Chu Shaoling ordered his men to clean up the remnants outside Fengtian Gate, while he led his personal guards back to Ci'an Palace.

The Empress Dowager had already woken up and was making arrangements for Zhen Si. Seeing Chu Shaoling arrive, she finally felt relieved and asked anxiously, "What exactly happened? Have those rebels been captured?"

Chu Shaoling said in a low voice, "I'm afraid Chu Shaomo was bewitched by treacherous people to do such a thing. The rebel army has now been slaughtered by the imperial guards, except for Chu Shaomo."

The Empress Dowager rubbed her tired brows, "Don't mention that beast. Wait for your Imperial Father's reaction. You have another younger brother now."

"Congratulations to Imperial Grandmother," Chu Shaoling was not surprised at all. This child was twenty years younger than him, not even within Chu Shaoling's consideration. "Is Consort Zhen alright?"

The Empress Dowager sighed, "She's fallen asleep for now, at least her life is saved. This pregnancy has been really hard on her. After the ordeal of the night, fortunately both mother and child are safe. But her body was already damaged by the medicine, and now with the difficult birth causing severe loss of qi and blood, I'm afraid she won't have the fortune to bear children again in the future. It's her fate."

Chu Shaoling didn't continue the topic and asked, "Where is Imperial Father?"

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face darkened. She said lightly, "He was shocked by the incident at Fengtian Gate just now and can't move at the moment. The imperial physicians are attending to him. I will go check on him now."

Chu Shaoling sneered inwardly. So he was shocked by this? If it weren't for that idiot Chu Shaomo bungling things up, he was afraid his dear Imperial Father wouldn't have been able to take it. Chu Shaoling closed his eyes for a moment. What's past is past, he would still have opportunities in the future.

Sons are not as reliable as grandsons. The Empress Dowager grew more and more dissatisfied with the Emperor in her heart. But no matter what, he was still her own child. The Empress Dowager sighed and instructed Chu Shaoling a few more things before taking her people to Chengqian Palace.

Chu Shaoling saw the Empress Dowager off, then turned back and ordered people to inspect everyone in the palace, checking waist tags against headcount. After patrolling back and forth twice to ensure no rebels had mixed in, Chu Shaoling finally felt at ease.

He couldn't help but silently curse Chu Shaomo for being an utter idiot. He brought in so many people, how good would it have been to disguise a team as imperial guards to sneak in and coordinate from the inside out. With only a single track mind, he was so easily encircled and annihilated.

Wei Ji didn't know about Chu Shaoling's plan. After the thorough check, he felt much more relaxed. When no one was around, he asked Chu Shaoling in a low voice, "Your Highness, when are we leaving the palace?"

After the whole day and night of turmoil, Chu Shaoling was also tired. He rubbed Wei Ji's head, "We'll go back at dawn."

"What about the Third Prince?" Wei Ji thought for a moment. "Why don't we wait for His Majesty to deal with them before Your Highness returns?"

Chu Shaoling shook his head, "No need. After this incident, these people will definitely not be able to turn things around. Who cares about them? Are you hungry?"

Wei Ji shook his head, glanced at Chu Shaoling and gently nodded, whispering, "A little."

Chu Shaoling ordered some refreshments to be sent up. The two went into the inner room and had two plates of snacks with tea. By dawn, someone from Chengqian Palace came to say that the Emperor had gone to sleep. Chu Shaoling asked the messenger Granny Sun a few questions in detail. Granny Sun confided to Chu Shaoling, "I'm afraid there are signs of a stroke."

Chu Shaoling didn't say much. He instructed Granny Sun a few things and let her go.

Chu Shaoling personally escorted the few princesses who stayed in the palace overnight out of the palace, then discussed Chu Shaomo's matter with the officials of the Court of the Imperial Clan for half a day before he could break free. He told someone to inform the Empress Dowager that he was unwell, then took Wei Ji back to the Manor.

The two had not closed their eyes for a day and night. When they returned to the bedchamber and entered the inner room, they took off their outer robes, lay down and fell asleep. During this time, several people came to the prince's Manor seeking an audience but were all turned away by Wang Muhan. The two embraced each other and slept until noon.

Wei Ji was also very restless in his dreams. He woke up several times in between. Seeing that Chu Shaoling was fine, he closed his eyes again. At the hour of Si, Chu Shaoling woke up first. Seeing the faint dark circles under Wei Ji's eyes, he felt a little distressed. This silly thing.

Chu Shaoling turned over. Wei Ji immediately opened his eyes and glanced outside, "Is it noon?"

"Not yet. If you're still sleepy, rest a while more." Chu Shaoling used his hand to cover Wei Ji's face. "Get up when you're hungry."

Wei Ji placed his hand on top of Chu Shaoling's and yawned. He thought for a moment and said, "Last night, I vaguely heard Eunuch Wang say that Your Highness was angered. How did Your Highness get angry?"

Chu Shaoling's heart stirred. He said lightly, "Chu Shaoruan dared to break into the palace, of course I was angry. You really don't want to sleep anymore?"

"Not sleepy anymore." Wei Ji took Chu Shaoling's hand down and smiled, "I slept an hour more than Your Highness."

"Speaking of which, I haven't interrogated you yet." Chu Shaoling sat up and leaned against the carved, hollow bed frame. "When did you wake up?"

Wei Ji recounted how he heard Eunuch Wang's words, how he escaped, and how he encountered Chu Shaoling. After listening, Chu Shaoling nodded and sneered, "You're getting more and more capable. I'm still too soft-hearted. I should have directly given you a few more pills and let you sleep until broad daylight."

