The young man on the horse watched Xiao Yuan’s retreating figure for a good while.
His follower asked from behind, "Prince, shall we follow him and inquire?"
The young man raised his hand, "No need."
Then, he rode on.
His followers closely tailed him.
Soon, the young man entered a Prince Mansion that was especially close to the Imperial Palace.
And this Prince Mansion happened to be Prince Su’s Mansion.
Yes, that braggart young man who was talking to people was the present eldest son, Prince Su.
Due to saving the Emperor, Prince Su was injured, and the Emperor greatly dotes on and loves him. While other Princes were still bald (young), Prince Su was already appointed a Prince and had this Prince Su’s Mansion established early on.
Although the Second Prince and Third Prince, one is the legitimate son and one is born to the Emperor’s most favored Noble Consort, if we talk about the degree of favoritism, they really don’t compare with Prince Su.
Even though the identity of Prince Su’s birth mother is not prominent, rely an earlier palace maid serving the Emperor, Prince Su still occupies a very important place in the Emperor’s heart due to his own efforts and the life-saving grace.
Prince Su’s Mansion is built magnificently and spans a vast area.
However, Prince Su’s Mansion just lacks a bit of liveliness.
Upon entering the mansion, Prince Su was imdiately surrounded by many servants; so took his cloak, others served him hot water to clean up, and so hurried to the kitchen to order a al.
Even with so many people around, Prince Su still couldn’t feel the slightest bit of liveliness.
He just felt sowhat depressed.
After Prince Su washed his face and the warm al was served, he waved off the servants, but he kept an old nanny by his side.
"How is Jiu doing?"
Prince Su asked in a low voice.
That old nanny looked at Prince Su with her eyes full of tenderness and distress, "Ninth Prince is doing well; he finished the Thousand Character Classic and the Student Rules a few days ago. Xiao Dezi also said that Jiu missed you, my lord."
Prince Su chuckled softly, "That lad... Oh well, I did bring back so nice things this ti out. Have soone send them to Jiu tomorrow."
The old nanny bowed respectfully.
Prince Su continued, "When I returned today, I actually t quite an interesting person. I think his nature should get along with Jiu’s. I’ll wait and see his performance in the Imperial Examination this ti, if he really has talents, he could be brought into the palace to tutor Jiu."
The old nanny’s face showed a hint of surprise, "Who is this person? To catch your eye, my lord, he must be extraordinary."
Thinking of Xiao Yuan’s boasting, Prince Su couldn’t help but laugh, "He’s quite lively. Jiu is a bit too reserved, he should really have a spirited teacher. If those old pedants from the Hanlin Academy continue to teach him, I’m afraid the child will turn into a zombie."
The old nanny, thinking of Ninth Prince’s temperant, felt so headache too, "Ninth Prince is indeed a bit formal, but his heart is in the right place."
Prince Su sighed, "When Consort Li was dying, she begged to take care of Jiu, and I promised. Yet, I haven’t been able to properly look after him these years."
Prince Su had only recently begun to be favored in the past few years. His own early life in the palace was also difficult.
After all, his birth mother was just a palace maid, and her family whereabouts unknown. And while he and the Second Prince were only months apart, he held the na of the eldest son, how could the Empress not resent him?
Even if the Empress said nothing, what kind of place was the palace? Those palace maids and eunuchs, seeing him without a Queen Mother and the Emperor then favoring the Second Prince, who would take good care of him?
He was just over a year old when due to the wet nurse’s negligence he caught a cold. At that ti, Noble Consort was pregnant and all the Imperial Physicians were summoned to her side. Then, Prince Su, just a tiny child, lay on the bed waiting to die, that feeling was really unbearable.
It was Consort Li who was kind-hearted, and because she knew a bit of dicine, she specifically went to see Prince Su, gave him dicine, and thus saved his life.
Afterwards, Consort Li always secretly took care of Prince Su, and this care lasted for many years.
Prince Su did not know what his birth mother looked like, and he had never received the Emperor’s affection when he was young, so he could only draw warmth from Consort Li.
Consort Li was truly a kind person. Even though she was not favored, she still managed to live a decent life and devotedly looked after and taught Prince Su.
When Prince Su was three or four years old, it was Consort Li who held his hand to teach him how to write his na, who read books to him, and who taught him the principles of conduct and dealing with people.
It was only later that Consort Li beca pregnant, and during childbirth, soone plotted against her. Not long after giving birth to the Ninth Prince, she passed away.
At that ti, Prince Su actually resented the Ninth Prince.
He felt that if it weren’t for the Ninth Prince, Consort Li would not have died.
But, before her death, Consort Li was very worried about him and also concerned about the Ninth Prince. With her last breath, she forced Prince Su to promise not to hate the Ninth Prince and to take care of him.
At first, Prince Su was unwilling.
But later, the Ninth Prince fell ill.
Seeing the little child lying in bed in such discomfort and pain, he was reminded of his own sickness and began to feel compassion.
He too had lost his birth mother shortly after birth, just like the Ninth Prince.
He was fortunate to have received care and guidance from Consort Li. So why not extend so of this kindness to the Ninth Prince?
From then on, Prince Su began to sincerely care for and look after the Ninth Prince.
But at that ti, he was just an invisible figure in the palace, and even though he wanted to take care, he was powerless to do so. The situations of both he and the Ninth Prince were not good.
It was only in the recent years that he had established military rits and saved the Emperor’s life, that his days had gradually started to improve.
Thinking of these things, Prince Su’s thoughts turned to Consort Li.
"The anniversary of Mother Consort’s passing is coming soon, right?"
Prince Su asked the old nanny.
"Yes, the anniversary of Her Highness’s passing is approaching."
The old nanny bowed her head, tears welling up in her eyes: "It will also soon be the Ninth Prince’s birthday."
Prince Su clenched his fist: "I will enter the palace with little Jiu to pay homage to Mother Consort. Nanny, please take so ti to make a few things that I can offer to Mother Consort."
After giving the instructions, Prince Su let the old nanny leave.
He sat upright in the room for a long ti, waiting for the return of the attendant sent to escort Xiao Yuan, before getting up.
The attendant stood in the room and spoke softly: "I have made inquiries, and what Xiao Jieyuan has said is completely accurate. He indeed achieved the status of top scorer in the four yuan, and this ti, he is also the top scorer of the rural examination. His lady is also with child, and these days she is experiencing morning sickness."
Prince Su nodded: "That young man did not boast in vain; it seems he truly has genuine talent and learning."
The attendant continued: "Xiao Jieyuan cos from the Qingyuan Xiao Family. The Xiao Family ancestors were rchants, said to be the wealthiest in Qingyuan. But from what I see, the wealth accumulated by the Xiao Family over generations must be substantial. They act low-key, yet the Xiao Family is quite committed to loyalty. Xiao Jieyuan and his lady, from the He Family, were engaged in their childhood. The lady’s father passed away early, and she has been living with her father’s good friend, the Xu Family, as an orphan without family support. Nonetheless, no one from the Xiao Family ever despised her for lacking family backing. They treat her as before and never considered calling off the engagent."
Prince Su always liked those who were loyal and righteous. Upon hearing this, he felt an even greater affinity for Xiao Yuan.
"That young man is lively, but he knows propriety and courtesy. His family upbringing is indeed proper."
Most importantly, Prince Su thought of the Xiao Family as wealthy rchants.
Though the Ninth Prince had his care, he lacked the support of a maternal clan and was not favored, what he lacked was money.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, he felt increasingly certain that the decision to draw Xiao Yuan to the Ninth Prince’s side was the right one.
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