Chapter 818: If Third Elder Brother Doesn't Become Emperor, Is It Your Turn?

Eunuch Cheng hurriedly followed.

Xiao Ze performed a bow and said, "Respectfully see off Father Emperor."

The ministers responded in unison, "Respectfully see off His Majesty."

Xiao Ze, seeing Father Emperor's figure slowly recede, straightened up and scanned the ministers: "Do any of you still have matters to report?"

The ministers looked at each other, and none spoke.

In everyone's hearts it was as clear as a mirror: when His Majesty left just now, he handed this court over to the Seventh Prince, fully granting him face.

So that no one would slight him because the edict of succession had not yet been proclaimed.

Thinking about it, indeed, although the Empress Consort is pregnant, whether it will be a prince or a princess is still unknown.

Even if it is a prince, when grown, his talent and temperament may not be as outstanding as Seventh Prince's.

Seventh Prince remains the hottest candidate for the Crown Prince position.

Xiao Ze, seeing this, said, "In that case, we shall retire from court."

The ministers together performed a bow: "Respectfully see off Prince Jing."

Xiao Ze smiled and walked up to Xiao Yuanhang: "Is Tuan Tuan in the mansion? I want to go see her."

Xiao Yuanhang replied, "She is, Seventh Prince, please."

Xiao Ran pulled Chen Hao over: "I'm coming too!"

"You," Xiao Ze laughed, "Alright, let's go together."

The court officials silently watched them as they left the Great Hall.

Song Jingxian gazed at the backs of the few, his eyes complex, and let out a soft sigh.

The group arrived at Ning Prince's Mansion and entered the back courtyard.

Tuan Tuan and Gongsun Yue were squatting together on the ground, feeding egg yolk to Little Jinjin.

Xiao Feifei sat nearby, tilting her little head, watching Little Jinjin gulp bite after bite, her big tail sweeping the ground.

"Third Elder Brother!" Tuan Tuan looked up, her eyes instantly brightened, shoved the egg she held into Lu Qi's hand, flung her little legs and ran over.

Xiao Ze bent down, scooped her up in one hand, and cradled her in his arm.

Xiao Tuanzi softly plopped onto his shoulder, her two little arms hugging his neck, nudging: "Third Elder Brother, why did you come?"

"Came to see you," Xiao Ze patted her back, "I've missed you."

"I miss you too!" Tuan Tuan lifted her head, looked at him earnestly, tilted her head, "Third Elder Brother, when will you become Emperor?"

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Ran's steps halted, and he opened his mouth.

Gongsun Yue, seeing this, said, "Tuan Tuan, I'm going back to look for Mother Consort."

"Mm-hmm," Tuan Tuan waved her hand, "You go, I'll come find you to play later!"

Gongsun Yue bowed to the crowd, turned and left.

Xiao Ze lifted Tuan Tuan up a bit, softly said, "This matter hasn't been decided yet; when it is, Third Elder Brother will be the first to tell you."

"Oh." Tuan Tuan nodded, and did not ask further.

Xiao Yuanhang glanced at Xiao Ze and ordered, "Serve tea to Seventh Prince."

"Yes!"

A moment later, the servants brought tea and pastries to the pavilion, and everyone took seats.

Xiao Ze, holding Tuan Tuan, gently rubbed his fingertip along the rim of the tea cup, his gaze fixed on the two small creatures still chasing and playing in the courtyard, his face serene.

Xiao Ran lifted his tea bowl and gulped down a mouthful, then after holding back for a while finally said, "Seventh Brother, don't take it to heart."

Xiao Ze gave a slight smile.

Xiao Yuanhang glanced at him; for any prince, the throne being just one step away yet suddenly slipping away—how could his heart be at ease?

Yet this matter has come to this point; truly fate is playing tricks.

However, this cannot be blamed on His Majesty; now that it has come to this, all that can be done is to console.

He set down the tea cup: "Ninth Prince's words are apt; the boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge. Seventh Prince, at this moment you should relax and not overthink."

Xiao Ze nodded slightly: "I understand, thank you."

Tuan Tuan sat on his lap, following his gaze toward the courtyard.

Xiao Feifei was chasing Little Jinjin across the ground, the snow‑white fur ball and golden thread tangled together, rolling around.

She lifted her little face, looking at Xiao Ze, wondering if Third Elder Brother was unhappy because he didn't become Emperor.

