Accustomed to this scene, neither the Emperor nor the Crown Prince was angry.

“How noisy,” the Emperor said. “Aren’t scholars supposed to be refined?”

The Crown Prince laughed: “Father, have Third Brother read fewer books and find him several riding and archery instructors. Then he won’t have the energy to make a fuss.”

The Emperor looked at him and sneered: “Riding and archery instructors?” He grabbed his other shoe and threw it. “Does having strength from riding and archery instructors give you the right to beat court officials? If you dare turn my Imperial Court into a training ground again, I’ll make you a riding and archery instructor for life.”

The Crown Prince caught the shoe: “Yes, yes, Your son understands.” He crawled forward on his knees and put the shoe back on the Emperor’s foot. “Father, you’ve always been good-tempered, spoiling those officials. Sometimes they’re truly excessive—a good beating would set them straight.”

The Emperor kicked him.

The Crown Prince was robust, and the Emperor couldn’t move him with his kick. The Crown Prince just laughed and fell backward, then turned to call Xiao Xun: “Xun, come talk to His Majesty. Only you don’t anger His Majesty.”

Xiao Xun smiled: “I often anger my father, the Prince, at home. He only gets angry with me—he doesn’t even bother getting angry with others.”

The Crown Prince laughed heartily: “You truly know how to speak well.”

The Emperor looked at Xiao Xun, his expression somewhat melancholic: “You look very much like your father.”

Xiao Xun touched his face: “My mother often says I’m not as handsome as my father, especially these eyes—too small, like my mother’s. I didn’t inherit the large, expressive eyes like my father or Your Majesty.”

The Emperor laughed loudly, and the Crown Prince joined in.

“My eyes take after Father,” he said, pointing at himself. “Not like Mother’s.”

The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince, his gaze somewhat disapproving: “Your mother had beautiful eyes. If you had taken after her, your appearance would be better.”

Beyond disapproval, there was melancholy as he remembered the departed Empress, childhood sweethearts who couldn’t grow old together.

“I can barely remember what she looked like anymore.”

“Father,” the Crown Prince raised his arm to display his strength, “what use is appearance? Strength is what matters—being physically robust is better than anything.”

The Emperor grew angry again: “What about intelligence? Doesn’t governing the world require a brain?”

The Crown Prince replied candidly: “Father, my brain alone would never be sufficient. As long as I can make good use of intelligent people in the world, that’s enough.”

The Emperor fell silent, no longer addressing him, and looked toward Xiao Xun, asking: “How is your father these days? Does his leg still hurt often?”

Xiao Xun shook his head: “He’s fine most of the time, only experiencing some pain on cloudy days.” He smiled and continued, “Father is in good spirits—he eats well, sleeps well, and enjoys himself. My greatest concern is that he’s truly too fat, and I want him to eat less.”

The Emperor laughed heartily again: “What are you afraid of? Are you worried your father will eat up the family fortune? Don’t worry, whatever your father eats, I’ll replenish for you twice over.”

Xiao Xun smiled: “Thank Your Majesty. In that case, I hope my father eats more.”

The Emperor laughed so hard he had to press his chest to avoid choking. The Crown Prince also laughed, admiring him: “I said it—Xun is the one who can make Father happiest. You should come live in the capital more often.”

“Elder Brother,” Xiao Xun used the childhood address between brothers and smiled, “Familiarity breeds contempt. If I stay too long before His Majesty, His Majesty will grow tired of me. It’s better to keep some distance, so His Majesty will always think fondly of me.”

The Crown Prince and Emperor laughed again.

“Alright, alright,” the Emperor waved his hand and yawned, seemingly tired from laughing too much. “Since you’re here, stay in the capital for a few more days.”

The Crown Prince said: “Indeed, come with me to the training ground. I’ll show you something fun.”

The Emperor glared at him: “What training ground?” He pointed and said, “Xun can go to the Third Prince’s reading gathering. Although such things are completely useless, at least it will be lively.”

