The oldest cabinet minister knelt on the ground: "The Crown Prince entered the Ministry of Revenue at the age of fourteen. In the same year, he cleaned up the corrupt officials in the Ministry of Revenue, adding a large sum of money to the national treasury."

“When the flood hit Nanyu, the Crown Prince, who was only sixteen years old, went to the front line of flood control to stabilize the morale of the troops.”

"When he was seventeen, a plague broke out in Dongyuan, and the refugees rioted, with thousands of people dying or being injured every day. His Highness took the imperial physicians to live with the refugees and appease the people."

"When His Highness was eighteen, he was transferred to the Ministry of War and personally led his troops out to sea to suppress the pirates that had plagued our country for decades."

The minister said excitedly, "Your Highness has accomplished countless merits over the years and is a man of great virtue. We beg Your Majesty to grant us your grace."

Xiao Chengci deserves the position of Crown Prince; otherwise, the cabinet ministers would not have kept silent when Emperor Xiao defended Xiao Chengci.

At this, all the court officials in the hall knelt down, pleading, "Your Majesty, please have mercy!"

Emperor Xiao could only sigh inwardly, "What a rebellious son!"

"I am feeling tired. Court is adjourned!"

With no other option, Emperor Xiao had to flee.

After the court session, Emperor Xiao went straight to Changqiu Palace.

Before Empress Shang could even perform her rites, Emperor Xiao launched into a tirade of complaints.

"What kind of mother are you? He said he wanted to live in jail, and you actually let him live in jail?"

"It's been seven days, and you, his own mother, haven't you even gone to see him?"

"How could there be such a heartless mother in the world? Anyone who didn't know better would think the Crown Prince wasn't the Empress's biological son!"

Empress Shang was also puzzled, as Emperor Xiao had stayed at Changqiu Palace yesterday.

The two slept peacefully and happily. When Emperor Xiao went to the morning court, he did the same thing as usual.

Why did you lose your temper so much after the morning court session?

A palace maid who served Emperor Xiao closely approached and whispered a few words in Empress Shang's ear.

Empress Shang immediately understood, "Go and brew some chrysanthemum tea to cool His Majesty down."

"I won't drink. Go and persuade him to come out."

"All the ministers in the court knelt on the ground and begged me to release him, as if I were the one who was not releasing the crown prince."

The truth is, Emperor Xiao had long wanted Xiao Chengci to come out.

It was that brat Xiao Chengci who locked himself inside.

Empress Shang said softly, "Aci is just a boy. You've hired a martial arts master for him since he was little. He'll be fine spending a few days in prison."

"Today, a minister said that my son entered the Ministry of Revenue at the age of fourteen, went to Nanyu to fight floods at the age of sixteen, went to Dongyuan at the age of seventeen, and suppressed pirates at the age of eighteen. This makes my heart tremble."

Emperor Xiao valued Xiao Chengci, but Xiao Chengci also had responsibilities he had to bear.

Emperor Xiao appointed Xiao Chengci to the Ministry of Revenue so that Xiao Chengci could cultivate a good relationship with the ministers of the Ministry.

It is advisable to let Xiao Chengci handle matters from now on, as he has his own people in the Ministry of Revenue, which will make things easier.

At the age of sixteen, Emperor Xiao ordered Xiao Cheng to resign from his flood relief duties. Emperor Xiao had instructed Xiao Cheng to resign from his post to deliver supplies and stay in the rear.

As a result, Xiao Chengci went to the front line himself and fought the flood with the soldiers, thus protecting Nanyu.

When Emperor Xiao found out, he couldn't sleep well for several days and nights.

An epidemic broke out in Dongyuan, so the city had to be closed, allowing entry but not exit.

One by one, the imperial physicians declined, some even feigning illness.

We can't find anyone to deliver supplies and food.

People were dying every day in Dongyuan City, and people outside the city were also in a state of panic, fearing that the plague would spread.

Among the common people, there were also rumors that a great nation was going to stand by and watch the people of a city die.

Xiao Chengci knelt in the main hall and requested permission to personally go to Dongyuan.

