In the blink of an eye, the new year passed and the fifteenth day arrived. The imperial family always held a grand family feast on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and this year was no exception. The old princes from the fiefdoms also came, making the palace exceptionally lively for a time.

After entering the first lunar month, Chu Shaoling no longer had to go to the Huixin Institute. Every day, besides going to pay respects to the Empress Dowager in the morning and listening to political affairs in the cabinet for an hour, he had nothing else to do but tease Wei Ji in his free time.

Since the day Wei Ji slept in the bedchamber for a night, he was never able to return to his own little room.

At first, Chu Shaoling coaxed Wei Ji, saying his little room was damp and cold, without a fragrance burner, only a small coal basin that wasn't warm and had a lot of dust, which was not conducive to healing his injury. Wei Ji was unable to refuse and had to stay. When his injury was almost healed and Wei Ji mentioned wanting to go back to live there, Chu Shaoling put it off and didn't agree. If Wei Ji said too much, Chu Shaoling always had ways to shut him up, using the method Chu Shaoling liked most.

Later, whenever Wei Ji brought up going back, Chu Shaoling would smile and ask if he wanted Chu Shaoling to kiss him again. Every time, Wei Ji's face would turn red and he wouldn't dare say anything more.

When Wei Ji first moved in, he always felt uneasy. The bedchamber was full of palace maids. These female servants around his age served him the same way they served Chu Shaoling, making him feel indescribably awkward and restrained.

Later, when Wei Ji was patrolling and passed by his previous room, he was startled to find that the room was already occupied by another guard brother.

Now, there was an additional small cabinet in Chu Shaoling's bedchamber, filled with Wei Ji's things. In the study, a small desk was added under Chu Shaoling's desk, where Wei Ji would review the military strategies taught by Zhang Lifeng every day. Unknowingly, Wei Ji had been "invited" into the main hall of Bitao Palace in this muddled way.

On this fifteenth day, it was Wei Ji's turn to be on duty. He first led the guards to patrol around and checked the waist plates, then found Wang Muhan to verify the people on duty. Wei Ji always did these things meticulously. After checking one by one, he respectfully returned the roster to Wang Muhan: "Sorry for the trouble, Eunuch Wang."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Lord Guard has worked hard." Wang Muhan smiled. He really quite liked Wei Ji now. Originally, seeing how Chu Shaoling favored him, Wang Muhan thought this half-grown child would become arrogant and domineering in a few days, relying on the favor. But unexpectedly, after so many days, Wei Ji remained the same as before, not missing any of the things he should do.

Wei Ji spoke little and generally didn't take the initiative to talk to anyone. But when instructing on matters, regardless of whether the other person's position was higher or lower than his, his words were very polite. Wang Muhan secretly admired him. The person His Highness valued was naturally different.

Wei Ji finished his inspection today and turned to return to the study in the side hall. Yesterday, there were a few parts that he didn't understand. Taking advantage of this time, it was just right to study.

Wei Ji sat quietly at his small desk reading. After a while, he heard someone outside announce that the Fourth Prince had arrived. Wei Ji hurriedly got up. Before he could come out, he ran into Chu Shaoyang face to face.

Wei Ji quickly bowed and said, "Greetings Fourth Prince, His Highness went to listen to politics in the front hall and has not returned yet." Today it was exceptionally cold outside, so Chu Shaoling said Wei Ji's injury hadn't fully healed and didn't take him along.

Chu Shaoyang glanced at Wei Ji and didn't let him get up. He asked suspiciously, "Since Big Brother is not here, what are you doing inside alone?"

Wei Ji pursed his lips, suddenly not knowing how to explain. If he told the truth, he was afraid it would bring trouble to Chu Shaoling. But if he made up a reason, he couldn't think of one. While he hesitated, Chu Shaoyang's brows sharpened and he said, "Who let you go in? You even dare to casually enter Big Brother's study?!"

Chu Shaoyang wanted to say something more, but Wang Muhan, who had hurried over upon hearing the news, bowed and walked over, smiling, "Greetings Fourth Prince, this is Wei Ji, the personal guard who tidies up His Highness's study now."

"What guard is needed to tidy up the study?!" Chu Shaoyang looked at Wei Ji in confusion, his tone unfriendly. "Big Brother agreed? How is that possible?!"

Wang Muhan smiled, "It is indeed His Highness's intention." Recently, Wei Ji had been staying overnight in the bedchamber. Wang Muhan assumed the two of them had already been intimate, so he had to help cover for His Highness. "Lord Guard is careful in handling matters and speaks little, very much to His Highness's liking."

Chu Shaoyang raised his brows and glanced at Wei Ji. He still felt it was inexplicable. He was about to say something when it was announced outside that Chu Shaoling had returned.

