A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

"Fifth Brother is truly remarkable," Prince An remarked with admiration. Turning his head, he noticed his three other brothers staring at him and asked in confusion, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No," Prince Huai replied dryly. "But it would be even better if you didn’t speak at all."

With that, he turned and walked away.

"Eldest Brother, weren’t we going to pay our respects to Father?" Prince An called after him. "Why are you turning back?"

Prince Huai stopped in his tracks and forced a smile. "Father has already listened to Fifth Brother recite for so long—he must be tired. We shouldn’t disturb him further."

Yun Yanze glanced in Yun Duqing’s direction before silently following Prince Huai. Prince Jing hesitated for a moment, then whispered to Prince An, "Second Brother, let’s go too."

Before Prince An could respond, Prince Jing hurried after Prince Huai without looking back.

Why leave? Only a fool would walk away from such a perfect opportunity to curry favor.

Prince An straightened his outer robe and strode confidently toward Yun Duqing. As he approached, he overheard the officials murmuring gentle reminders for Fifth Brother to rest and take care of his health.

Had Fifth Brother been reciting or moving books in Taiyang Palace earlier?

"Your Highness, Prince An." Ming Jingzhou lifted his gaze and bowed in greeting.

"Minister Ming." Prince An returned the courtesy politely. This was his fifth brother’s father-in-law—he had to be respectful.

Only then did the other officials notice Prince An’s presence. After exchanging greetings, they refrained from discussing private matters with Prince Chen in front of another imperial prince, lest they be accused of forming factions.

"Your Highness, this humble official should not linger in the palace any longer. I shall take my leave." Ming Jingzhou looked at Jiuzhu and hesitated before adding, "With spring in full bloom, your mother has learned to make flower cakes. If you find the time, come visit with His Highness."

"Father." Jiuzhu took a few steps after Ming Jingzhou. She remembered when she first returned to the capital and read about a type of pastry made from flowers in a book.

Her mother had told her that flower cakes were most delicious when made with spring petals and promised to prepare them for her the following spring.

She had assumed her mother had forgotten, but it turned out she had kept the promise close to her heart all along.

Ming Jingzhou stopped and turned back to her. "Return to the palace soon with His Highness."

"Father-in-law, I will bring Jiuzhu to visit the day after tomorrow," Prince Chen said, stepping closer to the pair. "Please ask Mother to make extras—I’d like to try them as well."

"Very well." A smile appeared on Ming Jingzhou’s face. "This humble official will await Your Highness’s esteemed arrival at our humble home."

Once Ming Jingzhou had left, Prince An looked at Prince Chen in confusion. "Fifth Brother, I recall you never cared for flower cakes before. Didn’t you say they weren’t satisfying enough…?"

"Second Brother." Prince Chen wished he could shut Prince An’s mouth. "People’s tastes change."

"But you said that just last year."

"The me from last year is no longer the me of today," Prince Chen replied flatly. "If Second Brother has nothing better to do, perhaps he should go home and read more."

Seeing that his fifth brother seemed irritated, Prince An quickly fell silent.

Why was Fifth Brother angry again?

Was it really so hard to gain his favor?

"Your Highness." Jiuzhu suddenly understood—Prince Chen didn’t actually like flower cakes but had asked her father about them for her sake.

"Don’t listen to Second Brother’s nonsense," Prince Chen said with a smile. "We didn’t grow up together. Who would know my likes and dislikes better than me?"

"Mother doesn’t just make flower cakes—she prepares many other dishes, and the chefs at our residence are skilled as well." Jiuzhu beamed at him. "You can try them all when we visit."

"Good." Relieved by her sweet smile, Prince Chen nodded. "Let’s return to Kirin Palace."

"Ah…" Prince An watched as his fifth brother and sister-in-law walked away, sighing to himself.

Another failed attempt at flattery.

Perhaps his timing had been off?

"Earlier in the hall, you mentioned that I stay up late reading every night?" Prince Chen asked as they walked. He distinctly remembered sneaking out of bed to study only after Jiuzhu had fallen asleep these past few nights.

