After that night, Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji became even closer, and the bedchamber in Bitao Palace seemed to have an added hint of romance.

The weather gradually turned hot and the days grew longer. When the two woke up, the eunuchs had not yet entered. They leaned against the soft pillows, chatting idly. Chu Shaoling gently stroked Wei Ji's cheek and asked, "Does it still hurt?"

Wei Ji yawned and shook his head. "Just a little, not too bad."

Chu Shaoling nodded. "It should be fully healed in a few days. When you're better, I'll take you to the imperial villa to escape the summer heat."

"The imperial villa?" Wei Ji was taken aback. "Can Your Highness get away from court affairs?"

Chu Shaoling chuckled. "I'll be able to get away very soon." The emperor's health was gradually improving. In a few more days, he could likely stop taking medicine. By then, even without Chu Shaoling saying anything, the emperor naturally would not allow him to continue handling court affairs on his own.

Chu Shaoling ruffled Wei Ji's hair. "We'll go once your illness is healed. The scenery at Thousand Longevity Villa is quite nice. I stayed there for a period with the empress when I was young. Many flowers and plants are grown there. You should like it."

Wei Ji nodded. "Will anyone else be there? Will the emperor go? Will the Fourth Prince go?"

Chu Shaoling laughed. "Afraid of Chu Shaoyang? Then we won't let him go."

Wei Ji smiled without responding. He wasn't afraid of Chu Shaoyang, but their first encounter had been unpleasant. Chu Shaoyang was Chu Shaoling's biological younger brother, so Wei Ji always felt somewhat wary.

Chu Shaoling kissed the top of Wei Ji's head. "Don't worry, you are most important in my heart." As for Chu Shaoyang, if the timing wasn't right, Chu Shaoling would have already taken action long ago.

Not wanting Wei Ji to think him cruel for not even sparing his own brother, Chu Shaoling changed the subject. "For this trip, let's have your brother Wei Zhan's Cavalry Battalion escort us. Do you miss your older brother?"

Hearing this, Wei Ji's eyes widened and he nodded with a smile. "Really? This subordinate thanks Your Highness on behalf of my brother." During his illness at home for seven or eight days, he hadn't been able to see Wei Zhan. Wei Ji also missed his older brother.

Chu Shaoling figured that during the imperial ploughing ceremony, Wei Zhan had likely noticed something. Since he knew but didn't lash out like Madam Jiang, it seemed he could still distinguish priorities. Chu Shaoling originally had no intention of concealing his relationship with Wei Ji. If others could accept it, that was best. If they couldn't and wanted to cause trouble, Chu Shaoling naturally had ways to make them have no choice but to accept it.

"Your Highness, it is the Chen hour," a palace maid softly inquired from behind the screen. "Shall Your Highness rise?"

Hearing the palace maid's voice, Wei Ji hurriedly grabbed his clothes and put them on. He was always embarrassed to let the palace servants wait on him and preferred to do things himself. Chu Shaoling chuckled and didn't force the issue. Once Wei Ji was mostly dressed, he called for the palace maids to enter and attend to them as they finished dressing and washing up.

After getting ready, the two ate breakfast together. Chu Shaoling felt distressed that Wei Ji's toothache made him uncomfortable, so he allowed him to rest in the palace while he himself went to pay respects to the emperor.

That day happened to be when the noble consorts' relatives entered the palace to pay respects. Consort Li's mother Madam Xu and elder sister-in-law Madam Luo arrived at Linzhi Palace.

In a side hall, Madam Xu held Consort Li's hand, gently comforting her. "Your Ladyship, please set your mind at ease. Although things are not as good as before, the emperor still shows you consideration. Your father is also making plans."

Consort Li closed her eyes, speaking fiercely, "It's all my fault for not being ruthless enough. When Empress Ling had just passed, I should have taken action to finish him off!"

"Your Ladyship must not speak rashly!" Madam Xu had come bearing her husband's instructions. Seeing her daughter like this, she sighed. "You can't say such things, or even think them. The empress dowager is still here. There are many matters that even the emperor must be wary of, let alone us. Your Ladyship, please set your mind at ease. It's best to plan for the long term."

Consort Li rubbed her temple and nodded. "Mother, don't worry. I will do my best on the emperor's side. Did Father have any message?"

Madam Xu paused before lowering her voice. "Your father had someone investigate thoroughly. The young marquis of the Zijun Marquis Manor currently has two legitimate daughters. The elder is thirteen and the younger eleven, neither of them betrothed yet. Furthermore, that young marquis' wife is raising the two girls with great care. The elder daughter is already thirteen but has never been brought out. The younger is even more sheltered. Only the wives of a few hereditary allies of the Zijun Marquis Manor have seen them. They say the girls are being pampered in the manor, taught by elderly maids who previously served Empress Ling in the palace."

