Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Digging a Pit The Fourth Prince watched Zhao Yao, who alternated between frowning, showing confusion, deep in thought, suddenly realizing, and being very excited, his expressions changing wonderfully. Zhao Yao thought of the stirrups and got so excited that he almost jumped up. Fortunately, the Fourth Prince quickly pressed his shoulder, preventing the tragedy of him falling off the horse. The Eighth Prince also pressed Zhao Yao’s shoulder, saying helplessly, "Tenth Brother, calm down." Pressed on both shoulders by his two brothers and scolded, Zhao Yao blinked blankly, momentarily unable to react to what had happened. Seeing Zhao Yao’s stunned expression, the Eighth Prince pinched his cheek and teased, "What were you thinking about, looking so dazed?" The slight pain on his face brought Zhao Yao back to reality. He slapped away the Eighth Prince’s hand and rubbed the spot where he was pinched. "Eighth Brother, I was just thinking about something." "What were you thinking so intensely about that you almost fell off the horse?" "Thinking about something very important." He said, whenever he rode, he always felt something was off. "What important matter could you be thinking about?" The Eighth Prince poked Zhao Yao’s right cheek, "You must have been thinking about what to eat at the victory banquet tomorrow night, right?" Zhao Yao pretended to be surprised, covering his open mouth with both hands, "Eighth Brother, how did you know?" The Eighth Prince and the Fourth Prince were amused by his feigned shock, both reaching out to poke his cheeks simultaneously. "Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother, is it wrong for me to think about what to eat?" Zhao Yao planned to go to the imperial craftsman to have stirrups made once he got back to the palace. Having stirrups would make riding not only more convenient but also safer, so he wouldn’t always worry about falling off. "Second Brother, why haven’t they arrived yet?" Sitting under the sun made him sleepy. "If Second Brother doesn’t arrive soon, I’m going to fall asleep." He said, yawning widely. "Still a while to go." The Fourth Prince looked at Zhao Yao’s sun-flushed face and asked, "Tenth Brother, are you thirsty?" Zhao Yao picked up a water pouch from the side of the horse saddle and shook it towards the Fourth Prince, "Fourth Brother, I brought water. Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?" "I also brought some." The Fourth Prince said, reaching out to Zhao Yao, "Tenth Brother, come over here and rest in my arms for a while." Seeing Zhao Yao’s eyes nearly closed from drowsiness, the Fourth Prince worried he’d fall asleep and then fall off the horse. "Fourth Brother, is it okay if I take a nap?" After all, they were here to meet the Second Brother returning to the capital. "It’s fine, no one will notice us," the Fourth Prince said, "come here." Hearing this, Zhao Yao felt assured and leaned towards the Fourth Prince, extending his hands towards him. The Fourth Prince carefully embraced Zhao Yao, lifting him from Hei Yu. Zhao Yao sat facing the Fourth Prince and then unceremoniously lay in his arms. "Fourth Brother, I’ll take a little nap now." He was really tired. The Fourth Prince held Zhao Yao, gently patting his back. "Go ahead and sleep." The Eighth Prince saw this scene, his expression turning a bit sour, but he said nothing. As the Fourth Prince mentioned, no one paid attention to them. Everyone present had their thoughts on the upcoming return of Prince Dai. After a while, the sound of hoofbeats came from a distance. Then a soldier returned from afar to report to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, Prince Dai will arrive in ten miles." The Crown Prince nodded slightly, "Good." He then asked with concern, "How is Prince Dai? Is he injured? Are the other officers alright?" The soldier hadn’t paid attention to Prince Dai and the other officers’ conditions. Being questioned by the Crown Prince, he was momentarily stunned but soon regained his composure. "Prince Dai is well, and the other generals are also fine." He added, "The generals initially planned to accompany me to pay respects, but Prince Dai said they could not leave the soldiers behind and should come to greet you with them." "It’s good that Prince Dai and the soldiers are unharmed." The Crown Prince smiled warmly, "Tell Prince Dai and the generals not to rush, I’ll wait here with the ministers." "Yes, Your Highness." The soldier then returned to report the Crown Prince’s words to Prince Dai. