But Emperor Yongning wouldn't let it go!
"Seventeen, you must know, quickly tell the Emperor."
Emperor Yongning was too eager for an answer, and since Jun Yu wouldn't say it directly, he got somewhat agitated, his blood boiled and he coughed fiercely, making his entire face turn red.
Xiao Lizi quickly stepped forward to help pat his back and advised, "Your Majesty, please don't get worked up. We can ask slowly, we'll surely get the answer."
Jun Yu silently thought to himself, "Impossible, I won't let anyone harm my boss, even if that person is my Father."
Despite the continued questioning, Jun Yu remained unyielding; his little mouth seemed sealed and couldn't be pried open.
Emperor Yongning was somewhat angry because he achieved nothing.
His other sixteen sons always conformed to his wishes in any situation, trying every possible way to please him. Why was it that only Seventeen was so rebellious?
Despite being so angry, he still wouldn't answer his questions.
He wished he could grab him and give him a good beating.
But alas, everyone in the palace knew about Jun Yu being frail since childhood. As a father, if he acted rashly against his frail son, it wouldn't look good if the word spread.
Emperor Yongning had to digest his feelings himself, and when he wasn't so angry anymore, he patiently told Jun Yu, "Are you not speaking because you're afraid the Emperor will harm him?"
Jun Yu didn't answer, but the way he bit his lip betrayed him.
Having lived most of his life, Emperor Yongning certainly could see what a child was thinking.
He subtly curled his lips and continued, "Rest assured, although he teased the Emperor and made me angry, as the ruler, I have a broad mind and wouldn't hold a grudge against a child." He smiled, "Rest assured, I won't harm him."
Upon hearing this, Jun Yu finally spoke, "In that case, why is the Emperor so determined to find him?"
Emperor Yongning felt a surge of joy, knowing there was hope for getting Seventeen to speak.
To quickly turn this hope into reality, he said, "I see the boy is clever and can play with you, so I want to find him to be your companion."
Emperor Yongning rubbed his forehead, "I remember your mother said you seem to lack a companion!"
Jun Yu nodded, "Yes."
He had started enlightenment at the age of two, but due to his withdrawn personality and not being fond of speaking, his mother feared he might be subdued by lively kids and become even more withdrawn, so they hadn't found a suitable one.
Now, the Emperor wants the boss to be his companion?
Jun Yu couldn't suppress his happiness; this way, he could see the boss every day.
But was Emperor Yongning's move genuinely to find a companion for Jun Yu, or was he harboring personal motives, using this reason to find Jun Ning to punish him for offending him repeatedly?
The answer was clear.
But—
Jun Yu was just a two-and-a-half-year-old child, easily fooled by appearances, unable to see the essence of the world. He readily believed Emperor Yongning's words.
He even feared that Emperor Yongning might have said it on a whim, so he confirmed with him once again, "Father, can you really let him be my companion?"
"I can," Emperor Yongning said, "but before he becomes your companion, you need to bring him to me so I can see if he harbors any rebellious thoughts and whether he's suitable to be your companion."