Someone informed him of the Crown Prince's arrival, but he emerged in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. This shows that while caring for his younger brother, he also remembered to consider the Emperor's reputation.

Consort Zi, who had accompanied Qiao Qiu out, saw the Emperor arrive and quickly stepped forward to bow, saying, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, respectfully welcome you."

"My beloved concubine, you may dispense with the formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Ji'er..."

Just as Consort Zi was about to cry out, the Emperor raised his hand to signal her to stop, and turned to Qiao Qiu, saying, "Wu Che, tell me, how is your thirteenth brother now?"

Consort Zi looked up at Qiao Qiu, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope. The Crown Prince was currently at the height of his power, and the Emperor valued him highly. If he were willing to say a few words on their behalf, the Emperor would surely take Ji'er's injuries seriously.

"My thirteenth brother's meridians and bones have been injured, and he may have difficulty moving around in the future. I just gave him a purple jade thumb ring, hoping that he can recover soon."

"???" That's it? Consort Zi looked at Qiao Qiu in disbelief. Anyone could see from those few words that Ji'er had injured his bones and was unable to move. She had thought the Crown Prince was her savior, but now it seemed that in the harem, what brotherhood? It was all fake.

The Emperor understood the meaning behind Qiao Qiu's words—his son is yours, and now he's so badly injured and unable to move easily. The people in the palace are all snobbish; they only ever bully the weak. Even he, his half-brother, has set an example; how can you, as his father, remain indifferent?

"I understand Wu Che's meaning. You should return to the East Palace first. I have sent someone to deliver the memorials there. After you have approved them, please submit them to the Imperial Study as soon as possible."

"Yes." After Qiao Qiu finished speaking, she left Ruihua Pavilion.

Consort Zi sobbed, "Your Majesty, it is my fault. I failed to take good care of Ji'er. Please punish me. But please, Your Majesty, consider that Ji'er is also a prince and make sure the imperial physician heals Ji'er's leg injury. There is hope for Ji'er."

The Emperor was fully aware of the imperial physician's diagnosis, but this woman's unreasonable behavior annoyed him. "Take me to see him," he said.

"Yes." Consort Zi wiped away her tears, stepped aside, and nodded slightly, her head adorned with gold and silver hairpins that dazzled the Emperor's eyes.

The emperor was even more disgusted, and he looked away and walked inside.

...

Qiao Qiu had just returned to the East Palace when Ji Xian delivered information on all the princes.

Qiao Qiu glanced around but didn't see the young princes. "Ji Xian, prepare another copy of the princes' information and give it to me tomorrow."

Dongfang Wuche had never asked for information on the princes before, which surprised Ji Xian, but he didn't say anything and simply replied respectfully, "Yes."

"I will be leaving the palace in the next two days, so please have Shuimo make preparations."

"Yes, Your Majesty, how many people will you take with you this time when you leave the palace? I will arrange it immediately," Ji Xian asked.

"You stay in the palace and keep an eye on the princes' movements. Shuimo can stay with me."

"yes."

"Bring the memorials sent by Father to my bedchamber. I will review them there." Qiao Qiu walked towards the bedchamber.

"Yes." Ji Xian summoned a young eunuch to fetch it, and then hurriedly left to attend to his business. With such a restless master, he was always busy.

The ring looked fun, and the thought popped into her mind again: "Master, you're behaving like a prince without any sense of incongruity."

Qiao Qiu laughed. She had been a man for a lifetime, so she had some experience.

Sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) covered with bright yellow brocade, Qiao Qiu picked up a document and began to read it. A serving eunuch came forward and poured her a cup of tea.

Qiao Qiu sipped tea while reviewing the documents, finishing the several volumes in half an hour. Dongfang Wuche's younger brothers were truly formidable. His second brother had secretly cultivated relationships with many ministers. His third brother was arguably the most unfortunate, lacking any power or background. However, he was also the most successful, having secured Dongfang Wuche's powerful patronage. Now that Qiao Qiu had arrived, Dongfang Wuye would likely become the most unfortunate one. His fourth brother was always playing it safe, secretly building up a considerable army. His fifth brother had colluded with his second brother, preparing to unite. His sixth brother was also ambitious, but too impatient and eager for quick success, always seeking the limelight, unaware that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down; always being in the spotlight wasn't a good thing.

After reviewing the documents, Qiao Qiu began to review the memorials. This review took up most of the day.

By the time Qiao Qiu finished reviewing the papers, lunch had been over for quite some time. Then she remembered that Shui Mo had called her to eat several times already.

Being a crown prince is no job for a human being, and being an emperor is even less so.

Qiao Qiu recalled the emperors she had met before. Basically, every responsible emperor would spend a whole day reviewing memorials, and then get up very early in the morning to attend the morning court session.

Qiao Qiu couldn't help but shudder at the thought of such a life.

She's been a freeloader for decades. Even though she gets up at seven in the morning, she still goes to bed early every night, going to bed at nine-thirty and falling asleep at ten o'clock sharp.

Asking her to get up early and work late? Impossible.

Let's go, let's go! Let's not wait until tomorrow, let's go today.

Qiao Qiu announced this during dinner, "Shuimo, pack your things, and come with me, the Crown Prince, out of the palace this afternoon."

The young man in ink painting who was serving her food was almost scared to death. "Master, Master, there are still many things to prepare."

"Don't prepare too much for me, I'm not going on vacation."

"Master, what is a vacation?" Shuimo blinked her bright eyes and asked curiously.

Qiao Qiu had to admit that the men who could hang out with Dongfang Wuche were all good-looking. Shui Mo looked to be only a teenager, quite cute and fun. "It's like I'm giving you a break so you can go out and have fun. This is a vacation."

Shui Mo was quick-witted, and after this explanation, he immediately understood. "Master is not going out to play, so there is no need to prepare too many things. I will go and prepare them right away."

After finishing her meal, Qiao Qiu went to the Imperial Study to report to the Emperor.

The Emperor was somewhat surprised that he had set off so early, but he still granted his request.

Qiao Qiu returned to the East Palace, made some preparations, changed into a set of commoner's clothes, and then left the palace by carriage. Since Dongfang Wuche's birth mother had passed away, the current Empress was essentially his stepmother, so Qiao Qiu didn't need to report to her.

When the princes heard that Qiao Qiu had left the palace, they couldn't sit still any longer. They all went to report and left the palace that same day.

Dongfang Wuye has no competitive advantage right now, so it's not a good time to rush to claim credit. He could wait until tomorrow. But for some reason, he doesn't want to be too far away from Dongfang Wuche. If he hears that Dongfang Wuche has left, how can he stay in the palace?

"Master, shall we go directly to Nanxia?" Shuimo asked as they left the palace.

Qiao Qiu's voice came from inside the carriage, "Let's go to Pingyang first."

"Yes." Shuimo was a little puzzled. Going to Pingyang first and then to Nanxia would be a long detour. Why would the master choose to go that way?