After getting the autograph, Shen Xuefeng cherished it dearly. “Thank you, Minister of the Secretariat. Once I return home, I’ll have it mounted and hung in my room.”

Jiang Suliu was slightly taken aback. “I wonder what young Master Shen means by mounting my autograph?”

“Of course it’s to always take the Minister of the Secretariat as my role model,” Shen Xuefeng said. “You govern the country so excellently. When I grow up, I want to be a capable minister just like you!”

Jiang Suliu couldn’t help but chuckle. “Even the most talented minister needs a wise ruler to appreciate him. I’m only where I am today because I have the emperor’s favor.”

Even knowing the sly minister probably didn’t mean it that way, Shen Xuefeng nodded along obediently. “When I grow up, I’ll learn to assist my king just like you.”

Jiang Suliu found this young master of the Shen household simple-minded and endearing, so he encouraged him a bit more. The two parted ways along the corridor.

Once they were out of earshot, Ji Wu crossed his arms and leaned against a pillar, watching the small figure walking with a spring in his step, feeling a little heavy inside.

His long lashes lowered, concealing the emotions in his eyes. Even after Shen Xuefeng disappeared from sight, Ji Wu’s gaze remained fixed on that spot, a flicker of restless irritation rising in his chest.

Shen Xuefeng wants to be like Jiang Suliu in the future? Does he already have a suitable person in mind to assist him?

Who exactly does he want to serve as a close aide?

Could it be that he really wants to be like Jiang Suliu—coming and going with the emperor, living and working in the Tai Chi Hall during busy court affairs?

Tch, how annoying.

Ji Wu had no doubt that if the “king” Shen Xuefeng spoke of appeared before him now, he would kill him with one strike.

He had no interest in that position, but what could he do… Just thinking about Shen Xuefeng growing up and fawning over whoever sits on the throne like Jiang Suliu made murderous intent surge uncontrollably in his heart.

From childhood until now, Ji Wu had only ever spontaneously harbored one desire: to kill.

So, even if he now felt strange, unresolved emotions, in the end, he would still settle them with this.

Anyone who dared to be emperor—he would kill them. Then how could Shen Xuefeng flatter and curry favor with that person as Jiang Suliu did?

Moonlight poured down, illuminating the blade in Ji Wu’s fingers with a cold glint.

He looked at the thin edge of the blade, a faint smile curling on his lips, murmuring strangely, “Now it’s too late to regret it. There’s no turning back for you.”

There was little in this world that belonged to him, but once he possessed something, he would never allow anyone else to touch it.

Without exception.

After returning home, Shen Xuefeng quickly had Bai Hua hang up the calligraphy.

That night, after drinking a little at the banquet, unable to sleep, he mustered his courage to knock on his father’s study door and pleaded for some time before Shen Lan finally agreed to let him continue attending the Chongwen Academy.

Lying in bed that night, his mind kept replaying Ji Wu’s heroic figure shooting arrows.

Receiving the emperor’s favor in front of the hall today should be a good thing.

At least, before the envoys from various countries leave the capital, the palace servants who looked down on Ji Wu would no longer dare disrespect him, and those princes and princesses would have to weigh their options before bullying him.

This was exactly what Shen Xuefeng wanted—he wanted Ji Wu to be on equal footing with other royal descendants.

He hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

However, this little prince of Nanzhao’s obsessive attitude toward Ji Wu was a bit strange. He admitted defeat so cleanly in front of the hall, as if he had known Ji Wu for a long time.

Hmm… What if the emperor thought the same way?

Thinking this, Shen Xuefeng’s mind froze, but he knew that even if the emperor ordered an investigation into Ji Wu, nothing suspicious would be found.

If they really want to investigate, then let them!

After all, Ji Wu started from zero, had no maternal clan, no supporters in court, and no close relationships growing up.

With such a clean background, he didn’t believe the emperor could find any evidence of Ji Wu hiding his talents and enduring hardship.

