The news of the lost seal quickly spread throughout the palace. Chu Shaoyang had no way to defend himself, and Chu Shaoling refused to see him. Just as Chu Shaoyang was thinking about how to make his older brother believe and forgive him, the Emperor summoned him.

The Emperor was very concerned about his reputation and detested gossip among the palace servants. Having just taken his medicine and feeling a bit more comfortable in the morning, Consort Li was attending to him and told the Emperor the palace gossip as a joke. Consort Li still held a grudge against Chu Shaoyang for passing on false information to her during the witchcraft incident, so she couldn't help but exaggerate a bit.

The Emperor's face immediately darkened with anger. He knew Chu Shaoyang had been spoiled rotten by Chu Shaoling, but he actually dared to do something like this!

Chu Shaoling's deep affection for Chu Shaoyang was well-known, so the Emperor didn't suspect that the two had fallen out. He just thought that Chu Shaoyang had become arrogant and even dared to act so recklessly in matters of state affairs!

What made the Emperor so angry wasn't just that Chu Shaoyang had made a fool of himself. He was more wary of Chu Shaoyang's temperament. Listen to what people are saying outside? Just because the servants in Bitao Palace didn't give him the seal, he actually dared to snatch it himself. Chu Shaoyang was only fifteen years old this year and already dared to do this. If he grew up a bit more, wouldn't he even dare to snatch the Emperor's own jade seal?!

The sick Emperor was overly sensitive to this kind of thing. He summoned Chu Shaoyang and didn't have any kind words for him, not allowing Chu Shaoyang to defend himself at all, and scolded him harshly. Finally, he said lightly: "Your temperament is impetuous and unsuitable for great responsibilities. Go back to the Huixin Institute with your third brother and continue to listen to the teachings of the Grand Tutor. You don't need to interfere in state affairs for now."

The Emperor had already made up his mind, and Chu Shaoyang had a belly full of grievances that he couldn't express. He could only thank the Emperor for his grace and return to the Huixin Institute. From then on, the only princes participating in politics were Chu Shaoling and Chu Shaoruan. Chu Shaoruan felt insecure in his heart. Although it seemed like they had made mistakes on their own in these past few incidents, Chu Shaoruan still had a vague feeling that this was all Chu Shaoling's doing.

The Zhen family still needed time to recover. Chu Shaoruan had no choice but to restrain his edge and ask for Chu Shaoling's opinion on everything. Before anyone could react, the balance of power in the court began to slowly tilt.

Chu Shaoling quickly cleaned out the people Chu Shaoyang had promoted in the past few days, feeling quite pleased in his heart. In the evening, after taking a bath, Chu Shaoling leaned on the couch reading a storybook while waiting for Wei Ji. Wang Muhan approached and presented a brocade box, smiling: "This is what Your Highness wanted. Following Your Highness's instructions, the best materials were used and the most skilled old craftsmen were found. This slave has poor eyesight and can't tell, so Your Highness should take a look and see if it meets your expectations."

Chu Shaoling took the brocade box, opened it, took out the item and examined it carefully, chuckling: "Not bad, just as I imagined. Can we trust the craftsman?"

Wang Muhan hurriedly replied: "Your Highness can rest assured about this."

Chu Shaoling nodded: "Good, give that master craftsman a reward of one hundred taels of silver, and you yourself can also go collect ten taels."

Wang Muhan thanked him profusely.

As they were talking, Wei Ji had also finished washing up and changed his clothes before walking in. Wang Muhan hurriedly withdrew. Chu Shaoling hid the item in his arms and went up to Wei Ji, saying: "How many times have I told you to dry your hair before coming out."

Hearing this, Wei Ji rubbed his hair even harder with the cloth. Chu Shaoling couldn't stand watching and pulled him over to dry his hair himself. After it was half-dry, he smoothed out the hair and chuckled: "Such nice hair and you just know how to mistreat it."

Wei Ji didn't seem to care, smiling: "It doesn't matter if this subject's hair is good or not. By the way..." Wei Ji pursed his lips, looking a bit pleading, "Tomorrow is this subject's day off. Can this subject go home for a bit?"

Chu Shaoling kissed Wei Ji on the forehead and said: "Of course."

Chu Shaoling took out the item he had made for Wei Ji from his arms and smiled: "I had someone make something for you. See if you like it."

Wei Ji took one look and was stunned. In Chu Shaoling's hand was a pure gold openwork carved seal with four characters - "Chu Shaoling's Seal".

The size of the characters was the same as Chu Shaoling's private seal. The front was carved with dragon patterns and inlaid with precious stones, extremely exquisite. But the back was completely smooth and flat. Chu Shaoling smiled and said: "I didn't have them carve anything on this side. One reason is to avoid it digging into you when you wear it, and the other is that you can use this flat side with ink, just like my prince's official seal."

Wei Ji was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say. He mumbled: "Your Highness, this subject doesn't dare to wear such an important item..."

Chu Shaoling took a gold chain, threaded it through, and put it around Wei Ji's neck. The seal was not too big or small, and the gold seal looked very nice against Wei Ji's white inner shirt. Chu Shaoling smiled with satisfaction: "It looks great. How can you say you're not worthy? In the future, it may come in handy. Even if it doesn't, as long as you understand my intentions, that's enough."

Wei Ji felt warm inside, not knowing what to say. He couldn't help but touch the seal on his chest. He took the rare initiative to get closer and hug Chu Shaoling, saying softly: "This subject understands."

Chu Shaoling enjoyed his little lover's rare initiative, feeling extremely gratified. Thinking of Wei Ji's earlier request, he said quite generously: "If you miss home, you can stay an extra day. Take tomorrow off and come back the day after."

Wei Ji was indeed overjoyed: "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness. This subject... this subject will return a bit earlier the day after tomorrow."

Chu Shaoling chuckled: "Returning early is just to coax me? It's fine if you come back in the evening the day after tomorrow, but you have to let me take advantage of something else..."

Chu Shaoling's voice lowered as he coaxed Wei Ji with doting kisses: "Don't be afraid, I just want to kiss you for a bit. If you come back the day after tomorrow, will you miss me?"

Wei Ji blushed. Recently, Chu Shaoling had become more and more intimate with him on the bed. Wei Ji actually didn't dislike Chu Shaoling's affection, and secretly liked it in a hidden corner of his heart. Thinking that he wouldn't be able to see the person in front of him for two days, Wei Ji felt reluctant. Blushing, he replied: "I will miss you."

Chu Shaoling smiled and continued his intimate actions for a good while before embracing Wei Ji and closing his eyes.