The Qianwan Emperor returned to the inner chamber, where Mingde sat by the window, propping his chin and teasing the parrot on the beam.

The fire had gone out, and he was wearing a single white long robe with a light cicada-wing gauze wrapped around him, making him look hazy and ethereal. It was the height of spring, with only a slight chill in the air, yet he still had a large fur sable wrapped around his neck. Such extravagance made his small figure appear especially frail and weak, and also especially harsh.

The Qianwan Emperor frowned slightly. Zhang Kuo, who was standing to the side, moved his eyes and after a while, silently brought over a fur coat and a string of pearls on a golden tray. The Qianwan Emperor took them in his hands, walked over and wrapped the little one tightly in his arms, asking, "Was that big pinch of salt tasty?"

Mingde paused for a moment, then sneered, "Everyone says Your Majesty is a benevolent ruler. With such consideration for your subjects, I can't help but want to submit a memorial praising you!"

The Qianwan Emperor deliberately asked, "How will you submit the memorial? With a spoon?"

Mingde pushed him away with one hand and tried to stand up with the other. The Qianwan Emperor held him tightly, with one arm firmly encircling his waist, forcing Mingde to curl up in his arms. He lowered his head and could bite the tip of Mingde's thin ear.

"You've killed so many people since getting up this morning, causing unrest for everyone. You should just stay obediently in this palace and never go anywhere else in your life. Otherwise, all the people in the world will be disturbed by you and unable to find peace!"

Mingde could tolerate anything else, but these words were the most taboo. He immediately pushed the Qianwan Emperor away and stood up abruptly, laughing and asking, "I may not go anywhere else, but I still have to pay my respects to your Virtuous Consort every morning, don't I?"

The Qianwan Emperor was stunned for a moment, then reached out and pulled Mingde over. The pull was so fierce that Mingde stumbled and was lifted into the air, then carried over in a few steps and pressed onto the large couch.

The long, soft fur of the sable brushed against his chin, and his neck was so white it was almost transparent. One could see the pale blue blood vessels at a glance, extending softly down from the collarbone. The slight and somewhat hurried pulsation throbbed so helplessly under the Qianwan Emperor's fingertips, as if it would break with the slightest press, as if it could be easily damaged.

The Qianwan Emperor's voice became noticeably hoarse, so low it was almost inaudible: "...I'd like to see who dares to let you pay respects... You're already slippery as an eel when paying respects to me, and you still dare to see others..."

The palace servants behind the curtains silently retreated, only having time to let down the gauze curtain in their haste. The furnishings outside were still vaguely visible, and could be seen through with a careful glance.

Mingde's face was flushed with shame and anger. He bit the Qianwan Emperor's hand fiercely and said, "Let go!"

The little one's teeth were sharp, a mouthful of sticky rice-like teeth. With one bite, a trail of blood seeped out in droplets. Without thinking, the Qianwan Emperor stuffed his thumb between Mingde's lips to block his mouth. Mingde frowned, wanting to bite down hard, but couldn't. A taste of blood rushed straight to his temples, throbbing violently. If there was a knife at hand, he might have already stabbed the Qianwan Emperor through with it.

The Qianwan Emperor pressed him down with one hand, lowering his head to kiss his brow, while coaxing in a low voice, "Be good, listen... Look at you, as if I've bullied you..."

Mingde grabbed his hand, trying to push it away, but the Qianwan Emperor caught all five of his fingers in one hand, holding them in his palm. The fingertips were delicate and exquisite, with a faint redness, completely unrecognizable as the hands that once drew a bow and arrow, pointing at the celestial wolf, striking fear into the hearts of people across the vast world.

The Qianwan Emperor recalled that he had wanted to do this a long time ago. That was the first time he saw this little thing, so beautiful, wrapped in a large red felt, the bright red color making the whole person look like white jade, as if the warmth in his arms was slightly hotter, it could melt this person.

That was the first time he had seen such an exquisite and delicate little beauty in the world, like a priceless treasure that had to be carefully maintained and cared for, even his breathing while sleeping was so light it was almost imperceptible. He carefully picked up one of the child's hands and held it in his palm, not daring to use any force, afraid that a squeeze would break it. The bones were so light, as if they had no substance at all.

