"No, tell them to go back." Emperor Jingxuan refused outright.
Jiang Fusheng was just about to assent when Sui asked, puzzled, "Father, why won't you see those ministers? Do they have important matters to discuss with you?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Jiang felt his heart tighten slightly.
Emperor Jingxuan set Sui down. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Sui pattered straight over to his own small desk and chair, his eyes still fixed on his father.
"If I see them today, those old... ministers will just keep pestering endlessly afterwards."
Faced with his son's expression of pure innocence and obedience, Emperor Jingxuan caught himself in time, not letting the phrase 'old fools' slip out. He had to set a good example for the child.
Sui asked, "Why would they pester endlessly?"
Emperor Jingxuan fell silent for a moment. Wonderful, that familiar feeling was back.
He patiently explained, "Because they are like you were at first, not believing you are my son. So if I see them, they will raise all sorts of doubts about your identity. Today it's just a few people. After I dispel their suspicions, another wave will come tomorrow."
"If this goes on, I will be thoroughly annoyed by them."
Especially those elder ministers. They meant no harm, but they were terribly long-winded, enough to make one's ears grow calluses.
"So, Father, you find them annoying," Sui stated bluntly, hitting the nail on the head.
Practice makes perfect; after calling him 'Father' many times, Sui no longer felt awkward about it.
Emperor Jingxuan: "......"
He was left speechless. Reaching out, he ruffled Sui's neatly combed hair vigorously, then turned and instructed, "Tell them to go back. Regarding Sui's status, I will issue an edict at the New Year's Eve banquet. If they have so much free time, perhaps they shouldn't take any holiday leave for the New Year festival."
A move that struck at the throat.
Officials of the Great Qi Dynasty had a half-month holiday for the Spring Festival. With the New Year approaching and the world covered in ice and snow, who wouldn't want to stay home on holiday and sleep a little longer?
Sure enough, after Jiang Fusheng relayed the message to the ministers waiting outside, not a single one insisted on an audience.
Sui watched and took note, planning to secretly write it in his little notebook when he got back: Ministers are afraid of having their leave deducted.
Unaware of his little thoughts, Emperor Jingxuan leaned back against the dragon-embellished chair and asked casually, "You did well on your end-of-term exams. What reward would you like?"
All top-grade marks—he hadn't seen such results from his other two sons yet.
Sui blinked and asked, "Can I have anything?"
Emperor Jingxuan said, "Name it, as long as it's within my power to grant."
Sui said, "I want to go to the Xuanzheng Hall."
The Xuanzheng Hall was where Emperor Jingxuan held morning court with his officials.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "What for?"
Sui replied, "To watch you hold court."
"What's so interesting about holding court? It's even more boring than your studies."
"I've never seen it. I want to."
"If it's not allowed, then forget it." Sui sighed, his little face, so similar to Yun Wan's, showing faint disappointment.
Emperor Jingxuan couldn't bear to see that expression and immediately agreed, "After the New Year festival, I'll take you there."
Probably just a child's momentary curiosity. He'd be cured after getting up early for court a couple of times.
"Is that all? I thought you'd make some extravagant demand," he teased.
Sui pouted, "I'm not a lion."
He didn't make any other requests, which instead made Emperor Jingxuan feel a pang of guilt.
Merely taking him to court—what kind of reward was that? At most, it was just a father fulfilling his son's small wish.
For substantive rewards, Emperor Jingxuan decided he would personally select a batch to give Sui later.
He got up and sat in the seat opposite Sui, sighing, "It was my fault for hiding your background before. Your mother should have explained it to you. I also learned of it not long ago. I hope you can forgive me."
This was his and his lady's child. He had high hopes for this boy and didn't want any rift between father and son. It was best to clear up any misunderstanding early.
Sui lowered his head, staring at the carved patterns on the desk without a word, a faint struggle flashing across his expression.
Seeing this, Emperor Jingxuan's tone softened slightly. He probed, "Just say whatever you're thinking. I will keep nothing from you."
Sui looked up, fidgeting with his palms for a few moments before gathering his courage to ask, "So, are you good to me because I'm your child?"
"If I weren't, would you not have given me the little bow and arrows, the pony, or taught me riding and archery?"
This was a point Sui cared deeply about. As he thought of something, a slight dimness flickered in his eyes.
Emperor Jingxuan was taken aback for a second, then clicked his tongue. "At that time, I didn't even know you were my flesh and blood. What do you think?"
Sui paused, his expression blank.
"I was good to you because of your mother. You are her only child, the apple of her eye. How could I not be good to you?"
Emperor Jingxuan continued, "But it's undeniable that because you are my child, I will be even better to you from now on."
"Are you satisfied with that answer?"
He didn't directly say yes or no, but between the lines, he gave Sui his answer.
Sui's shoulders relaxed slightly. He gave a soft "Mhm," sounding a little embarrassed.
Emperor Jingxuan chuckled, "Really don't know who you take after, thinking so much at such a young age. You should learn more from your two elder brothers—carefree and without worries."
Sui retorted, "If I learned that, you'd scold me for being too carefree."
"Adults are always like that, wanting everything."
Emperor Jingxuan shot him a look. "Keep talking nonsense, and I might just spank you."
The moment of father-son warmth was fleeting.
He turned and went back behind the writing desk, took out a scroll from a drawer, unrolled it, and beckoned to Sui. "Come here. See what this is?"
Sui stood up and took small steps closer. When he saw the dense network of lines and markings on the scroll, understanding dawned on him. "Is this a map?"
Emperor Jingxuan gave him an appreciative look. "This is the map of Great Qi. Do you know how to read it?"
"A little bit."
"I'll teach you."
Emperor Jingxuan lifted him onto his lap, pointed to a marked location in the north, and told him, "This is the Yanmen Pass in the Northern Frontier, the first line of defense against the Rong people. Troops are stationed here... Years ago, I defeated the Rong here and recaptured Hanshan City..."
From the Northern Frontier to the Southern Garrison, from the Eastern Sea to the Western Ridges, Emperor Jingxuan explained the map of Great Qi's territories to Sui until his mouth grew dry.
He thought Sui might find it dull and tedious after listening for so long, losing interest. But when he looked down, he met Sui's bright, sparkling eyes.
His eager expression seemed to say: Why did you stop? Keep going!
An indescribable sense of accomplishment washed over him, filling Emperor Jingxuan with immense satisfaction.
He curled his lips slightly and gave a light hum. "Understood all of it?"
Sui nodded. "Understood."
"Understood? Then go play." Emperor Jingxuan set him down on the floor.
Sui didn't leave. "Aren't you going to tell me more?"
Emperor Jingxuan said calmly, "That's enough for now. I'll tell you the rest next time. I'm afraid if I tell you too much, you won't remember it."
Having such a studious son put quite some pressure on him as a father.
Sui nodded and got up to use the privy.
Once he left the main hall and descended the steps, he was met by pairs of fervent eyes.
A few ministers who hadn't given up hope of seeing Emperor Jingxuan but lacked the courage to enter stood in the cold wind, alert to any movement.
The moment Sui appeared, he instantly became the object of their intense gaze.
"It's the young prince! He's come out!"
"The injury on his face must be from that brute of Prince of Pingnan's child, right?"
"Shh! Hush! Quiet! The young prince is coming this way!"
Under the gaze of a crowd of curious, burning stares, Sui passed through their midst, only to be called to a halt:
"Young Prince, please wait. This subject has a question to ask."
