Emperor Wei, who had complicated feelings, quickly composed himself.
Knowing that saying too much would be pointless and that it was better to offer sothing tangible, he didn’t overthink things.
“The matter of establishing your own residence—I’ll discuss it with the Empress. When the ti cos, I’ll have the eunuchs of the Directorate of Palace Affairs handle it. If you and Ninth want anything in particular, feel free to let the chief eunuch of the Directorate know.”
These words were spoken generously, and the Eighth Prince was quite surprised after hearing them.
Because as far as he knew, even when Eldest Brother and Second Brother established their own residences, Royal Father hadn’t said anything like “just say what you want.”
And just like that, the matter of establishing the residence passed.
Emperor Wei then asked a few questions about the Eighth Prince’s studies.
The Eighth Prince wasn’t foolish—in fact, his mory was excellent. The only reason he didn’t stand out usually was because he deliberately held back in front of the Eldest Prince and the others.
Now, facing the Emperor’s questions, he didn’t try to show off, answering in a standard and proper manner, even stamring slightly from ti to ti.
[Ninth Younger Brother said that a prince without any background or power is as pitiful as a cabbage in the field. Eldest Brother and Second Brother are both so aggressive about the throne. If I attract attention, things will only get harder for … better not put Ninth in a difficult spot.]
Emperor Wei: …
He was truly curious now.
That the Eighth and Ninth Princes had a good relationship wasn’t surprising in itself.
But a relationship so good that, as the elder brother, he listened to his younger brother in everything and couldn’t go three sentences without ntioning him?
That was truly unexpected.
“…To show benevolence is for the people; to resist enemies is to protect the people. If one is united with the people in heart and strength, none can resist them…”
The Eighth Prince was answering the Emperor’s question, quoting from ncius: “Protect the people and beco king, none can oppose you.”
To show benevolence and implent governance is for the sake of the people. Guarding the border and resisting invaders is also for protecting the people. These two are not in conflict. As long as one stands united with the people, who could stand against such a force?
He usually studied in the Imperial Study under the Grand Tutor. Though he often pretended not to take it seriously for the sake of self-preservation, he actually understood what needed to be understood.
Especially since he spent so much ti with Ninth Younger Brother, who would occasionally say things that were thought-provoking, always with the people in mind—words that made one reflect and feel ashad.
You could say it rubbed off on him. Sotis, when the Eighth Prince looked at his haughty, extravagant older brothers, he felt they all seed to lack a heart that truly cared for the people…
After answering, the Eighth Prince stood quietly below, deep in thought, not noticing Emperor Wei gazing at him with a aningful look.
Even the Eighth Prince’s answers… were all connected to the Ninth?
Emperor Wei lowered his eyes, concealing the contemplation in them.
This Ninth… he was definitely a big problem.
—
Unaware that he was about to be added to the “Emperor’s Disappointnt List,” Wei Yu was currently dozing off with his head on his desk.
He was a textbook example of a prince with no decorum.
Staring at a character on the page, Wei Yu’s eyelids kept drooping. Just as they were about to fully close, he suddenly let out a big yawn.
“Ah—”
So sleepy.
Unable to bear it, Wei Yu sat upright and shouted toward the young eunuch at the door, “What ti is it?”
“Your Highness, it’s just past the fifth quarter of the hour of the Dragon.”
Wei Yu did a rough calculation in his head.
Oh, around 8:40.
It was usually the ti he studied rites and culture.
Wei Yu yawned again and slumped back onto the desk.
He had thought that, after the whole incident with his dad being “struck by lightning,” he might get a few days of good rest. What a fantasy that was…
That yawn even brought tears to the corners of his eyes.
Wei Yu figured that Eighth Brother had been gone for about an hour and would probably be back soon. He wondered what he had been doing all this ti—whether he got scolded, and whether the fallout would reach him, the innocent bystander…
—
The Emperor’s sleeping quarters.
Wei Yu stood inside the hall, head lowered, looking at his toes with a face full of innocent obedience.
[Damn it, my crow’s mouth really is sothing. Bad predictions always co true.]
He had just been thinking about avoiding the fallout, and now, here he was, summoned by the old man. Wei Yu didn’t even know what to say.
Just as he was standing there all well-behaved, he heard his old man ask:
“I heard from Eighth that last year on my birthday, you specifically made a bowl of noodles for ? Why didn’t you have soone deliver it?”
Hearing this, Wei Yu froze instantly.
He blinked twice quickly, face showing a bashful expression, and said hesitantly, “Replying to Royal Father, yes, your son did cook a bowl of noodles…”
[Ah crap, what exactly did Eighth Brother say? He even brought up that bowl of noodles? What am I supposed to say—that I was just hungry one night, got up to cook for myself, and it just so happened that Xiao Anzi saw and misunderstood? That brutal truth?!]
Emperor Wei: …
Yep, just as he thought.
When dealing with these two kids, any sentintality had to be put on hold first.
Wei Yu paused in his explanation.
[Should I tell the truth… or make sothing up?]
A little conflicted, honestly.
Hearing this, Emperor Wei’s eyes revealed a look of surprise.
He hadn’t expected this rascal to actually have the intention to tell the truth!
Before Emperor Wei could speculate further, Wei Yu had already made up his mind.
He looked up, glanced at Emperor Wei seated above, his gaze full of affection and a touch of flattery, and said cautiously, “Hehe, Royal Father, actually, that incident last year was an accident. I was just hungry at the ti, so… that bowl of noodles was sothing I made for myself.”
In the end, he chose to tell the truth.
Watching his father’s expression, Wei Yu felt uneasy, unsure if telling the truth would earn him a beating.
After all, saying it like this… kind of sounded unfilial?
It wasn’t that Wei Yu didn’t know how to lie or wasn’t capable of being smooth—he just couldn’t be bothered to lie, nor did he want to cover one up.
A true salted fish.
He honestly didn’t have the energy to deal with all that.
Besides, lying in front of an emperor—can you really be sure your little sches won’t be seen through?
Might as well just speak the truth.
The Eighth Prince admired Wei Yu’s boldness so much he was practically in awe.
He stared at Wei Yu and, from an angle where Emperor Wei couldn’t see, gave him a big thumbs-up.
Wei Yu got the ssage.
Stay low-key, stay low-key. Now’s not the ti to relax. Wait until the old man gives his verdict, then we’ll talk.
“Old Man” Emperor Dad Wei stayed silent for a long mont.
Just when Wei Yu was about to cave from the awkward silence and reach for his tablet to sneak a peek at a “Dragon-AoTian” novel, the old man finally spoke.
“I rember now.”
Emperor Wei said slowly, “I recall that last year, you didn’t attend the banquet. The Fourth Prince said you were unwell and even sent an Imperial Physician to check on you.”
Bringing this up now, Emperor Wei—who hadn’t thought much of it back then—also sensed sothing wasn’t right.
The relationship between the Ninth and Fourth Princes wasn’t nearly as good as the one between the Ninth and Eighth. So if the Ninth was unwell, it should’ve been the Eighth Prince reporting it, right?
Why was it the Fourth Prince who said sothing?
At this mont, Wei Yu was speaking in his head.
[Pah! “Unwell” my ass. He caught
watching him flirt with a young palace maid and got scared I’d rat him out at the banquet, so he locked
up and wouldn’t let
go!]
Emperor Wei: …?!
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