Chapter 24 Yingying is too fragile to handle.
On a freezing winter morning, Cao Yuanlu personally led Yun Kui to Donghua Gate.
Donghua Gate is located on a long palace road on the west side of the imperial city. Outside the wall, there are government offices of all sizes, including the Six Ministries, the Five Temples, and the Hanlin Academy.
Originally, it was a shortcut for court officials to go to the government office, but everyone was terrified by the Crown Prince's tyranny and preferred to take a longer route rather than show their faces outside the Eastern Palace.
Of course, there were also a few old ministers who supported the Crown Prince, upright officials who were not afraid of being accused, officials who were oblivious to outside affairs and focused solely on their official duties, and those who wanted to find out news about the Eastern Palace who would still pass by the Donghua Gate.
Cao Yuanlu introduced her to the guards at the palace gate, explaining their purpose so that no one would be unaware of the situation and offend her.
After all, this was the first woman His Highness the Crown Prince had ever kissed, and Cao Yuanlu wished he could treat her like a goddess.
The head of the guards, Luo Zhang, was a handsome man. He nodded slightly to Cao Yuanlu but didn't even glance at her. He continued to stand outside the palace gate as immovable as a stone lion.
Yun Kui thanked Cao Yuanlu and then found a sunny spot with a gentle breeze to stand in.
The guards of the Eastern Palace were all personal soldiers of the Crown Prince, and their military discipline was strict. During the war, they were forbidden from drinking and engaging in sexual activity. If anyone disobeyed, they would be punished according to military law without any favoritism. Therefore, no matter how curious people were, they dared not look at the palace maid who had been punished to guard the palace gate.
Yun Kui raised her head, trying to greet a burly guard beside her, wanting to inquire about the time the court official had passed by, and also to ask where he lived, his age, and whether he was married. However, the guard remained unmoved, like a tall mute, and ignored her completely.
Feeling awkward, she continued to bask in the sun, utterly bored, leaning against the palace gate.
It was terribly cold. The difference between sunny and sunless places was like night and day. Fortunately, she was dressed warmly in a silver-red embroidered begonia dress, which was warm and cozy in the sunlight. If she hadn't come to be punished, sitting on the doorstep, petting the cat, and knitting would have been a real treat.
As officials began to pass by the gate, Yun Kui had to straighten her posture and look at each of them one by one.
After all, her main task in being punished here was to catch the person behind the poisoning. If there was no progress, given the Crown Prince's penchant for tormenting people, he might make her guard the palace gates for the rest of her life.
A bright and beautiful woman rarely appears outside the East Palace. Young officials look at her curiously and whisper among themselves. Some stare at her intently, looking back frequently even after walking several feet away. Some older officials, who probably guessed her identity, showed cold, disdainful, or sighing expressions.
Yun Kui didn't care what they despised or loathed. Did they think she was a seductress who tried to seduce the Crown Prince? She was far from qualified.
As for those young officials, she might have taken a second look at them in the past, but now her status is awkward and she can hardly expect to leave the palace. Perhaps she will be retained by the Crown Prince, or perhaps she will be sent back to the Imperial Household Department. Even if she is able to leave the palace in the future, would any decent family not care that she was once a concubine of the Crown Prince?
Well, what's done is done. At least I'm safe. Who knows what the future holds?
After guarding the palace gates for two days, Yun Kui still found nothing. On the third day, a group of princes in brocade robes arrived at the Eastern Palace.
The group was dressed in similar styles, and the different python patterns on their robes highlighted their noble status.
The guard commander, Luo Zhang, had just returned from his patrol and bowed to the crowd. When Yun Kui saw their gazes sweep over her, she also bowed respectfully.
The leader, Prince Chen, was dressed in a purple robe. His face was as handsome as jade, and he exuded nobility. He was also refined and humble in his dealings with others. "Today, I have brought my brothers to visit my elder brother, the Crown Prince. I wonder if it is convenient for you to visit him?"
Luo Zhang said, "Please wait a moment, Your Highnesses, while I go in and report."
Prince Chen said politely, "I'll trouble Commander Luo."
