Ping Zhao Lu

Chu Heyuan and Shi'an walked in a hurry, one in front of the other, and soon arrived in front of Fengluan Palace. As soon as they stepped into the palace, they saw the emperor sitting at the table and having a meal.

Chu Heyuan quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the emperor and the empress, and said, "Your son pays his respects to the emperor and the empress." Seeing this, Shi'an, who was following behind him, also hurriedly bowed his head and performed a standard etiquette.

Xu Zhouye was originally picking up some food for the emperor. When he heard the voice, his eyes moved slightly. He was quite surprised by the sudden visit of the little prince.

Chu Yunxiao, on the other hand, calmly put down his bowl and chopsticks, slowly raised his eyes, looked at the slightly nervous little prince in front of him, and asked calmly, "Why are you running here instead of copying the Thousand Character Classic honestly?"

Chu Heyuan didn't dare to look his father in the eye. He raised his head slightly to glance at Xu Zhouye, and then replied with a lack of confidence: "I heard that my father was not feeling well, so I came here to visit..."

Xu Zhouye felt a surge of warmth in his heart upon hearing this. He smiled and said to Chu Heyuan, "Your Highness is so thoughtful. I just caught a cold and had a slight fever. After taking the medicine, I'm fine now."

After saying that, Xu Zhouye gently waved his hand, motioning for Chu Heyuan to come sit next to him, and then continued, "Your arrival is quite coincidental. Your father is in a very good mood today and said he wants to show off his cooking skills himself."

When Chu Heyuan heard this, a hint of surprise that was hard to conceal flashed in his eyes.

He turned to look at Shi'an in disbelief, wanting to get confirmation from him.

However, Shi'an was also shocked at this time, and was obviously shocked by the news.

After all, in their impression, it was unbelievable that the extremely noble emperor would cook by himself!

Chu Yunxiao looked calm and composed. He looked at Chu Heyuan, who was still standing there in a daze, and reminded him expressionlessly, "What are you standing there for? Sit down if your father tells you to."

"Yes." Chu Heyuan felt a little nervous, but under the pressure of the emperor's majesty, he quickly responded and then sat down obediently.

Seeing this, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but frown slightly, his face showing worry. He looked up at Chu Yunxiao and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid you might scare the child."

Chu Yunxiao chuckled at first when he heard this, then turned around and stared at Chu Heyuan meaningfully, asking with a half-smile, "Did I scare you?"

Chu Heyuan had just settled into his seat when he suddenly heard this fateful question, his heart trembling violently. Without time to think, he shook his head vigorously, a well-behaved and ingratiating smile plastered on his face, and hurriedly replied, "No, my father loves me the most."

Chu Yunxiao seemed quite satisfied with Chu Heyuan's answer. He smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze back to Xu Zhouye and said with a hint of pride, "Look, Queen, children don't lie."

Xu Zhouye: "..."

Shian: “…”

The atmosphere was silent for a moment. Xu Zhouye first looked at Chu Heyuan who was sitting there looking particularly well-behaved, then turned his gaze to Chu Yunxiao who had an innocent look on his face, and sighed inwardly.

After a brief pause, he finally broke the silence and slowly asked, "Then what did His Majesty mean when he asked the Crown Prince to copy it just now?"

Hearing this question, the father and son's expressions changed slightly.

Chu Yunxiao stared at Chu Heyuan with some displeasure.

Chu Heyuan, upon meeting this unsettling gaze, quickly explained, "It's...it's because I was naughty and didn't listen to the Grand Tutor's instructions, which delayed my studies. Father...Father is punishing me by making me copy the Thousand Character Classic six hundred times..."

Seeing his pitiful appearance, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but feel pity for him, so he spoke up for him, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has always been diligent and studious. How could he be unwilling to follow the guidance of the Grand Tutor? Is there some misunderstanding here?"

After hearing Xu Zhouye's words, Chu Heyuan's head drooped even lower, like a ripe ear of wheat. However, despite this, he still mustered up the courage to reply, "Yes, your son... Your son doesn't like to have someone to study with."

Hearing this, Chu Yunxiao's face darkened. He was about to scold him, but was interrupted by Xu Zhouye's soft voice, "Do you dislike your study partner, or do you dislike Wang Ruo?"

"I don't like Wang Ruo." Chu Heyuan said seriously.

"Why?" Xu Zhouye asked.

"I don't know, I just don't like it." Chu Heyuan said.

Xu Zhouye didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Has he ever done anything to you that annoyed you?"

Chu Heyuan shook his head, "No."

Xu Zhouye: "Just simply don't like it?"

Chu Heyuan: "Well, he's too boring and dull. He stays away from me whenever I talk to him, as if he's afraid I'll eat him."

Hearing this answer, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but chuckle. He cast his gaze at Chu Yunxiao with interest, then turned to look at the Crown Prince with a helpless look on his face. He slowly said, "Perhaps... after leaving the palace, he wasn't as dull and boring as you thought."

