He couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

But thinking that he was already in his thirties, he shouldn’t be so worried about gains and losses, he let it go. He still sent a letter to the palace daily to pay respects, and spent the rest of his time reading and practicing martial arts, living his own life.

Twice during this period, he went to Wanbin Building and met Xie Zhang there both times. This Imperial Censor Xie, for some reason, was friendly and kind whenever he saw him, unlike how distant he had been initially.

Yang Yi, having traveled among the common folks for many years, appeared aloof but had long developed an easygoing personality. After conversing with Xie Zhang, he found this aristocrat to be knowledgeable and honest, which quite aligned with his own tastes.

So he invited Xie Zhang over to his residence as a guest, seizing the opportunity to consult him on poetry and literature.

Coincidentally, after knowing his identity, Xie Zhang was also eager to deepen his understanding of him, and gradually, the two became increasingly close.

On this day, the two agreed to meet at the Yang Family residence for tea and poetry discussion, when suddenly someone from the palace arrived, bringing two sets of clothes for Yang Yi, saying that he was to wear them at the Empress’s forthcoming birthday celebration.

This arrangement exceeded Yang Yi’s plans. He said, "The Empress’s birthday banquet in the palace is an event few in the court qualify to attend. How can I go?"

The Palace Attendant, perhaps warned before coming, didn’t argue but bowed deeply, saying, "I am merely carrying out an order, and I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness."

Yang Yi didn’t want to make things difficult for him, waved his hand, and let him leave.

However, upon seeing the brocade box in front of him, he furrowed his brows.

Xie Zhang said, "An imperial decree cannot be defied, Brother Yang. What harm is there in complying with the holy edict and attending the banquet?"

Yang Yi refused to let anyone call him His Highness, so Xie Zhang addressed him as a brother.

Yang Yi, upon hearing this, looked towards him, "If I go, I’ll be caught in their trap."

Xie Zhang laughed and said, "Otherwise, why do you think His Majesty wants to do this?"

Yang Yi’s face remained indifferent.

Xie Zhang said, "In the future, the position of Crown Prince is bound to be yours, Brother Yang. It can only be you. But without the emperor bringing you out before the world and declaring your identity, no matter how many people believe you’re a prince, it’s useless.

"Only if your biological father, the emperor, and the empress verbally acknowledge you, will you have the legitimate claim to inherit the throne, regardless of any future circumstances."

Yang Yi didn’t speak, but what he said was true, and there was no room for refutation.

He was a prince who had been wandering outside before the founding of the nation, never having appeared in court. If he did not enter the palace and if the emperor did not formally acknowledge his identity as a prince, the future would indeed be troublesome.

That night, after Fu Zhen analyzed those words, he was indeed seriously considering the issue of returning to the palace.

However, the current situation was not urgent enough for him to make a hasty decision, so he chose to first live outside the palace.

Leveraging the Empress’s birthday to reveal his identity was indeed a good opportunity.

But he was always resistant to being led by the nose by the emperor.

"Alright," Xie Zhang stood up, "In any case, it’s the Empress’s birthday. As her child, Brother Yang should show filial piety before her knees.

"The palace sent clothes, and since it’s to celebrate Mother’s birthday, Brother Yang should carefully select a gift or two.

"It’s still early in the day; why don’t I accompany Brother Yang out shopping? You mentioned a few famous calligraphy and paintings earlier. We can drop by the Art and Calligraphy Pavilion to take a look." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Yang Yi seemed to have no reason to disagree.

Since he had already internally accepted the result of being named the Crown Prince, he decided to set aside any grievances with the emperor and focus on celebrating his mother’s birthday first.

The two then rode out into the street.

Xie Zhang, a frequent visitor to the Art and Calligraphy Pavilion, found his way easily, and the shopkeeper came out to greet them.

Yang Yi followed him inside, where many well-dressed distinguished guests were already standing in the main hall, with calligraphy and paintings from various periods hanging on the walls, reflecting the place’s uniqueness.

The shopkeeper led them to a guest seat in the corner and brought out several landscape paintings.

As Yang Yi picked up one of them, he overheard a low voice speaking beside him:

"... They will arrive in the capital tomorrow night, and I heard there has been some success. The person above not only loves osmanthus but also greatly admires the calligraphy and paintings of the former dynasty’s Grand Tutor, Fu Ziyu. If he holds this, he will certainly be able to secure a meeting and pay his respects, no matter what."