The Emperor's illness showed no signs of improvement. No matter how reluctant he was in his heart, he had to start relying on Chu Shaoling for political affairs.

The Emperor naturally didn't feel at ease handing over all power to Chu Shaoling. In order to keep Chu Shaoling in check, the Emperor summoned his four princes, who had already come of age, to his sickbed. After exhorting them earnestly, he finally said with a smile: "My illness is dragging on and refuses to get better, there's no way around it. It just so happens to be an opportunity to test you brothers. From now on, you four must go to court every day to listen to the court sessions. Observe carefully how those old ministers handle political affairs. For matters that can't be decided, you should discuss them together. Understand?"

The brothers bowed their heads and acknowledged. The Emperor looked at Chu Shaoling, who was dressed in the attire of a prince, and smiled: "Ling'er, take good care of your younger brothers. You've spent the longest time listening to court affairs. If there's anything they don't understand or know, give them more guidance."

Chu Shaoling nodded with a smile: "Of course, Father Emperor can rest assured. We still hope for Father Emperor's speedy recovery."

The Emperor nodded. After talking with them for a while, his energy couldn't keep up. He waved his hand to let them take their leave.

The Emperor was afraid that Chu Shaoling would take the opportunity to seize power. Chu Shaoling simply didn't bother with these matters at all. From that day on, he entered the Inner Cabinet every day only to listen and not speak.

Chu Shaoyang was shrewd. If Chu Shaoling didn't speak, he wouldn't speak either. Chu Shaoruan had just suffered a lesson and now didn't dare to take the lead in anything. He usually didn't say much either. Chu Shaomo thought it was finally his turn to show his abilities. He went to the court sessions every day more enthusiastically than anyone else.

Chu Shaoling watched with a cold eye as Chu Shaomo jumped around. Sure enough, within a few days, Chu Shaomo made a mess of things. He even dared to meddle in the affairs of the Salt Bureau. Not understanding but pretending to, he wanted to take a big bite to win over his own forces. Unfortunately, the Salt Bureau was the Emperor's forbidden area. Before Chu Shaomo could really take action, he was summoned by the Emperor to Chengqian Palace and scolded from head to toe. The Emperor threw him back to the Huixin Institute to continue listening to lectures from the Grand Tutor along with Chu Shaosui. Because of this incident, the Emperor became even more ill from anger.

After kicking out Chu Shaomo, Chu Shaoling finally started to truly handle political affairs. Now that Marquis Zijun was the Minister of Personnel, many things became much more convenient. After the beginning of spring, Chu Shaoling assigned the guard duties for several celebrations to Wei Zhan, the commander of the Cavalry Battalion. Many ministers could see that Chu Shaoling was focusing on promoting Wei Zhan. They all understood in their hearts.

Chu Shaoruan didn't feel there was anything unusual, thinking this was just Chu Shaoling's trusted subordinate he wanted to promote. Only Chu Shaoyang stared at Wei Zhan's name, lost in thought for a moment. He vaguely remembered that the guard that day was called Wei Ji.

Chu Shaoyang ordered someone to investigate Wei Zhan's origins. It wasn't difficult to find out the relationship between Wei Zhan and Wei Ji. Chu Shaoyang looked at the information submitted by his subordinates, deep in thought.

After the morning court session, Chu Shaoling went to Ci'an Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. After Chu Shaoling was granted the formal title of prince, the Empress Dowager became more and more at ease, and the more she saw her grandson, the more satisfied she was. She asked in detail about Chu Shaoling's diet recently and exhorted him again.

Just as they were talking, it was announced that Princess Fuyi and Consort Ning had come to pay their respects. Although the Empress Dowager neither disliked nor particularly liked this mother and daughter pair, she said indifferently: "Tell them that I'm not feeling well today, so I won't see them. Let Fuyi be careful of the weather and not get sick again. I'll see them another day."

Hearing this, Chu Shaoling laughed: "I haven't seen Fourth Sister for several days. Imperial Grandmother, just see them. The more people, the livelier it is."

The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples and smiled: "Forget it, I know you're always thinking of your Fourth Sister. Let them in."

Princess Fuyi and Consort Ning came in to pay their respects. The Empress Dowager smiled and offered them seats, saying: "Fuyi, have you been well recently?"

Unlike Chu Shaoling who could see the Empress Dowager every day, the last time Princess Fuyi paid respects in person was half a month ago. In between, even if she really had any headaches or fevers, the Empress Dowager wouldn't know. Fuyi had never been favored since childhood and didn't care. She smiled: "Replying to Imperial Grandmother, very well."

Chu Shaoling tasted a pastry and smiled: "I heard Fourth Sister's needlework has become even better recently. When will you embroider another pouch for me? The last one doesn't match my clothes anymore."

"Big Brother, if you like it, I'll go back and embroider it." Fuyi pursed her lips and smiled. "I'll bring it over for Big Brother when I'm done."

Chu Shaoling nodded: "If it's really well embroidered, I'll give it to Imperial Grandmother. I might have to trouble Fourth Sister to embroider another one for me then."

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but laugh: "You child, you want to give everything to me first. But what use do I have for the things you bring? Can I wear them?!"

