It has been a long time since I last saw my elder brother, and he looks better now.

He can be described as triumphant.

But when he saw me, it seemed that he also remembered the incident when he punished me a few days ago.

On that day, after my elder brother ascended the throne, he granted favors in the palace.

Second Princess deliberately had a conflict with someone on my side.

I just argued with her for a few words and my elder brother arrived.

By his side was Xu Xiang, accompanying him.

Xu Xiang, because of his late daughter, dotes on my granddaughter, Xiao Jingqing.

So even in front of the new emperor, he didn't hide his concern.

It was only Xu Xiang's lack of concern that led to him scolding me.

He said I was arrogant and disrespectful to the Second Princess.

Finally, he revoked my rewards.

He gave more rewards to the Second Princess.

That day, everyone in the court knew.

The Third Princess, who protected her younger brother's ascension to the throne, was slapped in the face by the Second Princess at the granting ceremony.

And at this moment, my elder brother had someone hold a box of mooncakes.

"Jingzhao, you have to believe me. Things will be different for you. The situation forces me to do this now."

He personally opened the mooncake box.

"Try it. These mooncakes of the Golden Autumn are specially made by the top chefs in the world, sought after by the imperial kitchen."

I smelled a strong and fragrant aroma mixed with the scent of chrysanthemum tea.

I looked at the delicate carvings and golden edges on the wooden box, as well as the exquisitely made mooncakes.

My elder brother has changed.

Or perhaps, he has become lazy to conceal it.

This reunion feast didn't taste right.

My elder brother's words of "being forced by the situation" ultimately undermined his dignity as the emperor.

Seeing that I didn't respond, he stopped talking.

After three rounds of wine, the empress pulled me aside to complain.

She said that my elder brother fought his way out of the struggle among the five princes and now it's difficult for him to establish a stable position in the court.

"Zhongyang, I know on that day, you were truly wronged."

"But your elder brother is truly in a difficult position."

"Leaving aside the civil officials in the court, Xu Xiang is the most influential figure."

"And the military officials outside are also divided and hard to unite."

"If the courtiers were sincerely supportive of our emperor, we wouldn't be facing such difficulties."

Upon hearing this, I understood.

Today's gathering turned out to be a trap.

The forces in the court—

Xu Xiang represents the civil officials;

Zhao Ke, Yan Jin, and Lin Xiuzhou represent the military officials.

Zhao Ke, who holds great power in the north, was once the strongest competitor for the throne against the Third Prince.

Now that the Third Prince is dead, Zhao Ke sees the current situation in the court as chaotic, and the emperor's position lacks real power.

So he hesitates to make a move.

Considering his strong position in the north, it's not impossible for him to establish his own kingdom.

Lin Xiuzhou is a renowned general from the southern border.

He used to be a personal guard in the palace when the empress dowager was young.

During the empress dowager's reign, he only took orders from her.

After the empress dowager passed away, he settled in the southwest corner and lived a life of luxury.

He still fulfilled his duties as the Southern General.

But when my father was alive, he only followed the imperial decree when he felt like it.

Moreover, none of my father's sons could even hold a conversation with him.

The chances of my elder brother making General Lin obey his every command are slim.

Yan Jin is the commander of the Xuanwu Army.

He was the reinforcement I brought from the capitalto support my elder brother.

But he has always been an ambitious person.

If he really wants to make a move, the Xuanwu Army will be a powerful force.

However, Yan Jin is a cautious person.

He won't easily make a move unless he sees a clear advantage.

As I pondered over the situation, I realized that my elder brother had invited me here today to gauge my loyalty.

He wanted to see if I would join forces with one of the factions in the court.

He wanted to test if I would betray him.

But I won't.

After all, we are brothers.

Although I have been living in seclusion for many years, I still care about my family and the stability of the empire.

I will support my elder brother and help him overcome the challenges he faces.

As we finished the feast, my elder brother approached me once again.

"Jingzhao, I hope you understand the situation I am in."

"I need your support now more than ever."

"I promise you, once I stabilize my position, I will make things right for you."

"Thank you, brother," I replied.

"I will always be by your side."

Deep down, I knew that the road ahead would be treacherous.

But as long as we stand united as a family, we can overcome any obstacle.