Shen Xuefeng turned over, his head heavy, sleepiness strong.

He still had many things unclear—like how Ji Wu managed to snatch the spotlight from Ji Changran. After all, he didn’t think he would accidentally draw Yin Lan’s inexplicable attention just by stepping into a tavern…

Of course, he had no idea how much that small blade of Ji Wu’s had changed the entire story.

The next day, Shen Xuefeng got up a little late.

After breakfast, he walked out of the dormitory drowsily. The bright spring sunshine made his eyes appear light brown. Shielding his eyes, Shen Xuefeng closed them, and Bai Hua immediately opened an umbrella for him.

“Young Master, better to use the umbrella.”

“Thank you.”

Shen Xuefeng turned and smiled at him, but stumbled after only a few steps.

Bai Hua helped steady him immediately. “Young Master, are you feeling unwell? Maybe you should take the day off…”

“Probably just a hangover headache,” Shen Xuefeng rubbed his temple. “I’m fine. I’ll still go to Chongwen Academy.”

On the way, he rested again in the carriage and, upon opening his eyes, found himself at the palace. Shen Xuefeng perked up and eagerly entered the school, knowing Ji Wu would definitely be there.

Sure enough, Ji Wu was sitting right there. The moment their eyes met, Shen Xuefeng’s heart raced a few beats and he quickly greeted him.

“Your Highness!”

He lifted his clothes’ hem and sat beside Ji Wu, as politely as usual: “Your Highness, you truly rode like the wind yesterday. I wanted to congratulate you, but since you were so close to the emperor, I couldn’t find the right moment.”

Couldn’t find the right moment?

Ji Wu thought slowly and deliberately—it was actually a good chance to find that Jiang Suliu alone and talk to him.

Shen Xuefeng didn’t notice anything unusual about him. Suddenly, he looked up, leaned close to Ji Wu, and whispered, “Also… during the time I wasn’t at the academy, Your Highness didn’t run into any trouble, did you?”

Like someone bullying you or something.

The boy’s faint, calming scent unconsciously drew Ji Wu’s attention. Hearing this, Ji Wu also leaned in close to Shen Xuefeng’s ear, his lips nearly touching the boy’s earlobe, and said, “Could it be that you want to avenge me?”

The warm breath sprayed out, making Shen Xuefeng shrink back uneasily. “Well, actually… I probably can’t stand up for Your Highness directly, but… if it’s plotting behind the scenes, that’s doable.”

Ji Wu nodded slightly, his voice lazy and drawn-out: “Alright, then in the future I’ll be relying entirely on you… Xuefeng.”

The name “Xuefeng” was uttered very softly, but to Shen Xuefeng’s ears it was like a ripple through his heart.

It was the first time Ji Wu had called him by his name privately. Shen Xuefeng felt an unexpected surge of responsibility and promised, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. Anyone who dares to bully you from now on will have no good ending—”

As they were talking, more and more people started entering the academy. The princes were as arrogant as ever, haughty and commanding, but the companions didn’t dare look down on Ji Wu in the corner like they usually did.

After all, at the longevity feast, it was Ji Wu who saved the honor of the Great Ji.

When the Tenth Princess entered, unusually she bowed her head and greeted him, her delicate pale face forcing a slight smile, her voice trembling: “…Third Royal Brother.”

From her weary expression, Shen Xuefeng could see her fear of Ji Wu. Why would she be afraid of him?

Coincidentally, on this day, the Minister of Rites Gu Ningzhi was lecturing together with the Secretary General Jiang Suliu. Ji Ling came to the academy specifically to watch for Jiang Suliu. Seeing Ji Wu’s indifferent attitude toward her, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took a seat in the front row.

When class began, Jiang Suliu, dressed in pale moon-colored robes, indeed arrived.

Not only Ji Ling, but all the girls in the academy silently focused their gazes on him. Once Jiang Suliu’s warm voice began speaking, Shen Xuefeng was entranced, sitting upright even at the back row, paying close attention.

