When Xu Nuo was fifteen years old, the late emperor passed away.

The late emperor had three thousand concubines, but not many offspring. Excluding those who died young or were defeated in palace fights, there were only four princes left.

Xu Nuo needed no introduction; he and Xu Min were both born to the Empress, and neither of them had any ambitions for the throne. The remaining eighth prince, whose maternal family was weak and still young, was also a child.

The only one who could fight with Xu Min was the second prince Xu Yang, the daughter of Concubine Wang. Since leaving the palace and setting up his own residence, he seemed to have become more and more unrestrained. He had many wives and concubines and bullied men and women. By the time the late emperor realized this, he was no longer able to control him.

During her years of favor, Concubine Wang enjoyed immense glory, even promoting her father and brother, both of whom had mediocre political achievements, to the forefront. The court was momentarily confused about who was the true "king." She was incredibly ambitious, even dissatisfied with the harem, eager to propel her son to a position above all others.

The late emperor was incompetent in his later years, but he was greedy for power and was unwilling to appoint a crown prince. Because of this rare matter, he had alienated Concubine Wang and her son.

Xu Min doesn't show off his talents and seems mediocre, but in fact he has been secretly gathering his own power, and the He family is one of them.

He Ye's father was the chief military general of the dynasty, but the previous emperor valued civil officials over military officials and did not trust these generals, so they were always held in a position of neither importance nor importance.

The He family didn't want to take sides, but they had no choice but to make a choice as their only child, He Ye, was determined to get into the Third Prince's mansion and wanted to announce it to the world.

He Ye's idea was very simple. Compared with Xu Yang, Xu Min was undoubtedly an emperor of all ages. Moreover, if Wang Shi gained power, his Nuonuo who stayed in the palace would inevitably suffer. Even if he didn't do it for the sake of the people of the world, he wanted Xu Nuon to live a happy life.

As soon as He Ye turned eighteen, he put on his sword, rode his horse and followed his father to the border to fight.

Before leaving, he secretly wandered around the palace gate. He didn't know if it was a telepathic connection, but Xu Nuo was lying on the city wall waiting for him.

"Nono, go down, it's dangerous!" He Ye shouted.

Xu Nuo wiped his tears in annoyance. He was 6 years younger than He Ye, just twelve years old. From a distance, he looked like a little white ball.

"I don't want you to bother me! He Ye is a big liar!"

He Ye originally wanted to keep it a secret from him, but who knows who let it slip, "I'm not lying to you. When I come back from the war, I'll bring you some candy from the northwest!"

Xu Nuo was still crying, lying on the top of the city wall to watch him, with the palace maids behind her protecting him tightly, fearing that he would fall.

He Ye couldn't delay too long, so he steeled his resolve and waved at him, "Brother is amazing! I'll be back soon!"

After saying that, he left. The image of the young man riding a tall horse with a sword on his back was imprinted in Xu Nuo's mind.

Two months later, the He family army won a great victory and returned to the capital. He Ye had become darker and stronger, and he looked like a young wolf that had just returned from its first hunting trip, with his blood still boiling.

The Northwest is remote and has been plagued by wars all year round. The candy children eat is just the most ordinary malt candy. He Ye bought two pounds of it.

Xu Nuo cried as he ate the candy that day, his mouth stuffed full. He was a prince, raised in pampered love, so how could he possibly like this kind of candy? But Xu Nuo just loved it, and while eating, he threw himself into He Ye's arms and cried bitterly.

In that battle, He Ye became famous at a young age. Everyone said he was the young hero of the He family, and he also became a big trump card of the Third Prince's faction.

Fame and fortune have always been a double-edged sword. As a result, He Ye went to war more frequently. He even didn't need his father to go with him. He led the army alone and made other countries tremble in fear.

Xu Nuo gradually got used to it. He had grown up and no longer cried heart-wrenchingly every time they parted ways like he did when he was a child. However, he couldn't help but feel tears welling up in his eyes when he saw the scars crisscrossing He Ye's body.

