"Big sister, why are you back alone?" Shen Xiaoming asked in surprise as soon as he entered the room, noticing that Shen Xiaoyan was the only one there.
"Big sister was just about to tell you. Come with me."
Shen Xiaoyan led Shen Xiaoming into the west annex, which was a study.
Unlike their previous residence at the foot of Baiyun Peak, this study was a genuine study.
Besides a desk and a few wooden chairs, there was only a bamboo couch with a chessboard on it.
The rest of the space was neatly filled with display shelves, packed with various books.
Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming sat facing each other, and Shen Xiaoyan recounted the day's events to Shen Xiaoming.
Shen Xiaoming listened quietly as Shen Xiaoyan spoke, his expression changing frequently.
He hadn't expected so many things to happen in just half a day.
When Shen Xiaoyan mentioned that Zheng Wei had beaten Zheng Fan, Shen Xiaoming's face turned red with excitement. "Big sister's husband is too amazing."
After finishing, Shen Xiaoyan said to Shen Xiaoming, "We can't go back tonight. You'll stay in the annex of this courtyard tonight. I'll have Old Hei and Hei Zi guard the courtyard so we can know about any movements immediately. Although, it should be fine, this is no ordinary courtyard."
Shen Xiaoming naturally understood Shen Xiaoyan's meaning. He nodded and said solemnly, "Don't worry, big sister. Xiaoming has grown up. The safety of the few little ones can be left to Xiaoming."
Shen Xiaoyan smiled reassuringly. She knew that Xiaoming was no longer a child.
"Since that's the case, then I'll leave quickly."
As Shen Xiaoyan spoke, she walked out of the study with Shen Xiaoming.
After giving a few more instructions to the wet nurse and Huo Fen, Shen Xiaoyan bid farewell to the four children.
Even though they couldn't understand, she still had to say it.
After leaving the courtyard, Shen Xiaoyan watched the large gate close behind her. Sensing that no one was around, she flashed into her personal space.
Upon entering her space, she didn't linger but returned directly to the Forbidden City.
Ever since Shen Xiaoyan left, Zheng Wei had been feeling uneasy.
Although he knew Shen Xiaoyan's capabilities, he couldn't help but worry.
Finally, seeing Shen Xiaoyan reappear before him, Zheng Wei let out a sigh of relief.
"How is everything at home?" Zheng Wei asked with a smile.
Zheng Wei's change in expression did not escape Shen Xiaoyan's notice. Of course, she saw it but didn't deliberately mention it.
She simply answered Zheng Wei's question, "Everything is fine at home. I've already made arrangements. You can rest assured."
As they were talking, they heard Jiang Yubao's voice from outside, "Young Master Zheng, Madam Zheng, the Grand Emperor requests your presence."
Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei exchanged glances upon hearing this. Didn't they say they should rest well?
Why were they being summoned again after such a short time?
Though puzzled, the two could only open the door and go out.
They accompanied Jiang Yubao to the main hall and met Sima Hao again.
What was surprising was that Zheng Xiang was also there.
Could it be that this matter was still related to Zheng Wei and Zheng Xiang's relationship?
Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei exchanged a look and stepped forward to salute Sima Hao.
Sima Hao waved his hand, inviting them to sit, and said with a smile, "You are both good children, but perhaps you do not understand a father's good intentions."
Indeed!
Sima Hao continued, "Zheng Wei, although you say you have forgotten everything before the age of ten, your Royal Father has not forgotten. For over ten years, your Royal Father has been thinking of you constantly."
"What is the Grand Emperor trying to say?" Zheng Wei asked coolly.
Sima Hao smiled and said naturally, "Of course, I hope you will return to the Prince's mansion with Prince Duan. After all, that is your home, and you must go back."
Zheng Wei did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Zheng Xiang, who was sitting silently to the side. "Does Prince Duan feel the same way?"
Zheng Xiang looked at Zheng Wei's cold gaze and was unsure how to speak.
However, thinking of his purpose, he could only grit his teeth and say, "If you are willing, Royal Father naturally hopes you will return home."
"What if I'm not willing?" Zheng Wei said quickly.
Being rejected so directly by Zheng Wei again, especially in front of the Grand Emperor, even with Zheng Xiang's good temper and thick skin, felt unbearable.
However, he had been playing the role of a loving father in front of Sima Hao, all for his son's good.
It was truly difficult to get angry at Zheng Wei now just because he was unwilling to return with him.
Thus, he could only give a wry smile. "Since you are unwilling, son, there is truly nothing that can be done. However, son, no matter when it is, the Prince's mansion is your home. You can return whenever you wish."
Seeing Zheng Xiang compromise with Zheng Wei, Sima Hao was indifferent.
He originally didn't care about this matter.
However, for the sake of appearances, he still spoke up, "However, Zheng Wei, you must let your Royal Father know where you live. Otherwise, if he wants to see you, he won't be able to find you."
