As Longkodo stepped outside, he saw the Eighth Prince standing in front of his carriage, smiling at him and calling out, "Uncle!"
Because Longkodo's cousin, Lady Tongjia, was Emperor Kangxi's third empress, he became the princes' "uncle." Naturally, it was also acceptable for the Eighth Prince to call him uncle.
"Eighth Prince!" Longkodo greeted, bowing respectfully.
"Uncle, is something the matter? How about we go to Zui Bai Lou and order a table? It's been a long time since I've spoken with you, Uncle," said Eighth Master affectionately.
Longkodo was slightly taken aback, and then thought to himself: The Fourth Prince had clearly refused just now, but now the Eighth Prince has taken the initiative to invite him!
“Very well, I have nothing to do today, so why don’t I have a drink with Eighth Master?” Longkodo said.
Meanwhile, Fourth Prince walked up to Seventh Prince's carriage and said to the person opposite him, "Seventh Prince, may Fourth Brother ride in the same carriage?"
Hearing the noise outside, the person inside the car quickly lifted the curtain, revealing Seventh Master's gentle face, and said, "Fourth Brother, come on in quickly."
Fourth Master lifted his robe and climbed into Seventh Master's carriage, sitting down next to him.
"You were the one who told Father Emperor to talk about Zheng Shi?" the Fourth Prince asked. It turned out that Liang Jiugong had secretly sent a eunuch to the Fourth Prince to tell him about the Seventh Prince. Although the Fourth Prince had never intended to win over Liang Jiugong, he couldn't stop him from eyeing the power of this rising star.
Seventh Master was startled, but smiled slightly and said, "Yes, Zheng is shameless and dares to have an affair with the Crown Prince. It is really a shame that Father Emperor keeps such a woman by his side. Wouldn't that make the royal family a laughing stock?"
Fourth Master listened quietly to Seventh Master's words and said, "When I was drinking with you that day, did I mention this after I was drunk?"
Seventh Prince nodded and said, "Fourth Brother can't tell. At this time, only I, the transparent prince, can speak to Father Emperor. He won't suspect that I have any ulterior motives."
"I didn't mean to tell you." The Fourth Master got very drunk with the Seventh Master that day, and he couldn't remember anything he had said to the Seventh Master without realizing it.
“I know that going to talk to Father Emperor has nothing to do with Fourth Brother. It’s entirely my feeling that Zheng Shi can no longer stay by Father Emperor’s side,” Seventh Prince said firmly.
Fourth Master patted Seventh Master on the shoulder and said, "Seventh Master, thank you!"
Seventh Master also said excitedly, "It's just something a son should do, Fourth Brother, you don't need to worry about it."
Meanwhile, Eighth Prince and Longkodo arrived at the most famous Drunken White Pavilion in the capital. Eighth Prince had already arranged a private room, and he personally led Longkodo to his reserved room. The innkeeper, who already knew several royal relatives who frequented the establishment, personally and attentively entertained them.
"You can go out now. Just order from the menu I ordered," Eighth Master said, inviting Longkodo to sit down.
After the shopkeeper left, Eighth Master personally poured Longkodo a cup of tea, saying, "Uncle, the tea here is quite good!"
Longkodo usually had little contact with the Eighth Prince and other princes. Seeing his warm hospitality, he suppressed his smile and said, "Eighth Prince, you are too polite. I wonder if there is anything you wish to discuss with me?"
Eighth Prince cursed "old fox" in his heart, but on the surface he still looked like a gentleman and said: "Uncle is overthinking it. I just think that Uncle's words in court today, strongly advising Father Emperor to establish a Crown Prince as soon as possible, are very correct. I especially admire Uncle's courage to speak the truth."
Longkodo was secretly pleased. He was impressed by the Eighth Prince, who was good at hiding his true thoughts. He was born into such a lowly family, yet he dared to aspire to that position.
After all the dishes were served, the Eighth Prince personally poured wine for Longkodo and served him the dishes, showing great respect.
"Uncle, now that the deposed crown prince has become the second prince, Father Emperor wants to establish a new crown prince. I wonder who you think is worthy of the position?" Eighth Prince said after toasting Longkodo twice.
"This is something I have no right to comment on. It all depends on His Majesty's wishes," Longkodo said, declining the offer. He naturally favored the Fourth Prince, but it seemed the prince wasn't responding to his suggestion at all.
Eighth Prince cursed inwardly, then said, "My uncle is a high-ranking official in the cabinet, how could he not have the authority? Even if Father were to appoint another crown prince, he would still have to consult with several cabinet ministers."
Looking at the Eighth Prince's upright and gentlemanly demeanor, and reflecting on his recent actions, Longkodo felt a sense of admiration for him. For a prince of such low birth to have achieved what he has today is quite remarkable. Now, he even aspires to become the Crown Prince. Doesn't he take a good look at himself in the mirror?
While urging Longkodo to drink, Eighth Master tried to get information out of him, but Longkodo refused to tell him the truth, let alone reveal which one he truly supported. Finally, Longkodo was almost drunk, and Eighth Master was also quite intoxicated; the two began to ramble on incoherently.
"Uncle, I actually know who you support in your heart, isn't it your fake nephew?" Eighth Master's face flushed red. He was a very self-controlled person, but today he encountered such a big obstacle with Longkodo that he couldn't get past. He felt frustrated, so he couldn't help but get drunk.
"Haha, speaking of which, you're all the same. You're all fake, and so is he. But at least he was raised under Empress Tong's care for ten years. Later, the Emperor took him in and raised him personally. Think about it, why is that? Even though Consort De is still alive, the Emperor didn't directly place the Fourth Prince with his own mother to raise." Longkodo was also drunk, and what he said at this moment was exactly what he was thinking.
"You mean, from that time on, Father Emperor had designs on the Fourth Prince? And planned to groom him?" The Eighth Prince felt uncomfortable whenever this topic came up.
“It’s hard to say, but I think the Emperor treats the Fourth Prince differently. At least he personally taught the Fourth Prince, which shows that he values him.” Longkodo pointed at the Eighth Prince’s head and said, “You, born to a noblewoman from the Xin Zhe Ku, how can you compare to the Fourth Prince born to Consort De? You will always be born too lowly, and you can never erase that.”
Eighth Master felt a pang of sorrow. Longkodo was right; his biggest flaw was his birth, but he had no choice in which he was born.
After the two were escorted out of Zuibai Tower by their respective attendants, they each lay prostrate in their carriages and fell asleep. When the Eighth Prince arrived at the Eighth Prince's residence, his wife personally ordered him to be carried inside.
"How did you get so drunk, Master?" Eighth Prince's wife asked, pulling on the attendant who served him.
"Reporting to Your Highness, the Eighth Prince drank too much with Lord Longkodo at the Drunken White Pavilion," said the attendant serving the Eighth Prince.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
