Ji Su's eyes were undoubtedly handsome. He was born with a cold, detached face, so clear and distant he seemed like an immortal banished to the mortal realm, as if fated to be cut off from the seven emotions and purified of the six sensory attachments. The faint emotions that occasionally surfaced in his eyes were like the mountain mist beside a cliff, deceiving the world—ethereal and boundless, concealing an endless abyss below.

If one were to miss their step, what followed would no longer be under their control.

Thus, though the man was so handsome, Ji Weiqiu never dared to look for long.

After their eyes met for a moment, Ji Weiqiu looked away. Even though he wasn't looking, the realization that Ji Su was watching him with unprecedented seriousness still made his mouth go dry and made him more nervous than ever before.

The flowing cloud and water pattern embroidered on his wide sleeves seemed to exert a great attraction on Ji Weiqiu at this moment. The hand hidden beneath his sleeve dug into his palm. The next instant, he looked up as if nothing was wrong and said with a smile, "How am I playing dumb? Imperial Elder Brother, you know I'm not interested in those court affairs. Since you're suddenly asking me how to handle it... I can only say either settle it privately or go through official channels."

As Ji Weiqiu spoke, a strange feeling arose in his heart: 'Good grief, he's the highest local administrative official, and I'm talking about it like two minivans scraping each other on the main road.' "...Settle it privately, I'll find someone to beat him up, then hand him over to the authorities. Go through official channels, I'll have Xingbo write a memorial to impeach him. In short, there are laws to follow. Whatever the statutes say, that's how he'll be judged."

Ji Weiqiu got into the flow of it and added, "My brother is the emperor. Does he have one? What do I have to be afraid of?"

His tone grew higher, full of arrogance.

Ji Su's expression was unreadable. He raised his chin slightly, "Is that all?"

"What else?" Ji Weiqiu's eyelashes fluttered. This was what he thought, so this was what he said.

"What if I were to promote him and not hold him accountable for any crime?" Ji Su asked again.

Ji Weiqiu snorted coldly and said with certainty, "Then he will definitely die a more miserable death in the future."

Ji Su's eyes darkened slightly. "You trust so much that I will seek justice for you?"

"...Sooner or later." Ji Weiqiu made a gesture, his gaze burning. "If Imperial Elder Brother doesn't kill him, you must have your reasons. Perhaps he's still useful. When he's no longer useful, it won't be too late to kill him... I can wait. The bigger picture is more important, after all."

"What if I never kill him in my lifetime?"

"Then what else can I do but endure it!" Ji Weiqiu thought for a moment and said, "Hmm... if he truly is a genius of Sir Zhuge's caliber and is loyal to Imperial Elder Brother, what's a mere impeachment against me? He could come to my manor gate and curse me to my face, and it would be fine."

"Bearing such humiliation?" The corners of Ji Su's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile. "What are you seeking?"

He repeated, his voice very soft, "What are you seeking?"

Without a second thought, Ji Weiqiu said, "Naturally, I seek the prosperity and flourishing of the nation. What else could I seek?"

Ji Weiqiu looked at Ji Su, a little puzzled. "Imperial Elder Brother, I am a Prince. Since birth, I have been provided for by the common people and have enjoyed all the riches of the world. You've said before that I am mediocre and foolish. Fortunately, my character is not yet corrupt. I can't accomplish great things, but I also can't do anything truly bad. I have no great aspirations; all I seek is to continue living a carefree life without worrying about food and clothing."

Ji Su's gaze was profound. "Continue."

Ji Weiqiu continued, "Isn't that simple? If that person has talent rivaling Sir Zhuge and can wholeheartedly assist Imperial Elder Brother, making our dynasty prosperous and glorious... With the country flourishing and the treasury full, I, as a Prince, can naturally continue to enjoy a life of splendor and riches. What are a few curses? If he really comes, I'll open the central gates wide to invite him into my manor, serve him the best tea, have someone massage his shoulders and back, and I'll stand there and let him curse me to his heart's content."

Watching Ji Weiqiu talk himself into a state where his eyes crinkled with laughter, as if he could already see a future of endless, hedonistic wealth, Ji Su couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity.

"Besides, Imperial Elder Brother is still here. Could you really let someone bully me to death? ...There would surely be a reason for it, choosing the lesser of two evils, right?" Ji Weiqiu stared eagerly at Ji Su, as if waiting for him to nod.

How profound were these words?

This was the kind of person he was, greedy only for a bit of wealth... a wealth that depended on his elder brother. He believed his brother could be his support, giving him fairness and trust. And if his elder brother needed to abandon him, to betray him, as long as there was a need, he would have no complaints.