For a long time afterwards, he inexplicably felt that he was very lucky. In his youth, the Qianwan Emperor had fought on horseback, risking his life nine times out of ten. Later, he had spent many years in court, not knowing how much effort he had expended to sit on this hard-won dragon throne. So many years had passed, and now Mingde had fallen into his hands, so precious and sudden, like a reward and treasure from heaven.

Every dynasty had an emperor, but not every emperor was fortunate enough to obtain the world's ultimate beauty. How many beauties were recorded in the history books from ancient times to the present? And how many emperors were able to lock a beauty in the deep palace?

Mingde felt uncomfortable being held down like this and struggled hard, fiercely pulling his hand back and slapping the Qianwan Emperor.

"...It's broad daylight, I still have to go out!"

"Where are you going?"

"The Eastern Palace!"

The Qianwan Emperor suddenly flipped Mingde over, kissing the back of his neck, and laughed indistinctly, "The crown prince won't run away if you go a little later. If you keep throwing tantrums, be careful or I'll lock you up and you won't be allowed out in the future."

Although he said that, Mingde would not listen. This child had to make a fuss to relieve boredom when he had nothing to do, let alone in bed, where he never behaved obediently. He had been in good health recently, eating and sleeping well, so he had the strength to struggle. After being bitten a few more times, the Qianwan Emperor finally lost his temper. He pressed a knee between Mingde's thighs and asked with a smile, "You want to try being locked up again, right?"

He was smiling, but the smile did not reach his eyes at all. Mingde shrank back, but couldn't help but mock, "People say that both thunder and rain are the emperor's grace. Should this subject say 'thank you for your grace'?"

The Qianwan Emperor laughed and said with a teasing expression, his voice so low it was almost inaudible, "...I should be... thanking you for your grace instead..."

On the hard wooden dining table outside, only a little of the lunch had been eaten when the servants coming to clear the table were blocked at the door. Normally, they would just wait a bit at this time, but the servants in the small kitchen all knew that the former young noble consort had returned, so the Emperor had also indulged a bit.

From just after lunch until dusk, that door remained tightly shut. The palace servants waited outside in complete silence, not even daring to cough once.

Everyone knew that the young noble consort had a violent temper. As the confidante of the currently most favored Virtuous Consort, Dechun was an arrogant and domineering figure that no one dared to provoke on normal days. Just for offending the young noble consort, she was dragged out without a word and beaten half to death.

What was even more frightening was that the Emperor, who usually did not mistreat his subordinates, completely indulged the young noble consort's arrogant and tyrannical behavior without a single word of objection.

Among the prominent palace servants in Qingzhen Palace, it was already spreading like a joke that the Virtuous Consort, who thought she would soon be crowned Empress, had come crying and making a scene to find the Emperor in the morning, only to be urgently blocked outside the inner palace by Eunuch Zhang...

It was said the Emperor was attending to official business inside, but who didn't know what was really happening? It was just that the young beauty had thrown a tantrum, smashing pots and pans in front of the ministers, causing the Emperor to lose face. As a result, the Emperor had hurried back to coax her.

The Virtuous Consort still wanted to make a scene. Eunuch Zhang blocked her way and just slightly pouted his lips towards the dark sea of palace servants kneeling and waiting under the covered walkway. He laughed, "Did Your Ladyship see? Those are all the senior maids and servants who have served closely by His Majesty's side for many years. They've been kneeling for an entire afternoon. Who dares to say an extra word?

His Majesty has made it clear. When the young noble consort previously lived in this Qingzhen Palace, she liked quietness. The servants she trained were all completely silent. Now that the young noble consort has returned, the servants here must return to the old rules. Whoever dares to make an extra sound, His Majesty will personally..."

In the end, the Virtuous Consort, who came from a humble family background, did not have the boldness of Ding Zhaorong. After making a scene for a while, she left. Eunuch Zhang diligently accompanied her out of the Qingzhen Palace gate. Watching the imperial carriage disappear into the distance, he sighed. A sentence was stuck in his throat but ultimately went unspoken.

