My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

Emperor Wei, who had complicated feelings, quickly composed himself.

Knowing that saying too much would be pointless and that it was better to offer something tangible, he didn’t overthink things.

“The matter of establishing your own residence—I’ll discuss it with the Empress. When the time comes, I’ll have the eunuchs of the Directorate of Palace Affairs handle it. If you and Ninth want anything in particular, feel free to let the chief eunuch of the Directorate know.”

These words were spoken generously, and the Eighth Prince was quite surprised after hearing them.

Because as far as he knew, even when Eldest Brother and Second Brother established their own residences, Royal Father hadn’t said anything like “just say what you want.”

And just like that, the matter of establishing the residence passed.

Emperor Wei then asked a few questions about the Eighth Prince’s studies.

The Eighth Prince wasn’t foolish—in fact, his memory was excellent. The only reason he didn’t stand out usually was because he deliberately held back in front of the Eldest Prince and the others.

Now, facing the Emperor’s questions, he didn’t try to show off, answering in a standard and proper manner, even stammering slightly from time to time.

[Ninth Younger Brother said that a prince without any background or power is as pitiful as a cabbage in the field. Eldest Brother and Second Brother are both so aggressive about the throne. If I attract attention, things will only get harder for me… better not put Ninth in a difficult spot.] Emperor Wei: …

He was truly curious now.

That the Eighth and Ninth Princes had a good relationship wasn’t surprising in itself.

But a relationship so good that, as the elder brother, he listened to his younger brother in everything and couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning him?

That was truly unexpected.

“…To show benevolence is for the people; to resist enemies is to protect the people. If one is united with the people in heart and strength, none can resist them…”

The Eighth Prince was answering the Emperor’s question, quoting from Mencius: “Protect the people and become king, none can oppose you.”

To show benevolence and implement governance is for the sake of the people. Guarding the border and resisting invaders is also for protecting the people. These two are not in conflict. As long as one stands united with the people, who could stand against such a force?

He usually studied in the Imperial Study under the Grand Tutor. Though he often pretended not to take it seriously for the sake of self-preservation, he actually understood what needed to be understood.

Especially since he spent so much time with Ninth Younger Brother, who would occasionally say things that were thought-provoking, always with the people in mind—words that made one reflect and feel ashamed.

You could say it rubbed off on him. Sometimes, when the Eighth Prince looked at his haughty, extravagant older brothers, he felt they all seemed to lack a heart that truly cared for the people…

After answering, the Eighth Prince stood quietly below, deep in thought, not noticing Emperor Wei gazing at him with a meaningful look.

Even the Eighth Prince’s answers… were all connected to the Ninth?

Emperor Wei lowered his eyes, concealing the contemplation in them.

This Ninth… he was definitely a big problem.

—

Unaware that he was about to be added to the “Emperor’s Disappointment List,” Wei Yu was currently dozing off with his head on his desk.

He was a textbook example of a prince with no decorum.

Staring at a character on the page, Wei Yu’s eyelids kept drooping. Just as they were about to fully close, he suddenly let out a big yawn.

“Ah—”

So sleepy.

Unable to bear it, Wei Yu sat upright and shouted toward the young eunuch at the door, “What time is it?”

“Your Highness, it’s just past the fifth quarter of the hour of the Dragon.”

Wei Yu did a rough calculation in his head.

Oh, around 8:40.

It was usually the time he studied rites and culture.

Wei Yu yawned again and slumped back onto the desk.

He had thought that, after the whole incident with his dad being “struck by lightning,” he might get a few days of good rest. What a fantasy that was…

That yawn even brought tears to the corners of his eyes.

Wei Yu figured that Eighth Brother had been gone for about an hour and would probably be back soon. He wondered what he had been doing all this time—whether he got scolded, and whether the fallout would reach him, the innocent bystander…

—

The Emperor’s sleeping quarters.

Wei Yu stood inside the hall, head lowered, looking at his toes with a face full of innocent obedience.

[Damn it, my crow’s mouth really is something. Bad predictions always come true.]

He had just been thinking about avoiding the fallout, and now, here he was, summoned by the old man. Wei Yu didn’t even know what to say.

Just as he was standing there all well-behaved, he heard his old man ask:

“I heard from Eighth that last year on my birthday, you specifically made a bowl of noodles for me? Why didn’t you have someone deliver it?”

Hearing this, Wei Yu froze instantly.

He blinked twice quickly, face showing a bashful expression, and said hesitantly, “Replying to Royal Father, yes, your son did cook a bowl of noodles…”

[Ah crap, what exactly did Eighth Brother say? He even brought up that bowl of noodles? What am I supposed to say—that I was just hungry one night, got up to cook for myself, and it just so happened that Xiao Anzi saw and misunderstood? That brutal truth?!]

Emperor Wei: …

Yep, just as he thought.

When dealing with these two kids, any sentimentality had to be put on hold first.

Wei Yu paused in his explanation.

[Should I tell the truth… or make something up?]

A little conflicted, honestly.

Hearing this, Emperor Wei’s eyes revealed a look of surprise.

He hadn’t expected this rascal to actually have the intention to tell the truth!

Before Emperor Wei could speculate further, Wei Yu had already made up his mind.

He looked up, glanced at Emperor Wei seated above, his gaze full of affection and a touch of flattery, and said cautiously, “Hehe, Royal Father, actually, that incident last year was an accident. I was just hungry at the time, so… that bowl of noodles was something I made for myself.”

In the end, he chose to tell the truth.

Watching his father’s expression, Wei Yu felt uneasy, unsure if telling the truth would earn him a beating.

After all, saying it like this… kind of sounded unfilial?

It wasn’t that Wei Yu didn’t know how to lie or wasn’t capable of being smooth—he just couldn’t be bothered to lie, nor did he want to cover one up.

A true salted fish.

He honestly didn’t have the energy to deal with all that.

Besides, lying in front of an emperor—can you really be sure your little schemes won’t be seen through?

Might as well just speak the truth.

The Eighth Prince admired Wei Yu’s boldness so much he was practically in awe.

He stared at Wei Yu and, from an angle where Emperor Wei couldn’t see, gave him a big thumbs-up.

Wei Yu got the message.

Stay low-key, stay low-key. Now’s not the time to relax. Wait until the old man gives his verdict, then we’ll talk.

“Old Man” Emperor Dad Wei stayed silent for a long moment.

Just when Wei Yu was about to cave from the awkward silence and reach for his tablet to sneak a peek at a “Dragon-AoTian” novel, the old man finally spoke.

“I remember now.”

Emperor Wei said slowly, “I recall that last year, you didn’t attend the banquet. The Fourth Prince said you were unwell and even sent an Imperial Physician to check on you.”

Bringing this up now, Emperor Wei—who hadn’t thought much of it back then—also sensed something wasn’t right.

The relationship between the Ninth and Fourth Princes wasn’t nearly as good as the one between the Ninth and Eighth. So if the Ninth was unwell, it should’ve been the Eighth Prince reporting it, right?

Why was it the Fourth Prince who said something?

At this moment, Wei Yu was speaking in his head.

[Pah! “Unwell” my ass. He caught me watching him flirt with a young palace maid and got scared I’d rat him out at the banquet, so he locked me up and wouldn’t let me go!]

Emperor Wei: …?!