The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

All that could be heard was Jia Jue speaking from outside: "What are you two discussing now that can't be told to outsiders?"

As he spoke, he walked in.

Jia Jue knew that Daiyu was a thoughtful person, so he followed her.

Upon entering, they saw that Daiyu's eyes were indeed red, clearly indicating that she had just been crying.

Jia Jue couldn't help but laugh and say, "I remember saying just a few days ago that my sister never cries."

Daiyu knew, of course, that Jia Jue was teasing her to make her less sad.

He immediately asked, "Where did you cry?"

Jia Jue simply smiled without saying a word, looking at Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu was shy and blushed a little when he stared at her, so she turned her head away and said, "Since you're here, here, this is something I embroidered for fun. You can have it if you want."

When Jia Jue looked at it, it was indeed the purse that Xiangyun had mentioned earlier, and the embroidered words were just as good.

Jia Jue then laughed and said, "Embroidering for fun? Why are you embroidering at night?"

Daiyu looked up at him: "Do you want it or not? If you say another word, I won't give it to you."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "Yes, yes, of course I want it."

Daiyu said, "Since you want this one, then replace the one I gave you before. The original one wasn't good; this is a new design I learned."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "Oh~ so this is a new trick that my sister has learned. You've put a lot of effort into it."

Daiyu's face flushed even more, and she fell silent.

Jia Jue also knew the principle that too much of a good thing is bad, so he stopped teasing her.

He only exchanged a few more words with her and made some small talk before going back.

Now that he's rested enough, and with so many things happening lately, he needs to prepare for the prefectural examination in April.

As the saying goes: "On a quiet day, I'll revisit my old books and poems."

It's time to get serious.

The content of the prefectural examination and the county examination was basically the same.

The Four Books and five-character six-rhyme poems are of course required for the exam.

In addition, the prefectural examination also included books such as the "Classic of Filial Piety" and "Extensive Instructions of the Sacred Edict".

These books also need to be reviewed.

While Jia Jue focused on his studies, turmoil was brewing within the palace.

Inside the Imperial Palace, in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, His Majesty, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat solemnly on a chair.

A moment later, the Third Prince hurried over and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Father Emperor."

The emperor nodded and said, "Rise."

The third prince then rose and asked, "I wonder why Father has summoned me here?"

"ha."

As the emperor reviewed the memorials, he chuckled and said, "If there's nothing urgent, why can't I summon you?"

The Third Prince quickly said, "Your Majesty, I misspoke! Please forgive me!"

Hahahaha!

The emperor suddenly laughed and said to Li Ren, "What can I say to you? You've always been low-key, unlike your elder brothers. I thought you were cautious, but I never imagined you'd be so bold!"

With a "plop," Li Ren knelt down and said, "Please explain, Father."

His voice had begun to tremble at this point.

"Please explain?" His Majesty the Emperor sneered, "Do you really think I don't know?"

Li Ren was so frightened that he could only kneel there, cold sweat pouring down his face.

The Emperor said, "You have quite the nerve, interfering even in the imperial examinations. Your elder brothers, who are usually so high-profile, would never dare to do something like this..."

"Are you trying to turn the world upside down?!"

With a roar, Li Ren was so frightened that he kowtowed and could only utter the words, "Please forgive me, Father Emperor."

"I don't believe you didn't notice." The emperor sneered twice. "The results of this year's imperial examinations were released unusually late. With your intelligence, you should have noticed something was wrong. I couldn't bear it, so I delayed summoning you, hoping you would take the initiative to admit your mistake—but you still clung to a sliver of hope."

Li Ren could no longer speak; he was just trembling uncontrollably.

"I granted you some of the authority of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but do you know they are still my men?" His Majesty continued, "And do you know whether I have sent people to follow you three brothers?"

Seeing Li Ren remain silent, the Emperor continued, "I don't stop you from courting the sons of officials, and while I don't approve of your constant testing of everyone, I won't hinder you either; you call everyone 'brother,' and I won't say anything; even when you use the same rhetoric with everyone—'Among the younger generation of officials, only Brother Xing and you two are by my side'—I know all this. Li Ren, Li Ren, if Zhao Xing hadn't truly had the foresight to select such talented individuals for you, do you think the results of this imperial examination would have been as smooth as you imagined?"

Li Ren remained silent; at this moment, his heart was filled with despair.

"Actually," the Emperor continued, "of you three brothers, you are the one most like me—restrained yet often impulsive, cautious in your thinking but lacking in detail, your actions, which you believe are flawless, are actually full of loopholes. I have corrected all of these; what about you?"

Li Ren wept and said, "I beg you, Father, to give me another chance. I will surely correct my mistakes and work diligently for you. Please forgive me!"

The emperor said, "You are, after all, my son—I will no longer need you in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Go to your own palace and confine yourself for three months."

He then waved goodbye, signaling him to leave.

Li Ren also quickly stood up and left meekly.

The Emperor then ordered, "Go and bring out all the servants from his palace to serve him, and have them bring him water and food every day."

A eunuch nearby responded and left.

"Your Majesty, you are still too soft-hearted."

As a sound came, the Emperor hurriedly stood up and respectfully bowed, saying, "Father."

The visitor was none other than the retired emperor.

The retired emperor nodded and said, "Since he has already acted this way, why give him another chance?"

The emperor said, "I think he is still too young..."

"You're not a child anymore!" the Emperor Emeritus interrupted. "Fifteen years old. What were you doing when you were fifteen? And what was he doing?"

The emperor remained silent, simply standing aside.

The Emperor Emeritus sighed, "You're right, you two are really alike, both of you are quiet! It's just that he's bolder than you, but he doesn't have your kind heart."

He continued, "You are still too kind-hearted. Although things have changed somewhat since you ascended the throne, it remains a major flaw. If it were me, not only would Li Ren have no chance, but even those boys who followed him would have no hope for advancement! Now that you have ascended the throne, you should relinquish it!"

The emperor sighed and said, "After all, they were forced by Ren'er."

"Forced?" The retired emperor scoffed. "They are my subjects; they should naturally be aware of this!"

After glancing at the silent emperor, the retired emperor sighed and said, "I know you have your own plans, but I'm old and won't interfere anymore!"

Having said that, he got up and went back.

The emperor stood in the palace for a long time. He suddenly remembered that it was because of his "benevolence" that he lost the position of crown prince.

However, it was precisely because of this "benevolence" that he became emperor.

Everyone has their own thoughts, and for him, there's nothing wrong with being "kind and generous".

Just like my mother back then.

He didn't turn his head, but simply said, "Don't record Father's words."

"yes!"