Chapter 665 - 443: The Eldest Prince’s Playmates

Chapter 665: Chapter 443: The Eldest Prince’s Playmates

Yang Weiqing was two years older than Feng Ze and had already begun his studies with his grandfather. He had a pair of pitch-black, lively eyes and looked like a very clever boy.

Yue Guanlan was his exact opposite, with an honest and sturdy appearance. One was active while the other was quiet, one scholarly and the other martial. Yun Zhao took an immediate liking to them.

Feng Yi had chosen these two boys with great care. Moreover, they were children from families related to the Song Family by marriage, making them natural allies. With their interests aligned, they would surely take good care of Feng Ze.

Yue Guanlan and Yang Weiqing were very reserved when they met Ming Fei. Their families had clearly instructed them not to be mischievous or misbehave in the palace.

Song Yunzhao, afraid of scaring the two children, gifted them a pile of things and had someone take them to find Feng Ze. Only then did she turn to Feng Yi and say, "You put a lot of thought into this, Your Majesty. These two children are an excellent choice."

Feng Yi held Yun Zhao’s hand and explained in detail, "The Yue Family has served in the military for generations and is related to the Prince Zhenbei Mansion by marriage. When the boy is older, he will be well-informed about military matters. The Yang Family is a family of upright scholars. Although they aren’t a powerful aristocratic clan, the sons in their family have achieved much through their studies for generations. Yang Shouchen has an upright and honest character, so the grandson he raised is sure to be excellent."

’One civil, one military. It was already clear that Feng Yi was paving the way for Feng Ze’s future. He was going to such great pains because he was raising her son to be the Crown Prince.’

Song Yunzhao hugged Feng Yi’s waist, resting against his chest, and murmured, "I truly feel our son is the luckiest person in the world. He has a mother like me to dote on him, and a father-emperor like you to protect him and plan his future. His path will surely be happier than ours."

Listening to Yun Zhao, Feng Yi tightened his grip on her hand. "You never want your child to go through the same hardships you did. Zhaozhao, our Ze will be happier than I was. When he’s a little older, I will personally keep him by my side and teach him myself."

Of course, Song Yunzhao wouldn’t disagree. ’Although it would be very hard on their son, when has being an emperor ever been easy? Only by ascending to that throne would her and her son’s futures be brighter, more stable, and more secure.’

"Then I can rest easy," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. "Your Majesty truly is fond of me, thinking of me in every way."

Hearing Yun Zhao’s laughter, Feng Yi smiled as well. "When I was very young, I often saw my father, the Emperor, with his other sons. They were always so happy and harmonious together, while I could only stand alone in a corner. Back then, I yearned to be called to his side, to be the one he looked upon with a kind and loving gaze."

An image of a miniature Feng Yi standing in a corner, watching the late Emperor dote on his other sons, appeared in Song Yunzhao’s mind, and her heart instantly ached for him.

’What child doesn’t long to be loved?’

"From now on, you have me and our son. You’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted." Song Yunzhao hugged him tighter.

Feng Yi didn’t speak. ’The life he was living now,’ he thought, ’was much better than he had ever expected.’

’He now had a Zhaozhao who considered him in everything she did, who kept him in her heart at all times. A Zhaozhao who would join him in cursing the courtiers when they drove him to fury, a Zhaozhao who managed all the trivial details of his life with perfect care.’

’Zhaozhao had filled all the once-unattainable voids in his life. He felt happy just looking at her and missed her whenever she was away. Only with her by his side could he feel at peace.’

’If anyone else knew, they would probably mock him, an Emperor, for being so sentimental.’

’He might be the Emperor, but he was still a man.’

’He naturally had his own joys and sorrows, his own anger and delight.’

"If you like these two boys, then we’ll consider the matter settled," Feng Yi said.

"I think both boys are wonderful. One scholarly and one martial, one quiet and one active—it’s a perfect balance. However, we should see how Feng Ze gets along with them first. If their personalities clash, I’m afraid they won’t get along well in the future. Let’s not rush to a decision. We can observe them for a while. This way, we can avoid any conflicts that might arise over time, which could harm the harmony between our families," Song Yunzhao said gently.

Yue Guanlan and Yang Weiqing were treasures in their own homes, so of course, they had their own personalities. Yun Zhao didn’t want to force the boys to sand down their edges just to accommodate her son; she simply wanted to see how they would interact first.

Feng Yi’s perspective on this was different from Yun Zhao’s, but seeing how thoughtful and gentle she was, considering even the two boys’ feelings with such care, he said, "Alright. We’ll do as you say."

’The Yue and Yang Families would be falling over themselves to express their gratitude for this opportunity. How could they possibly dare to be displeased?’

However, afraid it would only make Yun Zhao worry more, Feng Yi kept this thought to himself. He didn’t want her to think he was an emperor who threw his weight around.

After they finished discussing official business, Feng Yi had to return to his memorials. Before leaving, he told Yun Zhao, "I’ll be back for dinner tonight."

"Dinner" naturally meant he would be staying the night. Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but blush, and Feng Yi departed with a hearty laugh.

’He’s getting more and more shameless,’ she thought.

Song Yunzhao had her attendants select items for the children from the storerooms—things to eat, use, and wear. They packed several large chests and had them delivered separately to the Yue and Yang Families.

In modern terms, this was about building a good relationship with the other parents so the boys would get along well with her son and, hopefully, become his future right-hand men.

In the terms of that era, it was a way of bestowing favor upon the two families, a gesture indicating her great satisfaction with their sons.

’In any case, the gifts had to be sent. What the families thought was beyond her control. Her own stance was clear: she was very pleased with the boys, and they deserved to be rewarded.’

The arrival of the boys from the Yue and Yang Families to the Eldest Prince’s side caused quite a stir at court. The Emperor had previously summoned children from many families, sparking widespread speculation. Now that the choice had been settled on these two, countless people were left deeply disappointed.

This was the Eldest Prince, after all. Although Ming Fei was not the Empress, the Eldest Prince was currently the Emperor’s only son. The Emperor kept him by his side all day and frequently took him to Taixi Hall, a display of affection that revealed the Prince’s importance in his heart.

The chance to be near the Eldest Prince and grow up with him would forge an incredibly precious bond for the future. Their prospects were all but guaranteed.

Fortunately, a rumor began to circulate from the palace that more study companions would be chosen for the Eldest Prince next year, meaning everyone still had a chance.

And so, many families in the Capital City began to push their children to excel in their studies, determined that they should come out on top next year and be chosen.

The Yue and Yang Families were related to the Song Family by marriage, so their selection wasn’t surprising. As soon as their sons joined the Eldest Prince, their own households became much livelier. The stream of visitors over the past two days had been endless.

The Yang Family, being scholars, were more reserved, and their visitors were likewise refined and genteel. The Yue Family, however, came from military stock, and their callers were far more boisterous.

Civil servants had always looked down on military generals. But now that the Emperor had chosen a child from the Yue Family to be by the Eldest Prince’s side, these military generals felt vindicated. They believed that once the Eldest Prince was grown, he would surely hold them in high regard.

When Song Yunzhao heard about how things were developing outside the palace, she felt a bit bemused.

’It was... actually quite interesting.’