Ji Su's lips parted slightly, and he finally uttered a few words: "...You worthless thing."

Ji Su had wanted to say more, but he felt it was unnecessary. It seemed as if another word from him, whether about the throne or power, would be an insult to Ji Weiqiu's sincerity.

Ji Weiqiu, not yet realizing where Ji Su's thoughts had gone, smiled and said, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Isn't it fine for me to be like this..."

He really did think he was fine. A Prince who doesn't rebel, doesn't stir up trouble, doesn't take bribes, doesn't abduct women, isn't a petty thief, isn't a tyrant—what more could one ask for? If he were a stunning talent, with the literary skills of Li Bai and the martial prowess of Xiang Yu, naturally possessing the legitimate right of succession, who upon coming of age would either go to train in the army or in the Six Ministries, commanding respect wherever he went—he didn't believe his brother would be able to sleep at night!

But why was his brother talking to him about this all of a sudden? Having a heart-to-heart? Could it be that Qian Zhiwei was really some formidable figure? That his brother was reluctant to kill him for now? Or was he using this matter to probe his background? To see if he had colluded with the False King?

At this thought, Ji Weiqiu suddenly paused. A possibility occurred to him, and he said in astonishment, "Imperial Elder Brother, could it be that the national treasury is in trouble? You can't afford to keep me anymore?!"

Ji Su watched as the young man's eyes widened like a startled roe deer. He slowly let out a breath—among royal brothers, one like Ji Weiqiu was a rarity in the world.

Never mind. I'll just have to wait and see.

He tapped the small table. "Come with me."

Though he didn't understand, Ji Weiqiu still got up. Ji Su led him to the main hall of Qingning Hall, which was piled high with various memorials. Ji Su instructed, "Read the memorials from the twelfth year of the Taiyuan era."

Following his command, two young eunuchs disappeared among the bookshelves, using special secret marks to find that year's memorials—not all of them, of course. Those kept in Qingning Hall were naturally extraordinary.

Ji Weiqiu was still holding the three memorials from before and was about to place them on a table when he froze at Ji Su's words. "...Ah?"

Ji Su said, "How to reply to the secret memorial from the Prefect of Quanzhou—after you finish reading these memorials, write it down for me."

Ji Weiqiu's face instantly fell. He stammered, "Imperial Elder Brother, I'm still sick..."

Ji Su said indifferently, "It won't take much of your energy."

Eunuch Qingxi bowed and said, "His Little Highness, this way please."

It had come to the point where he had no choice but to read. In Ji Weiqiu's eyes, what was the difference between this and being forced to do homework?! '...Forget it. It's more interesting than copying the Diamond Sutra, at least. I'll endure it!'

Eunuch Qingxi led him into a Green Gauze Alcove. The young eunuch carrying the memorials followed him in. It looked like a place Ji Su used for his daily naps. Eunuch Qingxi closed the door, his face wreathed in smiles. "There aren't many memorials. His Little Highness can take his time. If you get tired, just rest for a while. Don't overexert yourself."

"Xiao Zhuo, come here!" Eunuch Qingxi called out. Eunuch Xiao Zhuo quickly put down the memorials in his hands and came over. "This is Xiao Zhuo, this old slave's new apprentice. He has been serving His Majesty for half a year now. If His Little Highness has any orders, you can just command him."

Ji Weiqiu nodded. He recognized this young eunuch; so he was Eunuch Qingxi's apprentice—basically one of their own people.

Eunuch Qingxi gave Xiao Zhuo a few more instructions before hurrying out to attend to Ji Su. Eunuch Xiao Zhuo paid his respects to Ji Weiqiu again. He figured this master probably didn't like to be stared at, so after serving fruits and tea, he hid behind a screen. The spot was convenient; he could observe the situation inside while not being an eyesore to the noble.

Once Eunuch Xiao Zhuo had withdrawn, the room became quiet. Ji Weiqiu had, after all, always been around his brother, so their habits weren't too different. He felt no sense of awe in such an environment, nor was he afraid of breaking something and not daring to move. He stretched, lay down on the arhat bed, and began flipping through the memorials while skewering and eating fruit, completely at ease.

At first, he was wondering how many memorials a quarter of a year would entail, afraid it would take him one or two months to read them all. To his surprise, there were only a dozen or so memorials in total. If he put in some effort, he could finish them today.

Ji Weiqiu picked out the earliest one according to the date. Taiyuan was the reign title of Ancestor Emperor Jing, who would be Ji Weiqiu's great-great-grandfather. This memorial was clearly quite old. Ji Weiqiu touched it and felt it was likely a copy from the last twenty or thirty years, not the original.

