The next day, as expected, Chu Shaoling ordered Wang Muhan to prepare everything. After paying respects to the Empress Dowager and Emperor, he took Wei Ji out of the palace. Thousand Longevity Villa was over 50 li away from the Imperial City, so even the fastest horse carriage would take three to four hours.

It was already July and the weather was getting a bit hot. Chu Shaoling ordered two basins of ice to be placed in the carriage. Seeing the sweat on Wei Ji's forehead, Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly: "Forget it, you won't be going out anyway. Take off these clothes and put on the same ones when we arrive."

When going out, Wei Ji wore the official uniform of a first-rank bodyguard, which was a brocade robe equivalent to the third-rank in the military. Although it was summer clothing, it still had three layers inside and out, making it stuffy and hot. Wei Ji shook his head. He was already being improper by getting on the horse carriage, so taking off more clothes would be even more inappropriate. His older brother was out in the sun and hadn't said anything yet.

Chu Shaoling propped open the window lattice to take a look and said: "Bear with it a bit longer. It will be cool once we reach the temporary palace. The climate there is good, with the palace nestled against mountains and water, so it won't be this stuffy."

Wei Ji nodded. In his heart, he had long been looking forward to going. Chu Shaoling said that once they arrived, he would send the attendants far away, leaving the two of them alone in one place to freely enjoy themselves.

After an hour, it was noon. The accompanying palace maids sent over the prepared pastries and meat and vegetarian snacks. Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji didn't get off the carriage, only having the food boxes sent in. Chu Shaoling opened a food box and took a look, taking out a plate of crab roe pastries and a bowl of drunken quail to send to Wei Zhan. He chuckled lightly: "Your older brother worked hard this trip too. Let him rest when we reach the temporary palace."

Wei Ji nodded and smiled. The palace maids didn't enter. Wei Ji arranged the food himself. After sitting in the carriage for a while at noon, the two of them weren't hungry. They only ate a little before having someone take it away. After eating their fill, the two of them leaned against each other and talked in the carriage. As they talked, they both fell asleep. By the time they woke up again, they had already arrived.

The officials and attendants of the temporary palace had been waiting since morning. Seeing the carriage procession arrive, they hurriedly came out to greet them, standing in order according to rank to pay respects.

Chu Shaoling hadn't come for nearly ten years. Looking at the solemn palace gates of the temporary palace, he felt a bit dazed. The characters "Thousand Longevity" on the carved dragon plaque were already a bit mottled. Chu Shaoling still remembered that the Emperor had personally written this plaque back then. Phoenixes, auspiciousness, a thousand blessings and eternal longevity - it was the promise the Emperor, still young at that time, had made to his mother. But in just ten years, things had changed.

Chu Shaoling was lost in thought as he gazed at the two characters "Thousand Longevity". Wang Muhan walked over and whispered: "Your Highness?"

Chu Shaoling ordered everyone to rise and said indifferently: "This plaque is a bit old. Take it down and touch up the gold paint." The director of the temporary palace hurriedly bowed his head and acknowledged the order.

One of the halls had been prepared for Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji entered the bedchamber to first bathe and change clothes. Wei Ji finished washing first and came out. He happened to see Wei Zhan outside. Wei Ji hurriedly walked over and chuckled: "Big Brother, why did you come over? His Highness will still need some time before coming out."

Wei Zhan pulled Wei Ji to a secluded spot and said: "I came to find you. This..."

Wei Zhan took out a stack of banknotes and handed them to Wei Ji, saying in a low voice: "Father had someone bring these back some time ago and wanted me to give them to you. Father said he is doing very well at his post and is very grateful for the Prince's grace. He wants you to find a suitable time to give these banknotes to the Prince."

Wei Ji felt a bit awkward, but he couldn't disobey his father's words. He had no choice but to take them and nod: "I understand."

Before leaving the city, Wei Zhan had already heard the rumors that the Emperor wanted to select a consort for Chu Shaoling. Now his mind was fully occupied with this matter. He originally wanted to remind his younger brother, but seeing Wei Ji like this, he couldn't bear to say it. He only said: "Serve His Highness well. If there's anything making you feel wronged, don't hold it in. Tell your brother."

Wei Ji smiled: "Big Brother, you're joking. How could I have anything I'm unhappy about? His Highness..." Poor Wei Ji still thought only he and Chu Shaoling knew about this matter. Feeling embarrassed to tell his older brother, he just smiled. "His Highness is kind and won't wrong me."

Wei Zhan was weighed down with worries. Wary of Chu Shaoling, he didn't dare say anything else and just nodded: "Take care of yourself."

Wei Ji chatted with Wei Zhan a bit more. After some thought, he took out half of the stack of money from his bosom. Seeing no one around, he stuffed it to Wei Zhan and said softly: "Big Brother, keep this for yourself. I still have quite a few banknotes. I can make up the difference myself." The banknotes Wei Ming had given to Chu Shaoling last time were still in Wei Ji's hands. Wei Ji ate and dressed in Bitao Palace every day and had no one he needed to give gifts to, so he had no use for them.

But it was different for Wei Zhan. He had just become a commander, so there were many above and below he needed to take care of. Seeing Wei Zhan refuse to accept, Wei Ji smiled and said softly: "It's fine, I really have enough."

Wei Zhan could roughly guess what was going on. In his heart, he silently appreciated that Chu Shaoling indeed treated Wei Ji generously. But then he thought of the matter of selecting a consort and his heart grew heavy again.

