Chu Shaoling dismissed the Minister of Rites and exited the main hall. As expected, Wei Ji was still standing there like a stone statue. Among the guards, none stood as straight and tall as him. Chu Shaoling felt a bit distressed - he himself went out for no more than an hour each day, yet Wei Ji had to dryly wait outside. This foolish man didn't know how to slack off sneakily. He stood guard as cautiously as if he were about to go into battle.

Seeing Chu Shaoling come out, Wei Ji's eyes lit up, but he didn't say much. He walked over and followed behind Chu Shaoling according to protocol. Outside, Wei Ji was always very proper. Except for the palace servants in Bitao Palace's bedchamber, it was hard for others to discover that this was actually the person Chu Shaoling favored most at the moment.

Before long, the group returned to Bitao Palace. Once in the inner chamber, Chu Shaoling helped Wei Ji take off his outer robe. Seeing Wei Ji's slightly reddened face from the sun, Chu Shaoling's heart ached. He said: "How many times have I told you, don't follow me next time. If you don't want to stay in my palace all day, go find some excuse from Wang Muhan to go out for a walk. Is it fun following me all day? If not standing outside Ci'an Palace then you're outside the council chamber. Do you like being punished by standing?"

Wei Ji wrung out a handkerchief and wiped his face. He chuckled lightly: "Your Highness doesn't know, in the past I was just a lowly guard without rank. I couldn't even follow you normally, just guarding the palace gate of Bitao Palace each day. Back then, when I saw the senior guards accompanying Your Highness in and out, I envied them very much. I thought how great it would be to one day serve at Your Highness's side. Now that my great wish has been fulfilled, how could I go back to guarding the courtyard? I don't find it hard standing outside, thinking..."

Realizing he misspoke, Wei Ji pursed his lips and smiled. Chu Shaoling took a step closer, looking at Wei Ji and waiting for him to continue. Wei Ji lowered his head and said: "Thinking that no matter how long the wait, Your Highness will always come out. Then I don't feel it's hard anymore."

Wei Ji spoke sincerely, and Chu Shaoling's heart ached hearing it.

Many times Chu Shaoling would even think, if someone schemed intently to gain his pity, could they do better than Wei Ji? How could this foolish man who didn't understand romance or worldly matters tug at his heartstrings so?

Chu Shaoling pulled Wei Ji to lie down on the couch together, embracing him tightly while kissing and doting on him. After cuddling affectionately for a good while, he said: "Your elder brother will return tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Wei Ji's eyes were full of joyful surprise. Tomorrow was Mid-Autumn Festival, a good time for Wei Zhan to return. "Then I can see my elder brother tomorrow?"

Chu Shaoling nodded with a smile: "Of course. First thing in the morning, I'll have Wang Muhan send you back to the manor. Then the day after I'll send someone to bring you back."

Wei Ji paused. Since falling ill at home last time, Chu Shaoling hadn't allowed him to go back.

Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly: "You really thought I was that heartless? To not even let you go home for a day during Mid-Autumn Festival? It just so happens Wei Zhan is also returning tomorrow. Once matters are settled, I'll let him go back too, so your whole family can reunite."

Hearing this, Wei Ji was indeed happy. He nodded: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration. This time when I return, I will definitely come back properly without troubling you."

"It's good you know I'll be troubled. Don't get sick or injured again." Chu Shaoling thought for a moment and said: "When you go back this time, tell your family about the matter with the Fourth Princess. Right now with the war in Liaoliang unsettled, the Emperor doesn't have time to bring this up, but it's still best to prepare early."

Chu Shaoling got up and opened a small compartment by the bed, taking out a wooden box and handing it to Wei Ji: "The Emperor certainly won't establish a residence for Fuyi. When the time comes, he'll have no choice but to have your manor build another courtyard for Fuyi, decorating it with pavilions, terraces and towers. Take this back first to use. If it's not enough, tell me again."

Wei Ji took it and saw the box was filled with silver notes. He hurriedly tried to refuse: "On behalf of my father and elder brother, I thank Your Highness for the kind intention. But how can we take Your Highness's silver? My family still has some savings, and I myself still have the silver you gave me..."

"Just keep that bit of pocket money for yourself." Chu Shaoling couldn't help but chuckle. "I took on this major matchmaking, naturally I should see it through to the end. I know your family can still afford it, but after all it's a hardship. I can't let people say I gave a princess but caused your family to go bankrupt. Outsiders don't know this. Just take it."

