IDWBE -Chapter 346 Good Brothers

Prince Dai’s behavior stunned all the ministers!

That’s your younger brother!

How could you kneel like that? Moreover, you are a prince with troops at your command—how could you have no backbone at all? The empire’s succession isn’t settled; who knows whose house fortune will favor in the end?

Shouldn’t everything be tested? Even in defeat, there is honor; in the next life, you’d still be a true man.

Really, these past days, they had grown weary of this Regent Prince.

They even found themselves somewhat missing Emperor Delong.

Emperor Delong was ruthless, yes, but at least he had rules. As long as one followed them, there were rarely major issues.

Unlike this Regent Prince—so unconventional that everyone acted with extreme caution, afraid to anger him.

Living every day with a metaphorical sword at your neck was truly torment.

They longed for a normal prince to appear and drive the Regent Prince away, to restore peace to the court and stability to the realm.

But from what they saw now, that hope seemed distant.

Once the promising Prince Yong, facing 300,000 Wadan troops, had offered no resistance and led 120,000 soldiers to withdraw from Yongzhou, earning the scorn of all.

Many had pinned their hopes on the capable Prince Dai.

And now, this man had simply knelt.

So much so that they no longer had high expectations even for the Prince of Nanling, who relied on Mei Jingzhi.

“Sixth Brother, you are too polite. You and I are true brothers; there’s no need to act so impressively before each other,” Lin Yi personally lifted him up, smiling. “From now on, we must support each other. Don’t be like some fools who complain only when suffering but never remember loyalty when times are good.”

“Regent Prince’s advice is well taken; I shall remember it,”

After being lifted, Prince Dai still kept his body bowed, head lowered, careful to catch every word from Lin Yi.

He never imagined a day would come when he would submit to his own younger brother.

“Ah, brother, you are still so courteous. I won’t say more—let’s continue drinking. Don’t return sober!”

Lin Yi then looked at the Crown Prince, who had been observing coldly, and raised his cup. “Brother, shall we drink this cup together?”

The Twelfth Prince tensed the most.

He didn’t know whether to raise his cup.

If he did, his Ninth Brother might not consider him a true brother, since he wasn’t directly addressed. Raising the cup easily would be presumptuous—and embarrassing before all eyes.

If he didn’t, it would be disobedience, disrespecting his Ninth Brother.

After hesitating, he chose embarrassment over defiance.

At this point, he hardly had any pride left anyway.

Moreover, thinking of the Crown Prince and his father, his life didn’t seem so bad.

He borrowed a cup from Minister of Revenue Gan Mao, poured wine, and raised it to drink.

Thank heavens, his Ninth Brother didn’t object.

He truly was his Ninth Brother’s “good brother,” almost moved to tears.

Then he couldn’t help glancing at the proud Crown Prince, still unmoving, fearing he was intentionally disrespecting his Ninth Brother.

But he heard his Ninth Brother say, “Crown Prince, are you unwell? Shall I summon the imperial physician?”

There was a trace of coldness in his voice.

“No need.”

The Crown Prince finally stood, raised his cup to the crowd, and drained it in one gulp.

“Brother is still so generous,” Lin Yi laughed and finished his own cup.

Immediately after, Prince Dai and the Twelfth Prince also emptied theirs.

After the banquet dispersed, Lin Yi yawned and walked into the Imperial Garden, followed by the Twelfth Prince and Prince Dai.

He handed his outer robe to Xiao Xizi and strolled in just his inner garment.

Prince Dai said, “The night is cold; Regent Prince, please take care of yourself.”

Lin Yi laughed. “Sixth Brother, you’re still so insincere—you know it’s hot tonight.”

Prince Dai replied, “I’ve always been sensitive to cold; the Regent Prince knows that.”

“Ah, chatting with you is getting less interesting,” Lin Yi sighed. “You just returned and probably haven’t seen Consort Yan yet. Now is a good time—no need to waste time here with me.”

Consort Yan, mother of Prince Dai, came from a modest family and was not favored. She lived a peaceful, inconspicuous life in the palace—a rare temperament there.

“It’s late; I won’t trouble my mother,” Prince Dai smiled. “I understand the Regent Prince’s kindness.”

“You are truly careful, leaving no gaps,” Lin Yi said helplessly.

Since the incident between Consort Zhan and Prince Chu, any intelligent prince was cautious.

No one dared night visits to the harem, not even to see their own mother.

Their father’s paranoia made random palace visits uncomfortable for them.

“Regent Prince flatters me,” Prince Dai cupped his hands in thanks.

“I’m not flattering you,” Lin Yi said leisurely. “No one else is here—tell me honestly, what are you thinking? You should know me well enough from childhood. I’m not afraid of being deceived by others, only of being able to see through them.”

Prince Dai’s behavior left him incredulous.

Is this really the Sixth Prince he once knew? Everyone was vying for status, and although Prince Dai seemed weak now, he might not lose in the future. Who was strong from the start?

For example, Lin Yi himself had been the one everyone underestimated.

Prince Dai pondered, then raised his head with a smile. “I have read all the books by my bedside, yet remain foolish in human matters.”

“Trying to be clever with me?” Lin Yi snorted. “You should know my patience isn’t limitless.”

“I shall call you Ninth Brother again,” Prince Dai said, hands behind his back, head held high. “I promised you: if Ninth Brother wishes to ascend the throne, I will fully support you.”

“Since Sixth Brother has placed his bet, I won’t say more,” Lin Yi patted his shoulder. “Rest assured, if I can win, you won’t lose either.”

“Thank you, Regent Prince.”

Prince Dai lifted his robe, knelt, and bowed repeatedly.

“Thank you, Ninth…Regent Prince,” The Twelfth Prince also could not resist kneeling.

“You and I, brothers, need not be so formal,” Lin Yi helped Prince Dai up. “You returned just in time. Lately, dealing with the Wadan envoys has been exhausting. Twelfth Brother isn’t too foolish, but still inexperienced; go help him.”

Hearing this, the Twelfth Prince nearly cried.

Sixth Brother came, and his Ninth Brother no longer fully trusted him.

Then hearing “go help” almost made him leap for joy. Help? It was Sixth Brother helping him!