The De Emperor was in a very good mood.

After today, the charge that he had imprisoned and mistreated his father would be washed away for good.

Ning Chen, oh, Ning Chen. You thought spreading rumors would make this emperor carry the infamy? How laughable... The De Emperor felt he had finally beaten Ning Chen for once, and he was thoroughly pleased with himself.

"Stop a moment!"

The Xuan Emperor, who had been silent the whole way, suddenly spoke.

The De Emperor paused and followed the Xuan Emperor's gaze. It was the Heavenly Blessing Tower.

The Xuan Emperor's eyes were full of longing. "That brat loved the roast duck here more than anything," he said softly. "Have someone go buy this emperor a roast duck, would you?"

At the request, the De Emperor's face darkened, and jealousy flooded through him.

Why?

Father Emperor gave all his affection to Ning Chen. What has that bastard ever done to deserve it? I'm Father Emperor's real son. In what way am I not as good as Ning Chen?

Jealousy made him refuse. "Keep going!" he said heavily.

The procession moved slowly on.

Reluctantly, the Xuan Emperor drew his eyes away from the Heavenly Blessing Tower's signboard and fell silent.

A little farther on, the Xuan Emperor spoke again. "Could we stop here for a while?"

The De Emperor looked out through the carriage's little window, and his face grew even uglier.

This was the Top Scholar Tower.

He knew that this was where Father Emperor had first met Ning Chen.

The De Emperor said nothing, so of course the procession didn't dare stop. It kept moving forward.

The Xuan Emperor watched the Top Scholar Tower fall behind, his eyes full of memories.

This was where he had first come across Ning Chen.

The Ning Chen of those days had been as skinny as a little chick, shivering with cold.

"Uncle, want to buy a poem? I'll give you a good price."

"Uncle, thanks for buying me a meal."

"Uncle, thanks for the cloak. You're a really good guy!"

Everything that had happened back…