Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

After Emperor Wulong finished lunch with the Empress, he was about to return to his study to handle state affairs when a eunuch from Yixin Palace came to report that the young prince had returned to the palace.

Emperor Wulong wondered, "You've returned so early, could something have happened?"

They immediately started rubbing their hands together, ready to watch the show.

The Queen gave him a playful, reproachful look. "Let's go take a look."

"Let's go, let's go!" Emperor Wulong, always eager for a good show, excitedly pulled the Empress away.

Upon returning to the side hall, Youlu kicked off his boots, took off his outer robe, loosened his hair, and climbed onto the cool couch by the window to lie down. Xiao Dongzi came over and asked, "Your Highness, some chilled mung bean soup was sent over from Fengyi Palace at noon. Would you like to try some?"

It's obvious without even guessing that it was Granny Cen who did it.

"I'm full now, I'll drink later." He waved his hand weakly.

When Emperor Wulong and Empress arrived, they saw him looking listless.

"What's wrong, my son? Did you get bullied outside? I told you you weren't likable, but you didn't believe me. You ran into trouble this time, didn't you? What child is as sharp-tongued as you? You're so infuriating! You need to change."

Emperor Wulong spoke with schadenfreude from the very beginning, yet he pretended to be earnest and sincere.

He was prepared to be refuted, but the person on the bed simply lifted his eyelids and glanced at him lazily before making no further move.

This is abnormal, extremely abnormal!

Emperor Wulong's heart skipped a beat. "What? Were we really bullied?" He immediately rolled up his sleeves and roared, "Speak! Who did it? I'll go and wipe out their entire family!"

Youlu rolled over, clutching her pillow, and curled up into a ball, sighing, "Father is right, I really am not likable. Just leave me alone and let me fend for myself."

Just as Emperor Wulong and Empress Wu Zetian began to feel worried, they heard him shout in his heart: "Come and comfort me, then shower me with gold!"

Emperor Wulong & Empress: ...

It seems I was nervous for nothing.

Emperor Wulong felt his fists starting to itch again.

Pixiu: [I thought you were going to complain to the Empress that Cang Shuyue sent people to spy on you, but it turns out you just want money. So, can the gold be divided in half among the beasts?] One second you were complaining, and the next you're fawning over her with your paws clasped.

You Lu shook her head repeatedly: "This can't be said. Father and Empress have finally put aside their past grievances and reconciled; it wouldn't be good if they started fighting again. Besides, the money I'm not dividing is for investing in Shen Yuyao."

Emperor Wulong and the Empress exchanged a glance, feeling their hearts soften completely.

Seeing that the two of them hadn't made a move, Youlu was completely confused. [Why aren't they coming to comfort me? Aren't I Mom and Dad's favorite child?]

"Silly child, what nonsense are you talking about?" The Empress couldn't help but laugh. Even though she knew he was acting, she was still willing to continue playing along.

The Empress walked to the edge of the couch and sat down, gently stroking his head as she asked, "Your father was just joking with you, little deer. Tell your mother what happened?"

Emperor Wulong held the Empress's shoulder and gently comforted her, "Yes, yes, I was just joking. My son is lively and adorable, and he is the most lovable child."

Rather than showering people with gold, he chose to influence them with paternal love.

"Even the usually stern Granny Cen is very fond of you. Today she even specially made mung bean soup for you to cool you down. You know, I didn't even get to drink any."

As she spoke, her tone turned sour again, and the Empress rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Sigh~~" Youlu sighed deeply, feigning guilt and disappointment. "I thought I could have a great time today, but I didn't expect the Ying family to go boating on the lake with us. I really didn't want to have anything to do with them, so I came back first. I hope my eldest brother won't be angry with me."

Emperor Wulong's lips twitched slightly. "Hey, you've overdone it! When have you ever been afraid of making someone angry?!"

The Empress said, "Your eldest brother was inconsiderate in what he did today. He didn't understand your situation and that of Consort Ling. I apologize to you on his behalf."

