Since the day that Li Fangming managed to coerce Qin Yijun to eat and come out of his room, the Emperor had once again sent an imperial edict to the Li household. The edict stated that Li Sunxun’s seventh son, Li Fangming is to stay within the Imperial Palace to accompany the Crown Prince. In addition, Li Fangming was also conferred the title of XingLan Wang despite his age.
As for his residence, he was given his own palace within the Imperial Palace and the location was the closest to the Crown Prince’s own YueXing Palace. This news was being spread far and wide, and it made other officials and prominent families grow green with envy. It was clearly the case of: when one is enlightened, even his dogs and poultry will ascend to heaven.
The Li family’s reputation continued to rise within days and the day when Li Fangming has to leave the Li household finally came. These past few days, Li Fangming had been packing his belongings, especially the important ones. He had just placed the last of his belongings onto the silk clothes and wrapped his items up properly before he carried it.
He then looked around at the now empty room he had been staying for the past two years. Somehow, he felt sad. Although the first few years of his life were not a happy one, after meeting Qin Yijun his life had turned for the better. The treatment was a lot better but Li Fangming knew it was only because of the Emperor’s favor.
Li Fangming was lost in his thought when the door to his room slid open. “Ming-er? Are you done? General Wu is here to pick you up,” the one who came into the room was none other than his father, Li Sunxun.
“En. Ming-er has just finished!” Li Fangming answered with a big smile on his face. “In the future, can Ming-er come home?” he asked as he looked up at Li Sunxun.
“Of course! Our house will always open its gate for Ming-er!” Li Sunxun took the bundle from Li Fangming before he picked his son up. “Now let’s go. We can’t have General Wu wait any longer, right? General Wu also said that His Highness, the Crown Prince is anxiously waiting for you. Do you still remember what father said once you stay in the palace?”
“I must not cause trouble? And I must always keep Yi—His Highness happy?” Li Fangming had almost slipped up and called Qin Yijun by his name. Luckily, he managed to correct himself. Li Sunxun didn’t seem to catch it as he only nods his head in satisfaction.
When they arrived at the front gate, Li Fangming could see General Wu waiting with a few other Imperial Guards of the palace. This level of an escort is usually reserved for royalties. Even the nobility women who were invited to enter the harem will not have this kind of escort. At most, it would only be a simple soldier who will act as guards during the escort. This shows how much importance the Emperor placed on Li Fangming. The rest of the Li families are also waiting to send Li Fangming off.
“Good day, Houye,” General Wu saluted Li Sunxun before turning to Li Fangming with a smile and bowed slightly. “Wangye, this general had been tasked to pick Wangye up. Once Wangye is ready, we can depart.”
Li Fangming was then placed on the ground while his bundle of items was handed to one of the guards. The young boy turned to face the rest of the family before giving them a bow. After all, they are still the people who took care of him. When he got up, Li Fangming gave them a smile. “Ming-er will come and visit whenever I can!”
After saying his goodbyes, Li Fangming finally left the Li household. Few others who lived nearby had also gone out to witness the event. Only when the carriage that Li Fangming rode disappear did they finally disperse. Once they are sure the escort won’t be returning, the Li family also went back into their house.
Once they are inside, a few of those who were dissatisfied with the outcome finally speaks up.
“Just because the Emperor favored him, that bastard dared to think this is his home…”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“That’s right! If it weren’t for his luck that father decided to bring him that day, then it could’ve been us!”
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“You two better watch your tongue! The walls have ears and eyes, and the Emperor’s reach is far and wide! If he knew don’t think you will be let off!” Li Sunxun reprimanded his two sons. “Go to the ancestral hall and kneel down and recite the scripture until dinner! Elder MoFan, I will trouble you to make sure these two rascals do their punishment.”
“Of course, now, come along children.”
The elder brought the two dissatisfied children earlier who now have the wronged expression. They couldn’t believe that their father would side with the bastard child over them. Their mother also has a look of discontent but did not voice it out. It was only when she is alone in her residence did she threw a tantrum.
