When Wei Yu and the Eldest Prince arrived at the entrance of the Hall of ntal Cultivation, they ca to a stop.
Eunuch Li Cheng was waiting outside. The mont he saw the two of them, he bowed at once.
“Your Highnesses have co at an unfortunate ti. His Majesty is currently inside discussing matters with several ministers from the Ministry of Works. If Your Highnesses have urgent business, please wait here for a mont while this servant goes in to report.”
The Eldest Prince nodded. “Thank you for the trouble, Eunuch Li.”
Wei Yu grinned. “Thanks for making the trip, Eunuch Li.”
“This servant wouldn’t dare. It’s only my duty.”
Eunuch Li gave a bow and went inside.
Wei Yu and his eldest brother waited outside. Before long, Eunuch Li returned.
As soon as he ca out, he gave Wei Yu a glance, then turned to the Eldest Prince with an apologetic look. He bowed and said, “Your Highness, His Majesty still has state affairs to discuss with the ministers. His Majesty said you should return for now and co again tomorrow.”
That would’ve been fine—understandable even. The Eldest Prince wasn’t one to overthink things. But unfortunately, after glancing at Wei Yu standing beside him, he suddenly felt inclined to ask:
“Alright, in that case, I’ll head back first. Ninth Brother, why don’t you co with ?”
Ah, this.
Wei Yu, who knew sothing was up the mont he caught Eunuch Li Cheng’s glance, gave a dry chuckle. “No need, Eldest Brother. I’ll just wait here until Father finishes his discussion. You go on ahead—it’s no trouble.”
State affairs weren’t sothing that wrapped up quickly, and waiting outside the Hall of ntal Cultivation like this—what did that even look like?
The Eldest Prince was about to frown when he heard Li Cheng speak again.
“Your Highness, please do return. His Majesty said Ninth Prince is to go in.”
Wei Yu: 0.0
Eldest Prince: …?
The stunned Eldest Prince blinked. He looked at Li Cheng, who was all smiles, then at Wei Yu, who looked all honest and simple. Finally, he slowly nodded.
“Oh… Then, Ninth Brother, go on in.”
Wei Yu smiled. “Alright, Eldest Brother.”
Damn it!
They had both asked to see their father at the sa ti, but he was the one allowed in, and his Eldest Brother wasn’t. Was his Eldest Brother going to jot that down in his little ntal ledger?!
Wei Yu stepped heavily into the Hall of ntal Cultivation.
One step in. Two steps in.
Good.
Reel it in!
Ti to collect your thoughts!
He must absolutely not let his dad overhear the scheming in his heart!
–
Outside the Hall of ntal Cultivation, the Eldest Prince watched Wei Yu’s figure disappear past the entrance. Then he calmly nodded at Li Cheng and turned to leave with an expressionless face.
But the mont he turned around, the Eldest Prince furrowed his brow.
What was going on here?!
Could it really be that because he had been fighting with the Second Prince, their father had grown tired of the older princes and started favoring the younger ones instead?!
Recalling recent events, the Eldest Prince’s mood soured.
It was all that damned lightning’s fault!
If that lightning hadn’t struck his father, making him believe he had a real chance at seizing the throne, he wouldn’t have cast aside his scruples and revealed his hand early, going head-to-head with Wei Chen. And then he wouldn’t have provoked his father’s displeasure!
Thinking about all the forces his father had uprooted over the past two months, the Eldest Prince was filled with indescribable heartache.
That was power he’d spent years painstakingly building—working hard day and night, getting up before dawn, never daring to slack even when the dogs were asleep—just to accumulate those resources!
Then all of a sudden, once exposed, everything had been pulled up at the root by his father!
It hurt.
It hurt so damn much!!
Clutching his chest like he was about to have a heart attack, the Eldest Prince took deep breaths as he walked away, ntally consoling himself.
It’s fine, Wei Xi, it’s just a bit of power. If it’s gone, it’s gone. You can rebuild it later. Besides, Father hasn’t stripped you of your position—there’s still hope. Pull yourself together… Oh right, it’s not like you’re the only one in trouble. Isn’t your dear Second Brother suffering with you?
Brotherly love and all that.
They were all good brothers. If he was in trouble, his good Second Brother wasn’t going to have it easy either.
The mont he thought of how the other guy had also suffered heavy losses, his heartache vanished. In fact, he even felt a bit refreshed.
Yes, his own power had been pruned, but so had the Second Prince’s.
Quite a few mbers of the Pri Minister’s faction had been demoted—so had even lost their titles entirely. Under a ruler who used to favor the Pri Minister so much, such a thing would’ve been unthinkable!
The Emperor, for reasons unknown, suddenly flew into a rage, even disregarding the face of the Pri Minister, whom he had always favored. During this ti, when he was using his thunderous thods to clean up the officials, those who were afraid of being caught up in it dared not intervene on behalf of anyone.
This was because, at that ti, the Gray Guards, who were the Emperor’s henchn, were aggressively gathering evidence of the officials’ cris.
They had special imperial authorization, allowing them to execute first and report later. So, officials with questionable backgrounds were scrambling to clean up their own sses during that period.
If they hadn’t even tidied up their own “tails,” how could they have the energy to manage other people’s business?
The sudden purging by Emperor Wei also caused the entire court to beco extraordinarily well-behaved during this ti.
Especially the factions of the Eldest and Second Princes—those factions didn’t even dare to show their heads.
–
Before entering the Hall of ntal Cultivation, Wei Yu thought that his father was discussing state affairs with the ministers, and it should have nothing to do with him.
However, once inside, Wei Yu realized he had been too naive.
Of course, it had everything to do with him! His father was probably just waiting for him to show up!
“Wei Yu, co here, tell Minister Pei how your colorless glass project is coming along.”
As soon as he entered, without even having a chance to bow, Wei Yu was imdiately put to work by his father.
There were five people standing in the hall, with the Minister of Works, Pei Zhi, at the front. He was a thin, elderly man with sharp eyes.
Pei Zhi bowed to Wei Yu. “Ninth Prince, His Majesty ntioned that Your Highness is skilled in kiln crafting. I’ve heard from the Ministry of Works officials that Your Highness visited the kiln factory today. I won’t inquire further about that matter, but may I ask about the steel project?”
Wei Yu: …
He turned his head and glanced at his father, who was sitting on the throne above them.
Emperor Wei was smiling at him.
“Minister Pei has served as the Minister of Works for fifteen years and has always been concerned with military weaponry. Little Nine, I know you’re very talented, so if there’s sothing I don’t understand, you can explain it to us.”
[Father, you really are my dear father.]
When there’s sothing he wants, it’s “Little Nine,” but when it’s inconvenient, it’s “Wei Yu.”
Tsk.
n.
Not even letting him eat before getting him to work!
Facing his father’s smiling face, Wei Yu took a deep breath, accepting the “talented” remark with thick skin.
Royal certification—it’s sothing he could hang up on a sign.
Yes, he could make a plaque to show his Eighth Brother later.
Wei Yu turned to Minister Pei, smiling humbly and gently.
“Minister Pei, you’re too kind. What would you like to ask? I will speak without reservation.”
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