The hall doors swung open to reveal Eunuch Feng on the other side, who had been about to open them himself. Little Tuanzi looked up, and the moment he saw his Imperial Grandfather, the smile on his small face could not be suppressed.

“Ruirui.” The Grand Emperor chuckled warmly and gathered Little Tuanzi into his arms, his voice exceptionally gentle. “Imperial Grandfather’s little treasure.”

“Imperial Grandfather~” Little Tuanzi’s little voice rang out with pure delight.

The Grand Emperor pressed his cheek briefly to the boy’s forehead, then carried him into the Imperial Study.

“Imperial Grandfather.” Xuan Yuncheng yielded his seat and settled himself to one side.

“Xiaoxiao, have you finished for today? Once you’re done, rest a while — don’t tire yourself out.” The Grand Emperor sat with Xuan Yuncheng in his arms and leafed through the memorials with a glance.

“I’ve finished. I’m planning to use the remaining time to supervise Ruirui’s coursework.” Xuan Yuncheng glanced at Little Tuanzi, who was hiding in the Grand Emperor’s arms playing innocent, and his lips curved. “Ruirui, have you told Ye’an yet?”

Little Tuanzi tugged lightly at the Grand Emperor’s sleeve.

The Grand Emperor, understanding immediately, cleared his throat. “Xiaoxiao, ah…”

“Imperial Grandfather, please don’t interfere.”

The Grand Emperor pursed his lips, and whatever he’d been about to say was swallowed back down.

“Imperial Grandfather?” Little Tuanzi looked up at him.

Was Imperial Grandfather really going to let Brother have the final say like that?

Imperial Grandfather was the Grand Emperor, wasn’t he?

Imperial Grandfather was the most powerful person in Xuanzhao, wasn’t he?!

The Grand Emperor bent his head and consulted Little Tuanzi in a low voice. “Ruirui, ah, there’s nothing Imperial Grandfather can do. Why not just listen to your brother — how does that sound?”

Little Tuanzi hopped down to the floor and walked out without a backward glance, mumbling to himself, “Can’t count on anyone.”

“That insolent little brat.” The Grand Emperor gave the imperial desk a pat.

Xuan Yuncheng covered his mouth to muffle his laughter.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Little Tuanzi came trudging back with a sulky little face, stepped over the threshold, went straight to the sandalwood chair, and sat himself down properly. Ye’an bowed, set the scrolls down, and retreated to Xuan Yuncheng’s side.

Xuan Yuncheng paid him no mind and carried on chatting with the Grand Emperor about the various trifles of court business these recent days.

“Xiaoxiao, have you been showing the memorials you’ve finished reviewing to your Imperial Father lately?” The Grand Emperor picked up a memorial at random and read it carefully.

“Imperial Grandfather, rest easy. Imperial Father has read every single one — there are no errors.”

“Good.” The Grand Emperor smiled with heartfelt satisfaction.

“Imperial Grandfather.” Xuan Yuncheng crowded in close to the Grand Emperor’s side, peering curiously at the contents of the memorial. “Why does Imperial Father need to look it over again after Crown Prince Brother has already read it?”

The Grand Emperor flicked his forehead. “Go do your coursework.”

Little Tuanzi pouted. “Fine — if you won’t tell me, you won’t tell me.”

The Grand Emperor gave his small ear an exasperated little pinch. “Didn’t your brother say it himself — there are no errors. But letting your Imperial Father look it over is precisely to make sure no errors have slipped through.”

Little Tuanzi’s mouth fell open in a blank stare. “How could Crown Prince Brother ever make an error?”

“Anyone can make an error.” Xuan Yuncheng rose, walked to Xuan Yuncheng’s side, and patted his head. “Go do your coursework.”

“Okay.” Little Tuanzi dragged himself back to the sandalwood chair with great reluctance, picked up his vermilion brush, stared at the dense columns of text, and sighed.

“Wherever you don’t understand, ask your brother.” The Grand Emperor took the teacup Eunuch Feng offered him and took a quiet sip.

“No need, Imperial Grandfather. Your Imperial Grandson understands all of it.” Little Tuanzi dropped his gaze to the scroll, blinking slowly.

He was just too lazy to write.

“Worthy of being this Emperor’s Imperial Grandson.” The Grand Emperor looked at Xuan Yuncheng and Xuan Yuncheng with evident satisfaction.

“Imperial Grandfather, Ruirui is so sleepy — can this son rest for a little while before writing?” Little Tuanzi let out a yawn, his dewy eyes fixed hopefully on the Grand Emperor.

