Chapter 25 One is the emperor's most beloved eldest daughter, and the other is the emperor's only prince.
Not long after Li Yuanzhao returned to the palace, Ru Mo came back.
When she pushed open the door, she saw the eldest princess sitting at the chess table by the window, playing chess.
Chen Yanqing stood to the side watching attentively, occasionally refilling the prince's teacup.
She remembered this young master Chen. Wasn't he once an unyielding and fearless man who would rather die than bend?
How could he have been trained like this by the princess in just over a month?
Ru Mo snapped out of her daze, quickly stepped forward, and reported all the information she had gathered.
“Indeed, Imperial Censor Cui entered the palace in the afternoon to impeach Princess for ‘harming the imperial family, committing treason, being domineering in the palace, and showing contempt for the emperor and father.’”
Li Yuanzhao's fingertips never stopped moving the chess pieces.
Although this Imperial Censor Cui was from a collateral branch of the Cui family, it was obvious that he had the approval of the Imperial Concubine and the Cui family; otherwise, how could he have submitted his memorial so quickly?
This imperial concubine is truly cunning; she pretends to be magnanimous in front of you, but secretly stabs you in the back.
She listened coldly without replying.
Ru Mo continued to report, "His Majesty was furious on the spot. He couldn't argue with the sisters' quarrel. Even the Consort said it was the elder sister disciplining the younger sister, and the mother didn't say anything. Yet an outsider came to meddle. His Majesty even questioned him, asking if he was deliberately trying to sow discord among the royal family."
"After being reprimanded by the Emperor, Imperial Censor Cui was speechless. He kowtowed meekly and slunk away."
Only then did Li Yuanzhao raise his eyes, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.
She gently pressed the jade chess piece onto the chessboard, making a soft sound. "Fool."
Chen Yanqing then realized that what the people said was true; the emperor's favoritism towards this eldest daughter was indeed alarming.
Even he felt that Li Yuanzhao's actions were too much.
The Third Princess was, after all, born of a dragon and possessing the blood of a phoenix. She actually ordered someone to throw her into the lake, which not only humiliated her in public but also nearly caused a death.
Such a big deal, even in ordinary families, would inevitably draw some admonitions from elders.
However, the Emperor not only didn't say a harsh word, but also severely reprimanded Imperial Censor Cui for standing up for the Third Princess.
With such favoritism, it's no wonder he developed such an arrogant and domineering personality.
Just then, a palace maid came to report, "Your Highness, the Second Prince has arrived."
Li Yuanzhao didn't even look up. "Let him in."
Chen Yanqing's brow twitched, and he muttered to himself.
The second prince arrived quickly; could it be that he's here to seek justice for his sister?
One is the emperor's most beloved eldest daughter, and the other is the emperor's only son. If they really fight, whose side will the emperor take?
However, things did not go as he had expected.
The door was pushed open, and a boy walked in.
This was the first time he had seen the Second Prince. He looked like a boy of seventeen or eighteen, wearing a bright yellow prince's uniform with golden python patterns embroidered on the robe, which made him look tall, straight and dashing.
However, his eyes were clear and bright, giving him an appearance of being simple-minded and naive.
He walked briskly, and as soon as he entered the door, he couldn't wait to walk towards Li Yuanzhao, and began to complain.
"Sister, why didn't you tell me you went to the Spring Banquet?"
“I originally wanted to go, but my mother said that I have never liked such lively occasions and I definitely wouldn’t go, so I didn’t go.”
"If I had known you were going, I would have gone with you. I heard this year's spring banquet is exceptionally lively..."
A barrage of words came crashing down on me.
This second prince talks way too much, doesn't he?
Chen Yanqing watched in stunned silence, completely unprepared for the prince's demeanor.
Moreover, the relationship between these two is different from what he imagined.
There was no tense atmosphere whatsoever; on the contrary, it seemed quite...friendly.
