Everyone present was knowledgeable and worldly, and it wasn't as if they hadn't seen their share of absurd dandies. But ultimately, they held high positions, and no matter how debauched the scions of their own families were, they wouldn't dare to show such a roguish attitude to them. They never expected that what they hadn't seen at home, they would witness today in the Imperial Study.

The three of them subconsciously looked towards Ji Su, who was seated at the head.

Ji Su was looking at Ji Weiqiu.

Ji Weiqiu pouted, looking as if he would raise hell today if Ji Su didn't discipline him—though that was probably an exaggeration. However, he was going to the Empress Dowager's palace for dinner tonight, and who could control that mouth of his then?

Ji Su's expression was clear and weary. "Prime Minister Wang."

He had only called out his name, but everyone present could perceive the warning in it. Prime Minister Wang was slightly taken aback, then rose and cupped his hands. "This subject has been impolite."

"Yi." Ji Weiqiu let out a disgruntled puff of air, as if to say 'Is that all?'. Ji Su gave Ji Weiqiu a light glance, telling him to stop before he went too far.

Ji Weiqiu was just displeased. He had originally planned to sit for a while and then leave on the pretext of changing his clothes, but after being provoked by Prime Minister Wang, he perked up instead. He stubbornly sat through the entire meeting in the Imperial Study, shooting disdainful looks at Prime Minister Wang. Whatever the man said, he would look at him with that 'Is that all?' expression.

In truth, the matter of the Jiangnan drought ultimately followed the old routine: execute those who should be executed, exile those who should be exiled, distribute grain seeds and food to stabilize the morale of the local populace, and figure out how to persuade the people who had already fled to return to their hometowns. The few of them discussed it for a while and chose a reliable person to take charge of the matter.

Of course, the choice of this person was likely the focus of the Grand Secretariat's political maneuvering today. After all, a task like disaster relief was a major accomplishment, and everyone coveted it.

However, Ji Weiqiu didn't understand. Although it might sound a bit blunt, was it necessary to bring this up in the Imperial Study? It wasn't that the matter was unimportant, but that there was already a set procedure for it. They just had to follow the regulations. Whether it was handled well or not would depend on adapting to local conditions, which couldn't be seen at the moment. Since they discussed it for half a day only to end up following the rules anyway, why couldn't they have just started by discussing who to send? Didn't they know that everyone's time was precious?

When the meeting ended, Ji Su told Ji Weiqiu to stay behind, and the three Grand Secretaries took their leave. Ji Su led Ji Weiqiu back to Qingning Hall. Ji Weiqiu had no intention of refusing and followed behind Ji Su, scuffing his feet as he walked. He had a restless nature, apt to stir up trouble. On the way back, he would pick any flower he saw and pluck at it, kick the grass by the roadside a couple of times, and even yank a handful of leaves from the branches overhead.

Ji Su kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, as if he hadn't noticed a thing. After walking for some distance, Ji Weiqiu finally felt a bit tired. Seeing Ji Su's tall, slender back, a mischievous impulse suddenly arose in him. He plucked a green chrysanthemum the size of a bowl and went up to Ji Su's side, feigning a foolishly cheerful look. "Imperial Elder Brother!"

"Hmm?" A soft sound escaped Ji Su's throat, as if asking what was the matter.

Ji Weiqiu raised his hand to show off the green chrysanthemum. "The chrysanthemums in the palace are blooming beautifully. I picked a few to give to Mother Empress to wear in her hair for fun later. How about Imperial Elder Brother wears one too?"

It was not uncommon for men to wear flowers in their hair, and there were all sorts of symbolic meanings. The green chrysanthemum was one of the Four Gentlemen, symbolizing purity and noble character. Ji Su probably wouldn't refuse.

Ji Su gave him a faint glance and slightly turned his head. Seeing this, Ji Weiqiu placed the bowl-sized green chrysanthemum by his ear. Ji Su raised a hand to tidy the stray hairs by his ear and looked down at him.

