The crown prince returned to the imperial study in a dejected mood. He leaned back in his chair for a long time before instructing the eunuch, "Xiao Dongzi, summon Master Sheng and Master Yu to the palace tomorrow."
The eunuch knelt down and replied, "Your Highness, I obey your command."
Before the eunuch left, the prince said, "Your Highness, please come here."
After drinking a bowl of invigorating soup, the prince rubbed his head and devoted himself to his daily review of memorials.
Less than two quarters of an hour later, the Sixth Prince, who lived outside the palace, entered the palace. He bowed and said, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The prince put down the memorial and raised his hand and said, "Sixth brother, please stop being so polite."
After saying this, he waved towards the Sixth Prince, who came closer and asked, "I wonder what instructions Your Highness has for me?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince laughed and said, "Sixth Brother, I won't be polite with you anymore. Let's sit down and talk."
The two sat down at the tea table, one in front of the other. The Crown Prince dismissed everyone and offered to pour tea for the Sixth Prince. The Sixth Prince took a sip and praised, "Your Highness, your tea art has become even more refined."
The prince smiled faintly and said, "Sixth brother, I won't beat around the bush with you. It's time for you to get a job at court. We've put in so many years of work, we can't just let it go to waste."
The Sixth Prince looked up at the Crown Prince and said with a smile, "Your Highness, I just want to spend my days with my wife and children. I really don't have the ability to enter the court."
The mature prince smiled and said, "Sixth brother, I know what you are thinking. I promise you one thing: I will always believe you."
The Sixth Prince lowered his head and thought helplessly, "Since ancient times, there has been no family affection in the royal family. I just want to live a carefree life." He really didn't want to get involved in anything. After thinking for a while, the Sixth Prince said, "I thank you for your trust, Your Highness. However, I am incompetent and I am afraid that I will lose face for Your Highness."
The prince waved his hand and said, "Don't overthink it. Sixth brother, please help me first. If you still feel uncomfortable with the court in a few years, it won't be too late to leave then."
Having said that, the Sixth Prince knew he could no longer refuse. He placed his teacup down, stood up, lifted his robe, and knelt, saying, "I thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I will do whatever you command."
The Crown Prince stood up and helped the Sixth Prince to his feet. He patted the Sixth Prince on the shoulder and said, "Sixth Brother, go to the Ministry of Personnel to gain some experience first, and then you can transfer to another position in the future."
After sending the Sixth Prince away, the Crown Prince thought of the ten-year-old Eleventh Prince. Alas, it would take another two years before he could bring his Eleventh Brother out to do things. He still had too few brothers.
In the blink of an eye, it was midnight. The prince put down the last memorial, stretched himself, stood up and returned to the East Palace.
Walking along the dim palace path, the prince gathered his cloak. In previous years, it would have snowed long ago, but this year, the snow hadn't arrived yet. Gazing at the dark sky, the prince felt a sense of melancholy. This square, deep palace would keep him trapped for years to come.
After sighing deeply, the prince asked Xiao Dongzi beside him, "Eleventh brother, are you in good health these days?"
The eunuch quickly replied, "Your Highness, the Eleventh Prince caught a cold and had a fever a few days ago, but he's recovered in just two days. To prevent him from passing his illness on to Your Highness, the Eleventh Prince hasn't bothered you in the past few days."
After hearing this, the prince turned around and asked, "Why didn't you report this?"
After asking, without waiting for the eunuch's reply, the prince ordered: "Go to the eleventh prince's palace."
The group immediately agreed and walked through the East Palace to the Guangming Palace of the Eleventh Prince.
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