In fact, Prince Chen had come twice before, but the Crown Prince refused to let him in both times, citing his serious injury. The other princes always respected Prince Chen, and none of them would have bothered to come to the Eastern Palace to curry favor and offend the Empress and Prince Chen. Moreover, since the Crown Prince didn't even give Prince Chen face, no one else would have dared to embarrass themselves.
However, having recently heard that the Crown Prince's injuries had improved, as cousins, it was only right that they came to visit him. So, they simply accompanied Prince Chen to pay their respects.
Today, apart from the eldest prince, Prince Jing, who has built a residence outside the palace and has always lived a secluded life, the ailing third prince, Prince Sheng, and the fifth prince who is away on official business, the other princes all came.
Luo Zhang went in to report, and the princes stood waiting, their gazes naturally falling on Yun Kui, who was guarding the palace gate.
The fourth prince, with a dashing and debonair air, said, "The crown prince really doesn't know how to cherish women. Instead of keeping such a beauty by your side to serve you, he sends her out to freeze. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to bear it."
Yun Kui didn't know how to respond, so she could only say, "This servant has done something wrong and should be punished."
The fourth prince asked curiously, "What did you do wrong?"
Yun Kui pursed her lips.
He flirted with the crown prince, pounced on him, and forcibly kissed him.
She came up with a reason that was barely acceptable: "This servant spoke rudely and offended His Highness the Crown Prince."
Everyone was extremely surprised.
Rumor has it that the Crown Prince is tyrannical, cold-blooded, and bloodthirsty. This girl spoke rudely, yet she wasn't beaten to death?
After pondering for a moment, Prince Chen said to Yun Kui, "You often accompany your elder brother, the Crown Prince. Could you tell us about his illness?"
Although the Crown Prince and several of Emperor Chunming's sons were cousins, they had not seen each other for many years. Even three years ago, when the Crown Prince was still in the capital, they met very few times. The youngest prince, the Ninth Prince, had never even seen the Crown Prince's face.
Prince Chen had only heard about the Crown Prince's illness from the Empress, but seeing is believing, and he wanted to come and see for himself how serious the illness was.
As the legitimate son of Emperor Chunming, Prince Chen naturally cared more about the late emperor's heir apparent than anyone else.
Yun Kui hesitated, unsure whether to tell the truth.
In recent days, she has witnessed countless spies being dealt with, and she herself has received poison from unknown sources on several occasions. If the secret medicine given to her by the Empress also contains deadly poison, and Prince Chen is the Empress's own son, would he harm His Highness the Crown Prince?
Among these princes in front of her, there was no telling which one might be the mastermind behind poisoning her.
Thinking of this, she said vaguely, "This servant is dull and ignorant of medicine. I usually only do chores like serving tea and water. As for His Highness the Crown Prince, you princes will know once you go in and see for yourselves."
The seventh prince muttered, "The crown prince wouldn't even see my second brother before, so he might not be willing to see us today either."
A barely perceptible hint of displeasure flashed in Prince Chen's eyes.
The way the seventh prince said it made it seem as if he was inferior and couldn't even get an audience with the crown prince.
He's just a notorious madman who's universally hated. How is he any more noble than him?
The Sixth Prince, standing to the side, did not participate in the discussion. From the moment he arrived, his gaze was fixed on Yun Kui, his eyes filled with undisguised amazement. He felt that this girl had bright eyes, fair skin, a delicate nose, and cherry lips, and was even more beautiful and charming than the peach blossoms blooming brightly under the spring sun.
The sixth prince was also the empress's own son, and he had reached the age of understanding human affairs. However, no concubines had been arranged in his room yet, simply because the empress disliked those seductive women who bewitched the emperor, and feared that he would become addicted to the pleasures of women at such a young age and would not be able to concentrate on his studies.
It is said that the eldest brother, Prince Jing, was born to a maid who had climbed into the emperor's bedchamber. Later, when the emperor ascended the throne, he took in many concubines and had many children. The emperor's mother was furious, but there was nothing she could do about it.
But it is the Emperor who bestows blessings widely; what does it have to do with him?
