Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

When Xu Zheng arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, it was nearly 7 PM. As soon as he entered, he was pulled aside by the steward, who told him, "It's done."

These three simple words sparked a mental storm for Xu Zheng.

What's done? How did it happen?

He was only a little late because he was delayed on the way. How did that make sense?

Given Xiao Lu's temper—she's quick to argue and even resorts to violence if she's not satisfied—can she peacefully acknowledge her kinship with the equally hot-tempered Emperor?

Xu Zheng was deeply worried.

The birthday banquet was about to begin, but Xu Zheng was led by the steward to the waterside pavilion on the east side of the Prime Minister's residence. There, he saw a deer with its entire body intact and full of life. Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he met Emperor Wulong's deep gaze, and his heart instantly jumped into his throat.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject pays his respects." Xu Zheng held his breath and knelt down to greet you.

"Hmm." Emperor Wulong nodded slightly, but did not let him get up.

Xu Zheng had no choice but to kneel obediently.

Lu greeted him familiarly, "Old Xu, you're here."

Upon hearing this, the three elders present—Emperor Wulong, Prime Minister Su, and Xu Zheng—all twitched their lips in unison.

This kid is a bit too carefree.

Xu Zheng forced a smile, not daring to blink under Emperor Wulong's intense gaze, his back drenched in cold sweat.

Just kidding. Although he was a tough guy, he didn't need to go against the emperor for no reason. As the saying goes, a great man can bend and stretch.

The atmosphere remained strangely tense; Emperor Wulong remained silent, and no one else dared to speak.

You Lu glanced at Emperor Wulong's furious face, then at Xu Zheng, who was still kneeling, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Old Xu is indeed out of the Emperor's favor. The Emperor is deliberately keeping him from getting up. Poor old Xu, he devoted himself to the Dayong dynasty until his dying breath, and not only can't he afford a decent house, but he also has to endure the Emperor's wrath for no reason. How pitiful."

"That's right, it's true what they say, comparisons are the thief of joy." The Pixiu chimed in indignantly.

Xu Zheng was both moved and apprehensive upon hearing You Lu's voice. Was it just his imagination? Why did His Majesty's expression seem to be getting worse and worse?

Deer were even seen engaging in friendly interaction with the Pixiu.

Although Old Xu was falsely accused of treason by the Third Prince, it was his father, the Emperor, who ordered the execution of his entire family. In a sense, the Emperor was also the one who caused the death of Xu Zheng's family, but Xu Zheng did not hate him for it, which shows his loyalty.

Although the emperor was often furious with Xu Zheng, he always gave him minor punishments out of consideration for Xu Zheng's concern for the people; otherwise, given Xu Zheng's temperament, he would have been dead countless times over.

Both of them are wholeheartedly devoted to the Great Yong Dynasty; it would be wonderful if they could join forces. I need to find a way to improve their relationship as ruler and subject, and also ensure they are not harmed by treacherous individuals, so that our plan can proceed smoothly.

Pixiu sighed: "The emperor is irritable and suspicious, and Xu Zheng is outspoken and impulsive. These two will start arguing after just a few words. It's too difficult to get them to get along."

While the man and the beast were still racking their brains for a solution, Emperor Wulong and Xu Zheng, who heard the whispers in their hearts, were startled. They subconsciously looked at each other, and their eyes inadvertently met.

Seeing the surprise and doubt in each other's eyes, Emperor Wulong and Xu Zheng both had a guess in their hearts.

Emperor Wulong's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Minister Xu, please rise."

Xu Zheng, who was being addressed as "my beloved minister" for the first time, was filled with trepidation and a little uncomfortable. He kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

Prime Minister Su, who was watching from the sidelines, found it strange that His Majesty would actually be so kind to Minister Xu.

"Seventh Prince." Emperor Wulong called out, looking leisurely at his seventh son who was clearly still in a daze.

Youlu, who had been pondering, snapped out of her thoughts, blinked, and asked, "What is it, Father?"

Emperor Wulong waved his hand.