Opening it, the first thing that caught his eye was a fine piece of calligraphy. Unlike the standard script his brother preferred, this one was clearly written in running script. He looked at the name, signed 'Prefect of Liaoyuan Prefecture, Li Yunxiu'. Ji Weiqiu then randomly pulled out another memorial and saw it was in standard script, confirming his thoughts—this Lord Li was truly favored by the emperor!

Even though the Grand Secretariat would first sort memorials for the emperor, categorizing them by importance and urgency and sending the more boring ones back, the number of memorials the emperor had to read every day was still terrifying. Who had the patience to read hundreds of memorials a day, and also have to struggle to decipher the characters written on them? The members of the Grand Secretariat were all pillars of the state. Could you really raise a pillar of the state just to have them recopy memorials every day?

If one wasn't in the emperor's favor, a memorial like this would never even reach him!

The long opening section was written like a greeting between friends. It roughly said: 'The Emperor is wise to have sent me to such a fine place. The scenery here is beautiful and the climate is pleasant. Your subject is eating well and sleeping soundly, so the Emperor need not worry! Your subject has also found many local specialties here, better than the ones supplied to the capital. I have already arranged for them to be sent back. When the Emperor receives them, seeing them will be like seeing me!'

Ji Weiqiu let out a soft laugh. This tone went beyond being merely in the emperor's favor; he was practically in the emperor's heart. They were most likely sworn brothers. The time was too distant, so he really didn't know who this person was.

He continued reading. The latter half talked about matters of the people's livelihood. In short: 'Your subject is doing well here, but there is one thing I must praise. Last year, Liaoyuan Prefecture suffered a great disaster. Following His Majesty's decree, Director Zhao Weili of the Ministry of Granaries escorted grain seeds here. The seeds were plentiful and of high quality. Lord Zhao also personally went to the fields to explain cultivation methods to the common people. After planting, the seeds quickly took root and sprouted, growing a foot tall in just over ten days. I believe next year will surely bring a bountiful harvest.'

And Emperor Shizu's vermilion imperial comment was also very interesting: 'You have toiled hard in Liaoyuan, but considering your grand ambitions, this should be a case of seeking virtue and obtaining it. I trust you find it a sweet hardship. If you feel it is not enough, you may stay in Liaoyuan for another two terms (six years) before returning to the capital.'

Ji Weiqiu read it over and over several times. He could say with certainty that, for now, aside from this Lord Li being closer to Emperor Shizu and his tone being more casual, there was nothing special about this memorial.

'His brother specially asked him to read this... Hmm, it's probably related to what comes next?'

Ji Weiqiu set the memorial aside. The more understated it was, the more he felt its implications were widespread. Otherwise, why would his brother have kept this routine report? To show him how good the relationship between Emperor Shizu and his favored minister was? Surely not?

He wasn't a son from the main line, so it didn't matter if he read some gossip. But his brother was. His brother couldn't possibly use his own ancestor's gossip to amuse him, right?

Ji Weiqiu searched through the pile of memorials for the second one in chronological order. He had carelessly messed up the order, making it quite troublesome to find. After finally finding the second one, Ji Weiqiu lay down comfortably again and continued reading. Its content was even less interesting than the first, filled with praises for the emperor's virtues and accomplishments, followed by effusive praise for Lord Li Yunxiu's capable governance.

It was a very normal memorial, and very boring, but he still had to read it—there was definitely a problem hidden within. Ji Weiqiu forced himself to read, but unexpectedly, the more he read, the sleepier he became. He had no intention of forcing himself to stay awake, so he tossed the memorial aside, grabbed a pillow, and hugged it to sleep.

As he rested against the long pillow, a faint, cool, and ethereal fragrance suddenly wafted into his nose. He sniffed it a few times unconsciously, finding it familiar and pleasant. On instinct, he pressed his face against it. Within a few blinks, his breathing became steady, and he fell fast asleep.

Ji Su stood outside the Green Gauze Alcove. Seeing this, he raised a hand slightly, signaling for all the palace attendants to withdraw.

He walked into the Green Gauze Alcove alone and sat down by the arhat bed. His long, slender fingers lightly touched Ji Weiqiu's pulse point. After listening for a while and seeing that he was fine, he was just about to withdraw his hand when Ji Weiqiu suddenly grabbed it.

Ji Su thought Ji Weiqiu had woken up, but instead, he saw Ji Weiqiu, with his eyes still closed, pull his hand closer, pillow his head on his palm, and fall back into a deep sleep.