With His Highness the Crown Prince taking the lead, the imperial physicians stopped falling ill, and there were people available to deliver supplies and rations.

The rest were fine, but Empress Shang did remember the time when Xiao Cheng resigned from Dongyuan.

That was a plague. No one in the court dared to go there, for fear of being infected and dying.

“At that time, Aci petitioned in the palace, which angered you so much that you immediately adjourned the court. As a result, he secretly went away on his own.”

Emperor Xiao was naturally reluctant to let Xiao Cheng resign from Dongyuan.

Who knows if Xiao Chengci will die there?

After the court session, Emperor Xiao pointed at Xiao Chengci's nose and cursed him, saying that Xiao Chengci was meddling in other people's business.

With so many ministers in the court, why would Xiao Chengci need to take the lead?

Moreover, there are so many princes around, it's not Xiao Cheng's turn to resign.

Xiao Chengci only said one sentence: "Father Emperor is reluctant to part with his son, and the ministers are also reluctant to part with their own families."

Xiao Cheng refused to go, and no one dared to take the lead, fearing they would never return and would die in Dongyuan.

Enraged, Emperor Xiao kicked Xiao Chengci and ordered him to return to the Eastern Palace to reflect on his mistakes.

As a result, Xiao Chengci secretly contacted people in the Ministry of Revenue, prepared supplies, and, accompanied by the imperial physician, went to Dongyuan overnight.

Xiao Chengci was the crown prince, and no one dared to stop him along the way.

The next day, when Emperor Xiao got up, he saw a letter of apology left by Xiao Chengci.

Emperor Xiao fainted on the spot from anger, and the morning court session that day was also canceled.

Emperor Xiao did not attend the morning court for three consecutive days. He and Empress Shang prayed to the gods and Buddhas, hoping that Xiao Chengci would have a smooth journey and return safely.

Emperor Xiao couldn't bear to see Xiao Chengci suffer, but in reality, this crown prince Xiao Chengci had done quite a few things that caused him to suffer and even die.

"When he returned from the raid on the pirates, his arm was still wrapped in bandages. If that cut had been any deeper, he would have been one-armed."

Emperor Xiao sighed, "Tell me, this child has gone through so much hardship, how come he can't overcome the obstacle of love?"

Empress Shang could only nod: "Yes."

"In the end, it's because he hasn't been exposed to enough girls. Once he gets out, you should arrange for him to have a dozen or twenty girls..."

Upon hearing this, Empress Shang chuckled and said, "His Majesty said that I am not his biological mother, so it is best if His Majesty arranges such matters."

Emperor Xiao slammed his fist on the table and said righteously, "How can I interfere in the affairs of the Crown Prince's harem?"

Empress Shang sneered, showing no respect to Emperor Xiao, "Your Majesty is clearly worried about provoking Aci to rebel, so you asked me to make the arrangements. I will not do it."

Both the Emperor and Empress understood Xiao Chengci's temperament.

Xiao Chengci is now preoccupied with the memory of the deceased Pei family girl, and this is the time to arrange a harem for him.

Who knows what outrageous things Xiao Chengci might do if he were angered?

Emperor Xiao was clearly afraid of taking responsibility. Before, when it came to choosing a crown princess for Xiao Chengci, Emperor Xiao was extremely enthusiastic in offering suggestions.

"Hmph, I don't know what you're talking about. You are the Empress, this is your duty, you can arrange it as you see fit."

After Emperor Xiao finished speaking, he hurriedly added, "I still have to go and review memorials."

"Wait a moment." Empress Shang stood up and picked up a teacup. "Your Majesty should drink this chrysanthemum tea; it will help cool you down."

Emperor Xiao took it, intending to drink it all in one gulp, but ended up shivering from the heat.

Empress Shang stared directly at Emperor Xiao, a cold smile barely concealed in her eyes.

Emperor Xiao angrily put down his cup and left in a grand procession.

After Emperor Xiao left, Empress Shang also rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

It's really not good for Xiao Chengci to be locked up in prison all this time.

Does that mean that if Xiao Chengci can't figure things out in a few months, we'll lock him up in jail for a few months?