Chapter 0304: Cruel Entertainment and the Overly Mysterious Heavenly Decree

Xie Zimiao’s prediction was indeed correct.

The first thing Xie Jinyu did after ascending the throne was to bestow the title of prince upon Xie Shoujun and Xie Zimiao. He then dispatched people to quickly renovate the prince’s residences so that the two could “get out” of the palace early and move into their external estates.

“I don’t want to move out!” Inside Cheng Huan Palace, Xie Zimiao hid behind Xie Chengze and shouted at Xie Jinyu, “Your subject brother has made no contributions to the court! Your subject brother is unworthy of being a prince! Your subject brother is unworthy of moving into a prince’s residence!”

Xie Jinyu sneered coldly, “Since you’ve made no contributions, perhaps we should send you to the border regions. Make some contributions there before returning.”

Xie Zimiao: “…”

Xie Zimiao tugged at Xie Chengze’s sleeve: “Second Brother, look at him…”

“Why don’t you want to move out?” Xie Chengze thought for a moment and asked, “Are you reluctant to leave Rou Fei?”

Xie Zimiao blinked, “Mm…”

“Heh.” Xie Jinyu sneered again.

“…” Xie Zimiao pouted, “Second Brother, living alone outside would be so boring.”

“Then you can attend classes at the Imperial Academy during the day,” Xie Chengze couldn’t resist recommending his own school, “That way you won’t be bored.”

Xie Zimiao immediately pursed his lips, “What about the evenings? Evenings are boring too.”

Evenings?

Xie Chengze couldn’t help scratching his head. He initially wanted to suggest taking a princess consort if evenings were boring, but then remembered Xie Zimiao was only sixteen. Having received modern education, Xie Chengze couldn’t bring himself to suggest taking a consort.

Xie Jinyu expressionlessly picked up his tea and relentlessly exposed him, “Wasn’t the Prince of Rui sleeping alone when in Yi Province and Liaozhou?”

Xie Chengze thought that was true and immediately looked at Xie Zimiao.

“It’s different! It’s different!” Xie Zimiao looked up desperately and whined, “It’s the entertainment activities between leaving the academy and bedtime! Your subject brother can’t get along with others!”

Xie Chengze really couldn’t bear to tell him that there exists a cruel form of entertainment in this world called “homework.”

The child would probably cry.

He would definitely cry.

Xie Jinyu continued to stab at Xie Zimiao’s heart, “No matter. You can engage in pre-bedtime entertainment with the Prince of Gong.”

The Prince of Gong referred to the newly enfeoffed Xie Shoujun.

Xie Zimiao wailed miserably, trying to place his final hope on Xie Chengze, “Second Brother, Second Brother~ You must be reluctant to part with me too, right?”

“Second Brother.” Xie Jinyu shed the authority and ruthlessness from his face, gazing at Xie Chengze with eyes that appeared both pitiful and wronged. Though possessing the memories of a twenty-nine-year-old soul, he still pretended to be innocent, unaware that he currently resembled a scheming little cat deliberately showing weakness to gain favor – his intentions completely transparent.

Xie Chengze knew it was impossible to treat everyone equally.

But back when he rented from a homestay owner who had two children, she said that if you can’t treat everyone equally, then favor the older one. When the older child feels their position is secure, they will naturally dote on the younger one and won’t compete for favor.

Adults’ words must hold wisdom.

Especially since the homestay owner indeed had a happy family, so her words must be correct.

Therefore, Xie Chengze told Xie Zimiao, “Little Miao, listen to your imperial brother. When Second Brother has time, I’ll come play with you.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinyu instantly curved his eyebrows, his eyes gazing joyfully at Xie Chengze. Though he neither looked at Xie Zimiao nor made any provocative expressions or gestures, Xie Zimiao still felt as if he were brimming with the triumphant air of successful provocation.

So childish.

Xie Zimiao couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

He hogged Second Brother since childhood, and now he still clings tightly without letting go.

He would never bless them! He’d rather bless Second Brother and Shen Shilang!!!

Speaking of this, Xie Zimiao couldn’t resist stirring up trouble. He chuckled mischievously and seized the moment to add fuel to the fire, “Your Majesty~ When do you plan to hold the grand wedding for Second Brother and Lord Shen? Didn’t Father bestow them a marriage arrangement?”

