Chapter 27 The damn popular setting of Golden Stage!
"Of course not." However, Zhao Yan was not angry with the young eunuchs. After his mother returned to the palace, she made this matter known to the entire Imperial Hospital. If his father had not agreed to give him time to persuade Brother Lan, he would probably be forced to go on a blind date now.
"But you are not allowed to mention other men in front of me from now on." Zhao Yan thought of the plot line of the original novel, and his mind was in a tangled mess like a ball of hemp rope. If this broken plot automatically repaired itself and a group of men who only knew how to get horny every day surrounded him, he would really collapse!
"I can't even finish all this delicious food," Zhao Yan said, looking at the eunuch beside him. Because of the assassination attempt by the eunuch, he had developed a resentment towards those around him. Everyone thought he was difficult to talk to, and he would often plop down on his knees. "I'm full. You can share the rest. When you're done, let's go back to the palace."
The young eunuchs looked at each other, then at the young man in the upper seat. Their faces lit up with joy. "Thank you, Your Highness, for this gift. This is the cake Your Highness has already eaten. Don't try to steal it from me!"
Zhao Yan: “…”
Moved quietly.
After the eunuch finished all the food ordered by Zhao Yan, they drove the carriage back to the palace.
When the carriage reached the front of Taiji Palace, it was blocked by a bright yellow carriage. The eunuch driving the carriage knew that the carriage in front was the sedan chair of the eldest prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Zhao Cheng.
According to the rules, Zhao Cheng is the crown prince. Although his prince is a legitimate son, he is only a prince after all, so he should get off the car and pay his respects.
But his prince is the most beloved by His Majesty and is also a symbol of auspiciousness!
Unsure of Zhao Yan's character, the young eunuch stopped his horse and prepared to inform the young man, "Your Highness, that's the Crown Prince's sedan chair ahead. Would you like to get off and take a look?"
"Ah?" Zhao Yan thought for a moment, and suddenly a figure of a young man taller than himself appeared in his mind, "Brother Zhao Cheng? Come on, come on, I'll go down and take a look!"
…
Zhao Cheng was born to a concubine when Emperor Yuanwu was conquering the world. As the eldest son, he should have become the crown prince naturally. However, because his mother was of poor family, his father married Nangong as his wife after he ascended the throne, and his position as crown prince became someone else's.
Fortunately, he was destined to be the crown prince. Zhao Yan, born to the Nangong family, was foolish and simple-minded, without great ambitions. He could be coaxed into a corner by a piece of cake or a purse. After falling into the water once, he was so frightened that he dared not return to Yujing and stayed in Jinling for more than ten years.
The carriage was parked on the only way to the Taiji Palace. When the eunuchs from the East Palace saw Zhao Yan's carriage stopped, they stepped forward to inform the man: "Your Highness, the Seventh Prince's carriage has stopped. Should we get off?"
Zhao Cheng sneered, "I am the crown prince and his elder brother. How can I get off the carriage to meet him?"
"roll."
The young eunuch was so frightened that he prostrated himself on the ground: "This slave deserves death——"
…
Zhao Yan got off the carriage and gave Zhao Cheng a portion of the water chestnut cake he had brought from Fanlou. Several young eunuchs followed the young man. Zhao Yan gave them a sidelong glance and said, "You stay in the carriage. I'll go talk to my brother."
Eunuchs: "Your servants obey your orders."
Zhao Yan then walked over with satisfaction, only to see Zhao Cheng's carriage parked on the side of the road. A young eunuch was kneeling beside the wheel, cutting the hemp rope wrapped around the axle.
It turned out that the car had broken down.
When Zhao Yan came up to him, a young eunuch wanted to pass on the message, but the young man opened the curtain first and said, "Brother, I'm Ah Yan, what are you doing?"
Zhao Cheng was holding a military book in his hand. When he saw the young man lift his curtain without any rules, he couldn't help feeling annoyed. He thought that the young man had been spoiled since he was a child and had no rules at all.
