Chapter 154: Brothers

Chapter 154: Brothers

Despite Nian'er repeatedly expressing his wish to keep Sister Hongying in Fengyi Palace, he ultimately couldn't persuade his mother and ended up moving to Jingxing Garden with Pomegranate Hongying and a group of palace servants given by his parents. After all, being a "physically frail" prince, having Hongying around would be more convenient.

As dusk fell and Jiang Hui left, it was almost the time of You.

Standing at the door, Xiao Lang watched his mother's departing figure for a long time without moving. Pomegranate stuffed a newly filled hand warmer into his hands, whispering, "Your Highness, it's cold outside. Let's go inside. Mother Yang in the kitchen is almost ready with dinner."

"Alright," Xiao Lang nodded and was about to turn around when he caught a glimpse of a small figure hiding behind the door opposite him.

Currently, only he and the Second Prince lived in Yanqing Palace, so the identity of the small figure was obvious.

Realizing he had been spotted, the figure stepped out from behind the door, approached Xiao Lang, and performed a salute among equals, saying, "Xuan'er pays his respects to Imperial Brother."

The Second Prince, Xiao Xuan, was of a well-proportioned build, dressed in well-fitted brocade clothes, with short, neatly groomed hair. He performed a proper salute, followed by his wet nurse and palace servants, who hurried over to greet the Eldest Prince.

Xiao Lang returned the salute and asked, "Has Xuan'er had his dinner? If not, join me."

Xiao Xuan shook his head, his voice still childlike but earnest, "Xuan'er has already eaten. I came to present a housewarming gift to Imperial Brother."

After saying this, he took a lacquer box from his wet nurse and presented it to Xiao Lang with both hands.

Hongying stepped forward to receive the box and moved behind Xiao Lang.

"Mother Yang made a lot of delicious food today. Why don't you join us for a bit more, Xuan Brother?" Xiao Lang said, taking the Second Prince by the hand and leading him into Jingxing Garden without further discussion.

Caught off guard, the Second Prince followed a few steps, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Lang’s thick fox fur cloak, finally resting on his slightly pale cheeks. He seemed about to say something but then decided against it.

He had heard about the Eldest Prince's frail health, and indeed, Xiao Lang didn't seem to have much strength as he led him. Both the Eldest and Second Princesses had mentioned taking good care of the Eldest Prince, so it was best not to linger outside and instead go inside to warm up.

With these thoughts, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse. By the time they returned to his own quarters, it was the third quarter of the hour of You.

The hand warmer that Xiao Lang had tucked into his pocket was now on the table, next to the small bamboo horse gifted by their father. Sitting on the edge of his bed, the Second Prince relaxed his tense expression and swung his legs, asking his nurse, "Nurse Wang, I prepared a gift for Elder Brother today. Will Father like me more for this?"

Nurse Wang, wiping his face with a warm wet cloth, smiled and said, "As a prince who is kind and filial, how could His Majesty not love you?"

The Second Prince's face lit up with hope, "Then on my birthday, will Father take me out of the palace too?"

"I don't know about that," Nurse Wang replied as she finished wiping his face and knelt to remove his little boots for a foot wash. "But as His Majesty's own child, I’m sure he will grant your wish."

The Second Prince was about to say something when a commotion arose outside. Shortly after, a senior palace maid entered and announced, "Your Highness, His Majesty has come to Yanying Palace."

A smile broke across the Second Prince's face. Without waiting to dry his feet, he stepped onto the carpet, ready to run outside, but was stopped.

The palace maid hugged his waist gently and said softly, "Your Highness, you haven’t put on your shoes. His Majesty is heading to Jingxing Garden first and might take a while to come here."

"Jingxing Garden?" The smile on the Second Prince's face faded, "I understand."

Seeing his expression, Nurse Wang dismissed the palace maid and then carried the Second Prince to bed, comforting him, "Today is the first day the Eldest Prince has moved to Yanying Palace, it's normal for His Majesty to visit him."

"I understand," the Second Prince murmured, looking down. Suddenly, he said, "Today, when Elder Brother came, it was the Empress who led him here."

Unlike him, who not only lost his birth mother but also his foster mother.

"Your Highness," Nurse Wang held him in her arms, "there’s still Princess Huaiqing. She loves you the most. When you were little in Fengyi Palace, the Princess often took you out to play. Do you remember?"

"Sister…" the Second Prince muttered softly, not continuing. His gaze returned to the delicately carved brass hand warmer on the table, then to the little bamboo horse he had played with for a while. After struggling out of Nurse Wang’s embrace, he lay down on the bed, pulled over the silk quilt, and said softly, "Nurse Wang, I want to sleep now."

"Aren't you going to wait for His Majesty?" Nurse Wang asked, puzzled.

"Father won’t come," the Second Prince muttered gloomily.

Much later, after Nurse Wang had extinguished the candle and lay down on the footstool beside his bed, he spoke again, "If Father does come, please wake me, Nurse Wang."

"Of course, Your Highness. Rest assured," Nurse Wang reassured him.

Comforted by her words, the Second Prince fell into a deep sleep.

The Empress had already decreed out of sympathy for the young princes and princesses that they could pay their respects again on the fifteenth day of the first month. As for those attending school, they need not rise early but could visit in the evening. Therefore, the Second Prince’s attendants let him sleep in a bit longer.

He slept until nearly the hour of Chen the next day.

The Second Prince was dressed and washed by his nurse, a hint of disappointment on his face.

Nurse Wang pointed to the pigeon carriage on the table and smiled, "Your Highness, this was sent by His Majesty early this morning, praising your kindness and filial piety."

The Second Prince responded, but his demeanor remained unhappy.

In Fengyi Palace, Qingfeng was reporting to Jiang Hui, "Yesterday, the Second Prince sent a moving-in gift and joined the young master for dinner. This morning, gifts were also sent from the Imperial Consort De, Princess Huaiqing, Yishunyi, and Xuedeyi."

Naturally, Imperial Consort De, Yishunyi, and Xuedeyi were preparing gifts on behalf of the princes and princesses raised in the palace.

Jiang Hui nodded, "Pomegranate knows how to return the gifts. Remind Fengshi to guard Jingxing Garden well while Nian'er is at the Chongwen Pavilion and not to allow irrelevant people in."

"Yes, I understand," Qingfeng quickly replied.

Jiang Hui continued, "In these years, keep an eye on the young eunuchs in the Inner Utility Department. Pick some suitable ones to bring over. When Nian'er gets older, he can choose for himself..."

As they were talking, Shan Zha suddenly entered, bowing to Jiang Hui, "Mistress, Lady Tang and Noble Consort Duan have started fighting. Consort He was trying to break it up but accidentally tore Imperial Consort De’s clothes. Now they’re all outside Fengyi Palace seeking your judgment."

Jiang Hui rubbed her temples and stood up to head to the flower hall, "Let’s go see what they’re up to now."