Xie Jinyu’s expression instantly darkened. He narrowed his eyes dangerously at Xie Zimiao and scolded, “Nonsense! The Second Prince has already passed away. Lord Shen has contributed greatly to the court—are you suggesting Lord Shen should hold a posthumous wedding?”

“Ah?” Xie Zimiao was stunned for a moment, then looked at Xie Chengze, “But Second Brother…”

“There is no Second Brother here,” Xie Jinyu corrected with a frown, “Only the State Preceptor.”

Xie Zimiao: “…”

Xie Chengze couldn’t help but laugh and chimed in, “Yes, yes, yes, no Second Brother, only the State Preceptor.”

Xie Zimiao: …Second Brother, you just keep spoiling him!

If it weren’t for Shen Shilang’s broad-mindedness, strong empathy, and indifference to status, following you like this… who knows how much you might hurt Shen Shilang’s heart!

Ah, poor Shen Shilang.

Xie Zimiao shook his head and left.

As this Prince Rui left, that Prince Gong arrived.

“No, not allowed, impossible.” Before Xie Shoujun could even speak, Xie Jinyu preemptively refused.

Xie Shoujun couldn’t help but turn to look at Xie Chengze, his eyes conveying: Is he having another episode?

Xie Chengze returned a comforting glance: The child lacks a sense of security, please bear with him.

Xie Shoujun sighed helplessly: Only you.

Only you could maintain the fragile relationships among us brothers that could collapse at any moment.

Only you could make me temporarily step back and no longer pursue the matter of someone from the Xie family ascending the throne.

“I came to discuss the matter of sending troops against the Turks,” Xie Shoujun said to Xie Jinyu. “The expedition merchant group heading to western Turkic territories has been captured by the Turks. They demand we exchange cities for their release. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for the newly appointed generals to establish their merits and incorporate the Turkic lands into Jian’an’s territory.”

Xie Chengze’s ears perked up.

The Turkic invasion—that was supposed to happen in the fourth year according to the original novel.

“The Turks are invading, and you need to personally lead the campaign?” Xie Jinyu sneered coldly, directly exposing his true intentions. “I think Prince Gong wants to win over the court’s new generals, firmly grasp military power, and use it to threaten my throne!”

Xie Shoujun calmly took a sip of tea. “Your Majesty, why must you say it out loud?”

“Hah, if I don’t say it out loud, how would Second Brother know about certain people’s wolfish ambitions?” Xie Jinyu retorted sarcastically.

Xie Chengze: …

Xie Chengze felt his seat growing uncomfortably hot, as if it might catch fire if he stayed any longer. He wanted to take a stroll to the Ministry of Works and incidentally find Old Gu to ask if it was possible to forge a chainmail armor.

So he stood up and said to both of them, “Alright, you two should return to the Imperial Study to discuss this.”

Seeing that Xie Chengze was effectively dismissing them, the two finally ceased their verbal sparring and left Cheng Huan Palace, neither yielding to the other.

Xie Chengze rode in his carriage to the Ministry of Works, where he studied chainmail with Old Gu for a while. Suddenly remembering something, he couldn’t help but ask, “Old Gu, do you believe in gods?”

Old Gu kept his head lowered while examining the chainmail and replied indifferently, “Half-believing, half-doubting.”

“Oh?” Xie Chengze grew interested. “What do you mean by half-believing?”

“When the Heavenly Decree previously declared the Second Prince to be a lucky star, this old official couldn’t see any trace of it,” Old Gu said with a hint of disdain, then changed his tone. “But now… there does seem to be some truth to it.”

Xie Chengze rubbed his head.

The Heavenly Decree…

Back when he was playing the idle immortal in Pingcheng, he already found the heavens rather peculiar, as if deliberately putting on airs for him. During the Grand Ceremony when the State Preceptor conferred his title, it practically flaunted the intention of “I’m here to add some special effects for you” right before his eyes.

Moreover, Xie Jinyu told him that the Heavenly Decree had predicted the earthquake.

Yet both in the novel and in his previous life, the Heavenly Decree never foretold any earthquake.

This was far too mysterious.

Xie Chengze decided to go investigate at the Directorate of Celestial Observation.