Chapter 1431 - 344: Dragon Body_3

Chapter 1431: Chapter 344: Dragon Body_3

"The problem arises here; others may be courteous to the princes, but Prince Jingnan won’t be. Fourth Brother, if you go, it’s easy to die in battle. Even if you die in battle, no one will feel pity for you; instead, they’ll beat gongs and drums to celebrate. Celebrating the ancient tradition of the Ji family sacrificing for the country has returned."

Everyone knows how the Third Prince was first deposed.

He was deposed the day before Lord Jingnan exterminated his entire clan.

The Ji family owes something to Prince Jingnan;

A Third Prince, perhaps, possibly, indeed, cannot fill the gap.

Even if another prince is added, given Prince Jingnan’s current merits, no one would consider it unfair.

Most importantly, in this world, besides father, no one can truly control what that Southern King will do.

"Then where can I go?"

The Fourth Prince was utterly bewildered.

Ironically,

he, a dignified prince, proficient in military affairs,

ends up in a situation where there’s nowhere in this vast world for him to find his footing?

"There is a place that’s quite suitable for you."

"Where? Chengjue, tell me quickly, don’t keep me in suspense."

Ji Chengjue pointed downward,

and said;

"The capital."

"......" Fourth Prince.

"Don’t misinterpret, Li Liangshen’s route will eventually move, probably to Yin City, to support Big Brother, or to facilitate entering Yan. Leaving it outside the capital is too wasteful, given it’s a town of North Border army cavalry.

After Li Liangshen leaves, the capital garrison needs a chief official. Our Yan State has always had a tradition of princes controlling the capital garrison.

Years ago, Big Brother controlled the Tiancheng County soldiers, and Second Brother nominally managed the capital’s Forbidden Army.

Fourth Brother, you actually fit this role."

"The safety of the capital, entrusted to me?"

The Fourth Prince seemed to have heard a colossal joke.

"Then entrusted to whom? To Second Brother? Or to me? It’s handed over to you; when entrusted to you, father can rest assured."

Ji Chengjue bent down again,

The Fourth Prince handed over a towel.

Ji Chengjue didn’t take it, but rather took out a new one.

"Uh..." Fourth Prince.

He soaked the towel in ice water,

and handed the chilled towel to the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince received it,

Ji Chengjue spoke again;

"It’s quite suitable; you arbitrate as Second Brother and I contend."

"Will it work?"

"I’ll arrange a memorandum tomorrow; you don’t do anything, just observe father’s intentions. After all, you are father’s son."

"Yes, after all, a son of father."

"Father particularly dislikes seeing his sons idle and doing nothing but eat for free."

"......" Fourth Prince.

"Master, Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the palace gate."

Ji Chengjue got off the carriage, closely followed by the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince’s carriage had been trailing behind Ji Chengjue’s, and his attendant trotted over to help tidy the collar.

"Do you regret appearing together at the palace gate with me?" Ji Chengjue asked with a smile.

"You and I were never on the same path; I only waited intentionally for you." The Fourth Prince dismissed it indifferently.

"Fine, Fourth Brother leads, I follow behind. Customs, we cannot ignore."

"Indeed."

Today is the family feast.

Actually, this family feast occurs annually, intended to reminisce hardship and treasure sweetness, and commemorate the ancestors’ struggles to establish and maintain the empire.

Originally, it should be held in spring, but early in the year, there were numerous affairs, and later, the military campaign against Chu delayed it, hence chosen for this day of rest.

The meal takes place in the Imperial Study.

Compared to previous years, today, there are significantly fewer people.

Ji Chengsu no longer needs to be led by nannies; residing presently in the palace, he arrived earliest, sitting obediently at his appointed place.

Ji Chengjue and the Fourth Prince also took their seats one after another.

After waiting a while,

The Crown Prince arrived and sat down.

The Crown Prince’s face had become much slimmer than before, yet no longer bore the desolate air of early in the year; the whole person appeared more composed and capable.

Once all the princes had arrived,

The Yan Emperor emerged from the annex behind the Imperial Study, and seated himself behind the imperial desk.

A slew of attendants served the meal—bran gruel, steamed corn buns, pickles.

The emperor and princes ate the same.

"Let’s eat."

The Yan Emperor picked up the silver chopsticks.

"Thank you, father."

"Thank you, father."

All princes began dining.

The Crown Prince dined most elegantly, Ji Chengjue ate the most casually, midway, even requested the attendant to add a dish of pickles;

The Fourth Prince ate the quietest, still occupied with thoughts about the capital garrison.

Ji Chengsu ate with the greatest pain; every swallow was immense torture.

Yet, with father and brothers dining, he dared not act recklessly, only continued.

Suddenly,

As the Yan Emperor moved the chopsticks,

they fell onto the table,

The sound of silver chopsticks hitting resonated sharply in the Imperial Study.

The Yan Emperor lowered his head, looking at his right hand that trembled slightly.

In the depths of the Yan Emperor’s gaze, a hint of anger revealed.

This supreme ruler that can issue an edict for millions of troops to expand territories, appoint Prince Jingnan as the commander, instruct Earl of North Border to guard the wilderness, make the Qian State officials bow, and have the young prince of the barbarian tribe recognize him as uncle;

Now,

Can’t control his own right hand,

to pick up the chopsticks again.

For a moment,

inside the Imperial Study,

everyone’s heart stalled because of the sound of chopsticks dropping.

But quickly,

The Crown Prince continued picking up pickles, left hand under his chin, lifting them to his mouth, chewing slowly as if nothing happened.

The Fourth Prince was shocked, looking ahead, his body trembled, accidentally tipping his porridge bowl, spilling it onto the floor.

Immediately,

The Fourth Prince left his seat, knelt on the ground, forehead touching the blue bricks of the Imperial Study.

Ji Chengjue sighed, put down his chopsticks, stood up, walked over to Ji Chengsu, took his chopsticks as well, placed them on the table.

Then,

led the bewildered Ji Chengsu over to the Fourth Prince, kneeling together.

The Crown Prince, while still eating, also set down his chopsticks.

Ji Chengsu asked with a child-like voice: "Brother Chengjue, what has happened?"

"Father is angry," Ji Chengjue replied.

Ji Chengsu looked up in surprise at the Yan Emperor sitting above, and asked;

"Father, what is the anger for?"

Ji Chengjue answered:

"Because we brothers are useless, unable to help father alleviate worries in national affairs, merely a bunch of fools who only know how to eat, seeing us, father can’t even finish his meal, hence the chopsticks were thrown."

The Crown Prince rose, leaving his seat, knelt down.

Then,

All the princes in unison said:

"Your sons are incompetent and have failed your grace, please father quell your anger!"