This True Person is indeed as rumored, extremely direct!
Thinking this, Sima Rui couldn't help but secretly let out a small sigh of relief:
"Crown Prince, future emperor?"
The seven-year-old Eldest Prince couldn't help but laugh:
"Since it's something that hasn't truly been obtained, how can it be considered a regret? To harbor resentment over it is even more unnecessary, isn't it?"
Setting these aside, Sima Rui thought to himself, what does he truly possess in reality right now?
A maternal family eagerly wanting to gain benefits from him?
A harem full of stepmothers and brothers watching him like tigers, wishing they could devour him whole? The many court ministers whose true intentions remain unclear?
Even his Imperial Father, the only one he can currently rely on, has countless other children besides himself who know how to be clever and win favor.
His Imperial Father has countless beauties by his side, one must ask, how long can the small amount of grace left by his mother continue to shelter him?
Father-son affection?
From the numerous history books he has previously read, it is proven that under imperial power, these are too light, too thin...
Since that's the case, it's better to seize the only lifeline currently within reach.
"True Person, rest assured, no matter what happens in the future, success or failure, it is all my own choice, I harbor absolutely no resentment in my heart..."
What exactly was said that day is known only to An Ning and the other party. In any case, since that day, although no formal master-disciple ceremony was held, the seven-year-old Sima Rui indeed stayed.
Though young, it must be said, this one is truly first-rate in diligence.
Every day, without fail, he would get up, dress himself, and take a small run around the temple about ten times before the Mao hour (5-7 AM). His clothing also changed from the previous ornate and elaborate prince's attire to a uniform of simple blue Daoist robes.
He even kept only one personal palace servant by his side to help with washing clothes and cleaning.
An Ning paid him no mind, but he wasn't discouraged, nor did he eagerly try to get close. He would just spend each day repeatedly admiring the paintings An Ning had left behind, or reading and studying on his own.
Or practicing health-preservation boxing in the small courtyard.
Perhaps this temple is indeed nourishing, or perhaps it's the absence of the endless disturbances, schemes, and calculations of the palace.
In less than half a year, the Sima Rui before them had not only grown significantly taller but also became increasingly spirited.
Dressed in a blue Daoist robe, at first glance he really had the air of a little Daoist.
It was the attendant Xiao Xizi by his side who truly felt distressed, especially when looking at the almost uniformly vegetarian meals on the dining table:
"Your Highness, this is too harsh on yourself!"
This isn't even as good as in the palace!
"Look, the True Person doesn't abstain from meat either?"
Sima Rui's expression remained unchanged, still eating the small green vegetables before him with relish. Only after putting down his chopsticks did he speak:
"I am merely a mortal body, how can I be compared to the True Person? Don't say such things again."
Having followed his Imperial Father before, Sima Rui had also heard of the so-called theory of purity and turbidity.
Unlike the True Person with her extraordinary talent who could directly enter the Dao, he himself is a body of flesh and blood, often staying in a place like the palace. He must carry a significant amount of worldly turbid energy.
The opportunity is rare. Regardless of whether the True Person is willing to relent or not, before that, he must do his utmost to lay a solid foundation for himself.
However... personally wiping the long sword he would use later, Sima Rui turned his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Xiao Xizi beside him:
"I heard you went down the mountain a while ago, Xiao Xizi. Speak, which noble person did you encounter this time?"
Hearing the anger in his master's voice, Xiao Xizi hastily knelt and kowtowed: "It... it was the Duke... no, the Duke of Imperial Favor."
"Hearing that you have not yet succeeded in becoming a disciple, the Duke is very worried." Glancing at his master's face which seemed devoid of any joy or anger, Xiao Xizi no longer dared to hide anything:
"The Duke also said, His Majesty's feelings towards Your Highness are clear for all in the court and the country to see.
Your Highness truly has no need to be apprehensive. If... if His Majesty indeed enjoys great longevity, couldn't there still be a Crown... Crown Prince..."
By the end of his words, under the slightly mocking gaze of the person before him, Xiao Xizi grew increasingly stammering.
Even so, Xiao Xizi still somewhat agreed in his heart. After all, how good was His Majesty to their master earlier? He was even willing to share the immortal paintings and immortal tea obtained from the True Person with His Highness.
This was a treatment unique in the entire imperial palace. All the other princes combined couldn't compare.
If he hadn't come here, his master should have been named Crown Prince long ago.
Sigh, a Crown Prince, it's not something one can't aspire to, why suffer here being unwelcome everywhere?
Unfortunately, the response he received was his master's gaze filled with complete understanding:
"Oh? It seems since I left the palace, my grandfather and uncle's official careers have been rather troubled!"
But then again, it's to be expected. Continuing to wipe the long sword, Sima Rui showed no surprise.
There are countless capable people in the court. These two men's abilities were only average to begin with. The reason His Majesty was willing to promote them earlier was merely to better secure his position.
Looking down at his own not-very-slender small hands, a hint of coolness couldn't help but flash in Sima Rui's eyes:
The art of imperial statecraft. Perhaps His Majesty himself hasn't realized it, but in his actions towards this son who might come into contact with the divine and mystical, he has already subconsciously begun to take precautions.
Picking up the wiped wooden sword, Sima Rui spoke calmly:
"Just this once, no next time.
If you try to contact the outside again in the future, no matter who it is. You need not stay by my side anymore."
Crown Prince? A joke! Does he have to toil diligently his whole life, only to prepare the wedding dress for someone else?
"Your Highness, spare me, Your Highness, spare me, this servant dares not again..." As his words fell, Xiao Xizi hastily kowtowed, but couldn't help thinking to himself:
Is... is His Highness completely giving up the possibility of returning to the court?
Time passes without notice in the mountains. In the blink of an eye, another half year passed. During this time, Xiao Xizi watched helplessly as, no matter how many people from the outside tried to send messages, his master remained completely unmoved.
Only occasionally when His Majesty visited would they share a meal.
Yet His Majesty seemed not to notice his master's situation at all. Fortunately, a year later, just as Sima Rui continued his daily self-cultivation and Xiao Xizi had completely lost heart, on this day, two familiar faces suddenly appeared outside the small courtyard...