Chu Shaoling changed into his clothes and brought the palace servants and Chu Shaoyang to Chengqian Palace. In the hall, except for the Emperor and a few old princes, everyone had already arrived. The Second Prince Chu Shaoruan, the Third Prince Chu Shaomo, and the Fifth Prince Chu Shaosui stood up to salute Chu Shaoling. In front of others, Chu Shaoling naturally had to act like a good elder brother. He first asked Chu Shaosui if his meals had been good recently, then chatted and laughed with his two younger brothers for a while, presenting a harmonious picture of the imperial brothers.

Leading his brothers, he went behind the screen to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. A few old consorts were keeping the old Empress Dowager company and chatting. Seeing Chu Shaoling and the others come, they hurriedly pulled them close for a good look and smiled, "The Crown Prince is already a grown man."

Chu Shaoling smiled, lifting his robe to salute each consort one by one. The consorts quickly called for people to help him up. The Empress Dowager called Chu Shaoling to her side and said with a smile, "He is indeed a grown man now. He only grew taller this year, as his body is delicate. Having gone through many hardships, he makes one worry the most."

Consort Qi took Chu Shaoling's hand, examined him carefully, and said with a smile, "The last time I saw the Crown Prince was the year before last. Not having seen him for two years, the Crown Prince has become even more heroic-looking." The old consort wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief and said softly, "The Crown Prince has good looks, taking after the Empress."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager also got teary-eyed and nodded, "His temperament is also the same as Yu'er's, the most filial and tolerant. Among these children, he is the one I think of the most."

Consort Shu had the most tact. Seeing this, she said with a light laugh, "Yes, the consorts haven't seen the hundred-longevity brocade quilt the Empress Dowager is using now. The hundreds and thousands of longevity characters on it were all written by the Crown Prince."

Hearing this, the consorts hurriedly started praising. The Empress Dowager wiped her tears and smiled, "Even so, they all say I favor him. How can they blame me? This child is too pitiful."

The consorts and concubines in the fiefdoms didn't know, but the people in the palace knew. Mentioning the matter of the hundred-longevity picture, they couldn't help but think of Consort Li. Consort Li had been punished because of this matter, losing her title of Noble Consort and being confined. Only a few days ago did she finally convince the Emperor to soften his heart, saying that the family should be reunited for the New Year, and she was released.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Li and sneered inwardly, not knowing what kind of foxy tricks she had used in private to coax the Emperor to have a change of heart. So be it. After the New Year when the Zhen family's officials enter the palace, Consort Li also wouldn't have been able to meet her family while confined.

Consort Li had just been released and knew to be low-key. She stood behind Consort Shu and Consort Xian with lowered eyes, not saying a word. As long as the Zhen family doesn't fall, Consort Li won't fall either. Chu Shaoling was aware of this. With a glance, he saw Consort Ning behind Consort Li. Chu Shaoling's heart stirred and he said with a light laugh, "I haven't seen Fourth Sister for a long time. Is Fourth Sister well?"

The Fourth Princess Fuyi was born to Consort Ning. Hearing this, Consort Ning hurriedly smiled and brought Fuyi forward, saying, "The Crown Prince remembers. The princess has been thinking of big brother recently. Didn't she embroider a pouch for big brother? Take it out."

Consort Ning patted Fuyi's back. Fuyi was only twelve years old. Because her mother was not favored, she was also not prominent among the princesses. She knew that her mother relied on Empress Ling to have a stable footing in the palace, so she had always been filial to Empress Ling and respectful to Chu Shaoling. Fortunately, Chu Shaoling would occasionally mention her to the Empress Dowager so that she would remember her.

Fuyi was a little shy. She took out an exquisite little pouch and handed it to Chu Shaoling, saying softly, "I learned a new embroidery technique. Big brother, please don't dislike it."

Chu Shaoling took it and looked at it, smiling, "Fourth Sister has good craftsmanship."

"What are you looking at?" The Empress Dowager looked at the siblings with a smile. "Let me see too."

