Chapter 38

Golden gauze hung down, obscuring all outside objects into hazy shadows. Ji Su slowly opened his eyes and saw Ji Weiqiu outside the curtain unhesitatingly strip off his plain inner robe and toss it aside. The smooth lines of his back were softened by the gauze curtain into a hazy silhouette, unlike a youth whose well-proportioned frame could be mistaken for either gender, yet it was undoubtedly pleasing to the eye.

Ji Weiqiu changed into a new set of inner robes. The dry fabric against his skin was so comfortable it made him sigh. The weather had clearly turned cool now, yet he still sometimes broke out in a sweat while sleeping, probably because he was young and full of vigor.

Hearing a sound from within the bed curtains, he lifted one to look. Sure enough, Ji Su was already awake. He didn't think much of it—it was about time. If he didn't wake up soon, Eunuch Qingxi would probably come in to call him. Did Ji Su have the good fortune to sleep until dinnertime? Hilarious. As if he didn't have to toil for this empire?

Ji Weiqiu had wanted to laugh, but then he remembered he had become an early riser, and the smile instantly vanished. He said in a flat tone, "Did I wake Imperial Elder Brother?"

Ji Su grunted in acknowledgment, sitting up on the bed and quietly holding the thin quilt. Perhaps hearing voices inside, the door to the Green Gauze Alcove was gently pushed open. Eunuch Qingxi was about to enter to attend to them when he heard Ji Su say, "No need to attend to me."

The door to the Green Gauze Alcove closed again without a sound.

Ji Weiqiu casually sat down on the arhat bed to the side, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and drank more than half of it in one go. The cold tea entering his stomach was quite refreshing. He asked, "Does Imperial Elder Brother want some tea?"

"Mm." Ji Su got off the bed, casually draped an outer robe over his shoulders, and sat on the other side of the arhat bed. He bent two fingers slightly and tapped on the small table. Ji Weiqiu poured him a cup as well. Ji Su lowered his head and drank slowly.

Ji Weiqiu was a bit stunned. Was something off about Ji Su?

Just coming over wearing only one robe like that?

It had been a long time since he had seen Ji Su so relaxed.

Ji Su stopped after drinking less than half the cup of cold tea. Seeing Ji Weiqiu holding the cup and taking sips from time to time, he said, "No more."

"I'm a little hot," Ji Weiqiu said, putting down the teacup sheepishly.

Ji Su said, "The medicine you usually take has many nourishing effects."

The implication was that it was normal to feel hot.

Ji Weiqiu complained internally, if it weren't for Ji Su, why would he need to drink tonic every day? ...Never mind, if it weren't for Ji Su, he might not even have had the chance to grow up.

Ji Su called out, "Someone."

Eunuch Qingxi entered with small, quick steps. Seeing the situation inside, he didn't need Ji Su's instructions. He bowed and retreated. A short while later, he led Eunuch Xiao Zhuo in. They brought a thin blanket for each of the two masters to cover their legs. Eunuch Xiao Zhuo, quick-witted and nimble-fingered, replaced the cold tea on the table with warm tea, served one or two pastries, and opened the large window behind them, letting the cool sunlight stream in. After finishing all this, the two of them retreated silently once more.

Just then, a breeze came, causing the ginkgo tree outside the window to tremble, sending a sky full of golden rain. Ji Su and Ji Weiqiu looked out the window in unison. The little finger of Ji Weiqiu's hand resting on his knee twitched, and he suddenly recalled something from eight years ago.

He was only ten then, at an age where he was loathed by men and dogs alike, so he acted the part. He didn't know if someone had tricked him or if it was his own idea, but he insisted on climbing the hundred-year-old ginkgo tree outside the window. No amount of persuasion worked. Finally, the palace attendants brought out the threat of reporting him to the Empress Dowager, which made him give up the idea—for an hour.

He proposed playing hide-and-seek with the palace attendants, and while they were counting, he climbed up the ginkgo tree. It was also an autumn day, and the ginkgo leaves were just like today, a brilliant gold all over the tree. He was hidden among them, and no one found him. He unknowingly fell asleep, and was later startled awake because the entire palace was lit with torches, and his name was being called everywhere.

