FBC – Chapter 248 A Lost Game

The eldest prince, Zhao Yuze, still unaware of what had just transpired in the grand hall, returned in high spirits.

Seeing the Emperor smiling approvingly at him, he could no longer contain his elation and strode forward, brimming with pride.

Beaming, he said, “Father, your son has not failed the years of your instruction, nor has he brought shame to Mother Consort.”

The Emperor replied meaningfully, “Mm, not bad.”

Consort Jiang quickly added, “Ze’er, you were so focused on fulfilling your father’s teachings and achieving his wish—why didn’t you think of your brothers’ safety? Just now, your brothers fell into the water.”

Her words were meant both to stop the Emperor from speaking further and to warn her son.

Yet Zhao Yuze, still basking in the glow of victory, failed to notice the meaning behind her words or the grim looks on his mother’s and grandfather’s faces.

He said carelessly, “In the annual dragon boat competitions, it’s common for the navy participants to fall into the water. This year was our first time leading the teams, so naturally I couldn’t interrupt the race just to save someone. Besides, the imperial guards and the rescue teams were present.

“Actually, my brothers shouldn’t feel bad for losing. Victory and defeat are both part of battle. They’re still young—next year, they can compete again. I’ll even withdraw from the race to let them win the championship.”

He spoke as if he were already above it all, watching his brothers fight among themselves.

The surrounding officials exchanged wary looks; even those aligned with the eldest prince dared not speak.

This boy really had no sense of tact—could he not see Prince Ping’an desperately signaling at him with his eyes?

The hall fell utterly silent. The air itself seemed to thin.

Sensing something was off, Zhao Yuze’s eyes flicked about nervously, and his heart skipped a beat.

Before he could think further, a calm voice rang out, “Eldest Brother speaks truly. We were simply not as skilled. Losing is losing.”

The second prince, Zhao Yuxuan, entered the hall with his younger brothers.

Though all four princes were wrapped in thick winter cloaks, their faces were pale and lips blue—clearly chilled to the bone.

Especially the third prince, Zhao Yuchen, whose legs trembled so badly he couldn’t stand and sank heavily into a chair, sneezing nonstop.

The palace attendants hurried to bring hot ginger syrup. Only after drinking did their complexions recover a little.

Putting on the air of an older brother, Zhao Yuze smiled and patted Zhao Yuxuan’s shoulder. “It’s fine to lose one round. There’s still the horseback archery later—you’ve always been better than me at that. You’ll win this time.”

Zhao Yuwen chuckled. “Even Second Brother wouldn’t dare compete with Eldest Brother! Eldest Brother’s three years older and has practiced riding and archery far longer than we have. But since we’re all just playing, there’s no need to care too much about winning or losing.”

Zhao Yuze’s smile stiffened, a chill flickering in his eyes though his face remained pleasant. “Sixth Brother is still young. What’s there to compete over? Your elder brother can always yield to you.”

Zhao Yuwen looked at him meaningfully. “Is that so? You’ll yield anything?”

Zhao Yuze patted his wet hair. “Anything your big brother can give, of course.”

The empire, of course, was not among those things.

Zhao Yuwen grinned and dropped the matter.

The fourth prince, Zhao Yufeng, nodded vigorously. “That’s right—we’re all Eldest Brother’s juniors. Since ancient times, rank and legitimacy matter most. What can the likes of me and Sixth Brother fight for? We just join in for fun.”

As his three brothers spoke one after another, their words laced with sarcasm, even the dullest man could sense the tension.

Zhao Yuze began to suspect he’d acted too pleased earlier and upset them.

He hastily laughed to smooth things over. “My good brothers, rest assured—your elder brother will always take care of you, as a father would.”

The Emperor: “…”

Your father isn’t dead yet!

Consort Jiang’s smile froze; she didn’t even know how to move her lips.

Zhao Yuwen’s eyes gleamed. “Fourth Brother and I don’t mind losing. We’re not as skilled anyway. But it’s a pity about Second Brother—how did his boat end up with several holes?”

Zhao Yuze’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Really? That’s impossible!”

Zhao Yuwen raised a brow. “Several officials are already investigating. It’s confirmed the damage was deliberate. The truth will come out soon enough.”

He looked straight at Zhao Yuze, his expression practically saying, If not you, then who?

Naturally, everyone would think the same—whoever benefited most was the one who sabotaged the boat.

Zhao Yuze’s face darkened. “It wasn’t me! With my skill, I don’t need such tricks! If you don’t believe me, let’s race again!”

