Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

"Run! Run!"

"You unfilial brat, stop right there!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

The Phoenix Palace was bustling with noise and commotion.

The palace servants passing by outside the gate were puzzled by the commotion. It seemed like the sun had risen in the west today; the usually quiet and deserted Fengyi Palace was unusually lively.

Someone with inside information whispered, "That person is back. Her Majesty the Empress has been talking about it for so long, so it's time for some excitement."

Everyone understood.

Indeed, apart from the one who was just recognized and returned to the palace, no one else has the ability to make the palace so lively.

Little did they know that the liveliness in Fengyi Palace was not a celebration, but rather chaos and disorder.

A deer pulled Cang Shuyue ahead, the Empress dragging a spear weighing over ten kilograms behind them, followed by eunuchs and palace maids trying to persuade them. A group of people chased each other, running in circles around the Fengyi Palace.

Granny Cen was too old to run, so she could only stand under the eaves and call out every now and then, "Seventh Prince, Duke, run faster! Her Highness is catching up!"

A moment later, he called out again, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The child is young and doesn't understand!"

Every time she heard this, the Empress would become even more furious, and would scold, "He's almost thirty and still so young and ignorant! I think he wants to fly to the heavens and tear a hole in the sky before he's satisfied!"

Pixiu flew ahead, clapping and cheering: "Run faster! Run faster! If the Empress catches Cang Shuyue, he'll get a spanking!"

He won't get a spanking, but a beating is definitely inevitable.

From childhood to adulthood, whenever Cang Shuyue said or did something wrong, she would always honestly accept the punishment. She would never run away or even offer a word of explanation.

But this time was different. A deer grabbed him and ran, grinning as they ran. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were playing a game with the Queen.

Although he didn't know why they were running, seeing that You Lu was laughing happily, Cang Shuyue decided to keep her company. He was even afraid that You Lu would get tired, so in the second half he carried her on his back and ran, which made the Empress curse him.

When Emperor Wulong led Prince Duan and Princess Duan into the palace, they were greeted by a scene resembling a cat chasing a mouse—the Fengyi Palace was in complete disarray, with potted plants scattered about and a fish tank broken. Cang Shuyue was carrying a deer and leaping about, while the Empress was relentlessly chasing after him with a gun.

Emperor Wulong stared in disbelief, and his attendant, Eunuch Kang, gasped in shock. Prince Duan and his wife, standing behind them, were equally astonished, exchanging a bewildered glance.

Fortunately, Eunuch Kang had a flash of inspiration and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Your Majesty, the Prince Duan and his wife request an audience!"

At this point, mentioning the Emperor's name is useless. None of the three chasing and playing around are afraid of His Majesty. Only by reminding them that there are outsiders will they quiet down.

As expected, upon hearing of the arrival of Prince Duan and Princess Duan, the Empress, who had been furious just a moment ago, calmed down in the blink of an eye. She threw down the gun in her hand and transformed back into the dignified and graceful mother of the nation, smiling gently as she said, "Prince Duan and Princess Duan have arrived. Please come in."

Prince Duan and Princess Duan smiled politely and greeted her, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress, may Your Majesty live a thousand years."

Youlu was having a great time when he saw the Empress stop. He pouted in dissatisfaction, leaned on Cang Shuyue's back, wiped his sweat with his sleeve, and asked with concern, "Are you tired?"

Cang Shuyue shook his head.

At that moment, he keenly sensed a scrutinizing gaze, and his eyes immediately darkened as he swept over, only to see Princess Duan calmly withdraw her gaze.

While the Empress and Prince Duan and his wife exchanged pleasantries, Emperor Wulong glanced at Cang Shuyue, then at the deer on his back, and sternly ordered, "Get down! What kind of behavior is this?!"

This was said to Youlu.

Although he felt relieved that his youngest son was riding Cang Shuyue like a horse, he still remembered that the Empress had said that Cang Shuyue liked men. Seeing the two so intimate, he felt a little uncomfortable.

Words alone were not enough. Emperor Wulong took Youlu off the cliff, pulled him back, and instructed him, "Stay away from Cangshu in the future. He will soon have a family. You must know how to avoid suspicion."

You Lu suppressed a laugh, wanting to say that his family was mine, but he wasn't sure if his father could hear his thoughts, and worried that his inner monologue would give him away, so he kept his mouth shut.

But he didn't say anything. Cang Shuyue, however, was eager to try. Seeing this, Youlu immediately said, "Little mouth—"

Cang Shuyue obediently replied, "I won't say anything."

Youlu nodded in satisfaction.

The palace servants were left to clean up the messy courtyard. Emperor Wulong and the Empress led everyone into the warm pavilion, where Granny Cen immediately ordered people to serve tea, snacks, and fruits.

Princess Duan had been subtly observing You Lu. After taking her seat, without waiting for the Empress to introduce her, she smiled and said, "This must be the Seventh Prince. He is indeed handsome, somewhat resembling Consort Ling."

As soon as the words were spoken, Emperor Wulong and the Empress's expressions changed slightly.

You Lu calmly met Princess Duan's gaze.

The woman was gentle and beautiful, but her gaze was resolute, and her brows held an air of pride; one could tell at a glance that she was no ordinary woman confined to her chambers. Indeed, she was extraordinary: the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Su, the aunt of Su Yan'an, the once renowned first woman of talent in Shengjing, Su Zaiwan, and now the Princess Consort of Duan.

Regardless of the role, they are all very presentable.

What puzzled You Lu was that, despite it being their first meeting, he keenly sensed the dislike in Princess Duan's words.

After thinking it over, it's probably related to the Consort Ling she mentioned, which is quite interesting.

Before he could even speak, Emperor Wulong snorted and said, "The Princess Consort of Duan has been traveling for so long that she probably forgot what Consort Ling looks like. Little Seven doesn't look like her at all; she clearly looks like me."

The Empress also said, "Little Deer and Consort Ling do not look alike."

Princess Duan choked. Since both the Emperor and Empress said it didn't seem like it, she could only agree with them.

Youlu thought happily, "It feels so good to have someone protecting me. I love my father and my mother!"

Emperor Wulong and Empress Wulong immediately felt completely refreshed.

Cang Shuyue, unable to get a word in edgewise because he didn't know what Consort Ling looked like, angrily gulped down a cup of tea.

Prince Duan chuckled and said, "Judging by the days, the Seventh Prince must be eighteen by now. It's a pity we couldn't find him before his birthday, otherwise the palace could have been much more lively."

Prince Duan was handsome and refined, with deep smile lines when he smiled and a gentle, easygoing tone of voice, making him seem like a very good-tempered person.

He was Emperor Wulong's biological brother, born of the same mother, but his personality was the complete opposite of Emperor Wulong's. He was gentle and kind, and was known for not seeking fame or fortune, but only for being devoted to nature.

When the topic of her birthday came up, the Empress looked somewhat forlorn and waved her hand, saying, "Let's not talk about that. It's you two who haven't had a child all these years. Your mother is very worried."

Upon hearing this, Princess Duan smiled and said, "My husband and I are a harmonious couple with a smooth relationship. There are no troublesome women in the harem, so we don't need children to solidify our relationship. Besides, having children would only delay our travels and enjoyment of nature."

"Unlike Your Majesty, I am the daughter of a military family, yet I am trapped in the deep palace, and all my learning in this life has been wasted."

Her tone was quite smug, even with a hint of sarcasm.

The Empress remained silent for a moment.

You Lu raised an eyebrow. From what his mother said, Prince Duan and Princess Duan had no children yet, but looking at Prince Duan's face, he could tell that he already had a son. Oh dear, he seemed to have discovered some incredible secret.