Consort Li frowned slightly. "What is the meaning of this? Could it be they want to send them into the palace to bewitch the emperor?!"

Madam Xu inwardly sighed at her daughter's lack of understanding. She slowly said, "Your Ladyship, calm your anger. Of course it's not for that. Marquis Zijun is raising his two granddaughters this way likely in hopes of marrying them to Prince Qin."

Consort Li secretly felt relieved. She said indifferently, "That makes sense. They are Prince Qin's maternal relatives to begin with. Forming another marriage alliance is understandable."

Madam Xu was a bit anxious. "Your Ladyship, how can you not see? The Zijun Marquis Manor is clearly raising them in the manner of an empress. The marquis harbors great ambitions. That is what your father fears."

Consort Li furrowed her brow. "Then what can be done? I can't exactly forbid him from marrying, can I?"

Madam Xu sighed. "If Your Ladyship can't have a say, does that mean the emperor can't either? Prince Qin has already been conferred as a prince. His grand wedding is a matter of course. This matter still depends on the emperor's decision. Your father wants Marquis Zijun to rejoice in vain. If Prince Qin doesn't marry a daughter of their family, then even if the marquis risks his life for the prince, there will be no ties binding them. Prince Qin's children won't share their bloodline. It would be best to make Prince Qin and the Zijun Marquis Manor become enemies from now on. In my and your father's opinion, rather than that, why not betroth Si to Prince Qin? Zhen Si is fourteen this year, just the right age."

"How can that be?!" Consort Li stood up angrily. "Giving Si to that venomous snake, he'll torture her to death in a few years! Zhen Si is Mother's own granddaughter, how could you bear it?"

Consort Li's sister-in-law Madam Luo's eyes reddened first. No matter how aggrieved she felt at her uncle's intention, she didn't dare say anything. She pitied her little daughter, only fourteen, about to be sent into that fiery pit.

"Your Ladyship!" Madam Xu tried her best to keep her voice calm. She slowly said, "Do we of the Zhen family have any other choice now? Si is a daughter of our Zhen family. At a time like this, when lives are at stake, even if she has to marry a peddler or a laborer, so be it."

Madam Luo turned her face away, tears streaming down.

Consort Li stared blankly at her mother and eldest sister-in-law, slumping onto the couch, speechless.

Meanwhile, Chu Shaoling went to Chengqian Palace to pay his respects. By the time he arrived, Chu Shaoruan was already there. Ever since the Zhen family lost power, Chu Shaoruan had been serving the Emperor with even more dedication. Chu Shaoling's face remained impassive, but he sneered inwardly, thinking Chu Shaoruan was just like his lowly mother, only knowing how to use feminine wiles.

Chu Shaoling entered the chamber to greet the Emperor, reciting the usual pleasantries about how well the Emperor slept last night and how much better his spirit seemed compared to yesterday. Having been ill for two months, the Emperor was tired of hearing these words. He waved his hand, "Ling'er, you are thoughtful. I am much better now."

"Then this subject can rest assured," Chu Shaoling replied calmly. "With Father Emperor's health improved, the burden on this subject's shoulders is also lighter. The affairs of the court still rely entirely on Father Emperor."

These words struck a chord with the Emperor, and the smile on his face grew. "Ling'er has done well in handling the court affairs these past few months. Is there anything you wish to request from me as a reward?"

Just then, Chu Shaomo and Chu Shaoyang also arrived. Everyone paid their respects and took their seats. The Emperor asked Chu Shaoling again what reward he desired. Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly, "Father Emperor is generous. It would be disrespectful for this subject to decline further."

Chu Shaoling pondered for a moment, then smiled. "The weather has been getting hotter recently. This subject would like to stay at the Thousand Longevity Villa for a period of time."

The Emperor paused. The Thousand Longevity Villa was a palace he had built for Empress Ling in the early years of their marriage. At that time, the Emperor's power base was not yet stable. In order to win over the Zijun Marquis Manor and demonstrate his regard for the meritorious officials who supported his ascension, he spent vast sums to construct this palace. However, apart from the first few years after the grand wedding, the Emperor never went there again to escape the summer heat.

The Emperor was reluctant to even mention the Thousand Longevity Villa. He was suspicious by nature. In the past, whenever Empress Ling brought up staying at the Thousand Longevity Villa, he would suspect that she was hinting at her father's contributions. After the Emperor's power grew, what he despised most was those old ministers who tried to restrain him by virtue of their role in supporting his rise to power. The Emperor was not very magnanimous, and this was his greatest taboo.

Chu Shaoling looked at the Emperor calmly, as if this was just an ordinary request. The Emperor chuckled lightly, "The Thousand Longevity Villa has not received imperial visits for a long time. I'm afraid if you go there, they won't be able to serve you well. Since you want to go out and relax for a few days, why not choose another place?"

