My Emperor Father Can Read Minds
Chapter 66

The carriage couldn’t enter the palace gates—it needed a special decree, otherwise everyone had to walk in.

Staring at the heavy palace gates, Wei Yu clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Times have really changed. Just look at this gate—it makes me feel like I’m going back to my mother’s house.”

The Eighth Prince beside him: “…Don’t talk nonsense. What do you mean, ‘going back to your mother’s house’?”

With his hands behind his back, Wei Yu shook his head and stepped forward. “Alright, alright, let’s go in and see what our Royal Father is doing to enjoy himself today.”

The Eighth Prince: …

He couldn’t help but feel that this younger brother was hopeless.

Familiar with the way, the two of them made their way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. At the entrance, they saw Li Cheng.

Li Cheng saluted them. “Your Highnesses, you’ve come at a bit of a bad time. His Majesty is currently discussing state affairs with the Prime Minister and several other ministers. It may take a while. Would Your Highnesses like to wait in the side hall?”

Eighth Prince: “If that’s the case, then I’ll trouble Eunuch Li to inform Father later.”

“No trouble at all, Your Highness is too kind.”

Li Cheng then called over his disciple, Su Gaosheng, and asked him to lead Wei Yu and the Eighth Prince to the side hall.

Su Gaosheng guided them to the same side hall as before. When Wei Yu saw the table inside, he immediately recalled the painful memories of goofing off there before.

Unlucky.

While waiting, the Eighth Prince sat quietly with his eyes closed to rest, while Wei Yu sprawled on the couch and read green tea novels.

Yes—green tea novels.

Recently, Wei Yu realized his “tea skills” might be slipping. Even his dad was starting to build immunity.

Noticing this, Wei Yu felt it just wouldn’t do.

Having exquisite tea arts was an essential skill for a lazy bum like him to enjoy life. If not for how good his tea was, could his life be this comfortable?

Of course, that was in the past.

The old man had probably been tea-ed too many times—he was building resistance. Ordinary tea-speak no longer moved him, so Wei Yu needed further training.

There was no one around to imitate or teach him the true essence of tea arts—but that was fine. Wei Yu could learn from novels and TV shows.

That’s where the good stuff was.

Once he evolved from Green Tea 1.0 to White Lotus 10.0 Plus, he was going to “tea” his dad until the man cried and begged to give him time off!!

Hmph.

—

Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

There weren’t many people present—only Gongsun Tai, Qi Tishou, Pei Zhi, Du Xing, and the Second Prince.

They were discussing the matter of Emperor Wei planning to send the Second Prince to Jiaozhou to interfere with sugar prices.

This had been brought up before, and Emperor Wei had discussed it several times with them. Now, the plan was finalized, and they just needed to send someone.

The Second Prince, being Gongsun Tai’s grandson, had already heard about it from him.

Since Emperor Wei hadn’t mentioned it directly until now, he pretended not to know. Only today did the Emperor summon him to the palace and officially inform him about going to Jiaozhou.

Emperor Wei said, “This trip to Jiaozhou is to suppress sugar prices behind the scenes. Wei Chen, remember to be cautious—don’t alarm the enemy or let Yizhou catch wind of it.”

Second Prince: “Yes, Father. I will strictly follow your instructions.”

Emperor Wei looked at Gongsun Tai. “The Prime Minister’s second son is quick-witted and skilled in both civil and martial affairs. I will have him accompany you—you two can travel together.”

The Prime Minister’s second son, Gongsun Yi, was twenty-three and the Second Prince’s cousin.

The Second Prince was very familiar with his cousin. They’d also been discussing their upcoming trip to Jiaozhou with the Prime Minister recently, so he wasn’t surprised.

“Yes, I understand, Father.”

Emperor Wei then turned to Du Xing.

But before he could speak, Du Xing stepped forward eagerly. “Your Majesty, I request to accompany the Second Prince to Jiaozhou and protect him!”

Emperor Wei pretended not to hear and calmly replied, “I recall your nephew serves as a captain in the Left Feathered Forest Guard. Let him lead the escort team instead.”

Du Xing was very displeased.

He was always so proactive and enthusiastic—why did His Majesty never approve his requests?

He wanted to go out, lead troops, and punch people too!

—

While Wei Yu was pondering tea arts, he noticed some movement at the door.

He looked up and saw Su Gaosheng enter.

Su Gaosheng bowed. “Your Majesty has finished his discussion with the ministers. The two princes may enter now.”

Wei Yu looked at his Eighth Brother.

He’d apparently dozed off for real—he even swayed a bit when he stood up.

Together, they headed toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

One thing ended, and another came.

Emperor Wei looked calmly at his two sons kneeling in gratitude and called them to rise.

“You two now have your own residences outside the palace. From now on, don’t cause trouble—live diligently and prepare yourselves to rule.”

Wei Yu felt like his dad was throwing shade at him.

He was not convinced.

He was already working hard now, okay?

The Eighth Prince respectfully accepted the Emperor’s instructions, so Wei Yu had no choice but to follow suit.

Emperor Wei glanced at the obedient-looking Wei Yu and couldn’t help but snort.

So what if the little rascal was unconvinced—he still had to show up for his post in a few days.

Didn’t he always boast about being a once-in-a-century genius sent from the stars? If he was so smart, then fine—he’d be given a direct-speaking post in court, where he could say whatever he wanted!

Remonstrator of the Censorate—responsible for supervising all six ministries and correcting officials. The position was minor in rank, but held more power than typical civil posts.

Of course, beyond recognizing Wei Yu’s talent and wanting to turn him into a verbal cannonball in court, the main reason Emperor Wei assigned him this job…

Was that he honestly didn’t know where else to put him.

The Ministry of Works or Ministry of Revenue might fit, but what if Wei Yu was also suited to the other four?

This boy never moved unless poked. If no one nudged him, he wouldn’t lift a finger.

He clearly had a pile of skills, but refused to show any initiative. It always took forcing him. Who knew what else he was hiding?

Emperor Wei wanted to place him in court and observe further.

See what other little schemes he was still hiding. Ideally, he’d come up with a new money-making idea every day. Maybe the treasury would burst from being too full one day…

Wei Yu felt a chill over his head.

He was facing his dad, and the chill on his scalp definitely meant the old man was staring at him with ill intent again!

So was his dad bald in his old age, and now jealous of his thick hair?

Emperor Wei, who heard that loud and clear: …

Was this rascal getting too bold?

After expressing thanks and confirming his appointment date, Wei Yu and the Eighth Prince headed back home.

On the way, the Eighth Prince suddenly changed routes, intending to visit the Fifth Prince’s residence.

“Ninth Brother, I’m going to visit Fifth Brother. Want to come?”

Wei Yu immediately refused.

The Eighth Prince nodded. “Alright then, you get off here. I’ll go sit with Fifth Brother for a bit.”

Wei Yu: ??

You’re kicking your own younger brother off the carriage in broad daylight—do you even have a conscience?

Savage!