An Lingrong is reborn to live for herself.

Since leaving Shou Kang Palace, the emperor had maintained a somber expression.

Su Peisheng accompanied the emperor back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation with utmost caution and trepidation. Only after serving him tea was he dismissed by the emperor.

The emperor's attitude towards him today also shows that the emperor's mood seems unusual at the moment, and he only ordered him to serve outside the door.

Unless he needed to discuss highly confidential matters with his ministers, Su Peisheng had never encountered a situation like this before when walking around the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and therefore felt a great sense of unease.

Su Peisheng was also present during the meeting at Shou Kang Palace that day. The Empress Dowager intentionally reminded the Emperor not to neglect the ministers surnamed Man. The Emperor agreed at the time, but has not taken any action for half a month.

It seems that after half a month, the Empress Dowager could no longer restrain herself, which led to today's events.

Su Peisheng observed that the two masters seemed to be speaking in riddles on the surface, but in reality, it was the Empress Dowager urging the Emperor to keep his promise.

But Su Peisheng knew the emperor's temperament all too well; the more he was suppressed, the less willing he was to bow his head, and sooner or later trouble was bound to arise. However, as a servant, he couldn't get involved in his masters' affairs, and worrying about it was pointless.

After much thought, all I could do was sigh and continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb and do my job properly.

Su Peisheng stood outside the hall, adjusting his collar and smoothing out his cuffs to conceal his slightly reddened hands. The spring wind was indeed biting; to walk more nimbly before the emperor, he had changed into a padded jacket early on, and now, standing at the doorway, the wind chilled him to the bone. Adding to his unease, he was preoccupied with a preoccupied thought, and couldn't stand still. So he paced quietly outside the hall, his footsteps barely audible.

Suddenly looking up, I saw a child of about half a year old peeking through the side gate toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Upon closer inspection, Su Peisheng realized it was none other than the Fifth Prince Hongzhou, who had always been raised by the Empress Dowager's side.

Upon seeing clearly, Su Peisheng quickly put on a smile and bowed to greet the Fifth Prince, "This servant Su Peisheng greets the Fifth Prince. It's still chilly in early spring, is there anything you wish to see His Majesty?"

Although the Fifth Prince was thin, he was tall and upright, with excellent energy and spirit. His voice was clear and bright, and he also had a maturity rarely seen in someone his age. He bowed respectfully and said, "Eunuch Su, there's no need for such formality. Thank you for serving Father Emperor day and night with such care and attentiveness. With you by Father Emperor's side, I feel much more at ease."

Although it was a polite, irrelevant reply, the words were extremely humble, and coming from a young man, they carried a touch of sincerity. Su Peisheng found them quite pleasing.

This Fifth Prince was also born when the Emperor was still a prince. However, after his birth mother passed away, the Emperor sent the Fifth Prince to be raised by the Empress Dowager after he ascended the throne.

Now, the Fifth Prince is not only making rapid progress in his studies, but also being extremely courteous.

Su Peisheng was pleased and couldn't help but say a few more words, "Fifth Prince, do you have any urgent business to discuss with the Emperor today?"

The Fifth Prince lowered his head and said, "Actually, it's nothing important. It's just that I haven't seen Father Emperor for a long time, and I really miss him." As he spoke, there seemed to be a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Su Peisheng observed this and thought to himself, "He's still just a child. If he hadn't been born into an imperial family, he would be at an age where he's constantly clinging to his parents, acting spoiled and adoring. It's a pity that even as a member of the royal family, it's so difficult for him to see his father." He couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "If this old servant dares to presume to speak, I'm afraid you won't be able to see the Emperor today. These past few days have been filled with important state affairs, and the Emperor is quite worried."

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince's eyes seemed to flicker as he looked up at Su Peisheng, "Is it really because you're busy with state affairs? Or is it because Father Emperor is tired of me?"

Su Peisheng felt even worse upon hearing this and quickly shook his head, saying, "How could that be? You are the Emperor's child, Prince. Since ancient times, how could a father dislike his own child? Just focus on your studies and hone your martial arts skills, and the Emperor will surely be pleased."

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince smiled, but the bright smile vanished instantly, replaced by a sorrowful expression. "Today, after school, I went to ask the Empress Dowager for feedback on my studies. I saw Father Emperor walking away from afar, looking very displeased. I wonder if it was because Hongzhou's studies were not good that Father Emperor was angry?"