Youlu was completely bewildered, but he still obediently walked to Emperor Wulong's side, half-squatting down and looking up at him.

The boy's obedient demeanor softened Emperor Wulong's heart. He raised his hand to pat the boy's head and smiled, "Minister Xu, you have rendered meritorious service in finding him. What do you think should be a reward for him?"

[A huge house!]

The answer automatically popped into Lu's mind, but after thinking about it, he still said, "You should ask Lao Xu. After all, it's for him, so it has to meet his expectations."

Emperor Wulong tapped his brow, his tone laced with sarcasm, "You certainly know how to think of him."

He then turned to Xu Zheng and said, "Minister Xu, please feel free to ask for any reward you desire."

Xu Zheng hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I am terrified. I have only done my duty and dare not claim credit."

Emperor Wulong rolled his eyes at him, too lazy to waste words, and said, "Then bestow upon him a house and a thousand taels of gold."

Xu Zheng wanted to decline, but Prime Minister Su stopped him and gave him a meaningful look. Remembering the young man's feelings, Xu Zheng said no more, knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Wulong nodded in satisfaction and said to Prime Minister Su, "We've been delayed for so long, the birthday banquet must have already begun. Teacher, please take Xiao Qi there first. Minister Xu and I will arrive shortly."

Prime Minister Su bowed and agreed, then took Youlu and left.

As soon as the two stepped out of the waterside pavilion, they encountered the steward who had come to invite them. It was already past 7 PM, and the guests had all gathered. The birthday banquet was about to begin, and everyone was waiting for Prime Minister Su, the birthday celebrant.

Youlu was worried about Xu Zheng, so he said to Prime Minister Su, "Prime Minister Su, please go ahead. I will wait here for Father and Old Xu."

Prime Minister Su cupped his hands in greeting: "Then this old minister will take his leave first. Your Highness, please make yourself at home."

Youlu nodded and watched Prime Minister Su leave. Bored, he squatted by the roadside to wait for someone. Pixiu, finding it boring, went off to play again.

A moment later, the two people in the waterside pavilion came out. Although she didn't know what they had said in private, seeing that the two looked normal, Youlu didn't delve into it and got up to greet them.

As dusk settled and the night sky was dotted with stars, a young man came running out of the darkness, his steps light and quick like a deer in the forest, agile and lively, making one's heart ache with joy.

"Father, Old Xu." Youlu ran up to the two of them.

Emperor Wulong's expression softened unconsciously. He raised his hand to brush the grass off the prince's shoulder and said affectionately, "Is my son waiting for his father? You're so big and still so clingy." His eyes looked as if he were looking at a naive and mischievous child.

Youlu was a little confused.

If I remember correctly, my father, while not a true tyrant, was certainly tyrannical and eccentric. How come he suddenly seemed to have drunk some fake alcohol?

Xu Zheng, who was a few steps behind, lowered his head and suppressed a laugh.

Emperor Wulong's smile froze slightly. He silently repeated "children's words are harmless" three times in his heart before suppressing his anger and withdrawing his hand, saying, "Let's go, let's go wish Prime Minister Su a happy birthday."

Before the banquet began, there was a birthday greeting ceremony. When the three arrived, Prime Minister Su was already sitting upright in the main seat. The younger generation of the Prime Minister's family were kowtowing to Prime Minister Su in order to wish him a happy birthday. One gift after another was brought up, dazzling the guests.

A deer, standing on tiptoe to watch the spectacle, saw a large crowd waiting to kowtow and couldn't help but exclaim, "The Prime Minister's residence is truly thriving."

Xu Zheng explained, "The Su family has four generations living under one roof; they are indeed a prosperous family."

Youlu glanced around again, then exclaimed, "Hey, not everyone's here."

Xu Zheng also stood on tiptoe to take a closer look and said, "It's because Prime Minister Su's youngest daughter is not here. That one is Princess Consort of Duan. She has been traveling with Prince Duan and probably didn't make it back in time."

You Lu shook her head and said, "It's not her, there's another one."

Smelling the melon, Emperor Wulong and Xu Zheng asked in unison, "What do you mean?"