Just like the ministers were all quite focused on the Merchants' Alliance and wanted to ask detailed questions, Emperor Wei’s initial reaction upon hearing about the Merchants' Alliance was much the same as theirs.

However, he had already instructed Wei Yu to write down everything about the Merchants' Alliance and was just waiting to review it later, so the Emperor was not at all anxious now.

Moreover, today's court meeting wasn’t about that topic. He was more interested in discussing with his ministers when the white salt would be implemented.

Thus, while the ministers were eager to speak up and ask the Wise King about the Merchants' Alliance, the Emperor, unusually showing a bit of fatherly affection, raised his hand to signal them to calm down.

“The matter of the Merchants' Alliance, the Wise King has already reported it to me. Let’s discuss it later. Besides the Merchants' Alliance, don’t any of you have other questions?”

When the Emperor spoke, no matter what thoughts they had, they had to align with the Emperor’s intention!

The Emperor cast a small glance at Pei Zhi, showing him high expectations.

But Pei Zhi was completely confused by His Majesty’s look.

This procedure hadn’t been rehearsed before; he really didn’t know what the Emperor wanted to talk about! Besides, shouldn’t this be the Prime Minister’s business? Why was he being called for no reason…

The elder gentleman fretted while trying to recall past events, hoping to figure out what was truly on the Emperor’s mind.

Seeing no progress on his own matters, Wei Yu quietly sat down and looked up at his father

“Father Emperor, by the way, when do you plan to promote the white salt?”

The Emperor paused briefly, then looked deeply at Wei Yu.

He truly didn’t expect that the one who understood him best was this unfilial son… He just wanted to talk about the white salt!

At the court, Pei Zhi also thought about the white salt issue.

Mainly because white salt had long been known to everyone, but for various reasons, the court had not yet fully started selling it throughout Great Wei. The nobles who wanted to use it still had to search everywhere for ways. Now that the Wise King brought it up, wouldn’t this have to be officially included in the regulations?

Pei Zhi stood up and said, “Your Majesty, regarding the new white salt, since Ninth Prince has already started implementing it early in Jiaozhou, I believe it can also be sold as soon as possible in other parts of Great Wei.”

The Emperor said, “Hmm, what you say makes sense, Lord Pei. It’s been three months since the salt production began. Lord Qi, is everything prepared on your side at the Salt Affairs Office?”

Qi Tishou replied, “Your Majesty, everything is ready. Once you give the order, new white salt can be sold at the various salt bureaus.”

“Good. Then let the matter of the new white salt proceed accordingly.”

—

After the court meeting ended, Wei Yu planned to visit the place where he was assigned duty.

Unfortunately, just after he left the Taihe Gate, he was stopped by several elder gentlemen waiting outside.

“Ninth Prince, greetings.”

Apart from Pei Zhi and Qi Tishou, Wei Yu didn’t really know the other two well.

Wei Yu raised his hand in greeting and smiled, “Greetings, lords. Are you standing here specifically waiting for me?”

Because he was lazy to squeeze through people, Wei Yu dawdled after court ended, only coming out when most people had left the main hall.

Qi Tishou smiled and replied, “Of course we’re waiting for Your Highness. The matter of the Merchants' Alliance caught me off guard. If I can’t have a detailed talk with Your Highness, I’m afraid I won’t sleep well tonight.”

Wei Yu: …

He turned to look at the other three, “Are you also here to ask about the Merchants' Alliance?”

Pei Zhi replied calmly, “I am not.”

“I am!”

“So am I.”

Tsk.

Wei Yu closed his eyes.

Wait, are these elder gentlemen all so physically strong? Getting up so early, aren’t they tired or hungry? Don’t they want to go rest early after court?

Suddenly, Wei Yu covered his head with his hands. “Ah, my head suddenly hurts… oh no, a migraine!”

The four: ?

Qi Tishou looked worried, “Is Your Highness feeling alright? I’ll call the imperial physician immediately…”

“No need!”

Wei Yu held his head, showing a strained smile, “Please don’t blame me, lords. This headache is nothing serious, just intermittent chronic fatigue syndrome. Resting will fix it.”

Intermittent… chronic fatigue syndrome?

What kind of condition is that?

Qi Tishou frowned in confusion, looking dazed, seemingly pondering this illness.

The other two elder gentlemen continued to show concern and care.

“Your Highness, don’t avoid seeing a doctor. This headache should be properly treated.”

“Since Your Highness is unwell, it’s best to return to the residence and rest…”

Wei Yu looked troubled, “But the Merchants' Alliance matter…”

“The Merchants' Alliance can wait. Your Highness’s health is the most important!”

“Ah, my fault. The lords care about state affairs, but unfortunately my body is uncooperative. Thank you for your understanding!”

“Your Highness is too polite.”

Wei Yu held his head and, with the support of two elders, walked forward looking weak and ill.

That image—

Even Eunuch Li Cheng, waiting not far off, was shocked.

He hurried forward and carefully asked, “Oh, Ninth Prince, what’s wrong? Where are you hurt? You were fine just now!”

Wei Yu pretending to have a headache to avoid trouble: …

Speechless.

Why is Li Cheng here?!

Seeing Li Cheng approaching, the elders all greeted him.

One of them told Li Cheng about Wei Yu’s headache.

“Headache?”

Li Cheng was stunned.

He had never heard that the Ninth Prince had a headache problem!

His eyes glanced at the “headache” Ninth Prince, and shocked, Li Cheng received a glance back.

Wei Yu, hidden from the elders’ view, winked at Li Cheng.

People in the palace are sharp; he should get the hint, right?

Li Cheng got it.

Ninth Prince acting like this was just like the Emperor pretending to be sick to skip court before!

Sigh, all that worry was for nothing.

Knowing Wei Yu was faking, Li Cheng relaxed but still put on a worried face to go along with him.

“Oh, this won’t do. I’ll take you to the chamber to sit and call the imperial physician to take a look. Lords, do you still have business?”

Since the person involved was like this, any business they had had to be forgotten.

So the elders just watched Li Cheng support Wei Yu as they walked away.

After turning a corner and making sure no one was watching, Wei Yu straightened up.

He looked bright and lively at Li Cheng and smiled, “Thank you, Eunuch Li, for cooperating.”

“Your Highness is too kind.”

Li Cheng smiled and saluted, not asking why he pretended to have a headache but telling him why he had waited at the door.

“Ninth Prince, His Majesty just instructed you to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Wei Yu was stunned.

So he dodged the elders but didn’t dodge the old eunuch!

Wei Yu went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation with a heavy heart.

When he entered, the Emperor was reviewing memorials. After Wei Yu paid respect, before he could ask his father what it was about, the Emperor gestured for him to fetch a box from the bookshelf in the inner chamber.

The box was a good one—everything the Emperor used was good—but what was inside made Wei Yu furious and heartbroken!

“Dad! Why did you put the letter I wrote inside? And you even corrected it in red ink with vermilion brush!”

Is this some kind of homework correction?!