Wei Ji still wanted to decline, but Chu Shaoling set the silver box aside. He leaned over to press Wei Ji down on the bed, his hand slipping under Wei Ji's thin clothes, gently caressing Wei Ji's firm, smooth skin. He coaxed softly: "Don't be so formal with me. Be good..."

Early the next morning, Chu Shaoling ordered Wang Muhan to take Wei Ji out of the palace. He himself donned ceremonial robes and carried the imperial canopy, leading the officials of the Ministry of Rites out of the city to welcome Chu Shaoyang and Wei Zhan's group.

Before Chu Shaoyang left the city, the Liaoliang matter hadn't happened yet. Otherwise, Chu Shaoling really wanted to stage another "foreign enemy army kidnapping the prince" incident. Unfortunately, Wei Zhan was present now. If Chu Shaoyang was kidnapped and met with mishap, the first to bear responsibility would be Wei Zhan. Chu Shaoling had misgivings and could only let this great opportunity pass.

On the official road, Chu Shaoling's group set up tents. Chu Shaoling silently gazed outside. The Minister of Rites looked at the stacks of hay bales piled up beside the road and laughed: "This year is a good harvest."

Chu Shaoling nodded: "Indeed not bad. Although Fourth Brother's accounts couldn't be sent back early, I suppose it won't be too far off."

The Minister of Rites chimed in: "That's because Fourth Prince is talented and capable at a young age. To handle such a major task so young, although it all relies on Your Highness's guidance and care, it's also Fourth Prince's own ability."

Chu Shaoyang had ability? The Minister of Rites was flattering the wrong person. Chu Shaoling wasn't very appreciative and just nodded faintly.

The group waited for less than an hour before seeing dust flying on the official road. A squad of advance guards arrived. Seeing Chu Shaoling had also come, the leading official hurriedly dismounted. Leading his horse, he walked over and knelt: "Greetings to Prince Qin. The Fourth Prince has returned safely. All is well."

Chu Shaoling smiled lightly: "Then I can set my mind at ease."

Before long, the convoy arrived in a grand procession. Chu Shaoling slightly raised his head. As the convoy gradually approached, when it was less than 50 zhang from Chu Shaoling, the roadside suddenly burst into flames. The dozens of neatly stacked hay bales beside the road abruptly caught fire, the flames shooting to the sky!

Before the crowd could react, they saw the fire burn even more fiercely. The flames seemed to gain sentience, charging straight at the convoy. Many horses were startled and fled in all directions. Quite a few carriages caught fire. From the middle of the convoy, Wei Zhan saw the change and hurriedly galloped over, shouting loudly: "Don't panic! Let go of the reins! Detach the shafts!!"

Everyone was shocked. Seeing this sudden change, they all tried their best to control their horses. Only after hearing Wei Ji's words did they hurriedly remove the reins and shafts. The startled horses, freed from restraint, rushed into the woods outside the official road and disappeared in no time.

Chu Shaoling watched this lively scene with a slight smile on his lips, saying unhurriedly, "Protect the Fourth Prince. Don't worry about those goods, they are just some silver after all and won't be damaged by fire."

Everyone guarded Chu Shaoyang's carriage. Fortunately, Chu Shaoyang's carriage did not catch fire. Chu Shaoyang stumbled out, supported by his attendants, and was dumbfounded seeing the burning convoy outside. What was going on? How did a fire start out of nowhere?!

The officials from the Ministry of Rites were also dumbfounded. No one had set the fire, yet the fire seemed to be premeditated, burning the carriages as if on purpose. What was going on? Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Chu Shaoling first asked if Chu Shaoyang was alright. Chu Shaoyang, just recovering from the shock, nodded. Chu Shaoling said, "Since the Fourth Prince is unharmed, that's good. It's common for fires to suddenly start in the dry autumn. Fortunately, no one was hurt."

While they were talking, Wei Zhan and the others had already put out the fire. Wei Zhan stepped forward, bowed and said, "It's all due to our negligence in guarding. Fortunately, only some unimportant things were burned. I have checked the official silver chests and they are all intact."

Wei Zhan slightly raised his head and his eyes met Chu Shaoling's. Both were relieved.

