Chapter 336: Chapter 213: The Presumptuous Seventh Prince_4
The Fourth Prince kept his eyes on the book and said without raising his head, "Mother is looking for me only because of Zheng Rang."
"The Empress probably wants you to secretly ally with Zheng Zhengshi."
The Fourth Prince turned a page and said indifferently, "I will not recruit Zheng Rang, nor will I let the Li Family approach him."
"Your Highness, Zheng Zhengshi has Grand Commandant Zheng behind him, if you could use Zheng Zhengshi then..."
The Fourth Prince interrupted Wei Mian, "I will not try to win him over."
"Your Highness, why not? You know the importance of Zheng Zhengshi. The Crown Prince, Prince Dai, and the Third Prince will all try their best to win over Zheng Zhengshi."
"Precisely because I know he’s important, I choose not to approach him," the Fourth Prince’s tone was aloof, "at least it’s not suitable now." The future is hard to predict.
"Not suitable now, then when will it be?"
The Fourth Prince did not answer.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince had nothing more to say, Wei Mian dared not disturb his reading further and quietly withdrew.
When would it be suitable?
That would depend on fate.
During the day, the Fourth Prince had already communicated with his two cousins, instructing the Li Family not to target Grand Commandant Zheng’s three sons, and certainly not to approach or recruit them on their own initiative.
The much-sought-after Zheng Rang and his brothers were chatting in the study at that moment.
Today, Zheng Qian did not go to the palace like his two elder brothers but attended an assessment at the Imperial College. Although it was planned as a day’s assessment, he completed it in half the time and passed perfectly.
Starting tomorrow, he would go to the Imperial College for studies. However, he was somewhat reluctant because he felt there were no smarter people than him at the Imperial College.
When Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng asked him how he knew, he replied he found out through the assessment at the Imperial College.
The assessment at the Imperial College was too easy for him. He really doubted whether anyone could fail such a simple test.
If getting into the Imperial College required such a simple assessment, then none of the students there could be considered intelligent. Moreover, he thought even the teachers at the Imperial College lacked competence.
"You can’t judge all students based on the Imperial College’s assessment, younger brother," Zheng Rang said, "surely there are many intelligent individuals at the Imperial College."
Zheng Qian glanced sideways at his two brothers: "Elder brother, second brother, yesterday you even said I couldn’t pass the Imperial College."
Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng smiled awkwardly, "We just wanted to challenge you on purpose."
"Both I and elder brother believe you can pass it." It’s not surprising at all that the younger brother passed the Imperial College, in fact, it would be surprising if he didn’t.
"Whether the students at the Imperial College are smart or not, you need to see for yourself inside," Zheng Rang truly feared Zheng Qian would capriciously refuse to attend the Imperial College, and he earnestly persuaded Zheng Qian, "Since you have already passed the entrance assessment, you have every right to openly and justifiably challenge all the students at the Imperial College."
"After you’ve challenged the students and find them lacking, then challenge the teachers," Zheng Cheng suggested, "I’ve heard there are many learned and esteemed teachers at the Imperial College."
"If the students aren’t worthy, the teachers at the Imperial College surely aren’t either," Zheng Qian said expressionlessly, "a smart teacher wouldn’t produce ignorant students." He held no high hopes for the teachers.
"You need to see it for yourself," Zheng Rang firmly concluded, "Tomorrow, obediently go to the Imperial College."
Though Zheng Qian was unwilling, he obediently listened to his elder brother.
"By the way, when you go to the Imperial College tomorrow, keep your identity a secret, don’t tell others you are the youngest son of Grand Commandant Zheng; otherwise, many people might try to ingratiate themselves with you, which would certainly annoy you," Zheng Rang knew their younger brother disliked being pestered. If truly irritated, there was no telling what he might do.
"Don’t worry, elder brother, I absolutely won’t admit I’m Zheng Xilin’s youngest son." Since he came to the capital, he never intended to rely on his father’s reputation for his actions. Besides, he believed he was smarter than his father, so there was no need to depend on him.
Zheng Cheng joked, "Even if the younger says he’s Grand Commandant Zheng’s son, probably no one would believe him." Their father was modest, at least in public; he acted low-key and indifferent to fame and fortune. Meanwhile, their younger brother’s temperament was far too flamboyant and arrogant, completely opposite of their father’s.
Zheng Rang agreed, "Indeed."
Zheng Qian felt his two elder brothers were mocking him—and he had evidence. However, he didn’t care.
"I don’t resemble father anyway!" He didn’t think there was anything to be proud of in resembling their father.
The three brothers chatted for a while before each returned to his own courtyard to rest.
The following day, the three brothers rose early and had breakfast at home together.
Zheng Cheng saw Zheng Rang carrying a food box filled with some delicacies from their hometown.
"Elder brother, you really brought it along."
"The Tenth Prince repeatedly reminded me not to forget it. If I didn’t bring it, the Tenth Prince would surely be disappointed." Zheng Rang didn’t want to see disappointment in the Tenth Prince’s face. Although he only exchanged a few words with the Tenth Prince yesterday, he really liked the smile on the Tenth Prince’s face.
"I wanted to meet the Tenth Prince to ask how he came up with the stirrups, but unfortunately, I didn’t see him yesterday," Zheng Cheng’s tone was filled with regret.
At that moment, Zheng Qian interjected, "The Tenth Prince is a smart person."
It was the first time Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng heard Zheng Qian commend someone as smart. They knew that even in the eyes of their younger brother, their father wasn’t considered smart.
"What did you say, younger brother?" Zheng Rang asked incredulously, "You actually said the Tenth Prince is a smart person?"
"It’s the first time hearing you call someone smart," Zheng Cheng was equally disbelieving. "You haven’t even met the Tenth Prince, how do you know he’s smart?"
"Someone who could turn two iron rings into stirrups couldn’t possibly be a fool," even he hadn’t thought of this use for iron rings. "Don’t you understand the function of stirrups?"
Zheng Cheng laughed, "That’s precisely why I wanted to ask the Tenth Prince."
Zheng Rang chuckled, "Then come to Lanyuan Pavilion and have lunch with me, you can meet the Tenth Prince then."
"Sure, I’ll come to find you for lunch."
Though Zheng Qian just claimed the Tenth Prince was smart, he wasn’t truly interested in him. Moreover, he didn’t think the Tenth Prince was smarter than him.