Chu Shaoling seemed to have just realized, laughing: "That's true. Then Fourth Sister, embroider a fragrant sachet for Imperial Grandmother, with colors as beautiful as flowers."

Only then did Consort Ning realize that Chu Shaoling was indirectly helping Fuyi show filial piety in front of the Empress Dowager. She was endlessly grateful in her heart. Lowering her head, she smiled: "Yesterday, the princess embroidered a peerless peony. It's just that we didn't know what the Empress Dowager needed, so we didn't make anything. Now it seems to be just right."

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile: "I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Don't always let Fuyi stay cooped up in her own palace, sewing. It's taxing on the mind and hurts the eyes. When there's nothing to do, come out for walks more often. I'll feel more at ease seeing it too."

Consort Ning stood up and agreed, secretly nodding gratefully at Chu Shaoling.

At the same moment in Bitao Palace, Wei Ji was playing chess with Zhang Lifeng. Wei Ji didn't understand why he had to learn these things, but since General Zhang wanted to teach him, he naturally had to study diligently. He played black while Zhang Lifeng played white. On the board, the black pieces were being slaughtered in defeat after defeat.

Zhang Lifeng showed no mercy in his moves, not caring that Wei Ji was just beginning to learn. After playing a few games, Zhang Lifeng slowly discovered that Wei Ji would make progress with each game, and he absolutely wouldn't fall into the same trap a second time.

Zhang Lifeng was secretly amazed in his heart, but didn't say anything on the surface. After they played ten games, they put away the board. Wei Ji respectfully saw Zhang Lifeng out. Just as he returned and wanted to carefully study some more, it was announced that the Fourth Prince Chu Shaoyang had arrived.

Chu Shaoling wasn't there, so Chu Shaoyang should leave right away. Because of what happened last time in the study, Wei Ji didn't really want to see Chu Shaoyang. He found a book to read by himself. Yesterday, Chu Shaoling had read a storybook and said it was pretty good. Wei Ji also wanted to see what was in it.

Seeing Chu Shaoyang arrive, Wang Muhan hurriedly went to greet him, smiling: "Greetings Fourth Prince. The prince went to Ci'an Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and hasn't returned yet. This servant will brew you some tea first. Will you wait a while?"

Chu Shaoyang glanced inside but didn't see Wei Ji, thinking he had gone out with Chu Shaoling. Suddenly remembering another matter, he said, "It's nothing, just a small matter in the court. We've almost finished discussing it, and now we urgently need big brother's seal to start the development. Where is big brother's seal kept?"

Wang Muhan said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, you've asked the right person. How could this old servant possibly touch the prince's seal?"

Chu Shaoyang chuckled, "Then the matter will be delayed. If the Emperor blames big brother, who will bear the responsibility? Big brother's seal surely won't be carried on his person and must be in this palace. Quickly find it and give it to me!"

The list of officials going south for inspection this year hadn't been finalized yet. Chu Shaoling and Marquis Zijun had a tight grip on it, and Chu Shaoyang couldn't get involved at all. It was a lucrative position, and Chu Shaoyang also wanted to send some of his own people. It just so happened that Chu Shaoling was away, so he could settle the matter. Chu Shaoling had always doted on him, so even if he found out, he probably wouldn't really do anything.

Wang Muhan didn't know about the previous matter. He had always treated Chu Shaoyang differently from the other princes, serving him as if he were half a master. Hearing this, he fully believed it and said anxiously, "We can't delay the prince's matter, but this old servant really doesn't know where the prince's seal is... Oh right, Master Wei is in the palace. If we ask him, he'll know!"

Wei Ji had been in the study all this time, listening to their conversation. Knowing he couldn't avoid it, he had no choice but to come out and pay his respects. This time, Chu Shaoyang didn't make things difficult for him and just smiled, "It's good that you're here. Go get big brother's seal; there's an urgent need for it."

Wei Ji didn't quite understand what Chu Shaoyang had just said. He only knew that Chu Shaoling had mentioned that last time's witchcraft matter was the result of Chu Shaoyang selling out Chu Shaoling. In his heart, he was only loyal to Chu Shaoling alone, let alone someone who had harmed Chu Shaoling before. Hearing this, Wei Ji shook his head, "The prince isn't here, so the prince's seal can't be moved."

Chu Shaoyang spent a long time persuading him to no avail and sneered, "If this matter can't be started today, the Emperor will surely be angry when he finds out. Do you want to get big brother killed? Find the seal and give it to me!"

Wei Ji still said the same thing, "The prince isn't here, so the seal can't be moved."

Chu Shaoyang was furious and scolded, "I nicely said a few words to you, and you dare to put on a long face! You're nothing but a watchdog. How dare you not listen to me?!"

Wei Ji lowered his head, "Even if this official is a watchdog, I am the prince's watchdog. The prince isn't here, so the seal can't be moved."

No matter what Chu Shaoyang said, Wei Ji remained unmoved with a face of indifference. Chu Shaoyang was so angry that veins popped out on his forehead, but he was also afraid of Chu Shaoling coming back and seeing, so he had no choice but to leave resentfully. Wei Ji and Wang Muhan respectfully saw off the Fourth Prince. Wei Ji glanced at Chu Shaoyang's back and turned to return to the study, his heart still thinking about the storybook from earlier.