However, opinions about Jiang Suliu were sharply divided. For example, during break, Shen Xuefeng overheard two sons of noble families whispering that Jiang Suliu was a treacherous minister, causing their fathers to be punished by the emperor and sent to do hard labor in Longyou for months.

Shen Xuefeng was about to argue back, but at that moment two eunuchs walked in and bowed low beside their seats at the very back.

“Third Prince, the heir to the King of Changyang of Qi, the great prince of Tubo, and the seventh prince of Nanzhao are waiting outside the palace. They say they want to invite Your Highness to the horse grounds.”

Their voices were low, but nearby students all heard and perked up, curious to eavesdrop.

Ji Wu, however, looked completely unconcerned.

This was a prime chance to make an impression in front of the emperor. Shen Xuefeng saw he didn’t move, so he asked, “Your Highness, why don’t you go?”

Ji Wu asked expressionlessly in return, “You seem very eager for me to go?”

Shen Xuefeng sensed that Ji Wu was not in a good mood.

That made no sense—he wasn’t like this before class.

“Guests are guests. They came to the palace to see you, isn’t that to meet Your Highness?” Shen Xuefeng advised. “You can go first; I’ll ask Secretary General Jiang for leave on your behalf. He won’t say anything.”

Getting on good terms with those people wouldn’t be bad either. After ascending the throne one day, managing relations between neighboring great countries would be important.

Ji Wu looked coldly at this little companion who spent the entire class staring at Jiang Suliu. Hearing this, he sneered, curling the corner of his mouth: “No need. Xuefeng, since you are so studious, if I skip class, wouldn’t it make me look unambitious?”

He waved his hand toward the eunuchs: “Today I will stay in the academy, I’m not going anywhere.”

“—Your Highness, Your Highness,” Shen Xuefeng grabbed his arm, “Please calm down. I just want to help you worry less, nothing else. With me here taking notes and doing homework, Your Highness can safely go out to entertain.”

But the more Shen Xuefeng said this, the more Ji Wu did the opposite.

“I already said I’m staying here with you to attend class,” Ji Wu said ominously, “What, you want to decide for me?”

Though it was just a light sentence, Shen Xuefeng sensed a strange dark and intimidating aura from Ji Wu. He immediately backed down: “Alright, alright, no going if you don’t want to.”

So scary—how did he suddenly get angry like that?

Since Ji Wu was sitting there, occasionally glancing coldly at him, Shen Xuefeng didn’t dare think any other thoughts. He didn’t even have the courage to go talk to the Secretary General, and could only watch helplessly as Ji Ling kept hovering around him.

At dismissal, the students rushed out happily. Jiang Suliu’s attendant tidied his books. Ji Ling came up again.

“Brother Suliu, in a few days there’s a spring outing. Can you accompany Ling’er to play?”

Jiang Suliu smiled faintly and politely declined. As he was about to leave, he paused, turned, and greeted Shen Xuefeng in the last row.

“Little Master Shen,” he smiled, “see you tomorrow.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the two siblings surnamed Ji darkened.

Ji Ling followed closely behind Jiang Suliu, shooting a fierce glare at Shen Xuefeng before lifting her skirt and walking off without another word.

At his side, Ji Wu spoke in a cool voice, “You and the Minister of Rites seem to have quite the relationship.”

Shen Xuefeng: “……”

On the other side, Jiang Suliu didn’t return directly to his residence after leaving the Chongwen Hall. Instead, he boarded a soft sedan chair sent by the Taiji Palace and rode straight to the entrance of the imperial study.

The waiting palace eunuch immediately waddled over with his round body the moment he saw him get off the sedan, his face creasing with a smile: “Lord Jiang, you’ve finally arrived. His Majesty is inside reviewing memorials.”

Jiang Suliu nodded, a troubled expression on his face. He turned and glanced back, then said, “The Tenth Princess was following the sedan just now. I don’t know where she’s gone off to. If she ends up coming to the Taiji Palace as well, may I trouble you to handle it for me?”

