Chapter 51: Going Out of the Palace to Welcome Prince Dai

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Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Going Out of the Palace to Welcome Prince Dai On the way back to Kunde Hall, Tong Xi informed Zhao Yao about the emperor’s marriage decree. Zhao Yao was very incredulous after hearing it: "Really?" "The emperor personally decreed the marriage," Tong Xi said, "How would I dare to make it up?" Zhao Yao was shocked: "But that’s the Kong Family, not just anyone else!" Could father really want to depose the Crown Prince and appoint Prince Dai as the new Crown Prince? "Now the entire palace is talking about this!" Tong Xi said, looking around cautiously and lowering his voice, "Everyone is saying that the emperor can’t hold back anymore and is going to dethrone the Crown Prince!" "Your Highness, is the emperor really going to dethrone the Crown Prince?" After the initial shock, Zhao Yao’s expression calmed: "Do you think the Crown Prince can be deposed just because father wants to?" "But didn’t the emperor grant Prince Dai to marry the younger daughter of Kong Taichang?" Although Tong Xi usually seemed a bit slow, he was actually very perceptive. "With the support of the Kong Family, Prince Dai is like a tiger with wings added; how can the Crown Prince contend with Prince Dai?" That’s the esteemed Kong Family by scholars across the land. By allying with the Kong Family, Prince Dai would gain the support of the majority of scholars in the kingdom. "Even with the support of the Kong Family, father can’t immediately dethrone the Crown Prince, the legitimate eldest son, and make the second brother, a child of a concubine, the Crown Prince." Zhao Yao crossed his hands behind his head, walking nonchalantly, "The rule of establishing the legitimate and the eldest is a rule set by the Kong Family themselves. If Kong Taichang supports the second brother to become the Crown Prince, that would be violating their ancestral teachings." Tong Xi thought Zhao Yao’s words made a lot of sense, "So, Kong Taichang will not support Prince Dai?" "Once his younger daughter marries the second brother, whether he supports or not won’t be up to him." Zhao Yao said, "At this point, it is not the Crown Prince suffering the most, but Kong Taichang. He is probably trying to figure out how to refuse this marriage." Tong Xi exclaimed in surprise, "How can one refuse a marriage decreed by the emperor, wouldn’t that be defying the imperial edict?" Zhao Yao: "Just wait and see; things won’t go so smoothly." This marriage might even cause a storm of blood. Since father knows the impact this marriage would have, why did he still decree it? Could father be afraid of peace in the world? The emperor’s mind is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. "Whether it’s smooth or not has nothing to do with us, Your Highness, don’t worry." "What am I worried about," Zhao Yao said with a smile, "I’m just thinking about eating more delicious food at tomorrow night’s celebration banquet." "Your Highness, do you really not plan to eat more at lunch?" Tong Xi said worriedly, "In the afternoon, you need to go out of the city with the Crown Prince to welcome Prince Dai back, and who knows when you’ll be able to return to the palace. What if you get hungry then?" "I’m not foolish; how could I possibly go hungry to welcome someone?" As he spoke, Zhao Yao’s stomach started rumbling, and he hastened his pace, "Hurry back." "Your Highness, slow down, be careful not to fall." Tong Xi hurried to catch up. In no time, they arrived at Kunde Hall, where Lai Cai and the others were crouching at the door to welcome Zhao Yao. Zhao Yao first hugged Lai Cai and the others, then kissed them. "Tenth Brother, why did you come back early?" It wasn’t even noon yet, and usually, Zhao Yao would only come down from studying at noon. The Fifth Princess suddenly thought of something, pointed at Zhao Yao and exclaimed, "Did you sneak back?" Zhao Yao gave the Fifth Princess a roll of his eyes. He said crossly, "Fifth Sister, when have I ever sneaked back early?" He did want to leave early, but unfortunately didn’t have the courage. "Then you must have faked being sick or in pain to come back early." The Fifth Princess spoke very confidently. Zhao Yao pretended to look hurt and sad, "Fifth Sister, how could you think that of me? I’m a good student." Although he didn’t like studying and often spaced out in class, he went to study obediently every day. He had never been late, left early, or skipped a class. The Fifth Princess was fooled by Zhao Yao’s acting and hastily apologized, "Tenth Brother, I was just teasing you." Zhao Yao snorted, then didn’t bother with the Fifth Princess any longer and walked forward with Lai Cai and the others. The Fifth Princess believed Zhao Yao was really angry and quickly chased after him to apologize, even promising to make his favorite snacks. It was only then that Zhao Yao forgave her and stopped being mad at