Emperor Wei was once again infuriated by his unfilial son.

After hearing from Chang Ning about Wei Yu’s “bandit” behavior, the Emperor was both exasperated and amused.

A dignified prince, resorting to swindling and cheating? If he needed money, couldn’t he have just told his father the Emperor? Did he really think his father would mistreat his own son?

To that, Wei Yu could only say it wasn’t mistreatment—just stinginess. Honestly, cheating and swindling was a lot more convenient than asking his father for money.

Inside the private room at the restaurant, now under guard, Chang Ning and Sun Zhao stood stiffly and respectfully—both notorious playboys of the capital, yet at this moment, neither dared let their eyes wander.

[Ah—oh my god, I actually met the Emperor, I actually met the Emperor, I actually met the Emperor…]

[Why would the Emperor leave the palace? And I happened to run into him? What a coincidence! But for the Emperor to ask about the Ninth Prince—it really must mean the Ninth Prince has won his heart!]

The Emperor was starting to get a headache from the racket in their heads.

Especially that Chang Ning—his thoughts were way too noisy! The Emperor couldn’t understand how the Dean of the Imperial College had raised a son like this!

Because the internal chatter was just looping the same thing over and over, the Emperor gave Chang Ning a disdainful glance, then turned to look at Sun Zhao instead.

Hmm, though this boy resembled his father Sun Yikang, at least his demeanor wasn’t as unpleasant.

The Emperor asked Sun Zhao, “Earlier, you said you just came from the Wise King’s manor?”

Sun Zhao paused for a second, and after a quick glance, he immediately grasped the Emperor’s intent.

He quickly replied, “Yes, this humble subject visited His Highness the Wise King’s manor to observe the ecological livestock system His Highness has established there.”

What the heck?

Now it was the Emperor’s turn to be stunned.

Ecological livestock system? That unfilial brat never mentioned this to him!

The Emperor frowned—and that alone made everyone present tense up.

So Sun Zhao began explaining the whole story: how the Ninth Prince had charted a glorious path for them “unpolished jades” to become worthy of history—“On the Rise of Great Wei’s Livestock Industry: A Playboy’s Redemption.”

After he finished explaining, Sun Zhao couldn’t help but sigh with emotion: “We never knew we had such potential. If not for the Ninth Prince’s guidance, we really would’ve wasted our talents.”

The Emperor fell into stunned silence.

Even Li Cheng, standing nearby, was dumbfounded.

The Chief Eunuch lifted an eyelid to glance at the clueless youth before him, unable to figure out how the son of the Minister of Justice could be this… simple?

[Wasted talent, sure. But based on what I know of the Ninth Prince, it’s less about seeing potential and more about spotting someone rich and naive.]

Now that was a spot-on comment.

The Emperor couldn’t help but agree in his heart.

Given what he knew of Wei Yu, that brat never made a move without profit in mind. If he really saw exceptional talent, fine—but these two? Exceptional talent?

More like exceptional wealth.

After pondering a moment, the Emperor solemnly nodded. “Very good. Since the Wise King has chosen you, then do your best. Don’t let down my trust—or his.”

Oh my god!

The Emperor actually praised them?! He was entrusting them with responsibility?!

Sun Zhao was overwhelmed with excitement, though his face stayed taut. He cupped his fists and solemnly replied, “Your Majesty, rest assured! I will engrave your words upon my heart. I will follow His Highness the Wise King’s instructions, work diligently, uphold the spirit of burning the midnight oil and perseverance, and strive to spread Great Wei’s livestock industry across the entire nation—so that all people may have meat to eat!”

The Emperor was deeply moved.

He feared not the young who spoke grandly in front of him, but the young who dared not even dream.

He admired this kind of energetic youth.

The Emperor smiled and nodded. “Good! This is what sons of Great Wei should be like!”

Another word of praise. Sun Zhao straightened his back and replied seriously, “Your Majesty flatters me. I dare not accept such high praise.”

“If I say you deserve it, then you do.”

The Emperor then promised them, “As for developing the livestock industry—go ahead and do it. If you encounter difficulties, seek the Wise King’s help. As long as what you do doesn’t violate the laws of Great Wei or trouble the local people, I’ll make things easier for you where I can. What do you say?”

Sun Zhao was overjoyed. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!”

Once the Emperor had finally left, fully satisfied, Chang Ning immediately grabbed the jubilant Sun Zhao.

“Hey hey hey, Brother Sun, don’t go just yet. Uh, do you guys still need people? How about adding me too?”

Sun Zhao gave him a sidelong look, laughed mockingly, and asked, “Didn’t you think the Wise King was a fraud?”

Chang Ning’s face twisted slightly, but he forced a smile and denied it through gritted teeth, “Of course not! Brother Sun, you’re so funny. How could someone as great as His Highness the Wise King be a fraud? That was my loose tongue talking—I was wrong. I apologize to both you and His Highness!”

Sun Zhao let out a snort, threw an arm around Chang Ning’s shoulders, and led him forward.

“Alright, we’ve known each other for years, no need for that talk. I already saved a spot for you.”

“Huh? Really? What’s my assignment? I’m not raising pigs, right? Those things stink.”

“Pigs? You wish! You’re raising geese.”

“Geese? That’s fine. What about you—what are you raising?”

“Me? Sheep! I plan to buy land near Youzhou later to raise sheep, like the Northern Hu.”

“Wow, Sun Zhao, you’re killing it. Take me with you! I want to see Youzhou too.”

“Sure—”

—

After leaving the restaurant, the Emperor found himself torn between returning to the palace or going to Wei Yu’s manor.

He asked Li Cheng, “Do you think I should go take a look at Wei Yu’s manor?”

Li Cheng replied with a smile, “You are the Emperor. You can go wherever you please.”

The Emperor was quite pleased with that answer.

“Right. Anywhere I go is proper. That brat’s been buying land and building academies, and now he’s setting up research institutes too. He’s done so much—I’ve yet to see any of it myself. Go—prepare the carriage. I’m going now.”

It didn’t take long for the Emperor to arrive at the manor.

But upon arrival, their group was stopped by the manor’s patrol guards.

Luckily, He Yong was nearby. Hearing the commotion, he came over to check. When he caught sight of Eunuch Li Cheng’s pale face and the stern, intimidating guards by the carriage, a suspicion formed in his mind.

Especially after he asked a question and heard Li Cheng’s sharp eunuch voice respond—He Yong was instantly certain.

“You must be the steward of this manor. Our master has an old acquaintance with your lord. He had some free time today, so he came for a visit.”

As Li Cheng spoke, he took out a token from his sleeve and handed it over.

One glance at the token—and He Yong’s pupils shrank.

Indeed, someone from the palace!