When Chuyi and Shiwu turned eighteen, Emperor Xiaojing announced his abdication.

This was truly beyond everyone’s expectations. Emperor Xiaojing was in his prime, in good health, and at an opportune time. How could he suddenly decide to abdicate?

But over these many years, Emperor Xiaojing and Empress Shen had truly embodied the word “willful.” Throughout history, there had never been such a casual imperial couple. There were no three thousand beauties in the imperial harem, just the Empress alone. The court officials had tried various methods, but in the end, aside from making themselves look foolish, they couldn’t shake Empress Shen’s position.

Moreover, Empress Shen had a powerful family backing her. After a few attempts, the court officials had to let it go. After all, Empress Shen had given birth to two sons, ensuring Great Liang had heirs.

But even with heirs in place, it was too early to let one ascend the throne.

Chuyi and Shiwu’s formal names were Xie Shu and Xie Wu. Shortly after the children’s first birthday, when they were about to be named, Daoist Master Chiyan appeared out of nowhere, saying that the birth of these two children had been difficult. For them to grow up safely, they needed girls’ names to suppress the adversity. So Xie Jingxing gave the two children these names.

As Xie Shu and Xie Wu grew older and became more sensible, they often quarreled with Xie Jingxing over their names, but even the usually reasonable Shen Miao refused to change their names. Eventually, they got used to it.

Xie Shu resembled Shen Miao in temperament—steady, sensible, and mature beyond his years. Xie Wu was exactly like another Xie Jingxing, wandering the streets daily, appearing to be a carefree young noble. However, those who knew him well understood that Xie Wu’s mischievousness exceeded even that of Xie Jingxing.

The brothers’ relationship was extremely good. Now, Xie Shu was the Crown Prince, about to ascend the throne, and Xie Wu was the Prince of Dian.

The court officials tearfully submitted memorials, criticizing Xie Jingxing for leaving too early. They argued that Xie Shu was still young, couldn’t handle the pressure, and his methods of dealing with court affairs were immature, causing concern for potential instability.

But why would Xie Jingxing listen to the court officials? With his domineering personality, these words were meaningless to him. Moreover, he had already decided to abdicate—a decision that not even nine oxen could pull back—so how could a few memorials change his mind?

Shen Miao was even more composed. Having been Empress for so many years, many people initially wanted to find fault with her. But since she established herself, she had managed affairs smoothly. Strangely enough, she seemed like someone who had been Empress for many years. She handled everything flawlessly, giving people no reason to criticize, inadvertently gaining a reputation for virtue throughout the empire. Even the old conservatives couldn’t find fault with her.

At this moment, Xie Jingxing was speaking with his two sons.

Time seemed to have been very kind to him. Even though his two sons had grown into handsome young men, he remained as dashing and handsome as ever. Compared to his arrogance from more than a decade ago, the current Xie Jingxing had more restrained dominance, appearing even more dangerous than before.

He casually admonished his two sons: “Elder son, younger son, you two stay in the palace and guard it well. Your father is entrusting this empire to you. Do it properly, and don’t make me come back to clean up your mess.”

In private, he never referred to himself as “We” in front of his two sons. To outsiders, this lack of formality was seen as disrespectful and taboo. However, Xie Jingxing never cared about etiquette and social norms, and he didn’t want these hierarchies to create barriers between him and his sons. Perhaps having experienced family misfortunes, he was more cautious and sensitive about these matters.

Xie Shu responded calmly, but Xie Wu lazily said, “Don’t worry, we brothers aren’t that stupid.”

“Easier said than done,” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. “Don’t underestimate the people in this palace. When your father ascended the throne, it wasn’t so easy. With a change in leadership, they’ll naturally look for faults. Kids, you’re still too green, and your opponents are all old foxes. Don’t speak so confidently.”

“Father, rest assured,” Xie Shu remained unperturbed by his father’s warning. “Your son can handle it.”

“Old foxes are still just foxes, and elder brother is a tiger,” Xie Wu scoffed. “Besides, if my elder brother truly can’t manage, don’t I remain?”

“You dare say that?” Xie Jingxing narrowed his eyes. “Elder son, keep an eye on this kid for me!”

Xie Shu had never needed much worrying since childhood, being very composed even at a young age. It was Xie Wu who caused headaches. No one knew how many troubles he had caused in Longye since childhood, truly another Xie Jingxing. However, when Xie Jingxing was young, he had Marquis Lin’an, who was equally mischievous, to protect him. Now, Xie Wu’s father was the Emperor, and one careless mistake could bring censure from the imperial censors.

Fortunately, Xie Shu often followed behind Xie Wu, cleaning up after him and fixing many of his messes. But as Xie Shu grew older, the Crown Prince’s words and actions were also scrutinized, making it less convenient for him to help Xie Wu as he did when they were children. Xie Wu had to become self-reliant, with his daily activities involving causing trouble, making amends, causing more trouble, and making more amends.

It could be said that among the younger generation of official families in Longye, none had escaped Xie Wu’s torment. Xie Wu’s mischievousness surpassed even his father’s.

Now with Xie Shu taking office and Xie Jingxing about to take Shen Miao on a journey, Xie Jingxing could imagine what Xie Wu was planning. He probably thought, “Great, I’ve dealt with most of the younger generation. It’s time to torment the old officials in Longye.”

