CHAPTER 591: CHAPTER 492: EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING

Prince Jin and Lu Qi, who were so arrogant in the beginning, are now equally embarrassed.

To lose consecutively to Lu Yuan, and to lose so indisputably—this could be described as a major slap in the face.

Lu Qi clenched his fingers hidden within his wide sleeves, his seemingly composed face revealing a fleeting trace of crazy, ominous malice.

Only Lu Yuan noticed it.

Lu Yuan stroked his chin.

Prince Jin stepped forward, almost coming face-to-face with Lu Zhaoyan, his overwhelming presence bearing down on Lu Zhaoyan: "Father has always taught us, ’Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can win a hundred battles.’ You had Yuan’er pretend to be an uneducated fool to lower Qi’er’s guard, so Qi’er wouldn’t exert himself fully in response. Well played, hiding a tiger while playing the fool!"

Lu Zhaoyan’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. Without a shred of fear, he met the oppressive aura head-on, chuckled, and said, "Older Brother, tread carefully. The step you’re trying to descend from is too steep, and I fear you might tumble."

Prince Jin balled his fists.

Lu Yuan stepped between the two, positioned himself in front of his so-called father, fiddled with his sleeve, and said casually to Prince Jin, "Wanna fight?"

In front of Emperor Liang and the civil and military officials, Prince Jin naturally wouldn’t act impulsively.

He stared intensely at Lu Yuan, but the words were directed at Lu Qi beside him: "Qi’er, show your full strength next time. There’s no need to hold back for your cousin."

Lu Qi straightened up and replied solemnly, "Yes, Father King."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and remarked, "Me? I’m different. Though he doesn’t care for brotherly ties, I do. Next round, I’ll only use fifty percent of my strength."

Wasn’t that tantamount to saying: "If I win, I only used half my strength; if I lose, it’s because I let you"?

All the advantage fell into his lap!

Even as composed as Prince Jin was, he was still infuriated, his face turning ashen from anger.

This brat—how does he speak so infuriatingly?

During his days as a treacherous minister in Great Zhou, those opposing officials weren’t assassinated by his Jinyi Guards—they were angered to death by this mouth of his!

Prince Jin took a deep breath, worked to calm his emotions, and left with Lu Qi.

Lu Yuan turned around, saw only his so-called father and Prince Fu, and asked curiously, "Huh? Where did Sixth Royal Uncle go?"

Prince Fu replied, "Sixth Brother has left, Elder Brother."

Prince Ming poked his head out from behind Prince Fu, confirmed that no one else was nearby, and finally sauntered out.

"Did you all feel that? Just now, Elder Brother really looked like he wanted to kill someone. Having been his brother for thirty years, dear nephew, you’re the first to provoke him to the point of wanting to commit murder."

Lu Yuan said to Prince Ming, "Sixth Uncle, why don’t you go persuade him? Tell him not to be angry yet; there’s more for him to be angry about later."

Prince Ming: "..."

The civil servants were quarreling over the Imperial Grandson’s examination papers.

The Hanlin Academy Chief Scholar argued that because the papers were issued by the Hanlin Academy, they should reclaim them.

The Cabinet contended that the questions had been borrowed from the Cabinet’s Book Collection Pavilion, and that the real authors of the questions were the Cabinet members.

Lu Yuan: ... Wasn’t I the one who set the questions?

Can’t say, can’t say.

Watching the civil servants squabble over a single exam paper, the military generals rolled their eyes so hard they nearly flipped over.

Look at them making such a pathetic fuss over a few sheets of paper!

Worth fighting over?

"It’s not like it’s a prized steed."

"Nor the famed First Blade."

The two generals scoffed disdainfully.

Duke Jiang finally squeezed his way out of the crowd.

The two generals turned to him and, in unison, asked, "What did it say?"

Duke Jiang took a deep breath: "... Didn’t understand it."

The two generals: "..."

An hour spent on the examination, an afternoon spent fighting for the paper.

Finally, the paper was seized by Emperor Liang himself, who declared that he’d make copies for all the ministers, and not just that, he’d post it at the Imperial Examination Hall, major academies, and throughout civilian areas, so that talented scholars across the realm could study it.