her. Witnessing everything, Tong Xi silently felt pity for the Fifth Princess in his heart: His Highness was clearly just tricking the Fifth Princess to willingly make him snacks, and she didn’t even notice, foolishly falling for it. The Fifth Princess relied on being an older sister, thinking she was smarter than His Highness, but every time the Fifth Princess was tricked into running in circles by His Highness. Liang Zhaoyi and Yu Meiren were both very surprised that Zhao Yao came back three-quarters of an hour earlier than usual; they were worried he might be unwell. Zhao Yao explained the reason he finished studying early to Liang Zhaoyi and the others, "Mother, let’s have lunch later. I have to meet with the Crown Prince later and go out of the palace to meet the second brother with him." Liang Zhaoyi nodded and then instructed Gui Xing to inform the small kitchen to hurry up a bit. There was a small kitchen in Kunde Hall, and all meals were prepared here. Typically, someone of Liang Zhaoyi’s rank wouldn’t have their own small kitchen. Only concubines of the rank and above could have a private kitchen. However, due to Kunde Hall’s remote location, it was inconvenient to fetch meals from the Imperial Kitchen. The most important issue was that the meals would get cold by the time they were brought back. While it didn’t matter much for Liang Zhaoyi and Yu Meiren, it could easily cause Zhao Yao to suffer from indigestion. When Zhao Yao was very young, he frequently had stomach issues. When the emperor learned of the cause, he made an exception for Liang Zhaoyi to have her own small kitchen. "Prince Dai’s return to the capital is quite a spectacle this time. Not only is the Crown Prince leading officials to welcome him, but the emperor also granted him such a good marriage," Yu Meiren remarked, "It’s truly glorious." Pan Cairen chimed in, "It will surely be lively when Prince Dai returns in the afternoon." Liang Zhaoyi did not join in Yu Meiren and the others’ conversation but repeatedly reminded Zhao Yao, "Once you reach outside the capital, you must stick closely to the Eighth Prince or the Fourth Prince. Don’t go anywhere, and definitely don’t wander off, understand?" "Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll definitely stick close by the Fourth Brother and the Eighth Brother and go nowhere else," Zhao Yao assured her, "Whatever the Fourth and Eighth Brothers do, I’ll do. I won’t speak out of turn." This trip outside the capital was to welcome the second brother back, not for leisure. He couldn’t possibly lose himself and wander recklessly. Reassured by Zhao Yao’s words, Liang Zhaoyi felt relieved and didn’t say more. Soon after, Gui Xing came in and reported that lunch was ready and asked if they should now serve the meal. Liang Zhaoyi said: Serve the meal now. Zhao Yao hurriedly finished his lunch, changed into a set of brocade clothes, and headed to the Eastern Palace. By the time he arrived, the Third and Fourth Princes were already there. However, the Seventh and Ninth Princes hadn’t arrived yet. After a while, the Seventh and Ninth Princes arrived. Having encountered each other along the way, they naturally exchanged sharp words. Judging by the Ninth Prince’s smug appearance, it was clear he had just won the argument against the Seventh Prince. Once the Crown Prince saw that all his brothers were present, he led them out of the palace. At the palace gates, he noticed there were quite a few Imperial Guards stationed there. Some were even holding horses. The Crown Prince was the first to mount a horse, followed by the other princes in succession. The Fourth and Eighth Princes made sure Zhao Yao was riding between them. If anything unexpected happened, the two of them could protect him. The Crown Prince rode at the front. The Ninth Prince, relying on being a direct brother of Prince Dai, stayed right behind the Crown Prince, riding ahead of the Third Prince and the others. Riding along the main road of the capital, Zhao Yao was taken aback by the number of commoners crowding the sides of the road. "Why are there so many people?" Were all these commoners here to welcome Prince Dai back to the capital? The Eighth Prince glanced at the commoners lining the road and smiled coldly in his heart: Marquis Xuanping is truly resourceful, managing to have the commoners welcome Prince Dai back in triumph spontaneously. The Fourth Prince, expressionless, said, "Pay them no mind." Seeing the Crown Prince, the commoners all knelt down to pay their respects, loudly chanting "Long live the Crown Prince!" With his usual genial and warm smile, the Crown Prince occasionally waved to the commoners on either side of the road. Even just a wave was enough to excite the commoners greatly. On ordinary days, commoners rarely had the chance to see the Crown Prince and the other princes, let alone face them closely like now. They felt a deep reverence and awe for imperial authority.

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