Chu Shaoling leaned on the soft couch, absent-mindedly holding a book. He had just asked Eunuch Wang, and learned that Consort Li was promoted to Noble Consort in August of this year. Now she was the sole power in the palace. Noble Consort Li's father, Zhen Jiaxin, was now the Minister of Personnel, a key minister in the cabinet. With her own favor, her family's power, and her son by her side, it was only a matter of time before Noble Consort Li was crowned empress.

It was all because the emperor doted on his concubines too much. Chu Shaoling rubbed his temples.

His relationship with the emperor had never been close. For more than a decade after the emperor's grand wedding with the empress, they had lived as respectfully as guests. It was fine not to be favored, but the emperor was muddled in his handling of affairs, indulging the favored concubines too much, often putting the empress in an awkward position.

Chu Shaoling was still young then, and every time he saw his mother secretly shedding tears behind people's backs, his heart ached along with her. Empress Ling came from the Zijun Marquis Manor, a woman from a great aristocratic family who had been self-respecting since childhood and could not fight for favor or fawn. Behind the dignified and honorable glamour were endless lonely nights. Seeing his mother suffer day and night because of the emperor's unfairness, Chu Shaoling could not truly respect the emperor.

The most urgent task was to pull down Noble Consort Li. If Noble Consort Li had it too good, he would not have it good. Outside the palace, Chu Shaoling's maternal Zijun Marquis Manor would become more and more passive in the court. As for Chu Shaoyang, Chu Shaoling did not want to make a move yet, not because of old feelings, Chu Shaoling sneered coldly, but because before he cleared the obstacles in front of him, his good younger brother would not be willing to make a move against him at this time, which Chu Shaoling was very assured of.

"Your Highness, the guard Wei Ji has arrived." Eunuch Wang had just received Chu Shaoling's orders and personally led Wei Ji to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to engrave a waist plate and collect clothes. At this moment, Wei Ji was already wearing the brocade clothes of a third-rank guard, which made his appearance even more delicate. Seeing the patterns on Wei Ji's body, Chu Shaoling felt a little distressed. In the previous life, Wei Ji wore the clothes of a third-rank guard only at his death.

Eunich Wang, Wang Muhan, who had served by Chu Shaoling's side for many years, could not say he could guess his master's thoughts completely, but he still understood some. When Chu Shaoling suddenly asked about Wei Ji, Eunuch Wang paid attention. Seeing Chu Shaoling's expression when he saw Wei Ji, and taking a closer look at Wei Ji's eyebrows, he understood about seventy to eighty percent in his heart.

Wei Ji had a delicate appearance, although not as stunning as Chu Shaoling's, but still quite good. Eunuch Wang made a gesture, and the eunuchs in the bedchamber bowed and retreated with Eunuch Wang.

Wei Ji felt a little uncomfortable and touched the clothes on his body. A third-rank guard was equivalent to a regular fifth-rank military official. Wei Ji had just turned fourteen this year and had served by Chu Shaoling's side for less than a year, rarely seeing Chu Shaoling. Now that he was suddenly valued by his master, his heart couldn't help but be apprehensive.

Seeing Wei Ji's uneasy appearance, Chu Shaoling smiled, beckoned Wei Ji to come closer, and chuckled, "I originally wanted to directly appoint you as a first-rank guard, but you're too young and it's against the rules. Also, I was afraid that promoting you too quickly would bring you trouble instead. Let's do it this way for now."

This third-rank guard position was like a pie falling from the sky for Wei Ji. He had never thought of being a first-rank guard. Hearing this, he hurriedly said, "This subordinate does not dare. This subordinate has not made the slightest contribution to Your Highness. Being granted the position of a third-rank guard now is already very overwhelming. This subordinate..."

"Already overwhelmed by this?" Chu Shaoling chuckled. "Then forget about what you'll face in the future. I'm not trying to scare you. What I give you is naturally what you deserve."

Chu Shaoling picked up Wei Ji's household registration from the desk and read it carefully, slowly saying, "Your father is the valiant general Wei Ming, and your elder brother Wei Zhan is the deputy commander of the Cavalry Battalion. Based on your family background, you should have entered the palace to serve in Chengqian Palace and found a way to become an imperial guard in the future. How did you end up coming to me instead?"

The people by Chu Shaoling's side worked quickly, and Wei Ji's family background had long been sorted out and sent to Chu Shaoling's side. The Wei family could also be considered an aristocratic family. Wei Ji's great-grandfather had even married a princess. However, in the past few decades, the Wei family had gradually declined. By the time the title was passed down to Wei Ji's father, Wei Ming, there was only a first-rank military merit left, with no real power, and the family was in some difficulty.

Many people had asked Wei Ji the question Chu Shaoling asked. Wei Ming had even hit his son for not knowing better. But Wei Ji had never told anyone his concerns. At this moment, in front of Chu Shaoling, he definitely could not say it.

Wei Ji shook his head and replied in a low voice, "This subordinate is foolish and does not seek to serve in front of the emperor. Being able to work for Your Highness is already satisfying."

Although Wei Ji did not say it, Chu Shaoling had a general idea in his heart. Since Wei Ji did not go to the imperial presence but quietly served in his place instead, the Wei family probably did not give him any good treatment. Wei Ji was fourteen years old this year and was only thirteen when he entered the palace. Thinking of the hardships Wei Ji had endured alone in this year, Chu Shaoling felt a little distressed.

