When asked about this, although Xiao Lizi knew the reason, he didn't say it directly. Instead, he chuckled and said, "You'll know when you get there, Your Highness."
Jun Yu responded with a sound of acknowledgment, obediently following Xiao Lizi forward.
He was Emperor Yongning's youngest son, the seventeenth in line, born frail and not highly regarded by the Emperor.
Although the Emperor would go to Jiaofang Palace on the first and fifteenth of every month to dine with his mother, and occasionally exchange a few words with him, Jun Yu knew all too well that these were mere formal greetings.
They couldn't even be counted as the most ordinary father and son in the world.
Their relationship was really distant, distant to the point where the Emperor never took the initiative to worry about any of his affairs.
Now, after falling ill and waking up, the Emperor suddenly claimed to miss him and wanted to see him?
Jun Yu didn't feel particularly noticed by the Emperor, nor did he feel happy because of this. He only thought it was somewhat peculiar.
On the way to see Emperor Yongning, his heart was in turmoil, and his right eyelid twitched vigorously, as if warning him that something bad was about to happen.
Xiao Lizi didn't have a clue about Jun Yu's emotional journey along the way. Once they arrived, he cheerfully reported, "Your Majesty, the seventeenth Prince is here."
Emperor Yongning had been in a coma for many days, and even though he had woken up today, his body was still very weak; he was still lying on the bed.
Upon hearing that the seventeenth Prince had arrived, he extended his hand, and Xiao Lizi understood, quickly stepping forward to assist him in sitting up and placing a quilt behind him to support him, reducing his physical exertion.
"Seventeen, come over," Emperor Yongning called.
Jun Yu stepped forward a bit, knelt and saluted, "Your son pays his respects to the Emperor, may the Emperor live ten thousand years."
Emperor Yongning turned his head to glance at Jun Yu, finding that this child was not close to him at all, truly a reserved one.
"... Rise!"
Jun Yu stood up.
Emperor Yongning asked him what books he had read recently, how many words he had learned, and whether the Empress had arranged an instructor for him. After Jun Yu answered all the questions, the Emperor moved on to today's topic.
"Seventeen, honestly tell your father, who is that little scoundrel you met twice in the cave on the western side of the Imperial Garden? How can he be found?"
Emperor Yongning, having ascended the throne long ago, was well practiced in not showing his emotions, and hardly anyone could discern his mood. However, at this moment, having been humiliated repeatedly by Jun Ning, for the first time, his emotions were all displayed on his face while he spoke.
Jun Yu looked at the Emperor's face, which was even colder than when his mother was angry, and at his tightly clenched fists that seemed ready to hit at any time, and finally understood why the Emperor had suddenly summoned him.
This wasn't because he missed him; clearly, it was to learn about Jun Ning's whereabouts from him and act against Jun Ning.
Why did Jun Yu think this way?
Because he grew up mostly observing the Empress's moods, he could sharply perceive the emotions of those around him, good or bad, and generally determine whether such emotions were beneficial or harmful to him.
Although the Emperor had not shown any negative emotions toward him, he did show this adverse side to Jun Ning.
Therefore, to protect Jun Ning, he absolutely would not answer these questions.
Shaking his head, he continued to play dumb, continuing to be his reserved self.