The Empress Dowager coughed lightly, took a sip of tea from her cup, dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, and smiled benevolently: "Wei Ji ah, I know."

Chu Shaoyang was stunned: "Imperial Grandmother knows?"

"How could I not know?" The Empress Dowager looked at Chu Shaoling with a smile, "Your elder brother mentioned him to me before, wasn't he the guard who was injured while personally tilling the fields in spring? That guard nearly lost his life to save your elder brother, I know."

Chu Shaoyang was still a bit unwilling to let it go, and smiled: "I was wondering why elder brother is so close with that guard. I heard yesterday was the first time elder brother stayed overnight at the Qin Prince Manor, and he brought that guard with him."

"That's natural." Chu Shaoling said calmly, "Wei Ji is my top guard, so of course I have to let him carefully inspect every corner of the newly built manor for any security loopholes first."

Chu Shaoling lightly stroked the jade pendant at his waist, chuckling: "Fourth Brother knows, there are always some cats and dogs around me looking to die. If we don't take strict precautions, those cats and dogs might bite or scratch me. It won't kill, but it's disgusting."

Seeing the anger rising on Chu Shaoyang's face, Chu Shaoling felt pleased in his heart. He leaned against the soft pillow with the hand warmer, laughing: "Every time this is mentioned, I have to thank Imperial Grandmother. When the manor was being built, Imperial Grandmother allocated funds from her private treasury to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Otherwise, the Prince's manor couldn't have been built so solidly. Your grandson carefully inspected it last night, the courtyard walls are all twenty feet high, very secure."

"How could I not worry with you living outside alone?" The Empress Dowager sighed, "I said to let you stay in the palace for another year, what's the rush?"

Chu Shaoling smiled reassuringly: "Sooner or later I'll have to move out."

The Empress Dowager seemed to have forgotten about Wei Ji and asked about other parts of the manor. Chu Shaoyang couldn't get a word in and listened to the two of them talking, feeling a bit awkward. After a while, he said: "Imperial Grandmother, your grandson hasn't gone to pay respects to Imperial Father today."

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile: "Go then."

Chu Shaoyang knelt in farewell.

After Chu Shaoyang left, the Empress Dowager was silent for a moment, lightly fiddling with the hand warmer, and said after a while: "What's going on between you and Yang'er?"

Chu Shaoling sneered: "Your grandson doesn't know either."

Chu Shaoyang's words just now clearly showed he thought she didn't know and said it for her to hear. The Empress Dowager would rather Chu Shaoyang deceive her for Chu Shaoling's sake than this. As the Empress Dowager, she was willing to see the brothers united, even if they deceived her together, at least that showed brotherly loyalty. But what was that just now? Chu Shaoyang couldn't wait to expose Chu Shaoling in front of her?

If he was like this in front of her, then in front of the Emperor, in court politics, wouldn't they be at odds with each other?

The Empress Dowager had a woman's unique intuition. She had some inkling before, and now she was even more certain that there must be some misunderstanding between the brothers.

Although she was displeased with Chu Shaoyang's actions just now, the Empress Dowager still advised: "Brothers born of the same mother, what can't be clarified? Yang'er is still young and doesn't understand reason. Don't take it to heart, indulge him more usually. If there are any misunderstandings or grudges, the two of you should talk it out together. But you're not allowed to scheme against each other like this, understand?"

Chu Shaoling sneered inwardly. In his previous life, didn't he think the same? It's just that Chu Shaoyang's ambitions were too great. His repeated tolerance only made Chu Shaoyang more and more unrestrained. If it was something else, it would be fine, but Chu Shaoyang repeatedly offended Wei Ji. This was something Chu Shaoling could not tolerate.

Chu Shaoling smiled: "Your grandson understands."

The reason Chu Shaoling had never made a deadly move against Chu Shaoyang was also out of consideration for the Empress Dowager's wishes. Over the years, the Empress Dowager had put in a lot of effort for him. For many things, Chu Shaoling hoped to wait until after the Empress Dowager passed away to do them. But this also depended on whether others were rushing to court death. Chu Shaoling had a cold and heartless nature. If he really turned hostile, he wouldn't show consideration for anyone.

