At this morning’s court assembly, after Emperor Yongchang took his seat on the dragon throne, he first announced that Prince Hui had finally fully recovered from all his leg injuries and could resume his duties. Thus, he appointed Prince Hui to the position of Assistant Administrator in the Ministry of Works. Like Prince Kang and Prince Qing, although the assistant administrator position was low-ranking, Emperor Yongchang specially granted Prince Hui the privilege of attending all future court assemblies.

The implication was clear: although Prince Hui’s legs were crippled, Emperor Yongchang had never considered making Prince Hui retire at home. The delay until now was solely because Prince Hui had not been able to fully recover earlier.

The assembled officials dutifully congratulated Prince Hui on his restored health.

Zhao Sui nodded and said that henceforth, as they would all serve the court together, there was no need for excessive formalities when they met in the palace.

With this matter concluded, the court assembly officially began.

After all, this was Prince Hui’s first court attendance since his injury, so the officials all paid some attention to the back or side view of Prince Hui in his wheelchair. They then discovered that aside from changing from a standing posture to a seated one, the current Prince Hui was not much different from the former Prince Hui. He remained just as taciturn, only speaking a few words when some minister or the Emperor specifically addressed him.

Emperor Yongchang liked to inquire during court assemblies about the princes’ views on various political matters. This morning, he again asked each of the three princes once.

Prince Kang answered conventionally and properly—he would rather not receive praise than answer incorrectly and be scolded.

Prince Hui hit the nail on the head, but his expression was so indifferent that Emperor Yongchang couldn’t lavish much praise, lest it appear he had never encountered capable ministers and officials before.

Prince Qing spoke with honeyed eloquence, seeming to analyze matters exquisitely while considering all aspects, but upon closer examination, one realized his words made little real difference whether spoken or not.

An hour later, with no officials presenting further matters, Eunuch Wang announced the dismissal of court.

Emperor Yongchang left first. Before departing, he glanced at Prince Kang standing beside the second prince’s wheelchair. Without needing to think, he knew the second prince had been wheeled in by the eldest, so the eldest shouldn’t forget to help wheel him out again.

Prince Kang had indeed not forgotten, but his posture in respectfully seeing off the Emperor Father was too reverent, causing him to remember he needed to push his second brother only to find that the third prince had already taken a stride forward and grasped the handles at the back of the wheelchair ahead of him.

Prince Kang’s expression shifted.

Prince Qing smiled. “Elder Brother, rest yourself. It’s time for me as the younger brother to care for Second Brother.”

Prince Kang replied with displeasure, “You’ve never known how to care for people since childhood. Better let me do it. I’m afraid you won’t grip firmly when we descend the steps later.”

As he spoke, he moved to seize the wheelchair.

Prince Qing dodged his hand and wheeled the chair outward on his own. Prince Kang saw that the two Prime Ministers, the six Ministers, and several Dukes and Marquises from the military officials’ side were all watching. Considering the dignity of the eldest imperial son, he refrained from further struggling with the third prince.

Zhao Sui maintained an indifferent appearance throughout.

Qing Ai was waiting outside the great hall. Seeing Prince Qing wheeling out his prince, Qing Ai immediately stepped forward to take over the wheelchair.

Prince Qing said casually, “Step aside.”

Zhao Sui said, “Let Qing Ai do it.”

Prince Qing looked toward the two ramps extending diagonally down from the front of the hall, continuing to grip the wheelchair while speaking in an injured tone: “Second Brother trusts Elder Brother, but worries I’ll be clumsy and drop you?”

Zhao Sui replied, “I appreciate the kind intentions of Elder Brother and Third Brother, but to prevent further disagreements between you over caring for me, from now on when I move about the palace, I’ll have Qing Ai and the others attend to me. I hope Elder Brother and Third Brother will understand.”

With the matter stated so plainly, Prince Qing finally released his grip.

Qing Ai lowered his head and circled around to the back of the wheelchair, requesting that Prince Kang proceed first.

As the eldest, Prince Kang had to walk in front. From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Qing Ai pushing Second Brother toward the ramp on the right, so Prince Kang also came to this side. When the wheelchair began descending, he reached out to grip one side of the wheelchair’s backrest, preventing the wheelchair from rushing down too quickly.

However, ridges had been specially built into the ramp. Whether the wheelchair or the person pushing it, their progress would be impeded. Unless Qing Ai suddenly fainted, there was absolutely no possibility of him losing his grip.

