Wei Yu took a liking to Chang Ning and his group of scoundrels.

Pah, more accurately, he took a liking to their wallets and the family backgrounds behind them.

They were all a bunch of playboys hanging around the capital, but they all had some ‘skills’.

Coincidentally, what Wei Yu was targeting was precisely those ‘skills’.

Holding onto the little fat lamb as he walked forward, Wei Yu didn’t let the maid lead the way. Instead, he followed the corridor and went wherever it led.

Then, this walk brought him to the Poetry Meeting Courtyard.

In this large courtyard, a group of scholars were gathered inside.

The Poetry Meeting Courtyard was a place for scholars to get together and discuss things, not limited to composing poetry; matters of the country and family, even speculations about the imperial exams' questions, they would also exchange ideas.

When Wei Yu passed by the corner of the wall, he happened to hear people on the other side discussing the imperial exams.

“Speaking of which, this autumn exam’s questions are quite unusual. No one knows who set them. The last question is actually about how to strengthen the army? Sigh, scholars usually bury their heads in books, where would they know about methods of strengthening the army? Whoever set this question is deliberately making things difficult.”

Aha, the autumn exam question?

Upon hearing this, Wei Yu stopped and even covered Chang Ning’s mouth who had just opened it.

“Shh, don’t make a sound. If they know someone is here, we won’t hear anything more!”

Chang Ning was speechless.

Eavesdropping at a wall corner with such boldness?

While mentally criticizing Wei Yu’s shamelessness, Chang Ning copied his posture and pricked up his ears.

The two were pressed against the wall listening, and the voices next door continued.

“Hey, quiet… don’t say that. I heard someone say that the last question in this autumn exam seems to be… you know what I mean?”

What riddle are they playing? Wei Yu couldn’t see but could guess.

The person being teased seemed to understand and suddenly enlightened, “Oh— I see! No wonder. Then, what do you think… will there be some change?”

“I guess so. You know, my master serves in the Hanlin Academy and has good connections. He told me that His Majesty previously intended to rebuild the military.”

“Rebuild the military! Then, is the court going to fight someone?”

“Brother Zhang, don’t panic. His Majesty just intends to; the court hasn’t decided on military matters yet. I heard it was blocked by His Highness the Wise King.”

“The Wise King? Oh, that’s the emperor’s youngest son, right? Blocked by the Wise King… could it be that His Majesty really favors the Wise King?”

Eavesdropping Wei Yu: …

He silently straightened up and casually grabbed Chang Ning by the collar at the back of his neck to pull him up.

“What are you doing!”

Being grabbed by someone younger by the collar is so embarrassing!

Chang Ning cared about his dignity. He bit his teeth and growled, “Let go! Can’t you see I’m eavesdropping here? If you’re not listening, go away!”

Wei Yu looked at him meaningfully.

Just now, Chang Ning had the appearance of a gentleman disdainful of eavesdropping, but his expression changed completely now.

Hah, men.

Chang Ning’s face turned red from being looked at like that. He straightened up and adjusted his clothes, “Ahem, well, I was just…”

“Enough, don’t say anymore.”

Wei Yu pulled him forward, reminding him, “Brother Chang, even eavesdropping needs some measure. What you did isn’t gentlemanly. Don’t eavesdrop next time, understand? Luckily, no one found out, or you’d have embarrassed me.”

Chang Ning: ?

Shameless or this guy is more shameless.

After moving away from the wall, Chang Ning glanced sideways at Wei Yu, “Hey, why did you suddenly stop listening and pull me away just now? Do you know the Wise King?”

More than just knowing.

He’s him, okay!

Wei Yu kept a straight face, “Why are you asking? Planning to secretly befriend the Wise King behind my back and ditch me, your confidant?”

Chang Ning: “… Don’t you feel guilty saying that? I don’t even know your full name after all this time! How dare you call us confidants?”

Wei Yu: “Well… then I’ll allow you to call me Ninth Brother.”

Chang Ning was slightly stunned, “Ninth Brother? Are you the ninth in your family?”

“Yes, you know, royal family members usually have many siblings.”

Wei Yu turned his head and looked at Chang Ning with sorrowful eyes, “So Brother Chang, even if I don’t say it, you can guess my pain, right?”

Chang Ning: …

As an only child, he really didn’t want to understand his pain…

This guy just wants to scam money from him!!

Chang Ning’s face twisted, he gritted his teeth and asked, “You’re royal family, right? Doesn’t your family usually give you a monthly allowance? I have twenty taels, okay!”

Oh snap.

Twenty taels!

Wei Yu looked at Chang Ning deeply with unspeakable affection, “Brother Chang, you’re so rich.”

Damn!

Realizing he’d let something slip, Chang Ning wished he could slap himself!

He covered his chest and was about to leave, “No money! My family isn’t wealthy. My father is a professor at the Imperial Academy; his salary isn’t much. Stop trying to scam me. If I say no money, then there’s no money!”

Wei Yu quickly caught up, smiling with ill intent, “Brother Chang~ who are we kidding, we’re confidants. I know you can’t bear to see me suffer, right?”

Chang Ning ignored him.

“Ah, since we’re confidants, I shouldn’t hide it from you. My mother died early, and my father is busy with official duties, barely seeing me. I’m the youngest in the family and not close with my brothers and sisters. At home, I’m someone no one pays attention to…”

Chang Ning’s heart moved.

“I know you’re a good person. When I first met you, I felt you were even more like a brother than my own siblings! I longed for brotherly ties with you, so I tried to get close! Unfortunately, I lied to you before and made you distrust me; that was my fault…”

Chang Ning started to feel guilty.

He moved his lips, looking at the sad young man beside him, feeling bad inside.

“Ah, you… don’t be sad.”

Chang Ning stammered, his tone much gentler than before.

Oh, so he’s one of those who respond to softness, not hardness.

Wei Yu looked up, pitifully at him, “But Brother Chang doesn’t want to recognize me as his confidant…”

Chang Ning bared his teeth, “… I do!”

“Really? But you look reluctant.”

“Not reluctant!”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure!”

“All right! Let’s go, Brother Chang, let’s find your group of scoundrels!”

Chang Ning: …?

Looking at someone who changes faces faster than flipping pages, Chang Ning was dumbfounded.

Maybe emotionally traumatized, he was held by Wei Yu and dragged forward, not saying a word all the way.

The little fat lamb was caught, and Wei Yu didn’t care about his feelings at all. Instead, Fang Sheng pitied him with a glance.

Another poor soul caught in His Highness’s trap.

With His Highness’s style, the capital probably wouldn’t see another like him for hundreds of years. Meeting him really calls for going to a Buddhist temple to pray for good luck and dispel bad luck…

Pitiful, really pitiful.

But it looks quite fun.

Hehe.