"Speaking of which, I have indeed recently heard some things about that guard of yours." The Empress Dowager gently held the pure silver engraved hand warmer and looked at Chu Shaoling, "You have your own ideas, so I've never selected concubines for you. Ling'er, you need to be clear in your heart. Whether it's now or in the future, I don't want to see you favoring anyone, let alone a man."

Chu Shaoling got up and sat beside the Empress Dowager, showing some intimacy between grandmother and grandson when no one was around. The Empress Dowager looked at Chu Shaoling's expression and smiled: "Did I strike a chord?"

Chu Shaoling lowered his head and chuckled: "What can be hidden from Imperial Grandmother? Since Imperial Grandmother knows about Wei Ji, then you should also know that your grandson hasn't given him anything so far. He currently holds no more than a first-rank guard position. As for favoring, it really doesn't count."

This was also the reason why the Empress Dowager had always tolerated Wei Ji's presence. At least from appearances, the Empress Dowager didn't feel that Chu Shaoling was particularly doting on Wei Ji. That guard had been by Chu Shaoling's side for a year without any more promotions, bestowed treasures, or rewarded residences.

Usually when Wei Ji went out on duty, he was no different from ordinary guards. He performed every duty required of him without fail, and was cautious and meticulous. He didn't abuse favor to act arrogantly or bully others in the palace using his backing. People couldn't find any faults to nitpick. Even if the Empress Dowager wanted to find some mistakes to criticize him, she couldn't find any leverage on him.

The foreshadowing Chu Shaoling had laid a year ago was gradually taking effect. On the surface, the ones Chu Shaoling promoted were Wei Ming and Wei Zhan. The Wei household was slowly re-entering the circle of power and nobility in the imperial city, showing signs of rising again. But others only saw how Wei Zhan was favored by Chu Shaoling and Marquis Zijun. Now the one who became the emperor's brother-in-law was also Wei Zhan. While enjoying the limelight, Wei Zhan naturally also had to pay the corresponding price, such as acting as Wei Ji's protective umbrella.

With Wei Zhan's successive promotions and now becoming the emperor's brother-in-law, in comparison, Wei Ji, the younger brother serving as a guard, attracted much less attention. This was exactly what Chu Shaoling wanted to see. In order to elevate the Wei family's status for Wei Ji's sake, he didn't want Wei Ji to bear this responsibility. Although on the surface Wei Ji lost some power, what he gained was peace and safety. At least when Chu Shaoling couldn't control everything yet, he wouldn't let Wei Ji stand in the spotlight.

Chu Shaoling held the Empress Dowager's hand and chuckled softly: "At first, I found the boy fresh and novel. Now I see it's nothing special. I've tried it a few times and it's not that interesting. Wait a few years until he grows up and your grandson will release him. In the future when I take a princess as my wife, it won't be convenient to keep him by my side."

Chu Shaoling's words struck a chord with the Empress Dowager, who nodded and smiled, saying: "That's right, you have many duties every day. It makes sense to have a favored person by your side to relieve your boredom, and I shouldn't interfere. But everything should be in moderation. Since you understand this principle so well, I can rest assured."

Chu Shaoling nodded and chuckled lightly: "I just didn't expect such a small matter to be used by others as a pretext to gossip. It's really..."

"Don't take it to heart," the Empress Dowager patted Chu Shaoling's hand when she saw this. "You are destined for great things, with countless eyes watching you. If you make the slightest mistake, someone will seize upon it to make a fuss. This is common. Look at your imperial father - doesn't he receive few admonishments from the censors on a regular basis? As for this Wei Ji, since you like him, keep him by your side for now."

With the matter of Wei Ji finally brought out into the open before the Empress Dowager, Chu Shaoling felt much more at ease and nodded: "Thank you for your understanding, Imperial Grandmother."

After discussing this, the grandmother and grandson went on to chat about matters in the Jing'guo Duke Manor.

"Prince Qin really said that?" In Zhaoyang Palace, Chu Shaoyang listened to the palace maid's eavesdropped conversation and chuckled lightly. "He's good at fooling the Imperial Grandmother, and she believes everything he says!"