He didn't ask for multiple wives and concubines; he just wanted a beautiful woman to warm his bed.
Yun Kui is just right; she has snow-white skin and a beautiful face, and her delicate voice is softer than sugar cake, sweetening his heart.
Such a delicate and beautiful girl, yet the Crown Prince punished her by making her guard the palace gates. It's truly a case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
He stared for so long that it was hard for others not to notice.
Finally, it was Prince Chen who cleared his throat to remind him, and the Sixth Prince realized his rudeness and awkwardly withdrew his gaze.
The Ninth Prince was the youngest and also quite chubby. He was panting heavily from walking all the way from his palace, and now he didn't know how long he would have to wait in the cold wind. He grumbled impatiently, wishing he hadn't come.
He'd never even seen the Crown Prince, and he wasn't even his brother.
After waiting for a while, Luo Zhang finally came out and replied, "His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence."
Prince Chen nodded in return: "Thank you for your trouble."
Luo Zhang turned to Yun Kui and said, "Your Highness, please lead the other princes into the palace."
Yun Kui was somewhat surprised. They didn't want her to guard the palace gate anymore?
Or is it that these princes do indeed have a problem, and the Crown Prince is creating opportunities for her to have contact with them so that he can enter her dreams at night?
The distance from Donghua Gate to Chengguang Hall is quite long. The further in you go, the more solemn and dignified it becomes, with strict guards. Everyone unconsciously restrained their casual expressions and dared not make any mistakes.
The Ninth Prince, with his short, thick legs, followed behind, panting heavily, wanting the Seventh Prince to carry him.
The Seventh Prince was still a young boy and was thin and weak, while the Ninth Prince was almost heavier than him, so how could the Ninth Prince carry him?
Seeing that the seventh prince refused, the ninth prince then asked the fourth prince to carry him.
The fourth prince looked at his chubby younger brother and lowered his voice, saying, "Father tested us on riding and archery this morning, and my arms are still tired. Please don't make things difficult for your older brothers, okay?"
The Ninth Prince angrily shouted to Prince Chen, "Second Brother, none of them will carry me!"
Prince Chen was also annoyed with him, and with the dignity of an eldest brother, he reminded him: "Ninth brother, don't be silly. This is the Eastern Palace, not your Baohua Palace."
"So what about the Eastern Palace?" the Ninth Prince blurted out. "They're all afraid of the Crown Prince, so is Second Brother afraid too?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Prince Chen's usually calm expression turned ashen.
The others kept their eyes on the matter and dared not interrupt.
When the Ninth Prince saw that his expression had changed, he stuck out his tongue and hid behind the Sixth Prince.
Seeing the Sixth Prince glancing at the palace maid who was serving him from time to time, the Ninth Prince ran up to Yun Kui, raised his head and said imperiously, "You lie down and be my horse."
Everyone looked at each other, knowing that the Ninth Prince was the youngest and deeply favored by Emperor Chunming. He was used to acting arrogantly and domineeringly, and even the eunuchs and maids of Baohua Palace had served as his cushions.
But this is the Eastern Palace, who would dare to order the Crown Prince's bedchamber maids around like this!
Although this woman was punished to guard the palace gates and lost the emperor's favor, she was, after all, once the crown prince's bedmate. The crown prince was cruel and ruthless, but also extremely protective of his own. Who would dare to touch anyone in his palace? Everyone remembered that Cao Yuanlu, who had been punished to work at the Imperial Horse Stables, was summoned back by the crown prince without a word.
Yun Kui stood frozen in place, her face turning pale.
This little brat wants her to crawl on the ground and be his horse? She's so fat, he could probably break her back sitting on her like that!
It was the Sixth Prince who stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Ninth Brother, she is the Crown Prince's concubine, not a lowly servant in your palace. Besides, riding on someone is wrong in the first place."
The Ninth Prince immediately retorted, "Aren't concubines just people's horses to be ridden?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed; no one expected a five-year-old child to say such a thing.
The Sixth Prince subconsciously looked at Yun Kui's expression.
Yun Kui pursed her lips, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her.