As he spoke, Xu Zhouye gently lifted his chin with one hand and gently rubbed the prince's head with his other hand. He continued, "You know, this is the imperial palace, and there are many rules. He must feel a lot of pressure being with a prince like you. You see, he is still young and started later than you, but he is indeed thirsty for knowledge. He also knows how to restrain his nature and devote himself to learning. He has not hindered you, the prince."

After hearing this, Chu Heyuan nodded slightly, expressing his agreement: "Well, thinking about it carefully, he has indeed been immersed in his studies..."

Seeing that the Crown Prince understood what he meant, Xu Zhou's ambitions calmed down a bit. He lowered his voice and added softly, "I've heard from the Grand Tutor that this child is gifted in learning. Although he started late, he has a high level of comprehension. I think he will achieve great things in the future. However, if the Crown Prince really doesn't like having others around to study with him, then why not ask Your Majesty to arrange for him to study at Fushan Academy? This way, you can satisfy your wishes without burying the child's talent. Isn't that better?"

Hearing this, Chu Heyuan hesitated a bit. "I heard that Wang Ruo was abandoned by his parents when he was young, but was fortunately raised by a fisherman. That's how he is today..."

"Yes, that's right." Xu Zhouye nodded. "Your Highness, there's no need to sympathize with him just because he comes from such a background. Everyone has their own destiny. Even if you sympathize with him, he may not need your pity, or the charity that comes from sympathy."

Chu Heyuan nodded thoughtfully, "Everyone has a different standpoint, and their perspectives on people are also different."

Xu Zhouye smiled slightly, "The prince is very smart."

Being praised by his father, Chu Heyuan lowered his head and twirled his fingers shyly.

Seeing this, Chu Yunxiao jokingly said, "This way, the Crown Prince won't curse me in his heart while copying."

Chu Heyuan's face turned even redder when his thoughts were suddenly revealed, and he stammered, "Father, Father, in your heart, you are... a towering figure who you look up to... Your son will never blame you." His voice got smaller and smaller, revealing his guilty conscience.

Shi'an, who was standing behind him, had an expression of "I don't believe it" and couldn't help laughing. He touched the tip of his nose with his fingers and looked up at the ceiling.

Xu Zhouye laughed out loud at Chu Heyuan's appearance, "The prince is so cute."

Chu Heyuan's face grew hotter upon hearing this, burning all the way to the tips of his ears. He didn't dare look directly at Xu Zhouye. He then took a deep breath, mustered up his courage, and said in one breath, "Father, you may address me by my name."

Xu Zhouye was naturally happy, "Okay~"

When Chu Heyuan heard this, his face showed joy and he looked up.

Chu Yunxiao: "Heh."

Xu Zhouye simply ignored the emperor's movements and focused his attention on Chu Heyuan.

Chu Yunxiao: “…”

Shi'an couldn't help but sweat when he saw that the queen had fallen for the little prince's well-behaved and adorable appearance.

This young master is not as simple as he appears...

Xu Zhouye didn't think there was anything wrong with Chu Heyuan. He just felt that he seemed to have become closer to the prince, and he was very happy.

After a long while, he couldn't help but sigh: "I feel that He Yuan is the only one among the royal family members and he is quite lonely..."

After hearing this, Chu Yunxiao turned his head with a deep gaze to look at his queen beside him, and slowly said: "I feel the same, but..."

Xu Zhouye naturally understood what the emperor meant. He did not respond directly to him. Instead, he turned to ask the little prince, "Does He Yuan want to have brothers and sisters to accompany him?"

Chu Heyuan nodded like a garlic, "I want to!"

Obviously, Chu Heyuan at this time thought that the brothers and sisters mentioned would be adopted from the royal family, so he blurted out the answer without thinking.

Not only Chu Heyuan thought so, but Shi'an, who had been following them not far behind, also thought so at this moment.

Looking at the warm and harmonious scene before him, Shi'an couldn't help but sigh in his heart: The Emperor and the Empress really dote on the young master. Even his brothers and sisters are willing to go to the royal family to be adopted to accompany him.

When Xu Zhouye saw Chu Heyuan's smile as bright as a blooming spring flower, his mood couldn't help but become light and cheerful.

Chu Yunxiao, who was standing aside, had his brows furrowed, with obvious worry in his eyes, staring at Xu Zhouye closely.

Noticing the emperor's gaze, Xu Zhouye turned his head slightly and instantly caught the worry in the other's eyes.

He was startled for a moment, then his lips curled up in a faint yet incredibly gentle smile. Then, he slowly extended his hand and gently placed it over the emperor's broad, strong palm. In a gentle but firm tone, he said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. I will carefully consider this matter and will certainly not cause you any worry."

After hearing Xu Zhouye's words and seeing his soothing smile and the warmth from his hands, Chu Yunxiao's originally restless heart finally seemed to be soothed by an invisible big hand, and gradually regained some calmness.