And You?

"After word spread that Li Zhaoyuan had returned victorious at the head of his army by imperial decree, quite a few voices arose in court saying that His Majesty intended to appoint a new heir. If he truly enters the capital... hehehe."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan fixed his gaze on the expression of the middle-aged man before him and said with a smiling squint, "As the Crown Prince of a dynasty, you really are living a miserable life."

"..."

His brocade robes stirred, the enormous python embroidered upon his sleeves seeming to dance with life beneath the moonlight.

Li Yucheng took his seat, his bearing unchanged, gentle and composed as he said, "The lofty halls of court are filled with discordant voices. Father Emperor is farsighted and wise; he certainly would not do something that would shake the foundations of the state."

Xu Yuan set the porcelain cup in his hand upon the solid round table, smiling as he shook his head and murmured, "...Shake the foundations of the state? Your Highness, are you pretending to be confused, or are you truly confused?"

The earlier thunderous commotion in the rear courtyard had already startled the birds from the woods. Xu Yuan's teasing, mocking voice flowed through the stillness of the courtyard.

Li Yucheng lightly rested his fingertips against the wall of the porcelain cup before him. His expression did not change, and he smiled. "Third Young Master, speak plainly."

"Then I'll speak plainly."

Xu Yuan answered with a chuckle, then asked directly with a smile, "Crown Prince, "How much is your status as heir apparent worth now?"

"Xu Changtian!"

The moment his words fell, like a loyal dog unable to bear seeing its master humiliated, the Crown Prince's attendant standing nearby immediately burst into furious barking: "Even rudeness must