Chu Shaoyang left Wei Ji and went to greet him, smiling, "Big Brother, why are you only returning now? I've been waiting for a while."

Chu Shaoling looked past Chu Shaoyang at Wei Ji who was still half-kneeling behind him and said lightly, "What were you just saying?"

"That little guard." Chu Shaoyang pouted. "Like a block of wood, can't even say a word. Big Brother, even I can't casually enter your study, how can you let a guard go in and out all day? What if, what if he's from the other side and steals a look at Big Brother's things? Big Brother, don't trust him too much."

Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly. He went around Chu Shaoyang and helped Wei Ji up, smiling, "Of course I trust him. I told you before I left that it's cold and not to come out, but you just won't listen. Are you asking me to punish you again?" The latter part was said to Wei Ji, his expression unusually gentle, even carrying a hint of doting.

Chu Shaoyang's face immediately changed.

Wei Ji was anxious about how to explain it better, not expecting Chu Shaoling to say that. He subconsciously tried to smooth things over, "This subordinate was just tidying up the books on the shelves and wouldn't dare touch Your Highness's things."

Chu Shaoling smiled carelessly, "So what if you touched them? Go read your book. When I return, I will test you on it."

Chu Shaoling shooed the person back into the room and turned to Chu Shaoyang, "What did you find me for?"

Chu Shaoyang forced a smile, "The family feast is starting soon. I came to go together with Big Brother."

"Mm, go sit in the warm pavilion for a while. I'll change clothes and go with you." Chu Shaoling ordered someone to prepare tea. He himself went to the bedchamber. Chu Shaoyang followed the palace servants to the west pavilion. After a few steps, he turned to look at the study again, a flash of gloominess passing through his eyes.

"Your Highness, what you said just now..." Wang Muhan helped Chu Shaoling change clothes and couldn't help advising, "It made Fourth Highness lose a bit of face. I'm afraid Fourth Highness feels uncomfortable in his heart."

What did Chu Shaoling say just now? "Naturally, I trust him." Even Chu Shaoyang couldn't freely enter and exit the study, but now Wei Ji had settled in there. Wasn't this clearly saying that Chu Shaoling trusted Wei Ji more?

Wang Muhan carefully helped Chu Shaoling arrange his ceremonial robe and softly advised, "Your Highness, if you truly love Wei Ji, you shouldn't dote on him so much. Even if you do, it's best not to let others know. Wei Ji receiving such great favor from Your Highness may not be a good thing."

Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly, slightly raising his head to let the palace maid adjust his collar. Wang Muhan, observing Chu Shaoling's expression, slowly said, "Excessive favor invites misfortune. Whenever I watch the scene of the drunken imperial consort, I think that if Emperor Xuanzong of Tang hadn't favored Noble Consort Yang so much, the incident at Mawei Station might not have happened. Enduring a moment of grievance in exchange for lifelong stability is ultimately worthwhile."

"Eunuch Wang knows more and more now," Chu Shaoling smiled. "Unfortunately, I am not Emperor Xuanzong, and he is not the noble consort."

It seems that wise emperors never show excessive favor to the women they truly love. Some even find a scapegoat to shield their true love. The ancestral family rules also teach this: no bias, no exclusive favor.

Unfortunately, Chu Shaoling has never been one to follow reason and propriety.

He likes Wei Ji, so he wants to openly love him, dote on him, and cherish him. Chu Shaoling has never been afraid of others knowing.

In Chu Shaoling's view, deliberately neglecting one's beloved to avoid misfortune is nothing but cowardice. If you're not strong enough to protect your lover, then don't talk about restraint and moderation for the sake of longevity. It's all nonsense! If you don't have the ability, don't talk about loving someone. Once you like them and have lured them to your side, you should cherish them wholeheartedly. As for those who obstruct, whether gods or Buddhas, just kill them all.

After two lifetimes of chaos, he and Wei Ji are finally together. Why should Wei Ji have to "endure a moment of grievance"? When Chu Shaoling tricked Wei Ji into bed, he had already prepared for what would follow. Chu Shaoling wants Wei Ji to never suffer the slightest grievance and to enjoy a lifetime of stability. He wants both the fish and the bear's paw.

Thinking of Wei Ji's expression just now, Chu Shaoling's heart ached a little. Wei Ji probably also thought that he wouldn't protect him. That silly thing.

Chu Shaoling changed his clothes and softly ordered, "I'm going to Chengqian Palace for a family dinner. Prepare the evening meal at Bitao Palace as usual. Keep an eye on Wei Ji and don't let him eat too little."

Wang Muhan was stunned for a moment, sighing in his heart, knowing that he had spoken in vain.