“A joke! Both my life and marriage is a joke! I gave birth to two sons and the one who ends up being favored is none other than that bastard child!” she hissed out. “He’s not even the son of a concubine and yet… Aaaah!!” she couldn’t help screaming out loud, feeling that if she held it in, it won’t be good for her heart.
The servants who waited outside was shocked by the sudden scream but knew the reason. If they were to enter now, won’t that only invite trouble to themselves? May as well stay put and let their Madam calm down a little.
Meanwhile, the carriage that carried Li Fangming had finally entered the gate of the Imperial palace and is making its way to the inner court. Fortunately, because the envoy is being led by the well-known General Wu, their journey went smoothly.
“Fangming!!”
“Your Highness! Please slow down!!”
As soon as they entered the inner court, Li Fangming could hear Qin Yijun calling him out followed by a servant’s plea for the crown prince to slow down. It made Li Fangming stuck out his head on the small window of the carriage to look outside. Sure enough, he could see Qin Yijun running out to welcome him. With a wide smile, Li Fangming waved his hand towards the crown prince.
The carriage finally comes to a stop and Li Fangming alighted from the carriage only to be pulled into a hug by Qin Yijun. “You’re finally here! Come with me! Let this prince show you to your residence!”
Qin Yijun’s excitement was not hidden at all. It was clear for all to see and Li Fangming also couldn’t contain the smile on his face. He followed the excited prince obediently; listening to the other boy’s excited chattering. General Wu followed after them, carrying Li Fangming’s little bundles. The servant accompanying Qin Yijun is also helpless and could only keep quiet as he followed the three. After walking for a while, they could finally see the courtyard that was beside YueXing Palace.
Although the size is smaller compared to the Palace beside it, it is still comparable to the Li household, making the young Li Fangming gape in amazement. “Your Highness, do I have to stay here alone…?”
“Not alone. Imperial Father had already given you few palace servants to serve you!” Qin Yijun answered. “Come on inside! Let’s place your belongings in your room first, and then we can go look around your new place!”
The crown prince held his hand and led Li Fangming to his room in the main building. “This is your room, and that is the wardrobe. The clothes you sent a few days ago are there. That box over there at the corner is where your toys are. And then this is your bed!” Qin Yijun explained everything to Li Fangming. “I chose the materials for your bed myself! Come over and see if you like it!”
Li Fangming, went after Qin Yijun and felt the bed’s mattress. The beddings were soft and felt comfortable to touch. “I like it!” Li Fangming said with a big smile on his face.
“Good! I have the same materials for my bed!”
The two children were enjoying themselves that they forgot about the existence of the servant and the general that had followed them over. General Wu’s task should be over after he escorted Li Fangming to his new residence but because the Crown Prince had taken Li Fangming earlier, he has yet to excuse himself. With Li Fangming’s status, he can’t simply just leave.
So, after waiting for a while, he finally decided to remind the two children of his existence. He cleared his throat to get their attention and when he succeeded, he saluted the two of them. “Your Highness, XingLan Wangye, this general has other task to do. Asking for the Crown Prince and Wangye to excuse this lowly general.”
Qin Yijun finally remembered General Wu and turned to dismiss him. “Alright. This prince offers his gratitude to General Wu for escorting Fangming. You can go now,” he said before noticing the bundles on General Wu’s hold. “Oh, just give that to Xiao Pao. He’ll settle everything here. Fangming, let’s go out and play now!”
Qin Yijun once more held Li Fangming’s hand as he led his friend around the palace, leaving Pao and General Wu behind. He showed him the kitchen area, the side building where the servants live as well as the small pavilion in the garden. “Everything here belongs to you, and all the servants here serve you. You don’t have to worry about anything in the future!”
By the time they finished looking around; it was already close to dinner. A servant came over to find the Crown Prince and Li Fangming, saying that the Emperor wished to have dinner together with them. They were escorted to the Emperor’s dining hall and they found out that the Emperor had been waiting for them. This made Li Fangming nervous and he couldn’t stop fidgeting even after he had taken his seat.
A low chuckle traveled into Li Fangming’s ear and he looked up towards the Emperor. “There is no need to be scared, Li Fangming. Zhen heard a lot about you from Yijun. From now on, you will be living in the inner court. Zhen hopes that you can keep Yijun company throughout his life and to never betray his trust.”
