"Prince Xie, the imperial court is no place for idle jests."
Another official spoke up.
Xielou, the former Second Prince and Prince Duan, was by no means an unlearned good-for-nothing. The Emperor had once suspected him of biding his time, feigning madness to lower his guard, or even deliberately provoking him with insolent words to saddle him with the unmerciful and unbrotherly reputation of having killed his own sibling.
But after being enthroned for some time, the Emperor, now with the realm firmly in his grasp, discovered it was neither of the two.
Xielou was just purely, utterly slacking off.
"I am not joking," Xielou said amicably, not the least bit annoyed. "I have grown up in the Capital since childhood and have never been to the south. If I have spoken out of ignorance, I ask that you gentlemen be magnanimous enough to let the matter drop. Please do not list me among the ideal candidates for managing the Yellow River. I am unworthy."
