"Your Highness."

"Hmm?" Chu Shaoling opened his eyes and looked around. "It's snowing outside, the brightness is from the snow on the ground. It's not time yet, let's sleep a bit more."

Chu Shaoling turned to his side and hugged Wei Ji, covering his eyes with his hand. Wei Ji closed his eyes, but still advised in a low voice: "It should be the Chen hour already, right? Your Highness should attend the morning court."

Chu Shaoling chuckled, lowered his head to kiss Wei Ji's ear, and asked with a smile: "Life is short and the sun rises late, what's the next line?"

Wei Ji opened his eyes in a daze, thought for a moment and said: "From now on, the king will not..." Wei Ji's face suddenly turned red. He pursed his lips and refused to say more. Chu Shaoling laughed softly and whispered: "In the past, the tutors used these examples of incompetent emperors from previous dynasties to teach us. At that time, I only felt they were muddle-headed and incapable. Only after experiencing it myself did I realize it's forgivable."

Wei Ji's face was teased red by Chu Shaoling's words. He could only advise softly: "Your Highness must not speak recklessly. Since you're awake, please get up."

"I won't get up." Chu Shaoling tucked in the quilt for Wei Ji and said leisurely, "I'm not the emperor yet, can't I enjoy some leisure time? Even if I really become the emperor, I'm afraid I can only be a tyrant and incompetent ruler. At that time, I'll have to trouble Lord Wei to constantly remind me. Let's forget it for now."

Last night, the two of them only went to bed at the Zi hour, and they had only slept for three hours. Chu Shaoling felt a little distressed for Wei Ji. He was still young and not fully grown, how could he always lack sleep? Chu Shaoling held Wei Ji and let him lean closer to him. He gently massaged his waist and asked in a low voice, "Does it hurt there?"

Wei Ji was stunned for a moment before realizing where Chu Shaoling meant by "there". Embarrassed, his ears turned red as he stammered: "It's alright, it doesn't hurt too much."

Wei Ji always downplayed his own matters, turning big issues into small ones and small issues into nothing. When he said "it doesn't hurt too much", he was probably already quite uncomfortable. Chu Shaoling was a little worried. He sat up, opened a drawer by the bed, took out a small white jade bottle and handed it to Wei Ji: "Take a look."

The jade bottle was clean and flawless, carved with auspicious cloud patterns, very exquisite. Wei Ji pulled out the bottle stopper and poured out the contents to look. He saw brown medicinal pills the size of fingertips. The pills were smooth and delicate, with a layer of warm, glossy sheen. Wei Ji smelled them, the medicinal fragrance was faint, but he had never seen them before. Wei Ji looked up at Chu Shaoling and asked, "What illness does this treat?"

Chu Shaoling smiled, took a medicinal pill, and said softly, "I asked Imperial Physician Zhang to make this medicine for you. You..."

Chu Shaoling had asked Imperial Physician Zhang to prepare this medicine long ago, but he was afraid Wei Ji would be too embarrassed to use it. Chu Shaoling coaxed gently, "That place is not meant to be favored after all. You are still young, it would be bad if you really develop a chronic condition. This medicine was developed by Imperial Physician Zhang based on ancient formulas. It used many rare and precious medicinal ingredients. Using this medicine afterwards will make you much more comfortable and it's also nourishing for the body. Be good and listen."

Wei Ji understood what this was for. He hurriedly said with a red face, "This subordinate... that place is fine."

"It may be fine once or twice, but not in the long run." Chu Shaoling knew Wei Ji would be unwilling. He had to coax and trick him, and later scolded him sternly.

Wei Ji had no choice and didn't dare to argue with Chu Shaoling. In the end, he obediently let Chu Shaoling put the medicine in for him. Wei Ji's face was red and he didn't dare to look at Chu Shaoling. He thought last night's matter was already embarrassing enough for him, but who would have thought that after waking up today, he would still suffer this humiliating punishment. He wished he could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it right away.

