised, clearly having not heard of this.
Emperor Yong'an nodded, "What do you think?"
The old Duke Dingguo was a sensible man. He had handed over his military power early, becoming a wealthy idler with no real power, and had his descendants abandon military pursuits for civil ones.
Yu Zeyan had been unremarkable in the Ministry of Justice over the years, and his grandson had joined the army again.
"Actually, I think Mingjing is more suited for the military. His martial arts are superb, and he is both intelligent and brave. He may not be inferior to his ancestors. It would be a waste for him to only be a minor official in the Six Ministries, receiving a salary." Among the young nobles in the capital, few caught his eye, and Yu Mingjing was one of them.
"You know him quite well?"
"Father knows that Tingyun has always been unruly. Besides his father's beatings, he listens most to Yu Mingjing's advice. Among that group of people, whoever encounters difficulties, as long as they find Mingjing, there's nothing he can't resolve."
The sons of officials in the capital, who were not doted on and pampered by their families? They respected him because he was a prince, but their trust in Yu Mingjing was because he was Yu Mingjing.
"He does possess some of his grandfather's demeanor. Since you think so highly of him, then let him train in the Northern Barracks and keep him by your side for future deployment."
Noble Consort Yao was in a much better mood upon hearing that her son would dine in the Taiji Hall. Although her son was naturally reserved and not very close to her as his mother, he was still her son.
Even if she could not become Empress, she could still become Empress Dowager and make up for her regrets.
Noble Consort Yao sent people to the Yu family with gifts, one for Yu Mingyue and another for Cui Shi.
Compared to the Emperor's decree, the gifts from the Noble Consort were truly insignificant.
Yu Zeyan knew that it was not difficult for his son to join the Northern Barracks. Many noble youths joined to gain experience and advance their careers.
However, entering the Northern Barracks as a Lieutenant of the sixth rank was truly generous of the Emperor.
Yet, Yu Zeyan could not be happy. He felt that his son's official position was obtained at the cost of his daughter's suffering. Selling his daughter for glory, Yu Zeyan severely despised himself.
Even his son, whom he usually valued, seemed less appealing. Yu Mingjing was somewhat taken aback by his father's fierce gaze.