I, a useless prince, started with the Xiang Yu template.

The next day.

The sky was clear and the sunlight was soft.

Inside the palace, the walls stretch endlessly, and the glazed tiles reflect a faint golden light.

Chu Yun, dressed in casual clothes, walked alone towards Chu Yun Palace.

Today, Chuyun Palace is no longer the desolate and remote side hall it once was.

The palace gates were renovated, the pillars were repainted, and the number of palace guards was doubled.

The palace servants walked with their heads down, their expressions respectful.

Everything, simply because the master here has changed.

Yesterday, after the triumphant return ceremony concluded, Emperor Qian issued an imperial edict.

Li Ziwei was promoted to the rank of Consort Li.

She rose to become the head of the four concubines.

Her status in the imperial harem was second only to the Empress.

Everyone understands.

This exceptional promotion was not due to Li Ziwei herself.

It was entirely thanks to Chu Yun.

Emperor Qian did this,

First, to make up for the deficiencies.

Over the years, Chu Yun and her son have been neglected, and Emperor Qian feels guilty.

Secondly, they tried to win over Chu Yun.

Elevating the mother's rank is to give Chu Yun face.

This strengthens the bond between father and son, making Chu Yun grateful and loyal to the court.

Thirdly, it was done for everyone in the court to see.

Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded and treated with great favor.

Tell all the civil and military officials, and the other princes, that as long as they have the ability and merits, the emperor will favor them without reservation.

.......

Inside Chuyun Palace.

A warm fragrance wafts through the air, and the curtains hang softly.

Li Ziwei was dressed in a magnificent imperial concubine's palace gown, with exquisite makeup, gentle eyes and graceful demeanor.

She sat on the soft couch by the window, her fingers unconsciously caressing the jade cup.

His eyes kept glancing towards the path outside the palace, clearly waiting for someone.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up abruptly.

Upon seeing that familiar figure, a gentle smile instantly appeared in his eyes.

Chu Yun stepped into the hall and bowed in greeting.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Li Ziwei quickly got up, stepped forward, and reached out to support him.

"No need for formalities, get up quickly."

She looked Chu Yun up and down, her gaze carefully sweeping over his eyebrows, the back of his hands, and his shoulders.

"You must have suffered in the military camp in the northern border region, right?"

"The border region is bitterly cold, the military camps are rudimentary, and swords and spears have no eyes."

"Are you injured? Are you eating well? Are you sleeping soundly?"

Chu Yun felt a warmth in his heart and spoke calmly.

"Don't worry, Mother."

"Everything is fine in the barracks. The soldiers treat me with respect, and I have plenty of food and clothing."

"Your subject is unharmed, and all is well."

Li Ziwei sighed softly, pulled him to sit down, and personally poured Chu Yun a cup of tea.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly looked up, staring intently at Chu Yun, and spoke solemnly.

"Son, you really hid it well before."

"Even I, your own mother, have been kept in the dark by you."

"Who would have thought that you, who seem so carefree and dissolute, are actually both intelligent and brave?"

She paused, her gaze intense, and asked directly:

"Now you have achieved great success and been bestowed the title of king."

"Tell the truth to Mother, do you... want to sit on the throne as Crown Prince?"

"If you want to fight."

"Your mother will do everything in her power to help you."

"Although my Li family is not a top-tier aristocratic family, we still have connections among civil officials in the imperial court and local officials."

"As long as you nod, I'll get it done immediately."

"You now have military merits and the support of the people; His Majesty values ​​you highly."

"If you join the struggle for the throne, most of the court officials will side with you."

"The other five princes are not worth worrying about at all."

Now is the best time for Chu Yun to vie for the position of Crown Prince.

Chu Yun picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and shook his head.

"Mother, I have absolutely no interest in the throne."

Li Ziwei was slightly taken aback.

"Being the crown prince is too tiring, and the throne is too heavy."

"We must care about the people of the world, check and balance the civil and military officials in the court, and guard against powerful families."

"Day after day, I review memorials; year after year, I have no time to rest."

