"You’ve arrived." The Emperor nodded slightly and gestured to the seat opposite him, "Sit and try this new variety. They say it’s Golden Jun Mei, but I’ve had several cups and still can’t taste the Golden Jun Mei flavor."

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t decline and sat directly opposite the Emperor. Chief Chang handed him a small tea cup, which he drank in one go. Seeing the Emperor watching him as if waiting for his evaluation, he put down the cup and smiled, "I drink tea like a cow chewing on peonies..." looking somewhat embarrassed, "I really can’t taste anything."

The Emperor laughed heartily, pointing at Fourth Master Xiao, "Of course you can’t taste it, drinking it all in one gulp like that." He then gestured to Chief Chang, "Pour Old Fourth another cup." Chief Chang cheerfully came over and refilled Xiao’s cup.

The two chatted casually over tea, and the Emperor said, "I haven’t congratulated you yet for having a pair of children. You’ve made things easier for yourself."

Speaking of his children, Fourth Master Xiao’s expression softened slightly, "I’m a rough man, knowing nothing about raising children. Having too many can only harm them." Looking helpless, the Emperor, seeing this, laughed again, "Even if you don’t know, there are others who do, so how could they be harmed?" Pausing, he continued with a full smile, "I heard that your Fourth Madam is wise and exemplary among women in the Capital. With her around, even if you don’t involve yourself, there’s no harm."

"That’s just outsiders not knowing the truth." Fourth Master Xiao laughed, to which the Emperor pointed at him and said, "Rare to see you being modest." He naturally changed the subject, asking about Marquis Taiping, "I’ve summoned Marquis Taiping to the Capital. What do you think of him?"

Years ago, he had a brief encounter with Marquis Taiping during a sacrificial ceremony in Songjiang with Xiao Yanji, and later exchanged letters, not close but they had some interactions, "Not much contact, just hearsay, so I dare not make judgments." After pausing, he continued, "It’s said Marquis Taiping is low-profile and often performs good deeds, praised by the people, likely true."

The Emperor nodded slightly, "Years ago when the Min Family Army invaded Yingtian, Marquis Taiping contributed financially and physically, which I always remembered." His expectations and evaluations of this man were quite positive.

Fourth Master Xiao nodded in agreement, and the Emperor seemed to recall something, asking him, "Still no news of Yanyi?" Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow secretly but maintained a calm face, answering truthfully, "Someone saw him in Yuhang, but afterwards, he disappeared again."

The Emperor, with some emotion and even envy, said, "He’s carefree, having wandered for years, so free and unrestrained." Fourth Master Xiao responded softly in agreement, and the Emperor continued, "I remember he’s six years older than you, and counting the years, he’s not young anymore. Though traveling can broaden one’s knowledge and understanding of the people, he can’t wander outside forever. He should also consider family matters. Increase manpower to search for him, and if it’s insufficient, use my written decree at various government offices to help locate him."

Fourth Master Xiao, holding a tea cup, slightly shifted his gaze. The Emperor suddenly mentioning Xiao Yanyi being away and showing concern for his family’s arrangements, could this be about the vacant matriarch position?

He thought for a moment and then replied, "I thank the Emperor on behalf of my brother for your concern. Once I return home, I will discuss with my mother and increase manpower for the search."

"Yes, once he’s back, the Grand Dowager needn’t worry constantly." The Emperor said, then coughed several times.

Fourth Master Xiao was startled; in past years, the Emperor’s cough only recurred in winter. Why had it started before the Double Ninth this year? Alarmed, his expression turned solemn, though the Emperor didn’t notice his change, asking Chief Chang, "Has Lord Wu returned?"

"Yes, he’s returned." Chief Chang said with a smile, and the Emperor turned to sigh to Fourth Master Xiao, "That Lord Wu really can’t bear seeing me idle; he always brings up the matter of succession..." looking quite helpless.

This was testing his stance; though he had been on leave at home, he heard that court debates about succession were contentious. Now the Emperor raised the matter, his meaning was clear.

"In my humble opinion, although Lord Wu is upright, as a scholar, he sometimes lacks flexibility. This matter is important but not urgent. The Emperor is in his prime, and the Princes are still young..." After speaking, he stood and saluted, "In my opinion, it’s best to wait a bit longer." After finishing, he showed a typical military general’s unruly demeanor, "If anyone brings this up again, in my opinion, they should be caned twenty times at the court. Let’s see if anyone dares speak of it again."

Bear in mind, Lord Wu was his father-in-law’s mentor and a colleague of his wife’s father, his words clearly carried the weight of public self-sacrifice.

The Emperor was initially stunned, then a look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, pointing at him with a laugh, "You, you..." His laughter triggered a small cough, "Whenever faced with displeasure, you just want to resolve it with force!"

Fourth Master Xiao wore an expression suggesting that such direct handling was the most appropriate and straightforward.

"It’s said that associating with greatness makes one greater; despite marrying such a learned father-in-law as Lord Tong, having an uncle like the gentle-tempered Lord Tong, and your Fourth Madam being from a scholarly family, refined and knowledgeable... you, unable to shake bad habits." The Emperor said, waving his hand for Fourth Master Xiao to sit back down, and Xiao lowered his robe, sitting again, saying forthrightly, "I’ve read little and can’t appreciate scholarly pursuits."

The Emperor lightly laughed, his mood joyful as if returning to earlier times when, in destitution, they sat on the riverbank, drinking and discussing the world under the moonlight.

Outside, a eunuch briefly appeared and then vanished. Seeing this, Chief Chang promptly and quietly exited, "What is it?"

"Sir, something’s happened." The eunuch was somewhat incoherent, and Chief Chang’s face darkened, hearing the reply, "The Third Prince fell into Yangchun Lake when returning from the soccer field to the palace, only recently rescued. They’ve summoned the Imperial Physician, but he’s yet to regain consciousness." Showing fear, "He just might not make it."

Chief Chang was shocked as to why the Third Prince would fall into the river; this matter was no small affair. Nervously, he pulled the person aside, speaking in a low voice, "Explain carefully, what exactly happened?"

The eunuch wiped his sweat, replying frightened, "This morning the Third Prince played soccer with the Eldest Prince, and by noon each went their separate ways. The Third Prince was alone returning from the Imperial Garden to West Five Houses, and somehow his two accompanying little eunuchs went astray, leaving the Third Prince alone. By the time it was noticed, he was already in Yangchun Lake, rescued with his eyes rolled back..."

Chief Chang broke out in a cold sweat, speaking in a low voice, "Quickly go to Le’an Palace to report, and I’ll report to the Emperor."

The eunuch acknowledged, and the two separated to relay their messages.