Chapter 296: Two hundred Chapters
Zhao Yao was too embarrassed to sleep in at the Li Family, so he got up at the hour of Chen. By that time, the Fourth Prince, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the Junior Minister had already entered the palace.
After having breakfast at the Li Family, Zhao Yao bid farewell to Madam Li and Sister Houci. As for Minister Li and the uncles, they had already gone to the Imperial College at dawn.
Before leaving, Sister Houci gave Zhao Yao many books, which were sent as instructed by the Fourth Prince. She also gave Zhao Yao quite a few Gusu snacks that Uncle Qing had specially prepared for him.
Sister Houci even made a wallet and a handkerchief for Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, do come often to visit us."
Zhao Yao accepted the wallet and handkerchief made by Sister Houci without hesitation, grinning, "Sister Houci, don’t worry, I will make sure my Fourth Brother brings me here often."
Sister Houci blushed slightly as she heard this, a bit shyly saying, "I... you can also come by yourself." She didn’t necessarily mean for the Tenth Prince to always bring His Highness to visit.
Zhao Yao tilted his small head, looking innocent and naive, "It’s not as fun without my Fourth Brother."
Seeing that she had misunderstood, the blush on Sister Houci’s face deepened.
"Then come along with Your Highness to play."
A mischievous smile flashed across Zhao Yao’s eyes, unnoticed by Sister Houci.
"Sister Houci, rest assured, I will definitely have Fourth Brother bring me here often."
Sister Houci smiled gently, "Then I’ll make sure Uncle Qing prepares lots of delicious treats for you."
Zhao Yao’s eyes sparkled, "That’s great." Saying this, he suddenly leaned close to Sister Houci, lowering his voice and speaking mysteriously, "Sister Houci, actually, Fourth Brother likes dark green, not dark blue."
Sister Houci’s eyes widened slightly at his words.
"And besides, Fourth Brother doesn’t like sweet soup." The sweet soup that Sister Houci sent last night wasn’t touched by the Fourth Prince; it all ended up in Zhao Yao’s stomach. "Fourth Brother doesn’t like sweet things. He prefers salty snacks over sweet ones."
It was as if Sister Houci was hearing a fantastical tale, her gentle and elegant face showing a look of astonishment.
"Actually, Fourth Brother isn’t picky about food; as long as it fills his belly, that’s enough for him." In this regard, Fourth Brother was very much like Eighth Brother. "Fourth Brother is quite strict with himself regarding food, eating at most two bowls per meal, a third bowl is too much for him."
Sister Houci felt that the Fourth Prince Zhao Yao spoke of was not the same person she knew.
"And also, Fourth Brother doesn’t like incense or scented oils," Zhao Yao added, "Fourth Brother’s room in Xinde Palace has no incense at all."
"What?" Sister Houci exclaimed, "But... "
"Sister Houci, after dinner, Fourth Brother doesn’t like to eat or drink anything," Zhao Yao kindly reminded Sister Houci, "So in the future, you don’t need to send food to Fourth Brother at night."
"How could that be..." Sister Houci looked incredulous, "But, Lady Li..."
"Consort Li is just worried that Fourth Brother might be hungry at night, which is why she asked you to send food. But Fourth Brother doesn’t eat at night," Zhao Yao continued, "And Fourth Brother doesn’t particularly like plum, orchid, bamboo, or chrysanthemum. So there’s no need to always embroider them on things you make for him, Sister Houci."
Sister Houci was in a daze: "Then what does the Fourth Prince like?"
Zhao Yao winked at Sister Houci, "Fourth Brother said he likes pine trees."
Sister Houci noted this down. She gratefully said to Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, thank you for the reminder."
"Oh, and Sister Houci, over poems and rhapsodies, Fourth Brother prefers practical writings," Zhao Yao added after thinking for a moment, "And Sister Houci, you should make fewer things for Fourth Brother in the future."
Sister Houci asked puzzled, "Why is that? Does the Fourth Prince not like what I make?"
"It’s not that Fourth Brother doesn’t like them, he just hopes you won’t waste your time on this," Zhao Yao explained. "Fourth Brother mentioned that in the palace, there are people specialized in making clothes and shoes, so there’s no need for you to specifically make them for him. He thinks it’s better for you to spend time reading books or doing something more useful than making things for him."
Sister Houci was stunned once again.
Seeing her looking distressed, Zhao Yao wasn’t sure if he should continue speaking.
Tong Xi quietly reminded Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, don’t say any more." If he continued, Miss Li might start crying out of sadness.
"Sister Houci, I’m leaving now, see you next time." If it weren’t for how kind Sister Houci was to him, he wouldn’t have bothered to remind her either.