Wei Ji felt uneasy in his heart and lowered his head, "I... I was worried about Your Highness."

"Do I need you to worry about me?" Every time he encountered such a situation, Chu Shaoling couldn't help but recall the scene of Wei Ji dying in a bath of blood in his previous life. This was a thorn in Chu Shaoling's heart, but he couldn't tell Wei Ji about it. So whenever there was a crisis, Chu Shaoling's first thought was to hide Wei Ji well and protect him.

But this silly thing only had Chu Shaoling in his heart, and the more urgent the situation, the more he wanted to stick close to Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling put on a stern face, "Do I only have you as my guard? Besides, you already have a position in the army now, you're no longer considered my guard. These matters are not for you to manage anymore. I've said it before, you just need to protect yourself in all things."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chu Shaoling felt a little regretful. Wei Ji had never dragged him down, on the contrary, he had helped Chu Shaoling a lot every time. These words were quite harsh.

Just as he was about to say a few softer words, Wei Ji interjected, "I know all this. Your Highness has never lacked me by your side. But even if Your Highness doesn't need me, I'm still willing to worry about Your Highness and protect Your Highness. I only have an official position in the army now because of Your Highness' promotion. Even if I'm fortunate enough to rise in the future, I will always be Your Highness' guard."

Wei Ji actually didn't understand Chu Shaoling's meaning. Originally, he and Chu Shaoling both felt it was appropriate for him to go to the army. But now hearing Chu Shaoling's words, Wei Ji felt a little panicked in his heart. He was already together with Chu Shaoling now and had no regrets in this life. He had never thought about being conferred a title or becoming a minister, things that others were enthusiastic about in their lives. Compared to these things, Wei Ji had more important considerations.

Wei Ji lowered his head and said, "I don't want an official position anymore. I just want to be Your Highness' guard."

Chu Shaoling's heart suddenly ached fiercely. This... this silly thing!

Chu Shaoling turned his head to the side and took a few deep breaths to suppress the palpitations in his heart. He considered himself to be as calm and steady as an ancient well, but every time Wei Ji teased him, it stirred up countless waves in his heart. Today, he had originally wanted to have a good talk with Wei Ji about this matter, but now, after a few words from Wei Ji, he nearly lost his voice.

After a long while, Chu Shaoling said, "Are you throwing a childish tantrum? An official position isn't something you can just give up whenever you want. Besides, if you remain a guard for the rest of your life, wouldn't that mean I'm burying your talents? That's not what I wanted to talk to you about. You're usually obedient enough, so why do you become so stubborn when it comes to this kind of thing?"

Wei Ji bit his lip and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, if last night I had knocked you out and risked danger myself, what would you have done?"

Chu Shaoling replied without thinking, "Don't try to trap me with your words."

Wei Ji shook his head. "I wouldn't dare. Your Highness doesn't answer because you would also be worried and would try every means to come out and find me. Your Highness worries about me, and I also worry about Your Highness."

Chu Shaoling ruffled Wei Ji's hair and said in a deep voice, "Don't use these words to block me. You know my temperament. I won't play the game of putting myself in your shoes. I just want you to be safe."

Wei Ji placed his hand on top of Chu Shaoling's and said softly, "Your Highness, by your side is where I am safe."

Wei Ji looked up at Chu Shaoling and said in a low voice, "I'm being bold, but if one day Your Highness encounters misfortune, even if I survive, I won't continue living alone. I will definitely follow you to the underworld and continue serving you. No matter how well Your Highness protects me, you can't stop me from seeking death myself."

"You dare?!" Chu Shaoling rebuked coldly. "You're speaking more and more without restraint. Where are your usual manners?!"

Wei Ji felt warmth in his heart and said softly, "I know my crime. I know Your Highness is doing this for my own good."

Chu Shaoling sighed, leaned down to wrap his arms around Wei Ji, and pulled him into his embrace. He said in a low voice, "Forget it, I can't argue with you. From now on, I'll take you with me for everything. Are you satisfied?"

Wei Ji put his mind at ease and secretly let out a sigh of relief. He wasn't good with words, and it was nearly impossible for him to persuade Chu Shaoling. He felt it was a bit unbelievable. He gently wrapped his arms around Chu Shaoling's waist and said softly, "Your Highness has made a promise, and I will remember it."

Chu Shaoling laughed. In fact, he understood everything Wei Ji said. It was just that he had this knot in his heart. Now, Chu Shaoling had figured it out. Rather than hiding and avoiding Wei Ji every time and then having him recklessly rush in, it was better to tie him by his side early on.

Chu Shaoling had a strong desire for control, and leaving Wei Ji behind actually made him feel uneasy. Chu Shaoling gently stroked Wei Ji's back and said in a low voice, "I spoke too harshly just now. I didn't mean to lash out at you. Don't take it to heart."

Wei Ji shook his head. "I know. I forgot. I also misspoke just now. Your Highness, don't mind it."

Chu Shaoling hugged Wei Ji's head and rubbed it. "You also know you misspoke? If you dare say those ominous words again, I'll directly pull down your pants and spank you to see if you can remember. You just said you want to resign from your official position and come back to be a guard. I'll go and tell Zhang Lifeng about this and see what your master has to say about you."

Wei Ji felt a bit embarrassed but still couldn't help retorting in a low voice, "I am Your Highness's guard. I like being a guard."

Chu Shaoling couldn't hold back his laughter. "Are you acting spoiled with me? You're becoming more and more like your old self." Chu Shaoling affectionately kissed Wei Ji's forehead and hugged him as they lay back down.