There Was Plenty of Time

The Sixth Prince, only eight years old, did not really understand his maternal grandfather's words.

But he knew one thing.

His Maternal Grandfather was doing all this for his own good, and he was willing to listen.

"I'll remember, Maternal Grandfather," he replied.

Chancellor Cui nodded in satisfaction.

Looking at him, he said meaningfully, "Xuan, as long as you do as you're told, everything in this palace will be yours sooner or later."

"I understand, Maternal Grandfather," the Sixth Prince said.

Just then, the steward came over. "My lord, the palace has sent someone to fetch His Sixth Highness."

The Sixth Prince's eyes immediately lit up.

Emperor Father finally remembered me.

He really does still care about me.

I knew it.

How could Emperor Father forget the bond between us over an outsider?

Who does Xiao Yu think he is?

Father and I are the closest people in the world.

He looked at Chancellor Cui, his face glowing with joy. "Maternal Grandfather, I'm going back to the palace!"

Chancellor Cui's expression was kindly.

"Go on," he replied. "Remember what I told you."

"I will, Maternal Grandfather," the Sixth Prince answered happily.

But he had not expected this.

The moment he returned to the palace, he ran into the person he least wanted to see at the gates.

At the palace gates.

The Sixth Prince spotted Xiao Yu.

His chubby little hands immediately covered his backside, which inexplicably began to ache.

He turned to leave.

"Stop-"

Xiao Yu looked up, caught sight of a familiar figure, and called out instinctively.

Once he saw who it was,

his lips curved. "What's wrong, Little Six? Am I some sort of monster? Why run the moment you see me?"

The Sixth Prince said nothing.

You're not a monster, but you throw your weight around.

Reluctantly, he asked, "...Why are you coming back from outside the palace too?"

Xiao Yu raised a brow. "Is that any way to speak to your elder?"

The Sixth Prince fell silent.

He did not want to speak to him.

But remembering what his Maternal Grandfather had told him before he left, he restrained himself.

Grinding his teeth, he said, "Young Imperial Uncle..."

Xiao Yu paid no mind to his tone. "Did my Elder Imperial Brother summon you?"

Then he waved a hand. "Hurry along."

"Oh, and tell my Elder Imperial Brother I'm back while you're at it. I'm sleepy, so I won't go pay my respects in person."

The Sixth Prince clenched his fists.

"How can you be so disrespectful to Emperor Father?" he demanded through gritted teeth.

"My Elder Imperial Brother isn't that petty. He won't hold it against me."

"Goodbye, Little Six!" Xiao Yu said unconcernedly.

Then he headed toward the Eastern Palace.

The Sixth Prince glared at his retreating back.

I have to endure this.

One day, I'll show Xiao Yu who really rules this palace.

I'll make him regret slighting me.

At the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince sat on the steps by the entrance.

He gazed into the night sky, his eyes dull and his face steeped in gloom.

Tap-

At the sound of footsteps,

he abruptly looked up.

Seeing the person he had been thinking of, he immediately scampered over to him.

"Little Imperial Uncle, where did you go?" he asked, a trace of reproach in his voice.

Heaven only knew how he had felt when he returned to the Eastern Palace and found the side hall silent and empty.

Xiao Yu looked up.

"I was bored on my own, so I went out of the palace for a while," he replied.

Seeing him so lightly dressed, chilled through, with what looked like frost on his shoulders,

he frowned slightly. "Why were you sitting outside instead of staying in your room?"

The Crown Prince felt deeply aggrieved. "I thought you were utterly sick of me and didn't want me anymore, Young Imperial Uncle..."

Xiao Yu paused.

"Haven't you been busy with the Empress Coronation Ceremony these past few days?" he asked. "You haven't been at the Eastern Palace either..."

The Crown Prince immediately lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Young Imperial Uncle... I've neglected you these past few days. It was my fault."

"What are you thinking?"

Xiao Yu chuckled.

He tapped him on the head. "Why are you apologizing to me? What do you mean, neglecting me? I'm not your Crown Princess."

The Crown Prince's eyes dimmed.

Xiao Yu continued, "You and my imperial sister-in-law finally reunited. Of course you should spend more time together."

"Master, Master-"

Qinggeng flew over in a panic.

"That Cao Lin recognized me! He's coming after me! What should I do?"

