Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Immersed in the melon patch, Youlu failed to notice Emperor Wulong's unusual behavior, resting his chin on his hand as he analyzed the emperor and empress's relationship.

Although the Empress didn't reply to Father Emperor's letters during the two years he was away on campaign, she carefully treasured them all. They are currently hidden in the Empress's palace, along with the small gifts Father Emperor gave her, which she takes out to look at every day.

Emperor Wulong shifted uncomfortably, his throat bobbing unconsciously. He suddenly felt thirsty, so he picked up his teacup and gulped down a mouthful of tea. He dared not look at the Empress; his heart was pounding with anxiety, even more so than when he first ascended the throne.

Youlu leaned over, grabbed a pastry, and continued reading about the Empress's past while munching on it.

[Alas, although my sister, the Empress, resents Father for forcing her into marriage, she also understands him. She has never truly hated him; it's just that times have changed, and Father is no longer the carefree boy who belonged only to her. He is the ruler of a nation, and this status means they cannot live together like an ordinary couple.]

The Empress was well aware that her father had taken a concubine out of spite, but she had no choice. Her husband was not yet firmly on the throne, and her younger brother was still young. She could only retreat step by step. Don't be fooled by her father's current arrogance and domineering presence in court; a few years ago, he was constantly hindering her.

In the past two years, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has regained its former glory, finally allowing the Empress to sleep peacefully. However, over the years, the rift between her and her father has deepened, and coupled with the Duke of Zhenguo's attitude towards her father, the Empress is powerless to mend it, and can only maintain a lukewarm relationship with her father.

Youlu couldn't help but sigh three times in a row.

The Pixiu sighed, "They are clearly in love, yet they cannot be together. It's so pitiful."

The veins on the back of Emperor Wulong's hands bulged, and his breathing became rapid, but he dared not show it in front of the Empress, and could only stay up until his eyes were red.

He broke the empress's wings and confined her to the deep palace. He thought the empress hated him and didn't want to pay attention to him, so he deliberately went against her and hurt her heart, just to make her pay more attention to him. But it turned out that he was just being presumptuous. He was a complete fool who wasted twenty years of his life!

The Empress noticed his unusual behavior, paused for a moment, and then asked, "Is Your Majesty unwell?"

"It's nothing." Emperor Wulong covered his eyes, not wanting her to see his disheveled state.

Lu Ling suddenly had a flash of inspiration, threw down the snacks, stood up and said, "Mother, Father Emperor was worried about the flood in Xiangyang and didn't sleep all night. He was so anxious at noon that he couldn't even eat. He's probably too tired now. Please help him down to rest."

The Empress was taken aback. "This..."

She looked hesitantly at Emperor Wulong, her hand, hidden under her sleeve, curling up and then straightening up again.

Emperor Wulong understood his youngest son's good intentions and immediately rubbed his forehead, saying, "My head hurts so much, Empress, please help me to rest."

Upon hearing this, the Empress no longer hesitated. Without saying a word, she picked up Emperor Wulong in a princess carry and said, "Your Majesty, I will take you to rest now."

You Lu was shocked, and the phrase automatically popped into his mind: The Empress was a robust woman...

He instantly became a fanboy, exclaiming, "Sister is so cool!"

The once-fierce Emperor Wulong, now a weak and delicate woman, nestled in the Empress's arms, pouting and saying that her sister was in pain, while also casting a patronizing glance at her youngest son.

Watching the two figures walk away, Youlu shook his head, "Sure enough, one rope for one dog, each has its own way of tying them up."

Pixiu disagreed, saying, "Boss, how can you call your dad a dog? That makes you a little dog too."

A deer is baring its teeth. [I'm not a puppy, I'm a deer!]

Emperor Wulong fled, but he left Eunuch Kang with Youlu.

As they left Fengyi Palace, Eunuch Kang remarked, "His Majesty hasn't smiled so happily in a long time."

One of the deer, finding itself with too many troughs to choose from, asked, "Where do we go next?"

Eunuch Kang replied, "Go and pay your respects to your mother, Consort Ling. Consort Ling resides in Weiyang Palace. This way, Your Highness."

Compared to the Empress, a female general who was no less capable than any man, Youlu didn't have any expectations for the original owner's birth mother. After all, the original owner had taken in another prince as soon as he lost Lingfei, so it didn't seem like she would care about him.

As expected, when Eunuch Kang led Youlu to Weiyang Palace, they didn't even get through the gates. A eunuch from Weiyang Palace said that Consort Ling was taking a nap and not receiving guests, and sent them away directly.

Eunuch Kang's expression was not good, but he still smiled and comforted Youlu: "Consort Ling is in poor health and cannot withstand any more exertion. Your Highness, please come another day."

Youlu smiled but didn't say anything.

Pixiu said: [Consort Ling came from a poor family and was forcibly brought back to the palace by the emperor. I heard that she has always been cold towards the emperor, and now it seems that she is not only cold towards the emperor, but also towards her own child.]

You Lu chuckled, "It doesn't matter. I'm not the original owner of this body anyway. I don't care about her little bit of maternal love. There are plenty of people who love me; I don't need her."

"Yes, yes, everyone loves our boss!" Pixiu jumped up and down happily.

After being turned away at Weiyang Palace, Youlu went straight home.

As evening fell and Emperor Wulong had not returned, Eunuch Kang came over with a beaming smile to report, "His Majesty has stayed overnight at Fengyi Palace. Tell the young prince to rest early and not to kick off the covers."

Humph, when did he kick off the blanket?

He thought that with the tiger away from the mountain, he, the monkey, could become the overlord and wouldn't have to be arrested and brought to court. But before dawn, the familiar scene played out again.

Once again carried to the Golden Palace, Youlu looked numb. Pixiu chased after him and ran into the hall, saying happily, "I never thought that our boss would get up earlier than the rooster. Lord Siming will be very pleased to know this."

He's all smiles and no smile at all; [Do I look like I did this willingly?]

Practice makes perfect, and this time he was able to calmly accept the scrutiny of the civil and military officials, and even re-tie his loosened belt without changing his expression.

Emperor Wulong, in high spirits, pointed at him and laughed, "Look at this child, so impetuous."

The ministers could only force a smile and agree.

A new day, a new morning court session, and a new round of battles between the emperor and his ministers.

Emperor Wulong sat upright on his dragon throne, lazily lifting his eyelids to survey his ministers below. He spoke leisurely, "The disaster assessment team has already set off and will arrive in Xiangyang within five days. Once the quotas are calculated, the Duke of Zhenguo and the First Prince will go to provide disaster relief. Do any of you have any objections?"

"this……"

The court officials were buzzing with discussion, and many were peering over to observe the Third Prince's expression.

The third prince's hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched into fists. His cheeks twitched, and his features were slightly distorted with resentment. When he saw Emperor Wulong looking at him, he hurriedly lowered his head and cupped his hands, saying, "Father is wise."

Officials from the Third Prince's faction immediately echoed and flattered him.

Everyone knew that Emperor Wulong was not asking for their opinions or discussing things with them, but rather informing them.

Emperor Wulong withdrew his gaze and continued, "This time, the flood relief for Xiangyang will be carried out using both silver and rice. As for the grain, we will first open the local granaries, and if that is not enough, we will draw on the granaries in the capital. As for the silver for disaster relief, let's hear what everyone thinks."

The civil and military officials looked at each other, none daring to be the first to step forward, for fear of incurring bad luck.