The carefree Wei Ji returned to the hall and rummaged through his luggage. He made up the difference for the banknotes he had given Wei Zhan, wrapped them well, and brought them inside.

Chu Shaoling had just finished bathing. Chu Shaoling had already sent away the eunuchs, leaving only the bodyguards and imperial guards. Wei Ji went over to attend to Chu Shaoling as he changed into his clothes. A bit embarrassed, he took out the banknotes and said: "Your Highness, this is... what my father brought back and wanted me to give to Your Highness..."

Chu Shaoling took them and counted them before stuffing them back into Wei Ji's bosom. He chuckled lightly: "I know. Keep them well yourself to use as pocket money."

Wei Ji felt it wasn't right to take them. He refused for a while until Chu Shaoling kissed him, leaving him speechless. Chu Shaoling ruffled Wei Ji's hair. This silly thing.

Chu Shaoling turned around and propped open the window lattices one by one. Looking at the lake outside, Wei Ji smiled: "Your Highness, are there fish in this lake? This subject will catch fish for Your Highness to eat."

Chu Shaoling smiled: "There are quite a few koi. I don't remember if there are other fish, but there seem to be some shrimp. How do you catch them?"

"Shrimp can also be caught. This subject caught them when I was little." Wei Ji was eager to try. "It's even more convenient than catching fish."

Seeing Wei Ji in such good spirits, a rare occurrence, Chu Shaoling ordered someone to prepare all the fishing equipment. The two of them went together to a pavilion by the lake. Chu Shaoling put bait on the fishhook and lowered it into the water, then sat down to watch Wei Ji catch shrimp.

Wei Ji went to the lakeshore and broke off a few willow branches. As he walked back to the pavilion, he stripped off the leaves. Chu Shaoling watched in amusement: "You're using those to fish? Will the shrimp pay attention to you?"

Wei Ji smiled: "They will, they'll pay attention to me."

Wei Ji removed most of the leaves from the willow branch, picked through the prepared fish bait, and carefully selected a few pieces of chicken heart, threading them onto the branch. He grabbed a net pouch and walked down the pavilion steps to the water's edge, where he squatted down and placed the willow branch into the water.

Chu Shaoling, worried about him being too close to the water, also walked down. Wei Ji turned his head and smiled at Chu Shaoling before turning back to focus on the water.

Before long, a few shrimp swam over, jumping and gathering around the chicken meat to feed. Wei Ji held the willow branch in his left hand and the net pouch in his right, slowly bringing the net closer. Seizing the opportunity, he scooped the net up, catching all the shrimp without letting any escape, as they jumped around wildly inside.

Chu Shaoling laughed, "You're quite clever to come up with this method."

Wei Ji chuckled, "When I was a child, before entering the military camp, I was mischievous. I often escaped to play with my older cousins and the housekeeper's children. I learned this from them back then."

The lake in the temporary palace was well-maintained by the palace staff, with the fish well-fed, and in turn, the shrimp were also quite large. Chu Shaoling rolled up his sleeves and poured the caught shrimp into a bamboo basket, smiling, "Let's not fish anymore. I'll catch shrimp with you, and we'll eat them tonight."

Wei Ji quickly went to break off more willow branches. Chu Shaoling, not minding the mess, took the bloody chicken hearts and threaded them onto the branches, lowering them into the water to wait alongside Wei Ji.

The two focused on catching shrimp, filling a bamboo basket in less than an hour. Wei Ji had never caught so many or such large shrimp when he was a child, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. Seeing him so happy naturally put Chu Shaoling in a great mood as well. After some thought, he said, "Let's have half made into steamed dumplings by the kitchen staff, and we'll grill the rest tonight."

Wei Ji was indeed pleased and nodded, "I'll go ask for some beef and mutton to grill together."

There was no need for Wei Ji to go. Chu Shaoling gave the order, and the kitchen staff quickly prepared all the necessary grilling equipment and various seasonings, setting up a large table. Chu Shaoling had them arrange everything in the lake pavilion, not requiring any palace servants to attend, and grilled the food himself to eat.

The shrimp had already been cleaned, deveined, and marinated in seasoning sauce, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat. When placed on the iron grill, they sizzled and released an enticing aroma that whetted the appetite.

With no one else in the pavilion, the two directly peeled the shrimp, their hands covered in shrimp oil. Being freshly caught and paired with the palace's secret seasonings, the taste was exceptionally delicious. Having only eaten casually in the carriage at noon, they were both hungry and finished half a basket of shrimp, finally washing it down with rice congee prepared by the kitchen before feeling full.

After such a meal, it was not good to sleep early. Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji washed their hands and strolled along the walkway built over the lake, slowly digesting and feeling leisurely and carefree. Wei Ji had never been so relaxed in front of Chu Shaoling before, which greatly pleased him. He coaxed, "Do you like it here?"

Wei Ji nodded with a smile, "It's nice without other people around."

Taking advantage of the night and the attendants keeping their distance, Chu Shaoling pulled Wei Ji in for a kiss and softly promised, "Sooner or later, I'll make it so you can be this comfortable even in the palace."

Wei Ji's face instantly turned red as he nervously glanced around. Chu Shaoling chuckled and boldly held Wei Ji's hand as they continued their stroll.

The two spent their time in the temporary palace freely, unaware that at this moment, the Ci'an Palace in the main palace had already been thrown into chaos.