In the eyes of the nobles, palace maids who served the emperor were just lowly, nameless, and meant for their amusement.
Fortunately, she was always flexible and adaptable. The monthly salary of the palace maid who served the emperor was three times that of before. Although serving in front of the nobleman also carried risks, she had more opportunities to be rewarded. She was not ashamed to do her job for money.
Prince Chen glared angrily at his insolent ninth brother and coldly questioned, "Who taught you to say such things?"
It wasn't that Prince Chen was inherently kind or that he was afraid of the Crown Prince's tyranny, which is why he reprimanded his younger brother and protected a mere palace maid. Rather, it was one thing for his younger brother to be bossy and talk nonsense in his own palace, but this was happening outside. If people saw this and it reached the ears of those pedantic old ministers, they would think that their father had failed in educating his son.
When a wise ruler has a flaw, it gives them a reason to attack their father and support the crown prince.
Prince Chen knew long ago that their lineage had an awkward status. Not to mention them, even their father, the Emperor, had to be careful with his words and actions and always maintain his image as a wise ruler.
Today, Ninth Brother spoke recklessly in the Eastern Palace; tomorrow, he might utter foul language in the Imperial Study. If this gets out, it will only increase the Emperor's suspicions.
The Ninth Prince was still young and couldn't think that far ahead. He felt unhappy everywhere. In the past, everyone indulged him, and even his father would never say "no" to him. But his older brothers all wanted to discipline him.
His face was flushed, and he roared angrily, "I want to ride a big horse! I want to ride a big horse!"
As he spoke, he mustered all his strength to shove Yun Kui. He was fat and fierce, and in his anger, his strength was extraordinary. Yun Kui couldn't dodge in time and was pushed to the ground. Her knees hit the cold, hard stone bricks, and even her thick cotton dress couldn't block the intense pain. Her elbows and palms were also scraped raw.
Yun Kui cursed under her breath. With things turned out like this, she probably already had someone to enter her dreams tonight.
Upon seeing this, the Fourth Prince and the Seventh Prince rushed forward to pull their younger brother away, while the Sixth Prince instinctively bent down to help Yun Kui.
Just then, a pale, thin hand with clearly defined veins suddenly reached out and blocked his movement.
A biting wind howled through the narrow passageway, and the clouds overhead blocked out the sun. The once warm and sunny palace walls seemed to be shrouded in thick shadows, and even the air seemed to become still.
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, and even the Ninth Prince, who had been shouting and yelling, was stunned and forgot to cry.
The crown prince, dressed in a wide-sleeved black robe with gold patterns, appeared here at some unknown time.
He was extremely tall, and large swathes of his dark robes billowed wildly in the biting wind, like ink splashed across the sky before a storm, or a dragon lurking in the abyss. Although his face still had a pale, sickly look, his movements exuded a chilling, aggressive, and oppressive aura that made people afraid to look directly at him.
Suppressing the faint fear in his heart, Prince Chen quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subject greets your elder brother."
The others, who hadn't seen the Crown Prince for many years, were stunned for a moment before quickly bowing in greeting. The Ninth Prince looked up at the man with a menacing aura, recalling the story told by the palace servants that he ate human flesh and drank human blood. The little boy seemed to be intimidated by the man's overly fierce aura and was too scared to move.
The crown prince casually glanced at the disheveled girl on the ground, his low, husky, and lazy voice lingering: "You're so arrogant in front of me, but how come you become so easily slaughtered outside?"
As soon as the words were spoken, the princes looked at each other, dumbfounded.
What does it mean to be "arrogant in front of me"?
All the princes kept a low profile in front of the crown prince. Even their fathers and mothers treated him with great respect. Outsiders were terrified of the crown prince and avoided him at all costs.
Is there anyone who dares to be arrogant towards him?
Wasn't she merely "speaking rudely and offending His Highness the Crown Prince"? Could it be anything more serious?
But the Crown Prince clearly did not intend to impose a heavy responsibility.
Even Yun Kui herself stared wide-eyed in disbelief, feeling somewhat aggrieved.
"No, boss... I only dared to act recklessly because I thought I was going to die. I'm usually very respectful and well-behaved, okay!"
