Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 194 - 162: The Eighth Prince’s Birthday_2

After finishing a bowl of long-life noodles, the Eighth Prince no longer had an appetite for anything else.

Zhao Yao noticed and shook his head, saying helplessly, "Brother Eight, even Lai Fu eats more than you."

"Are you saying I’m not as good as a dog?"

"I’m just saying your appetite is small." Zhao Yao looked at the Eighth Prince’s thin body and frowned slightly, "Brother Eight, you should eat more and put on a bit of weight."

"I’m already full." When he was young, for a long time, the Eighth Prince particularly disliked eating and would vomit whatever he ate.

"Brother Eight, luckily you’re not near the sea in the capital. If a strong wind blows, your thin frame would definitely be blown away."

"Tenth Brother, you’re not much chubbier than me." The Eighth Prince looked at Zhao Yao’s small belly and teased, "I see you eat a lot every day, yet you haven’t gained any weight. Is your belly a bottomless pit?"

"I’m still growing, mainly growing taller, not gaining weight..." Zhao Yao paused, then took out a brocade box from his pocket and handed it to the Eighth Prince, "I almost forgot the birthday gift. Brother Eight, once again, happy birthday."

The Eighth Prince reached out, took the brocade box, and said with a smile, "Thank you!"

"Brother Eight, I wish you good health, eternal happiness, and getting smarter and smarter..." Zhao Yao rattled off dozens of blessing words. Although they were similar to last year’s, the Eighth Prince didn’t mind.

The Eighth Prince’s eyes were a bit wet, and his voice was a little choked up.

"Tenth Brother, thank you."

"Brother Eight, no need to thank me." Zhao Yao suddenly put away his smile, looking very serious, "Brother Eight, I hope you are always healthy and happy!" He then grinned playfully again.

"Brother Eight, quickly open the brocade box and see if you like the gift I gave you."

The Eighth Prince smiled, "Whatever gift you give, I will like it."

Zhao Yao didn’t believe this and bluntly teased him, "Brother Eight, you once said I only ever give you snacks."

The Eighth Prince didn’t expect Zhao Yao to hold a grudge and chuckled lightly, "I was just joking with you earlier." With that, he opened the brocade box, finding a jade pendant inside.

"Brother Eight, I bought this jade pendant from the largest jewelry store in the capital. Of course, it’s not as good as the ones from the palace."

The Eighth Prince picked up the jade pendant and examined it closely. It was made of high-quality white jade. On the front, the words "Peace" were carved, and on the back, the words "Joy." The edges were carved with cloud patterns symbolizing auspiciousness.

"Tenth Brother, I really like it, I really do!" The Eighth Prince’s right hand clutched the jade pendant tightly, "I’ll wear it with me always!" frёewebnoѵēl.com

"I specifically looked for a jade pendant carved with ’Peace and Joy.’" Zhao Yao said proudly, "I didn’t expect to be so lucky to find it right away."

"With this jade pendant, I’ll surely have peace and joy from now on." The Eighth Prince suddenly realized something and quickly asked, "This jade pendant isn’t cheap, is it?" It was made of top-quality white jade. "Where did you get the money?"

"Brother Eight, don’t you remember Father gifted me some gold, which I used to buy it."

"Bought with gold?" The Eighth Prince said in surprise, "Tenth Brother, you were extravagant."

"Brother Eight, it’s no big deal to spend a bit on your birthday gift." Zhao Yao finished speaking and took out a drawing and handed it to the Eighth Prince, "Brother Eight, a drawing I did for you."

The Eighth Prince reached out and took the scroll, opening it to see a charcoal drawing... A sketch, as Tenth Brother calls it.

"Brother Eight, does it look like you?"

"Yes, very much so." The Eighth Prince didn’t expect that in Zhao Yao’s drawing, he looked gentle.

In Zhao Yao’s drawing, although the Eighth Prince’s gaze was a bit cool, there was a subtle gentleness between his brows.

"Brother Eight, as long as I didn’t draw you ugly, it’s fine." Brother Eight is the best-looking among us. When I was drawing, I was afraid of making him look ugly.

"You didn’t make me look ugly; you made me look even better." The Eighth Prince said seriously, "I really like this painting."

"Brother Eight, as long as you like it."

Tong Xi, who was beside them, noticed it was getting late and reminded Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, you should head to Wende Hall now, or you’ll be late."

"Brother Eight, I’ll go study first, and come find you at noon."

"Alright."

"Brother Eight, happy birthday!" Zhao Yao said cheerfully, "Since today is your birthday, you must stay happy all day."

"I’ll listen to you; I’ll be happy all day today."

"Then I’m off."

Yu Hai escorted Zhao Yao to the door and was slightly surprised to see the Fourth Prince standing at the entrance, then promptly saluted.

"Brother Four, why are you here?" Zhao Yao was just about to look for the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince handed a brocade box to Yu Hai and said in a soft tone, "This is for the Eighth Prince’s birthday." Although the Fourth Prince didn’t like the Eighth Prince, he always sent a birthday gift each year.

No matter what, the Eighth Prince was still the Fourth Prince’s royal brother. Even if it was just for appearances, a gift was necessary.

"Thank you, Fourth Highness."

The Fourth Prince said nothing more, turned, and took Zhao Yao’s hand, heading to the entrance of Xingde Palace.

"Brother Four, I was just about to find you, didn’t expect you to be here."

Wei Mian, beside him, said, "His Highness guessed you would come here to the Eighth Highness, so he came specifically to wait for you."

"Brother Four, we’re really in sync!"

The Fourth Prince was amused by Zhao Yao’s words, "Yes, we are in sync." The Fourth Prince wasn’t curious about what birthday gift Zhao Yao had given the Eighth Prince.

Zhao Yao knew the Fourth Prince didn’t like the Eighth Prince. When with the Fourth Prince, Zhao Yao never mentioned the Eighth Prince, and vice versa.

"Brother Four, spring hunt is coming up, are you going?" Zhao Yao’s heart stirred with excitement at the thought of the spring hunt, "This will be my first time participating, I wonder if it’s fun." Last year, Zhao Yao was only five and too young to join. At six, he was officially starting and could participate in all activities, including the spring hunt.

"Of course, I’ll go. Stay by my side then." The Fourth Prince said warmly to Zhao Yao, "Spring hunt is a lot of fun; I’ll show you a great time."

"Really?" Zhao Yao said with joy all over his face, "That sounds amazing."

"Tenth Brother, I’ve prepared a good bow for you, so you don’t need to get one yourself."

Wei Mian chimed in, "Your Highness has prepared all the needs for the spring hunt for you."

Zhao Yao heard this and happily hugged the Fourth Prince tightly.

"Brother Four, you’re the best, thank you!"

The Fourth Prince gently patted Zhao Yao’s back, "However, you must listen to me."

Zhao Yao stood straight and raised his hand to promise to the Fourth Prince, "During the spring hunt, I’ll definitely listen to Brother Four!"

The Fourth Prince escorted Zhao Yao to the entrance of Wende Hall and, before leaving, advised Zhao Yao to study well and come to him if there was anything he didn’t understand.

Once Zhao Yao entered Wende Hall, the Fourth Prince finally turned and left, heading to Lanyuan Pavilion.

As soon as he stepped into Wenyuan Pavilion, he heard everyone discussing the suicide of the little daughter of Kong Taichang.

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