Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 168 - 143 The Emperor Favors the Fourth Prince

After discussing official matters with Prime Minister He and the others, the Emperor took them to Lanyuan Pavilion to see how the Fourth Prince and his team were progressing with the history compilation.

Although the Fourth Prince was the youngest among those compiling the history, he worked very diligently, not falling short when compared to the much older ministers. Moreover, his knowledge was not inferior to that of the minister historians, and even surpassed some of them.

Through the task of compiling history, the ministers discovered that the Fourth Prince, despite his young age, was extremely knowledgeable, mature, and composed in his actions. Most importantly, the Fourth Prince was humble and courteous, with no trace of arrogance.

In recent days, the Emperor had heard many ministers praise the Fourth Prince, including continuous commendations from Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu.

The Emperor felt reassured upon noticing that the history compilation was progressing well.

By the way, because the Fourth Prince participated in the history compilation, the Emperor appointed him to an official position, Assistant Historian, albeit a minor seventh-rank position, but it was the Fourth Prince’s first official appointment.

With many memorials to review, the Emperor did not stay long at Lanyuan Pavilion. After a short observation, he left. The Fourth Prince escorted him out of Lanyuan Pavilion.

"Compiling history provides you with a deeper understanding of history and helps you comprehend many matters. You should learn earnestly," the Emperor advised the Fourth Prince.

Although the Fourth Prince maintained a calm demeanor upon hearing the Emperor’s words, he couldn’t help but feel a bit excited and thrilled inside.

"I understand, Father," the Fourth Prince replied.

"Every month, share your insights from compiling history with me," the Emperor instructed. He valued the Fourth Prince greatly.

"Yes, Father," the Fourth Prince briefly hesitated before asking, "Father, when will the Tenth Brother return?" The Tenth Brother had been away from the palace for a few days and had not yet returned, causing the Fourth Prince some concern.

"He will return this afternoon," the Emperor said, patting the Fourth Prince on the shoulder before turning to leave.

"Take care, Father," the Fourth Prince said, watching the Emperor’s figure fade before returning to Lanyuan Pavilion to continue his work on history.

Zhao Yao, who was on the Fourth Prince’s mind, was currently playing Gomoku with the Crown Prince at Hulong Temple.

Zhao Yao wasn’t a match for the Crown Prince in Go, but when it came to Gomoku, the outcome was uncertain.

Although it was the Crown Prince’s first time playing Gomoku, and the rules were simple, it was incredibly interesting.

"Haha, Crown Prince, I’ve won again," Zhao Yao said with a proud smile, extending his right hand to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince smiled slightly, then took out a golden bean and placed it in Zhao Yao’s palm.

"I’ve almost lost all the golden beans I brought," the Crown Prince said.

"Crown Prince, if you run out of golden beans, you can owe me, and you can pay me back when you return to the palace," Zhao Yao said with a playful smile.

The Crown Prince was amused by Zhao Yao’s words: "You’re aiming to win all my golden beans!"

"I wish I had that skill," Zhao Yao replied, fully aware of his abilities in chess, "Next time, it’ll be the Crown Prince’s turn to win."

Just then, Lv Cong entered and reminded the Crown Prince that it was time for lunch.

At the mention of lunch, Zhao Yao’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"What’s delicious in today’s monk’s meal?"

The Eighth Prince laughed and said, "It’s sure to be all your favorites."

Lv Cong and Yu Hai set up the meal in the Eighth Prince’s room.

The Eighth Prince still couldn’t walk and had to have meals in his room.

Whenever not praying, the Crown Prince would dine with the Eighth Prince in his room.

"Crown Prince, can I start eating?" Zhao Yao asked, his mouth watering at the aroma of the meal.

Seeing Zhao Yao’s eager expression, the Crown Prince laughed: "Go ahead and eat."

Zhao Yao immediately helped himself to the food. Seeing him eat so heartily, the Crown Prince found his own appetite improving.

Like the Eighth Prince, the Crown Prince usually had a small appetite, eating only one bowl of rice per meal. Today, influenced by Zhao Yao, he unknowingly ate an extra bowl.

If not for the Eighth Prince’s intervention, Zhao Yao might have eaten four bowls of rice.

"The monk’s meal at Hulong Temple is truly delicious," Zhao Yao suddenly had a good idea, "Can we bring the cook who prepares the monk’s meal back to the palace? That way, we can eat such delicious meals every day."

The Crown Prince chuckled: "They are monks; we shouldn’t force them into the palace. If you like it, you can come to Hulong Temple to eat often."

"I would love to, but I only have one day off per month," Zhao Yao said, his eyes darting as he beamed at the Crown Prince, "Crown Prince, please ask Father to let me stay at Hulong Temple to pray as well."

The Crown Prince tapped Zhao Yao on the forehead, "It seems you’re looking for an excuse to avoid studying back at the palace."