Prince Ping’an closed his eyes.

Idiot.

Murmurs rippled through the hall.

“Race again? Can’t you see the Third Prince can barely stand? He’s likely caught a chill.”

“Exactly. The Second and Sixth Princes jumped in to save people—their strength must be exhausted. It’s impressive they’re even standing.”

“As an elder brother, he shows no concern for his siblings. If one day he becomes…”

The Emperor watched his sons—outwardly polite yet inwardly scheming—and was reminded of the brutal struggle for the throne he’d once endured.

A chill crawled up his spine.

Keeping his face calm, he nodded. “Excellent. Brothers supporting brothers—no matter who becomes crown prince in the future, you must all aid each other.”

The hall fell dead silent.

The Emperor had just publicly brought up the issue of the Crown Prince.

“Third, are you feeling all right? Should you return to your palace to rest?”

The imperial physician stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, the Third Prince has caught a severe chill. He is likely to fall ill and should return immediately for rest and treatment.”

“Then send him back to rest.”

Consort Xian’s face turned pale.

That meant her son was now out of the running for crown prince.

She turned helplessly to her elder sister-in-law, Madam Yuan, who looked grim.

The Yuan family had long toiled for the Jiang clan—many of their men had died or been demoted.

Today’s competition had been a joint effort: though the Yuan family agreed to aid the eldest prince, they also wanted to use the opportunity to showcase the third prince’s abilities.

After all, the Yuans were a family of generals and nobles—their tutelage produced capable princes too.

But they hadn’t expected that the third prince, following orders to ram the second prince’s boat merely to stall for time, would be abandoned by the eldest prince. Left to face the other three alone, he was dragged down when the damaged second prince’s boat took all three vessels under.

Zhao Yuchen was poor at swimming and suffered the worst injuries of all.

He was excellent at riding and archery, not inferior to either of his elder brothers. The plan had been for him to let the eldest prince win the dragon boat race while he took first in archery—thus balancing the scales.

Even if the eldest prince became crown prince, Zhao Yuchen would be recognized for his talent and granted a noble title.

But now, her daughter had been bullied by the Jiang clan, and her son’s prospects were ruined.

Everything was over.

With the founding duke stationed in the northern frontier and the other uncles pursuing their own interests, what could she, a mere woman, possibly do?

“Mm.” The Emperor turned to the remaining three princes.

Zhao Yuxuan cupped his hands. “Father, your son—achoo!”

Zhao Yuwen followed with several loud sneezes, rubbing his nose hard and pounding his chest, laughing awkwardly.

In a muffled voice he said, “Father, it’s fine! Your son’s strong as ever! Achoo—haha!”

Zhao Yuxuan quickly added, “Father, I’m fine too! This little chill won’t bother me.”

The Emperor chuckled. “In the naval dragon boat race, the eldest prince took first place—he shall be rewarded.”

Zhao Yuze finally relaxed, stepping forward to thank him. He received a brocade box from the Ministry of Rites containing a pair of jade ruyi.

He could hardly contain his joy.

Although there would still be horseback archery and hunting competitions, those were events reserved for royals and high-ranking nobles.

The dragon boat race, however, was open to the public. Merchants, commoners, and examinees at the capital could all watch the event. Zhao Yuze’s fame would now spread throughout Bianjing.

But before his delight could fully blossom, he heard his father praise Zhao Yuxuan and Zhao Yuwen for their bravery in saving others—virtuous and capable both.

Then the Emperor’s tone shifted. “Consort Gui, Consort Xian, you two are close. You must both teach your sons well—to rule through virtue. If they grow with dark hearts, how could they ever shoulder the affairs of the state?”

Zhao Yuze’s face turned ashen.

Consort Jiang and Consort Xian quickly rose and bowed. “Your concubines obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Both were seething but could only swallow their anger.

The Empress smiled faintly. “Is His Majesty praising Xuan’er and Wen’er? Then shouldn’t they be rewarded as well?”

The Emperor nodded. “Of course. There happen to be two golden-threaded soft armors—each of you shall have one.”

Zhao Yuxuan and Zhao Yuwen’s eyes widened in astonishment and delight.

Those armors were priceless treasures, coveted by every prince.

Zhao Yuze’s face instantly darkened.

Gu Hua suddenly felt a sharp, hostile gaze on her. Looking up, she met Consort Jiang’s eyes—filled with murderous fury.

Gu Hua smiled lightly and nodded in greeting.

Jiang family… how much longer can you endure?