To maintain his body’s balance, Zhao Sui gripped the armrests on either side with both hands, not glancing sideways even once.

After descending the steps, Prince Kang and Prince Qing once again positioned themselves on either side of the wheelchair.

After exiting the inner city through Chengtian Gate, Prince Kang and Prince Qing both needed to walk south along the main road to reach the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Rites respectively, while Prince Hui could turn east at the nearby Imperial Clan Court to reach the Ministry of Works.

Zhao Sui had Qing Ai stop and bid farewell to his two brothers.

Prince Kang looked surprised. Prince Qing said with a half-smile, “Second Brother is the same as before, still so fond of tranquility.”

Zhao Sui tacitly agreed and signaled Qing Ai to head east.

The Minister of Works, Yan Lun, who had been following behind, saw this and quickened his pace to catch up with Prince Hui’s wheelchair. Once he pursued, the two Vice Ministers of Works and several Directors of Works all followed suit. Regardless of which prince they supported in their hearts, this surface-level respect had to be shown to Prince Hui.

Prince Hui in his wheelchair led a string of people in silent footsteps to the Ministry of Works.

Yan Lun requested Prince Hui to wait briefly. He called out repeatedly toward the various offices, summoning all the lower-ranking officials who weren’t qualified to attend court, as well as the clerks. He had them line up according to their respective departments and approach Prince Hui to pay their respects in order of official rank.

This way, even if Prince Hui might not remember all the officials’ names and faces, he would have a general understanding of which bureaus, repositories, and offices the Ministry of Works was divided into, and what specific duties each managed.

After the introductions were complete, Yan Lun inquired of Prince Hui, “On the mornings of the first and fifth of each month, this subordinate convenes the two Vice Ministers, the Directors of each bureau, Assistant Administrators, and Secretaries for a morning meeting to assign new tasks or report on the progress of ongoing projects. Would Your Highness like to come listen?”

Zhao Sui nodded.

Yan Lun then led the way to his office.

As Prince Hui had just arrived, he merely observed. While listening, Prince Hui discovered that regardless of which Director or Secretary finished speaking, when Yan Lun summarized, he always emphasized one thing: requesting silver from the Ministry of Revenue was too difficult!

When the morning meeting ended, Yan Lun had the other officials leave first, and with a respectful expression, he kept Prince Hui behind and inquired, “Which bureau’s projects does Your Highness plan to oversee first?”

The Ministry of Works was primarily divided into four major bureaus, respectively managing the construction of palace buildings and government offices, the manufacture of various official implements, hydraulic engineering including bridges and waterways, and mausoleum maintenance and craftsman selection. However, regardless of which bureau undertook what project, they all had to deal with budget estimates, audits, and disbursements, and ultimately had to deal with the Ministry of Revenue, even engaging in verbal and written battles involving three requests and three refusals.

Yan Lun looked expectantly at Prince Hui, prepared for Prince Hui to be overwhelmed by the complexity and for him to recommend a major project to Prince Hui.

After a moment, Prince Hui spoke: “I’ll first familiarize myself with the Ministry of Works’ operational procedures. Have someone send last year’s completed and archived construction records from all bureaus and offices, including account audits, to my office—those that won’t be needed in the near future. After I’ve reviewed them all, I’ll come find you.”

Yan Lun said, “…All of last year’s archived records?”

Zhao Sui confirmed, “Yes.”

Yan Lun protested, “That’s far too many. Your Highness might not finish reviewing them all before year’s end.”

Zhao Sui replied, “This prince is in no hurry.”

Having said this, he looked toward Qing Ai, who immediately wheeled Prince Hui away.

Yan Lun was speechless.

Prince Hui’s office soon saw its two empty brand-new rosewood bookcases filled with scrolls of records and account books delivered by clerks from the Ministry of Works.

Yan Lun periodically sent clerks from his staff to check on Prince Hui’s side. Each time they returned from looking, the clerks reported the same thing: no movement whatsoever.

At noon, the Ministry of Works officials successively came to the dining hall for their meal. Prince Hui did not appear, only sending Qing Ai to fetch lunch for the three master and servants.

The two Vice Ministers of Works sat accompanying Yan Lun. Watching Eunuch Qing Ai depart, the Left Vice Minister said in a low voice, “Is His Highness simply familiarizing himself with the Ministry’s procedures, or does he intend to audit our previous construction projects for any irregularities?”