“All right…”

“Imperial Grandfather — don’t. He’s pretending.” Xuan Yuncheng cut in just in time to stop the Grand Emperor’s words.

The Grand Emperor looked away, refusing to meet Little Tuanzi’s eyes. He was afraid that if he did, his resolve would soften again.

“Is Xuan Yuncheng in the Imperial Study?” Xuan Yanyu’s voice came from outside the hall doors, visibly strained with anger.

“He is… he is, Your Majesty. The Second Highness is in the Imperial Study.” A guard’s voice followed immediately after, taut with apprehension.

Little Tuanzi perked up his ears and ran through everything in his mind. He couldn’t think of anything he had done wrong lately — he felt he had been quite well-behaved recently.

A great bang rang out as the hall doors were kicked open. Little Tuanzi was so startled he scrambled behind the Grand Emperor.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.” The Grand Emperor soothed Little Tuanzi, then turned a cold face toward Xuan Yanyu. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Imperial Father.” Xuan Yuncheng pressed his lips together, something unsaid lingering on them.

“Mm.” Xuan Yanyu ruffled his eldest son’s hair, then fixed his gaze on Xuan Yuncheng, who was peeking out from behind the Grand Emperor with only a small head visible.

“Im… Imperial Father…” Little Tuanzi called out weakly.

“Tell me — what did you get up to in the schoolroom today?” Xuan Yanyu’s eyes went sharp and cold.

“Nothing — this son was very well-behaved today.” Little Tuanzi puffed out his small chest.

“Not just today — this son has always been well-behaved.” Sensing a gap in his previous statement, Little Tuanzi quickly added another line.

“Is that so?” Xuan Yanyu gave a cold scoff.

“Yes, this son is very well-behaved.” Little Tuanzi gave an emphatic nod.

“And who was it who spent today’s entire class chatting with his classmates and disrupting the Imperial Tutor’s lesson?” Xuan Yanyu walked over to Little Tuanzi’s scroll, frowned as he scanned it for a moment, then let out a quiet laugh through his nose. “Yesterday’s coursework wasn’t finished either? Hmm?”

He was more eager about attending school than Xiaoxiao had been at that age — and yet he always skimped on his coursework, making a fool of the Imperial Tutor.

The little one was affronted. “This son only said a few words — and the Imperial Tutor reported me all the way to Imperial Father?!”

“A few words?” Xuan Yanyu’s brow furrowed.

Not half as well-behaved or obedient as Xiaoxiao.

Little Tuanzi gave a righteous nod.

“Fine.” Xuan Yanyu looked at Ye’an, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly. “Summon the Imperial Tutor. He and the Second Highness can give their accounts face-to-face.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Wait.” Little Tuanzi said, wavering. “This son… this son acknowledges the mistake. This son swears that from now on in class, this son will absolutely never again whisper to classmates.”

“Admitting it now?”

Little Tuanzi pressed his lips together, lifted his chin, and said “Mm.”

“All right. Since Ruirui admits he was wrong, and it isn’t anything terribly serious — consider this matter closed.” The Grand Emperor drew Little Tuanzi under his protection.

Xuan Yanyu was not inclined to let it go at that. He fixed the puffed-up Little Tuanzi with his gaze, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. “Finish yesterday’s and today’s coursework and bring it to this Emperor for review. Tomorrow morning, go and apologize to the Imperial Tutor.”

“Fine!!” Little Tuanzi picked at his fingers, his tone lacking the usual softness.

Xuan Yanyu paid no mind to however upset the boy might be. He performed the proper salute to the Grand Emperor, turned, and left the Imperial Study.

“Imperial Grandfather, look at Imperial Father — how is this son supposed to finish both yesterday’s and today’s coursework in one afternoon?” Little Tuanzi threw himself into the Grand Emperor’s arms, his voice going soft and wheedling. “Imperial Grandfather, think of something for Ruirui, please.”

“All right, Imperial Grandfather will help…”

“Imperial Grandfather! Please don’t interfere — it’s Ruirui’s own fault for being lazy yesterday and not finishing his coursework on time.” Xuan Yuncheng cut in with a mild, unhurried voice, stopping the Grand Emperor’s words short.

An afternoon was more than enough time, and the coursework was not all that much — Ruirui could finish it perfectly well.

The Grand Emperor, who had always deferred to his son and now deferred just as readily to his eldest Imperial Grandson, looked at the Little Tuanzi staring up at him with a forlorn, imploring expression, and let out a sigh. “Ruirui, ah — Imperial Grandfather cannot help with this one.”