...This one's time in favor won't last long either...

The servants attending inside the inner palace of Qingzhen Palace only opened the door in the evening. A message was passed from inside saying to bring in some light dishes, congee and rice. The close attendant palace maids hurriedly went in to serve, but did not enter the inner chamber. Inside, the Qianwan Emperor personally received the food without allowing anyone to wait upon him.

The food box was also quite exquisite - a plate of tofu and crab roe buns, a plate of goose oil milk crisps, a few light dishes, and a bowl of creamy yogurt served in a yin-yang patterned porcelain bowl with a matching spoon. The Qianwan Emperor examined it for a while, then smiled at Mingde, "The chefs in the Imperial Kitchen are quite interesting!"

Mingde completely ignored him, curled up deep in the dragon bed, hidden under the covers like a plump little dumpling. The Qianwan Emperor held the bowl in one hand and tried to lift the covers with the other.

As soon as he lifted it a bit, he saw Mingde clutching the corner of the quilt in his hands, refusing to let it be lifted. When he exerted a bit more strength, Mingde's grip softened and he couldn't hold on anymore. The exposed section of his slender arm was covered in red and blue kiss marks, carrying an indescribable sense of grievance and fear in the indulgent atmosphere.

The Qianwan Emperor only felt a spark of anger burning in his heart again. He couldn't help but reach out to embrace Mingde's shoulders and pull him over, asking in a low voice, "Why are you crying? You've had this bad habit for so long and still can't change it. You cry from a bit of pain. I'm not even dead yet and you're crying like this..."

Mingde shrank further into the covers. The Qianwan Emperor couldn't stand him being like this. He directly held him in his arms and slowly blew on a spoonful of congee to feed him.

Mingde raised his hand to knock over the spoon, but the Qianwan Emperor quickly stopped him, "If you finish eating, I'll let you go see the Crown Prince. Otherwise, I'd like to see who dares to let you out this door."

"..." Mingde glanced up at him, then carefully lowered his head to eat a spoonful of congee. He said softly, "...It's too hot."

The Qianwan Emperor tasted a mouthful, "It's not hot."

Mingde felt a bit irritated at that. He turned his face away without saying a word.

The Qianwan Emperor was in a very good mood and found it amusing to watch. He knew full well that this little one was just trying to be difficult, but he pretended not to know. He coaxed him while slowly blowing on the congee to cool it.

Just like that, it took an entire hour to drink one bowl of congee, cooling it when it was hot and reheating it when it cooled, until it was time for dinner before the door was opened. The palace servants all swarmed to follow behind, only to see the Qianwan Emperor carrying a boy in his arms. The boy was wrapped in snow silk, like a jade carving, with his face buried, revealing just the tip of a slender ear.

The Qianwan Emperor seemed quite cheerful as he instructed the servants, "Go find a large silver fox fur coat. The night is cold, so drape a feather gauze cloak over him. Take him to the Eastern Palace to see the Crown Prince."

Eunuch Zhang quickly acknowledged the order and busied himself with arranging the carriage. That trip was even more troublesome than when the Emperor himself set out. Despite it being just a short journey of a meal's time, a heap of things were prepared. They practically wrapped Mingde into a snowball and stuffed him into the carriage.

Eunuch Zhang followed behind, laughing, "This servant heard that the young noble consort suffered frostbite to his heart and lungs in the foothills of the Tianshan Mountains. A special medicinal soup was requested from Physician Hu for him to drink upon his return."

The Qianwan Emperor nodded. After a while, he suddenly said, "Zhang Kuo!"

Eunuch Zhang quickly replied, "This servant is here."

"Have a few reliable people send the medicinal soup to the Eastern Palace and watch him drink it."

Eunuch Zhang answered yes, but also seemed a bit troubled. It went without saying how bad Mingde's temper was. Which palace servant hadn't experienced it?

Even if the Qianwan Emperor personally served him and forced him, it wasn't certain that bowl of medicinal soup could be drunk. Let alone the servants! It would be quite good if they didn't get chased back by flying kicks and smashed bowls!

