The phrase "love me, love my dog" is always most fitting when applied to one's parents.
The inner palace remained peaceful as usual, while the Hall of Preserving Harmony in front was bustling with activity.
Because of Fei Yanggu's death, the Fourth Prince was not required to observe mourning for Fei Yanggu, but his attire was still more plain. After performing the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, the Fourth Prince changed out of his auspicious clothes and put on a dark blue python robe with stone blue patterns to show his status. He wore a sash on his belt that represented his status, and on the other side was a sachet of the same color embroidered with cloud and crane patterns.
Because of Fei Yanggu's death, many ministers came to comfort the Fourth Prince, but the Fourth Prince kept a cold face and didn't say much to anyone.
Only someone like Longkodo, who was already used to the Fourth Prince's temper, could remain smiling without showing any surprise.
Before leaving, Longkodo patted the eldest prince on the head: "This child looks spirited; he's the Fourth Prince's—"
The Fourth Prince still spoke coldly: "The eldest son of the family, the First Prince."
The naming of princes of the imperial family is decided by His Majesty, and when that happens depends on when His Majesty remembers.
Therefore, the children in the Fourth Prince's mansion still do not have names and are all referred to as the eldest prince and the second prince.
Longkodo didn't seem to think much of it upon hearing the sound; he laughed heartily before leaving.
They didn't distance themselves from the eldest prince because he was a son of a concubine, nor did they show any special favor to the second prince because he was a legitimate son.
However, Fourth Master looked down at the children sitting on the side.
This wasn't the first time the eldest prince had accompanied the fourth prince to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. He was much more at ease than before, but he was still somewhat reserved, and his eyes kept darting around nervously.
The Second Prince had just recovered and was dressed more warmly. He didn't leave the mansion often, and he seemed much more nervous than the First Prince.
However, he didn't look around. He just quietly moved closer to Fourth Master, holding a small bowl in his hands, which contained sweet soup that Fourth Master had asked Su Peisheng to scoop out.
Seeing this, Fourth Master turned his head and gave Su Peisheng an instruction.
Su Peisheng quickly went outside the palace to find the wet nurse and brought her a blanket.
As for the Third Prince, Madam Xu naturally took great care of him, but he appeared unusually timid and hesitant, not even daring to raise his head.
Fourth Master frowned and raised his hand.
Su Peisheng understood immediately and stepped forward to add half a bowl of sweet soup to the Third Prince's bowl. He then whispered, "Third Prince, don't just drink the soup. If there's anything you'd like to try, just tell me."
The Third Prince couldn't speak clearly, and it was unclear whether he understood what was being said; he just kept shaking his head.
Su Peisheng sighed inwardly, added half a bowl of sweet soup, and then returned.
For Fourth Master, the concept of "love me, love my dog" doesn't apply.
These children, as Fourth Master sees them now—
Once the princes are over three years old, we still need to find a tutor to properly teach them.
It wasn't that the servants around the princes weren't attentive, nor was it that Consort Wu and the other wives weren't attentive; it was just that they were too attentive, which inevitably spoiled the children a bit.
The Fourth Prince's expression turned colder, and the Second Prince, who had originally wanted to get closer to the Fourth Prince, eventually quietly veered to the other side.
Su Peisheng, watching from the side, felt even more conflicted. This was somewhat like how Fourth Master and His Majesty were usually so distant.
The atmosphere was different when the emperor was in front of him. Prince Hongxi had always been favored by the emperor, and with the crown prince accompanying the emperor on this southern tour, the father and son had a deep and affectionate relationship, which made the emperor even more fond of Hongxi.
As the saying goes, "love me, love my dog," His Majesty's affection for the Crown Prince naturally extends to his affection for Hongxi, and his affection for Hongxi naturally extends to his concern for the Crown Prince.
In this way, it appears that His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and Hongxi are enjoying a life of family bliss.
The princes on either side were not on His Majesty's mind.
When they returned to the manor, the Fourth Prince's face was still icy cold. He gave the orders to the princes as usual, without showing any particular favoritism. He had the children personally escorted back to their respective residences.
Fourth Master drank quite a bit of wine today. When Su Peisheng brought over the hangover soup, Fourth Master opened his eyes and asked how things were at the manor today.
Today is the day of the Golden Offering Festival, and the mansion should have been bustling with activity. However, due to the Fujin's family affairs, the event was ultimately just a simple affair with a few tables set up by Madam Wu at the Taiqing Courtyard.
However, Li Chenjiao needed to recuperate and did not make an appearance.
The other princesses were all present, but it wasn't as lively as in previous years.
The Fourth Prince frowned, and after a long while, he spoke: "Go to the main courtyard tomorrow. There are people in the Ulanara clan; it will be enough if the Princess Consort sends someone."
Clearly, the Fourth Master was unhappy.
Su Peisheng lowered his head.
After a while, the Fourth Master drank the hangover soup and his breathing calmed down. Then, as if remembering something, he suddenly raised his hand and said, "I'll go see the First Princess."
After the Fourth Prince returned to the manor, he visited the Second Princess at Li Chenjiao's place. Later, because Fei Yanggu passed away, he also visited the Fujin (the wife of the Second Prince), and naturally, he also visited the Second Prince. Some of the servants around the Second Prince were also replaced.
I just haven't had time to look at other places yet.
However, the Fourth Prince did not go to see the First Prince first; the first person he thought of was the First Princess.
The eldest princess was the fourth prince's first child, so she would indeed be considered different by him.
Furthermore, Su Peisheng speculated that it was probably because the First Prince had not performed well in the Hall of Preserving Harmony today.
So that's why the Fourth Prince didn't go to see the First Prince?
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