A prince who doesn’t want to be emperor is not unheard of in the history of Great Wei, but it is quite rare.
Anyway, Emperor Wei had never encountered such a person before.
Today, however, he met someone like Wei Yu. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel⟡fire.net
In their brief encounter, although Emperor Wei hadn’t fully figured out Wei Yu’s personality, he could tell that Wei Yu was not as foolish as the rumors in the harem suggested. He was actually quite clever, hiding his true abilities.
Moreover, this clever person seemed a bit odd, saying things that others couldn’t understand.
It was unclear where he had learned such things from.
As for Wei Yu’s reply, Emperor Wei didn’t rebuke him.
The “mind-reading technique” was a secret that couldn’t be exposed. This mystical ability allowed him to discern the loyalty or treachery of those around him.
He could listen and understand the true thoughts of others, but he couldn’t just execute them immediately upon hearing something unfavorable…
When dealing with people, at least a good reason was needed, right?
Seeing his father remain silent, Wei Yu wondered if he had been too aggressive and caused his father to fall silent.
After regaining his composure, Emperor Wei pretended not to hear Wei Yu’s nonsense and looked up at Eighth Prince.
“Since Wei Yu has said so, you will come to serve me with books tomorrow and the day after.”
Eighth Prince was surprised, and the other princes, including the Eldest Prince, furrowed their brows.
What does Father mean by having Eighth Brother serve him with books?
A prince serving the emperor with books essentially meant reading aloud beside him.
It seemed like a trivial task, but it was actually an opportunity to be close to the emperor. Even favored princes rarely had such an opportunity!
Why would Emperor Wei give such a task to Eighth Prince Wei Qi?
“Yes, I accept, thank you, Father!” Eighth Prince immediately agreed without hesitation and didn’t bother to be formal with Wei Yu.
The brothers had always been —whoever got the benefit first accepted it without fuss. Hesitating and dragging things out was the worst.
Eighth Prince still remembered when he was seven, feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and guilty when Wei Yu had finally managed to get him a plate of Yuan Yang snowflake rolls, Eighth Prince had hesitated and didn’t eat it, wanting to save it.
But because he dragged it out, the plate of snowflake rolls ended up falling to the ground when the Fourth Prince bumped into it.
He regretted it, felt angry, and confronted the Fourth Prince, but only received the response, “Why be so petty? It was just a plate of snowflake rolls.”
The things he and Wei Yu had once begged for and cherished in childhood, others didn’t even care about.
It wasn’t fair, really.
Seeing Eighth Brother accept the task, Wei Yu was very satisfied.
The secret to being a happy, lazy person was holding onto the right legs.
His father’s “dragon legs” were out of the question, but his Eighth Brother’s “golden legs” were still worth considering for cultivation!
[May Eighth Brother rise to power and prosper!]
Emperor Wei: “What a disappointment.”
This blessing was essentially a curse for a prince.
What prince would wish for another prince to rise in rank? That was clearly implying the person had no chance of becoming emperor.
Although, in the case of Eighth Prince, this was indeed the truth.
Casting a glance at the “honest” Wei Yu, and considering what he was thinking, Emperor Wei suddenly became a little mischievous.
Trying to be lazy and hide behind others, huh?
He wouldn’t let that happen!
Emperor Wei said, “A prince should never have poor academic performance. Wei Yu, you will come with Wei Qi tomorrow. I will personally inspect your studies.”
Wei Yu was stunned by his father’s sudden decision and didn’t respond immediately. It was Eighth Prince who glared at him, prompting Wei Yu to awkwardly acknowledge the order.
[What the hell? What’s going on with the old man? Not saying a word to Eldest Brother and the others, but calling me and Eighth Brother to ask about homework? Is he crazy? Even if he wanted to set up a competition with Eldest Brother and Second Brother, it should be Fourth Brother. He’s smart and has power behind him, far better than me and Eighth Brother, who are just nobodies! He couldn’t really have been struck by lightning and gone crazy…]
Wei Yu retreated to Eighth Prince’s side, looking earnest, but inwardly muttering to himself.
The level of muttering was so intense that even Emperor Wei paused.
This kid is actually this clever?
He had underestimated him.
Emperor Wei gave Wei Yu a final, deep look before shifting his gaze to the kneeling Eldest Prince and the others.
Wei Qi and Wei Yu were just an accident. His real focus was still on the sons who were uneasy with their current situation and wanted to plot rebellion!
Thinking about the “plans” he had heard from the officials, Emperor Wei’s eyes darkened.
He asked Eldest Prince, “I just heard from the Minister of Revenue that you have been quite responsible in your duties at the Ministry of Revenue lately?”
Eldest Prince Wei Xi was a tall, strong, and stern-looking man.
He was older than Wei Yu by a year. Unlike Wei Yu, who still stayed in the palace with nothing to do, the Eldest Prince was already married, had his own residence, and had built his own power in the court.
The Ministry of Revenue was where Eldest Prince currently worked.
Eldest Prince answered, “Replying to Father, this is my duty. It is my honor to ease Father’s worries.”
Emperor Wei’s eyes narrowed slightly, but a voice suddenly interrupted.
[Bah! Easing worries, my foot! He’s not even emperor yet, and the treasury is almost turning into his private vault!]
It was Wei Yu’s voice.
Emperor Wei was momentarily stunned.
He subtly glanced at Wei Yu, and doubt began to creep into his mind.
How did Wei Yu know about the First Prince’s actions in the Ministry of Revenue?
As for the First Prince’s maneuvers in the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor Wei was not unaware.
However, since the First Prince’s actions were not excessive, and considering the need to balance the Second Prince and the faction of the Prime Minister, Emperor Wei generally pretended not to know.
The idea that the state treasury has become a private treasury sounds a bit exaggerated, but it vividly describes the First Prince’s position in the Ministry of Revenue.
If this was what the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Princes were thinking, Emperor Wei might not have been so surprised. After all, these four sons had already entered the court to participate in government affairs, so knowing certain things was normal.
But, surprisingly, it was the Ninth Prince Wei Yu who was thinking this!
He had no power, no influence, and no connections in the palace—how could he know about these matters in the court?
Emperor Wei pondered, his expression still stern, and he continued to ask the First Prince in a low voice, “Is that so? Then how did I hear that in the two days I was unconscious, you were in close contact with other officials?”
The atmosphere immediately grew tense.
Wei Yu stood to the side, blinking wildly.
[Oh no, oh no, is it finally time to be held accountable? I told you rebelling is not a good idea! If Father really died and they were fighting for the inheritance, it would make sense, but planning to compete while Father is still alive? Isn’t that just going to kick them out of the list of successors? Such an idiot.]
Emperor Wei’s eye twitched.
How could Wei Yu turn such a serious matter into something so… so indescribable!
Among all the voices heard, fearful, gloating, and nervous, only Wei Yu was thinking the most relaxed, like a mere bystander.