My Emperor Father Can Read Minds
Chapter 62

After a brief interruption, the princes temporarily ceased their actions.

They had come to attend Wei Yu’s official opening banquet, each with their own agenda.

Some were just there to eat and drink, for example.

The others, however, were primarily interested in winning Wei Yu’s favor.

The Eldest Prince asked about Wei Yu’s official business, “Now that you’ve opened your residence, have you thought about what you want to do? You can tell Eldest Brother, and I’ll ask Father to speak on your behalf.”

Wei Yu opened his mouth to speak.

“Isn’t Little Ninth good at making glass? He must like crafts!”

The Second Prince immediately took over the conversation, “Although the Ministry of Works has a low status, it is still very important to Great Wei. Little Ninth, if you can show your skills there, Father will surely reward you handsomely.”

Wei Yu opened his mouth again.

The Fourth Prince quickly cut in, “Wei Yu isn’t just skilled in crafts. Second Brother, don’t be fooled by his mediocre studies, but his mind is still sharp. Eldest Brother, if you let him join the Ministry of Revenue, he might be able to come up with some good ideas and help make a lot of money for the ministry.”

Wei Yu sucked in a breath. He opened his mouth to speak, but once again, his words were snatched by his Eldest Brother!

“Is that so? In that case, I—”

“No!”

Wei Yu no longer cared about manners or respect. He turned and met the Eldest Prince’s thoughtful gaze, then straightened his face and denied the accusation three times.

“I’m not, I haven’t, I can’t! Eldest Brother, don’t listen to Fourth Brother’s nonsense!”

Seriously, what is going on with these people?

His father hadn’t even urged him to work yet, and now his brothers were suddenly starting to worry about his future career?

Are they jealous of how easy his life is?

After finally enjoying some peace, Wei Yu didn’t want anyone to remind his father of his existence.

What if his father hadn’t thought about him, but after being reminded, he suddenly remembered he had such a cheap laborer? That… would be disastrous!

In the Imperial Study, Emperor Wei, who was reviewing memorials, suddenly sneezed.

Li Cheng, who had been standing by, jumped in surprise and quickly asked, “Your Majesty, what’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell? Should I go fetch the Imperial Physician?”

As he spoke, Li Cheng started to turn.

“There’s no need for such alarm.”

Emperor Wei stopped him and casually touched his nose.

It was impossible for him to have caught a cold. Nowadays, he spent less time in the harem and mostly visited the Empress and Consorts during the day, then slept alone in his bed at night, feeling much more refreshed.

Without his usual nightly routine, Emperor Wei now felt more energetic than ever.

Ah, indeed, the ancient saying is true: “Beauty’s land, Hero’s tomb.”

The ancients didn’t lie to him.

Emperor Wei straightened his back and was about to pick up his pen when he suddenly thought of something.

He looked up and asked Li Cheng, “How many days has it been since the Ninth Prince opened his residence?”

Li Cheng paused for a moment, “Your Majesty, today marks the thirteenth day. Coincidentally, today is also the Ninth Prince’s opening banquet.”

“Opening banquet?”

Emperor Wei was a little surprised; he hadn’t expected the timing to be so perfect. After thinking for a moment, he ordered, “In that case, after the banquet is over, you’ll deliver a decree to him, and prepare two gifts—one for him and one for Eighth Brother.”

In two days, his month-long term would be up. Emperor Wei almost forgot about it, but luckily he remembered halfway through. Otherwise, wouldn’t that have let the little rascal off easy?

After reviewing memorials for nearly an hour and a half, Emperor Wei, thinking about how Wei Yu would be cursing quietly in his mind once he knew he had to attend the court, felt a sense of relief.

Indeed, happiness can only be measured by comparison.

When the little rascal wasn’t comfortable, he felt much better.

Opening a memorial, Emperor Wei saw that it was yet another tedious, long-winded inquiry from the Prefect of Huzhou, asking after his health.

He sighed in annoyance.

This Prefect of Huzhou was constantly sending useless memorials!

Asking every day about his health for over a year, without changing a single line, and always quoting ancient texts. What, was he preparing for the imperial exam? Couldn’t he write about the weather in Huzhou or something? At least that would broaden his horizons!

Ugh!

Annoying, isn’t it?

With a blank expression, Emperor Wei picked up his pen and hastily wrote four words:

— “I am well, reviewed.”

—

After finally sending off the important guests, Wei Yu, exhausted from the day’s events, slumped in a chair in the front hall, recalling everything that had happened. He had no energy to move.

It seemed his brothers now realized his worth and wanted to win him over.

Putting aside Eighth Brother, Eldest Brother was straightforward and offered him benefits; Second Brother, who was eloquent, appeared to be considerate but was actually trying to profit from him in the future; Third Brother seemed silent, but occasionally hinted at goodwill; Fourth Brother’s intentions were unclear; Fifth and Sixth Brothers weren’t even worth mentioning; Seventh Brother, sharing the same mother as Second Brother, seemed to support him now, but who knew what would happen in the future?

Wei Yu tilted his head and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

This wasn’t at all how he imagined life after opening his residence.

It should’ve been a life of eating, drinking, and playing without anyone caring, yet now his brothers were all so concerned about his future?

How could he be comfortable and relaxed with all this attention?

Wei Yu pouted.

It’s all his father’s fault for not following the script.

He thought heaven promised him a world where he was the main character, and he even had a sturdy golden finger like a tablet, clearly the male lead candidate.

But how did his father end up with mind-reading skills as well?!

This was too unreasonable…

He could have had it all!

Standing in front of others, listening to gossip—what a great advantage!

Wei Yu slouched in his chair, silently grumbling about his father, unaware that Hong Zhong was approaching him.

“Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived.”

Wei Yu suddenly looked up. “What!”

Hong Zhong’s face was serious as he repeated, “Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived. Eunuch Li Cheng is waiting outside to deliver a decree to you.”

“A decree? What for?”

Wei Yu had a bad feeling, as if the evil force challenging his carefree life was creeping closer with every step.

Maybe he should just pretend he wasn’t there.

Hong Zhong quietly stepped aside, just blocking the direction Wei Yu was trying to escape in.

“Your Highness, Eunuch Li Cheng has brought people with him.”

Oh, so the front and back doors were blocked, and he couldn’t escape, right?

Wei Yu understood. He clutched his chest, taking a deep breath, preparing to shout.

Hong Zhong added, “Eunuch Li Cheng said, if you are unwell, he can also deliver the decree in your bedroom.”

Wei Yu: …

“Whose side are you on?!”

Hong Zhong glanced at him and said coolly, “I am on your side, Your Highness. But if you choose to defy the decree, I can also be your ghost.”

Wei Yu gave up.

“Ugh—fine, let’s go then. Time to receive the decree.”