As for the prize, The Emperor did not say, and the Princes did not dare to ask.
The Emperor glanced at the Eldest Imperial Brother beside him, this Imperial Son is a bookworm, a good material for studying, but in terms of martial arts, it’s all flowery fists and embroidered kicks. Yet, the Eldest Imperial Brother is a competitive person, never willing to accept defeat, always striving to be first in everything.
The Emperor showed a kind smile: "Eldest Imperial Son, are you participating too?"
The Eldest Imperial Brother said solemnly: "Of course, I will hunt a tiger for my imperial father!"
The Second Prince, hearing this, gave him no face at all and laughed arrogantly: "Eldest Imperial Brother, you hunt a tiger? Just make sure you don’t get eaten by the tiger instead."
The Eldest Imperial Brother’s biological mother is Noble Consort Wang, and Noble Consort Wang’s influence in the palace is significant, not inferior to that of the Empress. Therefore, in the fight for the throne, the Eldest Imperial Brother’s chances are also great, evenly matched with the Fourth Prince.
For this reason, the Fourth Prince has always regarded the Eldest Imperial Brother as a thorn in his side. He laughed and said: "Eldest Imperial Brother, this is a hunting ground, not the Royal Private School where you can just wield your pen. If you’re not careful, you might lose your life."
Upon hearing this, the Princes all laughed heartily.
The Eldest Imperial Brother, flushed with anger from the laughter, was infuriated: "Second Younger Imperial Brother, Fourth Imperial Brother, don’t underestimate ."
The Fourth Prince gave him a dismissive look: "Why? Are you afraid of being laughed at because you lack ability?"
The Second Prince’s Mother Consort has a relatively low status in the palace and often suffers indignities from Noble Consort Wang. The Second Prince has witnessed this several tis and naturally harbors strong aversion towards the Eldest Imperial Brother. Now having the chance, he eagerly joins in to humiliate him, venting for his Mother Consort, and quickly chid in: "Exactly, this is a hunting ground. There are many fierce beasts. Without real Kung Fu, participating casually can be deadly."
The Eldest Imperial Brother, having a hot temper, upon hearing this, his anger surged to his head, blurting out: "I want to compete with you all."
"Compete?"
Everyone present was stunned. The martial arts of the Second Prince and Fourth Prince were outstanding among the Princes. The Eldest Imperial Brother, who usually indulges in the study, barely practices those few superficial Kung Fu moves a handful of tis a year; he is not their match. Now daring to compete without knowledge of life and death, truly oblivious to his own peril.
The Fourth Prince and Second Prince exchanged a glance, then stared at the Eldest Imperial Brother: "How does Eldest Imperial Brother want to compete?"
The tone was full of mockery. In their eyes, the Eldest Imperial Brother was humiliating himself.
The Eldest Imperial Brother turned to The Emperor: "imperial father, you be our witness, so that when the two Imperial Brothers lose, they won’t deny it."
The Emperor, delighted at this rare opportunity to amuse himself, imdiately said: "Fine, fine, I will be the arbiter. Just tell us how you want to compete."
The Eldest Imperial Brother bowed his head in thought: "Let’s compete in tiger hunting."
"Hiss!"
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped; the Eldest Imperial Brother sure made a bold statent. Knowing his martial arts are lacking, yet daring to compete in tiger hunting. Tigers are fierce beasts; this is no joke, fatal consequences are possible.
The Emperor was also taken aback, surprised at the Eldest Imperial Brother’s strong determination towards his teacher: "Are you sure?"
"I am sure, Father."
"And what if you win? What if you lose?"
"Did Father not give the Fourth Prince a pair of Jade Ruyi last ti as a prize? If the Fourth Prince loses, he must take out that pair of Jade Ruyi."
"And the Second Prince?"
"A re 10,000 taels of Silver."
The Emperor clapped his hands: "Good, I think it’s fine."
After saying this, he turned to ask the two Princes: "What do you two think?"
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