"Ah Yan?" Zhao Cheng's serious face suddenly smiled. He quickly put down his military books and stepped out of the sedan chair, standing shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Yan. "Brother heard from mother a few days ago that you were coming back, but I've been too busy lately preparing for father's birthday banquet and haven't had time to visit you in Zichen Palace."
Zhao Cheng suppressed his nausea and touched the top of the boy's head: "How have you been these years?"
"Okay." Zhao Yan was originally worried that Zhao Cheng would not be able to let go of what happened in the past, but seeing him so happy, Zhao Yan's heart was relieved. "Okay, Jinling is much more fun than Yujing. I can ride a horse and throw pots. My father is not around, so no one can scold me."
As he spoke, Zhao Yan handed the cakes he had packed to the young man: "I just went to Fanlou and packed a few water chestnut cakes. Let me give them to you, brother, to try."
The eunuch standing next to Zhao Cheng was about to take it when he saw this, but Zhao Cheng caught it first and opened it and took out a piece. "Not bad, then brother thanks Ah Yan."
"You're welcome." Zhao Yan saw that Zhao Cheng was enjoying his meal, so he asked, "Brother, how long will it take for your carriage to be repaired? Why don't you get in my carriage first?"
Zhao Cheng: “…”
The young man's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly adjusted himself: "Okay, that's troublesome."
…
After Zhao Yan got on the carriage, he exchanged greetings with the young man and listened to him talk about what had happened in Yujing over the years.
Zhao Cheng knew Zhao Yan was timid, so he only picked out scary things to tell him: "Also, two years ago, during Chunlie, my third and fourth brothers had a quarrel and fell off a cliff together. When they were found, their skulls were shattered."
Zhao Yan: “…”
He did talk about this matter. It was said that the maternal families of his third and fourth brothers confronted each other in the court because of this, and in the end they were all dismissed by their father.
There was a strange atmosphere in the court.
Zhao Yan wasn't interested in these things. He was so hot that he didn't want to talk. "Brother, stop talking. I'm timid and can't stand hearing this."
Zhao Cheng's gaze slipped unnoticed onto Zhao Yan, who was beside him. The boy huddled obediently in a corner, his pale face covered in sweat, his hair clinging to his forehead, and his thick eyelashes trembling.
He withdrew his gaze and sneered in his heart.
coward.
…
The carriage drove into the Taiji Palace. Zhao Cheng said he wanted to go to the Taiji Hall to find Emperor Yuanwu. Zhao Yan asked the eunuch to send him off, and he also happened to deliver the cakes to his father.
Zhao Cheng originally didn't want to go with Zhao Yan. His father had doted on him since he was a child. He went to see his father to discuss the birthday banquet. Letting Zhao Yan go would only disrupt things.
But seeing that Zhao Yan really liked reminiscing about the past with him, Zhao Cheng didn't say anything in the end.
The two brothers walked side by side to the Tai Chi Hall.
Hu Fu, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, was waiting for Emperor Wu of Yuan to receive the envoys from the Oirat Mongols. When he saw the two princes come in, he reminded the emperor, who was laughing heartily at the envoys' flattery, "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are here."
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanwu glanced outside and saw the young man, carrying something in his hands and holding up his clothes, walking towards the Taiji Hall with a huff and puff. "You've arrived just in time. All the vassal ministers, come and see my most beloved little prince."
"My Dayan Qilin."
In the hall, upon hearing this, the envoys from the Western Regions thanked Emperor Yuanwu first, then followed the emperor's gaze and looked out, "Qilinzi is truly extraordinary. I feel pity for him even when I see him."
"Hahaha," Emperor Yuanwu laughed heartily, and the civil and military officials accompanying the emperor couldn't help but feel proud.
Zhao Yan followed Zhao Cheng into the hall and was startled to see so many envoys dressed in foreign attire. Why didn't Zhao Cheng tell him that his father was meeting with the envoys?
But he had already stepped in, and everyone's eyes burned through him like torches.
"Your servants greet the Seventh Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Your Highness the Seventh Prince is truly beautiful, even more beautiful than the goddess of my clan—"
"I wonder if His Highness the Seventh Prince is married. We are willing to offer ten thousand cattle and sheep, and ten thousand taels of jewels, in exchange for His Highness' hand in marriage!"