"Besides, these are all princes. How could I disobey their orders? Or do I have the right to use your name to bully others?"
Prince Chen understood the Crown Prince's protective tone and could only speak kindly on behalf of the Ninth Prince: "We brothers came here today to visit our elder brother about his illness, but we didn't expect to disturb his peace. Ninth Brother is young and doesn't know any better. He was just joking with Yun Kui. Let him apologize to Yun Kui."
The Ninth Prince was dragged forward by his two older brothers, his thick red neck stiff and his face full of resentment.
He has never apologized to anyone! He is the emperor's most beloved prince, why should he bow down to a mere palace maid? He is the one who bullies others, no one can bully him!
The Crown Prince looked down at the chubby boy, and suddenly remembered the spring dream that Yun Kui had mentioned that night between Consort Yu and the heir of the Marquis of Ningde. A mocking smile appeared on his lips, and his gaze toward the Ninth Prince became meaningful.
"Young and ignorant? Judging from his insightful remarks just now, he doesn't seem like someone who is ignorant."
Everyone was stunned; he had even overheard the Ninth Prince's words about the concubine!
Yun Kui struggled to her feet, supporting herself with her hands, and stood behind the Crown Prince with her head down and her lips tightly pursed.
Prince Chen said solemnly, "It must be the servants of Baohua Palace who were talking nonsense. He just followed suit and spoke without restraint. I will definitely report to Father and Mother when I get back and ask Father to punish him severely."
The Ninth Prince's face flushed red, and he gritted his teeth in anger, but he dared not throw a tantrum in front of the Crown Prince. He had just pouted and angrily called out "Second Brother" when he was glared at back by Prince Chen.
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly: "Prince Chen probably doesn't understand me. When I want to punish someone, I always deal with them on the spot. There's no reason to teach them a lesson later."
Prince Chen's face turned pale, and he clenched his teeth inwardly.
The Ninth Prince understood that the Crown Prince was going to punish him for the sake of a mere palace maid!
He was filled with hatred and fear, trembling all over. He simply lay down on the ground, rolling around and crying out in a rage, "I am a prince, she is a palace maid, and palace maids should obey princes! Even my father doesn't care about me, so why should you care about me! I want to go back to the palace! I want to see my father! I want my father to come and judge for me!"
The Seventh Prince tried to pull him up, but couldn't, so he simply gave up. Everyone else was helpless. Throwing tantrums and crying was the Ninth Prince's specialty, and Emperor Chunming loved him the most.
Several years ago, the Eighth Prince died of illness. Emperor Chunming was immersed in the grief of losing his son. Not two months later, Consort Yu became pregnant. Emperor Chunming then transferred all his love and guilt for the Eighth Prince to the Ninth Prince, spoiling him and making him more and more unruly.
Prince Chen wished he could kick his younger brother out, but he suppressed his anger and turned to the Crown Prince, saying, "Indeed, Ninth Brother is unruly and insolent. How does Elder Brother intend to punish him?"
"If he insists on punishing me, then let's play along. If word gets out that the Crown Prince is indulging his favorite concubine in bullying the prince, I'll see how he explains it."
The crown prince heard his thoughts and couldn't help but smile.
His notoriety over the years owes much to Empress Chen and his son.
The Crown Prince gestured to De Shun beside him, "Did you see clearly what the Ninth Prince said and did just now?"
De Shun nodded hurriedly: "This servant has seen it all clearly."
"When you meet His Majesty later, no matter the occasion, just tell the truth. Also," the Crown Prince coldly curled his lips, "tell His Majesty that he has failed to discipline his son properly, and I, the Ninth Prince, will teach him a lesson."
De Shun immediately accepted the order.
The princes present, including Prince Chen, were all dumbfounded.
At this hour, Father should be in the Imperial Study discussing matters with several important ministers, right?
If De Shun were to go in and report at this time, what would the court officials think?
The Ninth Prince, who was rolling on the ground, saw that the Crown Prince had sent someone to complain and was going to punish him. After a moment of hesitation, he kicked his legs wildly and started wailing loudly.
