Chapter 24

"He took something that belongs to Father Emperor," Zhu Hanyu said without hesitation.

"You're lying! When did I ever take anything from His Majesty?" Xu Qingshi thought to himself that he wasn’t foolish enough to steal from the Emperor. He still valued his head.

"Of course you did! Those items were promised to my father, so they belong to him. Did you ask for his permission before keeping them for yourself?" Zhu Hanyu pressed, his tone accusatory.

"I..." Xu Qingshi faltered, unable to refute. It was true—he hadn’t consulted the Emperor before keeping those things.

"Child, don’t frighten Qingshi like this," the Empress interjected, sensing the situation. She suspected Xu Qingshi had taken something, but given the Emperor’s favor toward Prince An, she doubted the boy would face serious consequences.

"Qingshi, if you wish to take something belonging to His Majesty, you must first ask for his permission," the Empress said gently, smiling at him.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I’ll go see His Majesty right away," Xu Qingshi replied, lowering his head as he realized his mistake.

"Hanyu, accompany Qingshi to see your father. If His Majesty is occupied with state affairs, wait until he’s finished," the Empress instructed her younger son. Then, remembering his tendency for loud wailing, she quickly added, "And no crying."

"Mother, can’t Qingshi go alone? I didn’t take Father’s things," Zhu Hanyu protested, his fear of his father making him reluctant.

"Isn’t Qingshi your friend? If you act like this, he might not take you out to play in the future," the Empress chided.

Truthfully, she also hoped her son would maintain a good relationship with Xu Qingshi, given Prince An’s influence. With the Emperor yet to name a crown prince, Prince An’s support could prove invaluable for Zhu Hanyu’s prospects...

"Come with me, and I’ll share any new toys my stepmother gives me," Xu Qingshi coaxed, thinking of the puzzle locks Li Zhiwei had promised him.

"You promise? No take-backs!" Zhu Hanyu’s eyes lit up at the thought of new playthings.

"Have I ever lied to you?" Xu Qingshi thumped his chest in assurance.

The two quickly agreed and set off together to seek the Emperor’s forgiveness.

Watching their retreating figures, the Empress sighed softly.

"Your Majesty, do you think His Majesty will punish Prince An’s Heir for this?" a maid whispered cautiously.

"It’s fine. Most likely, it’s just something the merchant’s daughter pledged to the court that the young heir fancied. After all, it was because of him that the treasury was enriched. His Majesty surely won’t hold it against him," the Empress dismissed lightly.

She doubted the Emperor would even remember the matter later.

Still, she had heard that the Li Family’s Daughter brought a considerable dowry.

"Did Prince An take her as his new Princess Consort?" the Empress mused aloud.

"Your Majesty, so it’s said. But His Majesty has yet to comment on the matter," the maid replied promptly.

"Go to the storeroom and select a few appropriate congratulatory gifts to send to Prince An and Princess Consort of An, as a gesture of this palace’s joy for their newlywed happiness." The Empress thought to herself, though she did not voice it—perhaps she had other considerations. But in this matter, the Emperor surely would not object.

"Yes!"

Xu Qingshi and Zhu Hanyu stopped in their tracks as they reached the entrance of the imperial study. Neither dared to barge in unannounced.

"Well, if it isn’t the Third Prince and Prince An's Heir! Do you have business with His Majesty?" Eunuch Liu had spotted the two young masters from afar. Now, seeing them lingering outside the study, he approached with a smile.

"Eunuch Liu, is my father busy at the moment?" Zhu Hanyu asked quietly, his small eyes darting toward the study.

"Your Highness has come at the perfect time. His Majesty has just finished his work. Why don’t you go in? He’d surely be delighted to see you." Eunuch Liu beamed at Zhu Hanyu, though inwardly curious. Normally, the Third Prince avoided the Emperor like a mouse fleeing a cat.

Today, however, he had come of his own accord—truly a first, like a maiden boarding a bridal sedan.

Still, when the Third Prince wasn’t crying, he was quite endearing.

"Eunuch Liu, could you announce us, please?" Zhu Hanyu lowered his head, gathering his courage after a moment’s hesitation.

Truthfully, his imperial father was rather intimidating. Today, he was risking his neck for his friend.

As he spoke, Zhu Hanyu shot a sidelong glance at Xu Qingshi, as if to say, Look how much I’m sacrificing for you.

Xu Qingshi could only offer an ingratiating smile in return. The mistake he’d made this time was serious, and he feared implicating his father and grandmother.

When Zhu Jingchen heard that his third son had come to see him, he couldn’t help but peer outside in disbelief.

Was the sky about to rain red?

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince and Prince An's Heir are still waiting outside," Eunuch Liu reminded him with a smile.

"Mm. Let them in. I’d like to see what these two rascals could possibly want from me." Learning that Xu Qingshi was also present, Zhu Jingchen had a fair idea of why they’d come.

Thinking of the twenty thousand taels in silver notes Xu Heming had given him, Zhu Jingchen subconsciously touched his chest, as if to reassure himself. What could he do? He was an emperor strapped for cash.

To think he’d been bribed so easily by a mere official with a mere twenty thousand taels.

But now that Xu Qingshi was here, perhaps he could squeeze a little more interest out of this?

"Let them in," Zhu Jingchen mused, already calculating what else he could reasonably demand from Xu Heming without pushing his luck.

After all, if he went too far and Xu Heming refused to work for him, the loss would be his.

Ever since he’d gained the invaluable Xu Heming, Zhu Jingchen felt his imperial duties had become much lighter.

And Xu Heming was never greedy. He accepted only what was given and firmly refused anything improper—just like this time, when Xu Qingshi had kept two items from Li Zhiwei’s dowry. Xu Heming had promptly rushed to the palace to deliver the silver notes.

What a thoughtful man.

The only question was whether Li Zhiwei would prove equally sensible.

The imperial treasury was desperately poor. If he could secure the Li family’s support, perhaps he wouldn’t have to remain a penniless emperor.

With that thought, Zhu Jingchen grew intensely curious about Li Zhiwei.

"Your son pays respects to Father Emperor!"

"Qingshi greets Imperial Uncle!"

The two little rascals entered the imperial study and obediently bowed to Zhu Jingchen, but the emperor, lost in his own thoughts, didn’t even hear the children’s greetings.

Zhu Hanyu grew anxious when his father didn’t tell him to rise.

Oh no, could it be that Father still refuses to forgive Xu Qingshi?

He never should have come with Xu Qingshi in the first place!

Zhu Hanyu shot a resentful glance at Xu Qingshi, his eyes brimming with grievance.

Brother, you’ve doomed me!