The next morning, after the court session, Qiao Qiu was about to return to the East Palace when the Second Prince stopped her.
"Elder Brother!"
Qiao Qiu stopped and watched as he pulled Dongfang Wuye toward her.
“Brother, you’ve forgotten something.” The Second Prince walked up to him, his eyes clearer and his demeanor more sunny, showing a youthful spirit.
"What is it?"
Dongfang Wuye removed his hand and hurriedly looked up at Qiao Qiu, only to find that the other party showed no sign of anything amiss.
"Brother, have you forgotten to stipulate when the competition between me and Third Brother will end?" The Second Prince didn't care about Dongfang Wuye's actions; he was more interested in this matter.
Qiao Qiu was taken aback, only then realizing that she hadn't announced the time of the competition yet. She had actually forgotten such an important thing.
"Brother, this is the first time I've ever seen you forget something," the Second Prince joked. "Brother, how could you forget something so important? If I hadn't reminded you, how long were you planning to forget it?"
Qiao Qiu said seriously, "I will correct my mistakes. I'll tell you now that I've set the date for a month from now. As for compensation... how about this, I'll invite you to have drinks at Zuiying Inn."
The Second Prince's eyes lit up. "I want the Zhuangyuanhong wine from the Zuiying Inn. I don't need it to be too old, thirty years old will do."
"Second Brother, you're asking for an exorbitant price! Everyone knows that the wine at Zuiying Inn is extremely expensive. A 20-year-old bottle costs six or seven hundred taels of silver, and a 30-year-old bottle costs twelve hundred taels a jar." Dongfang Wuye couldn't help but speak up for Qiao Qiu.
"Brother, I lack everything, but I don't lack silver. 1200 taels it is. Go back and change into your court robes, then wait at the palace gate. Let's go." Qiao Qiu opened his fan and walked towards the East Palace.
The Second Prince glanced in the direction Qiao Qiu had left, then stroked his chin and looked Dongfang Wuye up and down, snorting, "Following the eldest prince really makes a difference, huh? You've even straightened your back. Let me tell you, you're not the only one who's the eldest prince's brother."
After saying that, the Second Prince turned his head and swaggered away.
Dongfang Wuye's lips twitched slightly. He had long seen that Dongfang Wusheng had been fighting with Dongfang Wuche for so many years. He not only regarded Dongfang Wuche as his opponent, but also regarded him as his most admired person in his heart. He was just unwilling to admit defeat, which was why he kept fighting with Dongfang Wuche.
His behavior had already betrayed him; his way of dealing with people and the fan he often carried were all imitations of Dongfang Wuche.
Now that Dongfang Wuche has announced he has no interest in the throne and is going to support someone else to take it, he can compete for it.
Without any conflict of interest, Dongfang Wusheng's admiration for Dongfang Wuche reached its peak. There was no need to hide it anymore, and it naturally revealed the kind of admiration and dependence that a younger brother has for his older brother.
Dongfang Wuye felt bitter. In truth, he didn't want to treat Dongfang Wuche as his brother at all, but did he have a choice? He was about to get married!
The Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince watched the whole thing from a short distance behind, but they didn't dare get too close, so they didn't overhear anything. They only witnessed a silent interaction.
"Second brother is so childish." The Fifth Prince said disdainfully. Anyone with eyes could see that Dongfang Wusheng was trying to curry favor with Dongfang Wuche, and at the end he even showed his dislike for Dongfang Wuye!
Could it be that my second brother has a fever?
The Fourth Prince stroked his chin and said, "Yesterday, my men sent intelligence that my Second and Third Brothers did good deeds outside the palace all day, saving many people and earning a lot of praise."
"Needless to say, it must have been the eldest prince who made them do it. The eldest prince is unfathomable, but he is known for his integrity, kindness, and not stupidity. To say he has all these virtues to maintain his position as crown prince? It's probably all just a facade. And only the eldest prince would do something like that. The second and third princes are selfish and stupid, with no long-term vision. Especially the second prince; let alone doing good deeds, the common people should be thanking their lucky stars if he doesn't bully men and women." The Fifth Prince revealed a disdainful expression.
"Eldest brother must have some purpose in doing this, and doing good deeds is like winning people's hearts. Fifth brother, let's do some good deeds too." The Fourth Prince turned and walked towards the inner palace.
"Alright, whatever you say, I'll do. I'll listen to you." The Fifth Prince followed.
Princes all had their own place in the palace for resting and changing clothes. Sometimes, when they were dealing with government affairs late in the palace, they would rest in the inner courtyard of the palace.
...
After changing her clothes, Qiao Qiu went to the palace gate to wait. Compared to Wu Sheng and Wu Ye, who lived in the inner palace, Qiao Qiu, who lived in the East Palace, was actually the closest to the palace gate.
She didn't have to wait long before Dongfang Wuye arrived. Qiao Qiu raised an eyebrow slightly, sizing him up. His handsome face was flushed and steaming; although he wasn't panting, there was a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead. Had this guy run all the way here?!
That makes sense, otherwise it wouldn't explain how he could arrive before Wu Sheng, even though he lived further away.
The hairstyle Dongfang Wuye had styled for him was the same one she had done for him yesterday, with a silver ribbon tied at the back of his head, silver hairpins in his hair, and a white robe with a silver undergarment. It looked much better than yesterday's.
Of course, it would have looked better if it hadn't looked a bit disheveled from running.
"Royal brother." Dongfang Wuye smiled at her.
Qiao Qiu shook her head. "Your physique is indeed not good. Schedule time every day to run in your own residence, and have Qiang Di supervise you."
Dongfang Wuye's smile froze. Why did he go through all this trouble to come all this way?
The two waited a while longer before the Second Prince strode over.
When the Second Prince saw Dongfang Wuye, he raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he was somewhat surprised but also expected it.
"Let's go, the carriage is already waiting outside the palace gate."
The two followed Qiao Qiu out of the palace, where, sure enough, a young eunuch of about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in plain clothes, was waiting in a carriage. Judging from his appearance, he was the young eunuch who served Qiao Qiu.
The three boarded the carriage, and the young eunuch immediately whipped the horse and rode away.
The carriage stopped in front of Zuiying Inn, and Qiao Qiu and the other two got off and went straight into the inn.
Qiao Qiu had reserved a table in advance, and after entering, she went straight to a private room.
At this moment, a handsome young man who looked like a servant was waiting here. Upon seeing them arrive, he immediately bowed and said, "This humble servant greets Your Highness, Second Prince, and Third Prince."
"Has the wine been ordered?" Qiao Qiu asked.
The handsome young man said respectfully, "Your Highness, rest assured, it has been ordered."
"Okay, bring it up. As for the dishes, just order one of the signature dishes here, plus a plate of beef."
"yes."
"My elder brother is indeed my elder brother, so generous that it's truly admirable, and so wealthy that it's truly admirable." The Second Prince sighed, then turned and smiled again. Actually, for him, a thousand taels for a meal wasn't much. But he had been to the Crown Prince's palace, and its extravagance was simply dazzling.
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