The child's cries were deafening. Yun Kui couldn't help but cover her ears and cautiously looked at the Crown Prince. From her angle, she could only see the Crown Prince's tightly pursed lips and cold, hard features.
"Your Highness, are you... seeking justice for me?"
A slight thought crossed her mind, but then she met the Crown Prince's cold and disdainful gaze.
This contempt was different from the contempt those officials saw; it was more like they thought she was useless and had no future.
Yun Kui pursed her lips.
"I'm sorry, but I used up all my courage the night I pounced on you, not a single drop left..."
Looking at his younger brother throwing a tantrum on the ground, Prince Chen forced a smile and said, "It is right for elder brother to discipline Ninth Brother, but Ninth Brother is still a child after all, and he did not really hurt Yun Kui. I hope elder brother will show mercy and forgive him this time."
The ninth prince was brought by him. If anything happens, the emperor will not challenge the crown prince, but will only blame him for failing to protect his younger brother.
At the same time, a sinister thought flashed through the mind of Prince Chen.
"The Crown Prince is tyrannical and bloodthirsty. If he were to severely punish my ninth brother, leaving him crippled or even dead... and then stir up trouble in front of the court officials, those old ministers who support the Crown Prince would surely be utterly disappointed in this tyrannical man who harmed his younger brother. As my father's legitimate son, why should I worry about not being able to ascend the throne?"
The prince smiled slightly.
This is what is meant by the demeanor of a wise king, and the respect and affection between brothers.
He winked at Qin Ge.
Qin Ge immediately obeyed the order, stepped forward and gagged the chubby boy who was screaming and pinning him to the ground. He tried to tie the boy's hands behind his back with a rope, but found that he couldn't tie the two thick, short arms together at all. So Qin Ge simply swung the thick rope and tied the boy up tightly from head to toe.
The Ninth Prince was gagged and tied up like a big dumpling. Despite his desperate struggles, he could only let out heart-wrenching whimpers, his eyes filled with tears and his head covered in sweat from the pain.
The sixth and seventh princes also felt a pang of heartache, after all, he was their own younger brother, and at such a young age, how could he withstand the Crown Prince's cruel methods?
The Sixth Prince tried to approach Yun Kui and say, "Ninth Brother already knows he was wrong. Could you plead with the Crown Prince to give him a small punishment as a warning and let it go?"
Yun Kui was engrossed in watching the excitement when she heard this and was slightly taken aback.
Your Highness isn't really going to kill this chubby boy, is he? If she does, she'll become a despised femme fatale, and she'll even have to take a prince's life with her!
His Majesty may not punish the Crown Prince for this; he will only make her pay with her life!
Yun Kui couldn't help but worry. Looking at the Ninth Prince struggling and rolling on the ground, she couldn't help but speak up, "Your Highness..."
The crown prince gave her a cold glance. "Then how do you want to punish me?"
These words drew another round of astonishment.
Even Lian Yunkui herself was surprised; was His Highness the Crown Prince asking for... her opinion?
They're really standing up for her, aren't they? She gets to decide how to punish them? But who does she think she is? How dare a maidservant of the Crown Prince punish a prince?!
Yun Kui forced a smile.
"How about we make the Ninth Prince compensate me for my emotional distress? One hundred taels wouldn't be too little, one thousand taels wouldn't be too much."
"Forget it, this is practically extortion."
After a moment of internal struggle, she said with difficulty, "This servant dares not."
The Crown Prince sneered and said to Qin Ge, "Since Ninth Brother wants to ride a horse, then take him to the horse farm in the back for a few laps."
The crowd was puzzled. The ninth brother was so young that his feet couldn't even step into the stirrups. His father had given him a small horse from the Western Regions, which was less than a person's chest height. He couldn't even climb onto it. They wondered what kind of horse the Crown Prince wanted him to ride and how he should ride it.
Qin Ge lifted the small, sturdy dumpling up in one swift motion. He was incredibly strong, able to wield weapons weighing dozens of kilograms with great force, let alone a little dumpling. Ignoring the dumpling's wild kicks and struggles, he easily carried it to the horse farm.
