A few days later, the verdict for the Fengtian Gate incident was finally announced. The case implicated a wide range of people, and the Ministry of Justice executed three thousand people in total. Chu Shaomo's faction was completely uprooted, with no hope of rising again.

Many people in the military had dealings with Chu Shaomo. After the incident, they were either dismissed or demoted. In a short period of time, quite a few positions became vacant. Chu Shaoling and Zhang Lifeng made some arrangements for Wei Ji. When the imperial edict of rewards was announced, it did not disappoint Chu Shaoling: Wei Ji was conferred the title of General and awarded one hundred taels of gold.

Wei Ji never expected to be promoted so quickly. After expressing his gratitude for the reward, he looked at the python robe and official attire on the table, feeling overwhelmed. Chu Shaoling smiled, "Congratulations, General Wei."

Wei Ji felt a bit uneasy and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, please don't tease me. It's all thanks to Your Highness's support that I can..."

"Save these words for when you go to the palace to express thanks for the reward," Chu Shaoling interrupted. "Tomorrow, I will go to the army with you. There are still many things to be explained. In the army, I don't have as much say as your master. When you return, you should still let him take you to visit a few residences of old generals. I'll have Wang Muhan prepare the invitation cards and gift lists for you."

As Wei Ji listened, he flipped through the clothes and said in a low voice, "I feel undeserving in my heart. Many generals in the army have been on the battlefield and made great contributions. I merely killed a few rebels."

Chu Shaoling couldn't help laughing, "How is killing rebels not considered a meritorious deed?"

Wei Ji thought for a moment and shook his head, "After all, they were our own people, and I didn't even leave the imperial city. This achievement was too easy. Your Highness has made such great contributions, yet the Emperor hasn't even rewarded you. My little accomplishment is nothing in comparison..."

Chu Shaoling felt warmth in his heart and said with a smile, "Who said the Emperor hasn't rewarded me? The other day when I went to the palace, the Emperor said he wanted to establish me as the Crown Prince."

"Really?" Wei Ji's eyes lit up. If Chu Shaoling entered the Eastern Palace, it would certainly save a lot of disputes. Over the past year, Wei Ji had been annoyed by those people repeatedly slandering Chu Shaoling. He couldn't wait for Chu Shaoling to ascend to the position of crown prince. Wei Ji lowered his voice, "When will the imperial edict be issued?"

Chu Shaoling raised his hand and flicked Wei Ji's nose, smiling, "It won't be issued. Your beloved prince has already declined it."

"Ah?" Wei Ji was stunned. "Why did Your Highness decline it?"

Chu Shaoling turned around, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "The Emperor wanted to use the conferment of the Crown Prince position as an exchange, asking me to agree to bring Chu Shaoruan back to the palace."

Wei Ji was shocked, "How can that be?! Bringing the Second Prince back to the palace at this time is tantamount to telling the world that Your Highness's position as the Crown Prince was exchanged for pardoning the Third Prince's crimes. Your Highness is the eldest son with both virtue and ability. Now that you have made great contributions, being conferred as the crown prince is in line with the will of Heaven. How can it be associated with such a matter and be subject to people's gossip!"

Chu Shaoling couldn't help but laugh, "The Emperor naturally understands all this. He thought I was so desperate to become the Crown Prince that I would agree to anything. Humph..."

The more Wei Ji thought about it, the more indignant he felt. He couldn't help but say, "Your Highness did the right thing in declining. Your Highness is such a noble person and must not suffer such a great humiliation. If the Emperor is unwilling to confer the title, so be it. Next time, if there are rebels again, I won't kill a single one of them! Let them do as they please..."

Chu Shaoling couldn't hold back his laughter and said, "Even you can say such words. Forget it. Right now, I don't care about the Emperor's conditions. He's the one in a hurry. Chu Shaoruan is under house arrest in the Tanghe Palace, and Consort Li is confined in the Empress Dowager's Small Buddha Hall. The Emperor is more anxious than me at the moment. Let's see who can outlast whom."

Seeing Wei Ji's indignant expression on his behalf, Chu Shaoling felt very pleased. He embraced Wei Ji and sat together on the noble consort's chair, saying in a deep voice, "You can't say such things outside. You have just been conferred as a general, and many eyes are watching you. You can't be careless."

Wei Ji nodded, "I understand." However, the anger on his face had not dissipated. Chu Shaoling found it amusing. Wei Ji rarely got angry, but when he did, he looked like a child, which was very interesting.

Chu Shaoling pinched Wei Ji's face teasingly, and the two of them joked around for a while before calming down. Wei Ji asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, since I have received these rewards, may I return to my residence tomorrow? I need to inform my family."

Although he never liked Wei Ji returning to the Wei Manor, it would be a bit unkind to confine him at this time. Chu Shaoling nodded in agreement and said, "Tomorrow happens to be your elder brother's day off. Go ahead. I'll have Wang Muhan prepare some tonics for you to take back. In the future, all the gifts and items given to you will also be sent back."

Chu Shaoling's hand had unknowingly slipped into Wei Ji's clothes. As he fondled, he teased in a low voice, "I've monopolized someone's son, but it's not good to also swallow his son's belongings, right?"