Li Yuanzhao glanced at him. "It was indeed quite lively. Your sister even jumped into the lake for a bath, didn't you know?"
Li Yuanyou pursed his lips and sat down opposite Li Yuanzhao in a very familiar manner. "Third sister is indeed becoming more and more domineering. She should be taught a lesson."
Chen Yanqing was completely stunned.
Which of these two princesses is more domineering?
Li Yuanyou then said ingratiatingly, "Your Majesty isn't busy lately, why don't you invite me to go riding and archery together?"
In the past, when his elder sister wasn't busy, she would take him hunting in the royal gardens. It was just the two of them, and they enjoyed themselves immensely.
After Li Yuanzhao finished placing his piece, he looked up and asked, "Are you very free?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanyou forced a bitter smile. "No way! I've been so busy lately. My father has assigned me a teacher who watches me study every day. I only managed to escape this place with great difficulty."
Li Yuanzhao asked casually, "Oh? What did you teach?"
Li Yuanyou replied, "They're just books like the Book of Documents and the Essentials of Governance, so boring."
Li Yuanzhao paused slightly while holding his son's hand.
The Book of Documents teaches the way of being a ruler, while the Essentials of Governance has always been a required text for crown princes.
She had already studied with the Grand Tutor long ago.
But now, what does it mean for the Emperor to make Li Yuanyou learn these things?
Li Yuanyou didn't notice her unusual behavior and continued rambling on, "Moreover, Father always scolds me, saying I'm as stupid as a pig and unfit for important tasks. He says he'd be relieved if I were even half as good as my elder sister."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao's expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly.
It seems that Father Emperor is not entirely satisfied with her.
Is he trying to pit Li Yuanyou against her, or does he have some other intention?
She hadn't realized that her father had such deep thoughts.
Li Yuanzhao replied with a half-smile, "It is indeed quite stupid."
Li Yuanyou was taken aback upon hearing this, then snorted, "Even my royal sister is criticizing me."
Chen Yanqing, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Hearing the voice, Li Yuanyou turned to look at him, frowning as he scrutinized him.
"Is this the male concubine you snatched from the street, my royal sister?"
Chen Yanqing could no longer laugh.
"She's not even that good-looking, is she?"
Chen Yanqing even felt like cursing.
Li Yuanyou said with great interest, "I heard from Cui Jiulang that my imperial aunt has taken in a group of handsome men, all of them strong and capable. How about... I go and ask you for a few?"
The imperial aunt mentioned by Li Yuanyou is Princess Hengyang, the current emperor's younger sister, who married the younger brother of Prime Minister Cui.
When that imperial aunt married into the Cui family, she and the prince consort would quarrel every three days and have a big fight every five days. Later, she simply tore off the mask of civility and even took male concubines into the mansion in front of the prince consort.
Moreover, each of them was a carefully selected handsome man, who feasted and made merry in the mansion during the day, and the nights were filled with endless revelry.
But the prince consort was a man of principle. Despite being humiliated like this, he actually abandoned everything and went to become a monk.
Without the constraints of her husband, Princess Hengyang became even more unrestrained, and her male favorites in the mansion changed one after another, each of them being raised to be strong and healthy, with "superb" skills.
It was a common saying in the capital: "Half of the most handsome men in the world are from Hengyang Prefecture."
Of course, the other half is said to be in the residence of the Princess Zhenguo.
Li Yuanzhao didn't even look up, and said coldly, "I don't use things that others have used."
Chen Yanqing: Fortunately, he hasn't been used by anyone yet.
“That’s true, Your Majesty should naturally use the best.” Li Yuanyou frowned in thought. “Then I’ll ask someone to find a few clean ones? I guarantee Your Majesty will be satisfied.”
Li Yuanzhao looked at him and said, "Are you bored and want to take a swim in Qujiang Pool?"
Li Yuanyou quickly changed the subject, "No, no."
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