My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

Wei Yu was indeed a lazy person, but he hated making people wait.

Of course, if it wasn’t a scheduled meeting, it was still forgivable.

As soon as he found out Liu Huaiyuan was still waiting for him, Wei Yu immediately got out of bed and began to tidy himself up, afraid that the tutor he had arranged for would feel disrespected and refuse the job out of anger.

But in the front courtyard, the long-waiting Liu Huaiyuan wasn’t quite as Wei Yu imagined.

He waited there calmly, not at all bothered by the lack of hospitality. While seated, he sipped his tea leisurely; when standing, he admired the flowers, plants, and trees in the courtyard. His demeanor was relaxed and completely free of impatience.

When Wei Yu arrived, the sight that greeted him was of the bright and composed young man standing under the eaves, hands behind his back, seemingly lost in thought as he looked at a bird in the tree.

He didn’t seem angry.

Wei Yu breathed a sigh of relief, and as he stepped inside, a smile naturally spread across his face.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mister Liu. I was caught up with something and haven’t had the chance to greet you properly. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Looking toward the voice, Liu Huaiyuan immediately bowed when he saw Wei Yu. “This commoner greets Your Highness the Wise King.” So weird.

Wei Yu still wasn’t quite used to being called “Wise King.” He waved his hand, helping Liu Huaiyuan up as they walked toward the front hall. “No need for such formality in private. I’m easygoing. If you’re going to be staying at the residence for a while, you’ll come to see that with time.”

Liu Huaiyuan simply gave a faint smile without saying more.

Just one look and Wei Yu could tell he didn’t believe him. But that wasn’t something to rush. Everyone was like that at first when hearing such words from him.

Let the man observe and figure it out himself. As long as he didn’t cross Wei Yu’s bottom line or break the law, Wei Yu was tolerant enough.

Once seated in the main hall, Wei Yu gestured for the still-standing Liu Huaiyuan to sit as well.

“No need to be so polite, please sit.”

Liu Huaiyuan could tell whether the words were sincere or not.

With a thankful bow to His Highness, he took a seat below him.

Wei Yu asked, “It’s been about half a month since we last met, hasn’t it? It seems your personal affairs took quite some time to settle?”

Hearing this, a look of surprise flickered across Liu Huaiyuan’s face.

Wei Yu understood that look and smiled. “Since I invited you to come teach, it naturally means I trust you. As for your private matters—if you don’t want others to know, I won’t pry. If you’re not ready to talk, that’s fine too. We don’t need to bring it up.”

Bullshit!

If he hadn’t been distracted and hadn’t really cared much about Liu Huaiyuan, he definitely would’ve investigated every person who got close to him thoroughly!

Isn’t that how it always goes in novels and TV dramas? Spies, traitors—at crucial moments, the protagonist always gets stabbed in the back by someone close to them…

Wei Yu wasn’t ready to die. He still wanted to live till ninety-nine. So, he absolutely could not fall halfway.

Since Liu Huaiyuan couldn’t hear his thoughts, Wei Yu let his inner monologue run wild in complete honesty.

But the sincerity in his words and the look in his eyes truly moved Liu Huaiyuan, who had a reserved nature.

For someone working as an aide, what could be more important than trust?

And yet trust was a rare thing. Unless one had been through life and death together, sharing joys and sorrows, it was hard to come by.

He, someone who had only met His Highness twice, what merit or virtue did he have to deserve such honor?

Well, scholars are emotional people. Even someone as reserved as Liu Huaiyuan couldn’t help but be touched when caught off guard by such apparent sincerity from someone in power.

Liu Huaiyuan raised his hand and respectfully said, “Your Highness is too kind. This commoner is grateful. Since I have chosen to follow Your Highness, I shall not let you down. My family matters are not worth discussing, but if Your Highness wishes to know, I will not refuse to answer if asked kindly.”

Wei Yu: …

Oh my god, I can’t handle this.

So formal, so by-the-book—it was indeed very official, but unfortunately, he was just a useless figurehead and didn’t deserve it!

Wei Yu silently exhaled. Good thing he wasn’t the one being taught.

“You’re too polite,” he said with an awkward smile. “I didn’t mean to pry. I just remembered you said you’d be able to come by in a few days after handling your family matters. But my Fourth Brother mentioned you hadn’t shown up yet, so I started to worry.”

“Ah, I see.”

Understanding dawned in Liu Huaiyuan’s eyes, and a trace of warmth appeared. He looked at Wei Yu with a noticeably softer gaze. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. There’s nothing wrong, just that at home—”

“No need to explain.”

Wei Yu raised a hand to stop him. “It’s enough for me to know you’re fine. Your private matters don’t need to be shared with me. If you’re ever in trouble, you can tell me then.”

Since he’d somehow already earned this man’s goodwill, it would be a waste not to solidify it by acting a bit more sincere.

As for private matters—well, he could always look into those later.

And just like that, Wei Yu managed to win over another wave of favor from Mister Liu.

—

“This commoner is now separated from his family, has no outstanding skills, and the only thing of note is some talent in calligraphy and painting…”

Liu Huaiyuan had indeed accepted Wei Yu’s invitation to come teach at the residence. But he also had great ambition.

He was once the illegitimate son of an assistant minister in the Ministry of Personnel, third in line at home. His concubine mother died early, and he was not welcomed by the official wife. His father was easily swayed and, though aware of Liu Huaiyuan’s excellent performance at White Horse Academy, didn’t dare favor a concubine’s son over his legitimate offspring.

It was common for legitimate wives to mistreat the children of concubines. Liu Huaiyuan grew up under such indifference and hardship.

He was precocious—not quite photographic memory, but his recall was far above average. From a young age, his studies were praised. At White Horse Academy, he was among the top students and was even held in high regard by the dean, who once said he had the potential to become the top scorer in the imperial exams…

But that was all in the past.

Ever since the Empress discovered that his official mother was involved in a loan-sharking scandal, the family fell from grace. Debt collectors and mockers came in droves, and the house was in constant uproar and chaos.

It wore Liu Huaiyuan down.

He had little affection for the family anyway, and when an elder from the clan visited, he brought up the idea of separating from the family… It wasn’t an easy process, and the hardship involved wasn’t something Liu Huaiyuan wished to speak of. But in the end, he got what he wanted.

Even if it was just a hundred taels of silver and a tiny courtyard barely enough to live in, at least Liu Huaiyuan found peace of mind.

His plan was to save up, return to White Horse Academy, and study under the dean, then take the imperial exams the following year and hopefully enter court service to fulfill his long-held ambition.

The teaching offer from the Ninth Prince had been unexpected.

To Liu Huaiyuan, Wei Yu’s invitation was essentially extending an olive branch, asking if he would be willing to serve as a political adviser.

It was common for nobles to keep a few aides. But whether Liu Huaiyuan himself was willing to become one for the Ninth Prince was a matter that required serious thought.

He thought about it for half a month. What finally swayed him happened a few days ago when he was reading a notice posted in town.

—It was the Ninth Prince who had reported his family’s scandal to the Emperor.