novelaction Chapter 803 Duanmu Awakens the Crown Prince!
Chapter 803 Duanmu Awakens the Crown Prince!
"Fourth brother, I'm sorry about Consort Luo. I've already punished her. As for the Luo family, you can handle it yourself. But at least there's still Zhaoyang. Don't go too far, lest she go back to the palace to complain to Father and Mother."
"Understood. I was merely issuing a warning to the Luo family. Father has always kept the Luo family at arm's length, and Second Brother, you should understand why."
The Ming King nodded. He had indeed taken advantage of the Luo family earlier. Although the Luo family had always sided with him in dealing with the Crown Prince, they probably did a lot of despicable things behind his back.
"Alright, enough chit-chat, let's get to work. I'm fine, but Ah Nuan will send someone to bring me some food later, and you'll be in trouble. I really didn't intend to share my food with you."
The King smiled and glared at him. He really didn't know what to say about his younger brother.
Now that Prince Ming is in charge of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Works, he can be considered a prince with real power in the court.
In earlier years, the Ming Prince and the former Crown Prince would probably have developed a rift because of this. But it was Duanmu Chuze who not only complained that he had too little power, but also that he had too much to do and only wanted to distribute his power.
"By the way, second brother, how old is my nephew this year?"
"Fourteen, what's wrong?"
As soon as the Ming King sat down, he was immediately surrounded by a pile of memorials.
“Duanmu Xing, you’ve only been made heir apparent for a short time. I heard from my father that he values this grandson quite a bit; at least, he seems more pleasing to the eye than you.”
King Ming gave a wry smile. "Alright, Fourth Brother, if you want to praise him, just praise him. There's no need to keep insulting me, is there?"
"Here's what you'd like to do: when you have some free time, bring your second sister-in-law and Duanmu Xing to the East Palace for a visit. Anuan came in the latest, so I'm afraid she doesn't recognize Duanmu Xing yet."
"That's true. Fourth sister-in-law just got married a few days ago, and you went to Yanzhou. We haven't really seen each other much."
"Oh, right, tell Second Sister-in-law to bring Qiaoqiao along too. She's twelve this year, isn't she?"
"I'm thirteen now, a grown woman. Even if I'm not willing to admit it, I'm getting old now."
"Alright! If Father Emperor hears you say that, you'll be in deep trouble!"
Two days later, King Ming indeed arrived at the East Palace with his wife and two children.
"Greetings to the Crown Princess." Duanmu Xing and Duanmu Qiao, the brother and sister, performed the greeting very politely.
Mu Xin Nuan leaned back on the chaise longue, smiling with a hint of joy. "No need for formalities, Second Sister-in-law, please sit down. In the future, when you come to my East Palace, you don't need to be so polite. Just call me Fourth Aunt."
Mu Xin Nuan actually found it somewhat amusing. Her younger brother was only a few years older than this Duanmu Xing, yet he called her "sister." This was quite a lively situation.
The brother and sister sat down, and Mu Xin Nuan asked a few ordinary questions. Then, looking at Duanmu Xing's handsome face, she smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law is blessed. You can tell at a glance that Xing'er is a kind-hearted person. In the future, second sister-in-law can just wait to enjoy a life of leisure."
"Thank you for your kind words, Fourth Brother and Sister-in-law."
"I heard you've been studying at the Imperial Academy lately?"
"Yes, Fourth Aunt."
"Here's the thing. A few days ago, my son Ah Xuan came to me, saying he wanted to join the army for training. Even if he couldn't become a general in the future, at least it would give him some heroic spirit and toughness. Come to think of it, Ah Ze always instills these ideas in them when he has nothing else to do. Now, all the brothers in the Mu family are clamoring to go to the army. My father is really worried about this."
"My fourth brother has always been the most resourceful. When it comes to fighting, I'm afraid he's second to none."
"Second sister-in-law is right. That's why my younger brothers admire me so much. Ah Xuan has also practiced martial arts since he was a child. Although he's not very good at it, he at least has some basic skills. I'm really worried about this."
As Mu Xin Nuan spoke, she noticed a hint of excitement flashing in Duanmu Xing's eyes.
"Has Xing'er considered joining the army for training?"
Duanmu Xing was suddenly called out by name and was a little flustered. He glanced at the princess and then said somewhat embarrassedly, "Fourth Aunt, it depends on Father's arrangements."
“You know, your second brother has taught this child to be too obedient. Now that you’re at the East Palace, if you want to go, just tell your fourth uncle. It just so happens that my son, Ah Xuan, is insisting on going, and I was thinking of finding him a companion. You two were already acquainted at the Imperial Academy, so going together would be perfect.”
Princess Ming paused slightly, realizing that Mu Xin Nuan's words contained a hint of something more.
Sure enough, Duanmu Xing was soon summoned to the study by the Crown Prince's men. The women there then began to chat about needlework and embroidery.
It wasn't until after dinner that King Ming and his family left the East Palace.
The Prince helped his wife into the carriage. Such a small gesture stirred the Princess's heart, and her eyes were already slightly red.
“You taught Xing’er very well before. Now that it is your fourth brother who intends to let him enter the military camp for training, it is a good thing. Every member of the royal family of our Great Yong must go through this step. Father often said that our Great Yong’s empire was won by our ancestors on horseback. We, as their descendants, must not forget our roots.”
"Yes, Your Highness, everything is as you wish."
“Today in the study, I could tell that although he said he didn’t expect Xing’er and Mu Qingxuan to be very successful in the future, I think he was actually cultivating more outstanding talents for our Duanmu family. It’s a blessing for Xing’er to be chosen by him.”
"Your Highness, I will not protect my own. Although life in the military camp is tough, without experiencing these hardships, I'm afraid our child will not amount to anything."
The Prince nodded, but there was one more thing he didn't say: the eldest of the other illegitimate sons in the mansion was already ten years old this year, and the one under Consort Luo's name was already three years old, right?
Although they were all sons, the Emperor still valued the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.
Now that Duanmu Chuze is willing to promote their son Xing'er, the future of the Ming Prince's Mansion looks bright.
Judging from the current situation, it seems that their entry into the military camp for training is truly just that—training. Now that the Turks have submitted to Dayong, there are no external threats, and the occasional disturbances from small tribes are unlikely to pose a significant threat.
That's fine too. Even the King himself didn't realize that ever since he got into the carriage, his hand had been tightly gripping the Queen's, and he had never let go.
The news that Prince Ming's heir, Duanmu Xing, was going to join the army for training quickly spread throughout the capital.
This time, the nobles and gentry of the capital finally saw clearly the Emperor and the Crown Prince's attitude.