“Rest assured, Lord Jiang,” the eunuch said as he pushed open the door to the imperial study, then carefully closed it again behind him.

The fragrance of dragon musk lightly wafted from the four incense burners shaped like auspicious beasts in the corners of the hall. Emperor Gan Feng rested his head on one hand without lifting his eyes as he asked directly, “Did your investigation into the Gan’nan Dao unrest with Censor Qin yield any results?”

Jiang Suliu bowed with hands at his sides. “According to intelligence from our spies, it appears someone is secretly instigating bandits to cause chaos in Leizhou. If Your Majesty gives the order, Duke Jing can immediately withdraw his troops from Longyou to suppress the unrest.”

“He is currently locked in a power struggle with Marquis Huo Zhong. He cannot be moved,” Emperor Gan Feng said. “Just now, the Ministry of Revenue submitted another memorial. Floods have struck Yizhou in Jiangnan Dao, and the disaster relief funds have yet to arrive. Refugees are pouring into Gan’nan Dao. If this continues, the border towns in Jiangnan and Gan’nan will likely ally with Nanzhao and rebel against the Ji clan. If I assign both cases to you, can you handle them?”

Jiang Suliu replied calmly, “As long as it is Your Majesty’s command, I will give it my all.”

Emperor Gan Feng signaled that further words were unnecessary and fell into deep thought for a moment. “Never mind. I still have other uses for you in the capital. If I were to send one of the princes… whom do you think would be suitable?”

This…

Jiang Suliu pondered. “I understand Your Majesty’s intentions—wanting to use this opportunity to train the princes. But the Gan’nan region is fraught with danger and full of hidden threats. Right now, aside from the Fourth Prince who is stationed at the border, I fear none of the others could return safely.”

“Xuan Yan is not an option,” Emperor Gan Feng said firmly. “His grandfather, the Minister of Works, is currently growing arrogant. The Empress’s faction is watching him closely. If Xuan Yan were to pacify the unrest, the Empress would not accept Long Ran suffering such a loss.”

The monarch and minister fell silent for a moment. Emperor Gan Feng then sighed. “Long Ran is indeed at the age where he needs to experience the world, but he’s too impulsive. He thinks everything will fall into his hands without fighting or striving for it.”

“I don’t quite agree,” Jiang Suliu said slowly. “Didn’t His Highness take the initiative to fight for it yesterday at court?”

When the emperor said nothing, Jiang Suliu continued gently, “I observed that His Highness and the Third Prince—one fought for it, the other yielded. This shows that the Crown Prince isn’t unwilling to compete; it just depends on whether he truly wants something.”

Emperor Gan Feng frowned. “I heard that today, the Crown Prince of Changyang from Qi also visited the Third Prince at Chongwen Hall?”

“That’s right. But His Highness the Third Prince did not meet with them,” Jiang Suliu said. “Before the banquet, he had no contact with any of the foreign envoys. The archery competition during the longevity banquet was not something he deliberately orchestrated.”

The emperor still didn’t look at him, merely swapped out a different memorial. “He’s a prince who’s never been valued, yet his archery is so exceptional—even Long Ran can’t compare.”

“His Highness the Third Prince must have his own unique talents,” Jiang Suliu replied with a mysterious smile. “Even the death warriors raised by the Crown Prince couldn’t hurt him. Clearly, the Third Prince is far from being the ‘good-for-nothing’ some might believe.”

At that, Emperor Gan Feng showed a trace of surprise. “Long Ran has always been cautious. I can’t believe he acted so rashly this time.”

Jiang Suliu merely smiled without responding.

Since the emperor remained silent, he added, “So, Your Majesty, the opportunity to cultivate the Crown Prince has arrived.”

At last, Emperor Gan Feng lifted his gaze and looked at him.

Jiang Suliu asked softly, “What does Your Majesty think—what if the Third Prince were sent to Leizhou?”