The palace maid lowered her head: "Prince Qin did indeed say this. He also said that he feels that person is of no interest now, and in a couple of years after marrying the princess, he will send Wei Ji away, saying it doesn't look good to have such a person by his side and his future princess consort would not agree to it."

Chu Shaoyang sneered: "Others may not know, but I do. In Thousand Longevity Villa, he treats that guard almost like a spouse. Yet he says he has no interest? These are Chu Shaoling's own words."

Chu Shaoyang laughed coldly. It was Chu Shaoling who said he didn't take Wei Ji seriously. Hehe, who knows how that person in Bitao Palace would feel upon hearing this?

The next day, when Fuyi returned to her maiden home, the young couple paid their respects to the Emperor together and received some rewards. The Emperor kept Wei Zhan to talk, while Fuyi returned alone to the rear palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Fuyi knelt down and kowtowed three times, got up, knelt down again, kowtowed three more times, got up, knelt once more, and kowtowed another three times. The Empress Dowager hurriedly ordered the palace matrons to help Fuyi up and pulled Fuyi to her side to look at her closely.

Today, Fuyi was wearing a bright red gold-sprinkled cloud brocade jacket with fox and phoenix feathers, and several gold phoenix hairpins on her head, dressed even more splendidly than when she was in the palace. The Empress Dowager liked what she saw and held Fuyi's hand, asking in detail: "Is the Prince Consort treating you well? Are the people in the Wei Manor respectful enough to you?"

Fuyi lowered her head and chuckled softly: "The Prince Consort is very good and treats me with great care. The people in the Manor are also nice. There is an elderly lady and several madams, all kind people."

"That's good then." The Empress Dowager patted Fuyi's hand and laughed in a low voice, "Then I'll just wait for your good news."

Fuyi blushed and lowered her head without answering. The Empress Dowager laughed: "Child, you're already married. What's there to be embarrassed about?"

"What are you talking about?" Chu Shaoling entered the inner chamber to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. Fuyi stood up to kowtow, but Chu Shaoling hurriedly stopped her. "There's no one else here, so let's skip the whole three kneelings and nine kowtows routine. Fourth Sister just came back, let's sit down and have a good chat."

Chu Shaoling sat down and chuckled lightly: "I remember today is Fourth Sister's homecoming day. Sure enough, I see you here. Is everything going well at the Wei Manor?"

Fuyi nodded with a smile: "Very well. Although not as luxurious as the palace, I'm still dressed in fine clothes and fed with delicacies. The people in the Manor are very respectful to me, making me feel unworthy at times."

"Sister, you have the noble status of a princess, so their reverence in their hearts is natural." Chu Shaoling asked in detail about the situation in the Wei Manor and felt relieved. "I've prepared some things for Fourth Sister, all the rare trinkets you used to like. You can take them back with you later."

Chu Shaoling never does things by half measures. Once he takes action, he always goes all out. Fuyi's wedding was arranged to be very grand from start to finish. Fuyi was grateful in her heart and hurriedly said, "Big Brother has already spent so much on me, how can I accept more gifts from you?"

Chu Shaoling smiled: "As long as you can live well, I'll be at ease. I will also instruct Wei Zhan on this. Now we're just waiting for you two to bear fruit. Then all my efforts will have paid off."

Fuyi lowered her head in shyness. The Empress Dowager couldn't help laughing: "You're thinking the same as me, haha!"

At the same moment in Bitao Palace, Wei Ji received a letter with no beginning or end.

The letter was spotted by a palace maid. The envelope was tightly sealed with only the two characters "Wei Ji" written on it. The palace maid was illiterate and took it to Wang Muhan to look at. After some deliberation, Wang Muhan handed it to Wei Ji.

Originally, Wang Muhan wanted to give it directly to Chu Shaoling. But then he thought that Wei Ji never hid anything from Chu Shaoling. If he intercepted a letter clearly addressed to Wei Ji and gave it to Chu Shaoling, it would make him appear petty-minded when the two found out later. Wang Muhan had served by Empress Ling's side for over a decade and had been the chief eunuch under Chu Shaoling for these years, not without reason. He had to guess Chu Shaoling's thoughts to about 70-80% accuracy to do well.