He was just about to speak up to remind the Qianwan Emperor of this point when he heard the Emperor say in a low voice, "...That medicine isn't a big deal. The key is to find two people who can properly remind the Crown Prince of what to say and what not to say. If he says one wrong sentence, don't blame me... for not giving him any face as the Crown Prince!"

The Eastern Palace was built in the southeast corner of the palace complex, adjacent to the Zhengtai Palace. Originally, it was meant to encourage the crown prince to be diligent in court affairs. However, in later years, the Qianwan Emperor built a palace wall separating the two, making it clear to discerning eyes that the emperor disliked the crown prince.

Strangely, despite the emperor's dislike and suppression of the Eastern Palace's power, the crown prince was never actually deposed. Although the position of crown prince was precarious, there was no other prince who could replace him.

As the carriage passed through the palace wall, the Eastern Palace lay ahead. Mingde sat in the carriage, drowsy, when suddenly the carriage stopped. He heard faint voices coming from the front, followed by the gentle persuasion of the palace servants: "...Princess Qinghe, please return... The emperor said only the crown prince is allowed to see the visitor, no one else..."

The palace servant had only spoken halfway when Mingde's voice suddenly came from the carriage: "Is that Princess Qinghe in front? Quickly invite her in!"

The eunuch wanted to repeat the emperor's words, but then he remembered the servants who were dragged out and beaten in the morning. He immediately smiled and repeatedly said, "Yes! Yes! Princess, please come this way!" He then hurried over and pulled open the carriage curtain.

The interior of the carriage was extremely spacious, with a bright yellow carpet covering the floor, as large as a small room. Mingde had to stand up and take two steps to reach the door. He reached out and pulled up Ah Zui, smiling and asking, "Why are you here? Why didn't you bring the little ones to play? I've been thinking about your children!"

Ah Zui pressed down the carriage curtain with her hand and turned to look at Mingde. In just one year, she had been promoted and had become much wealthier than before. However, amidst the peacock fur coat and gold-red makeup, she appeared indescribably pale.

Mingde was startled: "What happened to you? Where is the crown prince?"

Ah Zui trembled slightly. She took a deep breath before she could forcibly suppress herself to say the first sentence: "The crown prince has been placed under house arrest!"

Mingde was shocked. He and Ah Zui stared at each other for a long time, the nerves honed by years of open and secret struggles in the palace suddenly tightening. An ominous premonition gradually enveloped the luxurious carriage.

"Then... what about the empress?"

Ah Zui covered her mouth with such force that it exceeded her own imagination, using this method to prevent herself from crying out loud.

Mingde felt his heart sink to the bottom. His whole body was cold: "...Where is the empress? Why was the crown prince placed under house arrest? Where is the empress?"

Ah Zui sobbed silently, shaking her head desperately: "The empress... she has already... already been... forced to commit suicide..."

Mingde felt his whole body go limp, and he silently collapsed onto the carriage seat.

Ah Zui squatted down and wiped away the tears on her face with force: "...When the emperor discovered that Prince Dongyang Jinyuan was planning to rebel, he forbade him from leaving the capital, planning to surround and suppress the prince's manor... The empress secretly sent people to escort him out of the capital, hoping to... to let this palace have a new master... But later the matter was exposed, and the emperor was furious...

"This matter has been kept secret, and the emperor was afraid that you would find out. Publicly, it has been said that the empress is in deep seclusion for Buddhist practice, but everyone in the Eastern Palace knows that the empress has already..."

Mingde's hands were shaking so much that he could barely utter a word.

"You must escape quickly!" Ah Zui tightly grasped Mingde's hand, with such force that her long, luxurious fingernails dug deep into his flesh.

"—It is said that the emperor has already declared that this time when you return, he does not intend to let you leave. Go and take a look at the empress's former palace! It has already been demolished in preparation for building a new palace, which is being prepared for you in the future!... You must leave quickly, leave, go far away from this capital city! The emperor's intentions are already very clear. If you do not hand over military power this time, you will not be able to take a single step out of the bedchamber in your next life!"