Zhao Yan: “………………”
Don't do that.
This is really embarrassing!
Who can come and save him!!!
Zhao Yan raised his hand and saluted the many unfamiliar faces around him before saying to Emperor Yuanwu, "Father, I didn't realize you were busy with important matters. I will withdraw first!"
Zhao Cheng also entered the room with Zhao Yan, but no one focused on him, the crown prince. He reluctantly saluted the envoys and princes of the vassal states: "Everyone."
"You're not disturbing my father. The envoys from the vassal states were originally here to drink with me today," Emperor Yuanwu said, his face filled with joy. He gestured to Hu Fu beside him to move the table and chairs to his side, "Ah Yan, come sit here with me."
Zhao Yan couldn't refuse. He looked at Zhao Cheng a little embarrassedly and walked over with gritted teeth.
After three rounds of drinking, at twilight hour in the afternoon, the drunken envoy was finally escorted back to the palace by the eunuchs. The only people left in the hall were Zhao Yan, who sat obediently eating fruit, Zhao Cheng, who was on the other side, talking non-stop about the banquet, and the slightly tipsy Emperor Wu of Yuan.
Zhao Cheng finished explaining his affairs: "Father, I have said everything. Do you think there are any areas that need improvement?"
"Well done," Emperor Yuanwu looked at the standing crown prince, "You have helped me with many important matters over the years. I have always been confident in you. Go, there will be a celebration banquet the day after tomorrow. Not only will people from the Western Regions, but also from Dongli and Gaobei in Liaodong will come. You must prepare for the reception—"
"Oh, and there's Prince Yong. He still holds the position of regent. After the banquet, don't interfere with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. Leave them to him."
Zhao Cheng: "Yes——"
After saying that, Zhao Cheng remembered that his mother said the day before that she hadn't seen his father for a long time, so he asked, "Father, is my mother..."
Emperor Yuanwu: "Yes, you haven't seen your mother for many days. I have been busy these days and can't take care of her. Please wait for me to go see her."
Zhao Cheng: "Yes..."
"Go ahead," Emperor Yuanwu said, then turned his gaze to Zhao Yan. Seeing the child sitting at the table eating fruit, he was obviously unhappy but refused to speak. "Ah Yan, come here, come to your father."
Zhao Cheng left the Taiji Hall and saw Zhao Yan approaching Emperor Yuanwu.
Zhao Yan responded: "Yeah."
Only the father and son were left in the hall.
Emperor Yuanwu touched the top of Zhao Yan's head and asked, "How is Prince Yong?"
"Hmm..." Zhao Yan was in a good mood before this matter was mentioned. As soon as it was mentioned, he instantly wilted and took away his father's big hand on his head. "Brother Lan refused to see me. He said that if I have anything to say, I can wait until the birthday party to tell you."
Zhao Yan suddenly remembered: "Father, have you completed what I told you before? Who is the assassin who assassinated me and Brother Lan?"
"Father has already dealt with some of the gangsters," Emperor Yuanwu's eyes darkened. "Alright, Father knows you're scared. I promise you, you'll never encounter such troubles again."
Zhao Yan: "Okay."
"Then I am relieved."
"Well," Emperor Yuanwu said, "Shao Lan refused to see you because there have been rumors in Yujing recently that you will compete with your brother, the Crown Prince, for the throne when you return. He commands one of the most elite troops on the border of Dayan, so naturally he wants to avoid suspicion."
Emperor Yuanwu: "Since he said he would see you after the banquet, then you should discuss it with him after the banquet, so as to avoid the gossip in the capital being suppressed."
Zhao Yan nodded: "So that's how it is. The kid understands."
"How is Ah Yan going to bring this up with Prince Yong?"
Zhao Yan leaned against Emperor Yuanwu and whispered to him, "This son of yours is going to do this..."
"Hahahaha you little bastard," Emperor Yuanwu looked at Zhao Yan with satisfaction after hearing this and tapped his forehead: "Good idea."
Zhao Yan smiled.
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