Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Some people are only cool for three seconds.

One second the Emperor Wulong was exuding domineering power and imposing presence, the next second he lifted his robe, ran over to his youngest son, grabbed his head and gave him a good pat on the head.

"My precious son, you've finally returned! Let your father take a good look at you!"

"She's gotten darker, thinner, her chubby little round face has become more pointed, and her arms and legs have become thinner too."

"How did you grow so tall? You're almost up to my knees now."

"His hair has grown quite a bit, and he looks like a monkey with a pointed chin; he's not as cute as before."

Hearing the incessant chatter in his ear, Youlu's lips twitched, and he said with a forced smile, "Father, could it be that I was only three years old when I left the capital?"

Emperor Wulong glared, "What three years old? It's clearly one year old!"

Youlu has no doubt that if he were really three years old, his father would pick him up and pet him like a cat.

Having had his fill, Emperor Wulong stepped back, patted his youngest son's head, and said earnestly, "You've had a hard time on this trip."

The eldest prince had told him everything that had happened in Xiangyang and along the way. While he was terrified, he also felt guilty.

The burden of saving Dayong is too heavy, and Xiaoqi has taken on too many responsibilities that should have been his.

With a big, warm hand full of love, Youlu said with a grin, "If Father thinks I've worked hard, you can give me more rewards."

After all, I have a family now and I have to support them.

He thought to himself with a smug satisfaction.

"Cough cough cough—" Xu Zheng choked unexpectedly.

Prime Minister Su and Qin Tan turned their heads away to hide their shock.

Emperor Wulong's hand, which was resting on the deer's head, froze, and a look of inquiry appeared in his eyes.

Taking in everyone's expressions, Youlu raised an eyebrow and suddenly an idea came to mind.

As he observed the reactions of the crowd, he continued to mutter to himself, "Actually, I have two children."

"Cough cough cough..." Qin Tan joined in the coughing.

Pixiu gloated: [Oh ho, the test begins, let's see who can pretend the best~~]

Emperor Wulong and Prime Minister Su were on high alert. They exchanged a glance, each grabbing one of Qin Tan and Xu Zheng, and gritted their teeth to remind each other: Hold on, don't give us away!

Seeing the four people's reactions, Cang Shuyue's expression darkened slightly.

Before returning to Beijing, he took the opportunity to send a letter to his elder sister, reminding her to be careful and not to reveal that she could hear the baby's thoughts.

He had thought that only his older sister could hear him, and that he could barely accept it, but now it seemed that he had been deluding himself.

He's not the only one who understands the baby's heart; he's not the first.

All those sweet words and tender sentiments became a joke. A sour feeling welled up in his eyes, and his heart ached and swelled. Cang Shuyue snorted coldly and turned away.

"Hey, Uncle, where are you going?" the eldest prince shouted, completely bewildered, only to see him walking faster and faster.

Pixiu quickly reminded him: "Boss, don't test him! Your partner's jealousy has overflowed!"

The deer turned back, but Cang Shuyue was nowhere to be seen.

Confused, he wanted to ask the Pixiu in his mind, but fearing overhearing from others, he could only say, "Father, I'll take my leave first!"

Then, guided by the Pixiu, they hurriedly left.

Emperor Wulong shouted from behind him, "Remember to pay your respects to your imperial grandmother and mother!"

Upon entering the palace gates, one could see eunuchs and palace maids carrying golden platters and jade cups everywhere, preparing for the moon-worshiping ceremony before tonight's palace banquet.

Cang Shu walked very fast, and the Pixiu sniffed and followed his trail. Finally, the two of them found him on the south shore of Yan Yue Pond.

The Banquet Moon Pond connects to the Taiye Pond in the Western Garden of the Imperial City. It is an artificial lake specially excavated for the moon worship ceremony. It also follows the "one pond and three mountains" pattern, with pavilions standing in the pond and artificial mountains surrounding it, making it elegant and beautiful.

Today, the weather is fine and sunny. A gentle breeze blows, and the mirror-like lake ripples, shimmering in the sunlight.

On the shore, a tall and upright figure stood still, like a pine or bamboo, with a corner of his cloak fluttering in the wind.

Youlu tiptoed forward, stood on tiptoe, raised her hand to cover the eyes of the person in front of her, changed her tone, and asked with a smile, "Guess who I am?"

no respond.

The eyes under my palms felt a little hot.

Oh dear, did she secretly cry again?

The deer sensed something was wrong and dared not play around anymore. It went around to the person, grabbed the large, rough hand, and shook it, then asked in a soft, coquettish voice, "What's wrong?"

Cang Shuyue looked down at him. Although she wasn't actually crying, the corners of her eyes were red.

Lu felt a pang of heartache, pulled the person down, kissed the corner of their eye, and coaxed, "Be good, we're going to be big, outspoken men, don't keep your grievances bottled up inside."

Cang Shuyue finally spoke, her voice muffled, "I'm not the first person to hear Baby's thoughts, nor the first person to understand Baby's heart."

So that's what it was about.

Lu breathed a sigh of relief and explained earnestly, "Hearing someone's inner voice doesn't mean we're in sync. Actually—" He glanced around furtively and whispered, "Actually, my inner voice has nothing to do with feelings. It was something my grandfather created to make it easier for me to save Dayong. You're the only one in my heart!"

"real?"

The deer nodded repeatedly, "More real than pearls!"

"So, the baby and I don't understand each other at all?" Cang Shuyue asked again, her eyes filled with hope.

"It's clear! It's clear!" A deer wrapped its arms around his waist and bounced up. "I write two words, and you can understand the two thousand words in my heart. If you still don't understand, it's simply outrageous!"

Cang Shuyue finally smiled, hugged him and kissed him, "Baby, you only have me in your heart."

"That's for sure." You Lu couldn't help but chuckle, tugging at the cloak behind him. "So, you're feeling down and have no blanket to hide under, so you put on this cloak, hoping to curl up inside and cry, is that it?"

"No, it's windy by the lake," Cang Shuyue argued with a straight face.

The deer didn't believe it, tilting its head back and grinning, "So cute, give me a kiss!"

Cang Shuyue's ears turned slightly red. She wrapped the man in her cloak, and in a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, she leaned down and kissed his lips, trying to stop him from making fun of her anymore.

"The Duke of Zhenguo!"

A surprised voice suddenly rang out from behind.

Youlu was startled and pounded the man's chest, signaling him to let go of her.

Good heavens! He had carelessly forgotten that he was in the palace. If others saw this and it reached his father's ears, he couldn't imagine how chaotic the palace would become.

Although he did not intend to hide it from his father, now was not the time.

Cang Shuyue frowned slightly, reluctantly releasing the person in his arms. Without turning around, he coldly asked, "What is it?"

The visitor seemed oblivious to the coldness in his words, and cheerfully said, "I heard you went to the palace, so I guessed you were here. It's been months since I last saw you, and the Duke of Zhenguo still has the same demeanor."

Hearing the familiarity in the man's words, Youlu raised an eyebrow and pinched the man's waist hard. "Still as charming as ever."

Cang Shuyue quickly shook her head. "I'm not familiar with him."

Because he was wrapped in a cloak, Cang Shuyue was very tall, and the deer was completely hidden from view. Only when he spoke did the person notice his presence and exclaim in surprise, "Who are you?"