Chu Shaoling walked over and handed the pouch to the Empress Dowager, saying with a smile, "Fourth Sister embroidered a pouch for me. Imperial Grandmother, see if it's good?"

The Empress Dowager squinted and looked, saying with a smile, "Very good. Fuyi has been attentive. Some days ago, I vaguely heard that Fuyi was ill. Is she better now?"

"Replying to Imperial Grandmother, I'm already better," Fuyi said. She wasn't prominent in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager didn't pay attention even when she was ill. Fuyi had always been out of favor and didn't mind. "It was just a slight cold, nothing serious."

The Empress Dowager nodded, handed the pouch to Chu Shaoling, and didn't say more. She turned to talk to the consorts. Chu Shaoling took the pouch and walked down, asking in a low voice, "Are the things I sent to sister last month used up?"

Fuyi lowered her head and shook it. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she looked at Chu Shaoling gratefully, "No, big brother gave so many tonics and silver. It can't be used up for a while."

Chu Shaoling said with a light laugh, "If you lack anything, don't be roundabout. Send someone to tell me directly. Don't learn to be petty and short-change yourself."

Fuyi's eyes reddened. Afraid that people would see, she quickly covered it up and nodded, "I know. It's all thanks to big brother. Otherwise, my mother and I..."

"We are siblings. Why are you saying these things to me?" Chu Shaoling put the pouch on his body. "When you have time, go with your mother to Ci'an Palace to pay respects. The Empress Dowager will take note."

Fuyi nodded in agreement.

The Emperor came with the old princes and it became lively outside for a while. Chu Shaoling brought his four brothers to greet them. After another round of pleasantries and formalities, everyone took their seats. Chu Shaoling first toasted the Emperor, then toasted the princes one by one according to seniority and rank. After him, the princes below also started toasting.

In the hall, the sounds of silk, bamboo, bells and chimes rose. Wine cups crossed at the banquet, which was very lively. Chu Shaoling lightly fiddled with the pouch he had just put on his waist, lost in thought.

Taking care of Consort Ning and Princess Fuyi, mother and daughter, was originally due to inheriting the grace of Empress Ling. It wasn't difficult to take care of this pair of mother and daughter. Sending them some things from time to time and giving a talking-to to their people in the palace, Chu Shaoling didn't need to spend much effort. But after seeing Fuyi today, Chu Shaoling had an idea in his heart. Perhaps this little sister still had some use.

Chu Shaoling looked at the pouch on his waist and laughed lightly. Fuyi was also twelve, not young anymore.

The family banquet lasted until the hai hour. Chu Shaoling helped take care of the old princes' lodging. When he came out, he was called back by the Empress Dowager. The old Empress Dowager was afraid that Chu Shaoling had drunk too much alcohol. She watched him drink a bowl of sobering soup. Only after he had sweated did she let people send him back to Bitao Palace properly.

In the bedchamber, Wei Ji was wearing only his middle garment, sitting on the footstool and leaning against the couch reading a book, his expression serious and focused. Chu Shaoling didn't have someone announce him. He took off his overcoat and outer robe outside and came in, laughing lightly, "What are you doing sitting down there? Are you cold? Go up on the bed."

Wei Ji saw Chu Shaoling return and quickly closed his book, standing up to pay his respects. Chu Shaoling pulled him up with a gentle laugh, "It's just the two of us, why bother with such formalities? What are you reading?" Chu Shaoling picked up the book Wei Ji had just been reading on the couch. Flipping through it, he saw that Wei Ji had made many dense annotations and notes, which was quite serious. Chu Shaoling put the book down and said softly, "Read less at night in the future, and if you do, go to the study. Light more lamps when reading, as this can hurt your eyes."

"This servant is fine," Wei Ji smelled some alcohol and asked softly, "Does Your Highness need some hangover soup?"

Chu Shaoling shook his head, rubbing his brow, "I'll go wash up, you go to sleep first."

Chu Shaoling turned to take a bath, and it was nearly half an hour before he returned. Wei Ji was still reading in the same spot as before. Chu Shaoling couldn't help but laugh, "I told you to go to sleep, but you didn't listen. Come here."

