Chapter 329: Chapter 211: Competing Fathers_3
Zhao Yao arrived at the dining hall of Lanyuan Pavilion and discovered it was filled with people, which surprised him slightly.
On normal days, the dining hall of Lanyuan Pavilion would not be so crowded. Many officials were too lazy to go there for meals and instead ate in their own offices.
Just like Lin Xueyi, he never came to the dining hall for meals and always ate in the History Compilation Hall.
The place where the Fourth Prince and his group compiled history was called the "History Compilation Hall."
Upon seeing the Tenth Prince arrive, the officials stood up and bowed.
Zhao Yao waved his hand, indicating they need not be overly formal.
"Fourth brother, what’s happening today, why are so many people in the dining hall?"
The Fourth Prince glanced at the crowded dining hall, a hint of sarcasm crossing his eyes, and coldly said, "Ignore them."
At the side, Wei Mian interjected, "They are waiting for Mr. Zheng."
"Mr. Zheng?" Zhao Yao blinked in confusion, "Who is Mr. Zheng?"
The Fourth Prince replied, "The Chancellor’s Assistant, just entered court today."
"Oh, Grand Commandant Zheng’s son." Zhao Yao said with a smile, "On the way to Lanyuan Pavilion, many people were talking about him."
"Are you hungry?" the Fourth Prince asked.
"Starving." Zhao Yao replied, looking ravenous.
"Let’s eat."
Wei Mian and Tong Xi swiftly set the table and then attended to the Fourth Prince and Zhao Yao as they ate.
As Zhao Yao ate, he spoke to the Fourth Prince about what he had learned that morning.
The Fourth Prince occasionally offered guidance to Zhao Yao.
After Zhao Yao and the Fourth Prince finished their lunch, neither Prime Minister He nor Zheng Rang appeared in the dining hall, leaving the waiting officials very disappointed.
Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu’s office in Lanyuan Pavilion was not accessible to just anyone, nor could anyone enter casually. Only with their permission could one enter.
On regular days without official business, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu didn’t like others visiting them, so officials dared not seek them out easily.
Zheng Rang, being the Chancellor’s Assistant, naturally worked in the same place as Prime Minister He.
Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu did not come to the dining hall for every meal, but lately, they’d been doing so. The officials expected them to come today as well and arrived early to wait, but ended up empty-handed.
Grandmaster Liu and Prime Minister He had already guessed that officials would wait for them in the dining hall, so they had their lunch in their office.
"For tomorrow’s lunch, we won’t eat in the dining hall." The Fourth Prince disliked crowded places, and these days the dining hall was always packed. Although these people were not noisy, their intentions annoyed the Fourth Prince.
"Alright." To Zhao Yao, it didn’t matter where they ate as long as the food was good. "Fourth brother, have you seen Grand Commandant Zheng’s son? Is he good-looking? I heard Grand Commandant Zheng is a handsome man, so is his son as well? Do they resemble each other?"
The Fourth Prince replied blandly, "Didn’t look closely."
"Fourth brother, is this Grand Commandant Zheng’s son over at Prime Minister He’s place?"
"Why, do you want to see him?"
Zhao Yao nodded and said, "Yes, everyone is talking about him, I’m curious, I want to take a look at him."
"As the Chancellor’s Assistant, of course, he’s with Prime Minister He."
"Then I’ll go take a look now." Zhao Yao took two steps and then stopped, looking back at the Fourth Prince with confusion, "Fourth brother, aren’t you coming?"
"I’m not going, you go ahead." The Fourth Prince had already met him in the morning court. Besides, he wasn’t interested in Zheng Rang, even though Zheng Rang was Grand Commandant Zheng’s son.
"Then I’ll go take a look."
The office of Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu was in that building on the south side of Lanyuan Pavilion.
Lanyuan Pavilion was composed of four buildings, each with five floors, and each floor had more than a dozen rooms.
The office of Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu was on the second floor, and the entire second floor was theirs. Typically, not many people dared to go up to the second floor.
Being a prince, Zhao Yao didn’t need permission from Prime Minister He to visit them.
Prime Minister He and company had already finished their lunch. He sat at the side, sipping tea while watching Grandmaster Liu and Zheng Rang play chess.
"Prime Minister He, Grandmaster Liu, I’ve come to see Grand Commandant Zheng’s son." Zhao Yao’s voice reached them before he did.
Upon hearing Zhao Yao’s voice, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu promptly stopped their moves.
Zhao Yao appeared at their window, waving at them, "Here I am."
Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu respectfully bowed to Zhao Yao, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Zheng Rang also bowed, "Minister Zheng Rang greets Your Highness."