In He Lianfang’s residence.
Zhao Yao was eating candied chestnuts while chatting with He Lianfang.
"Wild chestnuts taste the best when roasted." These chestnuts were a special pick Zhao Yao had brought back from the mountains a few days ago. They were small and exceptionally sweet.
As He Lianfang peeled the chestnuts, he remarked, "The taste is indeed quite good." Aside from other things, Zhao Yao’s proficiency in food was truly admirable, sothing that really impressed He Lianfang.
"The New Year is coming, and I’ll be another year older." Zhao Yao was initially very happy about growing up, but his smile quickly faded. "Alas, even if I age another year during the New Year, I’m still not considered an adult."
He Lianfang ignored Zhao Yao, focusing intently on eating the chestnuts.
Zhao Yao gave a sigh that seed older than his years: "Why is growing up so slow?"
"Don’t want to stay in the capital?" Ever since Zhao Yao returned from Yangzhou, he had been complaining non-stop.
Zhao Yao nodded repeatedly, "Don’t want to, really don’t want to." Although the atmosphere in the capital hadn’t reached the point of open hostility, a dangerous tension still lingered. He didn’t like it at all. "Second Uncle, do you have any way to let go to Lingnan ahead of ti?"
He Lianfang didn’t hesitate to dash his hopes: "Your father won’t let you go to Lingnan early. You should just give up on that idea."
Zhao Yao slumped his shoulders, worn out and hopeless, "Why do I have to wait until I beco an adult to be granted a title? Can’t they just grant it earlier? Didn’t the princes of the previous dynasty get their titles at a very young age? Why can’t Great Zhou have this rule?"
"Go ask your father."
"I don’t want to bother with him." Since returning from Yangzhou, Zhao Yao had been avoiding the emperor whenever possible. When the emperor sought him out, Zhao Yao would act all proper and formal, which infuriated the emperor.
"Oh, still upset that your father called you back from Yangzhou?" He Lianfang teased, "Or are you mad at him for ignoring your well-being before?"
Zhao Yao didn’t answer He Lianfang’s questions.
He Lianfang: "Or is it both?"
Zhao Yao glanced at He Lianfang, then said in a mild tone, "A bit of both." Rationally, he understood why his father left him in Jinling without interference, but emotionally, it was hard to accept. "I don’t want to stay in the capital now, not even for a mont. I can’t wait to go to Lingnan." The capital’s atmosphere was saturated with the struggle for succession. He didn’t want to see his fourth and eighth brothers fight to the death. "Second Uncle, is there really no way for to go to Lingnan earlier?"
"Are you trying to escape?" He Lianfang asked pointedly.
Zhao Yao’s true motives were laid bare, and he nodded in acknowledgnt, "Yes, I don’t want to see the confrontation between my fourth and eighth brothers."
"If you don’t want to see it, will they stop confronting each other?" He Lianfang threw a shell at Zhao Yao’s head. "You should stay in the capital and watch how your royal brothers vie for the throne."
Zhao Yao, looking puzzled, asked, "I’m not fighting for the throne, why should I watch?"
"Precisely because you’re not vying for the throne, you should watch carefully."
Zhao Yao understood He Lianfang’s point, but he didn’t want to watch.
"Second Uncle, how is your friend preparing?" Back in Yangzhou, He Lianfang’s friend had co specifically to et Zhao Yao and talked extensively with him. They chatted with great enthusiasm, especially delving into matters related to Japan.
"Prepared well, just waiting for spring to set off."
"Second Uncle, your friend is quite interesting, but it’s hard to imagine you two are friends. After all, you don’t seem like you’re from the sa world." That friend of Second Uncle was uninhibited and unrestrained, whereas Second Uncle was serious and aloof. It was surprising that two such different people could beco friends.
"I saved him, and he once fought alongside on the battlefield."
"He ntioned it and told many things about your past, saying you were a Divine Military Genius and had won many battles." Zhao Yao smiled, "When he talked about your past battles, he looked very proud and pleased."
Upon hearing this, He Lianfang’s face took on a look of reminiscence, recalling their warti experiences.
"He is a talent for a general, but unfortunately, because of ..."
Zhao Yao noticed that as He Lianfang said this, he unconsciously clenched his knees, a look of guilt appearing on his face.
"Second Uncle, he doesn’t seem to bla you. You shouldn’t feel guilty," Zhao Yao consoled.
He Lianfang collected his emotions, and his expression returned to calm. He gazed deeply at Zhao Yao, making Zhao Yao’s scalp tingle.
"Second Uncle, why are you looking at like that? Did I say sothing wrong?"
In a calm tone, He Lianfang said, "You’ve figured out my identity."
Zhao Yao was montarily taken aback by He Lianfang’s remark, then gently nodded, "Yes, I guessed it."
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