Despite his verbal criticism, the Emperor still remembered the Third Prince’s request. The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered slightly as he smiled: “That’s good. Third Brother doesn’t like me going, but he’ll certainly welcome you.”

With the Emperor’s command, Xiao Xun naturally bowed and agreed.

Seeing that everything had been discussed, the eunuchs came forward with smiles: “Your Majesty, it’s time for your medicine.”

The Emperor waved at the Crown Prince and Xiao Xun: “Alright, you may go now. And in your free time—even in your free time, don’t come looking for me.”

The Crown Prince smiled and acknowledged, watching as the eunuchs brought forth medicinal pills. He couldn’t help saying: “Father, you don’t need to take these pills. If you’d follow me in daily riding and archery—”

Before he could finish, the Emperor picked up the lid of the pill container and threw it at him.

“Get out!”

……

……

Xiao Xun declined the Crown Prince’s invitation to join him for riding and archery practice and returned to his lodging. As he reached the palace gate, he met a familiar face approaching.

“Lord Deng,” Xiao Xun quickly waved.

Deng Yi stopped and bowed to Xiao Xun: “Your Highness.”

Walking together, Deng Yi didn’t talk much and didn’t show particular enthusiasm toward him, but since they had met, he still greeted Xiao Xun—if it had been Chu Zhao, Xiao Xun would have pretended not to see her.

Though perhaps that girl would have pretended not to see him first, or simply turned and walked away.

Xiao Xun couldn’t help but smile.

“Your Highness seems in good spirits,” Deng Yi said. “Just saw His Majesty, I presume?”

Xiao Xun nodded with a smile: “Yes, I saw His Majesty with the Crown Prince.” Not wanting to elaborate on matters concerning the Emperor, he casually asked, “Does Lord Deng have official business?”

Deng Yi said: “No, I’m going to deliver gifts.”

Xiao Xun was stunned—was this a joke or the truth?

He had always considered himself adept in social interactions, but since meeting Deng Yi and Chu Zhao, something always seemed off.

Deng Yi raised his hand in salute: “Farewell, Your Highness. This humble official takes his leave.”

Xiao Xun nodded, watching as Deng Yi walked past him toward the western palace compound, where the Six Ministries’ officials resided. Could he truly be going to deliver gifts?

Standing in place, Xiao Xun couldn’t help but smile. This trip to the capital had indeed shown him many strange things.

……

……

The official lodging was not far from the Imperial City. Xiao Xun returned quickly by carriage, washed up, changed clothes, and was resting in his chamber when a scholar in cyan robes entered. Seeing this, Tie Ying walked out and stood guard by the door.

“Your Highness, did you see His Majesty?” the cyan-robed scholar asked.

Xiao Xun nodded: “Not just His Majesty—I saw the Crown Prince and the Third Prince as well.”

The cyan-robed scholar asked again: “What does Your Highness think?”

Xiao Xun held a white porcelain teacup, gazing at the clear tea within.

“It’s just like when I was young. His Majesty is suspicious and favors the Third Prince; the Crown Prince is arrogant but knows how to remind His Majesty to pity him; the Third Prince is cunning and two-faced.” Xiao Xun shook his head: “With the capital like this, why does Father insist I come? Isn’t it more dangerous for someone of our status?”

Not only were the Emperor, princes, and royal relatives unstable, but even minor officials like Deng Yi and young women like Chu Zhao were filled with peculiarities.

The capital appeared prosperous, but it was like a pile of dry kindling—one spark could set it ablaze.

In such a dangerous place, shouldn’t they stay far away?

“Today His Majesty asked about Father, and the Crown Prince even wanted to keep me in the capital as a hostage. They still haven’t let go of their wariness toward Father.”

The cyan-robed scholar said: “Your Highness, the most dangerous places are also where unexpected joys may be found.”

Unexpected joy could have many meanings for ordinary people, but for someone of the Prince of Zhongshan’s status, it had only one meaning.

Xiao Xun gripped the teacup tightly and, after a moment of silence, said softly: “Xun prays for Father’s wishes.”