Following Chu Shaoling's instructions, Wei Zhan had sprinkled fire powder on the roofs of the convoy. In the dry autumn weather, with the official road surrounded, the fire powder would naturally bring the flames over.

Chu Shaoling nodded with a light smile, "That's good. This is all thanks to Fourth Brother."

Official silver! Chu Shaoyang's heart stirred and he immediately became flustered, saying hurriedly, "No, this official silver is not..."

"Not what?" Chu Shaoling looked at Chu Shaoyang, smiling lightly. "Fourth Brother collected the official silver tax from the south. Not what?"

Hearing this, Chu Shaoyang became even more spineless and quickly said, "No, big brother, first look at the account books this time. It's recorded on them..."

"Reporting back to Fourth Prince," Wei Zhan interjected in a timely manner. "The carriage carrying those few account books accidentally caught fire just now and they have already burned to ashes."

Chu Shaoyang felt like a basin of cold water had been poured over his head. He instantly fell silent.

Chu Shaoling smiled, "Fourth Brother, I suppose you must be regretting the local souvenirs that got burnt this time? It's nothing, Wei Zhan. Arrange the stamped official silver and load it onto the remaining intact carriages. These are all this year's taxes, not a single coin can be missing. If there's not enough space, put it on the carriages we brought. The rest are Fourth Prince's belongings, no one is allowed to touch them."

Seeing Chu Shaoling's smiling face, Chu Shaoyang instantly understood.

Why did Chu Shaoling not react to his massive embezzlement? Why did he allow the silver Chu Shaoyang collected to be mixed with the official silver in the accompanying carriages without question? Why did Chu Shaoling personally come to meet him? Why was there a sudden fire from the heavens...

Chu Shaoyang closed his eyes, nearly collapsing. The plans he had schemed for many days were so easily foiled by Chu Shaoling!

Chu Shaoyang was so angry he nearly vomited blood, but he couldn't show it in front of everyone. He suppressed it to the point of nearly injuring his internal organs.

In a short while, Wei Zhan had already tallied the amount of official silver and arranged it. Chu Shaoling nodded with satisfaction, "Commander Wei did not fail my trust on this trip. I will remember it. The taxes collected this time are quite substantial. His Majesty will naturally bestow generous rewards."

Wei Zhan lowered his head, "Serving His Majesty and Your Highness is my duty. I dare not ask for rewards or claim credit."

Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly, "You've worked hard. After following me to the Ministry of Revenue to hand over the silver today, go back to your residence. I grant you a day of family reunion."

At the same time in the Wei Manor, Wang Muhan ordered someone to put away the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts Chu Shaoling had rewarded to the Wei family, smiling, "Greetings, Old Madam."

Old Madam Wei and Madam Jiang quickly responded.

Wang Muhan smiled, "Lord Wei serves diligently in the palace and His Highness thinks highly of him. Considering the wonderful occasion of the full moon on the fifteenth, His Highness had these things collected and sent over. He also asked our family to bring them to the ladies."

Old Madam Wei, trembling and leaning on a maid's hand, quickly said upon hearing this, "We dare not, we dare not."

Wang Muhan smiled and continued, "It's just that every time Lord Wei returns to the residence, he brings back some illness. His Highness is worried, so he asked our family to come and nag a few words. Lord Wei has a delicate body. Please take more care of him, Old Madam. Otherwise, if he gets sick or injured somewhere, it would delay his duties. Delaying his duties is a small matter, but injuring Lord Wei's health is a big matter."

Old Madam Wei, hearing these words, only thought that Chu Shaoling valued Wei Ji. She quickly smiled, "Yes, yes, of course we will. It's just that the boy has many illnesses. We've troubled His Highness to be concerned."

Wang Muhan's words were not meant for Old Madam Wei to hear, but he still smiled and responded, "Mm, I'll leave it to the Old Madam to take care of him." From the corner of his eye, Wang Muhan saw Madam Jiang's face turn slightly pale. She echoed with a nod, "Don't worry, Lord Eunuch, of course we understand."

Having delivered the warning he needed to, Wang Muhan's task was complete. He quietly instructed Wei Ji a few more words, "Someone will come to pick up my lord tomorrow. My lord, be careful yourself and don't let His Highness worry."

Wei Ji also didn't hear anything amiss, only thinking that Chu Shaoling was concerned about him. His heart warmed and he nodded with a smile, "Don't worry, Lord Eunuch."