The Ninth Prince was resting his forehead on one hand, in a light sleep.
Upon hearing this, he opened his eyes and asked, "What's wrong with the Crown Prince?"
Yuan Yao scratched her head: "How should I put it... Yao'er just feels that the Crown Prince has been acting strangely lately."
When I returned from Xiqiu, I ran into him once at the National Academy. He said some strange things to me…
"What are you saying?" The Ninth Prince's gaze was indifferent as he stared at the little figure beside him.
Yuan Yao pondered for a moment and then recounted what the Crown Prince had said to her at the Imperial Academy that day.
After hearing this, the Ninth Prince frowned: "He said he can't wait for you anymore?"
“Mm!” Yuan Yao nodded.
The old man's brows furrowed even more deeply.
Yuan Yao asked, "Father, do you think His Highness the Crown Prince... will do something foolish?"
To be honest, she was really worried about the Crown Prince's condition.
Over the years, he has always been law-abiding and dutiful in his duties as crown prince, and has never asked for anything.
But this time, he was willing to anger the emperor just to come to the summer palace to escape the heat...
The more Yuan Yao thought about it, the more she felt that the Crown Prince was in danger.
Your Highness, could it be that you have depression?
Suddenly, a weight appeared on my head.
The Ninth Prince placed his hand on Yuan Yao's head: "I'll take care of everything. Don't overthink it, the Crown Prince will be fine."
Yuan Yao nodded: "Mm..."
Indeed, how could the Ninth Prince allow the Crown Prince to get into trouble?
After this ordeal, he should be more vigilant and keep a closer eye on the Crown Prince.
Yuan Yao breathed a sigh of relief.
Hopefully, nothing bad will happen...
The summer heat slowed the horses down, and it took them a full five hours to reach the East Lake Palace after leaving the capital.
Although it was a summer retreat, the palace began preparations a month in advance.
The horse ranch, hunting grounds, cold hot spring, pavilions, and waterside terraces had all been cleared out long ago...
Upon arriving at the palace, everyone moved into the courtyards they had been assigned beforehand.
A peaceful night.
The next morning, the emperor summoned Li Deshan and invited the Ninth Prince and Yuan Yao to dine together.
The location was chosen to be a pavilion by the lake.
The lake surface shimmered.
A cool breeze blew from the lake.
A faint fragrance of lotus blossoms carries on the breeze…
Yuan Yao was led by the Ninth Prince and stepped onto the pavilion. She was stunned for a moment.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince was also there?
Yuan Yao bowed and said, "Yao'er greets Your Majesty and Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The crown prince smiled and nodded at her.
The emperor waved his hand: "We're all family, no need for so much formality, sit down."
Yuan Yao sat next to the Ninth Prince, looking at the Crown Prince with concern.
The bruises under the Crown Prince's eyes had deepened overnight!
Moreover, he looked really haggard.
However, he sat there upright, with a gentle expression and strict manners.
Yuan Yao silently withdrew her gaze.
While the palace servants were serving the dishes, the emperor asked, "A-Yuan, did you sleep well last night?"
The Ninth Prince coldly replied, "It's acceptable."
Upon hearing this, the emperor said, "I didn't sleep well. Last night, my eyelids twitched all night. Look, my eyes are even bruised."
As he spoke, he almost brought his face close to the camera.
The Ninth Prince's gaze turned slightly cold as he swept over them: "Your eyelid twitching, is it useful to tell me? Am I the Imperial Physician?"
The emperor awkwardly wiped his face: "It is my meaning. I did not sleep well last night. I want to get some sleep today, and I will probably need to rest again tomorrow."
However, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculated that the sky would be overcast the day after tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, I also want to play polo..."
Do you not want to do anything today, but want to play tomorrow and the day after?
Yuan Yao's lips twitched.
Does this emperor consider the Nine Thousand Years Old his father?
They spoiled him in every way!
Please! His Highness the Crown Prince is acting like this, doesn't he, as his father, notice anything at all?
Speechless!
Absolutely speechless!
Yuan Yao looked at the emperor and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, as the ancients said, 'What needs to be done today should be done today.'"
Since Your Majesty wishes to play polo, why not take care of the affairs of state for the next two days as well?
Anyway, you're not allowed to give all the work to her father!
Upon hearing this, the emperor turned his head and his face turned cold: "Yuan Yao."
Yuan Yao looked at the emperor innocently and sighed, "Alas, if only Yao'er's mother were still here!"
My mother is so intelligent, she will surely tell the Emperor what to do.
Yao'er is no match for her mother; she shouldn't have angered the Emperor..."
After saying that, she sighed again.
emperor:"……"
The emperor's eyelids twitched again: "Where did you learn all this from?"
They actually brought up her mother!
This little girl!
Yuan Yao looked at him innocently: "What did Your Majesty say?"
emperor:"……"
The emperor closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again: "I'll do it! After I finish my breakfast, I'll immediately attend to state affairs!"
After saying that, the emperor turned his head and said, "Li Deshan, bring me everything that I need to deal with today and tomorrow and the day after!"
Today, I will do nothing but handle state affairs!
Li Deshan replied, "Yes."
The emperor picked up his chopsticks: "Eat up, everyone, the food will get cold soon."
The prince picked up the porridge and silently began to drink it.
Throughout the entire process, he did not pick up any food.
He seemed to have something on his mind.
Seeing this, Yuan Yao said, "Your Highness, these lotus root tips are tender and fresh, with a tangy and delicious flavor. They taste great with porridge. Would you like to try some?"
The prince snapped out of his reverie, looked up at her, and smiled: "Alright."
After speaking, he rolled up his sleeves, picked up a piece of lotus root tip with his chopsticks, and put it in his mouth.
After tasting it, the Crown Prince smiled and said, "Yao'er is right, these lotus root tips are really refreshing."
"Right!" Yuan Yao said happily, "His Highness the Crown Prince has lost weight. He should eat more and take good care of himself while he's at the imperial palace!"
The crown prince smiled and said, "Very well."
Yuan Yao added, "The scenery around the palace is beautiful. If Your Highness has nothing else to do, you can call Yao'er, and Yao'er will accompany you for a walk."
She was worried about him going alone.
The crown prince nodded with a smile, "Alright."
No matter what she said, he would say "okay".
The emperor looked at him and said calmly, "You rarely leave the palace, so you should really take advantage of this trip to see more of the world."
The crown prince put down his chopsticks and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Father is right."
The emperor hummed in agreement and continued, "You have always been steady and reliable. Of all my children, the ones I trust the most are you and Huairou."
The prince's hand trembled slightly as he bowed.
Unaware of the danger, the emperor continued, "Over the years, I've always thought of letting you learn more, so that when I pass away and the Great Qi is handed over to you, I can rest assured..."
The crown prince's hand trembled as he spoke, "Your Majesty, I have disappointed you."
"I have never been disappointed in you." The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince: "Chengye, you have done enough."
On the contrary, it was I who was too strict with you.
A glint of light flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes.
The Ninth Prince looked at the Crown Prince coldly and said, "The Crown Prince has grown up. Most young masters from noble families are already engaged by this age."
Does the Crown Prince have a candidate for Crown Princess in mind?
If so, why not book it during this trip?
Crown Princess?
The crown prince was stunned.
He had already made up his mind, so how could he possibly harm a good woman?
The Crown Prince lifted his robe, stood up, and knelt beside the Emperor: "Father, I cannot marry the Crown Princess yet!"
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