Chapter 202: This Is Also a Test

Some people can tell at a glance that this so-called landscape map is clearly a reduced version of the Great Xia territory.

However, no one dares to say it out loud; this is clearly the Emperor testing their loyalty.

Divide the pastries?

This is clearly dividing the realm.

But who would dare to take the Emperor's realm?

Yang Jun then stepped forward and simply said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Everyone was even more shocked; it seemed anyone else could speak up, but you, Yang Jun, absolutely should not.

After all, in Yun Fengyun's actions, there seems to be some targeted meaning, doesn't there?

Yet Yang Jun indeed did exactly that.

First he clasped his hands to thank Yun Fengyun, then he bent down, stood beside Yun Xiyue, and asked a question.

Yun Xiyue smiled and pointed to the large table; Yang Jun walked over, picked up a knife, and gestured at the landscape map.

He glanced back at Yun Xiyue, she nodded, and right after indicating the proper piece, he swiftly cut it.

Yang Jun cut the pastry and then placed a small piece into his mouth.

All of Yang Jun's actions were beyond everyone's expectations.

"Father Emperor, the taste is good, just a bit choking."

Yang Jun savored it carefully, a smile on his face.

【Yun Fengyun this old fox, actually pulling these tricks, using pastries to test loyalty out of the blue—does he have nothing better to do?】

Yang Jun vented his dissatisfaction, picked up the cut pastry, returned to his seat, and handed it to Yun Xiyue.

Yun Xiyue also smiled faintly, tasting the pastry, her eyes curved as she sweetly smiled at Yun Fengyun and softly said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Yun Xiyue's words left Yun Fengyun unsettled for a long while.

In his turmoil, he looked toward Yang Jun and Yun Xiyue.

Yang Jun's actions were completely beyond his expectation.

Moreover, he was the one who first sensed his true intention.

Yun Fengyun's current actions have only one true purpose: to test people's hearts.

He felt his body growing weaker, and once he entered complete decline, he had to test everyone's loyalty.

In his view, anyone who could instantly recognize this as the Great Xia territorial map must have ulterior motives.

Ordinary people wouldn't care about Great Xia's borders; to map its territory is nothing short of rebellion—what else could it be?

However, one could also say Yang Jun didn't realize his own true intention, which is why he could act so candidly.

He was merely tasting the pastry landscape map, not dividing the realm.

Yun Fengyun was greatly shocked, his eyes wide open.

Could it be that all this time, my suspicions of Yang Jun have been completely wrong?

At this moment, Yun Fengyun's mood grew even more complicated.

Especially seeing the intimate manner between Yang Jun and Yun Xiyue made his feelings a tangled mix.

Hadn't he and Yang Ye once been on brotherly terms?

But now, why has everything changed?

At this point, everyone couldn't help but chatter.

Of course, some still noticed the flavor, while others remained completely unaware.

Yang Jun's actions seemed casual, yet each step was just right, perfectly placed.

On the surface, he gave Yun Fengyun face.

While respecting Yun Fengyun, he also treated Yun Xiyue gently.

Furthermore, before dividing the realm he first asked Yun Xiyue; this initial tasting ended up being a trial for her.

After all, Yun Xiyue had just undergone a major upheaval; no one could be sure whether these things were suitable for her.

Every step was open and aboveboard, with no concealment.

Who could find fault with such conduct?

This is what the Emperor told me to eat, so I ate it.

And I gave it to the Princess.

What realm, what landscape map.

None of that matters; I am loyal, faithful to the Emperor, so I feel no psychological pressure.

Yun Fengyue also couldn't help but stare fixedly at Yang Jun before her.

She found that her admiration for Yang Jun seemed to have risen another level.

This kid's conduct is now beyond my ability to gauge.

With Yang Jun setting the example, the following matters went much more smoothly.

Others followed suit, of course tasting the pastries and then thanking Yun Fengyun.

And those who truly understood the situation now dared not show the slightest oddity, all putting on a pretense of candidness as they shared the pastries.

Yun Fengyun, in his high position, took in everyone's expressions.

To him, his own decline was drawing near; this banquet was the perfect chance to test hearts and see who harbored ulterior motives.

As long as he could fully uncover them, he could then guard against them properly.

As everyone's behavior grew more natural, the atmosphere became livelier.

The imperial relatives and officials now began to toast Yun Fengyun, as well as Yang Jun and Yun Xiyue.

To the Emperor it was flattery; to the Princess and Prince Consort it was congratulations.

Of course, gifts still had to be given to Yang Jun and Yun Xiyue.

After a round of toasts, gifts piled up in front of Yang Jun and Yun Xiyue.

Yun Xiyue's imperial older brother, as well as her sisters, also gathered around.

Some came to inquire, while others, speaking from experience, gave her guidance.

Yang Jun was also, of course, being instructed; he could only nod repeatedly to show he had taken it all in.

Watching the lively scene before him, Yun Fengyun felt even more complicated in his heart.

Whether these things are right or wrong.

At that moment, a seven- or eight-year-old child was smearing the pastry he had been given, while the consort lightly rubbed her son's head and spoke softly:

"Yang'er, tell me, is Auntie carrying a younger brother or a younger sister?"

"Auntie doesn't like Yang'er either." Yun Mingyang wore a displeased expression.

"Yang'er, what nonsense are you spouting? How could Auntie not like you?"

Yun Xuanming asked with a smile, though his eyes were somewhat solemn.

"Even Grandfather doesn't like Yang'er, and Auntie doesn't either."

"Besides, once there are other younger brothers and sisters, they'll all dislike Yang'er."

"If Auntie has a child, Grandfather will like Yang'er even less."

Yun Mingyang felt wronged, yet his face was earnest.

"Be good, go congratulate Auntie."

Yun Xuanming gently rubbed his son's head, and as he spoke, his eyes glanced toward Yun Xiyue's side.

"All right."

Yun Mingyang, somewhat reluctant, picked up the gift Yun Xuanming had handed him and ran toward Yun Xiyue.

Yun Xuanming looked at his own son, a faint smile on his face.

"Auntie!"

Yun Mingyang ran over, but so many people crowded around Yun Xiyue and Yang Jun that he could not squeeze in at all.

In the midst of his call, someone's hand shoved him from behind.

Yun Mingyang's body lurched forward as he lunged, his head bumping straight into Yun Xiyue's belly.