Chapter 353

Chapter 0353: Being Coquettish is Quite Effective

The Ninth Prince raised an eyebrow, "His illness was due to lack of good food. Actually, a bit of good food would have helped. Why didn't he have good food? Because he was poor, so doesn't that mean he died of poverty?"

The Tenth Prince was taken aback, and He Jinli laughed, "Who did you learn that from?"

The Ninth Prince blinked with a smile, "I won't tell Father Emperor."

He Jinli laughed again, surely he had learned it from Yun Li.

Better left unsaid.

After conversing for a while, the father and sons parted ways.

He Jinli kept Prince Qin behind for a private conversation. No one minded.

A deposed Crown Prince really wasn't worth the attention.

No matter how outstanding he might become in the future, his inability to have children meant he was destined to be disconnected from the throne.

Thus, no matter how well the Emperor treated him now, it was considered trivial.

This was only Youzhou, the first stop of the southern tour. Everything Yun Li and the Ninth Prince discussed was coming to fruition.

The Ninth Prince was truly grateful his mother had advised him, so he wasn't flustered when faced with these situations.

Gifts were being offered everywhere.

Every prince received them, but the significance of each gift was known only to the recipient.

Initially, the Ninth Prince wasn't in a hurry to seek out He Jinli.

It was only when they reached the Jiayang Traveling Palace and the gifts became increasingly numerous that he felt the need to talk to his father.

Not in a hurry, he first wrote a note and had someone deliver it to Meng Chang.

Meng Chang laughed upon receiving it, then took the note to the Emperor.

He Jinli also laughed upon reading it, "What's with this child, call him here."

He didn't discard the note, instead, he casually placed it inside a book.

Shortly after, the Ninth Prince arrived: "Greetings to Father Emperor."

"Mm, dispense with the formalities, sit and talk." He Jinli observed him, noticing he seemed a bit tanned: "How have you been these days?"

"Replying to Father Emperor, I've been adjusting. However, it's quite damp here due to the rain, which is a bit uncomfortable. You must feel the same, Father Emperor?" the Ninth Prince inquired.

He Jinli smiled, "Like you, I was born in the capital and am naturally unaccustomed. Have someone fumigate your room daily to prevent dampness. If you develop a rash, let the imperial physician prescribe medicine promptly. Drink the cooling tea prepared by the imperial physician regularly."

"Mm, thank you, Father Emperor. Father Emperor, did you see my note? What should I do? They've sent so many gifts," the Ninth Prince worriedly asked.

He Jinli laughed again, then sternly said, "You're this old and still need your Father Emperor to deal with such matters?"

"Ah?" The Ninth Prince widened his eyes, "I'm only thirteen years old, and my birthday is in the last lunar month. I've never been here before, how can Father Emperor say I'm old?"

He Jinli kept a straight face, "Which thirteen-year-old boy still acts coquettishly? In the previous dynasty, you could have been married by now."

The Ninth Prince shivered, "Eh... no way, Mother said I'm not to touch girls until I'm sixteen."

He Jinli couldn't help but laugh, "Your mother, really, is it that late?"

"Since I haven't touched a girl, I'm still a child. Father Emperor, please teach me what to do, so I'll know for next time," the Ninth Prince continued to act coquettishly.

He Jinli actually adored him; how could he find his coquettishness anything but endearing?

It was just a saying.

"Alright, accept the gifts, but remember who they're from. You're still young, without a title, and haven't started your court duties. You should understand what these gifts signify for now. When you're older and have entered court, accepting gifts will require much more caution," He Jinli advised.

"Yes, I will heed Father Emperor's guidance," the Ninth Prince stood up solemnly.

"Well, these are minor matters. You're all still young, go out, see how people outside live. It's better than being confined to the palace forever," He Jinli said.

"Yes, Father Emperor, may I go out and explore?" the Ninth Prince asked.

"You may, but take someone with you, don't wander off alone," He Jinli instructed.

"Thank you, Father," the Ninth Prince chuckled, "Father, although the south is humid, the variety of fruits this season is much better than in the capital."

He Jinli laughed at his sudden switch to calling him 'Father' again.

Is this child done with serious matters? Has he learned to be coquettish from his mother?

"Eat what you like, I've already had some sent back to the capital," He Jinli said.

"The Empress Dowager and Mother will surely like them," the Ninth Prince added.

The father and son casually chatted, extending the Ninth Prince's stay for lunch.

After lunch, he went back.

Halfway there, he ran into Yun Xiaoyi.

Yun Xiaoyi hurriedly paid her respects, "Greetings to the Ninth Prince."

"No need, Consort Yun, I'll be on my way. Please, as you were," the Ninth Prince gestured politely before quickly leaving.

By hierarchy, the Ninth Prince should have greeted her. But in reality, a seventh-rank Yun Xiaoyi wouldn't dare accept such a courtesy from a prince.

Calling her "Your Highness" was indeed elevating her status.

In the palace, only those ranked as Ninth Consort or above could be addressed as "Your Highness."

Hence, due to their lower status, they were the ones who should pay respects to the princes.

Normally, both parties would not perform the full ceremonial courtesies, a simple exchange of greetings would suffice.

After walking away, the Ninth Prince breathed a sigh of relief, thinking his mother was right; it was indeed easier to encounter members of the harem in the traveling palaces.

While in the palace, it wasn’t that they never encountered each other, but the palace was crowded.

If the princes were to be in the Imperial Garden, the concubines would simply be forbidden entry.

The concubines, mindful of avoiding trouble, would stay away.

However, in the traveling palace, the rules weren’t as strict, so encounters were inevitable.

"Does this Yun Xiaoyi have any relation to Mother?" the Ninth Prince asked.

"No, Your Highness. Neither Yun Xiaoyi nor the other ladies have any relation to our Empress," Jile replied.

The Ninth Prince nodded, then it mattered even less.

Upon returning to where the princes were staying, the Tenth Prince approached, "Ninth Brother, did Father call for you again?"

No one knew about the note, so they assumed it was He Jinli who had summoned him.

The Ninth Prince smiled, playfully grabbing the Tenth Prince by the neck, "Tell me honestly, are you jealous?"

"Ninth Brother, you jest, why would I be jealous?" the Tenth Prince struggled, but being weaker, he quickly became exhausted.

"Jealousy is natural, can't even tell the truth, huh? Father treated me to local specialties today; how about I treat you tomorrow at noon?" the Ninth Prince offered.

The Tenth Prince struggled free, "Ninth Brother, if you want to talk, talk, do you have to strangle me?"

"What are you saying? Aren't we brothers the closest?" This line was often used by the Tenth Prince to brainwash the Ninth Prince.

"Yes, yes, let's go, it's raining," the Tenth Prince pulled the Ninth Prince inside.

The Ninth Prince smiled, said nothing, and let himself be pulled along.

The Ninth Prince had completely found a way, and… pleasure, in dealing with the Tenth Prince.

"You say we're close, right? Then let's get closer, make sure not to drift apart."

Isn't this much more fun than fighting and arguing?

"Come on, little brother, let's get closer. Don't you dare hide. Your big brother is the closest to you."

"Hahahaha!"