Chu Shaoling gave a sweet date after a beating. He held Wei Ji and coaxed softly, "Isn't it for your own good? It doesn't feel uncomfortable, right? In a moment, you will feel the comfort. This medicine will dissolve into your body in less than an hour. I forgot about it last night, but in the future, just use it at night. The next day, you won't feel a thing." Chu Shaoling lowered his head to look at Wei Ji and chuckled, "Is it that embarrassing? Are you still shy with me?"

Wei Ji was too embarrassed to speak. Yesterday, Chu Shaoling said he would never bully him again, but now Wei Ji lowered his head and refused to answer Chu Shaoling. If Chu Shaoling wanted to bully him, so be it, but why did he always have to ask? How could Wei Ji answer Chu Shaoling's questions?

Chu Shaoling laughed and rubbed Wei Ji's head. That's how it was, no matter how difficult the matter, as long as it was his order, Wei Ji would agree.

Chu Shaoling pulled up the quilt and asked in a low voice, "Do you like it here?"

Wei Ji's face was still red. Upon hearing this, he nodded.

Chu Shaoling said, "After the New Year, we'll move in here. I mentioned it to the Empress Dowager before. The Empress Dowager's intention is to let me spend the New Year in the palace, which is also good. The rooms here are newly built after all, and are a bit damp and cold. I'll have people burn incense burners every day. In a few days, the rooms here will be dry and warm. After the fifteenth, we'll move back. No matter how good the palace is, it's not as comfortable as our own manor, right?"

"Mm." Wei Ji recalled their situation in the Thousand Longevity Villa and smiled. "There aren't so many people watching, it's quite nice."

Chu Shaoling smiled and kissed Wei Ji's forehead. He chuckled softly, "Anyway, it's already late. Let's sleep a bit more."

Wei Ji no longer insisted. Yesterday they stayed up so late that he also felt a bit tired. Outside, snow was drifting and cold winds were gusting, but inside the room, it was warm with the incense burner. Wei Ji was also feeling a bit lazy, sinking into the soft and fluffy quilt. He yawned, "Your Highness, is it really alright not to attend the morning court?"

Chu Shaoling hugged Wei Ji and closed his eyes, casually saying, "When I left yesterday, I already said I would stay at the manor for a night. It's fine. Let's sleep a bit more. When we wake up, I'll have them make you a meat porridge to eat."

Wei Ji nodded and also closed his eyes, "Meat porridge is good. This subordinate loves to eat it."

In the Wei Manor, Wei Zhan and Fuyi had already gotten up long ago. Fuyi's two personal maids helped Fuyi change clothes and do her hair. Then they came to help Wei Zhan put on his clothes. Wei Zhan had been in the army for a long time and was used to taking care of everything himself. He was not accustomed to having people serve him. He said, "In the future, just serve the princess. You don't need to take care of me."

Hearing this, Fuyi lowered her head and smiled, feeling satisfied in her heart. Wei Zhan was not a man who indulged in female charms. Just from what she saw yesterday, there were no people in Wei Zhan's room before. After finishing her makeup, Fuyi closed the dressing case, stood up and smiled, "Does the prince consort usually take care of his daily life by himself?"

Wei Zhan nodded, "There are no women in the army. Almost everyone takes care of themselves. It's not difficult."

Fuyi approached and said softly, "Then in the future, I am willing to take care of the prince consort's daily life, is that alright?"

The two palace maids smiled upon hearing this, glanced at each other and quietly retreated. Seeing Fuyi's slightly flushed cheeks, Wei Zhan's heart softened. Princess Fuyi, despite her noble status, was no different from a married woman in front of him. Wei Zhan held Fuyi's hand and said in a low voice, "Princess, you have condescended to marry me, how could I let you worry about trivial matters?"

After spending a night together, the two had become much more familiar with each other. Fuyi endured her shyness and said softly, "You probably know about the situation in the palace. My mother concubine is not favored. I never felt that marrying you was a humiliation. Now that I've met you, I'm actually grateful that Father Emperor did not grant me a residence. Being able to be with you like an ordinary husband and wife is good."

