strictlysupreme Chapter 204
Chapter 204
Pinghu Pavilion.Standing before the railing, the scenery of the lake was in full view.
Watching the pleasure boats drifting on the lake, with faint and continuous laughter carrying in the wind, the Crown Prince's brow was clouded with gloom.
Seeing this, a palace servant whispered, I heard His Majesty took Her Majesty the Empress and the young masters boating on the lake. Your Highness has been reading constantly lately, neglecting sleep and meals. Why not take this opportunity to pay respects to His Majesty and relax for a moment?
If His Majesty knows of your diligence, he will surely be pleased.
He suggested sincerely. After all, only when their master was favored could they, as servants, have an easier life.
Who in the palace didn't know that His Majesty loved everything associated with the Empress? He pampered the little prince born to her to the heavens, and even the Third Prince received more attention than before.
If the Crown Prince didn't work hard, His Majesty would likely forget about this son.
A flicker of temptation passed through the Crown Prince's eyes, but it quickly faded into dead silence.
He said disdainfully, Using such prime time to go boating is a waste of time and saps one's will to achieve. They can do it, but I cannot. I am the Crown Prince; Imperial Father would not be pleased.
Besides, if he went, he would definitely have to call that woman Imperial Mother. How ironic was that?
Because of that mother and son, he had been repeatedly reprimanded by his Imperial Father. His uncle, who was best to him, took a desperate risk for him and lost his life. His mother was demoted and grounded in Yaohua Palace because of it, and she wasn't even allowed to come to the temporary palace this time.
Those snobbish dog-like servants, seeing his mother lose power, actually deducted the ice supply from her palace to curry favor with the Empress, causing his mother to break out in a heat rash and nearly suffer from heatstroke.
The palace servant hurriedly lowered his head to hide the twitching of his mouth.
Boating saps one's will? Was he sure he wasn't cursing His Majesty?
Catching sight of the three people coming ashore from the corner of his eye, the Crown Prince's gaze flickered, and he curled his lips into a cold sneer. Follow me down for a walk. Let's go greet my good younger brothers.
On this side, like ducks being driven ashore, Sui and the others were shooed onto the bank.
One held plucked lotus flowers in his arms, one held lotus seedpods, and one held muddy lotus roots. If it weren't for their brocade clothes and the jade pendants hanging from their waists, at first glance, they would look exactly like little beggars on the street.
The Crown Prince's gaze landed on Sui, who was the cleanest and tidiest among the three.
Sui subconsciously hugged the unbloomed flower buds in his arms tighter, his eyes revealing vigilance.
This was what he was going to give to his mother; he couldn't let the Crown Prince snatch it away.
The Crown Prince rolled his eyes.
Sui pursed his lips, his little face tense. If you want one, Royal Brother Crown Prince, giving you a stalk isn't impossible.
The Crown Prince glanced at the lotus flowers in his arms, looking disgusted. Who cares for that? Country bumpkin.
Sui's phoenix eyes glared. Say that again!
I'll say it. Country—
Say it again and I'll tell Imperial Father that you called me a country bumpkin.
Before the word bumpkin could leave his mouth, the Crown Prince heard his words and swallowed it back forcefully. His face flushed red with anger, and he raged:
How old are you, still tattling? Are you a tattletale spirit?
Sui didn't care; as long as tattling worked, it was fine.
At this moment, he felt that the Crown Prince's mother was sick in the head, and so was the Crown Prince.
Here, Pei Qian stepped forward with his hands on his hips, glaring like a bull. That's right! We can testify!
The Third Prince didn't say anything, but his attitude was obvious; he was on their side.
The Crown Prince was resentful of his failure to meet expectations. Idiot, are you sure you want to associate with them? They are using you!
The Third Prince stuffed a lotus seed into his mouth and mumbled, Being used is better than you calling me an idiot.
The Crown Prince choked. Since when did this stupid younger brother of his become so glib?
He was about to open his mouth to continue mocking when another voice interjected:
What happened? I could hear your voices from far away.
