Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Father and Son Interaction
So, the round eyes looked at Lin Wanyi with expectation and said.
"Lady Lin, where is your birthday gift?"
Nowadays his relationship with Lin Wanyi had become much closer.
Their age difference was only eleven years, so they didn’t have the bond of mother and son, rather more like siblings.
Thus, his relaxed tone made the Emperor feel a bit disrespectful.
But since it was his birthday today, he didn’t say much.
He just glanced at Nanny Du, who was looking at the Second Prince with full affection.
Even her usually stern lips were slightly smiling.
It felt strange right away.
Back when Nanny Du took care of him, she was meticulous in everything, but rarely showing a smile.
How come after only a few days with the Second Prince, she became as compassionate as a Bodhisattva?
Could it be that with age, she softened towards the younger generation?
The Emperor was still puzzled when Lin Wanyi took out a book like a treasure.
"’Gongsun’s Miscellaneous Records’? Lady Lin, what kind of book is this?"
"Just open it and see for yourself!"
The Second Prince, who knew few characters, grew more enamored with the book the more he looked at it.
It didn’t contain long essays but was more in the form of illustrations.
It recorded many mechanisms like the wooden ox and horse, clearly a work of great effort by a master artisan.
The Second Prince was delighted and immediately said with excitement.
"Thank you, Lady Lin, I really like this birthday gift!"
"As long as you like it. This, you see, was made by a very skilled artisan I know. If you can recreate more than seventy to eighty percent of the items in this book, I’ll introduce him to you, alright?"
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince was even more thrilled.
Originally, he was uninterested in everything due to his illness.
But ever since he played with the wooden ox and horse for a few days, he developed a great interest.
Although these were miscellaneous crafts, they most required perseverance and intellect.
If there was the slightest mistake, the joints wouldn’t connect.
So, extra carefulness was needed.
He currently couldn’t run or jump due to his physical condition, but he could do some small and skillful handiwork.
The Emperor, seeing this, felt it was a bit of a distraction from important matters.
He was about to speak when Lin Wanyi gently tugged at his sleeve and then shook her head.
The Emperor didn’t understand her actions, but he swallowed his words.
Instead, he turned to Dong Yuzhong and said.
"Dong Yuzhong."
"At your service."
"Bring over the birthday gift."
"Yes."
A large brocade box was carried up by Dong Yuzhong, causing the Second Prince to be full of curiosity.
What kind of birthday gift required such a large brocade box, looking long like... a sword?
He hadn’t guessed it yet when Dong Yuzhong had already opened the box with a smile.
Inside lay a fine bow and arrow, black lacquer with gold inlay, luxurious yet retaining solid craftsmanship.
However, to pull this bow, it was unlikely even three Second Princes could do it.
The Second Prince sheepishly looked at this, recalling that his father had said before that once he got better, he would send him to learn archery and horsemanship.
It seemed he was serious about it.
"This bow and arrow was specially made on my orders for you, with fewer gemstones inlaid, but it’s much more elastic than others. When you fully draw the bow, you only need fifty percent strength!"
After saying this, he demonstrated by drawing the bow easily.
He then handed the bow to the Second Prince, smiling.
"Give it a try."
The Second Prince wasn’t interested at all, but outwardly he had to pretend to like it very much.
His small arms used all their strength, but still couldn’t move the bow.
The Emperor frowned after a glance.
"Your foundation is too weak. I must have the Imperial Physician carefully attend to your health; otherwise, as a Prince of Da Wei, being unable to draw a bow would make one a laughing stock."
The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart.
This sentence from the Emperor disrupted the harmonious atmosphere.
Lin Wanyi saw the flash of disappointment and inferiority in the Second Prince’s eyes and immediately intervened.
"Your Majesty, why don’t we dine first? This whole table of dishes was prepared early; it wouldn’t be tasty if it gets cold."
"Hmm, let’s dine first then."
The Emperor then added.
"Hang this bow on that wall, so the Second Prince can see it every day and be reminded."
"Yes."
The Second Prince looked at the white wall, which now had a bow unrelated to him hanging there.
His mood for celebrating his birthday was mostly gone.
But the Emperor ate happily; it was evident a lot of thought had gone into the meal.
Each dish was one he found agreeable.
He increasingly felt that perhaps the people from the Imperial Kitchen should come and learn.
To avoid making meals that always tasted the same every day.
Making one tired of the taste.
Lin Wanyi noticed the Second Prince’s discomfort and picked up a piece of his favorite tomato chicken.
"Second Prince, have some with your noodles, it surely tastes special."
The Second Prince was initially skeptical, but after taking a bite, his taste buds were indeed delighted.
Seeing him eat happily, Lin Wanyi felt at ease.
The birthday banquet was, after all, harmonious and pleasant.
Shortly after the meal, the Emperor returned to the main hall.
Leaving Lin Wanyi to tidy up with the Second Prince.
Looking at the bow on the wall, they both sighed at the same time, then exchanged smiles.
"Father doesn’t know what he was thinking, giving me a bow, Lady Lin look, I’m not even taller than the bow!"
"Don’t worry, the bow won’t grow, but our Second Prince will grow like a stalk of sugarcane, taller each day. By then, you’ll outgrow one bow, let alone two!"
This playful tone made the Second Prince laugh again.
In the past, he felt that life was meaningless, bedridden daily, and also had to endure the bullying of malicious servants.
But now it was different; he even remembered the times he had to take medicine precisely.
Every day he looked forward to toasting with Lin Wanyi.
Perhaps it was the will to live returning, so his attitude had become more positive.
"Alright, Lady Lin, you should go now, or else father will send someone again to rush you. Making it seem like I’m not letting you go!"
Lin Wanyi lightly tapped the Second Prince’s head with her finger.
"Oh, are we talking back now? It seems our Second Prince is indeed growing up! How about I talk to your father later, and get you a few beautiful and gentle palace maids to serve you?"
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince pouted, not at all pleased.
This reaction made Lin Wanyi chuckle.
Now he truly acted like an interesting child.
He used to seem like an old man who had seen through the world, not cute at all.
Seeing him now reminded her of her brother at home.
So she patted his shoulder and said.
"Now Second Prince, why don’t you take a look at the content of the Miscellaneous Records; if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me tomorrow."