The Crown Prince quickly said, "Young Imperial Uncle, take it inside and hide it. I'll hold Commandant Cao off!"

Xiao Yu nodded and led Qinggeng into the room.

"What exactly happened?" he asked. "Why did he suddenly recognize you?"

"I don't know either."

Qinggeng was just as baffled.

"As soon as he saw me, he ordered his men to catch me, so I flew straight back!"

Xiao Ba, coiled around its claws, replied, "Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!" I'll bite him to death!

Xiao Yu lightly patted Xiao Ba's head. "Don't make trouble. He's a decent martial artist. You wouldn't survive his blade."

He took out the Sealing Scroll and put them inside.

"Stay in here for the next few days."

"Understood, Master..." Qinggeng said.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp..." Xiao Ba replied. Fine, then...

"What is the meaning of this, Commandant Cao?" the Crown Prince demanded. "Since when has there been an assassin in my sleeping quarters?"

"That was not what I meant. But for Your Highness's safety, please allow me to conduct a search," Commandant Cao replied.

"...What's going on?" Xiao Yu asked, coming out with a yawn.

The moment the Crown Prince saw him, he trotted over. "I'm sorry, Young Imperial Uncle... Did we disturb you?"

"You're certainly noisy," Xiao Yu said.

He glanced at the man standing nearby and narrowed his eyes.

"Who is this?"

Cao Lin stepped forward and bowed. "Cao Lin pays his respects to Your Highness, Prince Yu!"

"Rise," Xiao Yu said casually.

He glanced around.

Frowning slightly, he asked, "Commandant Cao, why have you brought so many men to surround the Eastern Palace in the dead of night?"

"I saw a group of thieves my men have been pursuing for days flee in this direction..." Cao Lin said.

"Oh? Did you?"

Xiao Yu replied leisurely,

"I was sleeping soundly in my chamber and didn't hear a thing."

"I've been here admiring the moon the whole time, and I haven't seen anyone either," the Crown Prince added.

Cao Lin tightened his grip on his sword hilt.

The blue bird matched the blue feathers left in the Armory that day. It surely knew the whereabouts of the group who had stolen from the Armory...

And he had indeed seen it fly this way just now.

"I hope Your Highnesses will not hinder me in carrying out my duties!" he replied.

"Oh, is this official business or a private matter?" Xiao Yu suddenly asked.

Cao Lin's heart jolted.

Looking at Xiao Yu, a flash of panic crossed his eyes.

Could Prince Yu know something?

"Commandant Cao?" Xiao Yu prompted.

"Official business..." he replied.

Xiao Yu lowered his eyes slightly.

"In that case, go ahead and search, Commandant Cao."

A flicker of delight crossed Cao Lin's face.

But the next moment, he heard-

"Still, the Eastern Palace isn't somewhere just anyone can search whenever they please. If word got out, wouldn't everyone think I was weak and easily bullied?"

Xiao Yu changed tack. "What will you do if you find nothing, Commandant Cao?"

Cao Lin fell silent.

"How about this? If you find nothing, Commandant Cao, you and these gentlemen can each receive fifty strokes of the paddle in the Torture Chamber. What do you say?"

Xiao Yu swept his gaze over them and offered his suggestion kindly.

Cao Lin and his men immediately fell silent.

Fifty strokes might not kill them, but it would leave them half dead.

And judging by Prince Yu's confidence, they probably would not find anything even if they searched.

His Majesty currently favored Prince Yu greatly, so it would not do to offend him too much.

Besides, this was a private matter. If it attracted His Majesty's attention, it might be difficult to resolve.

"...With Your Highness Prince Yu here in the Eastern Palace, I'm sure those thieves wouldn't dare cause trouble."

Wisely, Cao Lin said, "Forgive my offense. I shall take my leave."

With that, he hurried away with his men.

Xiao Yu watched their retreating backs, looking disappointed.

Tsk. I thought I could use this chance to have them beaten.

I didn't expect Cao Lin to have such a keen sense of danger. He saw through my intentions right away...

Never mind. There's plenty of time.

One day, I'll catch them doing something wrong, string them up, and give them a vicious beating to avenge Father, whom they killed in my previous life!

The Crown Prince said nothing. He would just pretend he had not heard a thing.