She pulled off the gold hairpin from her head and the dragon and phoenix bracelets from her wrists, stuffing them all into Youlu's hand.

Emperor Wulong had already told her everything Consort Ling had done, so she could understand Youlu's feelings. Seeing him so depressed, she felt even more sorry for him.

If the child wants money, then give it to him.

A deer, holding the jewelry, cheered, "Thank you, Mother!"

Then he looked longingly at his elderly father.

Emperor Wulong suffered a heart attack. He was tricked out of a gold medal this morning, and now this guy is trying to empty his private treasury.

He truly is a master at causing trouble for his father.

In his moment of financial pain, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he declared domineeringly, "I won't see those I don't want to see. I can't wrong myself. It's just a lake trip, I have my own pleasure boat. Come on, I'll take you for a lake trip right now!"

The Empress smiled and said, "I haven't left the palace for a long time. Let's go out for a stroll today."

I'll take this opportunity to ask my younger brother what good thing he's done.

"Really?" Yu Lu jumped up, her eyes sparkling.

Although gold is very charming, he also genuinely enjoys boating on the lake.

The Empress lovingly stroked his head and tucked his long, loose hair behind his ear.

Emperor Wulong raised his arms and shouted, "Let's go!"

The three of them disguised themselves and left the palace, chatting and laughing all the way, just like a family of three going out for a trip.

Meanwhile, after Lu left, the Crown Prince and Su Yan'an lost their appetite and left Zuixianlou after only a few bites.

On the way to the dock, the eldest prince was absent-minded. Su Yan'an saw him hanging his head and wanted to comfort him, but did not know how. He could only sigh in his heart.

In truth, Su Yan'an had lost all interest in sightseeing, but he had already made an appointment and felt he had to show his face. Although he looked down on the Ying family members, Yan Ci was also there, so he had to give them some face.

When the two arrived, the pleasure boat was already moored at the South Street Wharf. The boat, in the style of a palace pavilion, was decorated with carved beams and painted rafters. The gunwales were painted red and gold, the eaves of the roof soared high, and gauze curtains hung all around. Dozens of glass palace lanterns hung from the top of the boat, making it both magnificent and exquisite.

Even in Shengjing, such a magnificent painted boat was a rare sight, and people near the dock craned their necks to look at it.

The vermilion boarding ladder was already in place. The eldest prince and Su Yan'an boarded the ship, but they did not see Cang Shuyue. Just as the two were about to ask the steward on the ship, they heard a sweet voice calling from below.

"Brother Yan'an!"

Su Yan'an looked down and saw that it was Ying family members and Yan Ci who had arrived. However, it wasn't just them; there was also a group of young masters and ladies from prominent families.

The eldest prince frowned. "Why are there so many people?"

Su Yan'an sneered, "It's right that Xiao Lu didn't come. Some people really think they're important, daring to show off a boat they borrowed through connections. They have quite the nerve. I just wonder if your uncle knows about this."

The eldest prince shook his head. He wouldn't speak ill of others behind their backs, but his opinion of the Ying family was getting worse and worse.

Meanwhile, inside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Cang Shuyue was still slowly playing chess when Yinwu, having received a report from his subordinates, pushed open the door and said, "Master, the Emperor has left the palace with the Empress and the Seventh Prince. Should we send someone to keep an eye on them?"

Cang Shuyue placed a piece, slowly closed his eyes, and in his mind was the boy's puffed-up face.

"No need," he said.

Yinwu paused for a moment, then said, "The Ying family's young lady has boarded your pleasure boat with a group of people. Do you still want to go over?"

A hint of annoyance appeared on her usually expressionless face. "I'm not going. From now on, you don't need to send the Sixth Prince's letters to me."

"Yes." Yinwu responded and withdrew.

Cang Shuyue lowered his eyes to look at the unfinished game on the chessboard, and raised his hand to scramble the black and white pieces.