She tugged at Xiao Ze's collar: "Third Elder Brother."

"Hm?"

"Are you unhappy?"

Xiao Ze was taken aback.

Tuan Tuan tilted her head, her big eyes reflecting his face: "When you smile, your eyes don't even curve!"

The surroundings fell silent for a moment.

Tuan Tuan looked at Xiao Ran: "Ninth Brother, did something happen?"

Xiao Ran's hand holding the tea bowl paused, not knowing how to explain clearly to her.

Chen Hao lowered his eyes.

Xiao Yuanhang said nothing, simply lifted the tea cup and took a gentle sip.

Xiao Ze was silent for a moment, then raised his hand to pat Tuan Tuan's head, his lips curling slightly: "Third Elder Brother is fine."

Tuan Tuan stared at him for a moment, then drew her little arms in, hugging his neck: "If not doing it, then just not doing it."

"Being Emperor is so tiring; Imperial Uncle has to look at countless little ledgers every day and can't go out to play."

"Third Elder Brother, if you stop being Emperor, I'll take you to the grasslands, to the Western Regions, okay?"

She released her hand and counted on her fingers, "There are so many tasty things on the grasslands: milk skin, roasted whole lamb, and fragrant milk tea!"

"Uncle Ji once said, when I go, he'll even teach me how to trap wolves!"

"Over at Dada there are honey melons and huge grapes, sweet as can be; Third Elder Brother you'll definitely love them!"

She nuzzled around in Xiao Ze's arms, "It's great you're not Emperor; you can travel everywhere, far better than sitting on a chair reading those little books!"

She spoke animatedly, as if the grassland breezes, Western Regions melons, and the aroma of roasted whole lamb were already rushing toward her.

Xiao Feifei scampered in, perched at her feet, looking up at her with her head tilted, her fluffy big tail wagging rapidly.

Little Golden Plate perched on Xiao Feifei's back, lifted its head, and its tail tip kept flicking.

Xiao Ze looked at Tuan Tuan for a while, then smiled.

This time he truly laughed, his eyes crinkling, laughing heartily.

He lifted Tuan Tuan up, looking at her little face, "Alright! Third Elder Brother, remember."

"If you're not Emperor, I'll accompany you everywhere, north and south, east and west, to travel!"

Tuan Tuan kicked her little leg, "Put me down, please!"

Xiao Ze set her down, then pulled her back into his arms.

Tuan Tuan happily clutched his neck, gave his face a "smack" kiss, "Then it's settled, okay!"

"When the time comes, I'll also bring Xiao Feifei and Little Golden Plate, and we'll all go together!"

Xiao Feifei hurriedly let out a "Eek", as if saying, "I'm coming too!"

Xiao Ran, excited by the sound, lifted his tea cup and drank heartily, "Little runt, you can't just take Brother Qi and leave me out!"

Tuan Tuan looked at him, "Elder Brother Jiu, if Third Elder Brother isn't Emperor, should you be the one then?"

Xiao Ze spat out a mouthful of tea, then started coughing, "cough cough cough."

Chen Hao laughed and patted his back.

Xiao Ran recovered, "Little runt! Could you please be a bit nicer to me?"

"Father Emperor, if you truly aren't afraid that I'll lay waste to the fiery nation and intend to pass the throne to me, I'll take your Red Cloud and run as fast as possible."

Tuan Tuan clapped her little hands, "Elder Brother Jiu is still the clever one!"

Xiao Ran wore a smug grin, "Of course! What's good about being Emperor? I don't want it at all!"

Xiao Yuanhang lifted his tea cup, covering the curve of his lips.

Inside Fengyi Palace.

Xiao Jieyun sat at the edge of the bed, with his arm around Murong Jin's shoulder, the two leaning against the headboard.

Murong Jin beamed, "His Majesty, when Guo Taiyi spoke, I could hardly believe it."

"If I can safely bear a legitimate son for His Majesty, I would be very delighted."

Xiao Jieyun felt a flood of emotions; having been cold to her for years because the Empress was of the Murong clan, he had long given up the thought of siring a legitimate son.

He had intended to lay down his burdens, live carefree with his legal wife, and make up for the years of neglect toward her.

But unexpectedly, at this very moment, the legitimate son arrived.

Seeing him silent, Murong Jin asked softly, "What is His Majesty worried about? Worried that the child in my womb isn't a prince?"