The Right Vice Minister countered, “Surely not.”

What superior would immediately start finding fault with subordinate officials upon arrival?

Even if Prince Hui wasn’t eager to perform meritorious service before the Emperor, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to deliberately offend people.

Yan Lun glared at each of them: “Mind your own responsibilities properly. If you don’t create irregularities, there’s nothing to fear even if the Emperor himself comes.”

In the Ministry of Works’ quietest office, after finishing his midday meal, Zhao Sui supported himself upright for two quarter-hours on the parallel bars in the rest room, then summoned Fei Quan to give him a massage.

Fei Quan had learned this recently from Imperial Physician Liao after His Highness decided to take up duties. Imperial Physician Liao had taught him hands-on when massaging Prince Hui. Fei Quan learned very earnestly, and having served His Highness since childhood, now that His Highness was no longer lifeless, the naturally lively Fei Quan dared to push and knead freely on His Highness’s long legs.

Zhao Sui closed his eyes. Having looked at records all morning, only now did he allow himself to think of the Princess Consort.

By dusk, to avoid the tide of officials leaving their posts, Zhao Sui departed two quarter-hours early.

The Ministry of Works officials who had been secretly observing breathed a sigh of relief, having greatly feared Prince Hui would emulate Prince Kang who served at the Ministry of Revenue, arriving early and leaving late daily, forcing most Ministry of Revenue officials to accompany Prince Kang in diligence whether they had work or not.

**Prince Hui’s Mansion**

Yao Huang had gone to Changshou Lane early in the day to chat with her mother about Prince Hui’s new duties and new wheelchair, then listen to her mother talk about the family’s recent circumstances and fresh neighborhood gossip.

Having spent too long in Prince Hui’s constant company, Yao Huang hadn’t experienced such pure relaxation in a very long time. She didn’t have to wonder whether Prince Hui was bored alone, nor worry whether Prince Hui was truly happy when she accompanied him.

She stayed in Changshou Lane until the red sun slanted westward before reluctantly returning to the mansion.

Having a father who served as a military official, Yao Huang knew the normal dismissal time for court officials was the hour of You. Unexpectedly, just as the hour of You arrived, the gatehouse sent word that Prince Hui had returned to the mansion.

While going to the front to greet him, Yao Huang wondered whether it was princely prerogative to leave early, or whether Prince Hui’s first day at his duties had exhausted him, causing him to leave his post early.

Because dismounting the carriage was rather troublesome for Prince Hui, by the time Yao Huang arrived at the front, Qing Ai had just wheeled Prince Hui through the main gate.

Yao Huang saw that Prince Hui appeared at least not unhappy, so she smiled and took over the wheelchair.

Zhao Sui looked at the Princess Consort’s shadow on the ground and said, “You don’t need to make a special trip to greet me in the future.”

Yao Huang replied readily, “But I missed Your Highness! Since we returned from Lingshan, this is the first time I’ve gone an entire day without seeing Your Highness’s face.”

Zhao Sui thought to himself that the Princess Consort’s memory was indeed not very good. When she went to Prince Qing’s mansion for the wedding feast, and when she entered the palace for the chrysanthemum banquet, they had both gone an entire day without meeting.

Fortunately, these were minor matters. Zhao Sui did not correct his Princess Consort.

The evening meal would be served before long. Yao Huang wheeled Prince Hui to the reception hall in the front courtyard. After securing the wheelchair properly, Yao Huang sat down on the left side of the long table, tilting her head to earnestly study Prince Hui, whom she’d been separated from for a day.

Zhao Sui still wasn’t accustomed to the Princess Consort’s such enthusiastic gaze and lowered his eyelids.

Yao Huang smiled. “On your first day at the Ministry of Works, was Your Highness busy?”

Zhao Sui shook his head.

Yao Huang asked, “Did you take on any assignments?”

Zhao Sui replied, “The assignments aren’t urgent. I’m first reviewing last year’s construction records to familiarize myself with the procedures.”

Yao Huang understood—Prince Hui had spent another day reading “books,” merely relocating his study from the mansion to the Ministry of Works.

“What did you do today?” Zhao Sui asked, looking at the Princess Consort’s skirt hem.

The Princess Consort said plaintively, “Without Your Highness here, I was so bored alone that I could only go to Changshou Lane to keep my mother company.”

Zhao Sui didn’t know how to respond.

Today was the eleventh, but if the Princess Consort insisted on his companionship, he would not refuse.