"It has indeed been several decades since the last imperial visit, so it's possible it has fallen into disrepair due to neglect," Chu Shaoling said with a light laugh. "All the more reason for this subject to go. Please allow this subject to take people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to inspect it. If there are areas that need repair or furnishing, this subject will take care of it. Then if Father Emperor happens to take a fancy to it one day, a stay at the palace won't be spoiled."

Before the Emperor could say anything about burdening the people and wasting money, Chu Shaoling smiled first, "The silver for renovating the palace will come from this subject's own funds. Consider it this subject's filial gift to Father Emperor. With Father Emperor's dragon body in great health, this subject should have made offerings of filial piety."

The Emperor laughed and gazed at Chu Shaoling's face, which resembled Empress Ling's. Chu Shaoling looked very much like Empress Ling, not only in appearance but also in his impeccable etiquette, learned to perfection, leaving no fault to be picked.

The Emperor naturally did not want to renovate the Thousand Longevity Villa. Marquis Zijun had now taken the position of Minister of Personnel. If he were to extensively renovate Empress Ling's former palace, wouldn't that be telling the court officials that the Ling family was going to rise again?

In fact, even without this, the Ling family had already risen again. In just half a year, the Zijun Marquis Manor had imperceptibly gained a foothold in the court. The Emperor slowly realized that from the very beginning, Chu Shaoling seemed to have never sought anything for himself. The title of Prince Qin was something the Emperor had bestowed upon him to protect the Zhen family. Chu Shaoling had never really cared about his own position, but instead had spared no effort in securing power and profit for the Ling family.

Indeed, recklessly seeking power and profit for oneself would attract too much attention. No matter how high a prince climbed, a charge of colluding with court officials and forming cliques for personal gain could topple him from his lofty heights. Letting all the benefits go to one's maternal family was the most secure and least conspicuous approach. After all, barring unforeseen circumstances, one's maternal family would inevitably support one unconditionally. But this did not seem like something a young and impetuous prince eager for quick success and instant benefits would do.

The Emperor looked at Chu Shaoling's smiling phoenix eyes, feeling somewhat puzzled. When did Chu Shaoling's schemes become so deep? Or was he overthinking it? Chu Shaoling was only eighteen years old. Even if he was reluctant to admit it, the Emperor knew that when he himself was eighteen, he would not have been so methodical and steady in his climb to power.

The Emperor was half-believing, half-doubting. But a clear benefit was placed before his eyes. Letting Chu Shaoling go to the palace meant he would be far from court affairs. The Emperor's illness had improved, and he would not allow Chu Shaoling to continue meddling in government matters. It was just a palace that he had long disliked. Let him go. The Emperor did not believe Chu Shaoling was truly so far-sighted. He was not old yet. Was he supposed to fear his own son?

The Emperor smiled and sighed, "Ling'er has a filial heart. How can I use your silver? Go and speak with the Ministry of Internal Affairs yourself. Renovate it however you like. You've worked hard these past few months."

Chu Shaoling smiled and thanked him for the grace. "This subject will arrange everything meticulously according to Father Emperor's preferences, hoping Father Emperor will visit someday."

Chu Shaoling dared to ask because he knew the Emperor would grant it. He knew the Emperor would be suspicious of him. But so what? He had never been favored in the Emperor's presence, so he was not afraid of angering him.

Chu Shaoyang, who had been listening to the conversation, could not help but interject with a smile, "Father Emperor is benevolent and most unable to refuse requests. This time, you are favoring Big Brother again. This subject also wants to accompany Big Brother to stay at the villa for a while."

Because of the matter with the Imperial Seal, Chu Shaoyang had offended Chu Shaoling and angered the Emperor. Now his days were not going well. Chu Shaoyang saw clearly that the most important thing at present was to mend his relationship with his elder brother. Without Chu Shaoling's protection, he would not fare well in the palace.

The Emperor glanced at Chu Shaoyang and rebuked, "Nonsense! Your elder brother is no longer going to the Huixin Institute. Are you saying you won't go either? You don't do well in your studies, yet you're the first to run when it comes to playing!"

The Emperor was not pleased to see the two legitimate sons left by Empress Ling sticking together. The Zijun Marquis Manor plus two legitimate princes - did they want to overturn the heavens? This time, the Emperor had a hand in the falling out between the brothers Chu Shaoling and Chu Shaoyang. Naturally, he could not agree now.

Chu Shaoyang had not expected his flattery to backfire and earn a scolding. He did not dare to speak, stammering.

Chu Shaomo had never been favored, and he didn't mind much. Only Chu Shaoruan, seeing Chu Shaoling getting whatever he wanted, secretly harbored resentment in his heart.

Chu Shaoling swept his gaze over the crowd, sneering inwardly. Before long, he took his leave, using the excuse of going to Ci'an Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.