"On the other hand, the prince..."

"Holding their fiefdoms and military power, they don't need to get involved in the most central conflicts of the court."

"No one is watching me all the time, and no one is deliberately plotting against me."

"Not bound by the concept of succession, and without the need for intrigue and backstabbing."

"Practice military drills in my spare time, and travel around when I have nothing else to do."

"All I want is to be a carefree prince."

"With power in hand, one can live a peaceful and carefree life."

Li Ziwei stared blankly at her son.

After a long pause, she smiled.

"it is good."

If you don't want to fight, then don't fight.

"I never fought or competed before, I just hoped you would grow up safely."

"Now, I only wish you peace and well-being."

"Being an emperor is indeed hard work."

"He goes to court before dawn and reviews memorials late at night."

"Internally, it is necessary to maintain a balance of power within the harem; externally, it is necessary to appease the

"Confined to the palace his whole life, toiling and worrying his whole life."

She understands it clearly.

Imperial power may appear glamorous, but behind it lies a web of shackles.

Since her son didn't want to fight for it, she did everything she could to let him have his way.

"Stay here and have lunch in the palace."

"The food in the barracks is so rough, how can it compare to the imperial kitchen?"

"I already gave the order to prepare your favorite dishes."

"Sweet and sour crispy pork, honey-glazed lotus seeds, and braised venison—all prepared for you."

Chu Yun bowed slightly.

"Your subject, I shall obey your command with utmost respect."

........

afternoon.

The sun was setting in the west, and the sunlight was gentle.

Chu Yun bid farewell to Li Ziwei and walked out of the palace alone.

The palace path is long and winding, with clean and flat bluestone floors.

The palace walls on both sides were towering, and the palace servants bowed their heads and paid their respects along the way, not daring to look directly at each other.

Chu Yun walked slowly, his expression relaxed.

They had just stepped out of the palace gates not far.

A plump figure strode forward to meet them.

The newcomer was dressed in a brocade eunuch's robe, with a fair complexion and a respectful demeanor.

It was none other than Gao Fu, the chief eunuch and the emperor's closest attendant.

Gao Fu jogged up to Chu Yun, bowed deeply, and was extremely courteous.

"Your Highness, this servant greets you."

Chu Yun nodded slightly: "What is it?"

Gao Fu lowered his voice: "His Majesty is waiting in the Imperial Study. Please come over there, Your Highness."

"His Majesty specifically instructed that you must be invited over."

Chu Yun nodded calmly: "Lead the way."

"Yes, sir."

Gao Fu bent down and led the way.

The two walked one after the other along the royal palace road, heading straight for the imperial study.

When the imperial guards along the way saw Chu Yun, they all stood with their hands at their sides, their expressions filled with awe.

……

Not long after.

In front of the Imperial Study.

Gao Fu stopped and respectfully pushed open the door.

"Your Highness, please come in."

Chu Yun stepped inside.

The Imperial Study is simple yet grand in style.

The bookshelves were arranged against the wall, piled high with scrolls and classics.

The desk was piled with memorials, writing brushes, and ink, arranged neatly.

Emperor Qian was dressed in loose, casual clothes, without his dragon robe, which made him appear less majestic and more peaceful.

He sat at the table and gestured with his hand.

"Come and sit down."

Chu Yun stepped forward and respectfully took his seat.

The two sat facing each other across a small wooden table.

Emperor Qian first glanced at Chu Yun, speaking in a calm tone, without the slightest hint of imperial airs.

"Sixth Brother, you've kept this a secret all these years."

"I know perfectly well."

"You're not mediocre or incompetent, you just don't want to stand out."

"You deliberately kept a low profile and concealed your brilliance because you didn't want to get involved in the struggle among the princes or the controversy surrounding the crown prince."

Chu Yun nodded calmly.

"Father, you are wise."

"Your subject has absolutely no desire for the position of Crown Prince."

"Your subject only asks for a peaceful and carefree life, to be a leisurely prince, that would be enough."