Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 636: Chapter 315: The fourth and the eighth dote on the youngest too much

Minister Li understood Prince Chu’s feelings and said to him with a face full of love, "Your Highness, the Emperor values you because you have this capability. You shouldn’t overthink it, just perform this duty well."

"Father is also testing me. I can’t make a mistake in this matter, not a single one." Another purpose of Father entrusting him with this heavy responsibility was to test his ability to bear it.

"Your Highness, you will manage this well and not disappoint the Emperor." said Minister Li kindly, "We will help you."

Prince Chu didn’t speak but gently nodded his head.

"Since you returned from Shu, you’ve been tense, not daring to relax even a bit." Minister Li was the person who understood Prince Chu the most. Although Prince Chu’s outward appearance seemed as usual, Minister Li could see that he was continuously tense inside. "Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve; these days just relax and rest well, don’t think about court affairs."

Prince Chu obediently said, "Alright."

Minister Li said some more comforting words to Prince Chu before leaving to return to the Li Mansion.

Prince Chu and Li Houci personally saw him off to the door to the ox cart as he departed.

"Your Highness, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, don’t busy yourself anymore tonight." Li Houci held Prince Chu’s hand, blushing slightly as she spoke, "Let’s prepare the things for celebrating New Year and visiting together."

Prince Chu glanced at Li Houci in slight surprise, and then a smile appeared in his eyes, his originally stern face softened considerably.

"Alright."

Seeing Prince Chu agree, Li Houci lifted her head, a sweet smile blossoming on her delicate face.

"Your Highness, this is my first time preparing these things, I don’t know if I’ve missed anything, you must help me check."

Prince Chu, holding Li Houci’s hand, walked towards her courtyard. He earnestly checked the things she prepared, there was basically nothing wrong, but the gift prepared for Zhao Yao was incorrect.

"You prepared too little gold for Tenth Brother." Li Houci had prepared a pouch of golden beans for Zhao Yao, "It should be a large box of gold ingots."

Li Houci was shocked, "A large box of gold ingots, that much?!" She thought a pouch of golden beans was already a lot. "The Tenth Prince is still a child, why does he need so many gold ingots?"

"Tenth Brother has no particular hobbies, except for his love of gold, the more gold, the better." Prince Chu said with a doting smile, "Previously he wanted to go to Liangzhou, I didn’t agree, which made him angry. Now that he’s back this year, I definitely need to give him more New Year money."

"Your Highness, you really do spoil the Tenth Prince."

"He’s my only brother, of course, I have to spoil him." Prince Chu replied with a smile, "I’ll prepare the New Year’s money for Tenth Brother."

"Then I must also prepare more gold for the Tenth Prince."

"I will have given Tenth Brother gold, so he won’t require yours." Prince Chu said, "You don’t need to specially give him more."

"I understand." Li Houci asked again about the gifts for the others, and Prince Chu patiently answered her one by one.

At this moment, Zhao Yao in Xingde Palace had already gone to bed.

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, early in the morning he must follow the Emperor to perform ancestral rites. After the rites, he will also have to attend court. Sleeping early is essential to be well-rested for tomorrow’s busy day.

In the following days, Zhao Yao was busy, yet gained much.

Because he was to visit Mr. Meng in Jinling after the Lantern Festival, this year his New Year’s money was especially plentiful. Both Prince Chu and Prince Wei feared he might suffer on his way to Jinling and might be wronged once he arrived; they not only gave him plenty of money but also prepared all sorts of items for him.

Even though Zhao Yao had not yet departed for Jinling, the necessities for his trip had been fully prepared by Prince Chu and Prince Wei.

For the traveling, lodging, and sustenance in Jinling, Prince Chu and Prince Wei were in perfect harmony, making sure everything for Zhao Yao was properly arranged, ensuring he would not suffer in any way or be wronged in the slightest.

The Emperor, seeing the amount of preparation Prince Chu and Prince Wei had made for Zhao Yao, felt a bit envious for a moment.

Elder Fourth and Younger Eighth really do spoil Little Tenth too much!

Prince Chu and Prince Wei were even worried that the official boat Zhao Yao would take was not safe, not only checking it personally several times but also having it meticulously inspected again, ensuring that the official boat was stable and unlikely to have any issues before they were reassured.

The Emperor had arranged for the Imperial Army to escort Zhao Yao south to Jiangnan, but Prince Chu and Prince Wei were still not at ease. They both had their own people in secret to protect Zhao Yao.