Chapter 326 The Second Prince
Ever since the Crown Prince was taken to Li Yuanzhao's side for upbringing, the Second Prince Li Ganxu clearly felt that his elder sister was different.
In the past, Li Qianyuan was as gentle as cotton. No matter how much she provoked or made things difficult for her, her elder sister always gave in to her without ever holding a grudge.
She snatched the purple writing brush that the Empress Mother had given to her elder sister. Her elder sister just smiled and shook her head, saying, "Since you like it, Second Sister, I'll give it to you."
She deliberately knocked over the inkstone, ruining her elder sister's studies. Her elder sister simply wiped the table with a cloth and rewrote the paper without uttering a single harsh word.
But today, she merely saw a plain folding fan on her elder sister's desk, with a few elegant bamboo and rock paintings on the fan surface. It looked quite nice, so she took advantage of her elder sister's inattention while she was reading and snatched it away.
Unexpectedly, her elder sister's face turned cold, and her tone was serious than she had ever heard before, "Give it back to me."
She never expected that her elder sister would become so stingy over something as trivial as a broken fan.
She refused to return it and, as usual, demanded it: "Your Highness has so many treasures, what's wrong with giving me this? You weren't this stingy before."
To everyone's surprise, the elder sister said, "It's not that I'm stingy. This fan was painted by Ru Bai himself, and it has extraordinary significance. It's not a plaything that can be given away casually."
It's that little man from the Ru family again.
However, relying on his mother's status as a Marquis of Wu and his own special permission from the Empress to become his elder sister's study companion, he spent his days by his elder sister's side, pretending to be aloof and arrogant.
Last time in the Imperial Garden, she only asked him to go into the water and pick a lotus flower for her, but he refused, saying that "flowers and plants have spirits and I can't bear to damage them."
A man dares to give her attitude.
What happened to his things?
She insists on it!
She picked up her fan and turned to leave.
Before she could take a step, the palace servants behind her elder sister stepped forward to stop her: "Second Prince, please return the folding fan to His Highness the Crown Prince."
How dare a lowly palace maid interfere in her affairs?
Enraged, she kicked the palace servant, sending him sprawling to the ground.
To her surprise, her elder sister scolded her for disrespecting the eldest son and ignoring palace rules, ordering her to apologize to the palace servants and return to the palace to reflect on her actions for three days.
She refused.
Her elder sister threatened to tell the Empress.
That's when she got scared.
The Queen Mother was always strict with them.
Especially when it comes to matters of hierarchy, no mercy is shown.
Last time, she only pushed her elder sister, and the Empress punished her by confining her to her quarters for three months and making her copy books a hundred times.
If the Empress Dowager were to find out that she had stolen the Crown Prince's belongings and assaulted palace servants, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although she reluctantly agreed, she was still furious.
What makes Li Qianyuan so special?
From a young age, Wang Yanzhi told her that she and her elder sister were no different; they were both born from the mother's womb and were both the mother's children, so she should have what her elder sister had.
Yes, why should she be addressed as "Your Highness the Crown Prince" by all the officials just because Li Qianyuan is two years older than her?
She could live in the most spacious Xihe Palace, wear the most luxurious robes, and have all the rare treasures in the palace chosen by her first.
She was not convinced.
In what way is Li Ganxu inferior to Li Qianyuan?
The Imperial Tutor taught the Princess three times before she could understand it, but the Princess could understand it after reading it only once.
In terms of horsemanship and archery, the imperial sister practiced for a year before daring to mount a horse. At the age of five, she could draw her bow and hit the bullseye thirty paces away.
She was better than her elder sister in everything—archery, poetry, arithmetic, chess…
Not only did everyone fawn over her, but even the Empress Dowager showed her favoritism!
When reviewing memorials, only the imperial sister was allowed to grind ink and practice calligraphy beside her.
When the Empress went on tours, she always took her elder sister with her.
Nowadays, they even bring it with them when they go to court.
On what grounds?
Is it because she was born early?
Inside Qiushui Residence, Wang Yanzhi was pruning potted plants.
Seeing Li Ganxu rush back with red eyes, without even saying hello, he went straight into the palace and slammed the door shut.
The force was so great that the window frames trembled slightly.
He put down the scissors and gently pushed open the slightly ajar door.
Then I saw my daughter collapse onto the bed, burying her face deep in the brocade quilt, her shoulders trembling.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, reached out and stroked her hair: "What's wrong? Who upset our Xu'er?"
Although he had enjoyed the emperor's favor for a time and had secured a foothold in the harem with his "talents" and handsome appearance.
But time waits for no one, and His Majesty has always favored young and beautiful concubines.
With new beauties constantly emerging in the palace, he, who was getting older, was gradually forgotten in the harem.
Fortunately, His Majesty bestowed upon him a child.
Although he didn't know whose bloodline she was, he didn't care; he simply considered her his own daughter.
During those lonely years, his daughter became his only solace and support.
That's why his days weren't so hard to endure.
He poured all his hopes and resentment into this child, hoping that she would bring him pride in the future.
As long as the child he raises is better than the crown prince raised by Pei Huaijin, and more outstanding than the children raised by other courtiers, His Majesty will always see him again and remember his past favors.
And Gan Xu lived up to everyone's expectations. He was intelligent, ambitious, and quick to learn, and even His Majesty often praised him.
But I don't know why, I'm crying like this today.
Even when she was punished by His Majesty last time, she had never cried so bitterly.
“Father…” Li Ganxu was always proud and never showed weakness in front of others. He felt ashamed to be seen in such a disheveled state.
She sat up, wiped her eyes hard with the back of her hand, and asked with red eyes, "Am I not the Empress's biological daughter?"
Wang Yanzhi was taken aback, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes, which he quickly concealed.
"Who's been gossiping about you? Don't listen to their nonsense. You are the son of your mother, the Empress, who carried you for ten months. You are the noble second prince of the Great Qi."
Li Ganxu felt even more aggrieved upon hearing this, "Then why doesn't Mother Empress like me, but only likes Li Qianyuan?"
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