Su Peisheng smiled slightly and said, "The Fifth Prince has always been raised by the Empress Dowager. He is excellent in literature, archery and horsemanship and has never caused the Emperor any worry. It is naturally not because of your fault, Prince. It is just that there are too many things going on in the previous dynasty, so the Emperor is naturally worried. You can put your mind at ease."

As they were talking, a gust of north wind suddenly swirled in from the side gate, blowing into Su Peisheng's collar and making him shiver. He then realized that the Fifth Prince was only wearing a padded jacket. He quickly looked around but couldn't see any of the Fifth Prince's attendants.

"Fifth Prince, where are the people who serve you? Have they not been serving you well? This servant will go and report to the Emperor and have them replace you with a few smart and capable ones." Su Peisheng said, bowing towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The Fifth Prince quickly thanked him, saying, "The teacher assigned me some lessons, which I left behind in my haste. I sent someone to retrieve them, which is why I was alone. Eunuch Su, please don't worry, my servants take good care of me." He then bowed with both hands and added, "Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Su. I will remember it. I will not disturb Father Emperor today." With that, he turned and left.

Su Peisheng looked at the Fifth Prince's slightly thin back and his pretentious mature appearance, yet his words still betrayed his youthful nature, and felt very distressed.

However, given the Fifth Prince's current situation, it might be better for him not to see his father than for him to meet him.

This was because the Fifth Prince's situation was truly awkward.

Although the Fifth Prince's birth mother was Manchu, she was of low birth. While there was a saying in the harem that a mother's status rose with her son's, if the child's birth was not high, then it was a different story. Therefore, the children who were supposed to be registered under the Empress's name after the Emperor ascended the throne were sent to Shou Kang Palace to be raised.

Originally, it was a good way out for the Fifth Prince. Perhaps he would not have the chance to inherit the throne in the future, but with the help of the Empress Dowager, it would not be difficult for him to live a life free from worries about food and clothing.

However, the former dynasty and the harem were inextricably linked. Now, due to the affairs of the former dynasty, the emperor was arguing with the empress dowager over the conflict between the Manchu and Han emperors and their ministers.

The current emperor has experienced the struggle for the throne among the nine princes and is most wary of princes getting involved in state affairs. The Fifth Prince is raised under the Empress Dowager's care, so it's hard to say that he won't be implicated.

For this reason, the father and son might see each other less often to avoid any misunderstandings, but children of this age are naturally sensitive.

Thinking of this, Su Peisheng felt a sense of annoyance. Everyone said that the imperial family was wealthy and powerful, but who knew that the imperial family also had its own worries? However, after thinking about it for a long time, he still couldn't come to a conclusion, so Su Peisheng could only shake his head and continue to wait for his duties outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

He just didn't expect that when he returned, the emperor was calling him from inside the palace.

You couldn't tell if he was happy or angry from his tone.

Su Peisheng jogged in, bowing slightly. Afraid of catching a chill from the Emperor, he kept a few steps away and kowtowed to await orders.

When the emperor saw that Su Peisheng's nose and ears were red from the cold at the door, but he was very nimble in his steps and ran quickly when he entered, his feet barely made any noise. He thought that Su Peisheng was serving with all his might, and the emperor couldn't help but find it a little funny and burst into laughter.

Su Peisheng was taken aback, not understanding what was going on, but he didn't dare to ask rashly. He just stood there frozen on the ground, like a radish that was about to be pulled out while it was still covered in soil. The situation was a bit awkward.

But then the emperor at the head of the table spoke up, “What are you standing there for? Come here and grind the ink for me.”

Su Peisheng felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." Seeing that the emperor seemed to be in a good mood, he whispered, "This servant was afraid that if I stood outside for too long, I would catch a chill and then come to you. If you catch a cold, this servant will surely get a beating, won't I?"

The emperor was about to write when he heard this. He glanced at Su Peisheng sideways and said indifferently, "Is this because I made you wait outside the palace for so long?"

Su Peisheng repeatedly said he dared not, but the emperor seemed not to care. He simply lowered his head to write, and after finishing, he gestured for Su Peisheng to put the imperial edict away, saying, "Well then, I'll give you a good job. Go to the Fucha Mansion to deliver the edict."