Rebirth: Pampered by the Lord
Chapter 1090 Imperial Study Room

Chapter 1090: Chapter 1090 Imperial Study Room

"Your son thanks the imperial father."

Even though the Fourth Prince was well aware that the Emperor had said this intentionally, he still obediently expressed his gratitude.

"It’s been a few days, and Xuanxuan looks much better. You even seem to have put on some weight."

The Emperor’s tone sounded casual, as if it was no different from his usual demeanor. However, the perceptive Fourth Prince could detect the veiled undertone laced in his words. A wave of unease stirred in his heart—what had he done wrong? Why was the Emperor acting so unusually today?

"It is all thanks to imperial father’s blessings."

"Hmm! Alright, rise now. Don’t kneel there any longer."

"Your son thanks the imperial father." The Fourth Prince stood up cautiously and dutifully kept his position to the side.

The Emperor did not say another word and lowered his head to continue reading the memorials.

Time passed, second by second.

The Fourth Prince became increasingly anxious. Under normal circumstances, his imperial father would never treat him this way. By now, Eunuch Li would have been ordered to grant him a seat.

Today’s behavior was truly abnormal—it wasn’t just the cold demeanor but even his usual treatment had changed.

Since the Emperor remained silent, the Fourth Prince dared not speak either. He stood quietly to one side, careful not to provoke his imperial father’s displeasure.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study Room grew increasingly tense.

Eunuch Li, standing off to the side, also noticed something amiss.

"Your Majesty, would you like me to fetch a cup of ginseng tea to soothe your throat?" asked Eunuch Zhang carefully.

He intended to excuse himself, giving the Emperor and the Fourth Prince an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart conversation and resolve whatever was weighing on them.

Besides, the Empress had lavished him with many gifts over time. At such a critical moment, naturally, he needed to lend his support to the Fourth Prince. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to justify himself to the Empress after accepting so many treasures from her.

"Hmm."

Without lifting his head, the Emperor uttered a faint acknowledgment.

Before leaving, Eunuch Zhang discreetly signaled the Fourth Prince with a subtle hand gesture.

The Fourth Prince, of course, understood—Eunuch Zhang was quietly trying to help him!

Once Eunuch Zhang left the Imperial Study Room, closing the door gently behind him,

the Fourth Prince stole a glance at the Emperor.

"Imperial father?"

"Hmm?"

Without raising his head, the Emperor gave a perfunctory response, still engrossed in the memorials.

"Does imperial father have something on his mind?"

"No."

The Emperor’s curt reply left the Fourth Prince feeling disheartened. He ventured cautiously, "In that case... may your son take his leave?"

The Emperor finally lifted his head from the memorials at these words.

"Is there some urgent matter?"

"The Empress Mother requested that I join her for a meal."

"Hmm!" The Emperor nodded, his deep, penetrating gaze fixed intently on the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince’s heart pounded—what was his imperial father thinking? Why was he looking at him with such a strange expression?

"Xuanxuan."

"What’s the matter with that dwarf?"

The Fourth Prince froze upon hearing this. Why was his imperial father still hung up on this matter?

"Replying to the imperial father, he is merely an Itinerant World person. Your son encountered him by chance while outside the Capital. I discovered that although his appearance was unsightly, his martial arts skills were extraordinarily formidable. Feeling that he could serve the Imperial Court, I kept him by my side. Unexpectedly, he caused a catastrophic incident as soon as he arrived in the Capital. Feeling deeply ashamed of letting down grandfather and his esteemed kindness, I had him bound and sent to the Prime Minister’s Mansion for grandfather to deal with," the Fourth Prince explained in full detail.

In truth, the Emperor couldn’t care less about the dwarf’s life or death.

What concerned him was the Fourth Prince’s private dealings and his alarming ability to rally so many Itinerant World people within the Capital. Raising and harboring these individuals in secret—what was he planning? Could it be an attempt to lay the groundwork for rebellion?

"I ask you, what exactly is that courtyard used for?"

"What courtyard?" The Emperor’s abrupt question left the Fourth Prince completely baffled.

"Don’t pretend your imperial father is a fool! You bought such a large courtyard in the Capital and filled it with so many Itinerant World people—do you think I wouldn’t know?"