Seeing the newcomer, the few of them called out, Lady Xian.
Consort Xian approached from a distance, looking surprised when she saw them. What a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you little ancestors just by coming out for a stroll.
What were you arguing about just now? she asked curiously.
Sui and the others were not very familiar with Consort Xian, so they didn't reply for a moment.
The Crown Prince said, I was just catching up with my younger brothers. Our voices were a bit loud and disturbed Lady Xian.
Consort Xian looked at the Crown Prince, staring for a few breaths before saying, Your Highness looks much thinner. Before coming here, I went to visit your mother, and she even urged me to take good care of Your Highness.
She sighed, her eyes revealing heartache. Seeing Your Highness like this now, it will be hard for me to explain to Sister Li.
The Crown Prince was moved, and his tone softened. Thank you for your concern. It is my own doing and has nothing to do with you.
Consort Xian said, A few days ago, Li'er also said she wanted to go visit Your Highness. I told her you were studying hard and probably didn't have free time, so she gave up the idea.
The Crown Prince said, I am doing very well. Many thanks to Royal Sister for her concern.
Consort Xian's warm inquiries made the Crown Prince satisfied, especially since she ignored Sui and the others.
Sui and the other two exchanged glances. Seeing that there was no business for them, they said, Then we will go back first.
Consort Xian turned her head, her gaze sweeping over them and landing on Sui. She smiled faintly, Little Highness, please pay my respects to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress on my behalf.
Sui nodded and left with Pei Qian and the other.
Watching their retreating figures, Consort Xian sighed with emotion, Perhaps because they are of similar ages, the three of them have such a good relationship.
It's just that they are a bit too playful, not as hardworking as Your Highness was when you were young.
Meeting the Crown Prince's confused look, she recalled, I still remember when Your Highness was five years old, even when you were so hot that you broke out in heat rash, you insisted on finishing reciting your books. Otherwise, you wouldn't allow ice in the room, saying it was to temper your will.
At that time, His Majesty even praised Your Highness for being able to endure hardship.
The Crown Prince was stunned. I didn't expect you to still remember.
Consort Xian said, Li'er has a good sibling relationship with Your Highness. Since childhood, she was closest to you, her younger brother. Naturally, I treat Your Highness as my own child.
Her words reminded the Crown Prince of the times when the Eldest Princess often went to visit him when they were young, and he suddenly felt much closer to Consort Xian.
Is Royal Sister doing well lately? Why don't I go visit her? he said hesitantly.
Consort Xian's smile deepened. That would be wonderful.
.........
In a flash, it was the end of July. Over the past month or so, Sui showed a strong interest in the temporary palace, which he was visiting for the first time.
Growing up, the farthest place he had ever been was here, so he followed Pei Qian and the Third Prince to wander around quite a bit. The three of them practically treated the temporary palace as an exploration ground.
Despite the abundant shade from the trees, Sui still got a bit tanned. At the same time, his arms and calves became stronger; a punch from him hitting someone would hurt with a solid thud.
When Yun Wan woke up from her afternoon nap and saw that Penglai Pavilion was quiet, she knew the three of them had gone out again.
She shook her head helplessly, taking small sips of an iced fruit drink.
The summer heat was unbearable. During this past month at the temporary palace, Yun Wan lacked energy, but her appetite had improved. However, she preferred sour, spicy, and refreshing appetizing foods and iced drinks.
Seeing her craving cold things, Fuling advised earnestly, Your Ladyship, after finishing this bowl, you must not drink anymore. Otherwise, you'll be crying out in pain again when your time of the month comes.
After speaking, she let out a sound of surprise. It seems your time of the month hasn't come yet this month?
Yun Wan froze for a moment. Associating this with her recent abnormalities, a thought flashed through her mind.
Just as she was about to speak to Fuling, Yue Ya rushed in looking panicked:
Something terrible has happened, Your Ladyship! The Third Prince has fallen into the water!