As soon as Prime Minister Zhao finished speaking, Jing Lu stepped forward and humbly declined the offer.
“Father, I am still young and inexperienced. I can only handle minor matters at most. As for important matters of state, there are many learned and knowledgeable ministers here. I dare not take on such important tasks.”
Zhao Zuo Chengxiang disagreed, but he remained upright and said, “King Li, you are mistaken. You are the Crown Prince’s brother. The Crown Prince is busy fighting on the battlefield for the sake of Jing Kingdom and has no time to attend to the affairs of the country.”
“When the Crown Prince goes on a campaign, His Majesty will only have you by his side. If you do not take responsibility, wouldn’t you be letting His Majesty down and betraying the identity of the Jing Kingdom’s royal family?”
"Experience is accumulated over time. King Li feels that he is not good enough and needs to learn more. He must not have the thought of retreating in the face of battle."
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this is also a good opportunity for Prince Li to gain experience!"
Jing Huaixu nodded in agreement: "What Prime Minister Zhao said makes sense. Prince Li should be given some training."
Jing Huaixu could see the changes in Jing Lu after his marriage. He became diligent and meticulous in his work, which changed his previous impression of Jing Lu as childish.
When Zhao Zuo Chengxiang recommended Jing Lu, Jing Huaixu felt proud, as his sons were not only more successful than his eldest son.
However, he had other concerns. This Left Chancellor Zhao was Jing Lu's father-in-law. Jing Huaixu turned a blind eye to Zhao's promotion of Jing Lu and his teaching of Jing Lu into the court, and he approved of it.
But he knew in his heart that if he did too much of certain things, his mind would become impure.
Especially in the last two years, for some reason, the relationship between Jing Huaixu and his biological mother, Empress Dowager Zheng, has deteriorated, all because of Jing Lu.
The more outstanding Jing Lu was, the more dissatisfied Empress Dowager Zheng seemed to become, always wanting Jing Huaixu to bestow upon Jing Lu unprecedented honors.
Jing Lu was sensible and never asked him for anything more. He was content with what he had and was not influenced by external factors to develop his ambition.
Jing Huaixu sometimes wondered if this was too unfair to Jing Lu. He was a good kid and deserved a chance to show his skills.
Jing Huaixu pondered for a long time before seeking advice from Jing Yan.
“Your Highness, King Li is gentle and kind, and has rarely made mistakes since he took on political affairs. As Chancellor Zhao said, he lacks firmness and confidence.”
"If we keep Prince Li by my side, it will help him grow and he can become your right-hand man in the future. What do you think?"
“Your Majesty’s progress is evident to all, and Your Majesty’s words have also deeply resonated with me. Your Majesty is my younger brother. If he does well, he can not only help Your Majesty share the heavy responsibility, but it will also be a blessing for me.”
Jing Yan walked unhurriedly to the center of the hall, his indifferent attitude arousing Jing Lu's suspicion.
It's one thing for Jing Yan not to find an excuse to stop him in the palace, but why did he even speak well of him?
While Jing Lu was confused, Jing Huaixu also thought that Jing Yan's words meant that Jing Lu agreed to help him manage court affairs while he was away.
Just as he was about to give the order, Jing Yan's voice rang out again, as if he still had something to say.
“Father, Prince Li is the youngest of my brothers. His achievements today fill me with inexplicable emotion, and I can’t help but think of my second brother who has been away from the palace for more than two years.”
“Although he is older than King Li, his legs were left with a lifelong disability due to an accident,” Jing Yan said, pausing deliberately and glancing at Jing Lu unintentionally.
Jing Lu's previous confusion vanished. He knew that Jing Yan's attitude wouldn't be so simple, and then he brought up Jing Shuo at this moment.
Jing Lu merely glanced at the emperor on the throne, and even his father sighed. He could only echo the emperor's sorrow.
Jingyan quickly looked away and continued, "My second brother has not yet been granted an official title, but he is quietly working to improve the lives of the people. I have few brothers, and I often think of my second brother who has left home."
“Prime Minister Zhao is right. King Li can become my right-hand man after he has been trained. My second brother and I are also blood relatives. I also implore Father to give my second brother an opportunity to stay in Pingkang City for training.”
Jing Huaixu suddenly sighed softly. Although Jing Shuo had left the palace in recent years, he still received many greetings and letters from home.
He may have looked down on this son before, disliking his arrogant temperament, but he doesn't know when those issues in his heart faded away.
Sometimes, when he thinks about Jingshuo's leg, he can't help but feel sad as a father.
If he hadn't been so competitive and eager to win, how could things have turned out that way?
However, Jing Huaixu also heard that after Jing Shuo left the palace, he had the opportunity to find a miracle doctor who could cure his leg. Although he could only walk with a cane, it was much better than being unable to sit in a wheelchair.
Jing Huaixu: "I will have someone summon Jing Shuo back later and give him a title as well."
Jing Yan cupped his hands and said, "Father, I am about to go on a campaign and I am worried that I will not be able to see my second brother before I leave. So I made a private decision to bring my second brother back. If Father wants to see my second brother, why don't you just summon him into the palace?"
Jing Shuo's departure from the palace was arranged by Jing Yan. Jing Huaixu, out of consideration for Yue Jiang's traumatic childbirth, did not interfere with Jing Shuo's departure.
Therefore, Jing Yan's decision to call Jing Shuo back cannot be considered acting on his own initiative.
Jing Huaixu was also curious to see how Jing Shuo was doing. He said with great interest, "Now that you're back, quickly summon the Second Prince in."
"Summon the Second Prince to the palace!" a servant shouted. A moment later, the clattering sound of a cane falling to the ground could be heard from afar outside the palace.
The court officials turned around and saw the Second Prince Jing Shuo, who had been almost forgotten, walking towards the palace with a limp, leaning on a cane.
Shang Yu was right back then; Jing Shuo's right leg was better than his left, so much so that after all these years of treatment, he only needed one crutch to walk.
But Jing Shuo clearly no longer dislikes the cane in his hand. With each step he takes, the crisp sound of the cane hitting the ground echoes throughout the hall.
This inexplicably made Jing Lu's face turn very unpleasant; he could sense that Jing Shuo's return was definitely not a good thing.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
