At that time, Wei Ji truly did not understand the turbulent undercurrents beneath the glamorous surface of the powerful figures in the court. This change was far from him yet also very close, beginning in the fourteenth year of Tianqi, when the eldest prince Chu Shaoling was acting on behalf of the Emperor in the ritual plowing. Wei Ji suffered an injury because of this, but the wound quickly healed on his young body, and he soon forgot about it.

What he remembered from this assassination attempt was that after returning to the palace, the Minister of Personnel Zhen Jiaxin submitted a memorial stating that he was old and frail, and retired. However, Marquis Zijun, who was one year older than Zhen Jiaxin, replaced this important position. When Wei Ji heard about it at the time, he was puzzled for a while, but the news that Chu Shaoling was going to be granted a princely title quickly made him forget about these irrelevant matters. Being granted a princely title before coming of age was a rare honor in the Chu dynasty.

The Emperor's explanation was that Ling'er had grown up. This time, he remained calm in the face of chaos during the ritual plowing, and did not delay the ceremony even when encountering such a major event, which was truly not easy. Ling'er was the eldest legitimate son, and it was fine to grant him the title a couple years early, to set an example for his younger brothers.

The Emperor said these words during the family feast on March 15th. The Emperor's health had not fully recovered, his face was pale, and his voice was much lower than usual when speaking. The Empress Dowager listened to these words and smiled benevolently, nodding and saying: "Indeed, Ling'er has made great progress. Granting him the princely title is just a matter of sooner or later, no need to be constrained by a year or two."

Chu Shaoling stood up and declined for a while but still expressed his gratitude. Chu Shaoling toasted the Emperor, his smile faint. The assassination case had been concluded. Although the Zhen family was severely weakened, Consort Fei and Chu Shaoruan were unharmed. The Emperor could not bear to take action against these two, so he could only give himself an unparalleled honor as compensation.

The princes at the banquet stood up one after another to toast Chu Shaoling and congratulate him, each smiling sincerely, but no one knew what they were really thinking. Chu Shaoling enjoyed the insincere congratulations from his brothers and chuckled lightly. If it didn't work once, he would wait until the second time. He could wait. Chu Shaoling put down his wine cup and took his seat, looking over the people at this table and sneering in his heart. Those who had hurt his mother and him in the past, he would take them down one by one, no one could escape.

The Imperial Astronomy Bureau quickly set the date for the princely title conferment - March 28th, an auspicious day. The Emperor personally decided on the title "Qin". The Ministry of Rites, following the Empress Dowager's wishes, made grand preparations. The entire Imperial City was lively for a day. In the evening, according to the Empress Dowager's intention, a grand banquet was to be held. Chu Shaoling left early, citing the Emperor's poor health and inability to endure the fatigue, and returned to Bitao Palace early.

After a day of hustle and bustle, both Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji were a bit tired. Wang Muhan happily ran back and forth to change Chu Shaoling into casual clothes. The palace maids helped remove the five-dragon gold crown from Chu Shaoling's head. Chu Shaoling took it, glanced at it with a light chuckle, and tossed it carelessly onto a tray on the side.

The dinner at Bitao Palace that day was much more sumptuous than usual. Wang Muhan led a group of palace maids and eunuchs to kowtow and congratulate Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling smiled and rewarded the palace servants in Bitao Palace with two months' salary. Wang Muhan knew that Wei Ji was there, and that Chu Shaoling did not like them serving on the side, so he tactfully led the palace servants away.

Wei Ji had also been tired for a day following Chu Shaoling. Seeing the people leave, Chu Shaoling smiled and pulled him over to sit beside him. The smile on Wei Ji's face had not ceased since he heard the news of Chu Shaoling being granted the princely title, even happier than Chu Shaoling himself. Chu Shaoling chuckled and ruffled Wei Ji's hair, saying lightly: "Don't be silly, eat."

Wei Ji smiled, picked up his bowl and ate. Chu Shaoling put a piece of fish in his bowl and said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already started selecting a site for construction. The blueprints have also been brought over. Take a look later after eating and see if you like it."

Wei Ji ate the fish, paused for a moment and said, "This subordinate does not understand construction matters, I'm afraid I won't be of much help to Your Highness."

"Silly thing! I'm asking you to see if you like it or not." Chu Shaoling chuckled, "The princely residence will take a year and a half to build. If there's anything unsatisfactory, just have them change it anytime. We'll be living there for many years to come, it has to be to our liking."

Wei Ji swallowed a mouthful of rice, pursed his lips slightly, and said slowly, "Whatever Your Highness likes, this subordinate will like."