Zheng Wei nodded. "When we leave the palace, I will naturally take Prince Duan to see it."
Since the matter was settled, Sima Hao waved his hand, dismissing everyone.
After leaving the main hall, Zheng Wei did not even look at Zheng Xiang. He led Shen Xiaoyan back to the small courtyard they had come from.
This time, when they returned to their room, no one disturbed them again.
Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei lay on the bed and chatted, and soon, they both fell asleep.
When they woke up again, they were also woken by Jiang Yubao.
However, looking out from the room, it was already dark outside.
It was likely time for the banquet.
Indeed, when they went outside, Jiang Yubao said that the banquet was about to begin and asked them to follow him.
Since it was just a family banquet, only a few of Sima Han's brothers, along with Sima Hao and Sima Zhu, were present. Therefore, the banquet was held in a side hall of the Grand Emperor's palace.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others followed Jiang Yubao from the small courtyard to the side hall. Upon entering the hall, they saw several young men sitting there. Sima Hao and Sima Zhu had not yet arrived.
The people in the room stopped talking when they saw Shen Xiaoyan and the others enter and looked at them.
Shen Xiaoyan immediately recognized one of these people.
This person was the Fourth Prince, Sima Fen, the King of Qishan, whom they had met near the city gate on the day they first arrived in the capital.
Upon seeing Sima Han enter, Sima Fen's eyes were fixed on Sima Han.
Judging by his expression, if looks could kill, Sima Han would have died a hundred times over by now.
"Oh, look, our fifth brother is back. We haven't seen you in years, and you've forgotten all your manners. You don't even greet your brothers when you meet them," Sima Fen said with a smile to the other two.
Sima Han cast a faint glance at Sima Fen and walked forward slowly, nodding to the other two. "Greetings, Second Brother, Third Brother."
Seeing Sima Han ignore him, Sima Fen became even more infuriated. He shouted, "I'm your Fourth Brother too. Don't you see me?"
Sima Han then looked at Sima Fen in surprise. "Ah, my eyesight has been poor these years. I didn't realize there was someone else here. I was just wondering why Fourth Brother hadn't arrived yet. So you were here all along."
Sima Fen's face turned red with anger at Sima Han's words. He wanted to lose his temper, but glancing at Jiang Yubao standing to the side, he closed his mouth.
If he caused any more trouble, and the Emperor arrived, he wouldn't get any favors.
Besides, he had been the one to provoke first. Even the Emperor couldn't unfairly favor him.
Seeing Sima Fen grind his teeth but say nothing, Sima Han couldn't be bothered to look at him anymore.
After everyone was seated, soon, a eunuch's voice announced from outside that Sima Hao and Sima Zhu had arrived.
Everyone quickly stood up. Just as they had, they saw Sima Hao and Sima Zhu walk in side by side.
Everyone paid their respects and greeted them, then took their seats.
As the palace maids served the dishes, Sima Hao pointed to the two people sitting below him on the left. "Grand Tutor, you haven't returned for many years, so you probably don't know them. Let me introduce them to you. This is the Second Prince, Sima Lu, enfeoffed as the King of Changsha. This is the Third Prince, Sima Jing, enfeoffed as the King of Xiliang. As for this one, it is the Fourth Prince, Sima Fen, enfeoffed as the King of Qishan."
As Sima Hao introduced them, Shen Xiaoyan looked at each of them.
King of Changsha, Sima Lu, had a gentle and refined appearance, exuding a scholarly aura.
A slight smile always lingered on the corner of his lips. He didn't look like a prince but more like a learned scholar.
King of Xiliang, Sima Jing, was relatively burly with a stern face, possessing the demeanor of a marshal.
King of Qishan, Sima Fen, had delicate features, but unfortunately, one could tell from his face that his body had been ruined by wine and women.
He had a good appearance, but his insides were filled with uselessness.
Looking at Emperor Sima Zhu, he had a large belly, and his facial features were almost squeezed out of his large, fat face. He looked as wretched as one could be.
However, when he was serious, he had the imposing aura of a superior.
His small eyes flickered with shrewdness, indicating that he was a man of deep schemes.
Finally, Shen Xiaoyan looked at Sima Han again. Alas, Sima Han was the most pleasant to look at.
It had to be said that the Grand Emperor's five sons were truly all different.
However, upon closer inspection, the features of the five people bore a slight resemblance. After all, they were born of the same father.
After introducing his sons, Sima Hao did not forget to introduce Yizhixie to his sons.
"You brothers have likely only heard of him but never seen him. Today, to be able to meet him is your good fortune."
Hearing Sima Hao say this, the princes were all greatly surprised.
No matter how they looked at it, Yizhixie was just a handsome young man. Could he be more noble than them?
"This is Grand Tutor Yizhixie. Why don't you quickly greet Grand Tutor?"
"What?"
The three exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.
This...
Surely their Imperial Father hadn't gone senile?
This was the common thought in the minds of the three at that moment.