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." After the soldier left, several generals around Prince Dai commented, "Didn’t expect the Crown Prince to be so considerate." "It’s truly unexpected for the Crown Prince to personally greet us." "I heard it was the Crown Prince’s idea to welcome you, your highness. Won’t he embarrass you when he sees you later?" "I have a feeling the Crown Prince isn’t acting sincerely. Be watchful later, your highness." These generals were trusted confidants of Prince Dai. Over the years, they had always stayed by his side. They were very convinced of Prince Dai’s military capabilities and were also loyally devoted to him. Prince Dai was beaming with triumph, but his words were full of mockery. "Even if the Crown Prince had ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare embarrass me." Since learning of the engagement, Prince Dai had been very pleased. Like others, he believed this marriage was intended as groundwork by the Emperor for his future ascension as Crown Prince. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢 "Hahaha, indeed, your highness is a great hero now. In a few months, you’ll be marrying the youngest daughter of Officer Kong, and then you will..." The general received a warning glance from Prince Dai before he could finish, frightening him into closing his mouth. He almost misspoke just now. "Once we return to the capital, control your tongues," Prince Dai admonished his generals, "The Crown Prince’s party is just waiting to catch our mistakes, so don’t willingly hand them over." The generals hurriedly replied, "Yes, Your Highness." Prince Dai continued, "Upon returning to the capital, manage your subordinates, don’t flaunt your victory, and avoid causing trouble." He reiterated, "The Crown Prince’s men are watching you closely. If you accidentally say or do something wrong, they won’t let it slide." These were words Prince Dai had previously spoken to his generals. He repeated them because the general nearly revealed something he shouldn’t have. Although it was true, it hadn’t been officially disclosed yet. The generals were aware that once back in the capital, they would become thorns in the side of the Crown Prince’s party. "We will remember your words, your highness." "Once we’re back in the capital, return to your homes and rest," Prince Dai said, scrutinizing the generals covered in dust, with scruffy beards and tired faces. Somewhat scornfully, he remarked, "After returning, take a proper bath and clean up. Shave off those beards." "Ah, shave our beards?" The generals were most proud of their beards, feeling incomplete without them. "Your highness, must we shave?" "At tomorrow’s court meeting, the Emperor will surely summon you. Do you wish to meet him with untidy appearances and risk disrespect?" Prince Dai reminded the generals, "Looking untidy before the Emperor is disrespectful and will lead to punishment. I’m very particular about this habit of yours not to shave or bathe," Prince Dai expressed his dissatisfaction and helplessness. The generals, alarmed by those words, quickly shook their heads, "No, we don’t." "Then clean yourselves up," Prince Dai insisted. "Yes, Your Highness." Though ten miles wasn’t far, moving an army of ten thousand was slow. Later in the afternoon, Prince Dai and his men finally reached the city gate. The Crown Prince, leading ministers and other princes, had already waited for over an hour before finally seeing Prince Dai. When Prince Dai appeared, the Crown Prince’s face lit up with a joyous smile, and he hurriedly dismounted. The ministers, seeing the Crown Prince’s action, showed expressions of surprise. The Third Prince and others, seeing the Crown Prince dismount to greet Prince Dai, naturally followed suit. Zhao Yao had woken up two moments earlier. He dismounted and walked behind the Fourth and Eighth Princes, finally standing behind the Crown Prince. He saw Prince Dai on horseback, while the Crown Prince stood in front of him. Prince Dai, taller by nature, sat on a tall steed, making the Crown Prince look up to him. This scene... The Crown Prince has really laid a trap for the Second Brother without a trace. Seeing the Crown Prince, Prince Dai did not hurry to dismount but sat and looked down at him for a while. The Crown Prince stood before Prince Dai, wearing a smile full of delighted reunion. "Second Brother, you’re finally back." Only then did Prince Dai dismount, preparing to bow, but the Crown Prince immediately helped him up. "Today, I come to greet you as your elder brother, not as the Crown Prince, so forgo the formalities." After helping him up, the Crown Prince scrutinized Prince Dai, showing deep concern, "You’ve lost weight and gotten tanned. By the way, are you injured?" In response to the Crown Prince’s concern, Prince Dai naturally also expressed friendship. "Thank you for your concern, Big Brother. I’m fine." "This battle must have been tough; you’ve had a hard time." The Crown Prince clapped Prince Dai’s shoulder with pride, "Second Brother, you’re now the great victor of our Great Zhou, a hero in the eyes of the people. Everyone has been eagerly awaiting your return."