Chapter 5 The crown prince and his brother
Although, it was not the official time of the morning yet at this moment, many officials were already waiting at Xuanzheng Hall. They stood in groups of two and three and looked harmonious. However, those who were qualified to stand here could see the problem.
At this time, those who helped the Eastern Palace were together. Some of the other princes also stood together. The rest were scattered in the special Xuanzheng Hall, dividing into countless of small groups.
- The Eastern Palace was where the crown prince resided in the palace. The other princes would get their own residence when they reached adulthood and couldn’t spend the night in the palace without permission.
It was said that the water of the court was deep, but those who hasn’t experienced it personally wouldn’t know what it was like.
The current emperor, emperor of Liang was named Situ Jinghui and was over forty year this year. He had five sons and three daughters. Each one was a dragon or phoenix among people and out of the ordinary.
Eldest prince Situ Yaohua was young and promising, has good conduct of morality and integrity. He was also fair and strict and had always been praised by the audience.
Second prince Situ Jinkang was upright and courteous, and he respected the wise. He had always been a person of noble character.
Third prince Situ Wenrui had outstanding literary talent and wisdom that surpassed others. He had also received the praise of the officials.
Fifth prince Situ Yuanxiao was sixteen-year-old and a student of General Pingxi Chen Jin. He learned military strategy and tactics and was a young talent.
- General Pingxi is the title and Chen Jin is the name.
The other little prince and princesses were all bright and out of the ordinary handsome/beautiful.
Because of health reasons, emperor Jinghui had established eldest prince Situ Yaohua as the crown prince early on. However, the princes were very outstanding. Hence, it was inevitable for some officials to get some other ideas.
At this time, Situ Yuanxiao was standing with his eldest brother Situ Yaohua. They were brothers from the same mother. Their mother is the empress. So, naturally they were close.
At this time, the slightly pale face looked unnatural. He looked at his elder brother with a smile and said, “Eldest big brother, why are you looking at me like this? Is there something on my face?”
Situ Yaohua was ten years older than him. His posture was straight and his eyes were deep. Adorned in a yellow gold encrusted brocade, he had a very noble air around him.
At this time, he was staring at Situ Yuanxiao with thoughtful eyes. Nothing could be seen from his expression. He only kept staring at Situ Yuanxiao.
Situ Yuanxiao felt uncomfortable being stared by him. He pointed a bit weakly at Situ Jinkang who was talking with an official, “Eldest big brother, look. Second big brother is putting on an act again. Do you want me to go over and teach him a lesson?”
Situ Jinkang often used the excuse of respecting the wise to win people’s heart and also did that while putting on a face of a gentleman. Situ Yuanxiao hated such people the most. Too hypocritical.
Situ Yaohua frowned and seemed to have heard that. Situ Yuanxiao sighed with relief and his expression relaxed a bit. He said happily, “Yesterday was third big brother’s birthday. Emperor father certainly gave him many good things. I heard that there were a jade inkstone from Hotan and glowing pears from Yu country. Right, there was also a precious horse that was offered as a tribute last year by a foreign land. All are good things. Also, eldest big brother, do you know, those guys who likes to flatter had given him a lot of beauties. Even emperor father doesn’t know!”
Situ Yuanxiao tried his best to divert his elder brother’s attention and tried hard to tell on his third big brother. As he spoke, he also got excited.
“Mm, what else?”
“I’ll find an excuse another day to rip some off him!”
A bit moved.
“Mm, great idea.”
“Eldest big brother, don’t you like those things? I think that the inkstone from Hotan suits you very much!”
Thinking about it.
“Mm, it looked very good.”
“Also, that horse. It’s a famous colt! I will let it become yours someday!”
Got carried away.
“It seems that you have seen it all.”
“Yes…”
“Eldest big brother…,” Situ Yuanxiao said with a stiff face. The high-spirited face immediately turned bitter. He was too excited and accidentally caused this tragedy…
Also, eldest big brother, can you not be so wise? The moment you take action, it is a trap. Situ Yuanxiao felt bitter in his heart…
Situ Yaohua also felt very dejected. Although, his younger brother is extraordinary, but he like to do stupid things. Every time, it was he who had to clean up his mess after he got into trouble.
Ay, forget it. Situ Yaohua sighed again and clamored at Situ Yuanxiao, “Come to my place after the morning court.”
Situ Yuanxiao’s expression turned bitter and said inwardly, “What I did yesterday had been discovered?”
When he wanted to ask a bit more, he suddenly felt that the hall had quieted down. Everyone looked at the door. Situ Yuanxiao followed everyone’s gaze and his heart skipped a beat.
His third big brother Situ Wenrui walked in with that castrated bastard and said something to Lin Qing from time to time. A hint of murderous intent flashed in Situ Yuanxiao’s eyes.
Lin Qing swept once over the hall. His gaze stopped on the princes a bit longer before he calmly walked in.
Lin Qing paid his respect to the princes according to the rules and then walked to his place. During this time, he also politely responded to the officials who came to greet him. His eyes were narrowed and no one could see anything from his calm face.
However, the hearts of the officials below had exploded. What did it mean that Lin Qing came in with third prince? The crown price had been established for so many years. Even if the other princes were outstanding, Lin Qing had never grouped up with any of them. Could it be that Lin Qing had changed his mind?
The people of third prince were very excited. Although, they looked down on Lin Qing, but the authority of this Lin Qing was indeed so big that it couldn’t be ignored. With his help, perhaps third prince’s opportunity would come!
However, the people of the Eastern Palace were disturbed. This castrated thief had to be killed the sooner the better! Letting him stay alive was a cause to endless troubles!
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Wonder why too much hate to the eunuch? Hmmm. Is it his status? Don’t think so? There must be deeper on it. Thanks for the chapter
I’m pretty sure it’s because of how powerful he is for a mere eunuch. The emperor likes him more than his most favoured son so there is that tiny chance that he could rebel and take control of the court.