Chapter 198 - 173: The Second Prince’s First Day of Disliking His Brother

「Inside Zhongcui Palace.」

Two nannies and palace maids surrounded Xie Sheng, making sure he sat up straight and didn’t slack off. From a modern scientific perspective, a child’s bones are soft and their finger joints underdeveloped, making this an unsuitable age to practice calligraphy. But the ancients didn’t have such knowledge. They subscribed to the belief that an early start led to early success, and that one couldn’t afford to be idle just because they were young.

Guo Xiao Yi was determined to win through her child, and she had poured all her hopes and efforts into Xie Sheng. She wished he could run at age one, jump at age two, and ascend to immortality at age three. The palace maids assigned to him were all from the Gu Family. They were not only literate but also well-educated, perfectly capable of serving as tutors for a young child.

The problem was, he didn’t want to practice.

As he dipped his brush in ink, Xie Sheng seized the chance to glance out the window. He saw the bright sunshine through the paper-covered panes and couldn’t help but drift off.

The palace maid, Jiantao, urged, "Your Highness, you must focus when you write."

Caught daydreaming, Xie Sheng grew flustered and annoyed. "I only paused for a moment. Who are you to comment?"

Nanny Cheng, sent by Guo Xiao Yi to supervise him, watched with hawk-like eyes. Hearing the Second Prince’s words, she immediately gave the palace maid, Jiantao, a resounding slap. "His Highness is right to scold you. Although Jiantao was dutiful in reminding her master, she disturbed him and deserves to be punished."

Nanny Cheng’s hand was as large as a palm-leaf fan. A red handprint swiftly rose on Jiantao’s cheek. Forcing back the pain, she replied with trembling lips, "This servant was wrong."

Nanny Cheng wasn’t punishing the girl to appease the Second Prince.

Jiantao was the palace maid who served the Second Prince personally. Although the young boy understood the difference in their stations, in his heart, he saw her as an older sister. A Prince’s dignity was inviolable, so those around him were punished in his stead. Sure enough, Xie Sheng was immediately filled with regret, thinking his careless words had brought harm to Jiantao. "Nanny, a reprimand would have been enough. Why did you have to strike her? I wasn’t angry with her."

"Your Highness needn’t feel sorry for Jiantao. She is being punished for two reasons: first, for overstepping her bounds and disturbing her master, and second, for failing in her duty to ensure Your Highness applies himself to his studies."

Nanny Cheng stated, her tone rigid and formal.

Xie Sheng looked away, discomfited. "I’ll practice, alright? Nanny, please don’t hit her again. If she’s injured, who will be there to wait on me?"

"Rest assured, Your Highness. If this servant is unsatisfactory, we will simply replace her. We will never leave you without someone to attend to you."

But Xie Sheng had no desire to replace her, so he could only sullenly resume his calligraphy practice.

This time, he was indeed far more focused on his writing. A satisfied look appeared on Nanny Cheng’s face as she droned on, "Her Ladyship and this servant are only doing this for your own good, Your Highness. You mustn’t blame us. We have to measure up to the one in Bihua Palace. The Eldest Prince is in the Emperor’s favor, and he gets priority in everything. Your Highness must work hard to prove yourself and bring honor to Her Ladyship."

The weight of her words was suffocating for the young boy.

"I know."

His two words were tinged with a sniffle, but the surrounding Palace Attendants thought it was for the best. ’A boy who’s always laughing and joking will never accomplish anything great,’ they thought. ’One day, the young master will understand his mother’s bitter efforts.’

Xie Sheng, however, felt that his mother only had eyes for Gu Zhaoyi.

’I’m just a tool she’s using to surpass Gu Zhaoyi.’

He took a deep, sniffling breath, but a commotion from outside broke the silence. "The Emperor has arrived, and the Eldest Prince is with him! Your Highness, hurry out to greet His Majesty!"

Panic shot through Xie Sheng at the mention of his Imperial Father.

His Imperial Father was busy with state affairs and spent little time in the harem. Neither of his sons had reached an age where their studies required strict supervision. In Xie Che’s view, if Zhao’er was happy to learn, then he could learn more. If not, he could just play. Either way, once he was old enough, he’d be packed off to the Upper Study Room, where there were plenty of tutors to take him in hand. A child wouldn’t become a complete illiterate just by playing for a few extra days.