"Every night when you left, I knew," Jiuzhu admitted without much thought. "But since you were reciting so earnestly, I didn’t want to interrupt."

Prince Chen: "…"

He had only wanted her to believe he could recite an entire book flawlessly even without diligent study.

Turns out, she had known all along.

"But Your Highness is truly amazing! After just a few days of reading, you memorized the entire book." Jiuzhu gazed at him with sparkling admiration. "If only I had been half as good at memorizing when I was young."

"It’s nothing. 'Records of Agriculture and Sericulture' isn’t that difficult." Prince Chen lifted his chin slightly. "When your prince sets his mind to something, nothing is impossible."

Jiuzhu’s eyes shone even brighter.

Truly, His Highness was a man descended from the heavens.

The announcement of an additional imperial examination sent waves of excitement through the scholars of the capital. Countless men rejoiced and prepared to take the test.

"The court really added an extra examination?"

"Could it be because Prince Chen memorized the book?"

"He did! My classmate is Minister Wang’s nephew. He said Prince Chen recited the entire text flawlessly in front of everyone, even backwards—utterly astounding."

"Really?"

"Would Minister Wang’s nephew lie? Though I’ve also heard that after the recitation, Prince Chen nearly got beaten, and it was only Princess Chen who stepped in front of him that stopped His Majesty."

"Why?"

"Who knows? Maybe the Emperor never intended to hold the extra exam in the first place."

"In that case, Prince Chen went through great hardship for us scholars. Even for us, memorizing 'Records of Agriculture and Sericulture' in five days would be near impossible."

"Indeed, it couldn’t have been easy."

Amidst the widespread admiration, Prince Chen’s reputation among scholars reached unprecedented heights.

The day after the recitation, Yun Qirong and Yun Yizhi, dressed in imperial guard uniforms, sidled up to Prince Chen. "You really memorized the whole book?"

"With so many officials watching, how could I fake it?" Prince Chen yawned lazily. "Still, something feels off about the whole thing."

"What do you mean?" Yun Qirong asked, puzzled. Scholars everywhere were praising him—what could be wrong?

Prince Chen didn’t elaborate.

Initially, his father-in-law had only asked him to propose the extra examination—never mentioned reciting anything.

Yet once in Taiyang Palace, the Emperor had immediately put him on the spot, leaving him no room to retreat.

At the time, he had only thought memorizing a book was no challenge. Now that it was done and the exam approved, he finally sensed something amiss.

Could it be… that his father-in-law and the Emperor had conspired to trick him into reciting?

Seeing the prince’s troubled expression, Yun Qirong grew concerned. "Is there some scheme at play? Who would dare plot against you? Just say the word, and we’ll settle it."

"You wouldn’t dare." Prince Chen sighed again. "You’ve never been fond of studying. Focus on your duties as imperial guards—in a few years, secure solid positions for yourselves and pave the way for your descendants."

"Your Highness, rest assured, we understand perfectly." Yun Yizhi grinned with an air of earnest simplicity. "Before, the other imperial guards looked down on us royal relatives, but now they treat us with nothing but respect."

Half of it was due to the good deeds they had performed in the capital, which had spread among their colleagues, and the other half was because of the prince.

Having once served as the prince’s study companions, their status naturally differed from the others.

"Your Highness, so this is where you’ve been hiding?" Liu Zhongbao emerged from behind a rockery, spotting Prince Chen tucked away in a secluded corner. He smiled warmly. "This old servant has been searching everywhere for you. His Majesty requests your presence in the main hall of Taiyang Palace."

Prince Chen was momentarily speechless at Liu Zhongbao’s sudden appearance.

Ever since waking up that morning, he had sensed something ominous in the air and deliberately sought out a quiet spot to avoid trouble. Yet, here was Eunuch Liu, having tracked him down regardless.

Truly, nothing in the imperial harem remained a secret.

He rose to his feet, dusted off his robes, and sighed. "Eunuch Liu, when Father summons me, is it to recite texts or review memorials?"