Ji Weiqiu had chosen the large green chrysanthemum with the intention of teasing Ji Su, but after placing it there, he found himself momentarily stunned. It was not until Ji Su's expression shifted slightly that he abruptly came to his senses and praised, a little foolishly, "...Imperial Elder Brother's bearing is extraordinary."

Ji Su acted as if he hadn't heard him. He raised a hand slightly, and Eunuch Qingxi presented a tray of freshly picked chrysanthemums, a vibrant display of purples and reds. Ji Su's hand hovered for a moment, then his pale, slender fingers picked up a Purple Dragon Flower and placed it by Ji Weiqiu's ear.

Eunuch Qingxi said with a smile, "The Emperor has chosen well. This Purple Dragon Flower is a perfect match for His Little Highness."

Because he had to attend court, Ji Weiqiu was wearing the deep purple court robes designated for first-rank and super-first-rank officials. After entering Taiji Hall, he had changed into casual clothes, and Xiao Zhuo had also chosen a faultless deep purple, which happened to complement the Purple Dragon Flower perfectly.

Under the sunlight, the young man's features were so beautiful they were almost defiant. As Ji Su watched, he felt that this too was a rare sight to behold.

Ji Weiqiu lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you, Imperial Elder Brother."

Ji Su walked slowly with him and asked, "Did you glean anything from today's meeting?"

Ji Weiqiu thought for a moment and said caustically, "It wasn't much different from listening to old women at the West Market Entrance gossip about their neighbors while buying vegetables."

Whether it was in the grand court session or in the Imperial Study, it felt about the same.

Ji Su did not answer immediately. Ji Weiqiu was about to think, 'Well, well, well, if you don't want to talk, then don't ask,' when it suddenly dawned on him—had he just insulted Ji Su as well?

He was momentarily embarrassed, but on second thought, it wasn't a big deal. If Ji Su thought he had insulted him, at worst he'd just get another lecture! It wouldn't be the first time he'd been scolded!

But Ji Su asked, "Why do you say that?"

Ji Weiqiu had no intention of playing dumb. He truly didn't understand these things, and feigning ignorance would be too fake and too easily seen through by Ji Su. Thus, he said, "Isn't the purpose of the Grand Secretariat to save you time and effort, Imperial Elder Brother? I'm not saying the three Grand Secretaries are bad, but they spent time on pleasantries before getting to the actual business... I calculated it for you, the pleasantries took at least the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

They were only in the Imperial Study for a little more than an hour, and the pointless talk took up the time of one incense stick. That means half the time was effectively wasted.

Ji Su said, "Come over in a bit."

Ji Weiqiu looked up and realized they had arrived at Qingning Hall. Ji Su paid him no mind and went straight to wash up and change. Not to be outdone, Ji Weiqiu expertly found his way to the side hall to do the same. He lived a rather rough life; a wring of a cloth and a quick wipe was all he needed. Once he was ready, he had intended to lie down and sleep for a while, but he suddenly remembered Ji Su had told him to come over, so he could only sigh and head over.

Ji Su was not in the main hall. The palace attendants didn't hide it, saying that Ji Su had gone to bathe. Ji Weiqiu thought to himself that Ji Su's obsession with cleanliness was hopeless; who would think of taking a bath so early in the morning. Too lazy to return to the side hall, Ji Weiqiu went straight to the Green Gauze Alcove for a nap.

—Lest Ji Su return, find him gone, and think he didn't take his words to heart, bringing trouble down on him again.

Ji Weiqiu was truly exhausted. He had slept for less than four hours in total today. He had intended to just close his eyes for a short nap, but as soon as he lay down on the couch, a heavy drowsiness assaulted him. He had no room to struggle and fell asleep without so much as a grunt, even starting to snore lightly.

When Ji Su returned, this was the scene that greeted him: Ji Weiqiu was lying on his side, one arm wrapped around a pillow. The thin quilt had been kicked aside, with only one corner still draped over his waist.

Ji Su naturally sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to feel the back of Ji Weiqiu's neck. A scorching heat transmitted from his palm. He frowned slightly, then felt Ji Weiqiu's forehead. Seeing that the temperature there was normal, he finally lowered his hand.