The princes naturally wanted to go and see for themselves.
The crown prince glanced at her, and Yun Kui immediately followed him, scurrying along.
To the north of the East Palace lies the largest horse pasture in the palace, a vast lakeside area with fine, snow-white sand and lush, golden grasses covering the ground. The Crown Prince's dozen or so mounts graze here.
Although the older princes were also diligently practicing riding and archery under the supervision of Emperor Chunming, it seemed that none of them had the talent for martial arts. They might be able to put up a good fight with ordinary noblemen in polo, but they would easily be outmatched when they competed with real military generals.
The late Emperor Jingyou was a powerful and influential ruler who conquered the world with his military might, while the Crown Prince, despite suffering from a headache, was still able to sweep through armies and was invincible. Emperor Chunming knew this well, so he did not seek to win back the country through force, but instead followed the way of the benevolent rulers of ancient times, bestowing favors and virtues, and treating the virtuous with respect.
Emperor Jingyou was warlike and belligerent, so he promoted civil officials, treated them well, and expanded the number of places available for the imperial examinations, making scholars across the land grateful to him. Meanwhile, the military generals whom Emperor Jingyou had relied on during his lifetime were all suppressed by him, both openly and secretly.
Prince Chen resembled his father and also earned the reputation of a wise king among the people. Horsemanship and archery skills were important to him, but not essential.
The princes usually practiced riding and archery at another training ground in the imperial city, while the horse farm north of the East Palace was tacitly owned by the Crown Prince. Ordinary people dared not ride horses there, so everyone who came here today was amazed and could not hide their amazement.
Only in the deep eyes of the Prince of Chen lay barely perceptible hatred and jealousy.
If it weren't for the Crown Prince's obstruction, the Emperor would have long ago seized power and ruled the world.
Not only this small horse farm, but the entire land and rivers of the world should also belong to my father and him in the future.
The Ninth Prince struggled all the way, his face turning red and his neck bulging. The other princes were initially worried for him, but if the Crown Prince only punished him by teaching him to ride a horse, it didn't seem as cruel as they had imagined.
It wasn't until the Crown Prince's personal guards led out a plump, majestic lion-like steed that everyone gasped in surprise.
This steed, Lion Steed, was a thousand-mile horse presented as tribute from the Western Regions five years ago. It was fierce, powerful, and untamed. At that time, a small kingdom in the Western Regions used this horse to provoke them. None of the generals in the court could control it. In the end, it was subdued by the crown prince. Later, it followed the crown prince on the battlefield, moving through the hail of bullets as if it were nothing.
How could my fifth brother, who is only five years old, ride such a tall and fierce horse?
The prince patted the horse's back, and the lion-like horse raised its tail as if it were sentient.
Qin Ge lifted the Ninth Prince and leaped onto the horse, pressing him down in front of him, squeezing the horse's belly, and gripping the reins tightly. The Lion Steed galloped off like an arrow released from a bow.
The Ninth Prince had been bound all the way, and was already dizzy and sore all over. His arms hurt so much that they felt like they were about to break, and his delicate skin, bound by rough hemp ropes, was rubbed red. Before he could even react, he was put back on a horse.
The horse galloped up and jolted violently, the cold wind biting at his face like a knife, and his round, plump body was shaken so badly that even the cotton cloth stuffed in his mouth was shaken out.
The Ninth Prince wailed and cried his heart out, but all his cries went unanswered, and the Lion Steed showed no sign of stopping.
The princes' eyes were fixed on their younger brother, each one on edge.
The lion-like horse was too fierce; even Qin Ge struggled to control it, let alone with a child weighing several dozen kilograms on his back. Ninth Brother had nowhere to hold on; Qin Ge was only gripping the rope binding his back with one hand, and there was always the possibility of him falling off.
Falling from such a height on a horse would surely result in paralysis, if not death.
The lion-like horse galloped around once, passing in front of several princes. The ninth prince's hoarse cries were scattered in the cold wind, accompanied by brownish filth flying off the horse. The crowd had complicated expressions, guessing that the ninth prince had probably vomited from the jolting.