Chu Shaoling smiled and ate. Before long, the two finished eating. Chu Shaoling forced Wei Ji to eat another bowl of bird's nest soup. Wei Ji was at the age of growing and getting taller, skinny beyond words. Chu Shaoling was afraid that he couldn't eat enough, so he always coaxed him to eat more. After finishing, Chu Shaoling took Wei Ji back to the bedchamber.

Chu Shaoling showed Wei Ji the blueprints presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and explained to him slowly, "They diverted a stream of running water from here. I had them expand the pond to twice its size. A pavilion was built in the middle of the pond. When summer comes, we can rest there during the day. They originally said they wanted to plant trees on this side, but I had them all replaced with bamboo."

Wei Ji didn't quite understand. He wasn't picky, nodding to whatever Chu Shaoling said. Chu Shaoling chuckled, "You're so agreeable. I'm trying to ask you what you like and dislike, so they can arrange it to make you comfortable living there too."

Wei Ji paused for a moment, then said softly, "Your Highness, after leaving the palace, will this subordinate still live with you?"

"What kind of question is that?" Chu Shaoling laughed, "Where else would you go if not with me? Don't tell me you'd stay in Bitao Palace after I move into the princely residence? By then, this place will no longer be mine. Who knows who it will be given to in a few years."

Wei Ji hesitated for a moment and said, "This subordinate has heard that whenever a prince is granted a princely title, he will have a grand wedding..."

Chu Shaoling put down the blueprints. He finally understood what Wei Ji had been lost in thought about these past few days when no one was around.

Looking at Wei Ji, Chu Shaoling couldn't help but feel distressed in his heart. What did he have to do to make this person feel completely at ease?

Wei Ji never fought or grabbed for anything. He was grateful for what Chu Shaoling gave him, and he never asked for what Chu Shaoling didn't give. Chu Shaoling understood that Wei Ji was already used to looking up to him and giving without any expectations.

Wei Ji smiled slightly and said softly, "This subordinate doesn't mean anything else. Your Highness' prospects are excellent now. This subordinate..." Wei Ji's throat inexplicably went hoarse, and he couldn't speak anymore.

Wei Ji was not a clever person, but he had a unique sensitivity to matters concerning Chu Shaoling. These days, Chu Shaoling was in the limelight, and many people were secretly speculating about the candidates for the princess consort. The idle chatter of the palace servants during tea and meal breaks did not reach Chu Shaoling's ears, but even Wei Ji could hear it. He had even found himself a way out. If Chu Shaoling were to get married, he would return to being his third-rank guard, standing guard outside every day. He was unwilling to see Chu Shaoling together with the princess consort.

But he couldn't bear to truly leave Chu Shaoling. He would be content to see him from afar each day.

Chu Shaoling didn't say anything, but pulled Wei Ji over, reopened the blueprints, took a brush and continued explaining to him as he sketched: "I had a small training ground built here for you to practice your blade and staff skills when you return."

Wei Ji looked up at Chu Shaoling in surprise. Chu Shaoling smiled and continued, "The detailed plans for the training ground aren't out yet. When the Ministry of Internal Affairs submits them, see if there's anything not to your liking. The training ground is a bit far from the bedchamber, it won't be convenient for you to change clothes and bathe after practicing. I had them build this for you here."

Chu Shaoling drew a circle on an empty space and said, "A small building for your convenience. It's also by the pool, the scenery is quite nice."

Wei Ji turned his head, his eyes suddenly reddening.

Chu Shaoling wrote "Huaji Palace" on the location of the main hall and softly said, "This is the name of our main hall. Ji'er, do you understand my meaning?"

*T/N: 'Hua' means painting, and the 'Ji' is the same character as the one in Wei Ji's name.

Chu Shaoling embraced Wei Ji, making him face him directly. He dotingly kissed his forehead and said in a deep voice, "I said I wouldn't marry, and I meant it. I only want you. Don't overthink things every day, it pains me to see you upset."

Chu Shaoling hugged Wei Ji and kissed the top of his head, saying, "Regardless of whether I'm Prince Qin or something else in the future, as long as there is a place for Chu Shaoling, there will always be a position for you."

Wei Ji bit his lip tightly, tears pouring down. Chu Shaoling smiled and gently kissed and comforted his insecure little lover. In fact, it wasn't Wei Ji depending on him, but him yearning for Wei Ji. In this cold palace, there was only one person from whom he could trustingly draw warmth.

Chu Shaoling looked at the blueprints he had revised. Regardless of whether it was the luxurious Bitao Palace or the stately Qin Prince Palace, only the place with Wei Ji was home.