After the death of the previous emperor, the second prince brought a group of cronies from the capital to force the emperor to abdicate. Xu Nuo was hidden under the bed by Empress Xiao, and he listened in fear to the sounds of swords clashing and people screaming outside.

It rained heavily that night, and the bloodstains on the bluestone pavement in the palace were washed away. A familiar sound of footsteps came in, and Xu Nuo knew with his eyes closed that it was He Ye.

Don't be afraid.

The victor becomes the king and the loser becomes the bandit. The Second Prince and Concubine Wang's faction were completely wiped out. Xu Min's methods were decisive and ruthless. To him, it was more like a belated revenge.

He Ye was rewarded with the title of general for his service to the emperor. He was only 21 years old at that time and was a favorite of the emperor. Countless people were eyeing this perfect son-in-law, but without exception, those who came to propose marriage were driven away by He Ye.

…

Xu Nuo promised that after he came of age, Xu Min would build him a mansion outside the palace, so he wouldn't have to leave the capital. He Ye was overjoyed, and after a few drinks at the palace banquet, he started to talk freely about Xu Min being a good brother.

Xu Nuo turned his head away from him, and his eyes just happened to meet the top scholar. The fair and gentle top scholar had never seen the pampered Seventh Prince in the palace, and his face blushed unconsciously.

With a "pop" sound, the wine glass in He Ye's hand broke, porcelain pieces scattered, and a faint blood color appeared on the palm of his hand.

"He Ye!" Xu Nuo exclaimed softly and ran over, holding his hand and examining it carefully. Fortunately, his palms were covered with calluses and they were just superficial injuries.

"Hmph," He Ye snorted, "Why is Prince Rui looking at me instead of the top scholar?"

Xu Nuo looked at him in confusion. This was the first time He Ye acted like this in front of him. "I don't even know the number one scholar. Why would I look at him?"

"Oh? I thought Prince Rui and the number one scholar fell in love at first sight and exchanged glances? I'm so envious."

"He Ye," Xu Nuo's voice dropped, "If you keep being sarcastic, I'll get angry!"

He Ye didn't dare to do it anymore, and he held him back like a servile person, "You have no conscience, Brother He Ye treats you well? You angry prick!"

"Who made you so weird?"

"That's because I like..." He Ye choked, his face flushed, and he was speechless. He raised his eyes and saw the young man in front of him smiling cunningly.

"What do you like?" Xu Nuo moved closer, and He Ye could smell the unique sweet fragrance on him.

"I like you!" He Ye was a bit self-deprecating, but he didn't forget to say it in a cheap way, "So do you like me? Since you've been crowned, wouldn't it be perfect for your royal brother to arrange a marriage between you and me?"

Now it was Xu Nuo's turn to blush, "Shameless!"

He didn't say whether he liked it or not, but his smiling face turned completely red. He Ye seemed to be thinking about something.

…

In truth, he couldn't really explain why he'd fallen for her. He'd always treated her like a younger brother, and he'd watched Little White Tuanzi grow up. Could it be that time he cried with his mouth full of candy and his snot and tears rubbed against him? Could it be that time he passed out drunk in his arms on his birthday? Or maybe it was even earlier... maybe the Queen's joke back then had sown the seeds of karma.

"How can you be so shameless!" Xu Nuo covered her mouth and glared at him, "You're even worse than when you were a kid!"

"Why are you so embarrassed about kissing your own wife?" He Ye said confidently, with a red veil on his head. "My brother is about to marry into the palace, and I'm not allowed to rehearse beforehand?"

Xu Nuo thought he was crazy, but he actually thought it made sense. He Ye was punched several times by Xu Min for this marriage contract, but he didn't fight back. Later, with a bruise on the corner of his mouth, he climbed over the wall to find him.

Thinking of this, Xu Nuo's heart softened suddenly, "...It's up to you."