Prince Xiao Yeyang ultimately failed to persuade the Emperor to revoke the decree, so despite Xiao Yeyang and the Princess Consort's reluctance, that very afternoon, Xiao Yeyang went dejectedly to report to Yuanma Garden in the Beijing Suburbs.
This news quickly spread throughout the noble households in Beijing, and everyone's reaction was surprisingly unanimous—they all believed that the Emperor was extremely displeased with his nephew Xiao Yeyang; otherwise, he would not have assigned him such a vexing task.
The Crown Prince and the second, third, and fifth Princes, who had visited Tangyu Mountain the day before, also agreed that this was Xiao Yeyang's way of taking revenge on Xiao Yeyang.
"Xiao Yeyang's move is truly despicable, sending Xiao Yeyang to look after horses. It's astonishing he could come up with such an idea."
"I heard the smell at Yuanma Garden is absolutely overwhelming. Won't Xiao Yeyang come back reeking of horse?"
