"Enter!"

After the Ministry of War officials left the room, it was the young man's turn to enter Lu Fusu's imperial study with stacks of papers in his arms.

The room is quite simple, with only tables, chairs and bookshelves.

"Zhuge Qing, the doctor in the household department, comes to see His Highness the Crown Prince."

"No gift."

"I received a letter of love from the governors of Xuzhou and Chenzhou overnight, hoping to impose a temporary tax."

"What's the name?"

"I heard it's to clean up the streets."

Lu Fusu quickly read the official documents presented.

"No additional taxes will be added randomly. Immediately send the supervisory censor to the streets recorded here to confirm the situation and confirm to what extent repairs are needed, or whether repairs are really necessary. We will discuss it after seeing it. I will write a formal edict to

Supervise the Censor."

"I obey the decree."

"There are other?"

Zhuge Qing did not answer, but smiled with a meaning.

"What? What's the problem?"

"...Early this morning, my childhood sweetheart came to my house."

"Um?"

"She works as a court lady here."

Lu Fusu's hand stopped for an instant, and he calmly placed the official document on the table.

"A palace concubine?"

"Yes, she also brought Shui Xinyuan."

Lu Fusu looked at Zhuge Qing sharply.

"... His Highness's face... suddenly became so terrifying."

"I always look like this."

"Don't stare at me like that! That girl is very nice!"

"I didn't expect that palace concubine to be your childhood sweetheart...I clearly told you not to mention it to anyone."

"I can only say that she trusts me more than she trusts you."

Zhuge Qing smiled silently and shrugged his shoulders.

Lu Fusu sighed and pointed to the chair next to him and asked him to sit down.

"...Why did your childhood sweetheart bring my Shui girl to find you? Zhuge Qing."

"Eh? You admitted it!"

"If you make a big deal out there, I will pull out your tongue right away!"

"That sounds terrible."

Zhuge Qing moved his chair in front of Lu Fusu and sat down. He was not afraid at all and still had a smile on his face.

"Qing'er didn't come to me just to spread the word. Instead, she wanted to let His Highness Prince Shui see me and let her know that there is indeed someone on His Highness's side, so that she can rest assured."

"..."

Lu Fusu thought of the figure standing in the rain.

...If only I had noticed it earlier...The petite body in my arms felt so cold.

Cry for things that are not her fault, apologize for things that are not her fault...

"She... didn't catch a cold, right?"

"What?"

"Last night, she came to see me in the rain..."

Zhuge Qing's smile turned into a bitter smile and he nodded.

"You don't seem to be feeling uncomfortable, so it shouldn't be a big deal."

"That's it..."

"What a lovely girl. She only cares about you, Your Highness!"

"Did Shui Xinyuan say something?"

"I almost didn't say anything, but I knew it when I saw him."

"..."

Although Lu Fusu told Zhuge Qing that Shui Xinyuan was his girl, he was actually not sure because after so long, Shui Xinyuan still couldn't adapt to Lu Fusu.

...It is true that I have spoken more recently than in the past, but...

He always calls her out at night and always feels sorry for her.

As long as she says she wants her to come over, she won't refuse.

Could it be that she acquiesces to my willfulness just because she is very gentle?

I hope that Miss Shui also wants to meet her as much as she does... But she still can't confirm this.

"...Is she an important person?"

Zhuge Qing, who asked the question, had already suppressed his smile.

"Yes...she...is more important than anyone else."

"In this case, it must be concealed...at least for now."

"Yes……"

Lu Wuxian and the others must not be allowed to know.

"It doesn't matter if you want to take my life, but..."

"But once you let them know that you have your heart, they will definitely take you as a hostage."

"And if I abandon the throne, I will betray her..."

"In this case, we have to avoid making her a target."

Patting his knees, Zhuge Qing stood up.

"Although the vigilance will continue, Your Highness must be more careful around you than in the past. Those guys are extremely despicable and will do whatever it takes."

"I know."

"Then, I have resigned."

Zhuge Qing, who was about to leave the room, turned his head.

"Three years ago, my father traveled with you through mountains and rivers..."

Lu Fusu raised his head.

"To be honest, he was originally very uneasy about you inheriting the throne. You are good at academics and have a good character, but he doubted how much you understand about leading and governing a country."

"..."

"However, His Highness suddenly said one day that he wanted to see this Yuan Kingdom with his own eyes. His Majesty's situation at that time was already worrying... During your absence from the capital, the Emperor's brother might have taken the opportunity to seize the throne, but you still chose to embark on the journey.

He only took a few close followers with him, and didn’t even take a carriage."

Zhuge Qing raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.

"Since my father came back from that trip, he has kept saying that this way there will be no problem and it will ensure that Yuan Guo will have no worries."

"...For Lu Wuxian, it was indeed an excellent opportunity at that time."

Lu Fusu was very aware of the dangers of leaving the capital. When he came back, the crown prince's position might not be guaranteed, and he might even be attacked by assassins on the way.

Despite this, he still embarked on the journey.

To confirm what the girl said.

"At that time, Concubine Chen could not convince the emperor. So after I returned to the capital, I still kept my position as crown prince... However, they would not give me a second chance."

"That's right, if you hadn't become emperor, I would have had a big headache too!"

"Um?"

"If Qing'er is a friend of the emperor and the empress, and I marry her, I can silence those nagging relatives."

Zhuge Qing showed a meaningful smile again and was about to open the door.

"Zhuge Qing..."
To be continued...