Chapter 16

Chu Zhaoyou secretly inquired about the situation of the Imperial Mausoleum with Eunuch Xue.

It is said that the mausoleum is situated on the treacherous Hualing Mountain, with half above ground and half underground. Ancestral regulations dictate that no lighting fires are allowed within the mausoleum to avoid disturbing the ancestors’ tranquility.

Dark and cold, with no daylight and no fires allowed, Chu Zhaoyou felt that he would become claustrophobic after just one day inside.

It’s better to cherish the present life. The Regent Prince’s occasional threats are nothing. I should be more tolerant and generous. As long as there is food and drink, it’s fine.

Chu Zhaoyou smiled contentedly as he looked at Xie Chaoyun. “Seeing General Xie is better than hearing about him. When I see General Xie, I feel as if the sunlight is shining upon me.”

Does the Regent Prince usually keep him locked up in a dungeon or something? Xie Chaoyun fervently hoped that the young Emperor would stop talking. Didn’t he notice that Xiao Heng’s expression was getting worse and worse?

He had just returned to the court and wanted to take a break. Couldn’t they stop playing around?

Xiao Heng subconsciously looked at Chu Zhaoyou. The sunlight truly fell into his eyes, turning his pupils into a pool of amber-clear water, with a deep and affectionate gaze. It reflected the magnificent city walls and the ancient official road at the North Gate, as well as the person who had just dismounted from his horse on the road. He seemed even happier than a wife seeing her husband return from war.

What kind of look was that? He was cold and stern when looking at him, but gentle and affectionate when looking at others?

The Regent Prince suspected that Chu Zhaoyou’s strange behavior was due to Xie Chaoyun paying him respect while he had ignored him, hence the odd attitude.

With a forced smile, he said, “Someone, escort His Majesty back.”

Upon being sent back after just seeing General Xie, Chu Zhaoyou thought to himself, I understand. I’m just a lucky charm standing on the street. Once the goal is achieved, I can be discarded.

The Regent Prince and his good brother were probably going to discuss some “military matters that the Emperor shouldn’t hear.” Chu Zhaoyou bid General Xie farewell with a beaming smile.

A few gusts of cold air swept through, and the chill in the capital grew heavier by the day. Chu Zhaoyou’s dragon robe felt thin, and the new, thicker dragon robe seemed to be delayed for some reason this year.

After being reprimanded by the Regent Prince for “a son of a wealthy family not attending to his studies,” Chu Zhaoyou finally made a trip out and took the opportunity to have a friendly meeting with his subjects.

Last time he left the palace in a hurry, he didn’t have the chance to take a good look at the city’s scenery. Chu Zhaoyou deliberately strolled slowly, his gaze lingering on the taverns and vendors, almost turning back three times.

Beneath the ancient city wall, the city gate was wide open, cutting a piece of the sky. Xiao Heng and Xie Chaoyun stood side by side, not speaking.

Xie Chaoyun observed Xiao Heng, or more accurately, “watched Chu Zhaoyou.” As he watched, Xie Chaoyun couldn’t help but think to himself. Did Xiao Heng think that Chu Zhaoyou’s reluctance to leave was due to attachment?

He overheard Xiao Heng quietly instructing someone beside him.

Xie Chaoyun found it strange. Of course, he wasn’t afraid of the Emperor’s attempts to sow discord. If Xiao Heng were easily swayed, he wouldn’t be the Regent today, nor would he have entrusted the entire military strength of Great Chu to him.

He was surprised by Xiao Heng’s excessive attention to the young Emperor. In the past, Xiao Heng had never spoken to the young Emperor outside of court.

If the Empress Dowager was willing to win over the young Emperor, Xiao Heng would remain indifferent to their mother-son relationship.

There were two reasons for this. First, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor were worth his attention. Second… Seven years ago, after Xiao Heng learned about that matter, he reverted to his original surname and distanced himself from the Chu family. If there was anything left between him and Chu Zhaoyou, it was undoubtedly a deep-seated enmity.

Over the years, he had watched Chu Zhaoyou teeter between righteousness and destruction. A slight misstep could lead to the overthrow of the nation. Xie Chaoyun couldn’t help but feel worried, especially after hearing that Xiao Heng’s Gu had flared up once before.

After strolling for a while, an imperial  Dragon Guard caught up with Chu Zhaoyou and respectfully presented a fox fur coat.

The snow-white fox fur was smooth and delicate to the touch, resembling silk, and not cumbersome when worn. Chu Zhaoyou allowed the Dragon Guard to drape it over him and casually fastened the clasp in front. Under the sunlight, he looked like a young man carved from white jade.

Xie Chaoyun keenly remarked, “Isn’t this the Southern Mountain fox that we hunted together eight years ago?”

The Regent sneered, “I just want to tell him that sunlight doesn’t necessarily keep you warm in a fox fur coat. Be a proper Emperor and don’t be greedy for power like others.”

Xie Chaoyun: “…” What kind of nonsense is this? I don’t understand. As long as you’re happy.

…

Whether it was Chu Zhaoyou’s imagination or not, ever since the Regent started frequenting the inner court, the Empress Dowager hadn’t caused him any trouble.

His current life consisted of waiting for his aunt’s reply, idling away the time, and occasionally trying to figure out if he could retrieve the other half of the seal of authority from the Empress Dowager.

The latter was quite challenging, so Chu Zhaoyou decided not to trouble himself for the time being.

He beckoned to the historian, Cui Geng, “Bring the little book over and let me take a look.”

For the first time, everything he did was being recorded, and Chu Zhaoyou felt more uncomfortable than when he had made a documentary about the opera family. He was cautious and always remembered not to use foul language.

Sipping his tea, he opened the little book and saw Cui Geng’s entry for the sixth day of October: “The Regent personally escorted His Majesty to the court…”

“Cough…” Chu Zhaoyou almost choked. “Mr. Cui, this won’t do. It needs to be changed.”

“Your Majesty, I have recorded the truth and have not fabricated anything.”

“You can’t just state the facts plainly. You need to add some embellishment. For example, ‘I had just returned from being missing, still shaken, and the Regent Prince me to attend court. Despite my wisdom and magnanimity, I had no choice but to agree. I was hungry and cold, and I argued logically until the Regent finally agreed to provide a meal…'”

Cui Geng knelt down, “I am incompetent.”

“Get up, get up.” Chu Zhaoyou just wanted to have a bit of fun. The attendant wouldn’t dare to fabricate stories about the Regent like he did. Seeing that the attendant was about to record his unreliable words, Chu Zhaoyou solemnly stopped him.

“My dear, you haven’t understood my intentions.” Chu Zhaoyou pretended to be distressed. “I want to tell you that you can add a little emotion. Look at the renowned works of history, they are not dry records. They can be vivid and expressive. A hundred years later, when the ruler and his subjects have turned to dust, if your biography is well-written, future generations will study and praise it, and it will be included in enlightenment literature. The person is gone, but the writing lasts for a thousand years. Isn’t that wonderful?”