After receiving the letter, Wei Ji opened it in front of Wang Muhan. Wei Ji was no fool either. A letter delivered this way definitely wouldn't contain anything good. Wei Ji opened it and read it carefully. It actually recorded in detail the conversation between Empress Dowager Wei and Chu Shaoling in Ci'an Palace the day before.

From the Empress Dowager's admonishment to Chu Shaoling not to overly favor anyone, to Chu Shaoling saying he would send Wei Ji away after marrying a princess consort, everything was written down without omission. Wei Ji spread the letter out to read in front of Wang Muhan. Despite his restraint, Wang Muhan couldn't help glancing at it a couple of times. His face immediately changed color and he hurriedly said, "Lord Wei, don't believe it lightly! Who knows what lowly person fabricated this..."

Wei Ji read it carefully, but his expression did not change.

Wang Muhan inwardly cursed his own cleverness. It would have been better to directly withhold the letter and give it to Chu Shaoling. Wang Muhan himself said it was fabricated, but in his heart, he already believed it. If this matter didn't happen, who would think to record it in detail for Wei Ji to see? What a vicious scheme!

Wang Muhan had watched the two come this far and feared that something would go wrong. He hastily advised in a low voice, "Lord Wei, don't take it to heart. Who knows what ill-intentioned person sent such an improper letter? I shouldn't have delivered it to you in the first place and just thrown it into the incense burner. Lord Wei..."

"What is Eunuch Wang saying?" Wei Ji carefully examined the letter, as if trying to discern something from it. "This absolutely cannot be burned. This is..."

Wei Ji held the paper close and gently sniffed it, saying, "Pine soot ink, specially used by imperial princes in the Huixin Institute."

Wang Muhan didn't react for a moment and asked in a daze, "What did Lord Wei just say?"

Wei Ji said in a low voice, "Although the scent is very faint, it can still be detected. This is the pine soot ink exclusively used by the princes, only available in the Huixin Institute. It is..." Wei Ji had a general idea in his heart about who was behind this, but without solid evidence, he dared not say it. He only said, "Wait for Your Highness to return and hand it over to Your Highness to investigate. This person dared to privately record the daily life of the Empress Dowager and Your Highness, their heart is deplorable. When you return, let Your Highness deal with it."

Wang Muhan nodded, but couldn't help asking, "Doesn't Lord Wei feel upset seeing these words?"

Wei Ji felt a little embarrassed. So Wang Muhan already knew everything about him and His Highness. His Highness treated him too well, it couldn't be hidden from the people in Bitao Palace. Wei Ji's heart was sweet and his face turned a little red. He lowered his head, shook it and said, "Let's see how His Highness handles it when he returns." After saying that, he returned to the study to continue reviewing the coursework left by Zhang Lifeng.

Wei Ji didn't lie to Wang Muhan. He really didn't take it to heart. Not to mention that this might not be true, even if Chu Shaoling really said this about him to the Empress Dowager, so what?

The more Chu Shaoling pretended to be indifferent to him, the more he cared.

His Highness had not yet reached the position where he could be fearless. Before that, Chu Shaoling had already given him enough protection and love.

Wei Ji even felt it strange. Why would someone send this for him to see? Was it to make him angry with His Highness? How could that be possible?! Not to mention that Chu Shaoling said those words to protect him, even if Chu Shaoling wanted to kill him, Wei Ji thought about it, he would only thank him for his grace.

Letting him not believe in Chu Shaoling's boundless love and doting for him, but to believe in Chu Shaoling's few perfunctory words to the Empress Dowager, Wei Ji shook his head in disbelief. Did this person take him for a fool?

The more Wei Ji thought about it, the more he felt this letter was nonsensical. He lowered his head and continued reading the military strategy book.

At this time, in the distant Zhaoyang Palace, the fully expectant Chu Shaoyang probably would never understand in his lifetime that Wei Ji was a person who would never doubt or misunderstand Chu Shaoling.