His gaze softened slightly as he asked, “Where is Yuanbao?”

“Yuanbao is still asleep,” Rongrong replied, looking down.

“Wake him up. I need to take him to the palace soon.”

“Understood.” Rongrong had planned to prepare breakfast for Yuanbao, but with the Crown Prince’s serious instruction, she quickly returned to the bedroom.

Fuqian watched as Rongrong was sent back into the bedroom and found it amusing.

If the Crown Prince wanted to stay, he could have just moved in; there was no need to make it complicated.

Was he planning to sneak in at night like last time?

“He really likes her in that outfit. Get her a few more like this,” the Crown Prince commented.

Rongrong was wearing a pale blue dress with butterfly patterns today, which made her look even more elegant and refined.

It turns out the Crown Prince wasn’t just looking at her but at her clothes. It was a good thing Fuqian hadn’t spoken out of turn.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Fuqian replied.

The Crown Prince and Yuanbao had breakfast together and then went to the palace.

“Father, weren’t you going to take me to the Imperial Study?” Yuanbao, noticing his father’s serious demeanor and silence, was puzzled.

He was afraid his father might still be upset with Aunt Rongrong, so he waited until they were in the carriage to ask.

“Yes, we’re going to the Imperial Study, but today it’s not for your lessons. We’re going to discuss important matters with your grandfather.”

“What matters?” Yuanbao, being very perceptive, immediately thought of the possibility, “Is Grandfather trying to force you to marry that Miss Liang again? Don’t worry, Father. I’ll help you deal with Grandfather.”

The Crown Prince smiled, “It’s alright. I’ve already thought of a plan. You just need to make sure to keep your grandfather happy.”

“Father has a plan?”

Yuan Bao was relieved.

He didn’t want that lady to move into the Eastern Palace; he only wanted to live with his father and Aunt Rongrong.

Fortunately, his father had a plan. Father had tasked him with convincing his grandfather to abandon the idea of bringing in Lady Liang.

Yuan Bao felt this might be challenging, though making his grandfather happy was something he found quite simple.

The carriage traveled all the way to the palace gates, where they switched to a sedan chair.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor had just risen and was having breakfast with Consort Chen.

“Greetings, Father and Grandfather.”

“Oh, my little Yuan Bao is here? Come over, come over.” The Emperor’s initially indifferent expression immediately brightened upon seeing his grandson, and he waved him over with a smile.

Yuan Bao grinned and ran over to climb onto the Emperor’s lap.

“Grandfather, what delicious food are you eating?”

“All sorts of good things. Someone, bring an extra set of utensils for our Yuan Bao.”

The eunuch quickly presented a set of utensils, not just for Yuan Bao but for the Crown Prince as well.

“Come, Yuan Bao, try this crispy pineapple ball. It’s a rare treat; I haven’t even let your grandmother have any.” The Emperor, seeing Yuan Bao, spoke in a playful, almost childish manner, reminiscent of an old child at heart.

If not for the Crown Prince and Consort Chen being familiar with the Emperor’s usual demeanor, they might have thought he was just a kind and gentle grandfather.

“What is pineapple?” Yuan Bao asked curiously, opening his mouth as the Emperor fed him a piece.

The Emperor laughed, “Pineapple is a fruit from the South Seas. Eating it plain is average, but it’s delicious when cooked.”

The preparation was simple: cutting the pineapple into small pieces, coating them in flour, and frying them.

However, pineapples were rare, and even Yuan Bao hadn’t tasted them before.

Given the long journey from the South Seas, only a few good ones made it to the capital.

As Yuan Bao bit into the crispy exterior and tasted the sweet and sour fruit inside, his taste buds came alive.

“Delicious!”

Yuan Bao picked up his chopsticks, took another pineapple ball, and was about to eat it when he turned the chopsticks and fed it to the Crown Prince. “Father, you should try it too.”

“Why isn’t Yuan Bao feeding me?” the Emperor asked, pretending to be stern.

“Father hasn’t tried it yet,” Yuan Bao chuckled, then picked up another piece for the Emperor. “Grandfather, you eat this one, and can I have the rest?”

“You little rascal!” the Emperor couldn’t help but laugh. “These were just delivered from the South Seas yesterday. Fine, Grandfather wouldn’t give you leftovers. There are two whole ones left in the imperial kitchen; Grandfather will keep one and give the other to you.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

Consort Chen smiled and said, “Prince Yuan Bao is so smart at such a young age; he truly takes after Your Majesty.”

“Hahaha,” the Emperor was naturally pleased.

