When he was cold to Li Jue before, Li Jue never dodged him no matter how far away they were, and always took the initiative to greet him.

Although greetings can be a bit odd, like always asking if you've eaten or simply saying "Hello, sir," they always make people feel warm and comforted.

Just as Xiao Yu was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a surprised voice behind him.

"Mr. Xiao!"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Xiao Yu immediately broke into a happy smile.

"So it's His Highness the eldest grandson!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue quickly shushed him.

"Sir, please address me as Prince Yong, or simply as Li Jue!"

Xiao Yu smiled and asked upon hearing this.

Why?

Li Jue looked very embarrassed upon hearing this. Only after looking around and seeing that there were no outsiders nearby did he whisper in Xiao Yu's ear.

"I'm afraid Uncle Jiu will be angry!"

"Oh oh oh..."

"Your Highness is indeed very thoughtful..."

"Your Highness, there are no outsiders here, only the two of us. Your teacher wants to ask you a taboo question. I wonder if you have the courage to answer?"

"What's the problem?"

"Among His Majesty's sons, who do you think is most qualified to be the crown prince?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue immediately raised his eyebrows and glanced at Xiao Yu warily. If he hadn't been certain that a minister of Xiao Yu's caliber could not possibly be Li Zhi's man, he would have suspected that the old man was testing him on behalf of Li Zhi.

"Sir, you shouldn't be asking me that."

"Your Highness, we're just having a casual chat, one old and one young..."

"oh……"

You have to promise me you won't tell anyone!

"I swear to God, if I dare to reveal even a single word to any outsider, may I be pierced through the heart by a thousand arrows!"

Seeing that Xiao Yu had made such a solemn oath, and considering the old man's life story, Li Jue was certain that he was not the type to gossip, so he whispered something in his ear.

"If we're talking about qualifications, my dad is definitely the most qualified!"

"Next is my fourth uncle, then my third uncle, and finally my ninth uncle..."

Xiao Yu was shocked to hear this, and then asked another question he shouldn't have.

"If we're just talking about ability, who do you think is the most suitable?"

Li Jue answered without hesitation upon hearing this.

"My third uncle!"

"Li Ke, the King of Shu?"

"right!"

"In terms of ability alone, neither my father nor my third uncle can compare!"

After saying this, Li Jue quickly ran away, afraid that Xiao Yu would stop him again to ask him all sorts of questions. Xiao Yu watched Li Jue's hurriedly running away, and a look of shock appeared on his face.

It's unbelievable that the eldest grandson, at only ten years old, has the ability to recognize talent!

What's even more remarkable is that he actually has a sense of public duty!

Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin was reviewing memorials when he suddenly heard Zhang Anan report that Xiao Yu was requesting an audience. Only then did he remember that he and Xiao Yu seemed to have a bet.

"Let him in!"

"promise!"

Before long, Xiao Yu entered the main hall and was about to bow to Li Shimin when Li Shimin interrupted him.

"No need for formalities!"

"May I ask what brings you here today, Minister Xiao?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Li Shimin, then covered his face with his sleeve and said something with a blush on his face.

"Your Majesty, I have lost..."

"ah?"