The Emperor summoned Xiao Yun to the palace.
This was the first time Xiao Yun had seen the Emperor since learning about his true parentage.
His feelings were a complex mix.
Looking at the Emperor now, he felt a sense of filial affection.
The Emperor was so unnerved by the affectionate gaze that he got goosebumps.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you here to ask for something again?" the Emperor asked with a hearty laugh, his tone casual.
Xiao Yun recalled the Emperor's indulgence and pampering during his childhood.
When several princes and their companions got into trouble, everyone else was punished, but he alone remained unscathed.
If he desired something, even if a prince also wanted it, the Emperor would give it to him first.
Everyone knew the Emperor doted on him, and sometimes even let him take the blame.
Once, when Prince Rong's hidden storybooks were discovered, he claimed Xiao Yun had brought them in. The Emperor, who was about to confine Prince Rong, changed his mind upon hearing it was Xiao Yun. He returned the storybooks to Xiao Yun and later sent someone to find several popular classics, instructing him not to read vulgar stories but proper ones.
Of course, Xiao Yun didn't take the blame for nothing; Prince Rong suffered considerable financial losses in private.
Although everyone knew, a significant reason for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's favor towards Xiao Yun was the curse he carried, which predicted he wouldn't live past twenty-five.
The Emperor pitied him.
At the time, he took it for granted, but now, knowing the Emperor was his biological father, that filial affection grew even stronger.
The Emperor felt uneasy under his gaze: "Have you encountered some trouble?"
Xiao Yun smiled: "No, I just think Your Majesty looks very handsome today."
"You rascal," the Emperor chided with a smile, then turned to business. "I summoned you today to discuss the Minister of Revenue position. Last year, I appointed you as acting minister, and I saw you did a good job. Why not make it permanent?"
Most of the Ministry of Revenue's affairs were suggested by Xiao Mo. Xiao Yun had to admit that Xiao Mo had perfectly inherited the Xiao family's talent for business; with him around, the Xiao family's wealth would only increase.
Strange, why hadn't he suspected anything before?
As the biological son of the Xiao family, he hadn't inherited his father's and grandfather's keen intellect for finance and business at all.
It was unlikely anyone would have imagined the Old Consort would let another's child inherit the title of Prince Ding'an, while raising her own grandson as an adopted son.
No one could have foreseen it!
Xiao Yun's mind wandered again.
"A'yun?"
The Emperor's call brought him back to his senses. He smiled and said, "I dare not deceive Your Majesty, but most of the Ministry of Revenue's matters were suggested by A'mo. I merely reaped the benefits."
"Xiao Mo?" The Emperor was slightly surprised, then chuckled and joked, "He's more like a descendant of the Xiao family than you are."
"Indeed," Xiao Yun agreed with a smile.
"Xiao Mo has no official title, yet he's directly appointed as Minister of Revenue..." the Emperor mused.
Many aristocratic families would place their sons in the Six Ministries or the military for experience, but these were usually minor positions. To rise higher, one either had to achieve something extraordinary or slowly gain seniority.
Despite Xiao Mo's noble background, it was unusual for him to be appointed as a second-rank Minister of Revenue immediately.
Xiao Yun understood this well. After a moment's thought, he said, "Yao Yao's eldest uncle is the Vice Minister of Revenue. Although he's a bit of a philanderer, he has the ability and seniority. Why not promote him to Minister of Revenue? As for A'mo, his talent shouldn't be wasted. Previously, he held no official position and only offered me advice. Why not formally place him in the Ministry of Revenue? His position doesn't need to be too high, and perhaps grant him some noble title. That way, others won't look down on him just because he's Xiao's adopted son."
The Emperor laughed heartily: "You brothers have deep affection for each other. Your considerations are truly thoughtful."
Xiao Yun understood that he and the Emperor might not be able to acknowledge each other in the end.
If that were the case, him holding onto the title of Prince Ding'an would be unfair to Xiao Mo.
It would be best if the Emperor could grant him a noble title.
Although he knew Xiao Mo didn't care about it.
The Emperor pondered for a moment: "That's not difficult." He then asked, "What about you? If you can't fully utilize your talents in the Ministry of Revenue, would you like to serve in another department?"
Xiao Yun was not polite at all, grinning widely: "I want to go to the Ministry of Personnel."
"Ministry of Personnel?"
The Ministry of Personnel was responsible for the appointment, transfer, and promotion of officials throughout the empire, making it the most powerful of the Six Ministries.
More importantly, Grand Tutor Wei's eldest son, Lord Wei Zong, was the Vice Minister of Personnel.
Leveraging this advantage and Grand Tutor Wei's influence, many officials in the imperial court were affiliated with the Wei family.
"I'll go and see for myself," Xiao Yun said with a playful grin. "Next year or the year after, I'll check out the Ministry of Works."
He was truly incorrigible. The Emperor chuckled and said, "Alright, go and see for yourself. I'll find a suitable post for you..."
Xiao Yun thanked him for his grace. The Emperor then inquired about the two children.
Mentioning the children, Xiao Yun's smile was impossible to hide: "They're already three months old and can hold their heads up. Yao Yao often lets them play on the bed... An'an is like a little man, incredibly mischievous. Ping'an, on the other hand, is quite quiet. Yao Yao says he'll grow up to be a warm man..."
Xiao Yun chattered on, like an old woman.
The Emperor smiled, full of envy. How wonderful it would be if those two children were his grandchildren.
The Emperor had several sons, the eldest, the Second Prince, was older than Xiao Yun, yet none had yet given him a grandchild.
"Bring the children to the palace to see me when you have time."
Xiao Yun hummed in response: "Okay."
After returning, he told Xiao Mo about this matter. As expected, Xiao Mo was not particularly concerned.
"You still need a noble title," Xiao Yun said. "In this world, money alone is not enough. You need money, power, and influence."
"Right," Xiao Yun suddenly remembered the matter between Xiao Mo and Feng Jiang Duo. "Why don't we ask the Emperor to bestow a marriage? With the Emperor's decree, even if your mother disagrees, it won't matter."
Xiao Mo was silent for a moment: "I don't want to force my mother. Even if I could marry the woman I love this way, my mother would never be happy."
Xiao Yun: "You are more filial than I am."