Eunuch Qingxi was about to step forward to arrange the bedding for Ji Weiqiu, but Ji Su raised a hand, signaling for him to withdraw. Eunuch Qingxi bowed and left. Just as Ji Su touched the corner of the quilt, he heard Ji Weiqiu let out a soft whine. A hand shot out like lightning and grabbed his wrist. Ji Weiqiu turned to look, dazed and sleepy, but upon seeing who it was, he let go.

"Mmm..." Ji Weiqiu subconsciously let out a sound; it was unclear whether he was responding or calling out for his brother. He struggled as if to get up, but Ji Su placed a hand on his arm and said, "Sleep."

With a soft thud, Ji Weiqiu fell back into the pile of brocade and sank into a deep sleep.

Ji Su lay down beside him and closed his eyes to rest. Before he could fall asleep, he heard a rustling sound from beside him, and then a hand suddenly landed on his waist. Ji Su opened his eyes to see that Ji Weiqiu had rolled over. The pillow he had been hugging tightly just moments before was now a thing of the past; he was now hugging Ji Su as a pillow instead.

Ji Weiqiu's sleeping posture was as bad as ever.

Seeing that he had stopped moving, Ji Su couldn't be bothered to push him away and closed his eyes to sleep.

......

Ji Weiqiu slept especially soundly. When he woke up, he felt refreshed from head to toe. He hugged the pillow tightly again, snuggling his face into it.

A familiar scent entered his nose. Ji Weiqiu sniffed hard and thought to himself that the incense smelled wonderful; he'd ask Eunuch Qingxi for some to burn in the side hall later. He closed his eyes and snuggled closer into the pillow when he suddenly heard a faint sound. He froze and listened carefully.

Thump, thump, thump...

The sound of a heartbeat?

He abruptly looked up and saw Ji Su sleeping soundly beside him. The two of them were practically nestled together, with one of his hands draped over Ji Su, hugging him like a pillow.

He stiffly looked down. No wonder the 'pillow' felt much longer than before he fell asleep... It was a good thing Ji Su hadn't woken up yet, otherwise the scene would be so awkward it would make his scalp tingle.

Ji Weiqiu carefully withdrew his hand, then shifted his leg away from Ji Su's, inch by inch, until he had finally achieved 'human-pillow separation'.

Phew... This is too dangerous.

Ji Weiqiu let out a long sigh of relief. It wasn't that he had never slept in the same bed with Ji Su, but never this close. He cursed himself internally for being so thoughtless. He knew Ji Su wouldn't just let him be, so why did he fall asleep in the Green Gauze Alcove? If he really had to sleep, he should have chosen the arhat bed! Why get into the bed to sleep!

Ji Su was still asleep.

Ji Weiqiu quietly raised his head to look at the sky outside. Light filtered vaguely through the bed curtains. The sunlight looked just right; it should be afternoon—thankfully, he had only slept for a little over two hours.

Knowing this, he was no longer in a hurry. He lay back down and couldn't help but study Ji Su. Their mother was once the number one beauty of Nanzhu. Even now, at an age where she understood the will of heaven, her charm was still extraordinary. Ji Su had perfectly inherited the Empress Dowager's genes, and because he had occupied a high position for many years, he had an added imposing aura, which actually diluted people's memory of his appearance.

Ji Weiqiu still remembered the first time he met Ji Su as a child; he had mistaken him for a little girl. At the time, he had been thinking that his first sentence, to please the Late Emperor, would be to call him 'Father Emperor', and his second would be to call him 'Older Sister'.

In the end, 'Older Sister' became 'Older Brother'.

Thinking of this, Ji Weiqiu smiled silently.

...Childhood was always interesting. Once you grow up, you're not so cute anymore.

Ji Weiqiu watched for a long time before finally climbing up carefully and stepping over him to get out of bed.

He must have been extremely tired earlier and hadn't noticed, but now that he was up, he felt sticky all over. He must have broken out in a sweat after falling asleep.

None of the palace attendants were inside the Green Gauze Alcove. Ji Weiqiu's clothes were hanging on one side. He changed out of his wrinkled inner robe and put on a fresh outer shirt.