Hearing this, Wei Zhan's heart softened. He nodded and said, "Rest assured, Princess, I will treat you well."

Chu Shaoling stayed with Wei Ji at the Qin Prince Manor until the afternoon before returning to the palace. It had been snowing the whole time and the roads were difficult to walk on. Wang Muhan, fearing the slippery snow, did not dare to prepare a carriage, only a warm sedan chair. It took a full half hour before they returned to the palace. After changing clothes, Chu Shaoling went to Ci'an Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Chu Shaoling rubbed Wei Ji's head and chuckled, "Go rest in the inner chamber for a while. The weather is bad today, don't go out with me. I'll come back and have dinner with you in the evening."

Wei Ji nodded, "This subordinate will go review the military strategies Master taught me a few days ago. Master said he would test me after Big Brother's grand wedding, but I haven't looked at them yet."

"Just take a look at the coursework Zhang Lifeng gave you, no need to take it too seriously," Chu Shaoling thought Wei Ji's studies were dispensable. "If you're tired, rest first. It's not like you need to be the top scholar, why be so diligent?"

Wei Ji couldn't help but smile, "This subordinate understands."

Chu Shaoling changed into a fox fur cloak and, holding a snow umbrella, stepped out into the snow.

In Ci'an Palace, the Empress Dowager was talking to Chu Shaoyang, smiling, "You came early today. Yesterday, I had a roasted venison sent to you, did you eat it?"

"I ate it," Chu Shaoyang smiled. "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother, for your kindness. I was craving it the past few days."

The Empress Dowager smiled, "I just remembered you love eating this."

As the two were talking, Chu Shaoling arrived. Chu Shaoyang quickly stood up. After the two paid their respects, they sat down. The Empress Dowager smiled, "Ling'er, you stayed at the manor yesterday, right? Is the renovation going well? If there's anything unsatisfactory, just tell me and I'll have the Ministry of Internal Affairs add or remove things for you."

Chu Shaoling smiled, "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother. Grandson has looked around and everything is very good. The treasures bestowed by Imperial Grandmother have all been carefully placed. Grandson told them to be cautious, and absolutely not to bump or chip them."

"It's nothing much. If you like them, I'll pick out more for you." Thinking about how Chu Shaoling would be leaving the palace after the New Year, the Empress Dowager felt very reluctant to part with him. She sighed, "Poor you, so young, and without even a princess consort, you have to manage the manor on your own. It makes my heart ache to think about it."

Chu Shaoling comforted with a smile, "It's alright. I'll still come to court every day. After court is dismissed, grandson will first come pay respects to Imperial Grandmother. Imperial Grandmother will be able to see me every day, just like living in Bitao Palace."

The Empress Dowager nodded, still not at ease. She said, "I'll give you two of my personal palace maids later. I'm always worried about you outside."

"How could I dare take Imperial Grandmother's old personal servants? If Imperial Grandmother lacks or misses anything because of it, wouldn't it all be grandson's fault?" Chu Shaoling's eyes were full of admiration. "If Imperial Grandmother has to make do, then grandson would truly be unhappy. I'm not a child anymore, Imperial Grandmother can rest assured."

Chu Shaoyang, listening on the side, had long since been bitter with jealousy. The Empress Dowager had never been so attentive and thoughtful to him, even wanting to send her room maids. Could it be that she was afraid Chu Shaoling would be cold and hungry outside?

Chu Shaoyang became even more resentful. Suddenly, he thought of Wei Ji. His heart moved and he smiled, "Imperial Grandmother, don't worry. Now Big Brother has a very capable person in his room, attentive to his needs and taking good care of Big Brother inside and out."

The Empress Dowager was puzzled and turned to ask, "Who? I haven't heard anyone mention this before."

Chu Shaoling put down his tea cup and sneered, "Fourth Brother seems to know a lot."

Chu Shaoyang pretended not to hear the implication in Chu Shaoling's words and smiled at the Empress Dowager, "Who doesn't know now? It's none other than the Fourth Prince Consort's biological brother, Big Brother's top bodyguard, Wei Ji."