"Well, I'm in good health, and the palace physicians are capable. The only thing I'm worried about is you children. I don't know how you're doing out there. Wouldn't you come back without my order?"
Several princes were shocked by the emperor's shamelessness. It was clearly their father who did not allow them to come back, so how could it be that now they are the ones who should not come back?
But no matter what the emperor said, they had to accept it.
"Father, please calm down. We just want to learn more skills outside and help you share your worries. That's why we haven't been back for a long time. If you miss us, we can stay in Kyoto more often in the future."
No matter how stupid the third prince is, he will say something nice the moment he sees the emperor.
He also knew that he wanted to seize the throne mainly by relying on favor.
"Yes, I'm used to living in Kyoto, but I was so surprised by the new things I saw outside that I stayed a little longer."
The emperor was also interested when it came to things happening outside.
He vaguely remembered that when he was young, he also liked to go out and travel. If it weren't for his high position that restricted his freedom, he would have traveled all over the mountains, rivers, world and sky outside.
"It seems that the world outside is really wonderful. It's a pity that I can't go out as I please. If I have the chance, I will go out more often to see it."
"Your Majesty is in good health. If there's a chance in the future, you can naturally gather a large group to go out for a walk. I, your son, will accompany you then."
Several princes vied with each other to flatter the emperor. They agreed with everything the emperor said, making the emperor smile happily.
In fact, these sons are pretty good, at least they can talk.
"Okay! First, tell me what you learned during this trip. Don't say you spent so much time and didn't learn anything."
"I understand the water situation and economy of Jiangnan..."
Sheng Mingyu sat quietly aside without saying a word.
The prime minister and several others also stood below without saying a word.
Now it’s just the happy family life between them as father and son, so it’s better not to say too much.
"That's right! You certainly didn't disappoint me, especially Second Brother. Your analysis of the water situation in Jiangnan is very clear. Even most of the ministers in the court can't match you. From now on, I will ask you to assist me in matters concerning Jiangnan."
"Yes, thank you, Father!"
When someone gets praised, naturally someone else gets scolded.
"Third brother, you're still a little behind in your studies. Compared to your second brother, you know so little. I sent you south, so why do you know so little? You should get out more often in the future."
"yes."
The third prince looked very unhappy.
The second brother is really conceited. They all knew these things, but he was beaten to it first and he had nothing to say.
"What about the Crown Prince? Although you have never been to Jiangnan, you have heard a lot about these things in the court. Do you have any opinions? Feel free to tell me."
The emperor wanted to pass the conversation to Sheng Mingyu again.
They were discussing statecraft, so why did they need Sheng Mingyu to answer? Even if he knew how, he didn't have the right to do so.
"Your Majesty, how could I possibly know this? As long as the Second and Third Princes understand, it's fine."
"Don't be so modest. I know how capable you are. There's no need to save face for these two children. You'll have to take care of the affairs of the court in the future."
No one knew whether the emperor said this intentionally or unintentionally, but it indirectly improved Sheng Mingyu's status.
Many court officials were also confused, wondering who the prince was. It seemed the emperor wanted to hand over the important matter to Sheng Mingyu.
He didn't dare to agree at all, and the hearts of several princes sank to the bottom.
No matter how Sheng Mingyu tried to refuse, as long as His Majesty meant it, he could not refuse.
The atmosphere was silent for a long time. The emperor observed the expressions of the crowd and let them leave only after he was satisfied.
"You're all tired after all this traveling, right? Go back and rest early. There's a dinner in the sky tonight, so be sure to attend on time."
"yes."
Gu Yunni had been acting as an invisible person the whole time. Only after leaving the palace with Sheng Mingyu did she pat her chest and let out a long sigh.
"The atmosphere in the palace just now was so strange, wasn't it? We haven't even reported on our duties yet. When do we have to go back to the palace?"
"It's probably not necessary. The emperor kept the Imperial Master in the palace just to ask about this matter. Let's go back and rest."
Sheng Mingyu was much more depressed than before. He was really sad. This was the situation he faced every time he returned to Kyoto.
I don't know whether His Majesty really dotes on him or hates him, but he always wants to direct all the criticism towards him.
Gu Yunni looked at Sheng Mingyu cautiously and understood why he was so depressed.
If this happened to someone else, they would have been unable to control themselves long ago.
"Don't be upset. Although I don't understand what Your Majesty means, I know that the princes will still respect you from now on. As long as we are fully prepared, there will be no danger."
The second and third princes hadn't said a word to Sheng Mingyu since they came out of the hall, and they were obviously angry.
But he couldn't explain it, so he could only sigh and stop talking.
Just as the two were about to reach the gate of the prince's mansion, the emperor's personal eunuch caught up with them again.
As soon as Sheng Mingyu saw this person, he felt a headache. Apart from His Majesty, who else could be ordered around?
"I wonder why the eunuch came to see me? Didn't he just come out of the palace? Did His Majesty forget to give you any instructions?"
The chief eunuch had great respect for Sheng Mingyu.
"His Majesty did have something to tell you, but he forgot to tell you. His Majesty has found you an army of well-trained guards, and they are already guarding the perimeter of your Prince's mansion."
If there were someone nearby, they would definitely see that the eunuch's eyes were full of flattery.
Sheng Mingyu was a little shocked. It was just a little rumor. Was it really worth His Majesty to do so much?
"Guards? Your Majesty, are you mistaken? This prince does not need guards. I already have plenty of people around me. As a prince, I cannot control so much military power."
"Don't misunderstand, Your Highness. In addition to protecting your safety, they also want you to train more."
This sounds high-sounding, but any intelligent person can understand what it means.
He just wanted to force the military power into Sheng Mingyu's hands.
However, now that things have come to this, he can't refuse.
"Then I will take him in first. You go back and tell His Majesty that I will train him well."
"Yes." After the eunuch delivered the message, he exchanged a few pleasantries and then left.
Only after the two of them entered the Prince's Mansion did Gu Yunni dare to speak freely, "What's going on? You're already very unpopular with the princes. If this gets out, I'm afraid you'll become a thorn in their side."
The emperor's thoughts were too difficult to guess. She didn't understand them, nor did she want to understand them.
Sheng Mingyu had a sarcastic smile on his face. No matter how high-sounding his father-in-law's words were, it was unfair to him.
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