My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

The bustling street was full of people coming and going. Wei Yu, who had just been kicked out of the carriage, stood by the roadside with Fang Sheng, both watching the departing carriage.

Wei Yu said, “…I think there’s something wrong with the relationship between me and Eighth Brother. What do you think, Fang Sheng?”

Fang Sheng didn’t really want to answer, but he had no choice.

Expressionless, Fang Sheng said, “Your Highness, I believe so.”

Hmm?

“You’re really brave to say that out loud, huh.”

Wei Yu turned to Fang Sheng, gave him a thumbs-up, then turned and began walking along the street. “Forget it, let’s go. I’m heartbroken by Eighth Brother’s attitude today. Let’s go back to the residence, get the horses, and head to the estate in the countryside.”

Fang Sheng was shocked. “Your Highness, we’re going now?”

“Yeah, if not now, then what, at night?”

But it was already the end of the wei hour (around 2 to 3 PM)! Even if they rode on horseback to the countryside estate, it would take two to three hours round trip at the very least. By the time they returned, the city gates would definitely be locked. How would they get back in?

Wei Yu clasped his hands behind his back and said leisurely, “In life, one must take spontaneous trips. Fang Sheng, you’re still young, it’s okay if you don’t understand yet. Follow me, and one day you’ll get it.”

Fang Sheng, a man approaching thirty with a wife and kids: ?

Being called young for the first time—what a unique life experience.

Expressionless, Fang Sheng followed.

Though what His Highness said made sense, he knew it was just nonsense His Highness made up for the sake of having fun.

The countryside estate Wei Yu was going to was one he had exchanged with the Fourth Prince using a glass design blueprint.

Even before he officially set up his own household, Wei Yu had planned to inspect his business after leaving the palace and turn the estate into a fun little farming retreat.

Unfortunately, that plan had been cut short. A single work order from the old man ruined his early retirement dreams. Now he didn’t know when he’d have free time to go have fun at the estate, so he had to seize the few remaining days to go take a look.

There were carriages at the residence, but Wei Yu didn’t use one.

Because it would remind him of being abandoned by his Eighth Brother—too heartbreaking.

He had Xiao Anzi pack a few simple outfits, led a horse himself, and without bringing attendants, went straight to the countryside with just Fang Sheng and a dozen guards.

—

It was his first time leaving the capital, and Wei Yu was a little excited.

Riding on horseback, he looked back at the tall city walls and couldn’t help but smile before turning forward and spurring his horse again.

In the city, one had to be mindful of pedestrians while riding, which wasn’t fun at all. Only after leaving the capital did he feel the true freedom of galloping across open land.

The land deed from the Fourth Prince had detailed information about the location of the land or buildings, construction date, area, etc., but since this was Wei Yu’s first time out and he wasn’t familiar with the roads, it was Fang Sheng who led the way.

They went from official roads to small paths, stopping and going, even asking two passing woodcutters for directions. Only then did they finally find the estate.

Their horses stopped on a small open area, and the group gazed at the vast fields in the distance.

It was currently autumn harvest season. From atop his horse, Wei Yu looked out and saw a sea of yellow and green, with many farmers busy in the fields.

Such a harvest scene was inevitably heartening and joyful in the ancient times, when productivity was low and food was scarce.

Feeling moved, Wei Yu couldn’t help but want to recite Pity the Farmer like a great literary master!

He raised the hand holding the horsewhip and pointed into the distance with great passion. “Fang Sheng, look at those farmers, look at those bountiful fields! Doesn’t it fill your heart with joy? This is truly…”

Mid-sentence, Wei Yu froze.

The corners of his mouth stiffened, and he fell silent for a long moment.

Fang Sheng craned his neck and asked, “Your Highness, truly what?”

Good question.

Truly what, indeed?

What was the first line of Pity the Farmer again?!

Such a famous poem—one his teachers had emphasized since childhood as a reminder to cherish food—how could he suddenly forget it?

Truly, Wei Yu’s attempt at poetry had died halfway through.

“Ahem, I mean, they truly work hard.”

Wei Yu smiled without missing a beat, tugged on the reins, and motioned for his horse to move forward.

Damn it. Clearly, composing poetry like a literary master was not his calling.

Fang Sheng didn’t take His Highness’s embarrassing moment to heart.

As a subordinate, some things were best left unseen.

The horses trotted along the dirt path, kicking up a fair amount of dust.

The group, finely dressed and mounted on horses, were immediately recognizable as not being common laborers. The farmers working in the fields could tell at a glance that these were people of status.

Unclear about the visitors’ intentions, some continued working indifferently, some grew wary and alert, while others left the fields and ran toward the estate—not doubt to inform the steward.

Wei Yu noticed all of this but didn’t react much. He kept a gentle smile on his face from the moment they rode in.

After all, these people would all be his future employees.

As a boss, being too fierce was no good. It would breed resentment. Resentment led to low motivation, low motivation led to slacking off, slacking off lowered productivity… and over time, with low employee satisfaction, the boss’s pockets would also be left sad and empty!

So, one must smile.

The horses continued forward. When they reached a large tree, Wei Yu suddenly noticed a piece of cloth peeking out from behind it.

“Your Highness.”

Fang Sheng reacted faster than him. Even before Wei Yu had fully registered what he was seeing, Fang Sheng had already ridden ahead, drawn his sword, and barked, “Who’s there? Come out!”

“Ah.”

Whoever was behind the tree was clearly startled. The piece of cloth quickly vanished, and Wei Yu heard a soft gasp.

Then came a bunch of rustling noises, whispers, and overly loud attempts at shushing.

“Shh, quiet!”

“Shhh!”

“Shhh, stop making noise, you’ll get us caught by the kidnappers!”

Wei Yu: …

Fang Sheng and the guards: …

Wei Yu smiled helplessly. He raised his hand and lightly tapped Fang Sheng’s arm with his whip, signaling him to step back.

“Just a few kids. Put the sword away, don’t scare them.”

Sure enough, the voices behind the tree were those of children, both boys and girls—at least three of them.

False alarm. Fang Sheng obediently sheathed his sword and turned his horse around to return.

However, Wei Yu dismounted at that moment.

Since His Highness had gotten off, the others naturally did too. The whole group followed suit.

Wei Yu handed his reins to a guard and tiptoed toward the tree.

Kids’ imaginations were hard to understand—calling him a kidnapper out of nowhere? Wei Yu had to at least take a peek at these brainless little rascals.

How could someone as handsome and talented as him look like a kidnapper?!

But when Wei Yu finally leaned over and saw the scene behind the tree, he was completely stunned.