My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

The Ministry of Works had kilns—official kilns—built in the outer city.

The capital of Great Wei was in Xijing, which the common people often referred to as the Capital.

In the Capital, according to the map, the outer city encircled the inner city, the inner city encircled the imperial city, and the imperial city finally encircled the entire imperial palace.

The core administrative region of Great Wei was essentially all within the imperial city.

–

Since Wei Yu asked about the official kilns, Assistant Liu personally took him out of the palace and led him to the kiln factory.

After all, it was the Emperor’s order, and a Prince’s request. Even if Assistant Liu didn’t understand the reasoning, he would still obediently follow orders from someone above.

What’s more, Assistant Liu had heard something from the officials yesterday about what happened at the banquet.

The envoys from Xiqi presented colorless glass, and His Majesty claimed that the Ninth Prince could also make it.

Whether the Emperor’s words were true or not was unknown, but at the very least, today the Emperor had indeed sent the Ninth Prince to the Ministry of Works. And what else would the Prince be doing asking about the official kilns?

Of course he was going to make that colorless glass!

Logically speaking, since it was his first time leaving the palace, Wei Yu should’ve been excited, pressing against the carriage window to see how the people of ancient times lived.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the time.

Because he’d spent all of last night worrying about how his father would deal with him, he hadn’t gotten the chance to look into any notes on glassmaking at all!

Wei Yu wasn’t a kiln craftsman by trade.

Even if someone were a top science student, if they’d been a burnout for fifteen years, there was no way they’d suddenly remember all their knowledge and be able to put it into practice on the spot, right?

From the imperial palace to the kiln factory, the carriage swayed along for about an hour.

Wei Yu basically spent the entire ride flipping through materials.

What was the tablet for?

In the past, it was just a salted-fish tool for reading novels, watching movies, anime, and dramas. Now, under pressure from his father, if he didn’t want to die, he had to use it to actually do something!

Inside the carriage, Wei Yu sat upright, leaning against the carriage wall with his arms crossed and eyes closed, his expression going from calm to furrowed, until finally twisting into a grimace.

Assistant Liu, seated nearby: …

Was His Highness having a nightmare in his sleep?

As a sixth-rank official, Assistant Liu didn’t hold much power in the Capital—under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t even have a chance to get close to the royal family.

Now that he finally had a moment of proximity with a prince, he hesitated for a bit before nervously calling out to Wei Yu.

“Your Highness? Your Highness?”

Wei Yu, whose head was about to explode from reading too much, opened his eyes and silently looked over at Assistant Liu.

“What is it?”

Assistant Liu looked worried. “This official saw that Your Highness’s complexion didn’t look good and feared you might be having a nightmare.”

Wei Yu: …

Ah, well, he hadn’t been having a nightmare, but honestly, it wasn’t all that different.

Sighing, Wei Yu rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

It had really been a long time since he’d read any serious material. After slacking off for so long, suddenly trying to read technical books again made him feel like ripping the pages apart—and yet he couldn’t.

“Is something troubling Your Highness? Perhaps if you speak of it, this official might be able to share your burden?” Assistant Liu said.

Hearing that, Wei Yu’s salted-fish DNA stirred.

He suddenly looked up and asked, “How many masters at the kiln factory can make glazed ware?”

Assistant Liu paused, then thought for a moment before replying, “If this official remembers correctly, there should be eight.”

Eight, huh?

Not bad at all!

Wei Yu straightened up and looked at Assistant Liu with a bright smile. “Assistant Liu, I happen to have a rather arduous task for you. It’s not difficult—just need you to write down a few words for me. How about it?”

He was clearly a lively, fresh-faced youth with red lips and white teeth, but Assistant Liu felt his smile was deeply unsettling.

An arduous task?

Writing a few words could be called arduous? Don’t tell me he’s going to make me write something treasonous?!

“This…”

Assistant Liu hesitated. Assistant Liu wasn’t sure. Assistant Liu was very worried he wouldn’t make it out of this alive.

Wei Yu, well-versed in how subordinates thought, waved his hand casually and said warmly, “Don’t worry, Assistant Liu. I just want you to write down the glassmaking techniques for colorless glass. I, Your Highness, am not that well-read—how could I compare to the kiln masters who’ve done this their whole lives? Once it’s written down, I’m going to hand it to them to study for themselves!”

“Oh, I see!”

Assistant Liu had a sudden realization and immediately bowed to Wei Yu. “Many craftsmen devote their entire lives and still fail to create colorless glass, and yet Your Highness possesses such a technique and is willing to write it down to teach others—what a great talent! Your Highness, you mustn’t undervalue yourself!”

Wei Yu scratched his face at those words.

Not because he was shy, but because he felt this man could spin tales even better than he could.

“Writing a book to teach,” huh?

He was just asking him to copy some info on glassmaking, and that counted as writing a book?

If he later had someone transcribe everything in his tablet, wouldn’t that make him a great Confucian scholar or something?!

Ridiculous. Completely ridiculous!

“Eh, Assistant Liu, you’ve overstated it—please don’t say such things! I, Wei Yu, am merely a young boy and dare not claim to be any great talent. I’ve only received some enlightenment from Royal Father and teachings from the Grand Tutor, read a few more books, and benefited from the wisdom of those who came before me—that’s all.”

Wei Yu helped Assistant Liu up, put on a serious face, and with a righteous and solemn expression full of loyalty to the Emperor and devotion to the people, declared earnestly:

“As a prince, I am supported by the people. Since I have learned something, I should give back to them! Right now, it’s just a kiln-firing technique—I’m not the kind of person to hoard what I know. Only if the craftsmen can master the skills can more people benefit from this colorless glass. Joy alone is nothing compared to joy shared with all. If one day, I can ensure the people have food and clothing, only then will I be worthy of them—and worthy of what Royal Father has entrusted me with!”

He spoke with such passion that he almost moved himself to tears.

But—

Stay calm!

Staying composed is the highest form of skill!

Assistant Liu stared blankly at the calm-faced youth. In that moment, his heart pounded fiercely in his chest, as if great waves were crashing within him.

To give back to the people, to not hoard knowledge, to ensure the people live without want… After so many years in office, he himself had almost forgotten what he once wished to do for the people. Yet now, the Ninth Prince had such fervent love for them!

This was a blessing for the people—a blessing for Great Wei!

Assistant Liu’s eyes grew hot, and he couldn’t help but raise his hands and bow deeply to Wei Yu again with the utmost respect.

“Your Highness has great ambition. I, Liu Chun, am truly in awe. If Your Highness ever commands it, I shall pledge my life in loyalty!”

Wei Yu: ?!!

That sudden declaration of loyalty shocked Wei Yu on the spot.

He blinked, glanced at the back of Liu Chun’s head, then glanced again.

What was going on here?!

Why did this guy suddenly swear undying loyalty to him?

Wei Yu blinked again—and then understood.

It must be that the kingly aura he’d long concealed had finally emerged.

As expected, he really was a hidden Dragon Ao-Tian type character.

Wei Yu smiled, bent down to help Liu Chun up, and said warmly, “You’re too kind, Assistant Liu. I only want to do a little more for the people. Knowing that you care for the people just as I do—that is enough.”

Liu Chun was even more moved after being helped up.

The passion for serving the people that had long since been worn down inside him was rekindled. His blood burned with enthusiasm, and he looked at Wei Yu with newfound determination.

“Rest assured, Your Highness—I understand everything now!”

Wei Yu: …

Wait a minute!

What exactly do you “understand”?!