"Yes!" Fourth Master Xiao replied earnestly.

The Emperor waved his hand: "Boring, boring, I’m going back." Without waiting to see Zhi, he brushed his sleeves and left. Fourth Master Xiao followed three steps behind to see him out, with Chief Chang close behind.

Just as they stepped out the door, they saw Shi Shengjie leading a short-statured person through the front corridor. Raising an eyebrow slightly, he turned to Fourth Master Xiao and asked, "Who is this?"

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze sharpened as he looked over, a hint of sternness flashing in his eyes, followed by a cough as he paused before replying, "Reporting to the Emperor, he is my eldest son!"

Eldest son!

The Emperor froze, with countless memories flooding out from the depths of his heart, long hidden and forgotten. He stared blankly at the distant figure, walking steadily with a straight back, the image merging with shadows from his memory.

"Wait!" Without thinking, he raised his hand to call out, then realized his loss of composure. It wouldn’t do to specifically request to see a mere concubine-born son of Fourth Master Xiao and possibly startle others. After a moment’s hesitation, Chief Chang spoke up: "So it’s the Great Governor’s eldest son. It has long been said that the young master possesses extraordinary talent at such a young age. The other day, a painting at the Chengyi Bo Mansion had the sons of the Wu and Ruan family arguing over it for half a day." He then looked at Fourth Master Xiao: "Governor, we are indeed talking about your eldest son, correct?"

Fourth Master Xiao smiled and nodded: "Chief, you flatter him, he’s just a mischievous child, unfit for the great halls of elegance!"

The two exchanged a few words, easing the Emperor’s embarrassment. The Emperor turned to Chief Chang: "Oh? Such a thing happened?" Chief Chang nodded and recounted the events at Chengyi Bo Mansion to the Emperor, who nodded slightly in response: "I didn’t expect Old Fourth, a mere rough man, to raise such a child. Now I’m indeed a little curious."

Fourth Master Xiao’s brow tightened as he glanced at the Emperor, who was smiling back at him with a firm gaze.

"Yes!" Fourth Master Xiao slowly withdrew his gaze, cupping his fists and bowing. Chief Chang then raised his sharp voice and said, "Lord Shi, please bring Master Xiao here."

In an instant, Min was led over by Shi Shengjie.

The Emperor looked down to appraise him. The young man’s form was slender, his head bowed, hands clenched in front as if nervous, yet his steps were steady, showing no disorder. The Emperor nodded discreetly and looked at his face, noting his thick eyebrows like swords, a high nose bridge, full lips, and a dignified appearance...

"Xiao Min greets the Emperor, wishing the Emperor health and happiness." One word at a time, Min knelt before the Emperor, bowing his head.

"Good!" The Emperor regained his composure, pointed at Min, and said: "Rise and speak." Min thanked him and stood up. The Emperor continued: "Lift your head and let me have a look!"

Min obediently raised his head.

His eyes were bright like stars, giving the Emperor a sense of familiarity, making the images in his memory increasingly vivid.

Greatly shaken, he couldn’t help but stare into his eyes.

Min was also appraising the Emperor, and in one glance, he memorized the Emperor’s face, feeling confused... First Master Tang said he resembled the Emperor, yet he found no similarity!

With a touch of curiosity fading, Min realized how reckless his actions had been today!

He quickly glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, seeing his father standing behind the Emperor, hands clasped behind his back, his expression unchanged but with a hint of emotion in his gaze, which Min couldn’t quite decipher. Was it helplessness?

"How far have you gotten in your studies?" the Emperor asked mildly.

"In response to the Emperor, my teacher started discussing the Analects yesterday!" Min replied, each word clear.

The Emperor nodded slightly and asked: "The way of the university lies in making one’s virtue illustrious, renovating the people, and resting in the highest excellence. When one knows where to stop, he will have stability. When he has stability, he can be tranquil. When he is tranquil, he can be at ease. When he is at ease, he can reflect. When he can reflect, he can attain. Things have their roots and branches. Affairs have their beginnings and ends. Knowing what is first and what is last brings one near to the Dao... What is your understanding?"

Min was taken aback, and so was Fourth Master Xiao. This wasn’t from the Analects but a maxim from the Great Learning... He glanced at Min.

Min lowered his head, silence enveloping the surroundings as everyone watched him.

In the quiet, Min started speaking fluently: "The purpose of the university lies in promoting a noble and bright virtue, in renewing the people’s customs, and in reaching the highest realm of moral and talent perfection. Once ambition is set, only then can the mind be quiet. Only then can one be comfortable, and only then can one consider thoughtfully and gain something. Every matter has roots and branches, beginning and end, understanding the sequence leads to rationality." Having finished, he cupped his fists towards the Emperor.

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, glanced at the Emperor, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside, the Emperor was like a storm, looking at Min’s eyes, his fingers twitching, but he appeared satisfied, nodding: "Very good! He has good character, is intelligent, studious, modest, and keen." Then he turned to Fourth Master Xiao: "Old Fourth, you have taught this child well, well done!"

Fourth Master Xiao pursed his lips, walked over to stand beside Min, and both father and son bowed to the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded, laughed heartily: "Old Chang, I remember I have a pocket watch from Siam in the palace, send him one later!" He then glanced at Min, nodding: "Study well, but also balance work and rest; do not fail your father’s careful nurturing." He gave Min a deep look.

"This student accepts the order!" Min cup his fists, bowing low. The Emperor smiled and said to Fourth Master Xiao: "I am returning to the palace." With that, he turned and briskly left the courtyard without a backward glance.

Min followed behind Fourth Master Xiao to see the Emperor off. Once the courtyard was empty of others, Min’s expression changed as he knelt before Fourth Master Xiao: "Your child was reckless, begging father to punish him!"

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze shifted slightly, nodding at him: "Knowing your recklessness means there’s hope!" He paused before continuing: "Go back, go to your mother, she’s worried about you... Come to me later for your punishment."

"Your child accepts the order!" Min stood up, cupped his fists in salute to Fourth Master Xiao, then turned and returned to the inner courtyard with a straight back.

Xiqiu was waiting at the door for Min. Seeing him cross the hall, her heart finally settled, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Third brother!" Zhi ran out from behind Xiqiu: "You’re finally back, or mother and I would have gone looking for you."

Min caught Zhi’s small body, holding his hand, and glanced towards Xiqiu, who nodded at him and instructed Bihuai: "Take the dishes to heat them up!"

Min looked at her, his heart filled with a sense of guilt.