“Of course! I–… umm… this servant will keep the Crown Prince company for all his life!” though Li Fangming stuttered at first, he still managed to answer to the Emperor. After that, the Emperor simply gave him a gentle smile before turning to Qin Yijun. “Tomorrow, you will bring Li Fangming along for your study. Zhen have already assigned a tutor for the two of you. Li Fangming will have extra lessons on etiquette. Zhen hope you won’t cause trouble for Li Fangming during that time.”
“Er Chen understand!” Qin Yijun replied. “Fangming, don’t worry! We can learn together!”
Their small talk was interrupted with servants delivering their meals. Only when the meal is tested for poison did they finally eat. Although Li family is one of the prominent family in the city, and it can also be said that they are quite rich, Li Fangming still found that the meal he ate back in the Li household could not be compared to what he is eating now.
He did not realize how fast he was eating until he finished his food. Then, he saw that Qin Yijun and the Emperor is still eating. He felt his face became hot and he looked down in an embarrassment. He heard the Emperor’s low laughter and he wished that he could find a hole to bury himself in.
“Steward Wong, get someone to bring more food for Li Fangming.”
“At once, Your Majesty.”
After the steward left, Qin Wuzhen glanced over at Li Fangming who seems to have become shy. “Li Fangming, don’t worry about eating a lot. As a growing boy, it is understandable. Zhen only hoped that Yijun would follow your footstep and eat a lot. After the death of his mother Empress, the amount of food he eats is getting less. Zhen always hear the servant reporting to Zhen how the Crown Prince didn’t eat well.”
When he heard this, Li Fangming turned to Qin Yijun who has now become nervous, with a questioning look. “Is that true?”
“It… might be true…?” Qin Yijun answered after a slight hesitation.
“You can’t do that! You promised that you will eat well!” Li Fangming scolded Qin Yijun, forgetting that he is at the presence of the Emperor. “Here! Let me feed you!” Li Fangming went closer to Qin Yijun and started to force the prince to eat more.
Seeing this scene, the Emperor can’t help but laugh out loud. Only then did Li Fangming remember where he was and he was frozen in place. “Don’t mind Zhen. Continue. Li Fangming, Zhen will have to trouble you to take care of Yijun. If he doesn’t eat properly, you have Zhen’s permission to scold him. You have the Emperor’s promise that you will not be punished for it.”
Li Fangming who was nervous before after his rude action to the Crown Prince finally felt relieved. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! Li Fangming will make sure the crown prince will eat properly! I won’t let him be a picky eater too!”
After that, dinner continued with Li Fangming making sure Qin Yijun finished his meal. Only then did Li Fangming finished his second servings. After dinner, Li Fangming and Qin Yijun returned to Li Fangming’s courtyard. At first, Li Fangming thought that after sending him back, Qin Yijun will return to YueXing palace. But the young prince continued to follow him all the way to his room.
“Your Highness… is there something the matter?” Li Fangming asked cautiously.
“En. I am feeling unsatisfied…” Qin Yijun answered as he crossed his arm. “The whole day, you kept calling me ‘Your Highness, Your Highness,’ and I don’t like that. We’re alone now. Call me by my name!”
Hearing the reason for Qin Yijun’s dissatisfaction, Li Fangming can’t help but show a helpless smile. “Aiya! The crown prince being like this, what else can I do?” he teased the other. “Yijun~” he called out Qin Yijun’s name playfully. “Or should I call you Jun-ge instead? You are a few months older than me, right?”
“En! That doesn’t sound bad! Then I’ll call you Ming-er!” Qin Yijun quickly agreed.
“Alright! But we can only do so when we are alone! Or else, the servants will talk and I might get into trouble…”
“Who would dare to cause trouble to you?! Don’t worry. I will protect you! If anyone dares, they will answer to Imperial Father!” Qin Yijun shamelessly announced that he will complain about it to his father.
the babies so cute together~
Yes, very cute~ Or at least I try to make them a cute as possible 😄
Cuties precious must protect 😚😚😙
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