As a result, Xie Sheng could count the number of times he had seen his Imperial Father on one hand.

Xie Sheng first went to find his mother, and then they went together to welcome the Emperor.

Guo Xiao Yi only appeared after meticulously dressing herself. Upon seeing Xie Sheng, she immediately instructed him, "Be on your best behavior in front of your Imperial Father. Have you memorized the Thousand Character Classic I taught you yesterday?"

"I... I..."

Under his mother’s intense stare, the little boy began to stammer.

Guo Xiao Yi grew exasperated. "Don’t you dare act like this in front of the Emperor!" She herself came from an aristocratic family, and her own etiquette and bearing were flawless. ’How could my son turn into such a timid, submissive mouse whenever the Emperor is near?’

"I understand."

Xie Sheng glanced back nervously toward the palace maid Jiantao, who stood a short distance away.

Her face was too swollen for her to attend the formal greeting, and he was terrified that if he failed to perform well, the palace maids and eunuchs at his side would be punished again.

In the front hall, the Emperor was clearly in a good mood.

He spotted his younger son from a distance and beckoned him over. But after bowing and paying his respects, Xie Sheng seemed to forget the gesture. He simply stood to the side with his head lowered, not daring to breathe.

Seeing the boy’s timid posture, the Emperor’s smile faded slightly.

But he reminded himself that Sheng’er was still little and decided he should be more patient. So, he scooped the boy into his arms. The moment he did, he realized something was wrong. "Why is Sheng’er so light? How have you been looking after the Second Prince?"

The Emperor’s brow furrowed, and in an instant, a circle of attendants dropped to their knees.

Xie Sheng’s heart seized with fear. He was only three, after all, and couldn’t stop tears from welling in his eyes as he begged, "I beg you, Imperial Father, please don’t punish my Palace Attendants. It’s my fault I can’t get fat. It has nothing to do with them."

’Why is he crying now!’

The Emperor was a novice father, and since Zhao’er had always been bold, he had no experience consoling a crying child. The Second Prince, Xie Sheng, was so thin and pale, and the way he tried to stifle his sobs as fat tears rolled down his cheeks was especially pitiful. "There, there, I won’t punish them, so don’t cry. Is it the food from the Imperial Kitchen? Don’t you like it? You can choose the dishes today. I’ll eat with you, and your brother, too."

His father’s gentle tone made Xie Sheng feel a little embarrassed. He wiped away his tears and, while quietly greeting his older brother, furtively studied the legendary Eldest Prince who was said to enjoy the height of imperial favor.

At three years old, a child’s appeal lies more in their charm than their features. Xie Zhao was plumper than his brother, dressed in red and gold with a golden necklace around his neck. He looked just like one of the cherubs from a New Year’s painting—exceptionally charming and cute. Xie Sheng was by no means plain; the lack of baby fat on his face gave his features a delicate definition, making him look like a timid little woodland creature.

Bihua Palace and Zhongcui Palace were far from each other, and with the poor relationship between their two households, the brothers rarely had a chance to meet.

"Hello, Second Brother."

Zhao’er wasn’t shy at all, greeting him with a beaming smile.

The legendary Eldest Prince wasn’t at all like Nanny Cheng had described; he didn’t seem like someone who would use his imperial favor to bully others. His mother had once muttered to herself how wonderful it would be if Sheng’er were the only Prince in the harem. But Xie Sheng, who had no playmates his own age, found himself subconsciously taking a liking to his brother. He managed a quiet greeting in return.

His father smiled. "I came to give Sheng’er a gift today. And you could say it’s a thoughtful gesture from his older brother, as well."

’My brother got me a gift?’

A flicker of joy appeared on Xie Sheng’s face, but he didn’t dare let it show too openly.

"Second Brother, I prepared a complete study schedule for you!" the Eldest Prince announced, hopping down from his seat with a THUD. He walked over to Xie Sheng. "Look, this is the loose-leaf notebook my mother gave me. I wrote out a whole plan for our recitation practice. We can study together from now on!"

Xie Sheng: ...

’He really did still want to be an only child,’ he thought.