When the prince saw Qiao Tianjing's serious expression, he immediately became worried.

He pressed his right hand calmly, Qiao Tianjing nodded knowingly, and then turned to talk about trivial matters.

The two of them walked a long way, and Eunuch Huang watched them respectfully from the door. When he saw that they were out of sight, he turned around and returned to the imperial study.

Seeing that His Majesty was looking at Princess Yuliu's portrait again, Eunuch Huang couldn't help but sigh.

"Your Majesty, they are all gone."

"Um."

Emperor Yong sat in his seat and nodded indifferently.

When Eunuch Huang saw this, he hesitated to speak.

He just saw that the Fourth Prince seemed to have noticed the trash can in the corner. It contained the calligraphy practice papers that were delivered yesterday afternoon, and it looked like they were carefully prepared.

In fact, sometimes, even Eunuch Huang, who knew Emperor Yong best, couldn't understand why Emperor Yong was so obsessed with Princess Yu Liu.

She was indeed a rare beauty in the world, with a fair complexion and like a goddess.

But she was very cold and distant towards His Majesty, and it seemed that her heart was not with him.

But His Majesty just put his heart into it and lost his soul. More than ten years have passed, but he still can't let it go. He even became indifferent to the Queen, the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince.

"What has the second brother been busy with recently?" Emperor Yong's voice sounded faintly.

Eunuch Huang was thinking too deeply and was startled by the deep voice. Fortunately, Emperor Yong was completely focused on the portrait and did not notice his misbehavior.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince seems to have become more quiet since the Lantern Festival. He has met with Mr. Sheng from the Duke of Qing's Mansion these days."

Emperor Yong finally turned his head slightly.

"Sheng Mingcheng? He's just a dandy boy. The second brother shouldn't like him."

Eunuch Huang immediately flattered, "Yes, I think the Second Prince has high standards, so Sheng Mingcheng is naturally not in his eyes."

Emperor Yong snorted indifferently, and then said, "Is there anything interesting happening in the capital recently? Tell Yu Liu about it."

Eunuch Huang had long been accustomed to it.

His Majesty often treated the portrait of Empress Yu Liu as if it were a living person. Worried that the Empress was bored, he always asked him to find out some interesting things.

Eunuch Huang searched his mind and immediately his eyes lit up.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, there is indeed an interesting story."

"This year's Beijing Poetry Festival has produced a talented woman, the ten-year-old daughter of Minister Meng, named Meng Guxue."

Emperor Yong raised his eyebrows slightly, "Oh, a talented woman? Here comes He Shinian."

Eunuch Huang immediately recited the poem written by Meng Guxue in a vivid and emotional voice.

Emperor Yong savored it carefully and nodded, "It is much better than those sour and rotten poems, but where did the Xiongnu and Wuding River come from?"

Eunuch Huang hurriedly recounted what happened at the poetry meeting. After hearing that the prince had already made his decision, Emperor Yong no longer cared.

"Minister Meng's daughter is really talented in poetry. Please grant her a favor and let her come to the Dragon Boat Festival banquet."

The ranks of officials were different, and the number of people who could attend the palace banquet was limited.

The vice minister was of the fourth rank and could only bring one female companion, usually his wife.

Eunuch Huang quickly responded with a "yes" and secretly took note of it.

Emperor Yong was silent for a while, then asked, "Has the essay for the top prize in the Spring Examination been submitted?"

Eunuch Huang immediately took out a few notes from the table and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, they were presented early in the morning. Here they are."

Emperor Yong lowered his eyes and glanced at him, then said calmly, "Let the Crown Prince come and take a look tomorrow morning."

The crown prince thought Yijia's article was reasonable, and Eunuch Huang bowed hurriedly in agreement.

But Emperor Yong quickly added, "Make a copy and send it to the second son."

Eunuch Huang showed a bit of surprise on his face. This was a bit beyond the rules, but he dared not say anything and could only obey the order.

After making all these arrangements, Emperor Yong waved his hand and said, "Go out. No one is allowed to come in without my order."

Eunuch Huang knew that the emperor was going to be alone with Princess Yuliu again.

Before he left, he specifically asked, "Your Majesty, how should we deal with Di Zaiying today?"

Emperor Yong waved his hand impatiently, "Investigate, remove all the spies that should be removed, and then investigate his true identity."

Eunuch Huang replied with a "yes", bowed and slowly retreated. Just as he was about to close the palace door, Emperor Yong's deep voice suddenly came over.

"Huang Pei, don't move anyone who shouldn't be moved, and don't let the prince interfere."

When Huang Pei heard this, his shoulders trembled slightly and he nodded respectfully.

The moment the palace door closed, Eunuch Huang slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

He naturally knew who those "people who should not be touched" that the emperor was talking about were. They were the spies that the emperor had allowed the second prince to plant in various palaces over the years.

Now everyone admires the Crown Prince's virtue, but the Emperor dotes on and favors the Second Prince so much. What should I do in the future...

There was a hint of fear on Eunuch Huang's face, but he quickly suppressed it.

Only by pretending to be deaf and dumb can you live longer around His Majesty.

————

When the prince saw that Qiao Tianjing had important business, he took a detour and sent the fourth prince back first.

Before leaving, the Fourth Prince looked at Qiao Jiaojiao reluctantly.

"Will I not be able to see Sister Qiao for a long time again?" the Fourth Prince said aggrievedly.

Qiao Jiaojiao was very grateful to the Fourth Prince for covering up the matter of the rebound talisman for her, and it was rare that she did not say anything bad about the Fourth Prince.

[Live well, you kid. We will have many opportunities to meet in the future. ]

When Qiao Tianjing heard this, he thought of Qiao Jiaojiao's previous speculation and said seriously, "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince is young, so he should be protected more."

The prince nodded solemnly, "Dalang's words make sense. I understand what's going on now."

The fourth prince pulled Qiao Jiaojiao's soft little hand.

He suddenly laughed and said, "Last time, my prince brother said that I can hug my sister only on my birthday on Dragon Boat Festival."

"I tried it today and it was indeed very strenuous. I need to eat well and grow taller. Then I can easily carry Sister Qiao like the eldest son of the Qiao family!"

His words were full of childish innocence, and they also took away some of the gloom on the faces of the prince and Qiao Tianjing.

Qiao Jiaojiao glanced at him sideways.

[Silly boy, you will grow up and so will I. By then, you still won’t be able to hold me.]

The fourth prince said goodbye to Qiao Jiaojiao earnestly, "Sister Qiao, we'll see you at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet."

Qiao Jiaojiao barked at him twice, which she took as her agreement.

[I know, I know. You are such a chatterbox.]

The prince personally sent the fourth prince back and led Qiao Dalang out.

The palace road was extremely empty, with no one to be seen or spies on either side.

Seeing this, Qiao Tianjing lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, I have an important matter to report."

The prince looked solemn, "Da Lang, tell me."

Qiao Tianjing spoke carefully according to the words he had discussed with his father at home:

"Your Highness, do you remember the student from Zhuozhou who went on stage to write couplets during the Lantern Festival?"