He took Wei Ji's hand and said softly, "I know your loyalty. I will definitely not let you down for this heart of yours."

Chu Shaoling's mind was filled with the scenes of Wei Ji dying for him in the previous life and his young age suffering for him in this life. He couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He pulled Wei Ji's waist into his arms and said in a low voice, "Don't worry, I won't let you suffer anymore in the future..."

Wei Ji had never experienced this before and panicked at once. He took a step back and knelt directly on the ground, his voice trembling a little, "Your Highness, this subordinate... this subordinate does not dare..."

Chu Shaoling's arm was still raised. Seeing Wei Ji kneeling on the ground, he was stunned for a moment, pursed his thin lips, and still smiled, "I was just teasing you. Forget it, you may go."

Wei Ji was still a little apprehensive. He kowtowed to Chu Shaoling and retreated.

Seeing Wei Ji hurrying out of the hall in a fluster, Eunuch Wang knew that this matter had failed. He walked into the hall with small steps. Sure enough, Chu Shaoling was sitting alone in the chair, his brows slightly locked. As Chu Shaoling's personal eunuch, Eunuch Wang naturally had to share his master's worries. After thinking for a while, Eunuch Wang walked closer and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, is it that Wei Ji who doesn't understand the situation? He really doesn't know how to appreciate favors."

Chu Shaoling chuckled, tidied his robe, and gently stroked the silk sash around his waist, shaking his head, "No, he's very good. I was too impatient."

Seeing that Chu Shaoling was not angry, Eunuch Wang finally put his mind at ease. He walked closer, tidying up the desk while slowly saying, "Your Highness also saw that although Wei Ji's status is not high, he is still a duke's descendant and has some pride. If Your Highness really likes him, why don't you let this servant go and talk to him, promise him benefits, and scare him a little. He's young, so he probably won't dare to do anything."

Chu Shaoling shook his head, "I don't want to treat him as a pet. Forget it, it was my lack of consideration. You're not allowed to say more to him. Keep an eye on him in his daily life and don't let people bully him. If he lacks anything, I may not think of it, but you should add it. I have my own ideas about other things."

Eunuch Wang was also unable to fathom Chu Shaoling's thoughts this time, and could only bow and reply, "Yes."

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, just as Chu Shaoling was preparing to go to the Huixin Institute, Chu Shaoyang arrived.

The Fourth Prince was a frequent visitor to Bitao Palace, so he walked straight in without being announced, his face full of smiles. He laughed, "Big brother, I heard that yesterday in the Ci'an Palace, you put Noble Consort Li in her place. Do you know, big brother? Last night, Noble Consort Li kept complaining of a headache, summoning the imperial physicians and grabbing medicinal materials, making a fuss all night long."

Chu Shaoling looked at Chu Shaoyang intently. His younger brother still had the same innocent and simple face as in his memory, very likable. Chu Shaoling chuckled, "You are quite well-informed."

Chu Shaoyang smiled, "Of course I have to be clear about the affairs of the Linzhi Palace. Haha, big brother, you should keep this up and make Noble Consort Li suffer for a while. It would be best if her headache never gets better!"

Chu Shaoling smiled without saying a word. Chu Shaoyang's eyes darted as he laughed, "Big brother, just making Noble Consort Li suffer is not enough. We still need to make Father Emperor dislike Second Brother. With Second Brother around, even if we defeat Noble Consort Li, it's useless."

Chu Shaoling slightly raised his head, letting the palace maid tie the silk ribbon of his overcoat. He turned to look at Chu Shaoyang, smiling, still looking like a good older brother, and nodded, "I naturally know this."

Chu Shaoling changed his clothes, and the two went to the Huixin Institute together. Chu Shaoyang was still rambling on, saying, "By the way, big brother, next time you go to the Ci'an Palace, take me with you. It would be great if we could pay our respects to the Empress Dowager together."

Chu Shaoling nodded with a smile, "Alright."

The brothers were in great harmony.

At noon, Chu Shaoling returned to Bitao Palace. Wei Ji was standing outside the bedchamber with the guards. Seeing Chu Shaoling approaching, they all bowed in salute. Chu Shaoling glanced at Wei Ji without saying anything and went straight into the bedchamber. However, as soon as he entered the inner chamber, he instructed Eunuch Wang that from now on, Wei Ji should not be allowed to stand guard outside the hall. In the cold weather, no matter how many layers one wore, it was not comfortable.

Last night, after Wei Ji left, Chu Shaoling pondered for half a day. Logically speaking, the fact that Wei Ji did not go to Chengqian Palace but stayed with him should mean that he still had feelings for him. But why did he push him away when he tried to get close to him? In his previous life, although Chu Shaoling had a wife and concubines, he had never been very good at understanding matters of the heart. Wei Ji's current reaction puzzled Chu Shaoling.

In his previous life, Chu Shaoling also had a few boys by his side, so accepting a man was not difficult for him, let alone Wei Ji. He had a different meaning to Chu Shaoling. But Wei Ji seemed to not want this.

Chu Shaoling wanted to dote on him, but he refused.

Chu Shaoling discovered that he had an extraordinary patience when it came to Wei Ji. He was unwilling to force Wei Ji. Besides, Wei Ji was still young, only a fourteen-year-old child. Even if he had feelings, he was probably still a little afraid of intimacy. Chu Shaoling had plenty of time to wait for his little guard to slowly grow up.