Chu Shaoling pulled Wei Ji to sit on the couch and tucked the covers over them both, "What did you eat for dinner?"

Wei Ji answered, then said, "With Your Highness absent, this servant felt uneasy eating alone at a table full of dishes. In the future..."

"You feel uneasy just from this?" Chu Shaoling lowered his head and kissed Wei Ji on the forehead, whispering, "Chu Shaoyang bullied you today. Don't worry, I remember it all."

Wei Ji blushed, unable to resist touching the spot he had been kissed. He shook his head, "The Fourth Prince did not bully this servant. It was this servant who overstepped by reading in the prince's study."

"So that's why you're reading in the bedchamber at night instead of the study?" Chu Shaoling closed his eyes briefly, "How can you make me feel so distressed for you? Is it on purpose? Hm?" Chu Shaoling turned over and held Wei Ji in his arms.

Wei Ji didn't understand Chu Shaoling's teasing, but he could still feel the doting tone in Chu Shaoling's voice. His heart felt warm as he said softly, "This servant was originally a guard without status, and only by Your Highness's promotion was I able to serve before you. All of this was given by Your Highness. This servant has nothing to repay you with, and cannot be insensible and bring more trouble to Your Highness."

Chu Shaoling's heart felt both sour and sweet. This little one was simply here to subdue him! Unable to restrain himself any longer, Chu Shaoling lowered his head and kissed Wei Ji's lips.

Wei Ji's eyes suddenly widened, unable to say a word.

It wasn't that Chu Shaoling had never kissed his lips before, but it had always been just a light peck. This time, Chu Shaoling was no longer content with just a light kiss. Chu Shaoling's slender fingers gently caressed the skin on Wei Ji's neck. His fingers moved up, lifting Wei Ji's chin with a slight force. Before Wei Ji could react, he invaded Wei Ji's soft mouth.

Wei Ji instinctively tried to pull back, but Chu Shaoling had one hand around Wei Ji's back, trapping him tightly. Chu Shaoling's kisses always carried an invasive nature. He kept his eyes open, greedily appreciating every expression on Wei Ji's face. Chu Shaoling gently licked Wei Ji's upper palate, seeking out Wei Ji's tongue that was trying to evade in a fluster. Chu Shaoling's hands tightened their grip, wishing he could knead this person into his own body.

Who knows how long passed before Chu Shaoling finally showed mercy and released him. Wei Ji panted slightly. The kiss just now had clearly exceeded some of Wei Ji's understanding. The little guard's face was red with embarrassment.

Chu Shaoling chuckled, "Did it feel good?"

Wei Ji was so embarrassed he couldn't speak at all. Chu Shaoling laughed and let him go. After a while, he said, "Do you know about the Emperor and Consort Li coming to my palace to investigate witchcraft last time?"

Wei Ji nodded, "I know."

"That time, it was my dear younger brother who leaked the information." Chu Shaoling sneered, "He would love for someone to harm me. How could he truly be concerned about who is in my study?"

It was well-known in the palace that Chu Shaoling and Chu Shaoyang were close. Wei Ji still hadn't recovered from the intimacy just now and was staring blankly. He said, "How could that be? The Fourth Prince and Your Highness are biological brothers..."

"It's more convenient for biological brothers to make a move." Chu Shaoling closed his eyes, pushing away the memories of his past life. "He still thinks I know nothing. I'm telling you this so you know where things stand. Don't take everyone's words seriously. Just listen to me."

Wei Ji's mind was in a jumble. Hearing this, he nodded, "This servant listens to Your Highness."

Seeing his dazed appearance, Chu Shaoling found it amusing. Right now, he estimated that even if he told him the moon was square, he would agree. Chu Shaoling thought of the pouch from today and asked, "By the way, has your older brother gotten engaged?"

Wei Ji shook his head, "No, what is it, Your Highness?"

"It's nothing." Chu Shaoling pulled the covers over them both and kissed Wei Ji on the forehead again. "Let's sleep."