Next, it was time for an archery and horseback competition.

What had started as procedural formalities had transformed into subtle anticipation among the crowd.

The military generals looked forward to teaching the "pretty face" a lesson.

As for the civil servants... even they didn’t quite know what they were hoping for. All they knew was that they wanted to take another look at the Imperial Grandson.

Prince Ming swept his gaze across the grinning civil servants, muttering under his breath, "Second Brother, why does it feel like your son suddenly gained a bunch of extra fathers..."

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "Do you have a death wish?"

Time was growing late.

The ministers were weary.

Yet they still brimmed with anticipation.

As Emperor Liang hesitated, his gaze suddenly fell upon a round little head.

The little head poked inside, then quickly pulled back.

A moment later, it cautiously peeked in again.

Emperor Liang proclaimed, "Today’s competition ends here. We’ll resume tomorrow! Court dismissed!"

The crowd jubilantly replied, "Long live Your Majesty, long live—"

Huh?

Did something just pass by them?

Emperor Liang strode quickly out of Jinluan Palace. By the time the ministers realized it, the dragon throne was already empty.

Was this the first time they’d seen His Majesty so eager to dismiss court?

His Majesty... in desperate need of the toilet?

The "toilet-dashing" Emperor Liang picked up the small bundle peeking around outside Jinluan Palace: "Came looking for great-grandfather?"

Treasure Piggy nodded, smartly puffing out her little legs: "Great-grandfather didn’t come back, Baby missed Great-grandfather!"

Emperor Liang would typically spend time with the little one after court for meals, but today’s competition had delayed things.

Never had Emperor Liang imagined that this little one would miss him so much as to seek him out at Jinluan Palace.

He was overjoyed: "Great-grandfather missed Baby too."

Treasure Piggy giggled, wriggling in his arms, utterly delighted.

Feeling so uplifted, Emperor Liang carried her toward the Diligent Governance Hall: "Hungry?"

Treasure Piggy patted her round little belly: "Hungry."

Then, let out a tiny burp.

Emperor Liang roared with laughter.

Treasure Piggy bashfully burrowed into his embrace: "It wasn’t me who did it! It was my belly! Baby didn’t let it burp!"

Emperor Liang laughed even harder.

No matter how tiring court was, the sight of the little one would always clear away all fatigue.

"Only miss great-grandfather? Don’t miss grandfather and father?"

Emperor Liang asked solemnly.

Eunuch Yu, trailing behind, nearly failed to hold back a laugh.

At your age, Your Majesty, you’re still vying for affection with your sons and grandsons?

Treasure Piggy declared, "No! Only miss great-grandfather!"

Emperor Liang was inwardly overjoyed, but maintained a serious expression: "You’re lying to great-grandfather."

Treasure Piggy earnestly waved her small hands: "Mama said, kids can’t lie! Baby doesn’t lie!"

Emperor Liang furrowed his brows: "Mama?"

Treasure Piggy: "Mhm."

"Your Mama..."

Emperor Liang stopped in his tracks.

If he remembered correctly, wasn’t the little one’s mother long deceased?

Could it be that rebellious child and Yuan’er had deceived him?

Eunuch Yu also halted.

Small children don’t lie, especially when things slip out unconsciously—they’re usually pure honesty.

Could Miss Zhao Zhao’s mother possibly still be alive?

Oh dear, could the Crown Prince and Imperial Grandson have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor?

After winning today’s two rounds, they mustn’t let this issue become a handle for criticism!

Otherwise, all the earlier efforts would be for naught!

Treasure Piggy raised a hand and pointed toward the Diligent Governance Hall’s garden: "Great-grandfather, Baby wants teacher to be Baby’s mama."

Meng Qianqian, dressed in blue and veiled, her figure like jade.

She bowed and saluted, "Your Majesty, peace to you."

Emperor Liang’s expression eased, and he asked the little one, "Did I agree? Have you already started calling her that?"

Treasure Piggy flapped her small arms fiercely behind her, with a serious and adorable face saying, "Great-grandfather said Baby could have anything Baby wanted!"