Chapter 176: The Prodigal

Chapter 176: The Prodigal

Upon hearing this, Hua Yang’s face lit up with a smile. She stood and walked outside, where she saw a young man in a lotus-green robe with vine patterns turning the corner by the hanging flower gate.

Although the young man appeared somewhat frail, his posture was as straight as bamboo. He was handsomely featured, evoking the elegance of a clear breeze and bright moon. His phoenix eyes, usually soft, now revealed a hint of sharpness, tempering the slight pallor of his lips.

The youth, his phoenix eyes brimming with mirth, looked towards Hua Yang and waved a colorfully dyed feathered shuttlecock in his hand, saying, "Hua Yang, here's your belonging."

Hua Yang quickened her pace, and upon reaching him, instead of taking the shuttlecock, she wrapped her arms around his arm, coquettishly asking, "Brother, where did you find it?"

"It wasn't our brother who picked it up; he simply took it from a young eunuch's hand," a gender-ambiguous voice followed from behind. Hua Yang turned to see the still-growing fifth prince.

"Fifth brother, if brother gave it to me, then it's as good as him finding it," the fifth prince, with high brows and handsome features, was a head shorter than Hua Yang, who particularly enjoyed pinching his cheeks.

The second and third princes came out from the house. After exchanging greetings, the third prince suggested they all have dinner together.

The third prince, Xiao Xin, aimlessly spent his days at Chongwen Academy. Unable to match his elder brothers academically, and even falling behind his younger siblings, the fourth and fifth princes, he had grown used to the Emperor's scolding. Unperturbed, he devoted himself to culinary pursuits, resulting in a truly skilled chef at his Le Kang Garden residence.

However, the culinary talents of his chef, experienced by many, weren't enough to keep the guests. The fifth prince left to find the fourth prince, and the Crown Prince took Princess Hua Yang back to Fengyi Palace to visit the Empress. In the end, only the second prince stayed.

"Ah, I had specially requested fish fin with locust flowers from the kitchen today!"

The third prince expressed his regret, feeling his siblings missed out on a treat.

The second prince glanced at him, returning to the earlier interrupted topic, "When the Crown Prince and others came, we forgot to ask little sister about the autumn hunt."

The third prince, appearing indifferent, sat back down and fiddled with two jade walnuts on a lacquer tray, "It's fine if we don't ask. After all, if we do go to Pingcheng, we'll be involved anyway. If not, we can still go horse riding outside the capital!"

He seemed to think the second prince shared his interest in the autumn hunt simply as a chance to leave the palace.

The second prince chuckled, "Indeed."

After dining at Le Kang Garden, the second prince bid farewell to return to his residence, while the third prince, not ready to retire, intended to command his servants to join him in a game of touhu.

The eunuch in blue, always by the third prince's side, interjected, "Your Highness, His Majesty just reprimanded you last month, perhaps it's better not to play touhu?"

The third prince waved dismissively, "Let him say. I'm not used to a day without Father's scolding."

The eunuch then reminded him of the Empress Dowager, "Your Highness, remember the Empress Dowager said she'll cut your allowance next month if you continue causing trouble in Yanqing Palace."

The third prince pouted, "Zhang Shuisheng, Mother plays leaf cards every day in Guangyang Palace. How can she criticize me?"

Despite his words, he was reluctant to lose his mother's pocket money. Heeding Zhang Shuisheng's advice, he returned inside and resumed playing with his jade walnuts.

Seeing the third prince's gloom, Zhang Shuisheng served him hot tea with a smile, adding, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager means well. She said most of the ladies selected for Chuxiu Palace are reserved for you princes. If you keep angering His Majesty, what if you end up with unsuitable matches?"

"Ladies for selection?" The third prince gave Zhang Shuisheng a serious look, "I have two elder brothers before me, and besides, how bad could the ladies of Chuxiu Palace be? You're just trying to scare me."

"Your Highness!" Zhang Shuisheng anxiously circled the third prince, earnestly saying, "Your Highness, while the ladies' appearances aren’t an issue, their family backgrounds vary greatly! What if your future princess consort comes from a humble family? How would that be?"

The third prince scoffed, bluntly responding, "I think you've been led astray by Mother, dreaming unrealistic dreams. What use is a princess consort’s noble birth to me? I don’t need it, so stop meddling along with Mother!"

Startled by the third prince's words, Zhang Shuisheng quickly looked around, closed the doors and windows, then returned to whisper, "Your Highness, I’m speaking from the heart. His Majesty hasn’t appointed an heir yet. Don’t you have any aspirations?"

"None," declared the third prince firmly. "Being a carefree prince, enjoying life every day – what's wrong with that? You should also let go of such thoughts and not cause trouble for me."

Zhang Shuisheng, struggling internally, earnestly said, "Your Highness, I’m speaking honestly, not for my own glory or wealth. Even if your fortunes change, I’ll still be serving. I remember all your kindness over the years, and I just don’t want you to have regrets."

"Consider the current situation. The Crown Prince is the legitimate eldest and exceedingly smart, but his poor health makes His Majesty hesitant to name him heir. The second prince, though backed by the Marquis of Changping and favored by the academy, is still born of a disgraced mother. Then, there’s you."

"You’re older than them, born of a high-ranking mother, and the Xu family’s patriarch holds a prestigious position. If you were to vie for it, you’d likely have many supporters…"

"Throughout history, heirs have always been the legitimate eldest. Even setting aside the Crown Prince’s health, neither legitimacy nor seniority applies to you," the third prince remained unmoved, playing with his jade walnuts. "Why worry? No matter who succeeds, I won't be treated poorly. Do you expect me to be like the second prince, always serious and scheming?"

Thinking of the second prince's usual demeanor, he shook his shoulders dismissively, "Forget it, that's not for me."

Zhang Shuisheng was left speechless by the third prince's retort, finally managing to ask, "Then why did you inquire about the autumn hunt on behalf of the second prince today? I thought you had some ambitions."

"The autumn hunt?" The third prince chuckled, "I asked for my own reasons. I just want to go horse riding. Besides, letting him think I’m a fool suits me fine."