Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 389: Children’s One-Year-Old Grab Ceremony
Today’s main characters are the Fifth Prince and the Third Princess, not Mrs. Feng.
This, needless to say, she understood clearly.
So this small interlude passed quickly.
After the lunch, the highlight of the day began.
The Fifth Prince and the Third Princess would start the Gratuity Ceremony.
The location was naturally arranged in the left wing, where the red brocade had already been spread over the cushions.
On top of it were a dazzling array of items, making it difficult for anyone to choose.
Lin Wanyi had the nannies place the children inside and then said with a smile.
"Take whatever you like, don’t be shy."
These words were evidently meant for the Fifth Prince, as his round eyes were already brimming with excitement.
Thus, at Lin Wanyi’s command,
he dashed around like a shooting star, rummaging through the items.
He picked up an abacus, then a bow and arrow.
But nothing seemed to hold his interest.
The way he looked left and right made Lin Wanyi a bit anxious.
This child had been restless since a young age.
His nature seemed hard to settle, interested in everything only for a moment.
One second he might be interested in something, and the next it would change.
While he was busy rummaging, the Third Princess remained very calm.
She leisurely crawled around the area and finally chose a book.
Though she couldn’t read a single large character, the way she flipped through the book made one feel she was surely a gifted woman.
The nanny beamed with joy and immediately said.
"The Third Princess picks a book, may her future be bright with great prospects."
Then the nanny took the Third Princess away, leaving the Fifth Prince still fidgeting on the spot.
After a while, he still hadn’t chosen anything.
The Emperor furrowed his brow slightly.
So he placed his own Dragon-shaped Jade Pendant on the brocade.
He said to the Fifth Prince, "Is there nothing you like? How about this one?"
The meaning was clear.
Those from the Lin Family and the Dong Family were somewhat taken aback.
In the folk tradition, during the Gratuity Ceremony, parents put their personal belongings for the children to choose from, and if they pick one, it symbolizes inheriting the parents’ profession.
But now, if the Fifth Prince really picked this pendant, wouldn’t that mean he’s the Crown Prince choice?
As a result, no one dared to breathe loudly, fearing any mistakes.
However, the Empress Dowager’s face was very serene.
As if she had anticipated this situation.
Unfortunately, in the small body of the Fifth Prince, three-fifths of it was rebellious.
The more the Emperor hinted, the more he frowned.
Then he waved his hand, the meaning could not be clearer.
"I don’t care for it."
Everyone watched with their hearts in their throats.
Was he... rejecting the position of Crown Prince?
Clearly, it was just an ordinary Royal Gratuity Ceremony, but why was there so much drama in his case? 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Then, the next second, this young master was waddling his chubby legs back and forth on the cushions.
He toppled and got up, got up and toppled again.
By the time everyone reacted, he had bundled everything on the brocade into a pile.
Including the pendant the Emperor had just taken off.
In a way, he didn’t miss a single item.
Lin Wanyi watched her son’s actions and was completely stunned.
How could someone take everything at a Gratuity Ceremony? She was about to admonish him for being mischievous.
But then she heard the Fourth Prince’s booming voice say.
"The Fifth Prince is indeed extraordinary, while others pick something, you take everything! Well done! Well done! This is indeed a Prince of Da Wei! When you grow up, you shall indeed take everything!"
The Fourth Prince’s words were already quite straightforward.
It was akin to declaring allegiance early!
The choice for the heir to the throne, initially full of mystery, was now very clear.
The Fourth Prince, being young, was ignorant of what the adults were discussing.
But the Second Prince, already eight years old, understood the Fourth Prince’s meaning.
Lin Wanyi’s first instinct was to look at him.
After all, as her "first" child, she didn’t want to see a future where they would fight to the death for the throne.
Hence, her gaze carried a trace of worry.
But surprisingly, the Second Prince looked relieved, even excited as he looked at the Fifth Prince.
It was as if he saw his beloved brother ascend the throne in advance.
This left Lin Wanyi feeling more at a loss.
Why?
Didn’t he have aspirations of rising to power?
Lin Wanyi did not know.
The Empress Dowager, however, also looked at the Second Prince, the appreciation in her eyes unmistakable.
Certain things that can be fought for should not be let go, but giving up early on things you can’t fight for can lead to a broader sky.
These days, the Empress Dowager spent much time with the Second Prince.
So she had some understanding of his thoughts.
Rather than being trapped forever in this deep palace, he clearly longed for the outside world.
He was already conferred the title of Han King, with Yunzhou as his designated fiefdom.
So, all he needed was to grow up, leave the palace, establish his manor, marry his Princess Consort, and then set out to Yunzhou to protect the people.
Thinking of being able to do what he likes outside in the future, he became uncontrollably excited.
Before others could speak, he said first.
"Fifth brother is truly remarkable; if Second Brother needs fine horses and rich fields in the future, don’t be stingy."
With these words, everyone present understood.
The Second Prince had no intention of contending for power; his meaning was clear.
He was willing to be the latter in the ruler and minister relationship, paving the way for the Fifth Prince.
The Emperor glanced at him, seemingly probing.
But the Second Prince’s returning gaze was clear as day.
The Emperor then suddenly understood.
He had no brothers, and thus never experienced the bloody path of brotherly power struggles, and naturally didn’t want his sons to tread that path.
Now, with the Fourth Prince out of the picture, and the Second Prince stepping aside,
only the Third Prince and Fifth Prince remained in the running.
In his mind, his preference leaned slightly towards the Fifth Prince, but the Third Prince was also his son.
Also, he was excellent.
Therefore, he had not fully made up his mind yet.
His silence did not prevent others from being lively.
Old Master Dong could hold his peace, but the others standing behind him couldn’t.
Expressions ranged from astonishment and joy to restraint and confusion.
Every possible expression was present.
But royal matters were not theirs to comment on.
Thus, they all slightly lowered their heads, remaining silent.
The Empress Dowager noticed this and coughed a couple of times before saying.
"When you get old, you become less useful; standing for a while makes you tired. Since the Gratuity Ceremony for the two children is over, I shall return first. Since this is a rare visit to the traveling palace for the Lin Family and Dong Family, stay for dinner before heading back."
"Thank the Empress Dowager for her grace."
The Fourth Prince Consort, understanding the mood, assisted the Empress Dowager and said.
"It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Empress Dowager; if she doesn’t mind my chatter, I’d like to visit her chamber."
