My Emperor Father Can Read Minds
Chapter 63

When Wei Yu stepped outside, the first thing he saw was Li Cheng standing at the doorway, surrounded by a group of palace servants holding silk and boxes.

It was obvious at a glance that those things were meant for him. Wei Yu gave them a quick glance, surprisingly without any hint of joy.

It was a trap!

A slap followed by a sweet date—these things were clearly the “sweet date” the old man was giving him. Just touching them would burn his hands.

Smart as he was, he wouldn’t fall for it.

When Li Cheng saw Wei Yu coming out, his face bloomed with a smile, and he quickly saluted. “Greetings, Your Highness. This servant is here to congratulate Your Highness on the establishment of your residence, and wishes Your Highness great success in the future.”

Never mind “great success,” he didn’t even have a map.

Wei Yu smiled. “You’re too kind, Eunuch Li. May I ask why you’ve come today?”

Li Cheng presented an imperial edict.

That lump of bright yellow—an undeniable symbol of imperial authority.

Well, so it was an edict.

The old man was clearly determined to make him get involved.

Wei Yu glanced at Li Cheng’s smiling face, silently lifted his robe, and knelt.

Behind him, everyone in the residence knelt as well.

Li Cheng unrolled the edict and began to read.

“By imperial decree: … In light of the Ninth Prince Wei’s refined appearance and diligent studies, exceptional talent, respectful conduct in service to the state and military, filial devotion to parents, affectionate relationship with siblings, and commanding presence with subordinates—he greatly embodies the demeanor of his royal father, a shadow of my former self…”

These words left Wei Yu thoroughly shocked.

Was his dad blushing when he wrote this stuff?

Even he wouldn’t dare claim half of that, but the old man had managed to praise him so ridiculously—and even said he resembled his former self… Truly, emperors had the thickest skin.

“Henceforth, the Ninth Prince Wei shall be appointed as Left Attendant to the Ministry of War…”

Wei Yu: !!

What the hell?!

As soon as the title came out, Wei Yu was stunned.

His father had actually given him a civil post with real authority, similar to a censor or remonstrator?!

He might as well have been exiled to Cold Prefecture as a foot soldier!

At least out there, far from the capital, he could take advantage of his status to loaf around—oops, no, to tour the mountains and rivers.

But becoming a Left Attendant to the Ministry of War?

Damn. At the rate the old man was treating him like a workhorse, he’d end up offending half the court!

“…Serve diligently and do not disappoint My intentions. Thus decreed.”

Li Cheng finished reading the edict and gave a sympathetic look at the kneeling Ninth Prince.

Left Attendant to the Ministry of War, a seventh-rank post. Though the role held significant power—allowing direct memorials to the Emperor and the oversight of others—it was still considered too low for a prince.

The other princes had all started at fifth-rank positions at minimum.

Li Cheng closed the edict and reached out to help Wei Yu up, trying to offer some comfort. “Your Highness, please rise. Although His Majesty…”

“Eunuch Li.”

Wei Yu suddenly cut him off.

Using Li Cheng’s arm for support, he stood up, eyes burning. “How about you just pretend you didn’t see me today?”

Li Cheng: “…Behind me are all His Majesty’s people.”

Looking at the rows of people behind him, Wei Yu was filled with grief.

So that was it—his days of lying flat were over for good.

The edict was handed to Wei Yu, and Li Cheng went on to inform him about the Emperor’s congratulatory gifts.

“This is your list.”

The gifts were so numerous that Li Cheng had simply made a list for him.

Wei Yu was still in a bit of a sour mood—until he saw the list and the items written on it: land deeds, gold, silver, bolts of cloth…

Then he felt much better.

He tucked the list away and smiled with elegance. “Many thanks for your trouble, Eunuch Li. Hong Zhong.”

Hong Zhong stepped forward and quietly handed Li Cheng a plump pouch.

It was filled with reward money.

Li Cheng accepted it calmly, saluted cheerfully, and made to leave. “Thank you, Your Highness. It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave. Don’t forget to enter the palace tomorrow to express your gratitude.”

Wei Yu: “…Alright then.”

Once the crowd had finally left and the door closed, Wei Yu’s face dropped.

“It’s over. There’s no hope. My manor vacation plan—ruined~~~”

He shoved the edict into Hong Zhong’s arms and trudged back to his room like he was attending a funeral. With a flop, he threw himself onto the bed.

In a bad mood—time to sleep it off!

—

The next morning, Wei Yu was dragged out of bed by Xiao Anzi, who began reporting on the neighboring Eighth Prince’s affairs.

“Your Highness, it turns out Eunuch Li didn’t just deliver the decree here yesterday—he also went to the Eighth Highness’s residence…”

Wei Yu propped his chin on his hand, sitting in his chair, listening absentmindedly.

“You were given the post of Left Attendant to the Ministry of War, but the Eighth Prince was appointed as Senior Official of the Ministry of Personnel.”

Xiao Anzi paused. “Four ranks higher than yours.”

Wei Yu: “…What are you trying to say? You wanna jump ship and abandon your prince? Speak up!”

Xiao Anzi just looked at him quietly, with a kind expression and gentle eyes. “Your Highness, I don’t mean that at all. I was already mentally prepared. I just thought I’d give you a heads-up in case you couldn’t handle it.”

Was he upset about whose position was higher?

No—he was upset that he had to go to work!

What kind of rich kid under eighteen could accept going out to work at such a tender, blossoming age?! And not even an easy job—he’d be working his butt off from morning till night!

There was no explaining that to this fool, so Wei Yu turned away, unwilling to continue the conversation.

To Xiao Anzi, it looked like he was avoiding reality.

Xiao Anzi sighed, full of pity. “Your Highness, you’re just afraid to face reality. Even Er’ya was braver than this when she started learning to read.”

Wei Yu reminded him, “Her name is Liu Jiuyuan now.”

Xiao Anzi went on: “You and the Eighth Prince have been close since childhood. I believe he’ll support you in the future. Just keep a low profile at court.”

Wei Yu pouted. “Look at you, teaching me how to behave now.”

“Your Highness!”

Xiao Anzi looked at his immature master, filled with disappointment. “You’re a prince now! The neighboring Princes Su, Chen, Jing, Gong, Duan, Rui, and Xiang are all watching—can’t you take this more seriously?”

Wei Yu was dumbfounded.

He stared at Xiao Anzi for a moment, then couldn’t help but clap. “Young hero, great lung capacity.”

“…”

The young hero slapped his hands down and finally left, sighing in deep concern.

There was no hope in relying on his master. The future of this entire residence clearly depended on him, Xiao Anzi.

Standing in the courtyard, Xiao Anzi silently shook his head and gazed solemnly at the sky.

So be it.

It was time to step out and make a few more close friends.

As His Highness once said—what was it again…?

Xiao Anzi frowned in thought. What was that phrase?

Oh, right: Don’t let fertile water flow into outsiders’ fields!

Exactly—that’s the logic.

Everyone says deep feelings are like the sea, that brothers are like hands and feet. Since the Eighth Prince and his Highness are so close, he might as well start with the Eighth Prince’s residence.

Let’s turn “good” into better!