"Xue Xing."
Emperor Xue Ye spoke mildly.
"Ah, yes, Your Majesty."
Prince Xue Xing had been deep in thought, unsure what to do, when Emperor Xue Ye's voice startled him out of his reverie.
He hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, is there something you need?"
"How old is your eldest son now?"
Rather than forcing Prince Xue Xing to declare his stance immediately, Emperor Xue Ye actually asked what seemed to be a completely irrelevant question.
Prince Xue Xing froze for a moment, clearly unsure why Emperor Xue Ye was asking about his eldest son.
But he quickly recovered. Whatever Emperor Xue Ye's intentions were, if he asked a question, Xue Xing had to answer.
His mind racing, Prince Xue Xing answered cautiously, "Your Majesty, that good-for-nothing eldest son of mine is nineteen now."
As he spoke, Prince Xue Xing glanced at Emperor Xue Ye, a trace of apprehension in his eyes.
He feared that because he had failed to state his position earlier, his unfathomable elder brother intended to threaten his eldest son to force him to take a side.
But Prince Xue Xing had underestimated Emperor Xue Ye.
Emperor Xue Ye paid no heed to Prince Xue Xing's reaction and said, "Your eldest son is already nineteen. He is old enough to take on some responsibilities.
Let him help you at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He can start as the lowest-ranking education committee member, gain a few years of experience, and then take over as vice dean.
After all, he is not of the direct imperial line and cannot inherit your princely title. I think we should grant him a fief and make him a duke in the future. That way, my painstaking care as his uncle will not have been in vain."
As he spoke, Emperor Xue