Peals of laughter drifted from the peaceful Imperial Study. The many guards within the Imperial Palace all looked toward it, rare smiles appearing on their faces.
Their love and respect for their white-robed Human Emperor came from the heart.
Seeing Su Mo laugh happily filled their hearts with joy.
At some point, several Flowers of the Other Shore had sprouted within the Imperial Palace as well. These flowers seemed unafraid of the changing seasons, able to grow and bloom at any time.
Several swallows returning south circled those Flowers of the Other Shore, vying with them in beauty. For a time, birdsong and floral fragrance filled the entire Imperial Palace.
Looking at Su Mo's peaceful smile, Prince Ying shook his head helplessly and slowly said, "All right, enough teasing... the Holy Sect's First Elder heard you had returned to the Imperial City and came here."
"Since you're awake, go see him."
Su Mo nodded at this, then looked at the pile of memorials before him and back at Prince Ying... his meaning clear.
Prince Ying's face darkened again, and he waved a hand helplessly.
"Go, go, go. I'll review these memorials for you."
"Thank you, Father." With that, Su Mo rose and dashed out of the Imperial Study, leaving Prince Ying staring blankly and Prince Ying's Princess Consort smiling sweetly.
"Why do I feel like I've been played?" Prince Ying muttered, a little slow on the uptake.
Prince Ying's Princess Consort smiled without exposing the truth, leaving her husband some dignity. "Just help him. He's too tired."
Prince Ying sighed and nodded. Looking at the mountain of memorials, he instantly felt his head swell to the size of a bushel and cursed under his breath.
"These civil and military officials are truly useless. They submit a memorial over everything."
"Can't