Yun Kui felt relieved, but dared not laugh. She could only stand silently behind the Crown Prince and secretly curl her lips.
The crown prince stood with his hands behind his back, silently listening to the thoughts of the princes.
"I wonder how long the Crown Prince plans to punish me. If I were the Ninth Brother, I would feel like all my bones would fall apart."
"Please don't fall..."
"That's good, it teaches him a lesson so he won't dare to act arrogantly again."
"That eunuch has probably already arrived at the Imperial Study. I wonder what Father Emperor's reaction was upon hearing this. Are there any other court officials present in the hall...?"
"Her smile is so beautiful..."
A sudden voice rang out, and the Crown Prince frowned, coldly looking towards the source of the voice.
The Sixth Prince was still worried about the Ninth Prince, but when he turned his gaze, he caught a glimpse of a sweet smile on Yun Kui's lips.
The racecourse was freezing cold, everything was cold, dry, and dull, but it was different for her. Her cheeks were as pink as peach blossoms, her skin was as white as snow, and her smile was like a warm spring breeze blowing into people's hearts. She was as soft and gentle as jade and as tender as a flower.
The crown prince's eyes darkened slightly, and a hint of coldness appeared on his previously composed face.
Yun Kui noticed a sharp gaze falling on her, but when she looked up, she only saw the tall and aloof back of the Crown Prince.
Just as she was about to look away, she noticed the sixth prince smiling at her from beside her.
"The Sixth Prince looks rather simple-minded."
"But he's quite handsome, inheriting the Empress's beauty."
She dared not look any longer, and when she turned around, she was suddenly met with the Crown Prince's dark and gloomy eyes.
Yun Kui: "..."
The vast horse ranch was no longer filled with the Ninth Prince's cries until Qin Ge reined in his horse in front of everyone, dismounted, and threw the terrified Ninth Prince to the ground.
The seventh prince, who was closest to the smell, noticed a foul odor.
Qin Ge knelt down and begged for forgiveness, saying, "This subordinate has failed in his duty. The Ninth Prince... dislocated his arm and has fainted."
Several princes rushed forward to check on him and found that the Ninth Prince's hair was disheveled, his face was covered with tears and snot, there was still vomit around his mouth, his luxurious clothes and tender skin were chafed by the rough ropes, and his buttocks were soaked, making him look as wretched as a beggar on the street.
The faces of the crowd were filled with shock and helplessness.
Prince Chen suppressed his anger and forced himself to remain calm. "Brother, what do you think..."
The crown prince calmly ordered, "Untie them."
He then said to Qin Ge, "Since you have neglected your duties, go and accept your punishment."
Qin Ge readily agreed.
Everyone: "..."
The phrase "receive punishment" sounds as perfunctory as if he were just telling him to go eat.
In short, the fault lay with the Ninth Prince. The Crown Prince merely punished him by making him ride two laps. Even if his arm was dislocated, the Crown Prince still punished his personal guard. Who would dare to say a word against it?
Having seen the spectacle, the Crown Prince lost interest and turned back to the palace.
Yun Kui hurriedly followed.
The princes had no choice but to order their men to carry the ninth prince back.
After all that commotion, they had all forgotten the purpose of coming to the Eastern Palace.
However, the Crown Prince seemed to be in good spirits and was even able to come out and torture people himself. He was no longer the sickly and easily unconscious man he had been before.
On the palace path, Yun Kui followed closely behind the big boss.
He seemed gloomy and unhappy. Could it be that he was upset that she was bullied by the Ninth Prince and embarrassed him?
She pursed her lips, stepping on his shadow to follow him, cautiously glancing at his tense profile. "Thank you so much, Your Highness, for getting me out of that predicament. If you hadn't appeared in time, I'm afraid I would have been ridden back to Chengguang Palace by the Ninth Prince. My little back definitely wouldn't have been able to take it..."
The crown prince was subconsciously led by her words and actually looked at her slender waist.
Those burning memories flooded my mind in the darkness.
The exquisitely shaped indentation was as soft as snow and as smooth as butter, incredibly tender...
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