"That’s one reason, but mainly I want to accompany you and the Eighth Brother," Zhao Yao replied earnestly. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

The Crown Prince, amused, said: "I can’t help you with that."

"Why not?" Zhao Yao said, puffing his cheeks, "Crown Prince, if you talk to Father, he might just agree."

"Father values our studies the most, so if you don’t study well, he’ll be angry," the Crown Prince teased Zhao Yao, "You better be careful, or he’ll punish you again."

Zhao Yao let out a long sigh, lying back on the ground with a look of resignation: "Oh..."

The Crown Prince and Eighth Prince couldn’t help but laugh at Zhao Yao’s demeanor.

Just then, Lv Cong entered and respectfully said: "Crown Prince, Mr. Sun has come to escort the Tenth Prince back to the palace."

"What?" Zhao Yao sat up abruptly in surprise, "Take me back to the palace?"

"Let him in," the Crown Prince said.

Soon, Sun Doudou came in, first saluting Zhao Yao and the others, then explaining his purpose: besides escorting Zhao Yao back to the palace, he also brought some items for the Crown Prince and some medicinal supplements for the Eighth Prince.

"Is it true I have to be taken back to the palace?" Zhao Yao, puckering his face, asked, "I planned to see that uncle tomorrow and have a proper chat, but Father is making me go back to the palace today?"

"Tenth Prince, the Emperor instructed me personally to escort you back," Sun Doudou said, suppressing a smile at Zhao Yao’s distressed face, "The Emperor said it’s time for you to resume your studies in the palace."

Zhao Yao: "..." This is unbearable.

Indeed, the Tenth Prince wore an expression as dismal as a sudden storm.

"I’ve only been out of the palace for two days..."

The Crown Prince patted Zhao Yao on the shoulder, gently saying: "Tenth Brother, Father has summoned you, be good and follow Mr. Sun back to the palace."

The Eighth Prince reassured Zhao Yao: "I’ll go back soon after some time."

Zhao Yao mumbled softly: "I wanted to play a little longer..." He still had unfinished business.

"Be good and go back," they urged.

"Tong Xi, quickly fetch some pastries, I want to take them back for Mother and others to enjoy."

"Understood, I’ll go right away," Tong Xi acknowledged.

Zhao Yao bought as many as ten boxes of pastries; the carriage Sun Doudou brought couldn’t fit them, so another carriage from Hulong Temple had to be arranged to load these desserts.

Although Sun Doudou came to escort Zhao Yao back to the palace, Zhao Yao didn’t leave immediately. He first went to find Liang Run to reiterate a few matters. He also reminded Tong An and the others to study diligently and encouraged Ding Shan to practice martial arts well.

"Yao Yao, almost forgot," Liang Run returned to the room, handed a large box to Tong Xi, "These are the silkworms your mother wanted; luckily, I retrieved them early this morning."

Zhao Yao opened the box, curiously observing the plump and cute silkworms inside.

Every spring, Liang Zhaoyi and the others would raise silkworms. Although the palace had silkworms, Liang Zhaoyi thought they weren’t robust enough, so she had Liang Run buy some from a famous shop in the capital.

"The silkworms from the capital aren’t as good as those from Yangzhou, but unfortunately, Yangzhou silkworms can’t survive in the capital," Zhao Yao explained, knowing the silkworms couldn’t adapt to the dry climate away from the Jiangnan Water Town, "Yao Yao, if anything comes up, have your feathered friends send me a message."

"Sure, Uncle, I’m leaving now," Zhao Yao reluctantly parted from Liang Run’s room.

Before returning to the palace, Zhao Yao, along with Tong Xi, carried two boxes of vegetarian pastries from Hulong Temple to a house to visit a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was surprised to see Zhao Yao visiting him.

"Didn’t you say you had something to do today?"

"I finished everything, so I came to visit you, Uncle," Zhao Yao said, gesturing at the pastries Tong Xi had brought, "Uncle, I bought these special vegetarian pastries from Hulong Temple, they’re incredibly delicious, you must try them."

The middle-aged man didn’t ask why Zhao Yao visited Hulong Temple. He didn’t expect Zhao Yao to bring pastries for him from the temple.

"Uncle, my father sent someone to take me back, so I can’t visit you tomorrow," Zhao Yao said, his face scrunched, "I have to wait until my next day off to come see you again."

The middle-aged man realized Zhao Yao had come to see him specifically before returning to the palace.

"Alright," he replied.

"But Uncle, don’t worry, I’ll write to you often," Zhao Yao promised.

"Good," the middle-aged man agreed.

Zhao Yao chatted a bit more before finally leaving.

As he left, the middle-aged man reminded Zhao Yao to diligently study the Spring and Autumn Annals, promising to test him next month when they meet again.

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