"Your Highness, I still need to go and check the waist tags of the guards in the residence later. Your Highness..." Wei Ji was afraid that Chu Shaoling would make a fuss with him during the day and hurriedly persuaded in a low voice, "Your Highness, don't you still need to read the memorials?"

Chu Shaoling turned over and pressed on top of Wei Ji, laughing softly, "Those things can be read anytime. I'm allowing you to return to your family's manor for a while. Shouldn't you repay me for such a great favor?"

There were many maids standing outside. If they made slightly louder movements inside, the maids would be able to hear. Wei Ji didn't dare to argue with Chu Shaoling and could only plead in a low voice, "Your Highness, please spare me this time. Wait until tonight..."

"What about tonight?" Chu Shaoling affectionately kissed Wei Ji's forehead. "You want it at night?"

Wei Ji's face turned red, and he said in a low, urgent voice, "When did I say that?"

"Oh, so you don't want it at night. Were you just trying to appease me earlier? How bold of you..." When it came to sophistry, Wei Ji was no match for Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling wouldn't let him off easily. "Trying to deceive me, huh?"

Wei Ji was tormented by Chu Shaoling, his body turning soft and his mind in a mess. Upon hearing those words, he quickly said, "I wouldn't dare. I... I didn't say that earlier."

"So you're willing?" Chu Shaoling gently caressed the firm flesh on Wei Ji's back and said in a low voice, "Be good. Let me kiss you for a bit."

Wei Ji had no choice. He was still worried about being heard by the maids outside. Embracing Chu Shaoling, he pleaded in a low, embarrassed voice, "Your Highness, be gentle. Don't let anyone hear..."

Chu Shaoling was completely ignited by Wei Ji's words. He said hoarsely, "Alright."

The next day, when Wei Ji returned to the Wei Manor, Wang Muhan had indeed prepared many things, filling two large carriages. Wei Ji recalled Chu Shaoling's teasing from the previous day and felt his ears turning hot. He asked in a low voice, "Eunuch Wang, even with the palace rewards and congratulatory gifts from yesterday, there shouldn't be this much, right?"

Wang Muhan smiled, "The prince said that since Lord Wei doesn't often return to the residence, he should send more things to show filial piety to the old madam and madam in the residence."

Wei Ji's face turned even redder as he stammered, "Thanking His Highness for his grace."

After returning to the manor, there was naturally another round of excitement. Old Madam Wei originally wanted to choose an auspicious day to hold a grand banquet for guests, but when Wei Ji heard this, he quickly advised, "Now that the Third Prince has just committed an offense and the Emperor is still ill, if our manor does this, we will inevitably be criticized by others."

Old Madam Wei thought for a moment and nodded, "Very well, but we should at least invite a few relatives to liven things up, right?"

Wei Ji nodded, "We must not be too ostentatious."

"At such a young age, you are even more restrained than your father." Old Madam Wei was increasingly satisfied in her heart and smiled, "We'll do as you say."

Madam Jiang also asked a few more questions about Wei Ji's daily life and accommodations. Only after learning that he was not too busy every day did she put her mind at ease and exhorted, "Although your future is important, you must not overwork yourself. You are still young, and it would not be good if you fell ill."

Wei Ji agreed to everything. The family chatted and had lunch until the afternoon. Just as Wei Ji was about to return to the prince's Manor, someone came from outside to report that Chu Shaoling would be coming to visit Princess Fuyi soon.

Everyone hurriedly tidied up. Old Madam Wei was startled and quickly pulled Wei Ji aside to ask, "Did the prince tell you he was coming? Child, why didn't you tell me earlier? We haven't prepared anything, how can we let the prince into the house like this?"

Apart from Princess Fuyi and Wei Zhan's wedding, Chu Shaoling had never come to the Wei manor before, and Chu Shaoling had not mentioned a word about it last night. Wei Ji also had not expected it. He shook his head and said, "I'm afraid it was a last-minute decision. There's no need to tidy up too much. After all, he's coming to see the princess, so he probably won't even come to this courtyard."

However, Old Madam Wei did not dare to be careless. She hurriedly urged everyone to tidy up again and also replaced all the tea sets and pastries in the room.

In less than half an hour, Chu Shaoling arrived. Everyone went out to greet him. Chu Shaoling walked over and helped Old Madam Wei up, smiling, "Old Madam, there's no need for such formalities. This prince misses Fuyi and has come to your manor to disturb you on a whim. It is this prince who has been rude."

Old Madam Wei had previously heard about Chu Shaoling's reputation, but she never imagined that he would be such a kind person. She kept responding with "I don't dare" as she welcomed Chu Shaoling inside.

Although the Wei manor was not as luxurious as the Qin Prince Manor, it was also quite exquisite and had several scenic spots for appreciation. As Chu Shaoling walked in, he commented on them. Old Madam Wei felt that Chu Shaoling was approachable and started talking more, chattering on without annoying anyone.

Chu Shaoling responded softly while turning his head to look at Wei Ji. Wei Ji was blankly looking at him. When their eyes met, Chu Shaoling gave Wei Ji a look. Wei Ji quickly lowered his head, pretending not to have seen it. Chu Shaoling found it amusing in his heart and followed the old madam inside.