Chapter 511: Chapter 2: The Crown Prince Amuses

The Crown Prince spoke with a few tones of youthful enthusiasm and innocence.

Immediately, the Han King (Second Prince) and Prince Pei (Fourth Prince) exchanged a smile.

"You lad, didn’t you say your legs just got better? Now you want to race again? Aren’t you afraid of falling again?"

The Crown Prince chuckled, not taking his injury seriously at all.

Immediately, he patted his once-sprained right thigh and said loudly.

"I’ve recovered long ago. If I lose to Second Brother and Fourth Brother in a horse race because of leg pain, wouldn’t others say my brothers win unworthily?"

Then followed a hearty laugh.

His flamboyant nature was just as ever.

Prince Pei smiled wryly, somewhat helpless.

"Wasn’t it said that he has become more stable and dependable? Looks like the news is wrong!"

They had heard this in their fiefdoms.

Currently, support for the Crown Prince among the people could be described as at its peak.

Everyone praised him for being humble, virtuous, steady, and loving towards the people.

But only those closest knew.

This lad hadn’t changed much from his childhood.

He was still as arrogant and proud as ever.

The Han King also held his forehead, showing a helpless smile.

"Brat, you’re just bullying us because our horses can’t compare to yours. If Sixth Brother hadn’t been training with Fourth Uncle Grandfather in Huazhou and returned, how would you be allowed to shout here!"

"Exactly!"

Upon hearing his two brothers teasing him, the Crown Prince was genuinely unbothered.

He happily said.

"Even if Sixth Brother came, he might not win against me. Look at my treasured steed!"

Then he appeared smug.

Before the Han King and Prince Pei could speak, the Crown Prince reached out his hand.

Gesturing as if asking for gifts.

"Talk is cheap, Father did give me a birthday gift. What about yours, my brothers? Why haven’t I seen anything sent to the Eastern Palace!"

With his shout, the four bodyguards nearby felt quite troubled.

Including Lin Xingzhi’s eldest son Lin Ying and second son Lin Zong.

Also, Jiang Huanqing’s son Jiang Shouyuan, and Feng Qi’s son Feng Xun.

Ever since they were four years old, they basically grew up in the palace.

Accompanying the Crown Prince in various studies by day and returning to their mansions by night.

They learned both literature and martial arts, everything.

In terms of ability, the Crown Prince still had them in awe.

But his personality and temper often left people speechless.

When he was young, he seemed to restrain himself a bit.

But as he grew, he became more "uninhibited."

Yet somehow, they saw a look of approval from the Emperor’s eyes.

This kind of behavior left them quite puzzled.

The Han King wouldn’t indulge his rogue behavior.

He clicked his tongue twice and said.

"With that bandit-like appearance, I’ll complain to Mother Concubine later to have her pick a Crown Princess Consort for you to curb your bad habits."

Upon hearing this, Prince Pei suddenly had a bright idea and started chuckling.

He said to the Han King.

"Second Brother, I recall that Mr. Zeng has a sister around the Crown Prince’s age, right? I heard her looks, temperament, talent, and ability are all outstanding. Such a person, surely is a match for our Crown Prince and should enter the Eastern Palace!"

At these words, the Crown Prince, who had been grinning, suddenly froze.

The Mr. Zeng in Prince Pei’s mouth was Zeng Konghou.

Currently, he held the position as Crown Prince’s Tutor and entered the Cabinet at a young age.

Presumably, once the incumbent elder retired, he would become the youngest Cabinet leader of Da Wei.

Thinking of him, the Crown Prince thought of his decades-long "torment."

Every action in the court was meticulously pointed out by him.

If there was to be another Zeng as Crown Princess Consort,

would he still survive?

Thus, he let out a couple of awkward chuckles.

Withdrew his hand asking for a gift, and pretended as if nothing had happened.

He changed the subject to something else.

"Second Brother, since you’re back this time, stay in the Capital City until after the New Year before leaving. Mother Concubine misses you and Second Sister’s family a lot. Every time she mentions you, she always sighs."

Hearing this, the Han King felt a little guilty for not being able to perform his filial duties in front of Mother Concubine.

Especially after Second Sister Xiruo married Wu Chuang, they settled in Yunzhou.

Clearly, she should have been providing comfort at Mother Concubine’s knee.

Yet, due to her marriage, she had to leave Shengjing City.

This indeed made him feel a bit remorseful.

So, he nodded and said.

"Alright, I’ll stay a few more days then."

Prince Pei, unlike their family,

his fiefdom Changzhou is the closest to Shengjing City.

Thus, he could find an excuse every year to go north alone for filial duties.

So, for him, staying or not wasn’t an issue.

But upon hearing that the Han King’s family would stay until year-end,

he immediately expressed.

"I’ll stay too. Just as well, I’ll let Mother Concubine find me a suitable Princess Consort, and take her to Changzhou together next spring."

The Fourth Prince is now already eighteen.

The Second Princess, who is a month older than him, has been married for almost two years now.

Only he hasn’t settled down yet.

It’s not that he’s particularly picky.

He just hasn’t met the right person, so he hasn’t made up his mind to marry a Princess Consort.

This time, he could use the excuse of selecting the Crown Prince’s main consort.

To stay a few more days.

If he could solve his lifelong matter as well, it would be great.

Hearing this, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but chuckle.

Then he tossed back the words Prince Pei had just said.

"Fourth Brother, I think that Miss Zeng is perfect! Whether in appearance, temperament, talent, or ability, they’re all outstanding. Such a person, surely should enter Prince Pei Mansion!"

The same words, given back by the Crown Prince, practically carbon copied.

It amused the brothers greatly.

Talking always made time pass quickly.

Soon, the drum signaling the start of the race began to sound.

All participants’ horses stood behind a white line.

Their heads neighed high, and hooves flew chaotically.

It certainly looked like a fierce battle.

The Crown Prince, confident in his exceptional riding and archery skills, along with his invincible steed.

So, he exuded ambition and high spirits.

Such a demeanor caused ministers with daughters around the same age to feel attached.

And filled with excitement.

The Emperor viewed from on high, his lips gently curling up.

But aside, Lin Wanyi noticed and couldn’t help but shake her head and said.

"Isn’t the Crown Prince a bit too flamboyant, shouldn’t Your Majesty rein him in?"

"Flamboyant? I think he’s alright."

Notwithstanding his smug demeanor here at the Autumn Hunting Ground.

When he attended court, his complexion was serious, his expression solemn.

At times, even calmer than the Emperor himself.

With such a balance, the Emperor liked him from the bottom of his heart. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

And thought the time had probably come.

The civilian life he once promised Lin Wanyi, would likely be realized after the New Year once the Crown Prince married.