"This old servant dare not presume His Majesty’s intentions." Liu Zhongbao’s smile grew even more amiable. "Might Your Highness trouble yourself to accompany this old servant?"

Prince Chen rubbed his temples. "Lead the way, then."

The moment he stepped through the gates of Taiyang Palace, before he could even bow in greeting, his father spoke first.

"The Zizhi Tongjian states: A ruler must be trustworthy—trustworthy beyond doubt. Only then will his people draw close to him. What is your interpretation of this passage?"

"Your Majesty, this son does not know." Prince Chen bowed to Emperor Longfeng, then shamelessly sidled up to him. "Father, when have I ever had the patience for such dry and tedious books?"

"The Han Feizi says: A bird that does not spread its wings for three years does so to grow its plumage; one that neither flies nor sings observes the ways of the people. Though it does not fly now, when it does, it will soar to the heavens; though it does not sing now, when it does, its voice will startle the world. And what of this?"

"Father." Prince Chen met Emperor Longfeng’s gaze. "Do I look like someone who knows the meaning of such things?"

Emperor Longfeng, far from angered by his son’s antics, merely separated a towering stack of memorials and set half aside. "Your mother mentioned you wish to take your consort out of the palace tomorrow?"

"Father, surely not?" Prince Chen stared at him in disbelief. "You’d use such a thing to threaten me?"

"Your father is a benevolent ruler. How could he resort to threats?" Emperor Longfeng smiled kindly. "If you cannot even grasp these simple principles, then remain in the palace and study. There will be time for outings once you’ve learned."

After a brief silence, Prince Chen stepped forward and gathered the separated memorials. "Father, between us, there’s no need for such games. Speak plainly or give your orders directly. This son can bear it."

Emperor Longfeng chuckled. "Liu Zhongbao, prepare ink and brush for Prince Chen."

"Finish reviewing these, and tomorrow you may leave the palace to enjoy yourself." The emperor set down his vermilion brush and leaned back lazily in his chair. "What father does not dote on his son?"

Prince Chen said nothing, flipping open a memorial and beginning his task without delay.

For the sake of letting his beloved consort taste her mother’s freshly made flower cakes, what were a few memorials?

A true man stood firm for the woman he cherished.

As for the Zizhi Tongjian and Han Feizi—since when were those the concerns of a prince?

"The tax silver submitted by Lizhou this year seems twenty thousand strings short of previous years?" Emperor Longfeng remarked idly. "The prefect of Lizhou has not performed well."

"Several counties in Lizhou suffered floods. A shortfall in taxes is only natural." Prince Chen skimmed through the memorial and scrawled a few bold characters across it. "The prefect’s surname is Liu—a pragmatic and capable official, if a bit stubborn and lacking in charm. Otherwise, he has no major faults."

Emperor Longfeng nodded with a smile. "Age must be catching up to me, to forget such an important detail."

"Father, you might want to look in a mirror before saying that." Prince Chen shot him a glance. "If you’re old, then half the court officials ought to retire."

"Oh?" The emperor laughed. "Do you mean to say, in your eyes, your father will never grow old?"

Prince Chen’s brush stilled. He looked at Emperor Longfeng with utter sincerity. "To this son, you will always be the father who roasted sweet potatoes for me at midnight and carried me on your back through the courtyard."

"As long as you are here, I fear nothing." He set down the brush. "Your complexion is radiant, your hair thick and dark, your steps vigorous. You are in the prime of life."

"Ask me this question again decades from now." Prince Chen grinned. "For now, my answer remains the same."

"You are not old. You are the most towering, the most heroic father in my heart."

"You are also the greatest emperor of Da Cheng."

Silence lingered in the grand hall. Emperor Longfeng stepped forward and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder.

"Hearing these words moves me deeply."

"But these memorials must still be reviewed."

"I never said I wouldn’t." Prince Chen patted his father’s hand. "I only ask that you never pose that question again."

No ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍son wished to see his father age.

Liu Zhongbao noticed the faint glimmer in His Majesty’s smiling eyes.

He quickly lowered his head.

Lest his gaze disturb the warmth between father and son.