When Ji Weiqiu saw Ji Su approaching from a distance, he was about to call out that he was here, but he unfortunately came face-to-face with a Shadow Guard who had darted up the tree. The Shadow Guard was just on normal patrol; who would have thought there'd be someone in the tree? If he hadn't retracted his dagger quickly, Ji Weiqiu would have lost half his life at the very least.

By the time Ji Weiqiu and the Shadow Guard were staring wide-eyed at each other, Ji Su had arrived at the base of the tree. Only then did Ji Weiqiu realize this was bad. The Shadow Guard wouldn't dare to actually lay a hand on him without an order. So, Ji Weiqiu was seen hugging the tree trunk and negotiating with Ji Su, insisting he would only come down if Ji Su promised not to punish him.

Seeing Ji Weiqiu staring blankly at the ginkgo tree outside, Ji Su casually asked, "What are you thinking about? Climbing the tree?"

"Brother!" Ji Weiqiu called out subconsciously, then immediately corrected himself, "Imperial Elder Brother, please understand, how would I dare?"

That day, Ji Su had promised not to punish or scold him. After having the Shadow Guard bring Ji Weiqiu down, he truly didn't punish him. But he directly carried Ji Weiqiu to Ci'an Palace. The Empress Dowager cried her eyes out. When she learned that this blasted child had deliberately climbed the tree to bully the palace attendants and had fallen asleep in the tree, causing the whole palace to be in turmoil, she immediately grabbed a feather duster and gave Ji Weiqiu a sound thrashing.

That was the most severe beating Ji Weiqiu had ever received from his old mother since he was born. His mother didn't hold back; the feather duster left immediate welts on his body, and a few more strikes broke the skin, leaving not a single good patch of flesh on his back. It only ended when Ji Weiqiu swore he would never again slip away from the palace attendants to climb a tree.

Ji Weiqiu hadn't gotten into any trouble climbing the tree, but the beating gave him a fever for three days. To this day, he truly hasn't dared to climb it again.

Ji Weiqiu rested his cheek on his hand. "Mother Empress really hit hard that time. I still remember it. Wasn't it just climbing a tree once? I checked it out; if I could get up, I could get down."

Ji Su said slowly, "An assassin entered the palace that day and was caught while they were looking for you. Perhaps seeing the palace attendants searching for you, he used you as a threat, claiming he had locked you in a deserted place, waiting for wild dogs to tear you apart. When Mother Empress learned of it, her insides were burning with anxiety. Afterward, when she knew it was a misunderstanding, she naturally had to beat you to vent her anger."

"...Huh?" Ji Weiqiu stared at Ji Su dumbly. "That happened? How come I didn't know?"

Ji Su was perfectly calm. "It would have been useless to tell you."

"...Oh." Ji Weiqiu rubbed his nose, feeling a little guilty. Climbing a tree alone and then falling asleep and disappearing for several hours was already enough to make his mother frantic, not to mention there was a kidnapper threatening to kill the hostage at the time. No wonder his mother was so angry. "I've wronged Mother Empress."

Ji Su smiled faintly. For some reason, Ji Weiqiu found himself a little captivated by the sight. He suddenly came to his senses and quickly picked up a pastry to eat, covering up that bit of inexplicable awkwardness.

He thought to himself that it was a good thing he was born at the right time and wasn't bad-looking. Otherwise, if you pointed him out and said he was Ji Su's biological younger brother, anyone who saw him would probably mutter a few doubts about whether they were really related.

Uh... this pastry is actually pretty good?

Ji Weiqiu chewed, took a sip of tea, and picked up another one. Seeing him eat with such relish, Ji Su didn't disturb him and sat quietly, enjoying the scenery. Ji Weiqiu ate until he was half-full and couldn't help but blurt out, "Does Imperial Elder Brother have nothing else to do today?"

Don't you have to go to work?!

Ji Su withdrew his gaze and let it fall upon him. "It is fine to sit for a while."

Ji Weiqiu thought for a moment and asked, "When Imperial Elder Brother called me over just now, was there something you needed?"

If not, he was going back to the side hall to pack his things. After having a meal at Ci'an Palace later, he could go back to his own happy little home.

