Chapter 1002: Chapter 1002: Capital City Situation_1 Chapter 1002: Chapter 1002: Capital City Situation_1 Emperor Yongan’s words brought Yang Wenxiao back to that day more than fifty years ago, his expression becoming somewhat absentminded, “Indeed, it wasn’t just the copper coins that rusted, even the silver had tarnished.”

His Yang Family owned vast lands, and before they took up arms, he had thought his family quite wealthy.

But after breaking into the Ruan Family’s property, he saw the inheritance of an aristocratic family that had lasted a century – and then he understood how laughable his previous thoughts had been.

Those from the aristocratic families looked down upon the Yang Family, seeing them as country bumpkins, and they had their reasons for this contempt.

They had the heritage to flaunt and the capital to disdain others.

“Ha,” recalling those with their chins held so high, the absentminded look vanished from Yang Wenxiao’s face, replaced with a mocking sneer, “What about the Shen Family?”

“Zuixian Building has already been overshadowed by Ji Wei Ju, struggling to hold its head up high. Shen Chenghao has picked quarrels with Yu Ang in the Imperial Court, putting on the airs of discord, but according to what Yu Ang confided in private, Shen Chenghao plans to accelerate his actions,” Emperor Yongan said.

Shen Chenghao was the current Prime Minister, the owner of Zuixian Building, Shen Bai’s father.

“Hmm? Accelerate what actions?” Yang Wenxiao asked.

“A palace coup. Right now, Yu Ang, taking advantage of several new novelties, has made quite a bit of silver, and Shen Chenghao suggests he use that money to purchase more arms, to hire or train more experts, aiming to take action next year.”

“But Yu Ang didn’t agree and made excuses to brush it off.”

“Ha,” a cold sneer appeared on Yang Wenxiao’s lips, “It seems the matter with the Liu Family has rattled the Shen Family’s nerves.”

“Exactly, the Shen Family is Daqi’s premier aristocratic family, and all others take their cues from them. Now that we’ve quietly brought down the Liu Family, they feel panicked. Frightened and backed into a corner, it’s only natural for them to lash out,” Emperor Yongan said with a cold sneer on his face.

“Keep a close watch,” Yang Wenxiao ordered.

“Of course,” Emperor Yongan replied.

“What about Wang’er? How is he?” Yang Wenxiao asked again.

“He’s now become a commoner, locked up in the Duke’s residence, drowning his sorrows in drink every day, becoming increasingly violent and irritable; he has completely ruined himself.” Emperor Yongan couldn’t help but sigh as he said this.

He had few sons and had invested a lot of effort in raising Yang Wang, and now to see Yang Wang turn out this way was heartbreaking.

His own emotional turmoil was no less than Yang Wang’s.

Yang Wenxiao understood his feelings and sighed softly, “Forget about it, have someone keep an eye on him. Our family isn’t lacking his meager share of food; we’ll continue to support him.”

Emperor Yongan let out a long sigh of relief, “Yes.”

“All right, let’s not discuss these disheartening matters anymore. Have you tried out sledding in the snow yet?” Yang Wenxiao changed the subject.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongan smiled, “Yes, I did. We played in the Palace. The sled that Yu Ang sent to the Palace was shaped like a dragon and a phoenix. On the day it snowed, I had specifically ordered the snow to be left uncleared. It was quite nice.”

“Dragon and Phoenix? He sure knows how to curry favor,” Yang Wenxiao imagined the appearance of the sled and couldn’t help but smile as well.

“In his bid to earn money, he has indeed come up with all sorts of schemes,” Yang Hao said with a smile on his face as well.

“I must have a look when I return to the Palace,” Yang Wenxiao said, curiosity piqued.

The Dragon and Phoenix sled produced by Yu Ang did not disappoint his curiosity. The entire sled was made from high-quality Phoebe zhennan wood, and the patterns carved on it were meticulously detailed, lifelike, and clearly painstakingly crafted.

Yao Xian was also very pleased with this Phoenix sled. Women, even one as exalted as the empress, have their vanities, and she had already agreed with Emperor Yongan that during the New Year, she would like to tour the Capital City on the Dragon and Phoenix sled together with Emperor Yongan.