Emperors generally preferred the people around them to be somewhat foolish, except for their heirs.

The Crown Prince was already known for his intelligence, and now Yuan Bao, at only four years old, was showing exceptional cleverness.

This boded well for the dynasty’s stability for at least another century.

“I think Prince Yuan Bao doesn’t resemble the Crown Prince; he must take after his mother in appearance.”

This comment changed the expressions of both the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

Yuan Bao merely blinked, showing no particular reaction.

Chen Zhaoyi, who is a year younger than the Crown Prince and entered the palace just last year, was pale with fear when she saw the situation.

Her legs went weak, and she knelt on the ground.

The Emperor said, “Get up.”

Chen Zhaoyi sighed in relief, stood up, and said, “I’ll go to Kun Ning Palace to greet the Empress.”

The Emperor nodded slightly. “Take Yuanbao with you. His grandmother misses him greatly.”

“Yes.” Chen Zhaoyi was relieved that the Emperor still wanted her to take Yuanbao to Kun Ning Palace, which meant there was no major issue.

She knelt to show her respect and then took Yuanbao away from Yangxin Palace.

“Lady Zhaoyi, you’re sweating so much!” Yuanbao said.

Chen Zhaoyi noticed her sweaty palms and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Yuanbao’s hands.

“I’m fine. Lady Zhaoyi, you should wipe yourself first,” Yuanbao said with a sigh.

He truly didn’t like the palace.

---

“The matter wasn’t supposed to be so secretive,” the Emperor said, picking up his chopsticks and eating two pineapple balls before speaking to the Crown Prince. “Yuanbao is growing up and needs a proper status and his name recorded in the official records.”

“I understand,” the Crown Prince replied.

Seeing the Crown Prince’s indifferent tone, the Emperor’s dissatisfaction grew, and his words became sharp. “If you understand, then you shouldn’t be taking out your frustrations on Yuanbao’s matter!”

The Crown Prince sneered internally.

It was clearly the Emperor who was using Yuanbao’s name as leverage.

He had already decided on Yuanbao’s full name, but the Emperor had refused it, dragging on the issue for four years.

Yuanbao had been in the royal family without a proper identity for four years!

Now that the Emperor was finally willing to agree, he tied it to the Crown Prince’s marriage.

The Emperor had said that he would only allow the name if the Crown Prince married Liang Muchen.

When the Emperor said this yesterday, the Crown Prince nearly stormed out of the Imperial Study.

Of course, he maintained a respectful demeanor. “I will heed Father’s advice.”

Hearing this seemingly obedient reply, the Emperor was even more irritated. “Did you come here early in the morning just to aggravate me?”

“Father misunderstands. I thought about what you said last night.”

“Have you come to any conclusions?”

The Crown Prince took a deep breath, as if making a difficult decision. “I am willing to follow Father’s arrangements.”

“Really?” Although the Emperor had been confident in front of the Empress, hearing the Crown Prince submit in person still made him very pleased.

The Crown Prince nodded slowly. “I am willing to be betrothed to the Weiyuan Marquis’ family, but I would prefer not to rush this marriage and hope Father will grant me this request.”

The Emperor, who had already begun to smile, frowned when the Crown Prince added conditions. “When do you want to proceed?”

“At least six months later.”

Planning a wedding within six months wasn’t too unreasonable, so the Emperor agreed.

However, the Crown Prince added, “Father, I meant that I would like the marriage decree to be issued six months from now.”

“What?” The Emperor was truly displeased now. “You want the marriage decree delayed for six months? What if you change your mind?”

The Crown Prince said helplessly, “Since I have agreed, I won’t go back on my word. If Father doesn’t trust me, I can swear an oath.”

“A Crown Prince swearing an oath? Nonsense. You won’t dare to deceive me,” the Emperor said.

He knew his son well and was confident he wouldn’t break his word.

Besides, with the Emperor still in power, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare to play tricks.

Seeing that the Emperor had agreed to his request, the Crown Prince continued with a smile, “Yuanbao is already four years old, so I hope Father will quickly grant him a name and include him in the official records, preferably before the Cold Food Festival.”

“Before the Cold Food Festival? You want me to handle this immediately while you delay your marriage for six months? Is there such a good deal in this world?”

“There is no such good deal. I’m just relying on Father’s affection for Yuanbao,” the Crown Prince said, his tone now more pleading.

Seeing that his son was so clever and knowing he had some tricks up his sleeve, the Emperor sighed.

“Yuanbao’s name can be chosen according to your suggestion, but I’ll add a few strokes to it.”

The Emperor waved his hand, and a eunuch presented a document.