Ji Su pondered for a moment, then said, "Changchen Palace has been tidied up. You may move in today."

"..." Ji Weiqiu narrowed his eyes and looked up at Ji Su. "Imperial Elder Brother, Changchen Palace is the Eastern Palace. This subject's long-term residence there might attract gossip."

"Imperial Elder Brother might as well arrange another place for this subject to live," Ji Weiqiu said. "Most of the palaces are empty. How about choosing one with beautiful scenery and convenient access?"

Wasn't Ji Su testing him again?

Regardless of whether he was or not, he had no intention for the throne. Even if he was used to living in Changchen Palace, he hadn't lived there for several years. He wasn't that attached to the past; there was no need to insist on moving back to Changchen Palace.

"As you wish." Ji Su did not insist. "You may also return to your manor."

Upon hearing this, Ji Weiqiu couldn't help but beam with joy. He had thought that managing to get another palace would be good enough, but he hadn't expected to be able to leave the imperial palace. He smiled, "Then I'll leave the palace and return to my manor. Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home... I'll definitely manage the manor well this time and never cause trouble again."

Ji Su nodded. He put down his teacup, signaling that Ji Weiqiu could take his leave. Ji Weiqiu went out in just a few strides. Eunuch Qingxi came in to serve Ji Su, helping him change and wash up while saying, "What did Your Majesty say to His Highness just now? His Little Highness was so happy he looked like he was about to fly."

"He can leave the palace, of course he's happy," Ji Su said indifferently.

Eunuch Qingxi paused almost imperceptibly, then continued, "Isn't that so? Once he leaves the palace, there'll be no one to control His Little Highness again."

Ji Su gave him a meaningful look. Eunuch Qingxi lowered his head, looking extremely respectful.

After Ji Su finished changing, he went outside to review memorials. He then said, "Have the Prince of Rui report for duty at the Wenyuan Pavilion."

Eunuch Qingxi: "...Yes."

Who knows what squabble the two brothers were having again. Eunuch Qingxi suppressed a smile and went to the side hall. Soon after, Ji Su heard a faint wail from next door. After a while longer, he heard some commotion outside; Ji Weiqiu must have left.

Ji Su held a brush in one hand and slowly and methodically wrote the character 'Read' on a memorial.

A person cannot be too greedy, wanting to know everything yet unwilling to do anything. Where in the world is there such a good deal?

It was time to let Ji Weiqiu know that if he wanted his trust, he had to bear the responsibility. Since he had entered the Grand Secretariat, it couldn't be just empty words. It was absolutely impossible for him to be allowed to fool around with cockfighting and dog walking, or to admire flowers and scenery as he did in the past.

Ji Weiqiu was practically escorted to the Wenyuan Pavilion. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw that it was bustling with activity. The three Grand Secretaries each occupied a corner, with mountains of memorials in front of them. A dozen or so Attendant Academicians and clerks hurried back and forth carrying memorials of various colors. Seeing Ji Weiqiu arrive with such a calm demeanor, the three of them had somewhat strange expressions.

Ji Weiqiu greeted them, and the three of them nodded in return before continuing to work at their desks. Ji Weiqiu felt a chill run down his spine—if two grim reapers were to pass by the door right now, they'd probably be frightened by the resentful aura of these three.

Attendant Academician Ye Enguang was already waiting in the hall. Upon seeing the scene, he bowed and said, "Your Highness, this way please."

Ji Weiqiu's workstation had already been set up when he came in the morning. He had no choice but to sit down. Just as he was about to ask Ye Enguang to find him some storybooks or something to pass the time, he heard Prime Minister Gu look up and say, "This one, should the three of you take a look as well?"

Before he could finish speaking, Wei Jinyan, the clerk who had been assigned to him earlier, had already stepped forward to take it. Meanwhile, a Secretariat Drafter came over with a large stack of memorials and piled a small mountain on Ji Weiqiu's desk as well.

In the blink of an eye, Ji Weiqiu was holding a memorial in one hand and a teacup in the other, reviewing memorials alongside the three Grand Secretaries.

Ji Weiqiu: "..."

The overwhelming aura of work!