Xie Wu innocently said, “Father, how can you distrust me so much? Am I that kind of person? If the elder brother truly becomes the Emperor and someone tries to find fault, many things will be inconvenient for him to handle directly. Wouldn’t we need to use some special methods? Right, elder brother?” He winked at Xie Shu.

Xie Shu expressionlessly turned his head away, avoiding Xie Wu’s hint.

Xie Jingxing smiled and said, “Hearing you say that, I think I should have Tieyi and Mo Qing watch over you.”

“Father, you can’t do that!” Xie Wu immediately protested, but after thinking for a moment, he relented. “But if you want to do that, go ahead. Anyway, Mo Qing and Tieyi together couldn’t defeat me.”

Xie Jingxing slapped the table: “You little brat, are you thinking of rebelling?”

Just as he finished speaking, they heard someone outside say, “Who’s rebelling?”

Shen Miao walked in from the doorway.

She truly didn’t look like the mother of two children. Over the years, she had become like jade, polished to be more lustrous and smooth, naturally graceful, calm, and dignified, captivating to all who saw her.

Xie Shu and Xie Wu quickly greeted their mother.

Shen Miao walked over, glared at Xie Jingxing, and said, “What nonsense are you talking about again?”

Xie Jingxing replied, “I’m talking nonsense? You believe this kid, don’t you?” Then he turned to scold Xie Wu: “Ungrateful brat, your father changed your diapers and fed you—it’s like I fed a dog.”

Xie Shu, Xie Wu, and Shen Miao: “…”

In fact, during the period when Shen Miao was in a deep sleep, Xie Jingxing was indeed very good to Xie Shu and Xie Wu. He personally took care of their toilet needs, changed their wet nurses, and slept with them at night, attending to every detail. People said it was incredible that someone with Xie Jingxing’s temperament could be so gentle with children. But Xie Jingxing truly did so.

During that period, Xie Jingxing demonstrated that he was indeed a tender and attentive father.

However, after Shen Miao woke up, whenever he looked at these two boys, he found them increasingly annoying. He often said the children needed to grow into men early, and his methods of tempering them made even outsiders feel sorry for them.

It was thanks to Xie Shu and Xie Wu’s strong will that they didn’t go astray despite their young age. In terms of talent and character, they were among the best in Great Liang. Their appearance also inherited the advantages of their parents—handsome, naturally charismatic, Xie Shu stern, and Xie Wu romantic. Many daughters from official families in Longye secretly admired them. However, these two children had also said in front of others that in their lifetime, they would be like their parents, marrying only one woman, loving her till old age.

Therefore, officials’ parents felt this was too difficult, while noble daughters or common girls were even more drawn to the brothers. Such outstanding young men with affection and righteousness were unique in the world. Emperor Xie Jingxing and Empress Shen Miao had such a virtuous reputation in Great Liang for many years, not only because they governed the country well, but also because Xie Shu and Xie Wu were very likable.

Xie Shu and Xie Wu were naturally not as close to their strict father as they were to their gentle mother, which often made Xie Jingxing indignant, saying that the two little brats were less appreciative than the “Jiaojiao” he raised.

Shen Miao said, “Ashu, Awu, when you first start, many court officials will target you. It’s not that they’re bad, it’s just that everyone goes through this at the beginning. There’s no need to quarrel with them. Ashu, you just need to do what you should do. If there are truly stubborn ones who won’t listen, Awu, you’ve always been clever, you know what’s best to do.”

She was encouraging Xie Wu to use some “special methods.”

Xie Wu immediately became excited: “Indeed, no one understands me better than Mother!”

“My lady!” Xie Jingxing said, “Are you going to join in their nonsense too?”

“Awu’s methods are much gentler compared to yours back then. Besides, one can’t be too rigid in this world. A moderate amount of flexibility is naturally good. Ashu, I’m not worried about your abilities, and I don’t have much advice for you. What I want to say is… if you meet a girl you like, don’t hesitate.”

Xie Shu: “…”

Xie Wu said, “That’s right, elder brother should have found me a sister-in-law long ago!”

“And you,” Shen Miao stared at him. “You need to show more restraint. Don’t think I don’t know how many girls in Longye you’ve teased. If you don’t like someone, don’t tease them, or you’ll ruin their lives for nothing.” Speaking of this, Shen Miao became increasingly angry and glared at Xie Jingxing. Like father, like son—they were the same!

Xie Jingxing innocently touched his nose.

Seeing the conversation turn to him, Xie Wu quickly changed the subject: “Mother, don’t say that. By the way, how long will you be traveling?”

“We’ll come back when your mother has a little sister for you,” Xie Jingxing interjected.

“Are you serious?” Xie Wu exclaimed dramatically. “At your age…” The rest of his words died under Shen Miao’s stern gaze.

“When we’ve seen beautiful scenery and visited good places, we’ll naturally return home,” Shen Miao said.

That was a dream from their youth, which had been set aside for various reasons in the past. Fortunately, they still had the opportunity. This life was still very long, and they were living it fully and contentedly.

Xie Shu smiled and said, “Father and Mother, please travel without worry. Your son will not fail your trust.”

“And will find a wife!” Xie Wu added.

——– End of Story ——–